If you're tired of standing in massive outdoor gear stores, trying to sort the cheaply made stuff from the high-quality goods, Sydney's new adventure store is for you. Founded by local explorer Brendan Ives, The Adventure Collective in Annandale offers a tightly curated selection of equipment. Each and every item on the shelves is there because it does its job well and is made to last. Forget racks and racks of microfibre towels, packing pods and and torches. Instead, you'll be presented with a very limited choice and, for some items, no choice at all. If the sales assistant offers you just one pocket knife, you can assume that, in Ives' experience, it's the best pocket knife for the price in the world. The Adventure Collective also aims to provide gear that suits your adventure style. Whether you're a coffee cruiser who likes an easy bush walk ending at a wine bar or a Bear Grylls who sets off into the bush, hoping to avoid all another humans for weeks, you can expect to be kitted up just right. And you won't be pushed into buying items you don't need. Brendan Ives spent several years adventuring around the world before landing in London, where he worked in a travel agency's sales department. Frustrated by the use of unreliable, inefficient gear, he returned to Australia, where, in 2012, he established Bear Rentals, a fleet of Land Rover 4WD campers, which he set up and test drove before renting out. While kitting out the cars, Ives collected and tested out a massive range of outdoor products — and then decided to share the very best of the best with Sydneysiders. So next time you plan to head of on an overnight or multi-day hike, or an ambitious camping trip, pop your head into The Adventure Collective before you head off. The Adventure Collective opens this Friday, 24 August, at 16 Cahill Street, Annandale.
Tasmania has long been a pilgrimage for nature lovers, cold-weather chasers and anyone who thinks a weekend away should always involve at least one decent bakery. In recent years, it's also become a destination for whisky lovers. Given Australia's tropical to subtropical climate, whisky distilling has often been left to the pros in the Scottish Highlands. There was a brief flirtation with distilling spirits in the cooler climate of Tasmania during the 1800s, before Governor John Franklin outlawed the practice. But in 1992, the Lark family created the first Australian distillery to produce single malt whisky in 154 years, firmly rekindling Tasmania's love affair with the spirit. Now, Tasmania is the home of Australia's new whisky scene, and LARK Distillery is leading the charge. Whether you're heading to Hobart for a laidback long weekend or are island hopping for a while longer, LARK's whisky-fuelled experiences should be added to any itinerary. Here's what you can expect when visiting the home of Tasmania's thriving whisky scene. [caption id="attachment_1046083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Still[/caption] The Still, Hobart Located in the heart of the city on Argyle Street, The Still is LARK's modern whisky bar. By day, the sleek yet warm flagship store is used as a retail space and tasting room for travellers wanting to learn more about Tasmania's whisky industry. During the 45-minute tasting experience, guests learn the story of LARK (from the fishing trip that began it all to its latest releases), and can enjoy a curated tasting of LARK's single malt whiskies. Guests will also receive a 10 percent discount on any bottles, so you can enjoy a taste of Tassie once you get home. If gin is more to your taste, The Still also offers a two-hour gin-making masterclass. Guests will receive a first-hand look behind the process of crafting native gin under the guidance of LARK's professors, who have created the award-winning Forty Spotted gin. During the booking, guests can explore the world of botanicals, try a refreshing native gin and tonic, learn about the history of the spirit, and even create their own Tasmanian gin as a souvenir. [caption id="attachment_1049089" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Still[/caption] Once the sun begins to set, The Still turns into a cocktail lounge and bustling bar. With its cosy booths, elevated food menu, and knowledgeable staff, even those less into whisky will be able to get out of their comfort zones and enjoy the spirit. Whether it's a tasting flight of impressive local whiskies from across the state, or a LARK whisky and soda, it's easy to spend a whole evening lapping up the atmosphere of The Still. You can try your luck at a walk-in or make a reservation to avoid missing out on a bucket list whisky experience. [caption id="attachment_1046084" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pontville Distillery[/caption] Pontville Distillery Thirty minutes' drive north of The Still, you'll find LARK's Pontville Distillery. Set amongst historical buildings, the Pontville Distillery is Tasmania's only working whisky village and offers visitors the chance to explore how LARK crafts its award-winning spirits. Its production and site tour is the closest you'll get to stepping inside Tasmania's whisky origin story. During the 45-minute tour, guests are guided through the distillery to learn how the spirit is made, as well as discover the secrets behind single malt whisky and the story of LARK's beginnings. Enjoy four tastings along the way, and take in the atmospheric surrounds of the historic estate. The tours run every day at both 12pm and 2pm, so be sure to book in a spot on your next Tasmanian trip. [caption id="attachment_1050645" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pontville Distillery[/caption] Between the sleek, design-driven interiors of The Still in Hobart and the rustic, historic beauty of Pontville Distillery, LARK's venues offer two quintessentially Tasmanian whisky experiences. Whether you're a tourist on a long weekend or are looking for a local team bonding experience, you'll be planning your next trip before you've polished off your last dram. Book a table for you, your team, family or friends for dinner, drinks or a guided tasting experience at The Still. Book a spot for you, your team, family or friends on a guided whisky tour at LARK's Pontville Distillery. Lead image credit: Lark Distillery
There's nothing quite like it sometimes, a good old-fashioned Aussie pie. The smell of hot pies straight out of the oven when you walk into a bakery is enough to send some of us into nostalgic meltdown. Whether it's a traditional meat pie or a chunky apple pie that tickles your fancy (no American Pie reference intended), we've got the pick of the pies this winter for when that yearning sets in. Complete with generous fillings, golden, puffy pastry on top and bottoms that remain miraculously un-soggy, come in from the cold this winter and warm up your belly with our favourites. 1. Bourke Street Bakery CP pick: Chicken, sweet potato, pea and lime pickle $5 You can't really go wrong with any of the pies on the menu here. In fact, you can't really go wrong with anything here, fullstop. This place is an institution: sandwiches, sourdough loaves, sweet pastries, cakes, coffee and sausage rolls all walk out the door quicker than you can get in. But you really can't go past a pie on a chilly winter's day and we reckon that the chicken, sweet potato, pea and lime pickle is a winning combination. Be adventurous, get over you pickle fear and trust the experts: this amalgamation of ingredients is meant to be together. All open 7 days: Surry Hills, Marrickville, Alexandria, Potts Point, Neutral Bay; (02) 9569 3225; www.bourkestreetbakery.com.au 2. Black Star Pastry CP pick: Lamb shank and red wine pie $7.80 There's no doubting that pastry chef Christopher Thé is some kind of culinary-wizard. With consistent award winning left, right and centre, you'd have to be a fool to think otherwise when considering a pastry treat. Make it snappy though: the notorious menu item is a sell-out for a reason. Tender bits of shredded lamb are smothered in red wine gravy; miraculously, the surrounding pastry does not get soggy at all. Certainly worthy of all the attention it gets. If, however, for some catastrophic reason, there is a sell-out prior to your consumption, the back-up won't let you down either — trust us. Open 7 days 7am-5pm; 277 Australia Street, Newtown; (02) 9557 8656; www.blackstarpastry.com.au 3. The Pie Tin CP pick: The Pie That Ate Newtown - XL Apple Pie $10.50 This place just needs a flaky pastry for a roof and they can take their name to full literal meaning: warm and cosy inside and full of yummy goodness, it's nothing but pies here. Vegetarians are well catered for and carnivores can be seen eyeballing the Sunday lamb roast. Sweet tooths will be sent into dessert delirium when they see the options available, but The Pie That Ate Newtown will stop any apple pie fan dead in their tracks. This pie is extra large. No wait, it's enormous. Utterly bursting with layers of cinnamon-spiced apple, the pastry on top is crisp and liberally sprinkled with sugar. The depth of this pie is incredible and you could easily share a portion between three, or take the rest home for later. Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun: 10am-6pm; 1a Brown Street, Newtown; (02) 9519 7880; www.thepietin.com.au 4. La Banette CP pick: Ratatouille pie $6.50 It may be hard to bypass the front counter that is replete with pastries and cakes, but the pies that sit in the heating cabinet at the back must not be overlooked. Winter calls for something warming and wholesome and what better way to get your vege dose than a ratatouille pie? La Banette have made it lid-less for a reason: chock-a-block full of chunky vegetables, it might be a tad messy, but it's worth every napkin. Grab a coffee and dessert on your way out, and it's quite the steal. Tues-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat & Sun 7am-5.30pm; 18 Glebe Point Road, Glebe; (02) 8095 9688 5. The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay CP pick: Snapper Pie $48 The Boathouse has a reputation for luring people to dine on Australia’s finest seafood. Yet it's the signature dish — the snapper pie — that gets people talking the most. And yes, it's one of those pies: not only does it meet all the benchmarks of the perfect pie, but also it goes way beyond that. Ceremoniously served up on the plate in front of you by the waiter, the aromas are enough to send you into a gastronomic meltdown. It might set you back $48, but the succulent chunks of snapper engulfed in a light creamy sauce and topped with golden flaky pastry are worth every penny. Just ask for more bread so you can mop up the delicious juices. The Boathouse have nailed it: hook, line and sinker. Lunch Thus-Sun 12pm-3pm, Dinner Tues-Sun from 6pm; End of Ferry Road, Glebe; (02) 9518 9011; www.boathouse.net.au 6. Harry’s Cafe de Wheels CP pick: Harry’s Tiger $6.90 This place is over 70 years old — so clearly they're doing something remarkable. We reckon it's because they've maintained all their traditions and kept it simple since 1938: a refreshing change to the elaborate gastronomical contrivances that can be seen around Sydney. The signature dish is named after the founder Harry 'Tiger' Edwards and is a chunky lean beef pie served with mushy peas, potato and gravy. The generous portions on top are the ideal carrier for the peppery filling beneath, and it certainly calls for cutlery — unless you want to be wearing the Harry, it's not one for eating on the go. Open 7 days: Woolloomooloo, Haymarket, Liverpool, Ultimo, Parramatta, Tempe, Burwood, Penrith; (02) 9211 2506; www.harryscafedewheels.com.au
In Australia, we're all about that coffee — though most of us are a whole lot more focused on what's in our cup, than what's being turfed out by our barista. But one Australian startup is hoping to change that by setting up Melbourne's first coffee waste mushroom farm, and using those soggy, leftover coffee grinds to grow fresh mushies. The innovative project has been shaking up Perth's food scene since March this year. Dubbed Life Cykel, the initiative sees cafe's coffee waste recycled and used to grow oyster mushrooms for some of the city's high-end restaurants. Melbourne's status as a world class coffee-swilling destination has marked it as the next logical landing spot for Life Cykel's mushroom movement, with founders Ryan Creed and Julian Mitchell set to unveil another of their urban mushroom farms — this time in a couple of shipping containers in the inner north suburb of Abbotsford. They're currently running a Kickstarter campaign to fund the farm. Instead of heading straight to landfill and messing with the environment long after you've finished that last sip of espresso, spent coffee grounds from some of your favourite local cafés will now get a new lease on life. They'll make their way to the Johnston Street site, where they'll be mixed with mushroom spores and used to cultivate scores of flavoursome funghi friends, which, in turn, might just end up back on your plate. The mushrooms will be sold to local restaurants, and will also be available to buy in take-home mushroom-growing boxes so you can watch those babies grow yourself. It's all designed to get us thinking a little harder about food sustainability — where our food comes from, where all those scraps end up and what we can do to change it. Life Cykel has raised over half of a $30,000 Kickstarter goal, with little over a week of their crowd funding campaign remaining. If you want the carnage of your coffee to be converted into some yummy mushies, you can pledge a few dollars here. It must be noted that the mushrooms don't taste like coffee — they taste like mushrooms.
Finding a wedding venue is no easy task. There's the toss-up between a city and country celebration, a luxe location versus staying in your hometown. Plus, the allure of the destination wedding is enough to make your bank account quiver in a corner. When you find the one, though, everything else about the wedding can fall into place. If you're looking for a destination that offers a Euro-summer event without needing to charter a 24-hour flight, you're in luck. St Siandra is Sydney's sun-soaked waterfront restaurant that can host intimate beachfront weddings, large receptions and even corporate events. It's set on a private beach in Middle Harbour and brings a little dose of Italian shores to Mosman. Here's what to expect when booking an event at St Siandra. [caption id="attachment_895511" align="alignleft" width="1920"] St Siandra[/caption] Unbeatable Views The Mediterranean-inspired venue offers panoramic Sydney Harbour views. Located just a short drive from the CBD, your Sydney guests won't need to worry about booking accommodation or hiring a car to get to an outer-city venue. St Siandra is situated in Sydney's quiet harbourside suburbs, so local guests can spend more time focusing on your day rather than the logistics of a destination wedding. If anyone is coming from out of town, they can admire the breathtaking Sydney views and experience an Amalfi-style event by the water. St Siandra has an indoor-outdoor layout, making it ideal for a relaxed yet luxe event. The interiors feature Mediterranean-inspired styling with a coastal heritage, anchoring the venue to Sydney. Outside, the private beach offers you the chance to share your nuptials on the sand. [caption id="attachment_1036463" align="alignleft" width="1920"] St Siandra[/caption] Your Wedding, Your Way Whether you're looking for an intimate dinner experience, a 40-person celebration or a full-scale party of 150, St Siandra offers bespoke packages that cater to different needs. The venue features a dedicated events team that provides hands-on guidance to help you plan your wedding. There's a range of curated packages and transparent pricing available as well, so the wedding budget won't be surprised after you've set your heart on a vendor or service. [caption id="attachment_1036462" align="alignleft" width="1920"] St Siandra[/caption] St Siandra features two space options. If you're looking for a venue that comfortably seats up to 50 guests or 85 people cocktail-style, the Bluebird Room is your best bet. It's a light-filled space featuring 180-degree water views and exclusive access to a private bar and beach views. From intimate sit-down meals to a luxe cocktail party, the Bluebird room and deck can be tailored to suit your wedding dreams. Is your guest list a little larger? The restaurant and deck at St Siandra can seat up to 110 guests and accommodate 160 people in a cocktail-style setting. This option features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views and makes it easy to say "I do" and party the night away without needing to ferry guests from the church or gardens post-ceremony. [caption id="attachment_1014188" align="alignleft" width="1920"] St Siandra[/caption] Memorable Food and Drink Experiences While everyone's at your wedding to celebrate your love, one of the most essential parts is (undoubtedly) the food and drinks. At St Siandra, the seasonal menus have a Mediterranean focus on local produce. Head Chef Sam McCallum has crafted the menus to feature mouth-watering flavours, decadent canapés and sit-down meals to share with loved ones (no matter their dietary requirements). To complement your food selection, there's a range of beverage packages that can be tailored to suit your party. Featuring creative cocktails, wines, spirits, craft beers and mocktails, every detail is considered. [caption id="attachment_1033893" align="alignleft" width="1920"] St Siandra[/caption] More Than Weddings It's not just weddings that can be held at St Siandra. Birthdays, baby showers, bridal parties, and corporate functions can all be planned and held at the Mosman restaurant. So, whether you're looking for an Amafli-inspired wedding (without the long haul travel) or are after an intimate dining event to celebrate with your friends and family, St Siandra delivers refined dining, breathtaking beachfront views and a relaxed elegance—all without leaving the city. Learn more about hosting your wedding or event at St Siandra here.
