In what is truly the end of an era, Kent Street's degustation-based Japanese restaurant, Tetsuya's, will officially be closing down. Unfortunately, plans to relocate the iconic fine diner have been unsuccessful with the culinary maestro behind it all, Tetsuya Wakuda, announcing that the final service will take place on Wednesday, July 31. "Our plans to relocate Tetsuya's to a new site after it closes at the end of July have unfortunately not worked out," said Wakuda. "We have spent the last 18 months planning the move and the new restaurant so this was not an easy decision, but sometimes things just don't go to plan." For nearly four decades, Wakuda's beloved Sydney institution has served up elegant Japanese fare with French flair, complemented by one of the city's most expansive wine lists. Before the outpost closes, you'll want to enjoy its producer-focused degustation menu starring a grilled Mayura Station wagyu sirloin accompanied by a 2017 Domaine A Petit A cabernet blend from Tasmania's Coal River Valley, spaghetti squash with Tasmanian uni, nori and sesame complemented by Hakurakusei Junmai Daiginjo sake and a shiso and cucumber sorbet with strawberries. Over the course of its 37-year stay, Testuya's has not only established itself as one of Sydney's best Japanese restaurants, but has also been showered with praise nationally. Tetsuya's has also been a breeding ground for top-of-the-range talent, with alumni including Martin Benn and Dan Hong. With less than three months until Tetsuya's bids farewell to its Kent Street home, you've got time to secure a booking before its final service — but you'll need to get in ASAP, as reservations are likely to book out quickly. You'll find Tetsuya's at 529 Kent Street, open from 5.30pm Tuesday–Saturday and 12pm–12am on Friday and Saturday. Its final service will take place on Wednesday, July 31.
May Barrie is 93 and takes delight in bare existence — the boulders that surround her Calderwood property, Callemondah, represent the way her internal and external worlds interconnect. She has passed her passion for shape and form onto her daughter, Tori de Mestre, who lives with her in simplicity and seclusion. May studied sculpture during the Australian Modernist period of the 1950s and has been shaping hulky rocks into abstract, sensual forms for more than fifty years now. Her hefty, three-metre-tall Moruya granite carving was awarded the Balnaves Foundation Sculpture prize at the Sculpture by the Sea judging at Bondi in 2009. It received widespread praise and David Handley, the founder of the annual exhibition, bemoaned the fact that May has been hidden literally under a rock. This grandmother of stone sculpture is what you might call a compulsive artist; she believes her art practice informs her self-actualising process. Tori, who has recently made her foray into the medium of sculpture with the Farmgate series, shares her mother talent for allegory and metaphor; land and mythology. Image: Tori de Mestre, Farmgate 7
In 2011, playwrights Rachael Coopes and Wayne Blair took part in a series of residencies in the small town of Katherine in the Northern Territory. They'd been commissioned by the Australian Theatre for Young People to write a story that would give audiences an insight into what it was like to grow up in the more remote corners of our country. The result is Sugarland — a variously hilarious and haunting tale about a largely invisible teenage Australia. "This is a play that makes us reassess our national identity and what it is to be Australian," co-director Fraser Corfield says. "It reminds us that to be young is not necessarily to be innocent, and hardship doesn't extinguish humour." The play premiered at the Darwin Festival earlier this month, before transferring to Sydney. ATYP is continually challenging expectations about 'youth theatre', and with Sugarland — their first fully professional production since 1978 — they seem to be boldly continuing in that direction.
Kick start your day in decadent fashion at Balmain's newest cafe, where booze and ricotta stuffed doughnuts are calling your name. Opening without much fanfare on Darling Street late January 2017, the 40-seat Mr. is open from 7am to 4pm, seven days a week. Caffeine fiends can get their hit courtesy of Will and Co. coffee, before the liquor license kicks in at 10am. Alcoholic affogatos and traditional lemonade with vodka or gin both sound perfect for a boozy weekend brunch… or a boozy Friday arvo… or a boozy Wednesday breakfast. Who are we to judge? Speaking of breakfast, standout dishes on the early morning menu include avocado, cumin salt, lime and radish on activated charcoal quinoa toast, and the aforementioned doughnut sprinkled with cinnamon and served with grilled peach, honey and ginger crumb. Lunch options, meanwhile, include a poached chicken sandwich with lime kewpie mayo, and the requisite Sydney eatery staple: a cheeseburger with house tomato ketchup and pickles. The cafe also boasts a distinctly local flavour, with jams and preserves bought at local markets, and bread baked by the artisan bakers at the Bread and Butter Project, a social enterprise where profits are invested in employment pathways for asylum seekers and refugees.
All across New South Wales, stages are being dusted, soundchecks are running, setlists are being distributed, and crowds are gearing up—because Great Southern Nights, NSW's statewide music festival, is almost ready to make its 2025 return. With more than 300 gigs taking place across 17 nights in cities and districts from Byron Bay to Broken Hill and beyond, as festivals go, it's going to be an all-timer. It would be unusual if none of the action took place in the busiest city in the state, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Sydney will be at the heart of the action. With so much to choose from and so little time to figure it out, we've teamed up with Great Southern Nights to pick out the must-see gigs and to offer some suggestions on how to make a night out of each and every act. The Lineup The fun starts straight off the proverbial bat in the always-buzzing inner city. Oxford Art Factory is playing host to Sydney's own ARIA-nominated breakout star Charley on Wednesday, March 26. Then, by the sea at the Beach Road Hotel, you'll find a very on-theme act for Bondi with surf stoner pop-style band Babe Rainbow on Friday, March 28. On that same Friday over in the Inner West, ARIA-nominated electronic producer Alice Ivy hits the Trocadero Room in Enmore. Plus, Newtown's The Vanguard Hotel is going back-to-back with Adelaide's own smash-hit star Aleksiah on the same night, followed by the globally popular Kaiit on Wednesday, April 2 and the captivating lyrics of DEVAURA on Thursday, April 3. Up the road in Chippendale, a mini festival is happening at the Lansdowne Hotel with the Booty Block Party on Saturday, April 5, headlined by Triple-J favourite duo Bootleg Rascal. If you've still got any steam left in you, swing by the City Recital Hall for SAFIA, W Sydney for Kinder, Glass Island for Havana Brown, Metro Social for Total Tommy or venues within the Hollywood Quarter for a specialised Great Southern Nights Gig Trail. Local Eats and Treats It's impossible to distil the full potential of Sydney's dining scene down to a few short paragraphs, but thankfully, Great Southern Nights is concentrated near some of the city's most popular eateries. Within the streets of the aforementioned Hollywood Quarter and Surry Hills, you'll find Sydney mainstays like the charming Hollywood Hotel, tequila-soaked Tio's, multiculturally flavoured Nomad, the fried chicken-focused dive bar Butter and Sydney's home of high-end degustations, NEL. If you make your way over to the Inner West, you're also set to encounter some of Sydney's most loved restaurants. In Newtown, one of those restaurants specialises in two things: burgers and natural wines. That might sound unusual, but Mary's is a Sydney favourite for a reason. There's also Earl's Juke Joint, a New Orleans-esque bar hidden behind what looks like a butcher shop, and Cairo Takeaway, an Egyptian restaurant that some claim serves the best chicken and falafel in the city. Things to Do and Places to See There's always something happening in the Harbour City — Sydney is one of those cities where you can find something worth your time just by picking a direction and walking, especially in the areas hosting Great Southern Nights gigs. If you're around the Hollywood Quarter, check out our neighbourhood guide to Surry Hills for some of the most popular local spots, or visit the neighbourhood guide to Newtown should you find yourself in the Inner West. Otherwise, there are plenty of itinerary-worthy activities running alongside Great Southern Nights. The first weekend of the festival is your last chance to catch one of Sydney's most comfortable outdoor cinemas, and you'll have until the end of the following week (Sunday, March 30) to head out west for one of the largest Ramadan Night Markets in the city. If you love a game night, you can join an interactive Dungeons & Dragons session at the Sydney Opera House. And if you want to surround yourself with what makes Sydney great, get a dose of the city's many cultures in Darling Harbour or immerse yourself in a reconstructed forest in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Where to Stay And, of course, you need a great spot to spend your nights recharging ahead of another great gig. That goes for residents and visitors alike since a city staycation can save you some serious late-night hassle in getting home. If you want to go all-out on luxury, opt for a room at W Sydney, the design-heavy Darling Harbour stay that's hosting some of Great Southern Nights gigs — or the stunning heritage building-encasing Intercontinental Sydney with spectacular views of the harbour. Further into the inner city, Chippendale's Old Clare Hotel is a prime pick for a centralised stay and is even dog-friendly if you're travelling with a four-legged friend. Over on the eastern end of the city, Oxford House serves as a fantastic Palm Springs-style escape hidden on one of Sydney's busiest roads. Great Southern Nights is set to take over venues across NSW between Friday, March 21 and Sunday, April 6. Check out our gig guides for Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong or visit the website for more information.
The weather's still hot, which means we're still smack-bang in the middle of 'Summer Swiping Season'. There are first dates (born from Bumble, Tinder or just the old-fashioned way) happening all around the place. Plus with resulting second and third dates, chances are (if you're in the dating game) you may be in need of a 'thing to do' or two. Drinks? Been there; done that. Movies? Opinions can divide a date, plus it doesn't really permit much 'getting to know you' time. Dinner? A trusty standby but surely you can do better. Think outside your normal square — and outside in general — and give something a crack that uses the great outdoors as inspiration. With our mates at Hahn, we've put together a list that'll put a couple of beaut ideas up your sleeve for your next potential Tinder match — just make sure you give them a heads up to dress weather appropriately or slip, slap, slop. HORSE RIDING NEAR THE CITY Take a trot on the wilder side and give a trail ride a go — sign up for a day of hanging out with a majestic four-legged friend. Though it may not be quite as romantic and sun-drenched as it is in the movies, horseriding is still a) fun and b) a surprisingly great workout — full marks for adventure and action. Just make sure you and your date are both wearing riding appropriate pants (no short shorts here) and shoes, and remember that novice trail rides are generally chaperoned by an experienced rider. If you're trying to have a conversation about feelings, it might be third wheeled. Maybe wait until you're back at the stables to bust out the "I love you" for the first time, just in case. Where? Glenworth Valley, NSW; Gunnamatta Trail Rides, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria; Thunderbird Park, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland. Discover even more spots for horse riding in Sydney and Brisbane. A PICNIC IN A SECRET SPOT So you've painstakingly prepared the most extravagant picnic feast of all time, packed a six pack and headed to your local park, only to lay out your blanket, unpack your fancy eats and find yourself constantly rescuing bits of your picnic from the scores of dogs and/or small children in your vicinity. Picnics are 100% better when they're private, so for the next al fresco dining date situation you get yourself in, why not head to some quieter venues, sans the small people or furry animals. There are plenty of lovely parks and gardens just crying out for people to sit around in them, making love eyes at each other and saying "isn't this just perfect?" as they have a bite of brie. Where? Arthur McElhone Reserve, Elizabeth Bay, Sydney; George Tindale Memorial Gardens, Sherbrooke, Melbourne; Fig Tree Pocket River Reserve, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane. GLAMPING IN A UNIQUE SPOT Camping is all well and good until it's been three days since your last shower, you forgot to pack enough undies and socks and you're starting to feel more than a bit uncomfortable (and not very romantic). Change all that by going on a glamping adventure. Think less sweaty conditions and more proper beds to lounge in — plus a tent that you don't have to set up yourself. Take a date along to an unusual spot for added lush points — try Cockatoo Island or Murphy's Creek for something a little different. Hot showers and toiletries are included (and a claw foot bath at Murphy's Creek) so it might even be a step up from your bathroom at home instead of back to basics. BYO holiday reading and variety of meats and bevvies to arrange in the provided barbecues and eskies. Where? Cockatoo Island Glamping, Cockatoo Island, Sydney; Phillip Island Glamping, Phillip Island, Victoria; Murphy's Creek Hideaway, Toowoomba, QLD. Find more spots to go glamping in Melbourne and Sydney. TRAPEZE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Running away and joining the circus is definitely the ultimate romantic act, but it's a bit hectic for a first or second date, and there are real-world responsibilities to think about like your job and your pot plants. Your back up option is to head to an outdoors trapeze class — they're run in Melbourne over the summer, and Sydney and Brisbane at most times — and feel like a free bird flying in the wind for an hour. Hopefully, your date won't have a fear of heights, but if it helps, classes are run by professional coaches and have all the bells and whistles to keep you safe, i.e,. nets and harnesses. Plus, living dangerously is pretty sexy. Where? Circus Arts, Sydney and Brisbane locations; Fly Factory, Blackburn, Victoria (outdoor classes in Mornington). [caption id="attachment_656745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] ROWING ON THE WATER There's something to be said about a slow cruise around a body of water on a warm day, following the current, letting it gently tug you along. Pack a picnic lunch, a lifejacket and hire a rowboat or a kayak and hit your nearest river. Melbourne and Sydney have a variety of rowboat options for use in their waters, while Brisbane is more of a flashy kayak type of place. Just remember that rowing a boat around all day takes a fair bit of arm-power and it's probably harder than Hugh Grant makes it look in Bridget Jones Diary. Fairfield Boathouse in Melbourne also does a ripper Devonshire Tea if you want to amp up your date to past centuries in England levels — BYO parasol. Where? Audley Boatshed, Audley, Sydney; Fairfield Boathouse, Fairfield, Melbourne; Kayak Hire Brisbane, Scarborough, QLD. Start planning how you'll take your next date up a notch, with a Hahn in hand.
