The Bayview Baths on the Parramatta River were closed way back in 1969, then completely demolished in 1995. But, the City of Canada Bay Council has plans to open a new swimming spot in their place next year. One of several pools set to open along the Sydney river in the next few years, the Bayview Park swim site in the inner west suburb of Concord is on track to welcome the budgie smuggler-wearing public by April 2021. The Council's plan involves fully redeveloping the swimming area, making it a safe environment with clean waters (with ongoing water quality reporting), a netted area that's set apart from the existing jetty and an outdoor shower to boot. The park is located right along the Parramatta River, in between Harmony Point and the dog-friendly Hen and Chicken Bay foreshore walk. Its existing facilities include a sandy beach, plus covered picnic tables, barbecues and toilets. [caption id="attachment_783387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An artist's impression of the Bayview Park swim site[/caption] At the moment, Council is working with Sydney Water to assess the site and test the water quality, and its plans for the swimming site are open for community feedback, with a virtual drop-in session happening from 6–7pm on Wednesday, September 16. If you're interested, you can register over here. The development is happening in partnership with the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG), which is working to make the Parramatta River swimmable again by 2025. In addition to Bayview Park, swimming sites at McIlwaine Park (Rhodes East) and Putney Park (Putney) are also on the docket for the near future. And more are up for discussion, including, as reported by the SMH, Gladesville's Bedlam Bay. The Bayview Park swim site is set to open in April 2021. For more details on the existing, planned and proposed Parramatta River swimming sites, check out this interactive map.
Tucking into a doughnut is already a treat yo'self kind of activity, but between Thursday, November 11–Sunday, November 14, it'll come with an extra dose of self-love at Donut Papi. The Redfern pastry favourite is teaming up with Adulttoymegastore to celebrate Singles' Day on November 11 — by pairing doughnuts with mini bullet vibrators. It's the combo you didn't know you needed. It's also the double act you now want, obviously. And, it's clearly your key to a great day in more ways than one. All you need to do is order one of Donut Papi's 'sexy Singles' Day' doughnuts for $7, and you'll also nab a free Share Satisfaction mini bullet vibrator. Thanks to this duo, your sugar high won't be the only thing giving you a buzz. You do need to be over the age of 18 to participate, and you'll have to collect your doughnut as there's no delivery on this special. That said, you can head in to pick up this sweet treat anytime between Single's Day itself and Sunday. And if you're wondering about the doughnut itself, it's a strawberry glaze number that's also drizzled with raspberry champagne glaze and topped with pink buttercream. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DONUT PAPI SYDNEY DOUGHNUTS (@donutpapi)
Sydney’s lower north shore has scored a brand new dining hub with the transformation of Norths Bowlo into The Greens. Headed up by ex-Grounds of Alexandria couple Lilly and Nathan Fasan, the venue offers a casual eatery, bar, cafe, garden and bowling green, backdropped by some pretty epic Harbour views. Bowling buddies have been gathering at the site for 125 years. That makes it one of New South Wales' oldest bowling clubs. In giving the facilities a serious rejuvenation, The Greens team has paid respect to this history, with a 'Bowling Wall of Fame' on display at the entrance and the maintenance of an active bowling green. "Bowling is a dying sport, so we’ll hopefully bring a new, younger audience in," Lilly told Good Food. Not only will you be able to show off your skills vis-à-vis the jack, there are also plans for yoga sessions, organic markets, film screenings on the greens and weekend DJ sets. Taking on the role of executive chef, Lilly has conjured up a made-to-share menu that's straightforward and accessible, yet big on tastiness. The casual atmosphere means you can eat as little or as much as you like, with the menu divided into smaller share plates, hearty mains, large share plates designed for at least two, something sweet and 'bites with coffee'. At first, lunch, dinner and snacks will be on offer, but closer to summer, you can expect breakfast, too. Some of the most promising morsels on the menu include oxtail croquettes with sweet pimento dipping sauce ($11); house cured ocean trout with housemade pickled cucumbers, caper berries, quail eggs, and lemon crème fraîche ($14); whole baked baby snapper for two with a salad of zucchini, mint, coriander and sauce vierge ($42); and salad of radish fennel, ricotta, orange, crispy wild and brown rice ($16). To match these, there's an impressive drinks list, compiled by bar manager Matt Le Rade, who's previously kept drinkers well hydrated at The Roosevelt, Palmer & Co and Pelicano. For The Greens, he's come up with some fun and exotic-sounding cocktails, such as a tequila and chamomile sour, complete with a side of chamomile flowers, and a yuzu daiquiri. Outside, in the garden bar, avail yourself of a Bloody Mary in one of three shades: red, yellow or green. As for coffee, Double Roasters of Marrickville are providing an exclusive blend, created especially for The Greens. All in all, the venue has seating for 240: 130 inside and 110 outside. The fitout is part-eco, part-homely, dominated by plants, timbers and sandstone, and pastel, earthy hues. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors afford views of the outdoor area, where you'll find herb and veggie gardens supplying the kitchen with as-local-as-it-gets goodness and open fire pits. The Greens, located at 54 Ridge St, North Sydney opens on Wednesday, November 12. Operating hours are Monday to Thursday, 11am-11pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am-2am; and Sunday, 11am-11pm. Call ahead on (02) 9245 3099.