The term institution gets thrown around perhaps more than it should, but one restaurant that embodies the word and all its meaning is Lee Ho Fook. Founded over a decade ago in Melbourne by celebrated chef Victor Liong, the two-hatted landmark has played a pivotal role in redefining Chinese cuisine in Australia. Now the restaurant is ready to turn the page on a new chapter, announcing a soon-to-open outpost in Sydney at The Porter House Hotel. Launching on Wednesday, September 17, Lee Ho Fook will join an already impressive lineup of dining destinations within the neighbouring precinct. Guided by hospitality operator Trippas White Group, guests encounter European deli charm at Porter House Grounds & Cellar Door, rooftop cocktails at Bar See See and pan-Asian inspiration at Moutai. Yet the arrival of Lee Ho Fook is set to add a heap more culinary weight thanks to its prestige reputation. "Our aim has always been to create food that's delicious, engaging and a little unexpected," says Liong. "Lee Ho Fook in Sydney will continue to respect the foundations of Chinese cooking while presenting them through a contemporary Australian lens — refined yet warm, with service that makes you feel like you've found a place you'll keep coming back to." The Sydney iteration will carry on Lee Ho Fook's celebration of China's diverse regional cuisine, with Liong bringing an elegantly simple flair to the equation. Expect signature small plates like prawn toast with Tasmanian sea urchin, and its acclaimed crispy eggplant with spiced red vinegar. Meanwhile, mains at the new restaurant will include Kung Pao Skull Island prawns, and steamed Glacier 51 Toothfish with silken tofu. An experienced team supports Liong's vision in both front and back of house. In the kitchen, Head Chef Brad Guest brings vast experience working alongside leading culinary names like Martin Benn, Neil Perry, Daniel Puskas, Clare Smyth and Pasi Petӓnen. Then, Victor's sister Nianci takes up the reins as restaurant manager, drawing on years of experience working in renowned eateries like Momofuku Seiobo, Fred's, King Clarence and Sokyo. Though Lee Ho Fook is making its move north, the design of the Sydney outpost will maintain its Melbourne aesthetic. Think raw brickwork and deep-toned polished timber floors set against neon lights and moody red and brass accents. With the restaurant's launch only a few weeks away, Lee Ho Fook will be open for lunch from Wednesday–Sunday and dinner from Monday–Saturday. Bookings are now open. Lee Ho Fook - The Porter House Hotel is expected to open on Wednesday, September 17, at 203 Castlereagh St, Sydney. Head to the website for more information. Images: Parker Blain.
You've likely spied her work gracing the menus, coasters and even walls at culinary hot-spots Hubert and Alberto's. Now, see Sydney linocut print artist Allie Webb (and Swillhouse Group art director) embrace foodie culture from a different angle, with her solo exhibition A Midsummer's Night. Hitting Surry Hills' China Heights Gallery from Friday, March 15 to Saturday, March 23, the showcase of bold, black linocuts pulls inspiration from a recent jaunt to Italy, and memories of lazy feasting sessions on balmy Roman nights. It's an exploration of modern daily life, with shared experiences around the dining table at its core. Elements pulled from pop, German Expressionism and momento mori still-life paintings are used to embrace the many rituals we associate with food. Oh, and you might want to book somewhere for a feed after you visit the exhibition — capturing motifs like overflowing fruit baskets, heaving bowls of pasta and bottles of vino, this one's sure to inspire an appetite. Opening night runs from 6–8pm on March 15, with the exhibition open daily from 12–5pm afterwards.
Structured as a raw open counter, the specialty meat market resides in the popular Sydney Fish Market. Vic's Meat Market is separated into sections, from organic and grass fed (Lean and Green) to the specialty wild meat section (a seasonal selection of game from kangaroo to wild boar and venison). You can stroll into the custom-built cool room if you're rugged up, or, if you're feeling peckish, make beeline for the grill. There's a chef on hand to cook your choice of steak right there and then. Plus, you can pair it with one of the many wines available by the glass. Alternatively, tuck into a cheeky $14 smoked pulled pork roll with zesty coleslaw and house-made barbecue sauce — the pork is slow cooked over ten hours in in the purpose-built Yoder smoker affectionately dubbed 'Kong'. The wagyu cheeseburger, one of the many burgers available on-site, is one of the best burgers in Sydney. If you'd prefer to take something cured home, look to one of the six varieties of biltong or 25 different salami and sliced meats. Popcorn? Consider yourself replaced as a salty, salty movie snack.
The last time that Emma Stone made a movie with Greek Weird Wave director Yorgos Lanthimos, 2018's excellent The Favourite was the end result. The Cruella star earned an Oscar nomination for her troubles, deservedly so, and the filmmaker's style and sense of humour gained a wider audience. Indeed, the made a winning pair, in what was one of the former's very best performances of Stone's career. Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that they've reteamed again. Also far from astonishing: that another unique movie looks set to hit screens. This time, they've traded regal dramas for a riff on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein — which will never stop being a gothic-horror masterpiece, or inspiring stories across the page, stage and screen. And, while Poor Things doesn't actually use that f-word, it looks mesmerising, eerie and stunning in both its initial and just-dropped trailers. Also, Stone is clearly playing a version of Frankenstein's monster. Poor Things adapts Alasdair Grey's 1992 award-winning novel, but the parallels with Shelley's mother-of-all horror greats are as obvious as a bolt of lightning. The focus: Bella Baxter, a woman resurrected by an unorthodox scientist, distinctive in her mannerisms afterwards and eager to learn about a world that isn't quite sure how to react. Continuing the movie's top-notch casting — and Lanthimos' in general, as seen in everything from Dogtooth and Alps to The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer as well — Poor Things features Willem Dafoe (The Northman) as the tinkering Dr Godwin Baxter; Mark Ruffalo (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) as Duncan Wedderburn, a slick lawyer that Bella runs off with; and also Ramy's Ramy Youssef, plus On the Count of Three co-stars Jerrod Carmichael and Christopher Abbott. Poor Things jolts Stone's career back onto the screen a few years away, too — Cruella released in 2021, and only The Croods: A New Age, Zombieland: Double Tap and TV's Maniac sit on her resume since The Favourite. Viewers Down Under will get to see how this surreal-looking take on a literary masterpiece turns out on October 12. Check out the full trailer for Poor Things below: Poor Things will release in cinemas Down Under on October 12. Image: Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
Cairns is a jump-off point for so many of the region's highlights with bustling markets, stunning tropical beaches, a world-heritage listed rainforest and luxury hotels. And now, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef is a competition entry away. Be in with a chance to win a two-night stay for two guests in one of those luxury hotels courtesy of Concrete Playground and Crystalbrook Collection Cairns. The Crystalbrook Collection hotel group has three stunning (and sustainability-minded) hotels and resorts in Cairns, and the lucky winner can choose which of the three they would like to spend their two-night stay with their plus one. Crystalbrook prides itself on its eco-conscious philosophy of "responsible luxury". There are mindful choices throughout the hotels from wooden key cards to locally sourced produce. You'll also find glass water bottles instead of plastic, 100% recycled cardboard hangers in your wardrobe and much more. Not sure which to choose? If you are a social butterfly, Crystalbrook Flynn is your spot. It's mere steps from Cairns Esplanade boardwalk and close to all the main attractions of the city as well as having two onsite restaurants — Flynn's Italian and Boardwalk Social — and a contemporary bar and balcony Whiskey and Wine. For relaxed resort vibes, the five-star Crystalbrook Riley is the perfect place to escape. There's an onsite restaurant Paper Crane, rooftop bar Rocco and a relaxing Eléme Day spa for chilling out at the end of the day. Or tap into your inner artist at Crystalbrook Bailey. A dog-friendly hotel with a rooftop bar, an award-winning restaurant CC's Bar and Grill and a wine bar Arte where you could discover your new favourite biodynamic wine. Not only will the winner enjoy a two-night stay at the hotel, but they and a plus one will also receive welcome drinks on arrival at Whiskey and Wine, daily breakfast for two, wine and dinner for two at the award-winning CC's Bar and Grill and flights for two from Melbourne or Sydney. All you'll have to do is pack. If Cairns has been on your bucket list for a while, it's well past time to scratch it off. Shake off your winter thermals and slip into your swimmers and thongs to enjoy a bevvie by the pool in one of the hotels. Keen to nab this incredible tropical holiday? Simply fill out your details below for your chance to win. [competition]910681[/competition]
Everyone's favourite whimsical seaside house is back for another year. Master of whimsy, The Grounds of Alexandria is returning to Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea for a third year, relaunching their pop-up cafe along the scenic walk at Tamarama from October 20 to November 6. The styling this year has moved away from last year's Hobbiton (so long Sackville-Bagginses, you fools!) to gallop full pace towards a Western desert theme. After a recent trip to America's southwest, Ramzey Choker and Therese Moussa (co-founder and creative developer, respectively) have decided that 2016 will be the year of Arizonian architecture and arid vegetation. The traditional hacienda (made with insulating adobe, so popular in warmer climates) is the structural inspiration this year. You can expect bountiful succulents and cacti, as well as textured floral rooftop of seaside daisies. The Hobbit-style house from last year will be remade into an American southwest oasis, popping with terracotta peach, coral and salmon — so make sure you bring your selfie stick. The outside will be treated with a green patina (like an oxidised copper) to give it a weathered look. It's an interior decorating dream come to life. "We want to create a house that blends in with the sunrise; we've designed it to be in harmony with its surroundings in Bondi and want it to feel like it's been sitting on the hill for years," said Moussa. Chef Paul McGrath will be serving up a selection of the Grounds fare, including brekkie bowls, seafood platters and signature burgers with some Arizonian flavours (which are, for the record, lime, chilli and coconut) thrown in for good measure. Have a look at the vid below to see Moussa working her magic with paints for the house. The Grounds by the Sea will pop-up at Marks Park in Tamarama from Thursday, October 20 until Sunday, November 6. It will be open from 7am until 7pm each day. For more info, visit thegrounds.com.au.
After an intolerably long break from international travel, the end is finally nigh. Yes, my friends — borders are reopening and the holiday planning can officially begin, with overseas adventures no longer a pipe dream. If your ideal getaway is one spent unwinding on white sandy beaches, lounging by infinity pools, indulging in water-based activities and soaking up the spicy temperatures of a tropical climate, then Fiji should be top of your holiday hit-list. Its borders are set to reopen to Aussie tourists from this Thursday, November 11 and we can already taste the coconut cocktails. So, we've rounded up some next-level Fiji escapes you can book right now for a tropical sojourn; from group-friendly hilltop villas to beachside stays for two. You've waited too long for a holiday to settle for anything less than luxurious — hunt down that passport and lock in one of these dreamy Fijian stays. MARAVU PARADISE, SAVUSAVU This secluded beauty boasts endless water views, 2.5 acres of lush gardens and a stunning infinity pool to take all the views in. How much? From $457 a night, sleeps six. TOKORIKI ISLAND RESORT, TOKORIKI ISLAND Bliss out at this highly awarded adults-only oasis, where the rooms feature absolute beachfront settings, private infinity pools and leafy tropical surrounds. How much? From $835 a night, sleeps two. Larger room options also available. SAVASI ISLAND RESORT, SAVUSAVU Set amongst jungle-like gardens and endless beaches, this private island resort feels like a true holiday escape. Sparkling pools, modern villas and relaxation aplenty await. How much? From $583 a night, sleeps two. Larger room options also available. DENARAU ISLAND HOME, DENARAU ISLAND A luxe, two-bedroom resort pad nestled amongst acres of tropical gardens, with lagoon-style pools and a private beach on its doorstep. How much? From $1331 a night, sleeps six. YOUR PRIVATE FLOATING HOTEL, DENARAU ISLAND The ultimate floating escape, all to yourself — this spacious catamaran boasts a suite of luxury mod-cons and fancy finishes for a true taste of the holiday high life. How much? From $472 a night, sleeps eight. [caption id="attachment_831413" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amber Toms[/caption] SIX SENSES RESORT, MALOLO ISLAND This resort's 24 designer villas are surrounded by crisp white beaches, sparkling ocean and all the holidaying facilities you could want. Plus, each opens onto its own private pool. How much? From $1525 a night, sleeps four. Alternate room options also available. DENARAU GARDEN VIEW VILLA, DENARAU ISLAND Located within a lush five-star resort just metres from the sand, this stylish garden villa is the contemporary island paradise you've been craving. How much? From $1163 a night, sleeps four. KOKO SAVUSAVU HONEYMOON VILLA, SAVUSAVU Soak up sweeping views from the infinity pool and deck at this high-set honeymoon villa, surrounded by nature and primed for romantic getaways. How much? From $410 a night, sleeps three. THREE PALMS VILLA, SIGATOKA A roomy, group-friendly getaway with breezy indoor-outdoor living and panoramic ocean views. Split your days between poolside lounging and frolicking on the adjacent beach. How much? From $675 a night, sleeps six. THE WARWICK FIJI, SIGATOKA A luxurious suite at this five-star property involves ocean views from the balcony, pampering at the spa and some knockout dining experiences — all in one stunning spot. How much? From $372 a night, sleeps two. Alternate room options also available. VALE I YATA, MALOLO ISLAND This spacious, group-friendly retreat is nestled right on the water, surrounded by palms and with views for days. Expect high-end finishes and a blissful poolside terrace. How much? From $601 a night, sleeps eight. NAVUTU STARS RESORT, MATAYALEVU An intimate, eco-friendly resort where you'll wake to the sound of lapping waves, surrounded by nature. In your own beautifully kitted out beachside bure, no less. How much? From $409 a night, sleeps two. Alternate room options also available. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Top Image: Tokoriki Island Resort
Sydney's about to score a world-first. Launching Thursday, October 30, Solaré is a 150-foot classic superyacht reimagined as a full-service restaurant, cocktail bar and Mediterranean-style beach club — a floating escape where long lunches, sunset spritzes and daybed lounging all live on the same vessel. "Solaré is about reimagining what's possible on Sydney Harbour," said Founder Scott Robertson. "We've created a world-first, a restaurant, cocktail bar, and beach club onboard a 150-foot superyacht designed entirely around leisure." The yacht unfolds across three distinct levels. The Dining Room is a refined, sit-down restaurant built for leisurely progressions; the Terrace Deck lifts the tempo with share plates and cocktails; and the open-air Sun Deck nails the beach-club brief with custom daybeds, a panoramic bar and uninterrupted skyline views. Designer Alex Zabotto-Bentley (AZB Creative) leans into 70s-tinged Mediterranean glamour — think sunflower yellows, burnt oranges, teak and green marble. "Every detail is designed to evoke a glamorous, sun-soaked escape," says Zabotto-Bentley. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas (Totti's Bondi; two-hatted Ortiga in Brisbane) teams up with Head Chef Nick Mathieson (Compa, Bistecca, Otto) on a coastal Italian menu with a seafood focus. The Dining Room runs as a set journey — begin with oscietra caviar over house potato crisps and cultured cream, then roll into snacks like a vinegar-and-bottarga-dusted potato scallop with chives and caviar, plus deep-sea royal red prawns with finger lime and bisque mayo. Bigger moments include reginette with Moreton Bay bug, crustacean butter and chilli, and market fish with clams, saffron butter, fregola and spring veg. Tables can add a Bistecca alla Fiorentina as a supplement. Upstairs, the Terrace and Sun Deck are made for graze-and-gather afternoons. Expect Queensland spanner crab tartlets crowned with herbs and salmon roe, a Moreton Bay bug sando with crisp iceberg and cocktail sauce, and spaghettini tossed with spanner crab, tomato, chilli, garlic and salmon roe. Desserts keep the coastal mood: lemon and mascarpone sorbetto served in a carved lemon, or fior di latte ice cream finished with an indulgent spoon of oscietra caviar. Venue Manager Mikey Hamilton (Bistecca, The Gidley, Banksii) steers service, bringing big-league polish to the harbour. Drinks are led by Ed Loveday, who builds a harbour-ready list of crisp Mediterranean wines, lively rosés and seasonal cocktails. Expect aperitivo-leaning spritzes, martinis, margaritas, daiquiris and champagne numbers — plus a Martini Trolley in the Dining Room for bespoke, tableside ice-cold pours. Art threads through the space, too, with commissioned works by Daimon Downey, Jeremy Kay and Tiarna Herczeg adding sculptural colour and texture between decks. Solaré will operate Thursday to Sunday with two cruises daily. Book a Dining Room reservation ($185 per person), reserve VIP Tables on the Terrace Deck, secure Booths or Daybeds on the Sun Deck, or opt for a Cruise Pass ($50 per person, with access to the Terrace Deck, Dining Room Bar and Harbour Platform). Bookings are now open via the Solaré website. Images: Jonny Valiant | Jason Loucas
When a music festival takes place in a winery, it already has two of the three fest essentials taken care of before it even announces its lineup: an ace location and booze. But, that doesn't mean that Grapevine Gathering slouches on talent. The acts hitting its stages around the country are always chosen to impress, and 2023's fests are no different. Leading the charge: Spacey Jane, King Stingray and Vanessa Amorosi, with the latter meaning that 'Absolutely Everybody' will be stuck in your head for weeks afterwards. The Wombats and Hayden James are also on the bill, both doing Australian-exclusive shows at the wine-fuelled festival. Rounding out the list: Cannons, The Rions, Teenage Joans and Bella Amor, plus podcast duo Lucy and Nikki on hosting duties. [caption id="attachment_905845" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Hendel[/caption] Grapevine Gathering's 2023 tour will hit New South Wales on Saturday, October 21, taking place at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley. Naturally, sipping wine is a huge part of the attraction. As always, attendees will have access to a heap of vino given the fest's locations, as well as an array of food options. GRAPEVINE GATHERING 2023 LINEUP: Spacey Jane The Wombats Hayden James King Stingray Vanessa Amorosi Cannons The Rions Teenage Joans Bella Amor Hosted by Lucy and Nikki Top image: Jordan Munns.