Every Friday evening, Dixon Street is awash with tourists and locals browsing the popular night markets. Explore stalls with designer wares, kooky knickknacks and delectable street food including battered takoyaki (octopus balls), skewers from BBQ King and the peanuty, sugary Dragon Beard Candy. If you still have room, make the all-important stop at Emperor's Puffs to end your night — the famed puffs are only 30 cents each, so they certainly won't break the bank. Once you've shopped and eaten till your heart's content, it's time to check out the area's great street art. And, since many of the works are constructed from globes and LEDs, after dark is the best time to see them. One to look out for is Jason Wing's In Between Two Worlds, spanning across Factory Street, Hay Street and Kimber Lane in Haymarket. The beguiling work references both Indigenous and Chinese motifs for wind, water, fire and earth, which are believed to each have their own spirits. Image: Destination NSW / Daniel Boud.
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. Now, ready to sink his teeth into a new chapter of music-infused revelry, Loud's announced his latest project, Hot Dub Wine Machine — a series of al fresco get-togethers that'll take over four of the country's best-loved wine regions. This Australia-wide tour follows the raging success of Hot Dub Wine Machine's inaugural event, which saw over 6000 wine and music lovers flock to McLaren Vale's Serafino Winery in December last year. This time around, the scenic vistas and rolling hills of wineries Australia-wide will play host to the festivities, including the Hunter Valley's Hope Estate on Saturday, March 18. The boutique event will run from early afternoon through to after dark, and feature a hand-picked smorgasbord of Australian musical talent. This will all lead into one of Hot Dub's signature sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as the DJ mixes an iconic song from each year. Backing up the tunes, expect a careful curation of locally-sourced gourmet eats, craft beer, cocktails, and of course, some sensational vino from these iconic Australian wine regions. Safe to say, it's probably the rowdiest event these wineries will host all year. Images: Pat Stevenson.
Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And, like in past years, it's also bringing the decadence to you. Whether you're a Melburnian who can't make it to one of the three venues outside of town, or you're located elsewhere and you really love hot chocolate, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie are churning out at-home kits filled with creative hot choccie flavours. This year's physical fest boasts a wild range of flavours, with the at-home version following suit. Whichever you choose between Tuesday, August 1–Thursday, August 31, you'll receive couverture flavour-infused melts, a giant marshmallow and interactive elements to add to your choice of hot milk at home. Wondering which inventive flavours will tempt your tastebuds? The full 2023 lineup is as OTT and indulgent as ever — and as tasty. Kicking things off: a nod to Barbie via a pink-infused hot chocolate, as well as an Iced Vovo hot chocolate that features chocolate iced doughnuts for dunking. Or, you can sip on a poached pear and hazelnut version, a dulce de leche churros hot chocolate and a Biscoff hedgehog variety. Pick the Happy Vegemite hot chocolate and you'll get handcrafted caramel koalas to dip — or go for the Harry Potter-inspired hot choc to score a chocolate wand for doing the same. Some flavours come topped with waffles or pretzels. Yes, the list goes on. Only a selection of flavours will be available to make at home, but the ones on offer can be ordered throughout August for $6.50 per single-flavour kit. There's also a flat-rate shipping fee of $15 to anywhere in Australia. Images: A Myszka.
Wollongong's independently owned and operated microbrewery, Illawarra Brewing Company, offers visitors, locals and beer enthusiasts a chance to get involved in the making (and drinking) of craft beer. The brewery is open for tours as well as tastings, which are done at the bar that overlooks the beer making machinery. The warehouse opens up on sunny days, and on Saturday there is usually a burger truck, too. Of course, you can also pick up a six-pack or get your growler filled to takeaway. Along with serving bold IPAs and barrel-aged sour beers, the brewery also has a range of core beers on offer, including its summer ale, rust amber ale, IPA and pilsner.
He lived there. He spent his last moments there. In between, he recorded music, played small gigs, and based his studio and record label there, too. We're talking about Paisley Park, the house formerly known as Prince's private and creative sanctuary. Now, the compound that shares its name with one of his songs is opening to the public. Four months after his tragic passing, the multi-talented musician's siblings have announced their plans for the massive mansion 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota — and, given that the site will celebrate his life, musical output and legacy, Prince fans are going to want to schedule a trip to America's midwest from October 6. That's when the 65,000-square-foot complex will start offering daily tours of a place that, until now, only a few hundred people have had the privilege of entering. We know what you're thinking, and you're right; yes, Paisley Park is about to become the Prince-focused equivalent of Elvis Presley's Graceland. Visitors to the abode-turned-museum will be able to wander through the main floor of site, which was built in the mid '80s. There, they'll see the recording and mixing studios where Prince recorded, produced and mixed many of the iconic tracks we all know and love. Plus, they'll step inside his private NPG Music Club, and get a glimpse the massive soundstage and concert hall where he not only rehearsed for tours, but also held exclusive private events and concerts. Along the way, thousands of artifacts from Prince's personal archives will be on display. If you've ever wanted to feast your eyes on his concert outfits, awards, musical instruments and artwork — or rare music and video recordings, concert memorabilia, automobiles and motorcycles — you'll find them here. According to Prince's sister Tyka Nelson, "opening Paisley Park is something that Prince always wanted to do and was actively working on." While the lyrics of his 1985 song advised that "admission is easy, just say U believe and come 2 this place in your heart", early-bird ticketing — which is on sale now — costs either US$38.50 for a 70-minute self-guided tour, or US$100 for a longer, more extensive VIP experience within what we're hoping are purple-coloured walls.
UPDATE, August 9, 2020: Kusama: Infinity is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Early in Kusama: Infinity, a series of black-and-white drawings and paintings take pride of place. Unsurprisingly given the documentary's subject, they're filled with dots. The artworks rank among Yayoi Kusama's earliest creations, with the Japanese icon starting her love affair with the medium — and with the circles that she repeatedly wields as a motif — when she was ten years old. Nearly eight decades later, she's still following those passions in pieces littered with dots and pumpkins, and in infinity rooms filled with orbs too. Of course, now the entire world gets to share in the eye-catching results. The path from creatively curious child to international superstar hasn't been quick or smooth for Kusama, which is the crux of Heather Lenz's film. As a kid, Kusama's mother would snatch away her paper while she was still drawing — and even as a twenty-something, it was only writing to American artist Georgia O'Keeffe that gave her the confidence to move to the US. Virtually ignored in conservative post-war Japan, she was hardly the toast of New York when she arrived in the late 1950s. That's the reality of an artist considered a sensation in her eighties: all of that fame and acclaim only came after a lifetime of hard work. Directing, writing, producing and editing her first full-length documentary, Lenz explores the inescapable truth at the heart of Kusama's story. In the process, she also gives viewers a Kusama 101 lesson. The dots, dilemmas and dramas flicker across the screen, furnishing a tale that's as much about the doors that wouldn't open to the young artist as it is about the boundaries that she dared to push. In Japan, she was a woman who defied convention by refusing to become a dutiful housewife. In America, she was both a woman in a male-dominated realm and a foreigner in an unwelcoming land. Everything about Kusama's story is vital and essential — as important and affecting as staring into one of her mirrored cubes, or seeing her dots completely envelop a room. But while Kusama: Infinity clearly recognises that fact, the movie remains happy to chronicle its subject in the usual art doco manner. Experts impart explanatory narration, sometimes as talking heads. Clips showcase a feast of different pieces, spanning paintings, sculptures, installations, videos and even America's first queer wedding ceremonies. Kusama herself lends her thoughts, which are relayed as interviews as well as voiceover. There's gorgeous sights and biographical insights aplenty, but the film never quite breaks the mould in the same fashion as the artist at its core. Thankfully, Kusama: Infinity's array of artwork works its charms. How could it not? If Kusama's pieces feel more than a little otherworldly just as they are, seeing them blown up on a big screen makes them larger than life. Colour, shape, movement, an intoxicating sense of repetition — they all dance through her creations, and through the movie as a result. As they do, one of the picture's opening remarks lingers: "I convert the energy of life into dots of the universe," Kusama offers. "And that energy, along with love, flies into the sky." Kusama herself proves the film's other highlight, for devotees and newcomers alike. Her work may tell a thousand stories — tales that the doco's well-selected archival photographs of the artist only enhance — however there's nothing like hearing about Kusama's life, motivations and roadblocks in her own words. There's nothing like seeing her chat to the camera either, with her bobbed red hair a-blazing. First spied wearing a vibrant crimson dress peppered with white polka dots while standing in front of one of her monochrome circle-filled drawings, she provides an instant visual reminder of why her art strikes a chord. It might be impossible to capture the enigma that is Kusama in one 85-minute documentary, but her inimitable allure is evident every time the artist herself brightens up the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRqxWNn3iQU
If Felix was in a Paris arrondissement rather than the Sydney CBD, no one would blink a perfectly curled eyelash. Yes, it's a little piece of Paris and no one's complaining. From the (sometimes) French waiters bustling around the tiled floors to the decadent crustacean bar and elaborate murals on the ceiling, Felix is the bistro the city has been waiting for - and we can't get enough of the Steak Frites. It's a humming, buzzing, people-watchers delight in here: all beautiful wooden finishes, crisp white table cloths and intricate tiling. Energetic chef Lauren Murdoch, a Merivale star from Lotus and Ash Street, delivers food of the same exceptional quality. All the classic French cues are here: the ever-changing 'Plat du Jour', the rotisserie section and that incredible oyster bar. You can lounge at the noisy bar and nibble some chicken liver pate with your champagne, or slide straight onto a banquette and begin with something raw and delicious. Ocean Trout Terrine ($20) or the classic Prawn Cocktail ($18) are a good place to start before you move on to something a little more serious, like Steak Frites, Lamb Pie ($32) or newly trendy Skate ($28), with brown butter sauce, capers and caramelised witlof. If you swing by for a light lunch, there are salads that take the leaf to another level. Grilled Rainbow Trout ($20), with pickled vegetables and radicchio, is the perfect mix of sweet and slightly sour, while a classic Reuben Sandwich ($18) brings a little bit of New York to the table. After a lighter than light Passionfruit Soufflé ($18) to complete the ultimate bistro experience, I'd be surprised if you don't leave saying 'Tres Bon'. [nggallery id=75]
Just when you think Merivale is done for the year — they've opened the Fred's and Charlie Parker's double venue on Oxford Street, turned the Newport Arms into an insane pub wonderland, have been working on the new iteration of Enmore's Queen Vic Hotel and bought the Alexandria Hotel this year alone — they go and acquire another Sydney pub. The Sydney hospitality empire has rounded out 2016 with another huge coup — they've just bought Botany Road's Tennyson Hotel. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Merivale's Justin Hemmes bought the Mascot corner pub for a cool $37.5 million — the largest sum paid for a hotel at a public auction in Sydney's history. Let that number sink in: $37.8 mill. The reason the pub went for such a huge price probably has a lot to do with the fact that it's one of NSW's largest gaming venues. There's no word from Hemmes on if the machines will stick around, but going by Merivale's other flagship venues, we reckon they'll probably get the boot. The buy up of the Tennyson extends Merivale's spreading suburban pub domination, and — along with the Alexandria Hotel, which the group bought last year — cements their focus on the southeast area. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