Australia's most prestigious portrait award is almost upon us for another year, with the paintings vying for the 2021 Archibald Prize just announced. Ahead of anointing the winner on Friday, June 4, 52 portraits have just been shortlisted for the coveted gong — and, for the first time in its now 100-year history, an equal number of male and female artists have made the cut. More of this year's portraits depict women than men, too, although that isn't a first. Among the highlights: Kirsty Neilson's Making Noise, a portrait of Grace Tame — and Oliver Watts' Dorian Gray (Eryn Jean Norville). Other finalists include Matthew Clarke's Del Kathryn Barton is a good listener; Rachel by Thea Anamara Perkins, which depicts the latter's aunt and Jasper Jones filmmaker Rachel Perkins; and Natasha Bieniek's image of actor Rachel Griffiths. Mirra Whale's Repose, which features fellow artist Ben Quilty, has been shortlisted as well — as has Jonathan Dalton's portrait of artist Ramesh Nithiyendran. Kathrin Longhurst's Kate is in the running, and has also taken out the coveted 2021 Archibald Packing Room Prize, which is chosen by the packing room team. The portrait depicts singer and songwriter Kate Ceberano. [caption id="attachment_813770" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2021 finalist. Kathrin Longhurst, 'Kate'. Oil on linen, 122 x 122 cm. © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Jenni Carte.[/caption] Also spanning Sally M Nangala Mulda's Two town camp stories, Eunice Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu's Me and my sisters, Peter Berner's Stop pouting, you've had your turn and Kim by Kim Leutwyler — all self-portraits — the 52 shortlisted works are all in contention for the Archibald's $100,000 prize. Speculation about who will be awarded the coveted prize — and, more often than not, the Archibald winner itself — usually causes much-heated debate. From 2018's five-time Archibald finalist Yvette Coppersmith's first win to Tony Costa's win with his painting of fellow artist Lindy Lee — the first portrait of an Asian Australian to pick up the prize — it's hard a win to pick. All that's really assured is that it'll be a portrait of a person by an Australian. In 2020, Vincent Namatjira's portrait of Adam Goodes did the honours, and also marked the first the award has gone to an Indigenous artist. [caption id="attachment_813771" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2021 finalist. Oliver Watts, 'Dorian Gray (Eryn Jean Norvill)'. Acrylic on canvas, 213.5 x 137.5 cm. © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Jenni Carte[/caption] Held at Sydney's Art Gallery of NSW every year, the Archibald runs in conjunction with the Wynne and Sulman Prizes — recognising the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figure sculpture, and the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project, respectively. This year, 2021's winning works and finalists will be on display from Saturday, June 4–Sunday, September 26. And if it feels like all of this just happened recently, that's because 2020's Archibald Prize happened later in the year due to the pandemic. If you don't agree with the judges, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice, which will be announced on Wednesday, September 1. ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2021 DATES Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, NSW — June 4–September 26, 2021 Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale, Victoria — October 8–November 21, 2021 Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Art Centre, Gymea, NSW — December 3–January 16, 2022 Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland, NSW — January 23–March 6, 2022 Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Cowra, NSW — March 18–June 22, 2022 Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree, NSW — July 8–August 21, 2022 If you can't make it to any of the above dates, you can check out the award winners and finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on the Art Gallery of NSW website. Top image: Archibald Prize 2021 finalist. Kirsty Neilson, 'Making noise'. Oil on linen, 50.1 x 60.1 cm, © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins
A new dining experience at harbourfront restaurant Luna Lu's promises to be a feast for all the senses, complete with one of the most iconic views on the planet. Using dynamic digital design and projection technology, the first-floor bar of this Asian-fusion fine diner — set within a historic 180-year-old heritage dockland building overlooking the Campbells Cove promenade, with uninterrupted views of the Sydney Opera House — is transformed into an underwater wonderland, a tranquil Chinese garden and a cosmic star scape as diners enjoy their meal. Every Thursday and Sunday evening, this immersive dining adventure melds gourmet cuisine with a sense of wonder. While a la carte dining is available with a $40 entry fee per diner, there is also a three-course set menu available for $120 per head, featuring Luna Lu's most popular signature dishes, including its indulgent honey yuzu crispy fried chicken and the restaurant's unique take on Peking duck, infused with rose wine and served with a 24-hour tamarind jus alongside the usual trimmings. The meal concludes with an elevated riff on the famous street treat, deep-fried ice cream, flavoured with pandan. Bookings require a two-person minimum, but the entire dining space can be reserved for larger parties. The digital displays can be tailored to any event's needs, whether celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or even a wedding. While the projections will certainly wow guests, the biggest gasps will inevitably be reserved for the spectacular attraction across the water — few restaurants in Sydney can boast a better vantage point on the architectural masterpiece of the Sydney Opera House than Bar Lulu.
The NSW Government has announced that nearly half of Moore Park Golf Course will be reclaimed and turned into a public park from June 2026. The popular 18-hole golf course currently sits on 45 hectares of public land via a series of service agreements dating back to 1913 — the final of which will expire in 2026. From that point, 20 hectares of the land will revert back to public ownership, with NSW Premier Chris Minns promising to transform it into a thriving green space for all to use. The reclaiming of the 20 hectares of land will see the golf course reduce its number of holes from 18 holes to just nine, as originally floated when the City of Sydney started discussing the plan back in 2020— but will not disrupt the course's clubhouse, depots, parking or driving range. In place of those reclaimed holes will be areas dedicated to recreation and community sports, as well as general public park space. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Minns (@chrisminnsmp) "Over the past century, Sydney has changed significantly. When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands," said the Premier. "Significant urban regeneration has seen housing density around Green Square and Zetland transform industrial land into a vibrant community." "As we work to tackle the housing crisis facing NSW by building up, we know that delivering public infrastructure including parks is more important than ever before." Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully backed the plan, saying: "The communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Green Square and Zetland are crying out for more green space, and this change will go a long way to satisfying their needs." The decision has received mixed feedback online, with some praising the added green space while others questioning the need for more parkland so close to Centennial Park. In the lead up to 2026, the NSW Government will be consulting the City of Sydney, the local community and stakeholders in order to create a detailed plan on how best to utilise the land surrendered by Moore Park Golf Course. The plan to transform this patch of land is a long time coming, and isn't unprecedented; in Queensland, the Brisbane City Council turned Victoria Park Golf Course in Brissie's inner city into a huge new public park, for instance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clover Moore AO (@clovermoore) For more information on the plan to reclaim 20 hectares of Moore Park Golf Course, head to the NSW Government website.
Attention all bourbon enthusiasts and luxury seekers. We at Concrete Playground have teamed up with Basil Hayden Bourbon to offer you the chance to win tickets for yourself and two friends to an exclusive golden hour event aboard The Jackson, Sydney's biggest superyacht, as it sails across Sydney Harbour on Thursday, March 28, from 5.30-9pm. We've got 20 triple passes up for grabs — the lucky winner will get to bring two friends along with them — so the odds are in your favour. To be in with a shot of scoring one of them, simply fill out the form below. The competition closes on Sunday, March 17 2024 at 10pm. Picture yourself basking in the golden hour glow as the sun sets over the iconic Sydney skyline, all while sipping libations crafted with Basil Hayden's finest. Two signature cocktails will be served. First up is the Golden Hour — inspired by the fleeting time before sunset and made with Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Lillet Blanc, and Aperol. Then there's the Basil Hayden Boulevardier — a refined twist on the classic with Basil Hayden Bourbon, Aperol and Dolin Rouge Sweet Vermouth. DJ beats and live saxophone jams will entertain guests aboard The Jackson as cocktails are sipped while you mingle with guests as the sun sets across the harbour. Come join us. [competition]944399[/competition]
Every December, the Geminids meteor shower lights up our skies. Considered to be the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, it's caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere. The shower is expected to be visible from around 11pm in Sydney, midnight in Melbourne and 9pm in Brisbane on Friday, December 14 through to the early morning on Saturday, December 15. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere. At that time, you could catch as many as 120 meteors every 60 minutes — each moving at about 125,500 kilometres per hour. To catch the spectacular shower, get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. If there are, NASA will be live streaming from its Marshall Space Flight Center via its Facebook page. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower will take place during the night on Friday, December 14. Image: NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai. Updated: December 14, 2018.