What do you get the KFC lover who has everything? The recipe for the Colonel's 11 secret herbs and spices is the holy grail for fried-chicken fans, and a date to down drumsticks should always be on the menu. But if your chicky chicky fry fry-adoring pal — or yourself — wants to look finger lickin' good whether or not you're not licking your fingers after a chook-heavy meal, Kentucky Fried Couture will do the trick. KFC is no stranger to merchandise and gimmicks, dropping ugly Christmas sweaters (including a pet version), releasing augmented reality games, offering wedding services, doing cocktails, and letting you meditate to the soothing sounds of chicken frying and gravy simmering. It also had a super-Aussie range of apparel and items on sale back in 2018. This time, however, the fast-food brand wants you to don varsity jackets, hoodies, party shirts, bucket hats and more. Forget two-piece feeds — these are your new favourite pieces from the Colonel, and they're all available online via the KFC merch store. Love Zingers so much you need a tee to proclaim it to the world? Obsessed with past KFC logos? Looking for something comfy to eat fried chicken in? Trying to bring bumbags back? You're all sorted here. Prices start at $20, which will get you a pair of KFC socks — either with the Colonel's face on them, or sporting drumsticks aplenty. At the other end of the scale, that varsity jacket will cost you $90. Even better, you'll be doing a good deed by supporting efforts to improve mental health, with profits going to the KFC Youth Foundation and its charity partners The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. Are KFC threads more resilient when it comes to fried-chicken grease? There's only one way to find out. Shop KFC's new merch via the fried-chicken chain's online store.
This Potts Point florist has changed hands over the years, but it's never lost touch with its local customers — and that's because the team here keeps things simple, elegant and exquisitely wrapped. The store's signature blue wrapping paper means if you're receiving a surprise gift, you often know where your flowers have come from before you've read the label. Dropping into the art deco Macleay Street store is a sensory overload — there are masses of colourful tulips, roses and potted orchids, as well as a selection of scented candles and botanical soaps from Ayu and Church Farm respectively. [caption id="attachment_776133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] For those shy of the experience of ordering a bouquet in person, Poho's online store guides you through tonal suggestions and variable pricing, depending on how much you're looking to impress. Whether you opt for natives, a sculptural arrangement or a specific colour palette, you'll see the price vary from $85 for a small bunch to $320 for something lavish. When you're not limited by budget, there are add-ons like handmade chocolates from Kakawa and bottles of Bollinger. Whatever you choose, Ed West and his team will provide the highest quality service they've become known for since taking it over in 2015. Images: Cassandra Hannagan.
Trade your cramped office cubical for the great outdoors at Australia's new summer camp designed specifically for grownups. Located in Aireys Inlet an hour and a half outside of Melbourne, Camp Kidinyou will give adult professionals the chance to get in touch with their inner child, with a weekend's worth of activities, games and more. Set to take place over the first weekend in December, the getaway is the brainchild of Florida-born life coach Dara Simkin, who was inspired by her own summer camp experiences as a child, as well as the recent popularity of adult camps in the US. "I feel like Australians understand the concept of what summer camp is from television shows and movies, but there was never that real experience as a kid," she says. "So I'm wanting to fill that gap." At $478 per head, the camp is pitched at professionals "looking to unplug from their business and go and do something different," explains Simkin. "You can always go to a bar, you can always go out to dinner with friends. I'm trying to create something that's really different and exciting. You're outside, you're meeting new people, and creating relationships over a weekend." Campers will take part in a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, meditation, contemporary dance and '80s aerobics, as well as team sports including kickball, volleyball and relay races. "I think that a lot of us have missed out on playing fun, competitive sports in our adult life," says Simkin. "When's the last time you did an egg and spoon race?" "There's so much research now around play," Simkin continues. "It increases brain function, it increases creativity and focus. We're built to play. We're built to connect, and we're built to have those kinds of deeper relationships... it's just that something happens when we get older where we feel like play is a waste of time, or play is immature. But I think even as a business owner or as an employee, incorporating play into your work life or your social life adds so much more peace and balance and fun." Meals will also be included in the entry price — and before you start flashing back to the terrible food you ate on school camp, rest assured that the offerings at Camp Kidinyou will be of a much higher standard. Think all-you-can-eat wood-fired pizza, bakery breakfasts, coffee by Bonappuccino, and dinner catered by Melbourne BBQ joint Fancy Hank's. "When you arrive there's nothing to worry about," says Simkin. "You pay for your registration, and everything is included. You don't have to pull out your wallet once the whole weekend." Campers will even get to hunker down bunk beds, guaranteeing that quintessential camp experience. Just please… make sure you're on your best behaviour when the lights go out for the night. "I want to build a community around the camp," says Simkin, adding that she hopes to host "camp reunions" back in Melbourne. "Just because camp is over, that doesn't mean we can't go bowling together, or play kickball games in a park. Once you're a camper, you're a camper for life." Camp Kidinyou runs from December 2-4 at Angahook Camp in Aireys Inlet. For more information and to book your place visit www.campkidinyou.com.
For years, NSW residents looked through jealous eyes at other Australian states enjoying a multitude of extra public holidays that weren't afforded (NSW typically observes just 11 public holidays per year, while other states observe as many as 15), but now the tables have turned, thanks to a calendar loophole. On Sunday, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced that NSW residents are getting an extra public holiday for the next two years. Having announced the intention to explore it last month via press conference, Minns has confirmed that the Monday following ANZAC Day 2026 and 2027 would be a public holiday for NSW. Remembrance services will still fall on Saturday, April 25, 2026 — until this past weekend, only residents in WA and the ACT were being granted a public holiday on Monday, April 27. "NSW has fewer public holidays than other states. Some other states have already moved to having an additional public holiday when ANZAC Day appears on the weekend, and we're going to follow suit for 2026 and 2027," Minns said in a video posted to his social media accounts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Minns (@chrisminnsmp) In the video, Minns acknowledges that this isn't a decision to mark the occasion with celebration, saying "[ANZAC Day] is probably the most important national day that we have". Minns also places faith in NSW to not abuse the holiday and its historical significance, adding, "I think NSW residents can, of course, be trusted with this public holiday in the sense that it won't detract from the solemnity and importance of the 25th of April." The response has been mixed, with RSL NSW members and business owners in particular not fully on board (though the former is still mostly in favour), hesitations acknowledged by the Minns government. Then there's the court of public opinion. One Facebook commenter on Minns' video wrote "NO! ANZAC Day is a day of remembering those who have fought and gave their lives for Australia. It is not just another long weekend." Another commenter added, "it would be a greater sign of respect for us to sacrifice one day of our weekend to remember the ANZACs' sacrifice," while a third pointed out public holidays aren't just a day off for some, asking pointedly, "not thinking about small businesses, families that rely on child care?" No ANZAC Day services will be impacted over the weekend, and for those who may be wondering, two-up will still be illegal on the Monday, and every day in the year other than April 25th and November 11th. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Minns (@chrisminnsmp) ANZAC Day will next fall on a weekend in 2032, so NSW residents will have a few years to consider how the changes impacted remembrance around the occasion before another opportunity arises. Hear Minn's full commentary on the new public holiday via his social media accounts. Image: iStock
Perched above the Cartier flagship store on the corner of Pitt and King Streets in the CBD, JŌJI is a Japanese-inspired rooftop bar and diner that draws on the principles of Shibui, Wabi Sabi, and Datsuzoku, reflected in the venue's inventive cocktail menu and reimagined dishes. This dynamic concept offers a playful take on traditional flavours, promising an experience that evolves from tranquil afternoons to lively evenings. As night falls, the venue — which trades until 2am seven days a week — will showcase an array of entertainment, including live DJ performances and vinyl sessions, making JŌJI as much a nightlife hotspot as it is a go-to for knock-off sundowners. This generous space features a cocktail lounge, dining area and a panoramic terrace with views of Sydney's busy CBD. The interior is designed for various gatherings, from intimate dates to larger celebrations. Guests can immerse themselves in the Tokyo-esque atmosphere by sitting at the kitchen or bar counter, where they can interact with staff as they create drinks and dishes, or soak in the energy of the city while looking down on Sydney's black-label shopping district. The drinks menu honours tradition with a healthy dose of experimentation, including standout mingles such as the bamboo cocktail, which uniquely combines tequila, tomato, and apricot, alongside a classic whisky highball that reflects the elegant simplicity of Japan's favourite classic. Executive Chef Erik Ortolani has curated a menu that leans on sharing plates and features three sections: raw, not raw, and Robata. The centrepiece of the kitchen is a custom 2-metre charcoal grill, infusing the hot dishes with rich smoky flavours. Notable plates include the quail and pork jowl tsukune with shiitake koji and Kingfish served with umeboshi and yuzu kosho dressing. Desserts like mochi sorbet and purin provide a sweet finish, while a late-night menu features the JŌJI burger, a singular take on a crowd-pleaser made with Japanese wagyu bolognese. Architect Matt Darwon has crafted JŌJI's decor with a striking balance of bold metallic accents, deep burgundy tones and warm Tasmanian blackwoods, creating an inviting space that reflects the essence of the venue's modern Japanese influences. But the jewel in the crown of this bar and diner is its Sydney skyline views, offering a retreat where guests can unwind as they overlook the hustle and haste of the city streets below. Images: Jana Langhorst
Instagram favourites The Inspired Unemployed are pretty used to bringing Aussies joy via their side-splitting satirical videos. From lockdown habits and fitness instructors to tradies and bouncers — Jack Steele and Matt Ford will take aspects of stereotypical Aussie culture, then flip the script to poke a bit of fun. Now, the self-dubbed battlers are looking to bring Australians a new kind of happiness ahead of summer — with a beer launched in collaboration with Victorian favourite, Torquay Beverage Company. Better Beer is a zero-carb, zero-sugar lager that clocks in at 87 calories per can, which Ford quips is "healthier than broccoli". Explaining the decision to make Better Beer zero-carb, Steele says: "As loose as we can be at times, we're actually pretty healthy people. So we decided, let's make a beer that's healthier and still tastes great, one that doesn't make you feel heavy in the morning and rough around the edges." "We've had a lot of opportunities to do bigger stuff and beer was on our mind for a while," Steele explains to Concrete Playground. "But the thing is — when we start something, we don't want to start it and go half-hearted. We either make it the best thing ever or don't do it at all." On social media, the pair of mates are all about hyperboles. But, that's far from the case in this instance — Better Beer is the product of 12 months of work, which included an (unintended) four-month stint in New Zealand and COVID-friendly collaboration sessions with their business partner in crime, Torquay Beverage Company founder Nick Cogger. "I couldn't tell you how many hours we've spent on Zoom," Steele says. Cogger is a long-time partner of The Inspired Unemployed, commissioning them back in late 2019 when the pair had just 12,000 followers. "Nick was actually one of the first people to ever give us a job in this industry," Ford says. "He was one of the first people to reach out, he gave us a job to go to a music festival and..." "...get drunk!" Steele jokes. The pair initially called Cogger for advice on the beer brand, before deciding to create Better Beer together. "And then next thing you know, here we are talking to you." As for the taste, the boys have reportedly heard it described as "smooth like Michael Jackson" and "the breakfast of champions". "All our mates have tasted it and they love it. Obviously, they're our mates, so you'd think they'd have to say that — but it was a genuine reaction!" Ford says. If you're after a cold one, Better Beer will be available at your local Dan Murphy's, BWS and independent bottleshops from Friday, November 12. You can keep up to date with Better Beer, including limited-edition merch drops, via the website. New Better Beer products are also expected to drop in March 2022.
A new wave of hotels offering more than just a room and a buffet breakfast has taken over Sydney in the last few years, with Paddington's Oxford House joining the ranks among Sydney's best boutique accom. The suburb's first lifestyle hotel, this beachy spot offers guests stylish accommodation, a hotel pool with DJ sets and a bar, and plenty of extras you've come to expect from a top-notch hotel — all in the centre of one of Sydney's top dining and entertainment hubs. The interior of Oxford House — or OH! as it's being branded — has been designed around ample natural light while complimenting the crisp, stylish aesthetic of Paddington with warm natural hues and rich textures. "Whilst we took design notes from the sleek lines and muted colours of Palm Springs, it was important that Oxford House effortlessly threaded into the cultural fabric of Paddington, so art and design were key," says the Principle Designer at Public Hospitality, Tom de Plater. "We collaborated with culture king, George Gorrow to showcase an incredible collection of art, paintings, photography, collage, printmaking and sculpture from artists including Lena Gustafson, Adam Turnbull and Niah McLeod throughout the property." Just some of the considered accompaniments you'll find in the rooms are custom-made bathrobes from Double Rainbouu, crockery from Marc Newson, hair care products from Grown Alchemist and speakers from Mashall. Away from the rooms, there are two hospitality spots built into the hotel. While the pool is exclusively for hotel guests, both the bar and the hotel's sleek, street-level restaurant are open for Paddington locals to come and enjoy oysters and a cocktail. Starting with the all-day dining, the hotel's street-level eatery is perfect for people-watching. In the morning, Oxford House hotel guests and public diners can start their day on rolled bircher muesli, the OH-melette with woodside goats curd, or a lavish big breakfast featuring mixed sauteed mushrooms, crispy kale, truffle oil, pecorino, poached egg and sourdough. Later in the day, the menu switches to feature fresh oysters, kingfish sashimi, house dips, grilled market fish and roasted cauliflower. There's also a sun-soaked pool bar serving up poolside drinks, grilled king prawns, classic burgers and fish sourced from the Sydney Fish Markets. Come weekends, the bar will host DJ sets and digital art shows. "This was a unique opportunity to create an accommodation first for Paddington, provide a new hospitality experience for locals, and help energise an important part of town," continues de Plater. "Given the hotel's enviable location — famed shopping, nightlife and Allianz stadium, all within walking distance and the beach and city, a short drive away - we wanted to create a space that really felt like an unexpected escape; a hotel that was as relaxed as Oxford Street is lively." Rooms range from $229–499 and are available to book now.