It's that time again, Sydneysiders: time for movies to compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour. Every summer, the scenic spot's vista over the water, city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge gets a 350-square-metre screen showing the latest and greatest flicks — all thanks to Westpac OpenAir. Film lovers can see Sofia Coppola's Priscilla open the outdoor picture palace's big summer return, plus Ferrari, Next Goal Wins and Poor Things on the rest of the lineup. They all have company, whether you're keen to see the Sydney premiere of The Dry sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2 or can't wait for the new Mean Girls musical — or just think that Saltburn would look spectacular in the venue's surroundings. Running from Wednesday, January 10—Tuesday, February 20, Westpac OpenAir will also show May December, which stars Natalie Portman- (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper); scandal-fuelled comedy Wicked Little Letters, as led by The Lost Daughter costars Olivia Colman (Heartstopper) and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking); and Nicolas Cage (Renfield) in Dream Scenario, where the inimitable actor plays an ordinary man who starts haunting the world's slumbers. Or, you can look forward to theatre and the screen combining via National Theatre Live: Dear England, featuring Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) — plus sublime Japan-set Oscar contender Perfect Days from iconic German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence). Other highlights span wrestling drama The Iron Claw, with Zac Efron (The Greatest Beer Run Ever), Jeremy Allen White (Fingernails) and Harris Dickinson (A Murder at the End of the World) leading the cast; Paul Mescal (Foe) and Andrew Scott (His Dark Materials) getting swooning in All of Us Strangers; the new version of The Color Purple; the George Clooney-directed The Boys in the Boat; and war veteran tale The Great Escaper, which could be Michael Caine's (Best Sellers) last performance. [caption id="attachment_927997" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St. George OpenAir Cinema 2015, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 07.01.2015[/caption] Or, there's Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) both starring in and directing Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, Ridley Scott (House of Gucci) reteaming with Joaquin Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid) for Napoleon, and Paul Giamatti (Billions)-led and Alexander Payne (Downsizing)-helmed comedy The Holdovers. The list goes on, complete with the already-released Past Lives, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Dumb Money and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One also set to screen. Among the classic picks, Amélie, Pretty Woman and The Notebook will also score a whirl. No matter the choice of film, it'll look and sound fantastic, the screen is raised three stories high above the water with a sharp 4k projection and immersive Dolby digital surround sound to ensure all 1650 guests get the full experience. Westpac OpenAir is also more than just a cinema, the full experience is one of drinks, dinner and DJs by the harbour before the films even commence. Attendees can nab a bite at the fully serviced restaurant Summer House Dining or pick from the extensive a la carte menu at Chandon Garden and a diverse-yet-casual experience at Mike & Friends at The Point. As happens every year, tickets are likely to go quickly when they go on sale on Monday, December 11. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale, for instance — so put it in your diary ASAP. Westpac OpenAir 2024 runs from Wednesday, January 10 to Tuesday, February 20 2024. Doors open from 6pm and films start at 8.30pm nightly. For more information or to get your tickets, visit the website. Images: Fiora Sacco, Andrew Maccoll and Chris Grundy.
It's rare that I find myself passionate about a bar, but the Fox Hole deserves to have its praises sung. Perched on the corner of Kent and Erskine Streets in the CBD, here's what I believe epitomises an unpretentious drinking hole. The front room is cosy with patrons bunked down at hazily candle-lit tables sipping their wine as they watch the world go by through large windows. Wooden stairs lure me into the basement, where the only windows are high along the roof, and my eyes catch glimpses of heels as people stroll past on the street above. Many small bars try for that speakeasy feel yet so few actually manage to accomplish it. To my delight, the Fox Hole's basement has been gutted and stripped back to expose brick walls and the ceiling rafters, making for a room offering an intensely underground cool. Bare bulbs hang from the roof and the room is occupied by a seamless blend of antique furniture. The bar shelves are stocked with wine, liquor and crystal glasses while vintage blues wafts through the air to create a sultry den-like ambiance. Expect table service delivered by friendly staff, because that's what's on offer. And let it be known that these guys are experts in their field, too, so don't shy away from asking for a recommendation. Deciding against my companions' choice of Little Creatures Pale Ale ($7) I went for the 2009 St Johns Road Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley ($10 glass) suggested by my waiter. The food? Dumplings ($6 for four), with Korean-style spicy chicken and vegetable soup ($8) and a share plate of cheeses, cold cut meats and other antipasto treats ($15) rounding off the menu. We select the mixed dumpling plate ($10.50 for seven) and the share plate. The straightforward fare is exceptional in execution, presented simply with a rich dollop of originality. My tipple of choice to accompany the food was the 2010 Dowie Doole Merlot from Mclaren Vale SA ($11 glass), which is light at first, then rounded off full-bodied. Also worth noting is the fact that the Fox Hole supports local artists by offering the space as a gallery free-of-charge, with no commission on sales. The artist in residence changes monthly and a launch is held on the last Tuesday of every month. The Fox Hole is a cosy-hidey hole from the hustle and bustle of Sydney's city that roars above.
Sydney's 120-year-old Queen Victoria Building has long been a haven of decadence, but it's taking things up a notch with with the launch of not one, but two new luxurious bars. From this Friday, the CBD shopping precinct will house a Champagne bar, Reign at the QVB, with bar-restaurant Esquire Drink + Dine to follow the week after. And in a win for that part of the city, they'll both be open late, right up till 2am. A vision of marble, brass and musk pink, Reign is a regal sort of spot, taking over the space once home to the level one ABC store. It'll be pouring a sprawling selection of over 150 Champagnes and sparkling wines, with plenty of bubbly tasting flights on offer, alongside signature cocktails like the De Nonancourt: a blend of vodka, fig liqueur, cucumber and Champagne syrup. The snack menu is very broad and covers all bases, from the refined (plates of oysters, duck liver mousse and steak tartare) to the two-handed (meatball and cheese sliders and an okonomiyaki burger) to the straight-up late-night eat variety (dumplings and pork fried rice). If you're looking for more of a sit-down meal, head one level up to Esquire from March 28. The venue, which is just as opulent, takes its cues from the supper clubs of New York, with an old-world fit-out of oak, leather and parquetry flooring. It's a moody, dapper backdrop for settling in with a fittingly expansive offering of whisky, cocktails and wine. [caption id="attachment_711151" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The interior at Esquire.[/caption] From the kitchen comes a sophisticated spread of reimagined comfort food. Think gruyere-stuffed jaffles with fries and a pork jowl schnitzel sided with mustard, radish and burnt lemon. You can also choose from four cuts of steak and a whole roast chicken for two, which is used across two courses. Both venues are open from 11am each day, surely to cater to post-shopping snacks and business lunches. Best of all, they're both kicking on late, open for eats and drinks right up until 2am Thursday through Sunday. Both will be overseen by a team of hospitality guns, including Matthew Beaumont as Group General Manager of Beverage (The Star, Merivale), Damien Worthington (QT Hotels, The Winery) in the role of Executive Chef and Fabio Nistrio (Sokyo at The Star, Bambini Trust Restaurant & Wine Room) heading up the tightly curated drinks program. Find both restaurants at the Queen Victoria Building, 455 Druitt Street, Sydney. Reign at the QVB will open on level one (best accessed via the Druitt Street entrance) from Friday, March 15 and Esquire Drink + Dine will open up on level two (best accessed via the Market Street entrance) two weeks late on Thursday, March 28. Both will be open from 11am–midnight Monday to Wednesday, and 11am–2am Thursday to Sunday. UPDATE: MARCH 18, 2019 — Esquire was previously slated to open on Friday, March 22, but it will now be opening on Thursday, March 28. The article has been updated to reflect this.
A new exhibition exploring the beauty of underwater plant life has opened at the Royal Botanic Garden's outdoor exhibition space, The Calyx. Inside the Tide recreates kelp forests, coral reefs and seagrass meadows above the ground — using land plants in order to demonstrate the marvelous aesthetic and ecological value of these marine environments. "When most people hear the word seaweeds, they think of the dead stuff rotting on the beach or it touching their legs when they're trying to swim," Dr Yola Metti says. "There's a huge lack of awareness of the benefits of marine algae in general. One of the biggest things we can be thankful for is the amount of oxygen algae produce." Over 20,000 plants have been installed inside the venue, including one of the largest vertical green walls in the southern hemisphere. The plant wall, that most recently played home to thousands of flowers for the exhibition InBloom, now springs forward with the lush green tones of underwater plant life. "Our land plants are the actors with cactus and other succulents playing the roles of corals, and ferns and ivy becoming the seaweeds," Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Curator Manager David Laughlin said. "We have pandanus trees on the sandy shore with mock seagrass meadows we've created to feel like you're by the beach but in the heart of the city, surrounded by our beautiful gardens." The horticultural exhibition has been created in collaboration with puppetry and arts collective Erth who has helped transform The Calyx into a marine world with expressive sculptures of sea creatures and interactive elements that both children and adults can engage with. Inside the Tide is running from Friday, December 3 through until July next year. Throughout the exhibition, The Calyx will be open 10am–4pm daily and entry is available via donation. This exhibition marks the reopening of The Calyx following InBloom and maintenance that was conducted during Sydney's lockdown. The new exhibition took horticultural staff months to install and prepare. The Calyx is located at The Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Road. Inside the Tide will run from Friday, December 3, 2021–July 2022.
Not a sauv blanc fan? Think rosé is just alcoholic red cordial? That's cool (though we'll defend rosé 'til the death). Or perhaps you're simply a lover of all boozy beverages. Whatever your stance, the Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival may be right up your alley. This one-day event returns to Tom Flood Sports Centre on Saturday, March 23. Brewers from across Australia will be represented, with more than 100 different beers or ciders to take a punt on. The 2019 lineup boasts heavy representation of Victorian craft brewers including local Bendigo crew Brookes, plus Tooboorac Brewery, Cornella Real, Shedshaker Brewing and more. Meanwhile, The Side Project, Modus Operandi and Green Beacon Brewing Co will be making the trip from South Australia's Limestone Coast, Sydney and Brisbane respectively. There'll be live music, food trucks and festival games to keep the mood up for the day, too — think Giant Jenga and table tennis. Nabbing a VIP marquee for your crew is an option, but we think the real win would be just plonking yourself down on the nearest haystack and sipping your cold brews through the afternoon. Entry to Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival is $38.80 with discounts available for group bookings of five or ten people. To purchase tickets, head this way.