If you're going to sit yourself down in someone's restaurant, eat their specially cooked food from their own personal dishes, drink their juices and leave them to clean up your mess, you'd feel like paying right? You'd think most Australians would, but Melbourne-founded 'pay-what-you-feel' restaurant Lentil as Anything is watching customer by customer happily walk out without paying much (or anything) at all. Reported by Good Food, the popular chain is losing money — a lot of money. Apparently people aren't as generous as they thought when the not-for-profit organisation first set up the bill honour system — mainly as a means to get much needed, good vegetarian food to people of a lower socioeconomic status. But it looks like people are genuinely stingy bastards and treating the joint as a free feed. LAA is operating at a major loss — GF reports the Abbotsford restaurant lost $4000 in one night, despite serving 1500 people (who'd just returned from Rainbow Serpent festival). This averaged out to about $2.75 a head. Well done, y'jerks. Lentil as Anything has no prices on their menu. The Melbourne and Sydney restaurants are entirely funded by donations with the kind and probably naive motto "everyone deserves a place at the table". GF reports roughly one million meals are served by LAA across the four restaurants each year, with running costs getting up to $24,000 per venue per week. To help this even out, you're advised to leave around $12 to cover the meal and the general running of the joint. But if you don't pay them properly, they pay for your dinner themselves. They pay for you to eat their deliciously healthy food in their dining room from their plates. If you can't pay, you're encouraged volunteer in the kitchen or come back later and pay the difference. Amazingly, Lentil as Anything intend to keep running their business with their philosophy intact. So, if you're the giant stingebucket robbing this goodhearted chain of their livelihood, or you've seen 'friends' leave a couple of bucks for a giant LAA meal, check yourself. Don't be a tightass and leave Lentil as Anything what they're due. Via Good Food.
Redfern's much loved ramen shop RaRa has garnered a cult-like following since opening its doors in 2018. Those who've visited the joint will have seen lines around the block, which start to form even before the restaurant opens for dinner service. Now, lucky Sydneysiders have doubled their chance to taste a bowl of the restaurant's ramen. RaRa Randwick has opened within the recently launched Newmarket Dining Precinct — and it boasts bigger digs, an extended menu and its very own window-framed noodle room. "We have been thrilled with the response and amount of interest and patronage at Redfern," says Scott Gault who co-owns the restaurants with Katie Shortland. "Opening a second site will be a good chance for more Sydneysiders to experience what RaRa offers." [caption id="attachment_761118" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Executive Chef Terry Jeon (ex-Spice Temple) is a self-proclaimed ramen fanatic. At the new outpost, Joen is making the noodles daily using an imported noodle machine — in a dedicated noodle-making room with large windows. Plus, all of the soups are still made from scratch in a special pressure cooker using all free-range meat and eggs. The full RaRa Redfern menu is available at Randwick, too, but the new joint is also set to launch plenty of brand new dishes, which will be available in the coming weeks. While the menu is not quite yet finalised, expect the likes of chicken and vegan katsu curries, pork and corn korokke (Japanese croquettes), chicken karaage and a variety of onigiri options. Another new specialty will be the hiyashi chuka — a Japanese cold noodle salad with sous-vide shredded chicken breast, topped with house pickles and goma dare sesame dressing. [caption id="attachment_761114" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] For drinks, expect more imported Japanese beers and local cans from Yullis Brews, as well as natural wines by the glass and other Japanese specialties like sake, highballs and umeshu sodas. And, similarly to Redfern, the space will have a mix of glowing red neon and light timber elements — just much larger. It was designed by Aphora Architecture, whose team took a trip back to Japan in order to prepare for the build. "As with Redfern, the store layout is focused on connecting the diner to the theatre involved in the preparation of various handmade elements of the ramen, which is ultimately at the heart of the RaRa spirit," says head designer Andrew Forsyth. [caption id="attachment_761119" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] That voyeuristic noodle room we mentioned earlier sits near the entrance and allows patrons to watch all of the noodle-making in action. Meanwhile, at the other end of the restaurant, smoke from the char siu grill offers its own form of 'theatre'. We recommend pulling up a stool at the wrap-around bar, which sits central to the space and allows you to enjoy all of restaurant's entertainment. RaRa Randwick is now open at Shop 1/162- 164 Barker Street, Randwick. Opening hours are Monday through Wednesday from 11.30am–9.30pm, Thursday through Friday from 11.30am–10pm, Saturday from noon–10pm and Sunday from noon–8pm. Images: Kitti Gould
With catastrophic weather conditions saturating Queensland and New South Wales over the past week, good news has been in very short supply. Enter the team at Sikh Volunteers Australia, which has put in an enormous effort to help folks affected by flooding in northern New South Wales. Their actions can only be described as heartwarming, feel-good, wholesome and just all-round ace. Any other synonym for great, nice, lovely and generous that you can think, it'd fit as well. The charity, which has a mission to provide people in need with free food, is based in Melbourne. But after seeing that its services could be used further north as the devastating weather hit, its members hit the road. Cue a 34-hour drive to serve free, freshly cooked vegetarian meals to flood-affected communities in Lismore — which has been doing it tough after the wet conditions moved through the regional town earlier in the week. Team is serving free meals to flood affected communities in Lismore NSW pic.twitter.com/BsO1HjEaJw — Sikh Volunteers Australia (@AustraliaSikh) March 3, 2022 Originally, the plan was to head to Queensland — so that drive would've been even longer — but, based on community response, the Sikh Volunteers decided that there was more need for their services in Lismore. They arrived yesterday, Wednesday, March 2, and have been dishing up free meals since. Sikh Volunteers Australia's efforts in Lismore follow the organisation's ongoing work in Melbourne, including delivering meals to COVID-19 cases during the recent Omicron wave — and, before that, via 320 dedicated volunteer drivers who did the same during the city's 2021 lockdown from August onwards. That's a huge effort, and the charity aims to expand its work to other parts of the country in the future, too. In Lismore now, Sikh Volunteers Australia has set up at 60 Ross Street, Goonellabah, and is providing free meals to anyone who needs them. For more information about Sikh Volunteers Australia, or to support their work via a donation, head to the organisation's website.