For residents of Brisbane, southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales, the week commencing Monday, March 3, 2025 is starting with a key piece of advice: stay safe and dry. The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to impact the area, including potentially making landfall near the Sunshine State capital. Wet, windy and wild weather is expected from Bundaberg down to the Gold Coast and into the Northern Rivers, complete with daily rainfall totals up to 600 millimetres — and authorities are telling residents to prepare now. As at 4am AEST, Tropical Cyclone Alfred is around 465 kilometres northeast of Brisbane and 410 kilometres east northeast of Maroochydore, but the Category 2 storm is due to head south, then west. First, on Monday it is predicted to keep travelling southeast, away from Queensland's coastline, the Bureau advised in a morning update. Come Tuesday, however, it'll shift, coming back towards the southern Queensland coast. ⚠️Issued 4:51am AEST Monday 3 March 2025⚠️ 🌀The latest track map for Tropical #CycloneAlfred is available. Regardless of the track Alfred takes, severe coastal hazards are likely for southern #Qld and north-east #NSW. Track Map & Cyclone Bulletin: https://t.co/OGEZjBtOPJ pic.twitter.com/hhckFxyQtj — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 2, 2025 While updates will keep being issued, the forecast for Brisbane and the Gold Coast for Thursday, March 6 already notes "cyclone possible" on the BOM website. The Bureau presently notes that "heavy to locally intense rainfall is forecast for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Wednesday as Alfred approaches the coast" — and that the regions should all be on flood watch. "We are seeing sustained winds near the centre of the cyclone of 95 kilometres an hour and wind gusts to 130 kilometres an hour," Senior Meteorologist Jonathan How also advised. "It is moving in a southeasterly direction at around 13 kilometres an hour, sort of about a running pace, moving down towards the southeast." On Sunday, March 2, Brisbane City Council issued a weather alert communicating that Alfred "will potentially produce damaging or destructive wind gusts and isolated heavy rainfall which may cause flash flooding, from late Wednesday through until the weekend", and urged Brisbanites to "make all necessary preparations for possible severe weather impacts". On the list: clearing yards and gutters, securing loose items outside and trimming tree branches. The BCC website has a guide for being prepared for an emergency that's worth bookmarking. Also on Sunday, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli held a press conference about the storm, revealing that waves in some parts of the state — in the Wide Bay area — were already hitting 14 metres due to the cyclone. He also said that an official Tropical Cyclone warning was likely in the coming days. It has been 35 years since Cyclone Nancy threatened Brisbane. Back in 2019, Cyclone Oma also sat off the coast. While the River City mightn't seem like cyclone territory, the 1893 and 1974 floods were the result of cyclonic weather systems — and the latter was caused by a slow-moving cyclone. The Bureau's Brissie forecasts predict possible showers on Monday, a shower or two on Tuesday, wind and showers on Wednesday, all with temperature maximums of 31, 30 and 28 — and with winds up to 90 kilometres an hour on Wednesday. Thursday's prediction is currently "very high chance of rain" plus "the chance of a thunderstorm" and "destructive wind gusts exceeding 130 kilometres an hour possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Alfred". From there, wind and heavy rain is expected on Friday, then showers across the weekend. Your plans for the week obviously might change due to the weather situation. Already, the AFL has flagged that it's keeping an eye out given that the first game of the 2025 season, with premiers Brisbane facing Geelong, is scheduled to take place at the Gabba on Thursday night. The Bureau of Meteorology will continue to update its warnings and maps regularly — visit its website for further details and updates.
There's usually not much to love about the airport. After all, you're spending most of your time waiting for your flight to take to the skies. However, a brand-new update to Sydney Airport means your wait won't feel so long, as a collection of health and beauty businesses have officially touched down. Marked as an Australian first, T1 International Arrivals will now be home to Barber's Lounge, ensuring you can get a feel-good trim before or after your flight. Whether you need a precision cut or a clean shave, freshening up is made easy, bringing a much-needed sense of calm to your airborne commute. "Arriving after a long flight often means heading straight into meetings, events or home life. Barber's Lounge at Sydney Airport gives travellers the opportunity to refresh and feel their best as soon as they land," says Omar Choukchouk, Owner of Barber's Lounge. This update also includes Australia's first airport-based gym, with Anytime Fitness set to launch soon. Spread across 300 square metres, this fully kitted gym is the ideal way to squeeze in a workout or limber up after a long-haul flight. Plus, if you're getting ready to board, pumping iron or crushing a few k's on the trendline might help you get straight to sleep. What's more, ProfessioNail will also descend on T1 towards the end of the year. Rather than sitting around the terminal staring out the window, you could pamper yourself with an express manicure or expert nail care. With these new services easing your travel experience, a little self-care before or after your journey might go a long way. "We know that after a long flight, people want things to feel simple and seamless," says Sydney Airport General Manager Retail, Gail Taylor. "Whether you're arriving in Sydney for the first time or coming home, our focus is on making the experience smoother and more enjoyable." Barber's Lounge is now open at Sydney Airport T1 International terminal, with Anytime Fitness launching soon and ProfessioNail expected to open before the end of Q3. Head to the website for more information.
To put it mildly, it's been a challenging year so far. And though the effects of the first half of 2020 can be felt in almost every corner of the world, small businesses are especially feeling the toll. Which is why investing your hard-earned dollars in local businesses across Australia is a great way to put your money to good use and spend consciously. To help you do just that, we've teamed up with Square to bring you a list of local businesses across Australia that can deliver ethically sourced coffee, a new leafy housemate or a cake to cheer up a friend. Square has the tools to help businesses, even when business is not running as usual, like contactless payment systems and online stores with pickup, delivery and shipping services. So, whether you choose to shop online, pop into these small businesses, or buy a voucher for a future trip, you'll be spending your money wisely and keeping the little guys in business at the same time. BUY GREEN BABIES FROM THE PLANT SOCIETY Set up by Jason Chongue and Nathan Smith in Melbourne in 2016, The Plant Society has you covered for all things green whether you live near one of its stores or not. If you're in Melbourne and Sydney, its Collingwood and Paddington stores have an extensive range of plants — from swiss cheese vines to chinese money and fruit salad plants — as well as handmade ceramics, homewares, planter kits, candles and plenty of gardening gear. But, no matter where you live, you can browse its online store to shop for ceramic planters, keep cups, plants, seeds and candles to brighten up your living space. Plus, to help deliver your goods to you safely, The Plant Society offers free delivery for all purchases over $150. You can also buy gift vouchers from $30, if you'd like to spend now to support the small business in the future. [caption id="attachment_758750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Dungan[/caption] STOCK UP ON VINO AND FROMAGE FROM THE CHEESE & WINE CO If you're a fan of wine, cheese and intimate date nights, and live in Sydney, you should pay The Cheese & Wine Co in Neutral Bay a visit. The small wine bar features a consistent rotation of the best local and international wines and cheeses, along with charcuterie and antipasto platters. The bar is open for 90-minute seatings for tapas-style dishes, accompanied with stellar drops of wine. Practising social distancing, The Cheese & Wine Co is limiting its capacity right now, so it's best to book online beforehand, and its also open for walk-ins for breakfast and lunch sittings. If you live locally, can also purchase a takeaway bottle of wine by ordering online and picking up in store. HAVE CAKE DELIVERED FROM KOI DESSERT BAR You may be familiar with the name Reynold Poernomo from MasterChef. Before he was winning hearts on national TV, he and his family created KOI Dessert Bar in Chippendale. The laneway dessert bar offers a range of savoury snacks and desserts — think pie tee tart, pumpkin with mascarpone and a guava and green apple meteor. If you're in Sydney, you can book a four-course dessert tasting menu from $95 per person, Sunday to Thursday. Or, for at-home indulgence, you can choose from a rotation of smaller desserts and cakes to take away. Visit KOI's Cake Shop for mascarpone tiramisu, passion colada and pear mousse, or a larger celebration cake, such as strawberry lychee, nomtella or mango yuzu ($55–160). Delivery stretches to Sydney's eastern suburbs, inner west, north shore and CBD, or you can select scheduled pickup at its Chippendale or Ryde stores. SEND BAKED GOODIES FROM FALCO Falco is a small-batch bakery in Melbourne's inner north that boasts a range of baked goods alongside coffee that's been roasted just around the corner. The bakery specialises in traditional methods with innovative twists; its sourdoughs range from oat porridge and toasted sesame to a classic wholemeal. For something a bit sweeter, it's hard to go past its peanut butter and miso cookies, cardamom buns, fruit danishes and jalapeño and cheddar croissants ($4–5). During lockdown, the bakery has daily pre-order and delivery options, too, making it easier and safer to get your baked goods if you're staying at home. Not in Melbourne? Send a gift to a friend, such as the Falco tote ($20) and a bag of single origin ground coffee ($19) within three kilometres of the Collingwood store. HAVE FRESH GROUND COFFEE DELIVERED FROM MARKET LANE Market Lane is a much-adored Melbourne coffee roastery and retailer. The folks here source beans from across the globe and then roast them in small batches in Brunswick East. The beans are then distributed to seven stores across the city, from Prahran to Brunswick East and through the city's CBD. If you're not Melbourne-based, or prefer to brew at home, you can purchase espresso or filter beans from the roastery's online store and enjoy free standard shipping Australia wide on all purchases over $30. There's also a fortnightly subscription (from $20), meaning you'll never run out of coffee again without having to leave your house. Planning ahead? Market Lane has a range ready for Father's Day (September 6), too, including pour over kits, a heavy duty apron, coffee subscriptions and gift vouchers. [caption id="attachment_716231" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] ORDER VINYL FROM COTTONMOUTH RECORDS If you're a fan of good booze and even better tunes, you'll love what Cottonmouth Records has on offer. The record store and bar, located in Sydney's Enmore, is where you can pull up a pew and sip on a pale ale, XPA or IPA as you peruse the stacks of vinyl records surrounding the bar's walls. Here you'll find black gold from the likes of James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Beastie Boys, Blink-182, Lenny Kravitz, 2Pac and the Spice Girls, among many, many others. Not in Sydney? You can browse Cottonmouth's online record store where it sells an extensive selection of records from Blondie to Zappa, and everything between. Records start from $20, and shipping is calculated according to distance from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_741542" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] BUY A GIFT CARD FROM HENRY LEE BARBERSHOP Collingwood's Henry Lee Barbershop may have its physical doors closed due to Melbourne's lockdown, but its online shop is very much still open for business — and you don't have to live in Melbourne to support this small business. Online, you'll find everything from hydrating and volume shampoo and conditioner to miracle treatment, wax, oil and hair putty by Australian brands Eleven, Fatboy and The Groomed Man. While you're there, you can also grab yourself or a mate a gift card (starting from $50) for when the barbershop reopens — after all, we'll all need a little TLC come September. To truly show your local love on your sleeve, you can order some of the barbershop's merch, too, including Henry Lee logo tees from $40. Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here.
The global pop icon — known for massive hits like 'Tik Tok', 'We R Who We R' and 'Joyride' — will headline Mighty Hoopla's Australian debut when it lands on Bondi Beach on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Expect an explosion of sequins, pop nostalgia and unapologetic joy, as the cult festival makes its long-awaited leap from London to our shores. "We're honoured to bring Mighty Hoopla to the other side of the world," said co-founder Jamie Tagg. "After Kesha's incredible headline performance with us in London earlier this year, we knew she was the only artist we wanted to make our Australian debut with." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mighty Hoopla Sydney 🦘 (@mightyhoopla_sydney) Since launching in 2016, Mighty Hoopla has become the UK's biggest pop festival — a kaleidoscopic celebration of inclusivity, freedom and pure fun, with past lineups featuring Nelly Furtado, Kelly Rowland, Sugababes, Years & Years and Jessie Ware. The Sydney edition promises the same mix of pop icons, drag royalty, DJs and queer collectives from both the UK and Australia, with the full lineup still to come. "To finally bring the Hoopla magic to Sydney is a dream come true," added founder Glyn Fussell. "Expect joy, chaos and the campest day of your life." Tickets go on pre-sale from 10am AEDT Wednesday, October 22, with general sale from 10am Thursday, October 23. Prices start at $169.90 + BF, with concessions available. For more information or to sign up for pre-sale tickets, visit the Mighty Hoopla website. Images: Supplied
From classic Western films to luxury fashion houses and cult Aussie shows like The Saddle Club, there's something about a horse that the world adores. The quiet power, the steady weight, the way they seem to sense you before you even move. For some people, a horse's presence is literally life-changing. At Riding for the Disabled Australia (RDA) centres across Australia, these animals are a key in providing therapeutic benefits — involving riding, carriage driving and unmounted activities — designed to help people with disability strengthen muscles, build coordination, develop confidence, and have fun. Some riders are children born with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy or autism, while others are affected by physical disability including MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and progressive blindness. Some are even adults rebuilding after an accident, injury or diagnosis, including people who have become paraplegic, an amputee or suffered brain trauma. The horses meet them where they are, instinctively attuned to every movement and mood, and riders respond in incredible ways. "Horses have this beautiful ability to relax people," says Mary Longden. "They're sentient beings. The smell of a horse, the sound of the horse. Nothing beats actually being on a horse. I've seen almost miracles happen." The changes go beyond riding ability, though practice makes perfect. Through assistance horses, riders who once struggled to follow instructions begin to respond, non-verbal participants start whispering to their horse, and those living with anxiety or attention disorders learn to self-regulate. In these sandy arenas where horses trod along and coaches gently call out instructions like "heels down" or "soft reins", incredible progress is made. Routine, patience and progress are learned through care, from brushing and saddling to leading and riding. Each small action adds up to something bigger and creates more freedom than they ever had before. The RDA program runs on volunteers who give up their time to help lead horses, support riders and keep sessions running. The whole thing is a win-win for both riders and volunteers. "The benefits are not just for the participants. It's uplifting to see the impact for their carers and the volunteers and the coaches," says Steve Gatt. "It's an amazing experience." That sense of shared purpose is what's driven the Petstock Foundation to support RDA for more than a decade. Since 2007, the Foundation has contributed to coaching workshops, centre programs and national initiatives that help RDA continue its work. This year, that partnership is further bolstered through Petstock Foundation's Christmas Project 'Support You Can Snuggle'. While you're picking up treats or toys for your pet this Christmas, donate $2 to the Petstock Foundation, either in store or online, and your contribution will help expand access to programs like RDA. These donations go directly towards supporting and expanding assistance animal services in communities across Australia and New Zealand — ensuring more people can access the life-changing support they need. Donate $2 to assistance animals this Christmas. Your support gifts theirs. Donate instore or online at petstock.com.au.
The New South Wales Government wants to overhaul "outdated, complicated and often duplicated regulation" across the state in order to facilitate a more thriving nightlife. Newly introduced Vibrancy Reforms legislation is set to deliver changes in six key areas that the government hopes will lead to more live music, more outdoor dining and less trouble with noise complaints. The six areas of reform that are expected to be addressed are sensible sound management, nightlife precincts, outdoor dining and entertainment, the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's remit, licensing and an improved night-time sector for workers. "This is a clear statement of intent from the State Government that the night-time economy matters," said Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Mick Gibb. "If NSW is going to realise the full potential of these reforms, we need Local Governments to get behind the suite of options at their disposal. By creating vibrant, diverse and safe Special Entertainment Precincts, a local council can shape the type of night-time ecosystem it wants to create for its community," Gibb continued. Among the reforms, you'll find commitments to streamline noise complaints, extend the success of the Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct to other areas across the state, make applications for al fresco dining quicker and less strenuous, and make the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner a statutory role. While many local councils have been pushing for an overhaul of the noise complaint system, venues such as The Great Club in Marrickville have still run into issues with neighbours, even in supportive councils like the Inner West. These new reforms will remove noise tests, which are highly subjective, from the system. They'll also see all issues go through Liquor and Gaming NSW. "The NTIA is delighted to see the government stick to its election commitment and make the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's role a statutory appointment. This is a measure that will mean there's a champion for the night-time economy embedded into the government so we can avoid ever going back to the devastation of lockout laws while maintaining public safety at all times," said Gibb. The Vibrancy Reforms also include promises to remove outdated regulations, meaningfully encourage venues to host live music and the arts, and ensure that after-dark staff from healthcare workers to security and retail have the support they need. The announcement comes less than a month after Western Sydney's Lakemba was named a global Purple Flag-accredited safe nightlife zone alongside international areas including London and Stockholm. It's the third Sydney precinct to gain the recognition, following YCK Laneways' and Parramatta CBD's certification. [caption id="attachment_798916" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] For more information on the New South Wales Government's proposed Vibrancy Reforms legislation, head to the NSW Government website. Top image: Jasmine Low.