Beyond the patrolled boundaries of Thredbo lie thousands and thousands of hectares of wild mountains, covered in sparkling, powdery snow — untainted by tracks, crowds or lifts. And this winter, Thredbo is taking skiers at every level on a bunch of backcountry adventure tours. Whether you're a newbie who's only ever skied downhill or a hardcore mountaineer, ready to conquer more steep chutes and tight lines, there's a trip for you. Here are five that'll have you strapping on your skis. SIGNATURE HILL If you're not an expert skier, then travelling beyond the well-trodden boundaries of Thredbo might sound terrifying. The good news is that this adventure is designed with you in mind. Under the guidance of an alpine veteran, you'll get a solid intro to backcountry exploring. This includes familiarising yourself with specialist gear, learning how to 'skin' — a technique that allows you to walk in skis (even uphill) — and discovering how to stay safe by reading the terrain around you. Signature Hill is in the Karels Area, and you'll get to spend 3.5 hours exploring it, covering three kilometres and climbing 250 metres. This trip is a prerequisite for the others on this list. BOGONG CREEK Once you've conquered Signature Hill, you'll be ready for Bogong Creek. This escapade transports you into a magical section of Thredbo's backcountry for an entire day. Prepare to spend seven extraordinary hours journeying through a mindblowing variety of terrains of perfect, untouched snow. While you're at it, your guide will hone and develop your mountaineering skills, helping you build confidence. By the afternoon, your newfound moves are bound to come in handy, when you'll be meeting some increasingly challenging (but still very fun) terrain. All in all, the Bogong Creek trip carries you along seven kilometres, encompassing a vertical climb of 800 metres. MOUNT KOSCIUSZKO You might've climbed Mount Kosciuszko in summer, but summiting its peak during winter — surrounded by endless, endless white — is another thing altogether. What's more, getting there isn't as difficult as you might imagine — despite Kossie's peak being the highest point in Australia. The route involves blissfully gentle slopes, so the journey's more about gliding along, taking in the epic scenery, than it is about tricky manoeuvres. In fact, skiers of all levels, from beginners to pros, are welcome. Expect to be out and about for seven hours, covering a total of 14 kilometres and climbing 600 metres. Should time be on your side, you'll stop at Seamans Hut on the way home, a shelter built in 1929 by the family of W. Laurie Seaman who, along with his friend Evan Hayes, tragically died nearby in 1928. ETHERIDGE RANGE This is where matters get serious. Etheridge Ridge is right next to Mount Kosciuszko, but the terrain is way more challenging. We're talking sharp drops, difficult spots and obstacles. Luckily, you'll be in the care of an expert guide, so this is definitely an opportunity to take your backcountry prowess to a whole new level. Many of the runs are on the short side, which means you and your crew will most likely establish a skin track before sessioning along the entire ridge. This is an all-day, seven-hour, 15-kilometre long trip, which includes 1000 metres of climbing and a lunch break at Seamans Hut. Ready to take it on? Be sure to have some advanced skiing skills under your belt. LEATHERBARREL CREEK Leatherbarrel Creek gives you the ultimate in backcountry touring. Hidden away in a valley at the southern end of the Main Range, this area is real wilderness and feels like another world — certainly a long way from Thredbo's busy slopes. Every sort of terrain imaginable is on offer, from dreamy long runs lined with snow-capped trees to vast open bowls to steep chutes. Whichever way you look, you'll be casting your eye over unbelievable scenery. The only catch is, you'll need expert-level skiing ability to handle it. Leatherbarrel Creek is an all-day, seven-hour, 15-kilometre excursion that climbs 1500 metres. Check out more backcountry adventures in Thredbo here.
Last year, Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist brought her hypnotic 30-year retrospective to the MCA. The mesmerising and immersive artworks, dubbed Sip My Ocean, only hung around for four months, but now you can catch another one of her works in Sydney — every night. Sparkling Pond, Bold-Coloured Groove & Tender is Rist's new dazzling artwork, which has just been unveiled beneath Park Lane, one of Central Park's residential towers. Colours and gently animated videos are projected onto three different areas — looking a bit like 'urban electronic bonfires' — every night from sunset till 11pm. As well as colours and images evoking Sydney plants and vegetation, the projections use algorithms of waves to create a 'watery world'. The colourful artworks are free to visit, and touching, sitting and even lying in them is encouraged. Pipilotti Rist: Sparkling Pond, Bold-Coloured Groove & Tender can be viewed from sunset to 11pm every night. Images: Pipilotti Rist: Sparkling Pond, Bold-Coloured Groove & Tender, 2018, courtesy the artist, Hauser & Wirth and Luhring Augustine. Photos by Mark Pokorny.
By the beard of Zeus, everyone's favourite TV newsman is back — in podcast form. Not content with his regular job at KVWN Channel 4, or with being the star of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Ron Burgundy is giving another medium a whirl. Announced late in 2018, The Ron Burgundy Podcast is now staying classy on the iHeartRadio platform. His new show released its first episode on February 7, and will drop new instalments each Thursday. In total, two 12-episode seasons on their way, with the second batch due to hit mid-year. Yes, it's kind of a big deal, as is the fact that Will Ferrell reprises his role as the fictional San Diego newscaster. The entire show is co-produced by Funny or Die, which Ferrell co-founded, so it was always likely that he was going to be involved. While The Ron Burgundy Podcast could've just featured the anchorman chatting while sipping scotchy scotch scotch and talking over his beloved dog Baxter, that's not the finished product. Rather, the character tackles a different topic each week, starting with a subject that no one can get enough of: true crime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u_jcTy3JHM Serial, this isn't — but If you've ever wanted to unlock Burgundy's glass case of emotion about the Zodiac Killer, all of your favourite true crime binges and whether obsessing over the genre is a little bit creepy, now you can. In true Ron Burgundy style, he had some words about his new venture. "Listen, I don't know what a podcast is, but I currently have a lot of time on my hands and a lot to talk about. I am also broke. Therefore, I am very excited to do this podcast. It is literally saving my life." The first episode of The Ron Burgundy Podcast is now available on iHeartRadio, with new episodes dropping every Thursday.
Touring to Australia for the first time in more than five years for your first Aussie festival headlining slot since 2011 is one way to celebrate 35 years as a band. The group: Tool. The fest: Good Things. For 2025, Maynard James Keenan and company lead the fest's big names. Also on the bill: Weezer and Garbage. Get ready to hear 'Sober', 'Forty Six & 2', 'Buddy Holly', 'Island in the Sun', 'Vow' and 'Only Happy When It Rains' like it's the 90s and early-00s again — all on Saturday, December 6 at Sydney Showground. The rest of the bill includes All Time Low, Machine Head and The All-American Rejects, as well as Knocked Loose, Lorna Shore, Refused, New Found Glory and Make Them Suffer. And, you can catch Dayseeker, James Reyne, Kublai Khan TX, Cobra Starship, Goldfinger, Tonight Alive and more. Good Things 2025 Lineup Tool Weezer Garbage All Time Low Machine Head The All-American Rejects Knocked Loose Lorna Shore Refused New Found Glory Make Them Suffer Dayseeker James Reyne Kublai Khan TX Cobra Starship Goldfinger Tonight Alive Bad Nerves Civic Dead Poet Society Fever 333 Gwar High Vis Inertia Palaye Royale Scene Queen South Arcade Wargasm Windwaker Yours Truly Top Tool image: Scott Moran. Good Things images: Kane Hibberd.
El Camino Cantina is known for its colourful interiors, cheap Tuesday tacos and giant margaritas, including at its venue in The Rocks. Those oversized drinks are a huge drawcard, and they're on offer every day — but every now and then, the lively Tex Mex chain throws a huge Ritapalooza festival. Sydneysiders, it's that time again. From Monday, October 24–Sunday, November 27, El Camino's The Rocks outpost is celebrating those easy-to-down slushie margs with a five-week-long festival dedicated to the frozen cocktail. Head by from to sip 24 limited-edition flavours — there'll be varieties like Skittle, Hubba Bubba and marshmallow available. Also on the menu: classics like mango, strawberry and passionfruit — and other more creative varieties like Wizz Fizz, Jelly Belly, Lifesaver, fairy floss, salted caramel, popcorn, grape Nerd and fairy bread as well. Even better: you can nab them as part of four-flavour and metre-long 12-flavour tasting paddles. El Camino's ten-cent Wing Wednesday tradition will be on offer throughout Ritapalooza as well, plus $2 tacos on Tuesdays. Really love your 'ritas? Opt for the Palooza party package for $99 per person, which covers a three-course menu — including a range of limited-edition fajita flavours — and a two-hour beverage package.
In case you hadn't noticed, Barangaroo's culinary precinct is going full steam ahead, bursting with food options both high-brow and casual, and announcing a new opening every other week. Queues form daily at the permanent instalment of Melbourne's Belles Hot Chicken, which delivers the deep-fried goods with abandon, just-opened vermouth bar Banksii is packed at quitting time, while Zushi serves up fresh sushi with pearler views of Darling Harbour. Also buzzing is Devon, which has just moved their Danks Street cafe to the new precinct, as well as Bentley-run restaurant Cirrus and the new Ume Burger. We could go on. And to make things even more gloriously overwhelming, there's even more to come. Over the next few months another five new eateries are set to open in the precinct, from rooftop cocktail bars to Louisiana-style barbecue joints. Here's the rundown. UNTIED We've been waiting for this one — Barangaroo is getting a rooftop eatery. With a location above the other restaurants on The Streets of Barangaroo, Untied looks like it will be the perfect haunt for after-work cocktails with a view over the harbour. We're told this one will have a colour palette of bold tropical tones and channel the tropical northern Queensland rainforest, and serve a combination of Australian-inspired dishes, including bar snacks and a selection of BBQ share plates. Untied comes from Dixon Hospitality, the group that owns The Norfolk, The Forresters, and, just recently, six of the now-defunct Keystone Group venues. Untied is set to open early 2017. WAQU After pleasing the palettes of Crows Nest residents for over ten years, WAQU has closed up shop and is moving into Barangaroo. The minimalist Japanese restaurant's modern creations have collected the praise of critics — as you can see in the photo above, their food looks like a work of art. It will join Zushi as the resident Japanese eateries in the precinct. Waqu is set to open in January 2017. VINE As regulars of Vine Double Bay will know, any kitchen run by Drew Bolton is bound to be a haven of delicious food. Bolton has worked in Sydney's top kitchens including Aria under Matt Moran and Peter Gilmore at Quay, and Vine number two will bring his modern Australian-French fusion dishes to Barangaroo. The food and wine menus will hero local produce and lesser-known winemakers, reflecting the restaurant's commitment to the ultimate Sydney dining experience. Vine is set to open sometime this summer. NOLA Boasting the best barbecue, succulent ribs and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality, NOLA will be Barangaroo's only Louisiana-style barbecue restaurant. A newcomer to the Sydney restaurant scene, it will fuse Creole, Acadian and Southern cuisine to create one heck of a BBQ menu. It'll showcase rustic New Orleans cooking with local ingredients — we can practically smell the smoke and hear the slow jazz flowing from the kitchen already. Nola is set to open sometime this summer. 12-MICRON 270-degree views of the harbour and full glass frontage is enough to prick up our ears — and 12-Micron is promising just that. This venue is also being opened by Dixon Hospitality, and looks like it might be another sweet spot for everything from a pre-dinner drink to late-night dessert by the harbour. Chef Justin Wise (ex-The Point and Eureka 89 in Melbourne) will bring his contemporary interpretation of classics to Barangaroo — he'll create an accessible modern Australian menu that celebrates Australian produce and showcases our earth, ocean, land and air (don't know how he'll do that last one). And there's also the late-night dessert kitchen to satisfy a sugary craving. 12 Micron is set to open in early 2017.