Known for its minimalist design, Japanese home goods giant MUJI made a sizeable leap back in 2015, adding houses to its range. As well as selling items to fill your home with, it started selling prefabricated homes as well. Compact but functional — and, perhaps most importantly, affordable — the new additions understandably garnered plenty of attention. But, while the company also released a tiny hut in 2017, it hasn't expanded its house lineup since. Until now, that is. And while MUJI's first three flat-pack houses were all multi-storey abodes made for city living, it has just designed its first one-storey version. Called Yano-no-ie, it's a response to customer demand — and its designed to adapt to different living requirements. Thanks to sliding doors that open out onto a deck, it's also the result of a concerted effort to combine indoor and outdoor living. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2atw0eHEUu/ Taking over 73 square metres of floor space, with a total construction area of 91.50 square metres, Yano-no-ie's standard configuration features a bedroom, living area, combined kitchen and dining room, bathroom and outdoor area — so, as you'd expect, it keeps things simple. That said, its spaces are meant to be multifunctional. The bedroom features furniture that can be used throughout the day as well, for example, with the company suggesting that you can deploy it as a place for reading or using a computer throughout the day, and to have a drink in of an evening. Designed in a box shape, Yano-no-ie is fashioned out of wooden siding made from Japanese cedar. Linking in with MUJI's existing products, it's made to accommodate the brand's storage range in its kitchen — and, in the bathroom, it features the same type of wash basin used in MUJI's hotels. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wNEt9HMkc/ Like MUJI's existing prefab homes, it's also far more economical than your average house, starting at 15.98 million yen or around AU$211,000. Alas, although the company has stores in Sydney and Melbourne — including its first Australian MUJI concept store — the houses aren't available to buy outside of Japan as yet. Via: MUJI.
Australians do many cuisines very well. Arguably, Mexican isn't one of our strong suits. Whether it's our geographical distance or aversion to spice, Australian-Mexican food can often pale in comparison to the bold flavours the authentic dishes are known for. San Pancho, a taquería in Marrickville, aims to subvert this stereotype. The taquería opened its doors in June 2024 with one premise: cooking food the way it's eaten day-to-day in Mexico. The founders chose Marrickville from a line-up of Sydney suburbs for its authenticity. "It's a neighbourhood where food is part of everyday life, not something overly polished or staged. San Pancho belongs in that kind of setting. Somewhere casual and grounded, where substance matters more than spectacle," says co-owner and chef, Roberto Garcia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Pancho Taqueria (@sanpancho_taqueria) The restaurant takes its name from a beach town in western Mexico, adding to the laidback and warm energy of the communal dining setting. "These are the flavours of our childhood, the dishes from our Abuela's table, and the spirit of the taquerías that bring people together every day." Roberto studied Culinary Arts in Puebla, Mexico, and grew up with a principle of Mexican food: to be simple yet bold. "That background shapes everything I cook, with a focus on flavours that feel true to Mexico, without overexplaining or dressing them up for trend. What I do is straightforward: cook real Mexican food, the way it's meant to taste." What are the flavours that define Mexican cuisine? While we may assume that it's all heat and power, Roberto shares that Mexican food is actually about balance. "Acidity, heat, richness, freshness. Each element has its place. Mexican food isn't about overpowering flavours, but about how they work together." San Pancho's enchiladas suizas, Roberto's most recommended menu item, are just this. Comforting, straightforward, and all about balance rather than complexity. If you want to impress your dinner guests with your own Mexican food that tastes straight out of Oaxaca, these are the staples to keep in your pantry, according to Roberto. View this post on Instagram A post shared by San Pancho Taqueria (@sanpancho_taqueria) Fresh herbs Roberto recommends using fresh herbs to garnish your Mexican dishes. While coriander, oregano and salt may come to mind instantly, one spice you may not have in your pantry is epazote. The traditional herb (also named Mexican tea) is used in chilli sauces and Mexican bean dishes. It'll add a strong blend of mint, citrus and anise to your dishes, creating that unmistakable Mexican taste. Dried chillies A range of chillies (not just Sriracha) is a must for authentic Mexican flavour. Morita, guajillo, pasilla, ancho and arbol chillies all add the Mexican heat and smoky flavours you know and love. Each brings its own balance of sweetness, depth and heat, forming the backbone of countless traditional salsas, garnishes and marinades. Handmade tortillas Store-bought tortillas make a good substitute for busy people, but handmade tortillas will elevate your Mexican cuisine. Authentic tortillas are made of flour or corn, salt, and oil (or fat). The simple flavour of the crispy dough will make your flavours and spices stand out even more than pre-packaged tortillas. "With those basics," says Roberto, "you can already cook food that feels genuinely Mexican. It's less about having everything and more about using a few things properly." If you're ready to start cooking more authentic Mexican foods and flavours, Roberto recommends experimenting with a simple salsa roja (a smoky, tomato-based salsa) or salsa verde (a lime-centric green salsa). "It's where Mexican cooking really begins, and it teaches heat control, balance, and restraint." By investing a little more time in cooking and sourcing these pantry staples, your Mexican will taste more elevated than your usual burrito night. If you find yourself stuck, San Pancho's in Marrickville is always there to scratch the itch.