Launched in July, Bridge Street newcomer Ette Sydney has already captured the community with its fast fine-dining model. Now, the restaurant is bringing more excitement to Sydney's laneways with $10 happy hour specials and a $12 Ettespresso menu. Stop by on weekdays from 3.30–5.30pm to treat yourself to $10 limoncello spritz, house wine, prosecco or beer. Now, if that means clocking off work a little early, then so be it. Then, on Monday–Friday from 9–11pm, treat yourself to the espresso martini menu of your dreams. Choose from five bold twists on the classic espresso martini, including the mascarpone-infused Ettespresso, the spiced Double Black and the zesty chocolate orange. Headed up by acclaimed chef Adam Grimsley (ex-Icebergs, Jacksons on George), Ette's standout offering is its $9.50 snackEttes — punchy, rotating small plates like tuna tartare in a seaweed cone and charred lamb rib with baba ganoush. Heartier mains priced at $39 rotate daily under the Steak, Land, Sea and Grain menu, with current highlights including the yuzu beurre blanc-topped fish of the day and wild mushroom linguine finished with black truffle. The venue initially began as a weekday affair, but you can also now book in for Saturday dinner. Walk-ins are still welcome, but bookings are recommended. Open from Monday–Saturday until 2am, there's no excuse not to try the happy hour and espresso martini menu. Ette Sydney is open from Monday–Saturday from 11.30am-2pm. For more information, head to the website. Images: Steven Woodburn.
The Australian Open is coming in hot for its 2023 edition, with thousands of punters set to descend on Melbourne Park for two weeks of Grand Slam tennis action from Monday, January 16–Sunday, January 29. But as usual, the tennis won't be the only thing pulling crowds and whetting appetites. Serving a few aces of its own is the AO's 2023 food and drink offering — a star-studded lineup of restaurant pop-ups and experiences to tempt tennis-goers and foodies alike. Throughout the tournament, a slew of big-name chefs and dining institutions will be headed courtside to dish up a blockbuster menu of culinary gold. Among these familiar favourites you'll catch Andrew McConnell's modern Asian diner Supernormal, hosting both a set-menu restaurant and a walk-in-friendly al fresco dining terrace. And yes, there'll be plenty of that famed lobster roll to go around. Meanwhile, award-winning Sydney chef and seafood maestro Josh Niland (Saint Peter) will treat locals to a taste of his sustainable fish and chipper Charcoal Fish, which is heading south for the first time. Hit the pop-up eatery for cult-fave dishes like a rotisserie Murray cod roll with gravy and crispy skin, and the double yellowfin tuna cheeseburger. You can also nab tickets to his one-off talk. [caption id="attachment_884148" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charcoal Fish[/caption] Fellow Sydneysider Jacqui Challinor will be recreating the magic of her own Nomad stable courtside, serving bites like mushroom and bone marrow empanadas, standout house-made charcuterie and a Middle Eastern-inspired olive oil cream sandwich. There'll be restaurants by Penfolds and Rockpool Bar & Grill if you fancy dialling up the sophistication factor, as well as a pop-up fine-diner by the Stokehouse crew serving a sumptuous set-menu affair — including an adorable tennis ball dessert. And a collective of chefs including Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook), Adam D'Sylva (Tonka, Coda) and Scott Pickett (Longrain, Estelle) are assembling to cook up the fusion feast of your dreams. Elsewhere, you can tuck into plates from the likes of Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, Shane Delia's Maha, Oasis, Ca Com (by Anchovy's Thi Lee and Jia-Yen Lee) and The B.East. Josh Fry will be whipping up a menu of two-handed delights a la Rocco's Bologna, while Mischa Tropp showcases his acclaimed Keralan fare — that legendary butter chicken included. No one's going thirsty, either. The palm-fringed AO Spritz Bar will be your go-to for all things fizzy, with the menu ranging from a booze-free guava marg to a signature hibiscus-infused spritz. It'll be rocking a breezy resort-inspired aesthetic, complete with bookable cabanas and a prime location adjacent to Charcoal Fish. Meanwhile, over at the Canadian Club Racquet Club, you'll find another tidy lineup of sips, alongside free gigs, street food by Beatbox Burgers and Taco Truck, and the tennis action playing live and loud on the big screens. Further booze pop-ups come courtesy of labels like Piper Heidsieck, Balter, Sommersby, Peroni and Gordon's. [caption id="attachment_884140" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maha[/caption] [caption id="attachment_884143" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Penfolds Restaurant[/caption] [caption id="attachment_884145" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supernormal[/caption] The 2023 Australian Open and its food offering will take over Melbourne Park from Monday, January 16–Sunday, January 29. For details on the full lineup or to book a table, see the website. Top images: Stokehouse, Nomad.
Whatever type of food you love, there's a day for it. You can celebrate your favourite dishes whenever you like, of course, but pretty much everything you can think of has a specific date on the calendar dedicated to that purpose. That includes tacos, with International Taco Day hitting on Monday, October 4 this year. And, to mark the occasion, Tex-Mex giant Taco Bell is giving away freebies. The chain has been steadily opening stores around the country since 2017, with a new Sydney store in Green Square launching earlier this year, and Perth just nabbing its own venue as well. So, if you're a big fan of Mexican-inspired food, you've probably already become acquainted with the brand's wares. No one can ever pass up free tacos, though — although you will need to break out your best emoji game to get one. Here's how it works: on Monday, October 4, you need to first visit ta.co/au to auto populate a WhatsApp message. Then, you'll need to hit 'send', which'll see instructions on how to redeem a free Taco Supreme sent to you. And, while you will need to go through that process on that specific day, you'll then have until Sunday, October 10 to collect your free taco. If you're wondering where to head, Taco Bell has 23 stores across the country. So, you can hit up Albion Park, Ballina, Blacktown, Jesmond, Green Square and Tamworth in New South Wales; Altona North, Hawthorn, Roxburgh Park and South Yarra in Victoria; Annerley, Beenleigh, Cairns, Cleveland, Currajong, East Ipswich, Keperra, Logan Central, Morayfield, North Lakes, Robina and Southport in Queensland; and Midland in Western Australia. Taco Bell is offering free tacos for International Taco Day to every customer who follows the prompts via WhatsApp on Monday, October 4. To find your nearest store, head to the chain's website.
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.
This could be love: a classic 80s film that's been adored for decades, a new date with the big screen, and a live band and singers bringing its soundtrack to life as you watch. Dirty Dancing in Concert isn't new to Australia, but it keeps returning to tour the country because the movie at its centre is one that audiences can't get enough of. If you're a fan, you'll know which phrase fits: ideally, you'll have the time of your film-watching life. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey will dance up a storm in the 1987 romantic drama at the Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney. While this event is clearly hoping that you've never felt like this before, that'll only apply if you didn't go to 2022's or 2023's shows. Whether you're a Dirty Dancing in Concert first-timer or returning after seeing it before, you'll not only see the movie — you'll also hit up the party afterwards. Accordingly, as you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most-charming film roles, you'll be immersed in the world of the picture from the moment that you take your seat. Although no one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, its iconic songs will get a workout live, then the musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. Dirty Dancing in Concert images: Zdenko Hanout.
From web searches and browsers to email and document storage, Google has its fingers in plenty of different online pies. Many of its services have become such a part of our daily lives that we no longer give them much thought, but every now and then the company has fun with one of its platforms — bringing Pac-Man, Mario Kart and Where's Waldo? to Google Maps, for example. Earlier this year, in its latest entertaining attempt to direct everyone towards a specific product, Google brought back another retro title — combining Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? with Google Earth. Sparking immediate flashbacks to the best parts of primary school, the game sent users searching for the titular red-clad international thief as part of a jaunt called The Crown Jewels Caper. And now you can do so all over again, thanks to two new games: Tutankhamun's Mask and Recover the Keys to the Kremlin. As always, something valuable has been stolen and its your job to find it. After the first game, however, you're not hunting down Sandiego. Instead, you're working with the now-reformed ex-thief to solve cases. In Tutankhamun's Mask, you're tasked with tracking down master climber Le Chevre, who has stolen the titular artifact. And in Recover the Keys to the Kremlin, master origamist Paperstar is the target, absconding with another treasure. Anyone keen to play simply needs to head to the Google Earth app on Android or iOs, or visit the desktop version in chrome, and look for the Pegman icon. From there, it's time to start sleuthing — by hopping between countries, visiting landmarks, talking to locals and sorting through clues such as "I heard she exchanged all of her money for yen", "all I know is that he said he wanted to buy a bagel with a schmear" and "the person you were looking for was here, and she wanted a ton of olive oil". In the process, you'll put your world trivia knowledge to the test and get a hefty dose of nostalgia. Now that all three games have been released, that's it for the Carmen Sandiego-Google Earth collaboration. Of course, this trio of time-fillers aren't going anywhere, so you can spend as much time as you like playing gumshoe and reliving your childhood across the series. Or, there's always Netflix's Carmen Sandiego, a new animated series following the beloved character (as voiced by Gina Rodriguez). Check out trailers for both new games below, and visit Google Earth's Tutankhamun's Mask and Recover the Keys to the Kremlin entry points to start playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwohVk2TyaQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLCAeVF39H4 Via Google Earth.
Disney is back in the fairy princess business, and by god it wants you to know it. Except, it doesn’t want young boys to know it, which is why this film is called Frozen instead of The Snow Queen. When Disney finally bought Pixar in 2006, the deal essentially saw Pixar's creative team taking control of Disney’s animated output. Given the strong quality control Pixar has over its products, this was no bad thing. But not all of the experiments worked. Determined to resurrect Disney's tradition of hand-drawn animation, they made The Princess and the Frog in 2009, a tremendously underrated film which moved the classic tale to 1920s New Orleans. The film’s undeserved financial failing made Disney gunshy, and their takeaway was this: stick to computer animation, and no more princesses in the titles. In fairness, this shift didn’t kneecap the quality of the films. 2009’s Rapunzel film Tangled is an outstanding work, with rich characters, beautiful animation and incredibly catchy songs. Tangled really worked, which is why it appears to be the template Disney has used for its newest animated feature, Frozen. Based loosely on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen — a story Disney has been trying to adapt since the 1940s — the film follows Anna and her sister Elsa, two princesses who are left alone when their parents die at sea. The relationship between the two is difficult: Elsa has magical powers, which due to an unsatisfactorily explained plot contrivance, have been wiped from Anna’s memory. To keep Anna safe, Else keeps her at arm’s length as they grow up. But on the evening of Elsa’s coronation, she accidentally creates a permanent winter in the kingdom and retreats to a remote ice palace of her own making. It’s up to Anna to save her sister and her kingdom. The parallels with Tangled are striking. Both changed the name of their original story to a more marketable, generic title. Both feature a similar working-class man developing a love-hate relationship with a princess. Both have a crazy, anthropomorphised horse/moose for company. Both even feature a princess whose power is represented by a streak of colour through the hair. The comparisons, though superficial, reveal an attempt at a modern formula. And although Frozen is enjoyable enough, the characters aren’t quite as engaging as they ought to be, the songs not quite memorable enough. The animation, however, is superb. On a technical level, it’s a marvel. Frozen represent the middle of the bell curve in terms of animated features. It’s a far cry from the insufferable toy-selling, pop-culture spewing, catchphrase-ridden films churned out during at the beginning every school holiday period, but nor does it hit the heights of Disney’s best output. It is admirable, enjoyable, but ultimately unmemorable.
There's no Academy Award solely for vocal performances. If there was, Lupita Nyong'o might've added another of Hollywood's prized statuettes to her mantle when the 2025 ceremony rolls around. A decade after taking home an Oscar for 12 Years a Slave, her first feature, and following standout work in everything from Black Panther and Us to Little Monsters and A Quiet Place: Day One since, she's the voice of Roz — short for ROZZUM unit 7134 — in the big-screen adaptation of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot. Unsurprisingly, she's marvellous and moving, taking viewers on an emotional journey even while playing a robot without facial expressions. When Roz is fresh out of the box, powering up on an animal-filled island devoid of humans in a futuristic vision of earth, Nyong'o lends her vocals to the perky Siri and Alexa peer that audiences will wish spoke back to them from their own devices. As the task-oriented mechanical helper learns that there's more to life than her programming — as she befriends a gosling that she names Brightbill (Kit Connor, Heartstopper) and a fox called Fink (Pedro Pascal, Drive-Away Dolls), too, and wins over other wild critters who are initially fearful of the metallic interloper — the warmth that begins to infuse Roz's tones couldn't feel more genuine. The Wild Robot doesn't only prove a gem thanks to Nyong'o's pivotal performance, but it wouldn't be even a fraction of the film that it is without her. In 2024, the actor has had two movies in cinemas. In A Quiet Place: Day One, speaking was one of the worst things that anyone could do. In The Wild Robot, Nyong'o's entire portrayal comes down to talking. "I love that you made that comparison. I hadn't even thought about it that way," she tells Concrete Playground when we point out the contrast, and also ask what she seeks out in new projects at this point in her career. "What gets me excited? I think about the character that I've been offered to play, and I think about what I will require to play the character — and what I could learn as well from playing the character, what I'm curious about. If the character makes me ask questions of the world and of myself and I'm excited to find out the answers, then I want to play that character," Nyong'o explains. When The Wild Robot came her way, she didn't say yes immediately, however. For Nyong'o, voicing Roz was always going to need to be a creative collaboration; just showing up to speak her lines and leaving it at that isn't how she wanted to work. "I don't know how to be just a voice for hire. I have opinions and I want to share them, and I want to make sure that the person I'm sharing them with wants to hear them," she notes. Nyong'o joined the film after meeting with director Chris Sanders and understanding his vision. "You shape these things together. You go on this journey together, and she is a creative force just like every other artist in this film, for sure," he tells us. "And I have to say, she's an absolute genius. Taking Roz apart bit by bit to understand her thinking kept me honest as a writer," he continues. The Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods director — and voice of Stitch — couldn't be more enthusiastic about the latest picture that now sits on his packed resume (also on his filmography from the 90s when he was starting out: production design on The Lion King, visual development on Beauty and the Beast, and story credits on both alongside Aladdin). Before signing on for The Wild Robot, Sanders describes himself as "book-adjacent" to Brown's illustrated tome, as his daughter had read it. "I saw it sitting around the house and I'd actually forgotten about it until the day I came into DreamWorks to look at what was in development. And there was the book, and they described it, and I thought 'that's the one I'm interested in'," he advises. As the feature's writer and director, he's crafted a version that takes inspiration from Hayao Miyazaki's enchanting Studio Ghibli fare, classics such as Bambi and the work of painter Claude Monet, too — and a gem for all ages. How does Nyong'o tackle a voice-acting part — and, whether she's seen on-screen or heard echoing from it, how does she find the right voice for a character? What kind of thinking and planning goes into expressing Roz's inner journey? How important was it to Sanders that the film didn't shy away from animals being animals, not just in appearance but also into recognising the food chain and cycle of life? We chatted with the pair about all of the above as well, and more, including how animated movies trade in big emotions —because we all have that flick, or several, that we'll never forget — and how that sits in your mind when you're making one. On How Nyong'o Approaches a Voice-Acting Part, Especially Playing a Character Without Facial Expressions Lupita: "I think the animators did a great service to Roz — and a great service to an audience — by not giving her facial features. Because then we stay truer to the fact that Roz is not a feeling entity. She is a robot and has a goal — she's goal-oriented and her goal, luckily, is to be of service to whomever purchased her. So that lends itself to kindness. And she's also very adaptable, so she's able to adapt to the behaviours and expressions of the wild animals that she is now living with. And through that, you can adopt sensibilities akin to emotional expression. I like figuring that out cerebrally. How do I play a character without emotions but still be able to convey a bunch of emotions, and then trust that an audience will project their emotions onto her? We are given that license because she doesn't have facial expressions, so she's not doing it for us. We were very much a part of the performance." On Finding the Right Voice for the Right Character Lupita: "It starts off with understanding the given circumstances of the character. What are the facts, right? And so for Roz, one of the main facts that was very important was that she is a programmed robot. That was very informativem and it led me to listen to automated voices like Siri and Alexa, the voices on TikTok and Instagram — they were an inspiration, their relentless, positive vibrancy was the inspiration there. For someone like Red in Us, I knew that there had been a strangulation at some point, and so that fed my imagination on what could that sound like if you were strangled. Things like that. Then I also work very closely with a vocal coach, and I worked with her on both Us and The Wild Robot, and that's really helpful to just externalise my ideas and make sure that I'm doing it in as healthy a way as possible to stave off injuries." On What Sanders Was Excited to Bring to the Screen in Adapting The Wild Robot Chris: "The story for sure. I've always wanted to do a robot movie. And the other thing that I never thought