If you've been sitting on your hands this New Year's Eve, undecided on that party or that one or whether you should just sit in a dark cinema and ignore the fireworks, here's a bloody good option for you. Beach. Cocktails. Free entry. Bondi's buzzing beach bar The Bucket List is doing a free New Year's Eve party, with tunes, booze and jigging on the postcard perfect beach's promenade. 'Summer to '16' is a beachbound alternative to hitting the jam-packed CBD streets, and you can even pair it with a pre-party swim in the ocean. There'll be cocktails aplenty and a big ol' DJ lineup featuring the likes of Melbourne's Kaz James, NYC producer Carl Kennedy and Sydney MC DD. With no cover charge and Bondi Beach right down the steps, this is a solid, cruisy, budget-friendly option for NYE.
If you're the type of traveller who doesn't just plan where you'll be staying and what sights you'll be seeing, but also what you'll be drinking while you're there, then add Australia's latest accommodation option to your dream holiday list. A collaboration between caravan rental site Camplify and The Botanist Gin, The Botanist Van is the country's first gin-themed caravan — and yes, a bottle of gin will be waiting for you when you get there. Nicknamed Mazzy the Van, the holiday spot on wheels has been painted in beachy blue and white hues, while its interiors have been decked out Hamptons-style — with oozing serious 70s vibes one of its aims. The renovated 1979 Viscount Royal vintage caravan comes with a barbecue, an outdoor table and chairs, and an awning, as well as indoor and outdoor games, a beach umbrella and beach towels, and a picnic basket. It's the stocked Botanist Gin bar cart, however, that'll make you thirsty. During your stay, you'll be sipping from a complimentary 700-millilitre bottle of The Botanist gin, a four-pack of Fever Tree tonic waters and Botanicus' flavoured herbal Tea Tube. You'll also be combining all of the above with dried fruit garnishes and other ingredients to make gin cocktails. The Botanist team have some new suggestions for the latter, too, including its own spin on a G&T — so you just need to get mixing and sipping. If this sounds like your kind of getaway, The Botanist Van is available to book from Friday, November 6 through until the end of summer (February 28, 2021) from $140 per night — sleeping four people, and for a minimum three-night stay. You will need to get cosy over a weekend to receive the gin pack, though, as it comes with Friday–Sunday and Saturday–Monday bookings. As for where you'll be having a few drinks, kicking back and getting nostalgic, the van is based on the New South Wales South Coast. It can be reserved and set up on your choice of campsite within 100 kilometres of Flinders — so between Austinmer and Jervis Bay. To book The Botanist Van — with prices from $140 per day, and rentals available within 100 kilometres of Flinders in New South Wales until February 28, 2021 — visit the Camplify website.
We all enjoy a quiet night at home every now and again — but we never expected this year to involve quite so many. So, if you're starting to feel a little restless, we've teamed up with Miller Design Lab to highlight some alternatives to spice up your next night indoors. Miller Design Lab is the home of creativity and self-expression built by Australia's leading minds in design, art, technology and fashion (and now you). Together, we're celebrating our nightlife and its impact on culture with exceptional moments brought to you at home. Keep reading to discover four ways you can easily experience parts of Sydney's epic nightlife — from live music and cultural events to world-class food and drinks — without leaving your pad. LIVE-STREAM A GIG FROM A LOCAL DJ When you're confined to the same four walls for most of the day, you can spend an awful lot of time sitting down. Rather than spending another evening working on that imprint in the couch, get on your feet and turn your lounge room into a makeshift d-floor. Sure, the feeling of being out at a club surrounded by all your mates is pretty hard to replicate, but there are some positives — for starters, nobody can judge you for your terrible moves. Have a crack at creating your own playlist or, if you want to leave it to the professionals, check out one of the virtual club nights that are happening online. For a dose of nostalgia, tune into Hot Dub Time Machine's biweekly parties, which cover six decades of musical bangers, from mid-50s rock 'n' roll to the latest dance hits. And, if you've been a regular attendee of gay club night Poof Doof, you'll be pleased to hear it's now jumped online, too, with a weekly live-stream. See also: Room 2 Radio's Friday night streams and Club Quarantine's nightly offering. For a night of throwing shapes, you'll want to prep with something filling but not too heavy. Bondi wholefoods cafe Good One is a worthy contender with a selection of hearty delivery dinners loaded with veggies and grains — think green chickpea fritters with kale and avocado yoghurt or golden scrambled tofu with crispy cauliflower. Pair your dinner with some top-notch cocktails from nearby bar Isabel, like a matcha highball or a riberry gimlet, to get the party started. [caption id="attachment_710997" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Lidmila[/caption] LEARN A NEW PARTY TRICK We can only hope that when normal life resumes, there'll be an onslaught of parties and nights out. So, if you want to have something to show for your time in isolation, use this downtime to pick up a new party trick. If the above DJ live-streams have inspired you, head over to Ableton's website. There, you'll find a bunch of free resources to kick off your music making journey, including ebooks and a 90-day free trial period of its Live 10 interface. Or, if you're more concerned about improving your moves, try an online dance course. Sydney Dance Company has currently shifted its entire class program online, including hip hop beginners classes, and they cost just $12 a pop (or you can get an unlimited membership for $28 a week). Or you could check out Groove Therapy's online courses. There's a very suitable Party Dance course (USD$89), which includes bite-sized video tutorials, curated playlists and bonus resources on dance history. Whichever you choose, it'll add a little flavour to your house parties — both pre- and post-lockdown. To keep you both well-fuelled and inspired while you study, order in some class party staples. After brief shutdown periods, both Darlinghurst favourite Dimitri's and Marrickville's vegetarian pizzeria Pizza Madre have now reopened for takeaway and deliveries, so order a woodfired pie and wash it down with an easy-drinking beer like Miller Genuine Draft. VIRTUALLY CELEBRATE YOUR MATE'S BIRTHDAY Poor ol' autumn babies. They're currently all experiencing one of childhood's biggest fears: nobody coming to their birthday party. So, make sure the birthday guy or gal's special day isn't forgotten in all the madness by organising an isolation-style bash with the entire crew over Houseparty. Play some games that'll get everyone up and moving — think good ol' charades or Heads Up — or challenge yourselves with a virtual escape room. And end the evening the way every birthday night out should end: karaoke. You can blame your bad vocals on your mate's shitty laptop speakers. Of course, it isn't a true birthday party without some cake so order one of the legendary ricotta cakes from Pasticceria Papa — it's even delivering mini versions that are perfect for solo partiers. And you'll need a drink to raise a toast to your mate, too, so get some cocktails delivered. The Africoola from CBD bar PS40, with vodka, coffee liqueur, wattleseed and coconut, will pair excellently with the cake. [caption id="attachment_767870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reuben Gibbes[/caption] CREATE YOUR OWN LIGHT FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE INDOORS While small gatherings and dining out may return to our lives in the near future, it's looking like we'll be waiting a little longer for large-scale cultural events. But even though Vivid, Sydney's legendary festival of lights, art and ideas, isn't happening this year, there is a movement swelling to recreate the magic on a smaller scale. Kicking off on May 22, DIY Vivid will encourage Aussies to transform their isolation pads into a makeshift light festival using coloured light bulbs and strobe machines. There'll also be a DJ simulcast stream happening on the launch night. You could take it a step further and — just like the epic animated light projections that happen on buildings across Sydney during Vivid — project one of Nema Adel's digital art loops onto your living room wall, or tune into Hobart museum Mona's live-stream of Ryoji Ikeda's Spectra. It's a 15-kilometre tall tower of beaming white light that stands over the city's skyline, and the stream is accompanied by music specially curated for the exhibit. In homage to the buzzing festival, pair your arty activities with some colourful tipples and street food. Check out South American eatery Arepa, which has freshly cooked and frozen arepas and empanadas available for takeaway and delivery alongside loaded fries, gluten free churros and cassava fries. Team your South American feast with some freshly made cocktails, like the California Soul — a spicy margarita with fresh mandarin syrup — from nearby bar Earl's Juke Joint. For more ways to celebrate your city's nightlife and recreate its energy in your own space, head this way. Image: Reuben Gibbes
Situated in the oldest laneway in The Rocks, The Fine Food Store is one to go searching for. Take a quick stroll down Kendall Lane, and you'll be greeted by a bustling Brooklyn-inspired eatery. Inside, an industrial fit-out and spacious interiors prove the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch. And, luckily, team here takes food and coffee very seriously. Expect wholesome eats including Riverina farmland poached eggs with your choice of sides, and decadent Belgian waffles with caramelised banana, macadamia and gelato. Order a house-roasted batch brew or single origin coffee, or a glass of Sigurd chenin blanc if you're feeling a little bit fancy.
If you're angling for a smooch with someone special this Valentine's Day, you might as well line up a spectacularly photogenic backdrop for the occasion. And we doubt you'll find any quite as OTT as the one that awaits at The Grounds of Alexandria. The lush greenery-filled venue is turning the charm up to 100 for lovers this romance season, unveiling a shimmery laneway installation that's sure to sweep just about anyone off their feet. Sticking around for only a limited time, it's decked out in a rainbow of iridescent hues and comes complete with a neon-lit kissing booth to spark that ol' romantic spirit. But the real theatre happens at 9am and 11am each day, when a bunch of glistening bubbles are sent cascading over the entire space. Brownie points for aesthetics, right there. As usual, The Grounds is whipping up a couple of themed treats to match this latest installation and you'll be pleased to know they're rocking as much unicorn-hued sass as the laneway itself. Amp up the romance with a two-person buttercream-topped lemon sponge cake from the cafe, or opt for a couple of the Potting Shed's Make Me Blush cocktails: a glittery blend of gin, Chambord, raspberry and lime, finished with a crown of fairy floss.