There's something special and foolproof about tapas bars. Gone is the anxiety of choosing your main and possibly missing out on something better, instead you're presented with a far-reaching spread of selections from the restaurant's menu. Combining the thrill of this experience with the luxurious atmosphere of a fine diner, Parlar offers tapas taken up a notch, with ingredients like sturgeon caviar, kingish and wagyu rump carpaccio on offer. The Catalan-inspired bar and restaurant is open in Potts Point, beside its accompanying French brasserie Franca. Both Franca and Parlar are the creation of owner Andrew Becher who has been running the popular French restaurant out of Macleay Street since 2019. "Sydney hasn't seen anything like this and I am incredibly excited to finally bring our Catalan-inspired fine diner to life," Becher says. "We have created a very special and unique offering that highlights the flavours and food of the Catalonian coastline and surrounding regions." Seating 45 guests indoors and 10 in the al fresco area, Parlar offers a range of share plates and a la carte dishes that take inspiration from the coastlines of Spain and Sicily. The obvious place to start is the oysters ($6), served with 15-year Cava mignonette. Highlights of the tapas include croquettes topped with caviar($40); an English muffin with chorizo, manchego and egg ($15); and an anchovy churro ($15). And the larger share plates include diamond clams paired with tomato and smoked salmon roe ($32), or bonito and white gazpacho ($46). The accompanying wine and cocktail list continues the Catalonian themes. "The wines we offer are largely made with ancient native varietals and using methods and techniques that are centuries old," General Manager Alex Cameron says. "There will also be plenty of interesting bottles open and available under the coravin system so you can try something different."
Tony Phillips' Veil examines cultural difference as both a construct and a shaping mechanism for our views in his depictions of Papua New Guinea. Disavowing primitivism, these pieces aim to show the inadequacy of the anthropological method of developing mutual understanding between cultures. Marianne Potts' prints in Catacombs and Caves engage with both her own heritage and the history of a place. Taking printmaking to the point of what she calls 'paper sculpture', Potts has undertaken as series of works depicting the 7000 year old system of caves and tunnels on the island of Malta, where she was born. Simultaneously close to home and focussed on incomprehension, Mike Barnard has created a series of paintings based on his experiences of watching news coverage of the war in Afghanistan. With a conceptual palette of updated Baudrillard, the works in What's on the other channel? place images 'torn from the headlines' in dialogue with the artist's domestic space, exploring the way we develop narratives in relation to our changing media context and interfaces. The most abstract set of works in these shows, Alexandra Clapham and Andrew Haining's some from the other, is also the most literal in its address of place. With raw-seeming geometric constructions, the work draws attention to its own occupation of space and functions as a framework for dimensionality. Image: Catacombs & Caves, Marianne Potts
As suburban geography goes, Sydenham sits in a curious spot. Wedged at the meeting point of the Inner West, the Eastern Suburbs, the southwest and Sydney Airport, it's a suburb that, for many, is more thoroughfare than destination. But Sippenham, an intimate 20-seater on Unwins Bridge Road, is giving you a reason to stop and stay for a while, one plate of pasta and one glass of natural wine at a time. Sippenham opened in autumn 2025, but it's been in the works for a while. The idea was born during lockdown, when co-owners Stephen Mandis and Nick Giannopoulos, lifelong mates and housemates at the time, started dreaming about opening a venue of their own — Giannopoulos had been helming the kitchen of his family's restaurant on the lower north shore, which for years had been a go-to for their crew, and was also where Mandis had his first post-corporate hospitality gig. [caption id="attachment_1011479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Trevena[/caption] "The romance grew from there," says Mandis. "I wanted to open my own place to call a home away from home, somewhere we could celebrate music, wine, good food made with love. Somewhere we could grow and leave a legacy." Inspired by a trip to east London, where restaurants double as late-night hangouts filled with dancing, culture and community, the pair set out to bring that same energy back to Sydney — and at Sippenham, they've done just that. Sydenham wasn't a surprising choice for them, but the obvious one. "Sydenham, Tempe, St Peters and anything cradled by Princes Highway in our eyes are some of the coolest parts of the Inner West," Mandis says. "Graffiti meets parklands meets gorgeous streets meets factories — it's got a bit of everything, and it reminded us of London a lot. There's a charm to it. We adore it." [caption id="attachment_1011482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Trevena[/caption] That energy, combined with the fact that Mandis' dad grew up in the suburb, meant that the location felt like a natural home for Mandis' and Giannopoulos' "home away from home". And their neighbours have responded in kind: "So far the locals have loved it," Mandis tells us. "We want to encourage the ones who haven't to please get in here and enjoy what we have built for them, for the community. Sippenham exists for the people who walk by, gaze in, make a booking or walk through and ask for a wine and a snack. We absolutely love hearing 'We just live down the road!'." The menu is rooted in memory as much as technique. Giannopoulos comes from a family of chefs, and his dishes reflect a lifetime of shared meals — "be it lockdown, family barbecues, or the thing we love the most, a hug from our grandmother," as Mandis puts it. Pasta is the focus, but meze and entrees draw their influence from throughout the Med. It's complemented by a wine list created in concert with Lo-Fi Wines that's all natural and entirely approachable, as well as beer by Marrickville's (Sydenham Road, specifically) Philter. Music is central to the Sippenham experience — playlists are curated weekly and could feature anyone from Skepta and Craig David to The Stone Roses and DMA's, plus, vinyl nights are in the works. There's strong house party energy here, but that's entirely the point. "We're casual, and our walls are adorned in photos of us, our city, our mates, our favourite athletes, sports teams and music artists," says Mandis. "It's like walking into your mate's place, and I couldn't be prouder of that." [caption id="attachment_1011483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Trevena[/caption] Top images: Sam Trevena.
Surry Hills has scored a new neighbourhood wine bar, and it's doing things a little differently. For starters, food is the focus — though given the names behind the Reservoir Street spot, that should come as no surprise. 40Res is the first solo venture by Josh Raine, who led the kitchen at the celebrated (and now closed) Tetsuya's as executive chef from 2018–2024, and is also the first chef in residence and culinary director at the MCA's Restaurant Canvas. Chef-owner Raine has tapped Micheal Tran (ex-Clove Lane and The Bellevue) to head the kitchen. Both chefs honed their skills in Michelin-starred kitchens in England, with Raine at Pied à Terre and Tran at Hibiscus, and they're now bringing their creativity and technical nous to a relaxed, deliberately understated setting. "We're not fluffing — it's just super tasty food," says Raine. "Simple, but really, really good. It's the kind of food we want to eat with a glass of wine." So, what kind of food would two excellently credentialled chefs want to eat with a glass of wine? They might begin with an elevated take on fish fingers, served with a rich, zingy pil-pil sauce. For something larger, they might opt for an elegant cacio e pepe in which the traditional cheesy sauce is reimagined as a light, airy foam, ensuring indulgence without heaviness. "We take a fine dining mentality when it comes to refinement but bring it into a more casual, accessible setting," says Tran. "We wanted to do things differently — to create a neighbourhood spot where chefs can have fun [and] cook great food." The menu, which is constantly evolving, showcases the best of Australian ingredients, and is influenced by the chefs' personal travels and culinary journeys. It'll always feature a pasta and a risotto, as well as two larger proteins, meaning the venue can accommodate those looking for a quick snack and a glass of wine or a fuller dining experience. The wine program follows a similar ethos, with a focus on boutique producers and winemaking integrity. Most wines are available by the glass, with a focus on Australian and European makers. It's thoughtfully curated, approachable, and a smart complement to a similarly thoughtful food offer. 40Res is now open for walk-ins and bookings — and there's no time limit on bookings. How's that for doing things differently? Find 40Res at 40 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills. For more info and bookings, head to the venue's website. Images: Nick de Lorenzo.