I'd get a chance to work on would be an animal movie like this. This is a lot like Bambi — the forest, the animals, the creatures. And it's a real forest, they're only slightly anthropomorphised. Bambi is a huge favourite. It always will be. One of the things I think that you cannot understate is the emotional power of that film. It has a staying power and a beauty that we wanted to emulate. Aspire to it, actually, is a better way to say it — that and the art of Miyazaki films. These are things that have a huge influence on us as animators and filmmakers. So we had big boots to fill if we were going to equal the power and the scale of those of those stories. Our animators really took to it, by the way. I didn't understand until they started working on the film the level of excitement that they had to do animals that were animals. That kind of movement, I guess, is really a huge thing for an animator. They're usually doing animals carrying cell phones and they have jobs, etcetera. Animals that are animals, there's a purity to the motion that I was really struck by. The animation went unusually quickly because of the lack of things, like jackets and coats and stuff. And so it was a joy to see all of this come to life day by day." On the Importance of Not Shying Away From the Reality of Animals Being Animals Chris: "It was critical because if there isn't consequence, then the story is just not going to work. We don't want to shy away from any of those things because we need that kind of ballast. I would actually harken back to things in The Lion King — if you don't have consequences, you're not going to have that emotional resonance, and I don't think you going to have a movie that works. So death shows up several times in this movie. The first time, of course, is the critical and pivotal event where Roz accidentally, quite literally, runs across this goose's nest by accident and that sets this whole story in motion. Later on, we revisit it, but we often revisit it with humour. We get a laugh out of it. It's a dark kind of humour, but boy is it effective. The animals on this island have programming, and that's the way that Roz looks at it. She's a creature of human programming, and she sees the animals as running programs as well. I thought that was a really interesting way to look at the world, and one of the load-bearing ideas and themes of the film is the idea that someday you may have to change your programming in order to survive. In our lives, we are creatures of habit, we resist change, and we may have to change the way we think. I think that sometimes we're so fearful of losing ourselves for some reason. I think we're very protective of ourselves. I can only speak for myself, but I get that — but whenever I've been forced to see things in a different way, I've been better for it." On What Goes Into Conveying Roz's Inner Journey Through a Vocal Performance Lupita: "I would say the intention was set at the beginning. Before I took on the role, I asked Chris why he thought I would be good for it, and he said he liked the warmth of my voice. So that was very good information for me, so that I knew what I had for free to offer Roz, and so that was where we would end up — that's the voice when Roz has taken on and embraced the role of mother most fully, that she sounds most like me. And then in the process, a two-and-a-half-year process, the script is developing, and along with it our understanding of who Roz is and how we experience her evolution is also developing. That was really quite technical, and we had certain markers, certain benchmarks for where the quality of my voice was shifting. And I did it quite technically, so it dials up in a way that when you're watching the performance is perhaps, hopefully, quite subtle and unnoticeable — until you meet the robots that are more like the other robots like her, towards the third act of the film." On the "Miyazaki by Way of Monet" Visual Approach to the Natural World Within the Film Chris: "All these things we've been talking about, what a perfect line of questioning actually, all these things are linked together like spokes of a wheel. I felt that it was absolutely critical, and I pushed very hard for this level of sophistication in the look of the movie. Think back to what we were talking about with Bambi, that level of sophistication, I felt, would make our audience see this film in the right way, if that makes sense. This is a film that kids will love. Kids should go see it. Families should go see it. But it's not a little kids' film — it's a film. And that's how Walt Disney looked at those stories as well, he always said so. So that level of sophistication helps us to get into the film in a certain way, and it really immerses us in a way that I've never seen a film like this accomplish. I have gotten so much feedback since we finished the film that it really blurs the line between a live-action film and an animated film, frankly, the way that you see it — and that was very deliberate. And I have to credit the artists and the incredible advances that DreamWorks had made technologically that allowed this look. The funny thing is all that technology opened this film up so that humans are more present than ever before. Literally everything is hand-painted. It would be as if I took out a brush and started painting dimensionally in space. That's exactly what they were doing. So there are no forms underneath the trees or the rocks. It's free handed. So the beauty that you get from that, there's no substitute for it. There's an analogue warmth that we reconnected with on this journey that we've taken through CG." On How Animation Allows Audiences to Have Big Feelings — and Thinking About That When You're Making an Animated Film Lupita: "You have to keep the audience in mind. One of the things that I remember us discussing, Roz has a lot of robotic language, just mumbo jumbo that she says — and you want to keep that in a way that allows for children to grow their vocabulary, and also a way for adults to understand and appreciate what she is saying. But you can't make it too difficult that you lose the children altogether. So those were fun workshops where we tried different words. I remember in the script, there was a time when a character asks Roz something and she goes 'hmm, let me see'. But 'hmm', that's a very human expression, and so I said 'processing' and everybody broke out laughing, and it became part of Roz's vocabulary. For children, that is perhaps maybe a new word — children never say processing, I can't imagine they do. But in that sense, you've expanded their vocabulary and stayed true to the character." Chris: "It's something I don't know if I'm really thinking about it, but in a sense I'm striving for it as I'm working on scenes. I'm scaling things. I think one of the neat things about taking a story like Peter Brown's to the screen is the potential for how big these feelings can be. I'm always going for audacity and scale. And I will run a scene over and over and over in my head, modifying it before I even commit anything to paper a lot of the time, until I'm feeling I've found every edge of the boundaries of that particular moment, and I've built it as large as it possibly can be. Because why wouldn't you, you know? Why wouldn't you? And then the really amazing thing is, I take it only so far, and then we have our actors and our and our animators — and eventually the cinematographer, the lighting, and then eventually Kris Bowers [who composed The Wild Robot's soundtrack]. I cannot overstate his contribution as well. I credit him for, I think, the gosh-darn best score I've ever heard in a movie ever." On What Nyong'o Makes of Her Career Over the Past Decade Since 12 Years a Slave Lupita: "I was sitting at the premiere of The Wild Robot at TIFF [the Toronto International Film Festival], and there was a moment, I think it was a moment when Brightbill is flying away and a feather floats into Roz's hands. And it's a very emotional moment within the story. But in that moment, I was just caught, I was struck by the truth that I have been living out my dreams and this project is another dream come true. I was just filled with gratitude, because not everybody gets to live out their dreams so exactly. And I've had that wonderful, wonderful privilege, and I just don't take it for granted. It's been deliberate. It's sometimes been scary. I've had to say no before I knew I could in order to wait for the project that felt like it would give me the kind of expansion I was looking for. And those times that I've said no have paid off. And looking at the last ten years, I'm very, very proud of the work that I've been able to do, and I look forward to continuing to live out my dreams one decision at a time." The Wild Robot opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
Any reason to take a holiday is a good reason to take a holiday, but a little bit of international acclaim certainly doesn't hurt when it comes to choosing a getaway spot. So, if you've been thinking about heading to Kangaroo Island at some point, or making the trip to Australia's Red Centre to soak in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park's wonders, here's the push you might've been waiting for: they've both been named by The New York Times as two of the best places to visit in 2023. The publication has put together a '52 Places to Go' list for this year, with the pair of Aussie destinations earning mentions. Even better: Kangaroo Island, the South Australian landmass that's also the nation's third-largest island, landed in the top ten. The location came in seventh, and was specifically called out for its "incredible wildlife, breathtaking ocean views, and its status as an ecological haven". [caption id="attachment_688401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivonne Bar/SA Tourism Commission[/caption] If you're wondering exactly where the NYT says you should check out on the island, that'd be the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre, especially its private tours of its animal hospital facilities and bottle-feeding a joey while you're there — and watching sea lions at the Seal Bay Conservation Park. The Southern Ocean Lodge also scored a shoutout for when it reopens. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia's second spot on the list, ranked 29th. It was recognised for being "the shape-shifting sandstone heart of a continent and its Indigenous heritage" — and yes, its world-famous monolith obviously got a mention. [caption id="attachment_869882" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT[/caption] Still Down Under but across the ditch, the entire city of Auckland pipped both Australian locales by coming in fifth, and was dubbed New Zealand's "culinary capital". According to the NYT, travellers should add visits to Hugo's Bistro, Cazador, Omni and Little French Cafe — which serves up "mille-feuille rivaling Paris's best" — to their itineraries. Elsewhere around the globe, London came in first for being "a buzzing city ready for a coronation, a brand-new airport link and a prehistoric colossus"; with Morioka in Japan sitting in second; Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park taking out third place; and Scotland's Kilmartin Glen in fourth. Rounding out the top ten, alongside Auckland in fifth and Kangaroo Island in seventh: California's Palm Springs at sixth, Vjosa River in Albania at eighth, Accra in Ghana sitting ninth and Tromso in Norway at tenth. Other places named include Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, the Namib Desert in Southern Africa, Flores in Indonesia, Nîmes in France, Vilnius in Lithuania, and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [caption id="attachment_886033" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little French Cafe[/caption] For The New York Times' full 52 Places to Go list for 2023, head to the publication's website. Top image: Ben Goode via South Australian Tourism Commission. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world — including Kangaroo Island.
There's been a big, fat question mark hanging over the future of The Midnight Shift, ever since Sydney group Universal Hotels snapped up the beloved gay bar for $12 million back in July. But now, it's been confirmed that the Oxford Street pub will be resurrected this October — with a three-day launch party, no less. But things will be a little different. For one, the new venue will be called Universal, with the new owners leaving the name to rest in peace. "Universal will be an evolution of the Midnight Shift, rather than a revolution," explained owner Jim Kospetas. He did, however, confirm that the group — which conducted an online survey to gauge what the community wanted them to do with the venue — plans to respect the "special role that it has played for the LGBTIQA+ community" and continue its and long-held legacy of inclusivity. While the full suite of Universal offerings is yet to be revealed, the jam-packed opening program — which lands on the October long weekend — should give you a pretty good hint of the fun to come. On Friday, September 28, catch a sneak preview of new monthly party FAB, featuring live performances, DJs and drag shows, while new weekly event Satori launches with a bang on Saturday, September 29, promising a healthy dose of creativity in all forms. And on Sunday, September 30, the entire venue's set to fire up for Heaps Gay Resurrection, with a lineup of the city's finest queer talent helping to simultaneously wrap up Sydney Fringe Festival and welcome Universal to the 'hood. In the past 18 months, Universal Hotels has not only bought The Midnight Shift, but Darlinghurst haunts The Brighton Hotel, Kinselas and The Oxford Hotel, too. These make up its already-large 11-venue stable, which also includes Civic Underground and Middlebar. It's clear that the group has big plans for the area — we just hope that it tries to keep Oxford Street's spirit alive, rather than trying to reinvent it. Universal will open on Friday, September 28 at 85-91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. We'll keep you updated on any more details or parties that are announced.
Well, I think my enduring memory of Ballet Revolucion may be my friend, who is in a long-term relationship, exclaiming at the top of her voice, just as the audience went quiet, "seeing all those chiselled bodies is making me want to be promiscuous again!", followed by a fit of giggles from both of us. The fact that we laughed out loud, though, not only made it more fun but also is testament to how out of the mould this ballet experience is, and her comment describes just how mesmerising it was to watch these lithe bodies cut breathtaking shapes across the stage. Instead of the usual respectful silence, it was liberating to be able to whoop and cheer whenever a dancer performed a particularly stunning feat of technical brilliance, as some of the dancers' infectious enthusiasm and Latin exuberance spilt over into the audience. The show, which features some of Cuba's most talented ballet dancers, hits the State Theatre in Sydney after making its world premiere in Perth. Producers John Lee and Mark Brady enlisted the help of acclaimed choreographers, Roclan Gonzalez Chavez (Cuba) and Aaron Cash (Australia), to create a work which captures Cuba's joie de vivre, and its people's passion for music and dance. Borrowing as it does from influences as diverse as R&B and hip hop, acrobatics and martial arts, Ballet Revolucion fuses these elements expertly with both traditional ballet and Cuban folklore dance to create an eclectic medley individual of dance pieces. The entire performance is accompanied by a full band, who belt out a diverse mix of music with skill and panache. The sounds span from flamenco and Cuban Jazz to hits by artists such as Enrique Iglesis, Shakira, Santana, Ricky Martin, Usher, Beyonce, Gotan Project and, one of the highlights of the show, Prince. 'Purple Rain' is surely a song meant for interpretive modern ballet? The performance certainly was revolutionary in terms of its wonderful juxtapositions of music and dance culture, though perhaps the gaps between Cuban beats and urban pop were just a little too large to allow it to be truly coherent. Nevertheless, the choreography was superb, the dancing extraordinary, most of the music infectious (R&B aside) and the atmosphere absolutely electric. A dazzling performance that will leave you reeling.
We're teaming up with Intrepid for a season of adventure throughout 2024, and we need your help to put it all together. If you've got a craving for a food-fuelled adventure and are pretty savvy with a camera and video tools, you could secure your place on a ten-day tour of Vietnam with Intrepid Travel as our newly-appointed roving reporter, capturing every moment of the experience and helping us share the wonders that travel has to offer. This adventure will take you from one end of the country to another, seeing famous sights like Ha Long Bay and the Mekong River Delta. Along the way, you'll sample the specialty cuisines the country is known for, seeing the sights fly by on an overnight train ride, explore quiet fishing villages and the busy streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City alike. Just remember, keep that camera charged and ready for the money shots and the little snippets you can't see coming. We'll need your footage and creative skills to put together a video to showcase the trip and others like it. To enter, you just need to fill out the form below and submit an original video entry to prove you've got what it takes to get behind the camera and shoot a video as a roving reporter for Concrete Playground. It doesn't need to be a travel video, just as long as it shows you've got an eye for good content and have the practical skills to film and edit footage. Good luck, winners will be contacted by midnight on Friday, August 30. [competition]965314[/competition] Images courtesy of Intrepid Travel
It took more than 25 years for Twin Peaks to revisit its moody, otherworldly and all-round odd small-town mysteries — and if you're not done diving into the television show's wonderful and strange world just yet, don't stress. Whether there'll be any more episodes is anyone's guess, but you can spend an evening with the show's stars in the interim, with five of the series cast members heading to Australia later this year. Although David Lynch famously refuses to talk in-depth about any of his work, including Twin Peaks' three seasons to date and the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, expect Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer), Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Moran), Michael Horse (Deputy Hawk), Al Strobel (Philip Gerard) and Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs) to be much more forthcoming as they chat about their experiences both on- and off-screen. In fact, maybe Lynch will be too — while he won't be there in person, he'll be Skyping in to answer questions live. On Saturday, September 1 at ICC Sydney's Darling Harbour Theatre, Lee, Robertson, Horse, Strobel, Ashbrook and the via-video Lynch will be joining forces with Twin Peaks producer Sabrina S. Sutherland for a 'Conversation with the Stars' discussions. If you've ever wondered what it was like to be wrapped in plastic, or to line up piles and piles of doughnuts, or to play the other half of the series' evil entity, here's your chance to find out. While Twin Peaks' lead Kyle MacLachlan won't be making the trip, the lineup is still a Peaks-lover's dream come true. Lee played Laura Palmer, the teen sweetheart whose murder sparked the whole series, while Ashbrook swaggered through highs-chool hallways as her boyfriend Bobby Briggs, and then turned unlikely cop in the latest season. Robertson is best known as bubbly police station receptionist Lucy, and Horse played the enigmatic Deputy Hawk — and had one of the most recent series' most moving scenes. As for Strobel's Phil Gerard, he was pals with Bob before becoming a resident of the Black Lodge. If all of the above gets you thinking about damn fine coffee and the Double R Diner's cherry pie, then you'll be keen to nab tickets to the intimate chat, which is in town for one night only. No word yet if the cast members will be sitting in front of red curtains or being interviewed by someone called Diane, but we can only hope. And if you're an absolute die-hard Peaks fan with some spare cash (around $500 in spare cash), meet-and-greet tickets are also available. Updated August 5.