Shimmering glacial lakes, stunning wildflower meadows, enchanting snow gum forests and mountainous vistas that seem to go on forever — the Snowy Mountains is home to some of the most varied and magical scenery in Australia. And there's so much more to see outside of the chilly season. Spring, summer and autumn are ideal for exploring freely, unhindered by snow, ice and bitter winds. Whether you're a coffee cruiser who likes your hikes short and easy or a hardcore adventurer keen to conquer as many peaks as possible in a day, here are five spectacular hiking trails in the Snowy Mountains that you really should try before Jack Frost comes around again. MT KOSCIUSZKO SUMMIT WALK This exhilarating walk carries you to the highest point in Australia: the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, 2228 metres above sea level. Its eighteen kilometres start at Charlotte's Pass, then follow the Old Summit Road, surrounding you with epic views of the Australian Alps and the Bogong Peaks Wilderness much of the way. Stop by the Snowy River for a picnic, spend a moment in the Seaman's Hut (built in 1929) and leave yourself plenty of time to wander among wildflowers, rock formations and snow gums. For a more challenging adventure, take the alternative Main Range Walk, a 22-kilometre loop that passes some stunning glacial lakes. If you're looking for less of a challenge (but equally stunning valley views) take the Express Chairlift — it's a scenic 15-minute, two-kilometre ride from Thredbo almost all the way to Mount K. NICHOLS GORGE WALKING TRACK You'll need a torch to make the most of this wondrous, seven-kilometre loop. That's because within 500 metres of setting out, you'll come across Cooleman Cave — and it's pitch black inside. The next section — dotted with ancient fossils of brachiopods and sea lilies — journeys along Cave Creek before traversing plains covered in snow grass and backdropped by the rugged Gurrangorambla Range and Tom O'Rourkes Peak. Along the way, expect to pass numerous views of breathtaking Nichols Gorge, and look out for wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead. The track starts at Blue Waterholes Campground in the High Plains area of Kosciuszko National Park. Fair warning: you'll be tempted to sleep over and visit Clarke Gorge the following day so plan ahead. DEAD HORSE GAP WALKING TRACK This spectacular five-kilometre track transports you 600 metres above Thredbo Valley and across part of the Australian Alps Walking Trail, a 655-kilometre adventure that crosses the country's highest peaks. Start at either end: Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way or at the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift in Thredbo. Whichever you choose, you'll spend your time immersed in snow gum forests, alpine heath and meadows dotted with native herbs, all the while surrounded by dramatic Ramshead Range. Alternatively, walk from Thredbo Village through the golf course and onto the Thredbo River Track. THREDBO VALLEY TRAIL While Dead Horse Gap Track puts you above Thredbo Valley, this 17-kilometre one-way trail allows you to explore its depths. What's more, it's shared, so you can jump on a bike for something different. Your escapade begins at Thredbo Village, follows Thredbo River and crisscrosses at several points via suspension bridges. Snow gum forests and tall mountain gum woods interweave with open grasslands, and if you're especially observant, you might spot a 400-year-old mountain plum pine or two. There is the option to catch your own lunch, so try your luck at catching a fish along the way. The trail ends at Bullocks Hut, but you can continue to Lake Crackenback Resort or shorten your adventure by using an access point, such as Thredbo Diggings Campground or Ngarigo Campground. [caption id="attachment_661587" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Snowy Mountains[/caption] YARRANGOBILLY CAVES WALK Most people associate Yarrangobilly Caves with strolls into dark caverns and along meandering rivers, but this two-kilometre walk gives you quite the opposite: grand, head-clearing views. Strap up your boots at Glory Hole carpark, from where you should follow the road leading into Yarrangobilly Valley, before turning off at the Bluff Lookout sign. Just 150 metres later, you'll find yourself staring out over Yarrangobilly Caves House, backdropped by dramatic limestone formations and wilderness. Do note that the trail gets steep in places, so you'll need some fitness, willpower and water on your side. The good news is that the return trip is an easy 500 metres, all downhill and ending up at a picnic area with free electric barbies. Discover all that the Snowy Mountains has to offer outside of winter months, from jam-packed adventures to culinary excursions and so much more.
Before Dolly Parton's own musical about her life makes its theatre debut, premiering on Broadway in 2026, always loving the music icon on stage is easy thanks to Here You Come Again. Telling the story of a massive fan of the legend and their imagined version of a star like no other, this fellow song-fuelled production is filled with Parton's tunes. It has her stamp of approval, too, and it's playing Sydney in 2025. Here You Come Again will enjoy a stint at Theatre Royal Sydney from Friday, September 12. Get ready to hear 'Jolene', '9 to 5', 'Islands in the Stream' and 'I Will Always Love You', among other tracks, as the show's protagonist navigates the ups and downs of life with his own fantasy of Dolly by his side. Playing the pivotal Parton part, so slipping into the rhinestones and blonde hair, is Here You Come Again co-creator Tricia Paoluccio — and yes, she's also a lifelong Dolly fan. In the US and UK, Here You Come Again has played soldout seasons — and expect it to prove popular Down Under, too. Alongside Paoluccio, Australian Dash Kruck (Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar) stars, with the local run also featuring an all-Australian ensemble, plus a live band helping to bring Parton's music to life. Images: UK production, Hugo Glendinning.
Nahji Chu isn't one to do things by halves. Earlier this month, she made a grand comeback on the Sydney food scene with the opening of Cha Li Boi, a 285-seater yum cha eatery in Bondi Junction. But there won't be any time for post-launch relaxing yet. By spring, she'll be overseeing another new restaurant by the name of Cocochine Bar and Dining Room, in not one, but two, locations: 5 Ward Avenue in Potts Point, and 47 York Street in Sydney's CBD. Details are scarce, however, we can tell you that Nahji will be making a return to Vietnamese fare with a more high-end, fine dining spin. Plus, at Ward Avenue, there'll be a takeaway section, dubbed Cocochu. According to Cocochine's Facebook page, there's been some serious demolition going on. Architect Anthony Gill is taking care of design in Potts Point, while Kylie Fitt is on the job in the CBD. If the team's Facebook posts are anything to go by, both spaces will be pretty colossal. Keep an eye on the website for updates.
We all know by now that pastry chef Anna Polyviou doesn't do things by halves — and will use any excuse to create something OTT and sugar-filled. This festive season, she proves this once again with the return of her giant gingerbread train. The four-metre train combines 1000 kilos of gingerbread bricks, 500 kilos of lollies, 100 kilos of fondant, lollipops, candy canes and untold quantities of icing. It gives sugar high a whole new meaning. Polyviou also collaborated with cake engineer Verusca Walker (what a job title) to include various moving parts to the train. You'll find this fantastical creation in the Lobby Lounge of the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. That's not the only festive thing happening there throughout December. The Lobby Lounge will also be home to a festive high tea. Designed by Polyviou, this feast will feature three tiers of decadent bites. You'll start with savoury bites like croque monsieur, Yamba prawn brioche rolls and smoked turkey breast, before moving on to the sweet treats —think gingerbread passionfruit caramel, peach melba, festive scones and something described as 'Christmas in a Jar'. And, if those sugar cravings aren't yet curbed, be sure to check out the festive candy store in The Lobby Lounge, too. The perfect spot to pick up gifts for the sweet tooths in your life, the pop-up sells mini gingerbread houses ($65), Christmas puddings ($22), fruit mince tarts ($12.50 for six) and Christmas trifles ($135). The gingerbread train and pop-up store are open every day in December from 7am; the festive high tea is available daily from 11.30am–1.30pm, 1.45–3.45pm and 4–6pm. You can make a reservation for the high tea here.
Any cocktail drinker will be at least vaguely familiar with vermouth. It's been swirled around and tipped out of your martini glass, mingled with gin and Campari in your Negroni, and brought in to help balance out the bourbon in your Manhattan. But it's rarely the star of the show. However, this aromatised wine (yes, it's made from wine — but more on that later) is gaining some overdue attention of its own of late. Melbourne has already seen a bit of a vermouth revival at bars like Bomba and Heartattack and Vine, and Sydney's catching up to the party. Not only is Sydney's first dedicated vermouth bar Banksii set to open later this year at Barangaroo, but CBD bar Since I Left You is rolling out Vermouth Hour later this month and several high quality producers of Australian craft vermouths — like Regal Rogue, Maidenii, Margan and Causes & Cures — continue to gain popularity. Similar to sherry, vermouth has somewhat of a bad rep in Aussie culture. But Rebecca Lines, Banksii's sommelier and vermouth expert, says that's something we need to get over. "I'm keen to shake off the 'oh that dry oxidised stuff my grandma had in her pantry' mentality," says Lines. "There are incredible quality styles on offer now and plenty coming out of Australia." So we thought vermouth needed to be newly tasted — and appreciated — by us, your willing participants. [caption id="attachment_576289" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Don LaVange via Flickr[/caption] WHAT'S THE STORY? Vermouth is made up of at least 75 percent wine. It's then fortified with a neutral spirit like brandy, then distilled or 'aromatised' with botanicals — one of which is the bitter herb wormwood (wermut in German), which is where the name comes from. Botanicals used vary hugely but can feature herbs, spices, bark, roots and seeds. It can be red or white, sweet or dry (or in some cases semi-dry) — but generally red is sweet and white is dry. Around the time of its invention in Italy it was "the popular aperitif of the 18th Century with Europeans sipping it in the fashionable cafes," says Lines. Vermouth is still popular in Europe as part of the aperitif culture, particularly in Spain where vermuterias (vermouth bars) are seriously fashionable. [caption id="attachment_576287" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Regal Rogue[/caption] WHY DO I CARE? Much of the appeal of vermouth lies in its hybrid nature. It has a lower alcohol content than spirits (around 15-24 percent), yet has more character than wine from the aromatisation process, similar to that of gin. Mark Ward is the founder of Australia's first native vermouth Regal Rogue, which has been on shelves since 2012. He suggests its popularity is reflective of broader social movements. "People are moving away from hard spirits and have become a lot more conscious of lower alcohol and lower sugar drinks," Ward says. "They're looking at digestives and aperitifs as the go-to." Like most new craft vermouths, Regal Rogue is made for drinking on its own, preferably chilled or over ice. But Ward says it's the diversity of the drink that makes it so fantastic. "You can have it neat, chilled, have it long with a tonic, aperitif-style, or in a cocktail." Its versatility is part of its unique character, agrees 2015 Australian Bartender of the Year, Lee Potter Cavanagh. "The great thing about vermouth is that it'll last longer in the fridge than a normal wine and also has a more impactful flavour," he says. "It's great for home consumption because of this, and it tastes great by itself or in simple mixes." [caption id="attachment_576286" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Margan Family Wines[/caption] WHO'S DOING IT? Vermouth is not geographically classified, which means it can be made anywhere and still be called vermouth (unlike, say, Champagne). Margan Family Wines in the Hunter Valley recently announced the release of a Semillon-based vermouth, and Australian brand Maidenii is widely celebrated, with Lines even choosing to team up with them for a custom vermouth on tap at Banksii. Ward was particularly inspired by native Australian botanicals when creating Regal Rogue's red, white and dry varieties. "When we're infusing spices and things like that, people can sometimes think it's going to taste like cinnamon or something, but it's more like pepperberry and wattleseed," he says. Around 15 other things also go into the wine, with botanicals like basil, grapefruit, native thyme and star anise giving vermouth its characteristic complexity. Ward has seen the rise of craft vermouths all over the world — including the US, which is now a major producer. ACME's new one, Bar Brosé in Darlinghurst, is similarly embracing vermouth, says Ward. "They're a an example of guys doing great food, but also pushing and educating about vermouth-based cocktails and aperitifs," he says. According to Ward, the addition of Bar Brosé and the soon-to-be Banksii to the Sydney bar scene is both "great for category and for Sydney itself". IS THIS PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER? We certainly hope so. The art of the aperitif, (or, as we like to call it: how to have a few drinks before dinner without turning up hammered) has taken way too long to truly take hold in Australia. And vermouth looks set to bring some personality to the aperitivo disco; it suits crispy, salty, crunchy snacks like anchovies, olives and potato crisps. However, as Potter Cavanagh points out, vermouth is often still "lumped with the bar and often sits open and oxidised on the back bar, when it should be listed and cared for the same as any other wine — even if this one has been aromatised". And until vermouth is fully embraced by restaurants and wine bars alike, Lines suggests going to any good cocktail bar (one where they stock and care for their vermouths) and ordering one on the rocks. Vermouth suits Australia's laidback nature and warm sunny climate, says Lines. "Vermouth is made for relaxing and sipping in my mind." [caption id="attachment_566219" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bar Brose[/caption] CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. WHERE CAN I GET IT? Most good cocktail bars will stock and properly care for vermouth. But here's where you're guaranteed to get a good drop. Bar Brosé Chiswick Maybe Frank Since I Left You (they'll even be running Vermouth Hour from June 20-30) Cafe Sydney Banksii (opening September 2016) Top image: Thomas E. Graham.