UPDATE: APRIL 4, 2019 — Unfortunately all tickets to Rone's Empire sold out extremely fast so, unless you are one of the ticketholders, you won't be able to see it IRL. But you can still look at the pictures here. Melbourne's acclaimed street artist Rone has launched his latest beauty-meets-decay installation — and this time, it's taken over a deserted art deco mansion in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges. Empire has transformed the 1930s estate into an exhibition combining art, vision, sound, light and VR (as well as scent and botanical design) to take visitors on an immersive multi-sensory experience. Empire is set in the 'decaying glory' of the Burnham Beeches mansion, which is now owned by the Vue Group but has been vacant for over 20 years. The exhibition spans 12 (previously empty) rooms over multiple storeys and centres around a series of the artist's signature 'Jane Doe' monochrome portraits — the muse for which is actress Lily Sullivan (Mental, Picnic at Hanging Rock). Apart from the murals, the art deco-era furnishings are courtesy of interior stylist Carly Spooner (Fitzroy's The Establishment Studios), who also worked on Rone's The Omega Project. The rooms have been furnished with over 500 antique pieces, including a moss-covered grand piano — which was left exposed in the open garden for several weeks to attain an aged effect. The four seasons play a major role in Empire, and this varying atmosphere was accomplished by a team of specialists. These include seasonal botanical installations by design studio Loose Leaf, scent design by Kat Snowden and lighting design by John McKissock. These go alongside a multi-channel sound work by composer Nick Batterham, who recorded ambient audio in the estate's gardens across different seasons. Expect a hauntingly beautiful vibe of an era gone by, as Rone seeks to create an ambiguous storyline that can be felt by each guest individually. Rone takes personal inspiration for the space from the Mark Romanek-directed music video for the Johnny Cash cover of Hurt (originally by Nine Inch Nails) — which should give a sense of what you're in for. The mansion began as the family home to wealthy industrialist Alfred Nicholas, before becoming a research facility, then a children's hospital, luxury hotel and finally falling into disrepair in the late 1990s. It was bought, along with the estate, by Shannon Bennett's Vue Group in 2010 — while the mansion has remained deserted, the group has opened a cafe and bakery on the property. The project took one year to complete and is Rone's largest yet. It's a follow up of sorts to the artist's 2017 installation The Omega Project, in which he similarly created an exhibition in a condemned family home in the inner north just before it was demolished. Empire by Rone will be on display from March 6 until April 22 at Burnham Beeches, 1 Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke. All tickets are unfortunately sold out.
The Ezra team backed up with a buddy venue just one door down on Pott's Point's buzzing Kellett Street with Raja. This contemporary Indian eatery delivers a menu of flavour-packed eats that go above and beyond your expectations of the cuisine, and is fast becoming a contender for one of Sydney's best Indian restaurants. Former Firedoor chef Ahana Dutt leads the kitchen, bringing over the celebrated restaurant's passion for produce-driven cooking. Raja works closely with a serious list of dynamite local producers (including The Gourmet Goat Lady, Newcastle Greens and CopperTree Farms) in creating a menu that pulls the best seasonal ingredients into the foreground. Dutt has teamed up with Ezra and Raja co-owners Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden to conceptualise this celebration of some of the tastiest dishes you've probably never tried — yet. There's galho, a northeast Indian rice soup that shares more similarities to Chinese cooking than your typical Indian affair; albacore 'toast' featuring pathrado, a bread generally found on the Konkani coast that Dutt perfected while working in Mumbai for three years; and goat riblets which are perfectly paired with the Raja Cutter cocktail. The cocktails have been curated with help from PS40's Michael Chiem, resulting in a list that continues the through-line of Indian spices from the food — with creations like the aforementioned Cutter and a jackfruit Old Fashioned. "I'm Indian and I feel a lot of pride in being about to showcase that food," Dutt told Concrete Playground. "I think there is a lot of food that goes underrepresented — not just here but even in India because it is such a big country it's just not actually possible to know everything." Raja is offering up your very best opportunity to expand your horizons. Images: Nikki To
Located a mere 40-minute drive from Auckland CBD, Kumeu has become one of New Zealand's most versatile drinking and dining destinations. Here, you'll find lush rolling hillsides, stunning natural sights and a high concentration of family-run estates. It's also the perfect backdrop for everything from cosy winter lunches to celebratory family feeds, casual summer picnics and a slew of wine-related tastings, tours and experiences. If you're after a short break, flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand offers great everyday direct fares from all three cities. Here are our picks for where you should head for a glass (or two) once you've touched down. WEST BROOK WINERY Nestled amongst the gently undulating hillside of the Ararimu Valley, West Brook Winery is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque pit-stops on this tour of the west. Framed by row after row of glorious grape vines, the cellar door is fully equipped with a serene view out over the terraces toward a lily pond. While the tranquil grounds offer warm respite from the stresses of the working week, the real treat at West Brook must be its comprehensive menu of cellar door experiences. Designed to please every level of wine lover (from the curious to the aficionado), these packages have every budget catered for with prices between $6 and $50 per person for wine tastings, wine and cheese matches and the full monty tasting tour. Consistently applauded for its flawless production of chardonnay and riesling varieties, it's the Sparkling Crackling Rosé which has proven to be most popular with punters. And with tasting notes such as raspberry, mandarin and paprika, it's not a surprise. THE HUNTING LODGE WINERY Despite a history that stretches all the way back to 1868, current owners the Sutton family have reinvented The Hunting Lodge as one of Auckland's most exciting restaurant destinations. Positioned atop 80 acres of lush green hillside, The Hunting Lodge has a lot to offer, from the rustic cellar door and lawn bar through to the slick restaurant, olive groves, manicured gardens and family zone. You'll envisage a way to celebrate every kind of occasion. Summers here are synonymous with Mediterranean-style platters and a glass or two of dry chardonnay, yet a transition to the