Before getting a glimpse into everyone else's lives was as simple as logging into your social-media platform of choice, a game arrived that let its players do something similar with computerised characters. A spinoff from SimCity and its city-building follow-ups, The Sims allows whoever is mashing buttons to create and control virtual people, then step through their existence. First hitting in February 2000, it has spawned three sequels, plus a whole heap of expansion and compilation packs for each — and online, console and mobile versions as well. A quarter of a century since its debut, The Sims still keeps dropping new releases. To mark its 25th birthday, there's now The Sims: Birthday Bundle. That's one way to celebrate the game's latest anniversary. Here's another: stepping inside a three-day Australian pop-up dedicated to the beloved life simulator, which is heading to Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from Friday, February 21–Sunday, February 23, 2025. Despite The Sims' more-recent titles, thinking about the game usually means thinking about the 2000s. So, this pop-up is taking that truth to heart by celebrating the Y2K era, too. Going along involves entering inside a 2000s-era pre-teen bedroom that's been decked out by Josh & Matt Design with all of the appropriate touches. Yes, it'll be nostalgic. Yes, there'll be CD towers and blow-up couches, just to name a few decor choices. The pop-up will also feature free stations where you can play The Sims: Birthday Bundle, if the best way for you to commeroate the occasion is by diving into the franchise virtually. In addition, there'll also be a free panel about the game on the Saturday, with speakers including Josh & Matt Design's Josh Jessup and Matt Moss — who are big The Sims fans — and EA/Firemonkeys' Simulation Division General Manager Mavis Chan. "As Australia's home of videogames, ACMI is so chuffed to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Sims! For 25 years, The Sims has provided a platform for so many kinds of imaginative play for multiple generations, allowing them to achieve great feats of digital architecture, guide their Sims to dizzying success — or cruelly remove their pool ladders. With each new expansion and sequel, The Sims has expanded its complex social world, reflecting changes to real-life society, and facilitating even more forms of self-expression in its passionate player base," said ACMI Curator Jini Maxwell, announcing the pop-up. "As a long-term Sims player myself, I'm so thrilled to celebrate the game's cultural legacy and personal significance in this event and free talk hosted by ACMI." EA Presents The Sims 25 is popping up from Friday, February 21–Sunday, February 23 at ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne — head to the venue's website for more details.
SXSW is taking over Sydney between Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22. It's the first time that the world-renowned music, film, tech and gaming conference has left the US — and it has a jam-packed eight-day program in store. Included on the lineup is a slate of over 700 speakers, who will be appearing on talks and panels during the festival's massive conference. You can browse the full schedule at the SXSW Sydney website, but it's pretty overwhelming with plenty of not-to-be-missed sessions popping up each and every day. In order to help you plan out your fest, we've compiled our picks for the cream of the crop — ten absolute must-catch conference sessions at SXSW Sydney 2023. Our recommendations include looks at Australia's arts and culinary scenes, big-name creatives sitting down for exclusive chats, and even a panel that we've pulled together ourselves pondering the future of journalism and digital learning. APPETITE FOR DISTRACTION: YOUTH, INFORMATION AND THE DIGITAL AGE Gone are the days of "I read an article about". Gone are even the days of "actually, I just saw the headline". We're now well and truly in the age of "I watched a TikTok". The way that we absorb information is constantly changing, and right now video is ruling — especially among gen z and millennials. Concrete Playground's very own SXSW Sydney panel is looking at just this, pulling together a group of video-first creatives to discuss how young people are consuming info in the digital age. The panel will feature Pedestrian.TV's Issy Phillips to discuss news and journalism in the era of short-form video; astrophysicist and scientific communicator Kirsten Banks to chat about the role of TikTok, Reels and YouTube in sparking people's love in all things space; and Concrete Playground's very own Ben Hansen to talk about how we're searching for recommendations and deciding how to fill our calendar in 2023. Catch Appetite for Distraction: Youth Information and the Digital Age at 2pm on Wednesday, October 18 at Room E3.9, ICC Sydney. [caption id="attachment_917272" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Quintano via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIP HOP FEATURING CHANCE THE RAPPER "As we celebrate 50 years of hip hop in 2023, I'm reminded of the transformative power this culture has had, not just on the world stage, but on the streets of Chicago's South Side," said Chance The Rapper, announcing his SXSW Sydney appearance. The three-time Grammy winner is appearing on the event's lineup to discuss the global impact of the genre five decades after DJ Kool Herc first isolated percussion breaks, then repeated them — and made history. "Chance The Rapper is renowned for both his chart topping and community advocacy. There's few out there like him, who take what they've made and use it to build the dreams of others," noted SXSW Sydney Managing Director Colin Daniels. The conversation should be top of the must-see list for all hip hop heads and music lovers in general. It also stands as the marquee session in a program full of hip hop — including other panels like Hip Hop How a Generation Is Changing the World, films like OneFour: Against All Odds, and boundary-pushing sets from rappers Redveil, Barkaa, Zion Garcia and Flyanna Boss. Catch 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop ft. Chance the Rapper at 1pm on Thursday, October 19 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_856346" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Boud[/caption] THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY — MICHAEL CASSEL AM AND KIP WILLIAMS IN CONVERSATION After selling out multiple Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland runs, and before it hits the UK's West End with an iteration starring Succession's Sarah Snook, Sydney Theatre Company's The Picture of Dorian Gray is being dissected at SXSW Sydney. Premiering in Sydney in 2020, this take on the tale uses video and theatre to get its star playing 26 characters. In the Australian runs, Eryn Jean Norvill has done the honours, and brilliantly, with Snook following in the actor's footsteps abroad. Renowned producer Michael Cassel AM will sit down with Sydney Theatre Company's Artistic Director Kip Williams to discuss the imaginative, groundbreaking and thought-provoking stage show. Developed right here in Australia by a local creative team during the pandemic, the The Picture of Dorian Gray is a real success story for Australia's arts scene — and this is your chance to take a look under the hood and hear what's next for the production. Catch The Picture of Dorian Gray — Michael Cassel AM and Kip Williams at 4pm on Tuesday, October 17 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_820444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nine Perfect Strangers, Vince Valitutti/Hulu[/caption] A SPOTLIGHT ON BLOSSOM FILMS In a late addition to the SXSW Sydney program, Australian icon Nicole Kidman is joining the event. Adding one of the nation's most famous acting names at home and in America to perhaps the biggest tech, innovation, screen, music, games and culture festival that Australia has ever seen is fitting. 2023 marks 40 years since Kidman starred in BMX Bandits, but that's not why she'll be taking to the SXSW Sydney stage as part of its massive speaker lineup. Instead, she'll be chatting with her producing partner Per Saari about her production company Blossom Films. On its resume: the Nickers-starring Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Rabbit Hole, as well as this year's Elizabeth Olsen (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)-led Love & Death. Catch A Spotlight on Blossom Films on at 11am on Thursday, October 19 — check the website for venue details. DERRICK GEE — HOW TO TALK MUSIC (ON THE INTERNET) You may have come across the soothing tones of Derrick Gee's voice on your TikTok or Instagram feeds chatting about Erika De Casier, audio equipment or the international influence of yacht rock. If you haven't, this is your sign to get lost in his videos right now. Gee will be hitting the SXSW Sydney stage to discuss the wonders of discussing music on the world wide web. Sometimes music feels like this indescribable thing, but other times genres feel like they've been talked to death; however, Gee has a distinct way of finding the story and the humanity in the music he chats about. This is a must-see session whether you're a band or promoter looking to change up how you communicate your music online, a lover of all things sound or just like Derrick Gee's videos. Catch Derrick Gee — How to Talk Music (On the Internet) at 11.30am on Friday, October 20 at The Guthrie Theatre, UTS Building 6. INDIGENOUS COLLABORATION: MAKING FILMS THAT HEAL Māoriland Film Festival, the world's largest Indigenous film festival, joins the SXSW Sydney lineup in conjunction with UNESCO Wellington City of Film with a panel featuring award-winning talent from across the film industry. The focus: discussing Indigenous collaboration, plus creating films that facilitate change, and help the audience and the filmmakers heal. On the panel: writer and director Chantelle Murray (My Name is Mudju, Elvis, Thor: Love and Thunder); Chelsea Winstanley (Jojo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows, Moana Reo Māori, Talk to Me), the first Indigenous woman to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar; Māoriland Film Festival Director and producer Libby Hakaraia; and independent film and television producer, director, writer and presenter Tainui Stephens. Catch Indigenous Collaboration: Making Films That Heal at 3.30pm on Monday, October 16 at Cinema Theatre, UTS Building 6. BETTER THAN YESTERDAY WITH OSHER GÜNSBERG TV personality and author Osher Günsberg is bringing two live episodes of his podcast Better Than Yesterday to SXSW Sydney. The man of many talents — including the host of Australian Idol and The Bachelor, creator of the satirical news parody NTNNNN: Night Time News Network Nightly News and narrator of Bondi Rescue — will take to the stage for two long-form interviews about how we can work towards a brighter tomorrow. The first, on Wednesday, October 18, will be with psychotherapist and holistic counsellor Diane Young. Günsberg and Young will discuss the ramifications of addiction — however, they'll do so with the hope of creating a constructive conversation that will leave the audience feeling "better than yesterday". The following day, Günsberg will sit down with activist, politician and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett. The conversation will traverse Garrett's storied career and also see the musician announce a brand new musical project. Catch Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg at 10am on Wednesday, October 18 and 10am on Thursday, October 19 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_917939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netflix[/caption] CHARLIE BROOKER IN CONVERSATION If you're a bit wary of technology's ever-growing influence in humanity's daily lives — be it artificial intelligence, streaming algorithms, social media, drones, augmented reality or online dating, to name just a few examples — then Charlie Brooker and Black Mirror might be one of the reasons. Since 2011, they've been spinning dystopian nightmares about what might happen as tech evolves. In plenty of cases, they've been satirising and interrogating innovations we use today, and what their next step might be. Yes, that makes Brooker the perfect speaker to get chatting at SXSW Sydney. "Black Mirror consistently leads the cultural conversation on what we face in the now or may confront in our future, offering a chance for reflection and change. Charlie embodies what attendees can expect from SXSW Sydney: creativity and innovation," says SXSW Sydney Managing Director Colin Daniels. Catch Charlie Brooker in Conversation at 1pm on Wednesday, October 18 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_759108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF CHINATOWN? Sydney's Chinatown finds itself in an interesting situation. In some ways, it's continuing to thrive, with the streets packed every Friday night and a fleet of new venues arriving post-lockdown. At the same time, urban sprawl, the cost of living and changing migration patterns have seen the city's Asian diaspora move out to the suburbs more and more. Moderated by Soul of Chinatown's Eddie Ma, this panel will break down where Chinatown is now and what's to come for the bustling inner-city district. The roster of experts joining Ma includes acclaimed chef and Chinatown resident Dan Hong (Mr Wong, Ms. G's, MuMu), property developer and Chinatown advocate Brad Chan, and award-winning architect Qianyi Lim. Catch What Is The Future of Chinatown? at 10am on Wednesday, October 18 at Theatrette, Powerhouse Museum. HORROR & AUDIENCE: WHY WE LOVE TO BE TERRIFIED Whether you love them, hate them or love to hate them, people flock to horror movies — and thanks to studios like A24 and an exciting batch of homegrown horror filmmakers, the genre is having a real moment right now. This panel features four leading voices in horror movies, discussing why they find the genre enthralling, the art of horror storytelling and where the spookiest of films are heading. Daley Pearson leads the lineup of speakers, bringing experience from his eclectic career to the stage, including executive producing Bluey, creating the concept for Danny and Michael Philippou's Talk to Me and playing Thor's roommate Darryl on Team Thor and Team Daryl. Joining Pearson will be Wyrmwood director Kiah Roache-Turner, filmmaker Natalie Erika James (Relic) and Causeway Films producer Samantha Jennings (Talk to Me, You Won't Be Alone, Of An Age). Catch Horror & Audience: Why We Love to Be Terrified at 2pm on Thursday, October 19 at Cinema Theatre, UTS Building 6. SXSW Sydney runs from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Brittany Hallberg.
Pack your camp gear, fishing rods and multiple sets of swimmers and visit this Sapphire Coast gem. You'll find idyllic inlets like Nelson Beach or Moon Bay, perfect for swimming, surfing and fishing. Picnickers and those prepared to paddle with a canoe or kayak should head to Nelson Lagoon. Or, if it's sea life you seek, stroll along the walking track to Wajurda Point lookout and spy whales and dolphins among the endless blue. Park your pack at the campgrounds at Gillards, Picnic Point or Middle Beach for a canvas room with an ocean view. Or, you can book the historic Myer House by Lake Wapengo for up to 12 people. The nearby towns of Bermagui and Merimbula are good spots to stay for the less intrepid, too — and you can even fly straight into the latter if you're short on time. [caption id="attachment_802263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Image: National Parks
Sure, picnics are a common enough pastime for Sydneysiders. But now that double-vaxxed residents of NSW can get together in groups of five outdoors, it's high time to champion the return of the humble BYO picnic. In partnership with Rosie Spritz, we're helping you jump on the picnic fever that's taking over the city this spring. Whether you want to simply lay in the sun and read Sally Rooney's latest novel or to plan a full-blown al fresco feast with four mates, we've got you. And for northern beaches folk, that means uncovering the most idyllic parks, bays and beaches where you can throw down a rug — and BYO booze. So, grab your wicker basket and head to these top spots to fill your gob with cold cuts and sip an ice-cold spritz in the afternoon sun. [caption id="attachment_827080" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] CLONTARF RESERVE, CLONTARF Despite beaches reigning supreme on this side of town, there's no shortage of beautiful bays and parklands either — and Clontarf Reserve, on the fringes of Balgowlah, ticks all of the worthy park boxes. Beach? Check. Leafy tree-filled space? Yep. Netted swimming zone to keep any purported finned friends at bay? Yessir. It also overlooks the Spit Bridge (in case engineering marvels are your thing) and features a play area for fully vaxxed picnickers with young kids in tow. Physical attributes aside, the reserve is also BYO booze-friendly from 8am–8pm, making it perfect spot for a spritz. [caption id="attachment_827079" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] CLAREVILLE BEACH RESERVE, CLAREVILLE If sun and sand is more your speed, get on down to Clareville Beach for your next picnic. This lesser-known (but equally impressive) stretch of beach tucked away near Avalon is the kind of sandy serenity you no doubt seek. Expect calm waters, lightly bobbing sailboats, shady pines and a soft seabreeze to keep you cool long into the afternoon. Add four vaxxed mates, a picnic spread of prawns rolls and freshly shucked oysters, and a cooler full of rosé spritzes and, congrats, you've mastered the casual beachside picnic. You'll just have to quit any boozing from 8pm–8am. [caption id="attachment_827078" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] WINNERERREMY BAY, MONA VALE If you're looking for the most family-friendly picnic spot on the northern beaches, feast your activity-hunting eyes on Winnererremy Bay. It's got an epic flying fox ride for one, plus a skate park, playground, picnic shelters and barbeque facilities, so you can throw a shrimp on the barbie and sip a spritz (from 8am–8pm). There's also a swimming area and trails featuring stone carvings if you want a quick dip or walk before you tuck in. Then, roll out a blanket under one of the many shady trees at this relaxed spot and you'll feel a world away from the bustle of the more publicised picnic spots in the area. [caption id="attachment_827076" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] DES CREAGH RESERVE, AVALON The northern beaches lays claim to quiet, sandy coves by the dozen. But if you're looking for somewhere a bit livelier to lay down a picnic spread, head to Des Creagh Reserve in Avalon. This stretch of tree-lined park is right opposite Avalon Beach, meaning there's plenty of action to be witnessed, as well as uninterrupted ocean views. Plus, it's just a short stroll to some of the sweetest Avalon eateries on offer for all your takeaway picnic needs. So, live out your Puberty Blues dreams with a Chiko Roll and watch the surfers duck and glide along the waves as the sun starts to set. Like much of the northern beaches BYO-friendly spots, alcohol is banned at Des Creagh Reserve from 8pm–8am. [caption id="attachment_827088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] THOMAS STEVENS RESERVE, CHURCH POINT As far as remote-yet-accessible picnic zones go, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pick than Thomas Stevens Reserve. Located on the shores of Pittwater and overlooking the alluring Scotland Island, Thomas Stevens Reserve is laden with shady spaces and secluded coves to meander until you find the perfect picnic possie. Booze is usually off-limits, but you can imbibe on Fridays, weekends and public holidays between 3pm-9pm, so plan accordingly if you're looking to BYO booze. Thankfully, snacks are allowed any day, any time. [caption id="attachment_825771" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Michele Cooper/DPIE[/caption] BARRENJOEY HEAD, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK Everyone's favourite natural backdrop from Home and Away, Barenjoey Head and its famed lighthouse are also home to an unbelievable picnic spot with views for days. It's a bit of a trek — around 30 minutes from the car park — but once you're there, you're gifted with 360-degree views of pristine coastline stretching from the Central Coast and long sandy beaches to the south. Across the water, there's the winding bushlands of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the dazzling bays of the Hawkesbury. If that's not the backdrop for a picnic cheers, we don't know what is. [caption id="attachment_827083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] EAST ESPLANADE RESERVE, MANLY Located on the harbour side of Manly, East Esplanade Park is one of the most-loved parks on the northern beaches. While the majority of the park is an alcohol-free zone, there is one small pocket where you can sip a cold one (responsibly, of course). Locally known as 'The Office', this section of grass is in East Esplanade Reserve and it's one of the very few outdoor areas where you can BYO booze in Manly; however alcohol consumption is banned between the hours 8pm–8am. So, we recommend coming here to watch the ferries to and fro across the harbour and sip a spritz at sunset, then get dinner from one of the local restaurants, like Queen Chow or Chica Bonita (which are both currently serving up takeaway options, too). Rosie Spritz is an ideal springtime sip and is available at BWS, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor stores across Sydney. For more picnic inspiration, check out our guides to idyllic picnic spots where you can BYO booze in Sydney's inner west, inner city, lower north shore and eastern suburbs. Top image: Clareville Beach, Elliott Kramer Remember to Drinkwise.