From big cities to rural towns, the humble corner store is a staple of Australian suburbs. Whether you're ducking down to get milk for your morning coffee or a 50 cent bag of lollies with your pocket money, the corner store always has just what you need. Interior stylist Mia Cipolla is taking this local, community-focused tradition of the corner store and introducing locally sourced, high-quality food, drink and goods at her new Darlinghurst cafe- corner store hybrid, Darlo General. Darlo General has opened in the place of a previous, more traditional Darlinghurst corner store. While it may not be able to compete with the extensive selection on offer at the Redfern Convenience Store, it's certainly elevating the items list of your standard local shop, swapping out energy drinks for kombucha and red frogs for sourdough. The new inner city spot is serving up freshly brewed coffee each morning alongside a selection of handmade cakes and savoury goodies baked by two Darlinghurst locals. Alongside the tasty treats, you'll find bread from Pioik Bakery, drinks from Kombu kombucha, Strangelove soda and Monceau pét-nat and vegan nut butter from Brother Mountains Macadamias. Darlinghurst parents can also enjoy a helping hand from the Darlo General as kids head back to school. The cafe's tuck shop offers $10 packed lunches which include a sandwich and two morning tea snacks for busy parents who may not have time to make lunch five days a week. Taking things outside the realm of your usual cafe, Darlo General also stock an inspired collection of local home goods and gifts. On the shelves, you'll find pieces from Newport-based woodworker Rueben Bloom of Made by Rueben, body and bath products from Australian company Salus, homely ceramics, gingham totes and anything else you need to complete your homespun cottage aesthetic.
As a teen rom-com about two high schoolers working through their attraction for each other as they're also trying to work out what to do with their lives and how to simply be themselves, there's a strong sense of familiarity about Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt). It's the kind of movie that viewers will initially feel they've watched before. Audiences will spot the tropes and conventions, the scenarios and exchanges they've seen in other tales about adolescent troubles and related affairs of the heart, and the kinds of characters that typically populate classrooms and families in seemingly similar films. Here, however, this isn't a sign of laziness. Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt) wants you to register how much it resembles other entries in its genre — because it wants you to notice what it's doing differently. Of course, unfurling a queer romance within such well-worn confines shouldn't be such a remarkable act (and an Australian teen queer romance at that), but it still currently is. There's a purposeful sense of clumsiness about Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt), too. Again, that's by design. Studious school captain Ellie (Sophie Hawkshaw, Love Child) has a simmering crush on the far cooler, calmer and more collected Abbie (Zoe Terakes, Janet King), but is struggling to stump up the courage to ask her to the school formal. In fact, she even goes as far as willingly and uncharacteristically getting detention so that she spend more time with Abbie, all to try to muster up the motivation to pop the quintessential high-school question. And when the pair do slowly start becoming closer, Ellie doesn't know exactly what to do, or what's expected, or how to be the person she wants to be in her first relationship. Complicating matters is the distance she feels from her mother, Erica (Marta Dusseldorp, Stateless), as she navigates such new emotional terrain — oh, and the fact that, as the title gives away, Ellie's dead aunt Tara (Julia Billington) suddenly starts hovering around and dispensing advice about following her feelings. So far, so sweet. Whether you think of Tara as a queer fairy godmother or a lesbian guardian angel, her wisdom-imparting presence is tender and thoughtful — and funny and often awkward, as you'd expect when the ghost of a dead relative pops up every now and then to try to help someone through situations they don't inherently know how to deal with. First-time feature writer/director Monica Zanetti plays the scenario affectionately and humorously, and also to reflect how having a guiding light is usually a purely fantastical concept for uncertain teens. And, if the filmmaker had left Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt) there, that would've been understandable. The film would've been entertaining and understanding, cute and creative with its teen romance, and proudly celebratory of LGBTQIA+ perspectives. It's still all those things, but Zanetti's decision to open the door to a deeper contemplation of Australia's historical treatment of the queer community gives considerable depth and weight to a movie that mightn't have earned those terms otherwise. If Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt) was being shot a few months from now, when Sydney is slated to become home to an 90-metre-long rainbow footpath through Surry Hills to commemorate Australia's marriage equality legislation — and to mark where more than 30,000 Sydneysiders gathered together to hear the results of the country's postal vote survey on the matter — the brightly coloured stretch of pavement would've surely featured in the film. Zanetti's brightly shot movie has a strong sense of place, but without including all of the usual landmark shots that make many features feel like tourism campaigns. More importantly, it has a clear understanding of what LGBTQIA+ Sydneysiders have weathered in past decades. That activism is layered throughout the film in an overt subplot and, while it's hardly treated with nuance, it's a powerful inclusion. Simply by reaching local cinema screens, Zanetti's feature makes a statement, but it also pays tribute to all the statements made in big and bold ways — and with tragic and painful outcomes, too — to get to this point in Australian queer history. Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt)'s intentions, approach and even the importance of its very existence can't completely patch over its weaker elements, however. That lack of subtlety is pervasive, and occasionally the deliberate use of cliches and clumsiness can feel just as forceful. Some lines and ideas — Tara tells Ellie to ask Abbie if she likes AFL to get a read on her sexual orientation, for instance — are cringe-inducing rather than satirical or amusing. And despite spirited efforts by the three actors playing its titular characters, those eponymous figures are never as fleshed out as they could be, with their personalities deeply tied to and dictated by the needs of the plot. But Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt) is still a charmer, and still gives Aussie cinema something that it has long been missing. That'd be a proud, contemplative and engaging teen queer rom-com with heart, humour and a heavy awareness of the need for the kind of tale that it's telling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq1F1opr_FE&t=2s
Let's call it the seven-, eight- and nine-month itch: that point when a year reaches its halfway point, and as winter starts to give way to spring, when holidays, holidays, holidays is all that's on anyone's mind. Is that you right now? Been spending every spare moment dreaming of summer getaways, and also making travel plans right into 2023? Then Virgin's latest sale arrives at the right time. More than one million fares are up for grabs as part of the Bring On Summer sale, covering both Aussie and international destinations. Yes, that means that you've got options, no matter where you'd like to head. Among the domestic routes, one-way fares start at $49, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. Other sale flights include Brisbane–Whitsunday Coast from $75, Melbourne–Gold Coast from $79, Melbourne–Adelaide from $79 as well and Sydney–Hobart from $85. And if you're wondering when you'll need to travel, you can book trips between January 17–June 24, 2023. Internationally, return fares cover getaways to Bali, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa — from Sydney (from $489 to Fiji, $549 to Bali and $560 to Samoa), Melbourne ($549 to Bali and $579 to Fiji) and Brisbane ($475 to Vanuatu, $529 to either Bali or Fiji, and $559 to Samoa). Again, that means you've got choices, including if multiple getaways to different spots are in your ideal future. As always when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Virgin's discounted fares are now on offer until midnight AEST on Monday, September 5 or sold out, whichever arrives first. In total, the sale is taking up to 30-percent off Virgin's economy fares to 34 locations. Yep, best grab your suitcase now. Virgin's Bring on Summer sale runs from until Monday, September 5 — or until sold out.
Economic uncertainty and vast urban sprawl have made the dream of owning a home less likely for many citizens. Thankfully, architects and designers around the globe are fusing creativity with the latest technology to build unique homes at a fraction of the price. Pre-fabricated houses are gaining more relevance in today's society as homes that are affordable for most prospective owners. These houses are manufactured in factories and then transported and assembled at a location of your choosing. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, simplicity and a reduced impact on the environment, pre-fabricated houses are a solution that people are looking to with greater interest. Here we have collected some of the most innovative pre-fabricated houses. With the diverse range of materials and designs used in the examples below, pre-fabricated homes have also become one of the primary avenues for creative minds to flaunt their imaginations. Have a look below and consider a pre-fabricated home to make your own. MCube by MDesigns Superb-A House by mnm.MOD PLACE Houses mkLotus by Michelle Kauffman The Crib by Broadhurst Architects Haus Bold by Thomas Bendel House Arc by Bellomo Architects Loftcube Origin by Blu Homes zeroHouse
Most recently dubbed the "A24 of theatre", Griffin is perhaps the most innovative, risky theatre company around. And Griffin Theatre Company's 2025 Season of plays is set to be a goodie, from plays exploring nuclear power to Kpop and naked performances. If you want to know more, keep scrolling. Nucleus Alana Valentine's Nucleus in the Reginald Theatre at the Seymour Centre is about two people who have committed their entire lives to different sides of the nuclear power debate. Intrigued? One is a nuclear engineer, and the other is an anti-nuclear campaigner. With nuclear energy such a hot topic (did anyone say Federal Election in May?), this show is guaranteed to be full of explosive arguments and even more explosive revelations. Koreaboo The second production, Koreaboo by Michelle Lim Davidson is inspired by her own life as a Korean-Australian adoptee. Presented in the Downstairs Theatre at Belvoir St Theatre, Michelle herself takes to the stage for a story about culture, deep connection, family and the power of Kpop. Naturism The premiere of Naturism by Ang Collins presented in the Wharf 2 Theatre at Sydney Theatre Company is set to be anything but your usual theatre experience. Let's start with the fact that the entire cast is naked. The play follows the journey of a Gen Z eco-influencer crashing an off-grid Boomer eco-paradise. The rest we will leave to your imagination. Griffin Lookout Griffin Lookout, a program supporting independent artists, presented in association with the Old Fitz Theatre, is back after a year-long hiatus, and if you were lucky enough to see past Lookout seasons, you can understand the excitement. SISTREN The first of these productions is SISTREN by Iolanthe. Known for their infamous performance in seven methods of killing Kylie Jenner, this play marks her debut as a playwright. You can expect a story of two best friends, who their headmaster dubs a 'lethal combination'. It's also set in South London, which we love. Birdsong of Tomorrow Birdsong of Tomorrow by Nathan Harrison is one for all the avid birdwatchers out there. However, this play takes a unique angle, turning your eye to our rapidly changing environment. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. Get set to dive deeper into the world of birds than perhaps you ever have. Whitefella Yella Tree Griffin is presenting a return season of the acclaimed Whitefella Yella Tree by Dylan Van Den Berg. The production will enjoy seasons presented by Sydney Theatre Company, La Boite Theatre and University of Melbourne Arts and Culture. This one is at the top of our list – the script and production have won countless awards. Subscriptions The good news is that Griffin also offers great value theatre subscriptions, guaranteeing up to 20 per cent off standard ticket prices. Effectively a Season Pass, the subscription also offers perks from Griffin and friends, such as meet-the-artist nights and subscriber perks from places like Fabbrica Darlo, Penny's Cheese Shop and Four Pillars Gin. There are play packages for all theatregoers of all ages. Grab one of two core packages including two plays and three plays, with customisable add-ons that include one or both Lookout plays. And, unlike your Netflix and toilet paper subscription, this one promises real-life, tear-jerking, happy-crying, laughing-till-it-hurts kind of fun. Plus, Griffin has some of the most affordable mainstage theatre ticket prices in Sydney, as well as a strong offering for those under 35 with a dedicated ticket price. Explore the Season Brochure. Presently, only subscriptions can be purchased for 2025 plays at Griffin. Single tickets to shows will be released from 3 December. Learn more and subscribe here. Images: Supplied.