approaching winter should also get you excited — imagine curling up in the comfort of the homestead sampling the rich, gamey flavours of chef Des Harris' seasonal creations. Backed by a slew of industry accolades, which commend everything from the ambience to its aroma, The Hunting Lodge should skyrocket straight to the top of your 'to do' list. KUMEU RIVER WINES Winning international acclaim and the hearts of visitors far and wide, the family behind Kumeu River Wines definitely deserve some of the credit for putting New Zealand's chardonnay (and damn good pinot gris) on the map. Established in 1944 by Croatian migrants, the Brajkovich family, Kumeu River Wines may just be the most serious of the wineries on this list — but no less warm and inviting. With 40 hectares of vineyards, which bottle around 250,000 wines annually, the operation has become an international benchmark for non-Burgundy produced chardonnay. Stop in and soak up some serious wine knowledge from the incredibly informed team at the cellar door, where you taste up to five different drops for $5, while overlooking Maté's Vineyard just across the road. BABICH WINES Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's premier wine estates, Babich Wines has a distinct family history that filters into every aspect of the 103-year-old business. Managed by third generation family members, visitors to the flagship cellar door, winery and vineyard in Kumeu can expect a tender family atmosphere where nostalgia and comfort envelope you just like a hug from your nan. Arriving on the shores of Aotearoa in 1910 with a dream of gum digging in the far north, penniless Babich patriarch Josip gave the family a century's worth of family lore — anecdotes they are all too willing to share over the eight-strong tasting menu. The Babich family has traded the traditional restaurant for an easy-going picnic area — a feature which ensures the focus remains on the award-winning wines. Along with a game of petanque, guests are encouraged to bring their own nosh to be enjoyed with an impressive selection of in-house drops. Or, you can nab a spot on the sunny verandah and enjoy a glass of the East Coast Vintara while overlooking the vines. SOLJANS ESTATE Like many other successful wineries across Auckland's west, Souljans Estate Winery began and continues to thrive as a family business. From humble beginnings in 1937, it has become one of the neighbourhood's most visited wineries today. Soljan is known for producing pinot gris, chardonnay and pinotage from its picture-perfect vineyard. Plus, visitors might be surprised to find that its Fusion Sparkling Muscat is, in fact, New Zealand's most awarded sparkling wine — and an ideal accompaniment to a feast of Mediterranean bites at the adjoining restaurant. The sunny grounds are completed with a casual cage and a surprisingly decent gift store. Soljans has cemented its place in the hearts and bucket lists of wine-lovers both near and far. Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away. Plus, Vinomofo has released a case of wine featuring six delicious wines representing the diverse and unique sub-regions of Waiheke, Kumeu and Matakana. Every case has a one in 50 chance of winning return flights to Auckland (from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane). T&Cs apply.
As 2025's Sydney Film Festival announced at its closing-night gala, if you caught Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident at this year's fest, then you saw the latest winner of the Sydney Film Prize. If you sat down to Songs Inside, Floodland and Wilfred Buck, you also watched 2025's recipients of the event's Documentary Australia Award, Sustainable Future Award and First Nations Award. There's more accolades where they came from, too — this time decided not by juries, but by festivalgoers. If you voted in SFF's 2025 Audience Awards at the fest's highest-selling year in its history, then you had a hand in selecting the picks for Australian feature, Australian documentary, international feature and international documentary — plus their runners up. Over 23,000 votes were received across the four fields, with the winners showcasing the breadth of flicks on offer at this year's festival. Aussie animation Lesbian Space Princess — which features The Pitt's Shabana Azeez among its voice cast — added the Best Australian Narrative Feature Audience Award to its growing haul, after collecting the Teddy Award at this year's Berlin International Film Festival. Its counterpart in the international field: All That's Left of You, about a Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank. In the documentary categories The Raftsmen and Prime Minister took out the top prizes, the first for chronicling an effort to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1973 and the second for a portrait of Jacinda Ardern. "These four films are powerful examples of the fantastically diverse kinds of storytelling that move, inspire and connect with audiences," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs' Lesbian Space Princess is a singular achievement in animated cinema. This wildly imaginative feature is hilarious, heartfelt and unapologetically out there — and our audiences adored it." "The Raftsmen is a gripping and meditative exploration of adventure and human endurance. Chadden Hunter's evocative storytelling, blending archival 16mm footage with survivor testimony, brings to life one of the great oceanic journeys in modern history." "Cherien Dabis' All That's Left of You is sweeping in scope and deeply personal in its portrayal of love, loss and legacy. Tracing seven decades of Palestinian history through one family's experience, it is an emotionally resonant and beautifully crafted film that left Sydney audiences spellbound," Moodley continued. "Finally, Prime Minister offers a rare and deeply human look behind the scenes of political leadership. With unprecedented access, this nuanced portrait of Jacinda Ardern captures a leader navigating major global and national crises with empathy and resolve — clearly something that resonated with audiences in these times." Dark comedy Birthright, Sundance Audience Award-winner DJ Ahmet, the World Porridge Making Championship-focused The Golden Spurtle and Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize recipient Cutting Through Rocks all claimed the runner-up spots. Sydney Film Festival Audience Award Winners Australian Feature Winner: Lesbian Space Princess Runner up: Birthright Australian Documentary Winner: The Raftsmen Runner up: The Golden Spurtle International Feature Winner: All That's Left of You Runner up: DJ Ahmet International Documentary Winner: Prime Minister Runner up: Cutting Through Rocks Sydney Film Festival 2025 ran from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. The fest is screening via Sydney Film Festival's 2025 Back By Popular Demand bonus screenings at Dendy Newtown, Palace Cinemas Norton Street and Ritz Cinemas Randwick until Friday, June 20. For more information and tickets, head to the festival's website.