For every Australian that was a toddler from the 90s onwards, and their counterparts worldwide as well, heroes wear blue, yellow, red and purple skivvies. Since the early 90s, The Wiggles have been one of the biggest Aussie names in children's entertainment, and one of the country's most-successful global hits. Alongside Bananas in Pyjamas and Bluey, they're part of a trio of homegrown icons in pop culture's early-childhood space, all thanks to the decision by Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, Greg Page and Murray Cook to turn their university studies in the area, plus their experience in music — Field and Fatt were part of The Cockroaches, while Page was in Dead Giveaway and Cook in Bang Shang a Lang — into an album for kids. The rest is history, which The Wiggles just keep making. In Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2021, three decades after the group's self-titled debut album, they topped the poll with a cover of Tame Impala's 'Elephant'. Also among the troupe's recent achievements and highlights: appearing at the Mardi Gras parade, playing Falls Festival, earning some love from Lil Nas X and bringing the OGs back together for adults-only shows. Premiering at the first-ever SXSW Sydney, documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles — which is now streaming via Prime Video — has joined their resume as well. Onstage for today's toddlers — plus every batch of preschoolers since 'Get Ready to Wiggle' and 'Dorothy the Dinosaur' first started echoing — The Wiggles serve up business as usual. Whether playing at home or around the world, the Aussie entertainers put on a child-pleasing live show. Other than Field, the folks donning the skivvies have changed, with the troupe becoming bigger, more culturally diverse and championing gender balance. At gigs specifically focused at 90s and 00s kids who are now well past The Wiggles' prime demographic, Field, Fatt, Page and Cook have reformed for reunion tours. As seen in Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles, both types of concerts draw huge crowds. For Field, Fatt, Page and Cook, life has been shaped by wearing bright colours, singing to fans young and older alike, and getting 'Hot Potato' and 'Fruit Salad' lodged in everyone's brains — and lives have been moulded by their efforts in turn. Early-childhood teaching philosophies have always sat at the forefront of The Wiggles, which the OG four attribute to their success. Young devotees who dance along to their tunes then become adults who still think fondly about their first-ever favourite group. Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles clearly has much to cover, then, all within a 104-minute doco that does much more than trade in nostalgia: as directed by Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks and David Stratton: A Cinematic Life filmmaker Sally Aitken, it chronicles how four friends started a phenomenon that's taken them everywhere from small Aussie shows to Madison Square Garden, and sparked a beloved group that shows no signs of stopping. With the movie now delighting audiences, Field, Fatt, Page and Cook spoke to Concrete Playground about all things Wiggles, including reflecting upon their careers via the doco, the whirlwind last few years for the OGs and why they're so beloved. And if you're wondering if Fatt, Page and Cook wear skivvies or their famous colours now, Page bought yellow sneakers just for the film's premiere "to have something yellow in my wardrobe", Fatt says he "definitely avoids the purple" and Cook does "have some skivvies though, but they're black". ON THEIR RESPONSE TO A DOCUMENTARY BEING MADE ABOUT THE WIGGLES Anthony: "This New Zealand company approached us about doing it. So they were filming us for the last couple of years and being with us, and then got all this archival footage, and got fans to send in a whole lot of stuff — and just got all these incredible photos right through our career. We were all a step away from the actual creatives of it, and the storytelling. It was pretty well Sally [Aitken] and Fraser [associate director Fraser Grut] with the guys in New Zealand who put it together. But I was a bit scared to see it. I found it very emotional and beautiful — and sad and happy, all that stuff. A lot of great memories." Murray: "When someone's going to make a documentary about you, you're not involved in the decision-making. There's a bit of trust involved and you just hope that they do the right thing. But once we met the filmmakers, Fraser and Sally, we got to know them a bit, and I felt very trusting that they'd tell the story honestly. You don't want to whitewash — you just want the the truth to be told, I think." Jeff: "And Fraser grew up with The Wiggles. So, he held us in very high esteem." Greg: "I think, too, that because he did, because he was a fan as a child, he got the essence of what the documentary is, and that is showing that connection between us and the children, and that connection that continues on today with the new Wiggles. I think that really sums it up beautifully. And I think the overall tone of the picture is one — can you believe I said picture, like moving picture? — the tone of the documentary is one of joy and happiness. Really, that's what it's about. And I think he's done a great job, and so has Sally." ON REFLECTING ON THEIR CAREERS VIA THE FILM Greg: "It must have been such a challenge to try and cram 30 years into probably 100 minutes or so. But they've done a really good job at capturing those high points and the low points along the way — the milestone moments of The Wiggles. To sit there and watch it back for us, I know personally it was really interesting because living it from the inside, you see it very differently to how other people have seen it. But then to step outside of that now and watch it in a different perspective, it's really quite fascinating." Anthony: "You see little bits on YouTube of things we did 15 years ago, but this was like a line of just what happened. And just at the end of it, I was overwhelmed by it all." Murray: "I thought it was quite moving at at times. There was a lot of joy there, but there were a few tears. It does give you an opportunity to reflect on what it was that we achieved and what we created. I think it's really great for the world to see the people behind The Wiggles — that it's not just four goofballs, although we are that — but that there's theory and philosophy behind it. But also just seeing the journey that we went on together, it was really lovely to be able to see that." Greg: "It's interesting because when people ask us questions like they did in the documentary, they're asking questions that we probably never asked each other. And a lot of things we kind of took for granted that we're on the same page about, or we just felt that we would all feel the same way about, but I think there were some differences — not major differences at all. It's kind of funny, like we never sat around and shared a lot about our own feelings about things. A lot of the time, we were talking about the show, the production that we were going to do, there was a lot of that stuff. So I think for me it was really a chance to hear the other guys' perspective on what The Wiggles was to them." ON REALISING THAT THE WIGGLES WERE BECOMING A PHENOMENON Anthony: "In Australia, we went from birthday parties to playing fundraisers for the Nursing Mothers Association, which was really good. They'd sell the tickets and get a percentage of the tickets, they were fundraisers for them and it was great because, basically, it just was word of mouth. The Wiggles in those days, we weren't on television and we weren't on the radio. But the big step up in America, when I knew that things had changed, was when we went over and the people in customs recognised us — not in a bad way. That's when I went 'things have changed here'. It was because Disney took our TV series and put it on four times a day on their channel. And we became massive in America and Canada, and it was amazing." Murray: "I don't think we thought it would go around the world until we actually spent a bit of time in America. For us in the 2000s, from about 2002 on, America was a fairly big focus because it was very successful there. Once we started doing things like playing Madison Square Garden and doing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, it became a little bit surreal, for me anyway. We'd be sitting on buses going to these cities in America that in a lot of cases we've heard of but never been to, and it was a great adventure but it was also a little bit hard to get your head around." Jeff: "From the early days, for example, when we put out the first video and it really made a connection with our audience — and just little steps like that. We'd quite often play for the Nursing Mothers Association in little halls, and that started getting traction. So the audience was continually building in those regional areas and in the city. So there were these little steps along the way, so it wasn't like a huge leap — it was a very gradual thing for us." Greg: "I think, too, it's interesting that people use words like 'global phenomenon' or 'global empire'. For us, it was never about that. It was just about being able to do something that we loved and do it well. And for that reason, every time we had a little bit of success, it felt like we had achieved so much more than what we ever set out to do. And every step along the way, it just kept building and building. So on reflection, I think that was probably the biggest thing about the doco — to sit back and watch those milestone moments be played back. It's like 'well, god, I can't believe we did that because we never set out to do it' — it was just all these happy bonuses that came along. We've had a a blessed time and I think, I hope, that people take away from the doco the fact that when you do something in life that you really enjoy, if it brings joy to other people and that joy is something that's shared both ways, and if everybody's life can be filled with joy, then it's a really great thing." ON THE WIGGLES' ONGOING SUCCESS Murray: "I think that what made The Wiggles successful in the first place is a few things. One of them is that we had this philosophy that was being child-centred, which is a philosophy from early-childhood education where you put the child first and you think about where they're at in terms of their development. We tried to use that in The Wiggles, I think quite successfully. Also just things like we're pretty genuine about it. We're very genuine about what we're doing and what we're trying to achieve. And the songs are good, I think, and really connect with the audience. What's happened after we moved on is that mostly Anthony's seen to it that those things are intact, that the philosophy's still there, that the way of speaking to the audience is still there, the songs are there. So I think that has carried on through the decades and kept The Wiggles in the forefront." Anthony: "I think the bottom line for us is that we have to entertain, and keep children interested and educate them if we can. We're more about pro-social skills, and I think that we've kept the early-childhood philosophies at the forefront, and we haven't gotten too carried away with too many bells and whistles. When we play a live show, we can go off the script at any time, as opposed to a lot of children's shows that are taped. We can, if a child calls out something, we can go with it. That keeps it interesting for us as well. I think that for all those reasons we still love it. I love it still." ON THE WIGGLES' TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC GROWING UP, BUT REMAINING WIGGLES FANS Greg: "I think for those fans, it's the connection to their childhood, when they were young — hopefully carefree and innocent. It's a time of your life where, if you can connect to that inner child when you're in your 20s or 30s, it's something to celebrate. And if The Wiggles are that connection for people, it's a great channel to be able to play music for them and come to our shows, and it's great for us too, actually." Murray: "Oh it's fantastic." Greg: "Because it connects us to that time of our lives as well, when we were doing something that we absolutely loved doing and very privileged to be a part of so many people's lives in a way where they did embrace us and they still do." Jeff: "And for Australian fans, us topping the Triple J, Hot 100, that certainly boosted things with our older audience now." Anthony: "We get told that it was a positive part of their childhood. And when those shows, when we do those adult shows, we don't change our show at all. I mean, pretty well, we're just the same — in the documentary, Paul Paddick, who plays Captain Feathersword, thought it was going to be a chance to swear on stage. And we said 'no, it's got to be exactly how it was or we're going to ruin what these people think about us'." ON THE HOTTEST 100, LIL NAS X AND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS Anthony: "It's been awesome. I'm still going with The Wiggles, so the eight Wiggles, and I'm loving that we've had Jeff come on stage, Murray come on stage, Greg come on stage with us — and it just proves that we're all part of the Wiggles family. Lil Nas was amazing. He made a couple of fun tweets that he'd like to do a collaboration — I really did think it was tongue in cheek — but we did get to meet him at Falls. Falls Festival was just the best, and hanging out with Australian bands that are in their 20s that grew up with the Wiggles, it's just been great. The Hottest 100 was surreal. And musically, it was great because I got to experience Tame Impala, who I knew nothing about — so it was educational for me." We're ready to wiggle with you! 💛💜💙❤️ — The Wiggles (@TheWiggles) April 27, 2022 Murray: "It's funny that so much of what we've done over the years, like going to America, quite a lot of the things we've done have been uncharted. And we've always had this sense of doing things for the adventure of it — and I think this is again something that we never expected. We never expected the initial success that we had, and we never expected that 30 years later we would be playing for those kids who grew up — and no one ever thought that we'd be on Triple J at all, let alone topping the Hottest 100. So it's just wonderful. It's like some sort of icing on the cake, I guess, that we can still get together and have fun with our audience, but also to spend time with each other, and really go back and do this thing that we loved and this amazing thing we created together. Jeff: "At the time we didn't even know who he [Lil Nas X] was. I was totally out of touch with all. But looking at it now, it's crazy." Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles streams via Prime Video. Read our review.
You don't have to travel far to find a little tranquillity in Byron Bay. Even just getting the sand between your toes on Main Beach or heading further afield to Wategos can make you feel more at ease. Yet a new adults-only boutique hotel — appropriately called Hide — offers a luxe spot to connect with yourself and nature. Best of all, it's in the middle of town. Designed by architect John Burgess, the stay's highly intentional design is crafted for a gentler pace of life, where slowing down is part of the experience. Featuring only six rooms and suites, each combines calming minimalism and thoughtful details, offering a peaceful atmosphere to rise in and retreat at the end of the day. You'll find king-size beds dressed in premium Cultiver linen, Salus bath products, in-room coffee and a carefully curated minibar filled with locally sourced goods — it gets restocked daily with everything from fine wine to chocolate. Plus, there are rooms with private balconies, outdoor baths and full-scale kitchens, elevating the comfort even more. But the mindfulness extends well beyond your room's four walls, as pleasant as they are. Hide offers a fully kitted wellness bathhouse, featuring a heated magnesium mineral pool and a Stoked outdoor spa. There's also nourishment of the hot and cold variety, with a Clearlight infrared sauna and an Odin ice bath helping guests recover and recharge. Wellness stays aren't exactly uncommon in Byron Bay. But what sets Hide apart is how it offers that retreat-style stay without placing you on the fringe of town. Tucked into the backstreets only a short walk from Byron's main drag, keeping that laidback feeling going isn't an issue when it's time to roam. Enjoy a morning dip in the mineral pool, then head to Baloney's for an Italian-style sandwich or Bar Heathers for natty wines. Crafted for rejuvenation, it's no surprise Hide has made sustainability a core part of its design. Eighty rooftop solar panels help power the property, while the bathhouse welcomes in sunlight for warmth. Rainwater is harvested for use, and plastic is kept to a minimum. Together, this shapes a low-impact environmental footprint that fosters a serene solo or couples escape ripe for relaxation. Images: Jacquie Turk.
Sitting grand above Woolloomooloo, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of the largest in the country. Its permanent collections include everything from paintings to photography, audio clips and short films by both Australian and international artists. All up, there are five permanent galleries which you can check out for free, from the Yiribana Gallery showcasing artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to the Australian, European, Asian and Contemporary galleries. It also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions every year. To check out what's coming up, head here. The Art Gallery of NSW is open daily, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