No, you are not looking at a digitally altered photo. These photos are the work of German painter, sculptor and designer, Cornelia Konrads. She has created amazing displays of 'land-art' that seem to defy gravity. Her work represents the temporary existence of the structures that we build within nature. These displays are the disintegration of the man-made structures right before our eyes. Unique and beautiful, her work is a unique approach to land-art and we are quite impressed. For more of her stellar artwork, check out her website.
Is your wardrobe overflowing with clothes that you don't wear? We've all been there, and we've all been too busy to do anything about it. Through its op shops, Australian Red Cross finds a new home for your pre-loved outfits, shoes and accessories, with proceeds going towards its charity efforts — but we all know that wanting to donate your old threads is one thing and finding the time to do it is another. That's why Australian Red Cross has once again partnered with Uber for its annual Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive. When it launched in 2018, it collected over 43,500 kilograms of clothing in that first year alone, which saw clothing items worth an estimated $800,000 donated. And you'd best take the drive part literally, as the ride-sharing service will actually drive to your house, pick up your unwanted clothes and accessories, and deliver them to Red Cross Shops. Even better: it's not only super easy to take part, but it's free as well. Sydneysiders just make sure you're ready between 10am–4pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Once you've bagged up all of your old bits and pieces (items you'd happily give your best friend, and no toys, books, furniture or electrical objects) into a bundle that weighs no more than 20 kilograms, it's all incredibly simple. Open the Uber app during that six-hour window, then find the Red Cross Clothing Drive image. After that, you need to set Red Cross Clothing Drive as the drop-off spot — and it should come up with a $0 amount. An Uber driver will then stop outside your house, meaning that you just need to take your preloved goods out to their car. Voila, you've cleared out your closet and you've helped folks in need, all with the tap of a button.
Kurumba is Surry Hills' breezy two-level Sri Lankan restaurant from the crew behind The Fold in Dulwich Hill. The beloved Inner West diner closed in 2023 so The Fold team could move into this ambitious new Crown Street space. Upstairs at Kurumba, the dining room spotlights traditional Sri Lankan eats. The team's also mixing things up with Sydney menu staples like Sydney rock oysters, Western Australian lobster and smoked brisket. Downstairs, there's a casual bar where you can snack on hoppers over a glass of vino. Highlights from the main dining room include smoked brisket pan rolls, kajugama tiger prawns in a chilli cashew butter and crispy pork belly curry. If you're okay with splurging a little, Kurumba's signature dish is the lobster kottu — a chopped roti, vegetable and lobster-head curry. The set menu is a great way to attack the meal, especially for groups. The $85 per person option runs through the pan rolls, hot butter soft-shell crab, three different curries and tempered cauliflower, all paired with hoppers and rice. Or you can go big with the $125 premium menu, adding the signature lobster kottu and oysters topped with calamansi, coconut water and coriander root to the fold. If you've got the space, there's only one way to round out your meal at Kurumba. While a few desserts are on offer, the falluda soft serve is a must-try, adding rose syrup, crystallised pistachio and crispy vermicelli to the nostalgic sweet treat.
Harry's Bondi is undoubtedly a local institution, having served hungry all-comers since 1997. Yet despite the cafe's immense longevity, there's a good chance the team has never given away its ever-popular breakfast for free before. But that's precisely what's going down this Saturday, August 9, as Harry's Bondi adds another element to the House of Eats series presented by Uber Eats. Moving into Rainbow Studios for the occasion, this brekkie experience is first-come, first-served, so don't miss your chance. Kickstarting your weekend with a bright and zesty combo, Harry's is serving up its lemon and ricotta croissant with white chocolate and pistachio drizzle. Plus, there's a special mandarin version of the cafe's much-loved iced matcha, canned in-house, if you can believe it. In fact, this free breakfast is one way those who missed out on the House of Eats four-course feast, held the previous night, can make up for their misfortune. Available from 8–10am, Harry's Bondi has 300 brekkies up for grabs — rub your eyes and rise early to make sure you snag one.
Even after a couple of years that've seen everyone spend far more time at home than normal, there are still only so many hours in the day to devote to your streaming queue. Sadly, you simply can't watch everything — which is why everyone has a list of classic shows they've always been meaning to get around to, and they definitely want to see, but just haven't managed to press play on yet. When a company like HBO makes such a wide array of series and so frequently, you can be forgiven for failing to keep up, after all. Need help knowing what to prioritise? Not sure where to start, or what shows you'll instantly realise that you should never have lived without for all these years? We've teamed up with streaming service Binge to take care of your next five viewing choices, picking the programs that you know you should've gotten to by now — and that you can spend your summer catching up on, including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
When Sofia Coppola won this year's best director prize at Cannes, it was only the second time a woman had claimed the category in the festival's 71 outings. Nominated for the same award at the 2003 Oscars, she became only the third female to even get a nod (Kathryn Bigelow's history-making win for The Hurt Locker was still six years away). As a female filmmaker – even one who is part of a Hollywood dynasty – Coppola exists a world where women are trapped by circumstances beyond their control, but remain determined to break free of their confines. It's little wonder that her movies concern characters doing the same, depicting their struggles in astute, impassioned, eye-catching fashion. Inquisitive minds and longing hearts striving to shatter gilded cages: this is Coppola's cinematic specialty. It proved true with The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, Somewhere and The Bling Ring – indeed, if someone once told Coppola to show what she knows, it would appear that she took their advice and ran with it. With The Beguiled, she adds the inhabitants of a civil war-era girls school to her growing squad of ladies seeking something other than the life they've been saddled with. To her resume, she adds a handsome period piece that doubles as a scathing satire. In the second big screen version of Thomas P. Cullinan's novel A Painted Devil (following a 1971 Clint Eastwood vehicle), the violence of the civil war finds the women of Miss Farnsworth's Seminary for Young Ladies left to their own devices. Headmistress Martha (Nicole Kidman) runs a tight ship, with teacher Edwina Morrow (Kirsten Dunst) assisting, giving pupils such as Amy (Oona Laurence), Jane (Angourie Rice) and Alicia (Elle Fanning) life and needlework lessons. Then wounded Union soldier Corporal John McBurney (Colin Farrell) wanders into the school grounds, forcing the group to reluctantly do the Christian thing by letting him rest and recuperate before they turn him in. The expression "a fox in the henhouse" might seem to apply here, as stereotype-reinforcing as it can be. But Coppola doesn't let a predator loose; rather, she uses an outsider as a catalyst to show just what lurks inside her dollhouse. That said, the eyebrow-arching Kidman, yearning Dunst and flirtatious Fanning are much, much more than mere playthings for the film and their gentleman guest, although that doesn't stop him from trying to worm his way into their hearts and nightgowns. Beneath the school's meticulous veneer, the women react to the sudden male presence in their midst, with desire cutting both ways (sometimes literally). The result is a smart, savvy exploration of lust and power in the long-running battle of the sexes. It's also a film that refuses to conform to expectations, just like its protagonists. While every inch the Coppola movie (complete with music by Phoenix), The Beguiled is as much a genre flick about the interplay of sex and violence as it is a nuanced drama about restraint, a textured character study of its fenced-in figures, and a razor-sharp comedy of manners. Within her candle-lit, painterly frames springs a feature that couldn't be more alluring yet tenacious and rebellious, nor more appropriately so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxUXvbqgdN0
Reckon you could write the Great Australian Novel, if only you could find the time? Sick of staring at that half-finished film script? Been scribbling down lots of lines, but yet to finish a poem? Well, how does five days alone in a tiny house in the wilderness, completely off the grid, sound? Meet Cabin Days, a new writer's residency that sounds like every time-poor scribe's dream. It's being run by Unyoked, the Aussie startup that rents out those adorable little cabins in the middle of nowhere, in collaboration with online platform The Writers Bloc to give writers a chance to, well, write — without any interruptions (except maybe the view). The successful residents will receive five nights of free (!) accommodation, as well as personalised writing supplies, a bar (gin will be supplied by Archie Rose and beer by Capital Brewing Co.) and, if requested, support to publish their work. Two residencies will be given away per year — one in Sydney and another in Melbourne. Unyoked's cabins are located in secret spots, surrounded by bush, less than two hours from the city. At the moment there are four scattered around NSW and two in Victoria. Run independently by twin brothers Cam and Chris Grant — and designed with the help of Sydney studio Fresh Prince — they're built to make you feel as though you're part of the natural environment, but with the security of four, solid walls to keep out the bears, plus a few mod cons. Think expansive windows, timber walls, a comfy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood and good coffee. What's more, the cabins are entirely off the grid, which means solar power, composting toilets and a heavenly absence of wifi. Keen? Start your application over here. Or, if you can spare $199 a night, you can book your own retreat here.
When Quibi launched in Australia and New Zealand back in April, it added yet another streaming platform to the already lengthy list of services competing for your eyeballs, especially in this stay-at-home, pandemic-afflicted year. This newcomer came with a few twists — serving up its content in small chunks of up to ten minutes in length, designing it all for viewing on your phone, and eventually letting folks watch for free and allowing streaming from users' phones to their TVs, too — but it's now completely pulling the plug. Less than eight months after it kicked off, Quibi will close down, informing customers that it'll end "on or about December 1, 2020". In mid-October, it was revealed that the service would shutter after failing to both attract a big subscriber based and, once the company's powers-that-be realised that it was struggling, to attract a buyer. It shouldn't really come as a surprise that, when we're all spending more time at home during a global health crisis, folks didn't just want to view things by themselves on a tiny phone screen — and that by the time Quibi added Airplay and Chromecast capabilities, the world had largely dismissed the platform. There's also the fact that viewers have a seemingly never-ending array of new streaming services to choose from, so one dedicated to movies and TV shows in bite-sized pieces was probably never going to stand out. Quibi had big aims, both when it launched and in the years beforehand — including hitting 175 different shows and 7000 episodes in its first year. Boasting a name that's been shortened from 'quick bites', it was created by ex-Disney chairman and DreamWorks cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg, and is led by former eBay president and CEO Meg Whitman. Before it launched, it had been in the works since 2018. And, it had earned ample attention thanks to its huge stash of cash (reportedly raising $1.75 billion to spend on content), as well as its hefty array of stars and shows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96mETd0NIIE If you still have a subscription and you're keen to check out Quibi's slate of shows over the next month — including new version of Punk'd hosted by Chance the Rapper, Chrissy Teigen presiding over small claims cases in the Judge Judy-style Chrissy's Court and a Reese Witherspoon-narrated documentary series about females in natural history — you can still do so. Your access won't be renewed once your bill period ends, though. So, for now, you still have a short amount of time left to watch Anna Kendrick befriend a sex doll, follow the twists of horror-thriller The Stranger or work your way through a new version of The Fugitive. Some of Quibi's other highlights include mockumentary Nikki Fre$h, which follows Nicole Richie's efforts to become a wellness-focused rapper; cooking competition show Dishmantled, where host and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Tituss Burgess shoots food at two culinary industry figures, then forces them to try to recreate the dish in question; and Lena Waithe-hosted documentary series You Ain't Got These, about sneaker culture. There's also Flipped, starring Will Forte and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Kaitlin Olson as a down-on-their-luck couple desperate to host their own TV renovation series; Most Dangerous Game, the latest twist on the humans-hunting-humans idea, this time with Christoph Waltz and Liam Hemsworth; and Survive, which casts Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner as a suicidal patient suddenly forced to fight for her life after a plane crash. Or, you can watch luxury dog houses come to life in Barkitecture. Quibi will shut down on December 1, 2020. For further details, visit the Quibi website.