When Lorde announced that she'd be bringing her Ultrasound world tour to Australia in 2026, Sydneysiders and Melburnians embraced the green light to buy presale tickets. In fact, the demand for the Aotearoan star's Qudos Bank Arena and Rod Laver Arena gigs has been so huge that new shows in both cities have already been announced — before general tickets to the originally locked-in concerts even go on sale. In February 2026, the 'Royals', 'Solar Power' and 'What Was That' singer-songwriter will hit the stage across both Australia and New Zealand, making dates with arenas at every stop across a six-city run. Sydney and Melbourne are now hosting not one gig apiece, but two. Ella Yelich-O'Connor is playing the Harbour City on Wednesday, February 18 and again on Thursday, February 19, then the Victorian capital on Saturday, February 21 as well as Sunday, February 22. These are the final Sydney and Melbourne dates that'll be added to the tour. [caption id="attachment_1012905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Okpako/WireImage[/caption] Lorde last took her Solar Power tour to Australia in 2023. Her new series of concerts begins in September 2025 in the US — and also includes gigs in Canada, the UK and across Europe before this year is out. When the initial Australian and NZ dates were revealed, they came fresh from Yelich-O'Connor's surprise 2025 Glastonbury set, as well as her fourth album Virgin releasing at the end of June. The latter debuted at number one in Australia and New Zealand alike. This is Lorde's biggest tour of her career in general, too, with nights at the likes of Madison Square Garden in New York City and O2 Arena in London already sold out. [caption id="attachment_1012901" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thistle Brown[/caption] Featuring the aforementioned 'What Was That' — her first original new track in four years — alongside 'Man of the Year', 'Hammer', 'Favourite Daughter' and 'Shapeshifter', Virgin also hit number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. There might be a three-year gap between Lorde's last Down Under shows and her upcoming Ultrasound tour concerts; however, in addition to writing and recording Virgin, she's been busy making a surprise Sydney club appearance back in May 2025 at a Lorde-themed night. Since 2013, when her debut record Pure Heroine arrived, Yelich-O'Connor has also released 2017's Melodrama and 2021's Solar Power, won two Grammys, picked up a Golden Globe nomination for 'Yellow Flicker Beat' from the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 and notched up over 18 billion streams worldwide. [caption id="attachment_1012904" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Okpako/WireImage[/caption] Lorde Ultrasound World Tour 2026 Australian Dates Monday, February 16 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Wednesday, February 18–Thursday, February 19 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, February 21–Sunday, February 22 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 25 — Perth Arena, Perth Lorde is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2026, with ticket presales for the new shows from 2pm local time on Thursday, July 17, 2025 and general sales for all shows from 2pm on Friday, July 18, 2025 — head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Thistle Brown.
Sydney's Powerhouse Museum will no longer close its current Ultimo base and move to a new site in Parramatta, with the New South Wales government backflipping on the relocation. Instead, the museum will retain its existing venue, keeping it open — however, it will still also forge ahead with the new western Sydney location, which'll become one of four sites used by the museum in the Greater Sydney area. The news reverses a five-year-old plan, with the move first announced back in 2015, designs for the new facility released in 2019 and the venue slated to open in 2023. While staunchly backed by the NSW Government until now, the relocation has earned both opposition and controversy since it was first revealed, including concerns around the cost (which has been earmarked at $645 million, but could hit $1 billion), the fact that St George's Terraces and the heritage-listed 1800s villa Willow Grove will need to be knocked down, and worries that the new Parramatta site could be subject to flooding when wet and stormy weather hits. Powerhouse's Ultimo site was originally due to start closing its operations in Ultimo to the public from July 1, 2020, so the announcement is particularly timely. In a statement about the news, Powerhouse CEO Lisa Havilah said that it gives the organisation "the opportunity to continue the legacy of our historic site at Ultimo while building towards our new home of science and technology at Powerhouse Parramatta". President of the Museum of Applied Arts and Science Trust Professor Barney Glover AO added that "it will give visitors to the Museum's four sites unprecedented access to our extensive collection, in particular at Powerhouse Parramatta which will become the jewel in the crown for our unique cultural institution". The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, with the forthcoming Parramatta venue considered Powerhouse's centrepiece, the Ultimo site may focus on fashion and design — hosting both free and ticketed exhibitions from both fields. [caption id="attachment_755479" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Render of Powerhouse's Parramatta site[/caption] As for the construction of the new Parramatta venue, that's clearly still going ahead. In a statement reported by The Guardian, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet advised that the city will "have a world-class facility for the people of western Sydney, a world-class facility here in Ultimo and that's what our people deserve here in our state". Premier Gladys Berejiklian added that "this will allow us to provide an outstanding visitor experience in the areas of technology, science, engineering and design at two major locations". When the Parramatta site opens, it'll be the first time that one of the state's five major cultural institutions will be located in Sydney's west, spreading the city's cultural footprint to an area where third of the state's population live. The Powerhouse Museum is currently located at 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, with the organisation's new Parramatta museum slated to open in 2023.
Take a must-visit Paris art museum, an acclaimed Victorian gallery, an iconic French painter and one of the world's most influential architects, mix them all together, and Australia's latest huge exhibition is the end result. So is something unsurprisingly stunning: the world premiere of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi at the NGV International in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria's revolving door of blockbuster exhibitions shows no sign of slowing, with this exceptional meeting of creative minds announced earlier in 2023, and now gracing its halls from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. When the temperature dips each year, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series kicks in — and, as created in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, home to the world's largest collection of Bonnard works, this ode to Bonnard and Mahdavi is the current centrepiece. On display: more than 100 pieces by the famed French artist, but seen through a fresh lens. Helping provide that new perspective is scenography by internationally renowned architect and designer Mahdavi, in a major showcase that was originally slated to debut in 2020 before the pandemic did its thing. An icon of late 19th- and early 20th-century art, and a good mate of Henri Matisse, Bonnard is known for his colourful, textural depictions of French life, offering stylised yet subtle glimpses of intimate domestic scenes, urban backdrops and natural landscapes. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi includes a hefty collection of the artist's own paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and other decorative objects, alongside works from his contemporaries — including Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Félix Vallotton and cinematic pioneers the Lumière brothers. Attendees can expect to step through Bonnard's early artistic days in the 1890s, highlighting his focus on Parisian street life; his evolution from there, including when he started focusing on more domestic scenes as inspired by his relationship with his companion Marthe Bonnard; and his love of landscape, especially from 1910 onwards, and as influenced by his fellow pal Claude Monet. Numerous pieces are on loan from the Musée d'Orsay, as well as other museums and private collections in Europe, Australia and the USA. The NGV's own collection also includes significant works, however, including Bonnard's 1900 painting La Sieste (Siesta). Considered one of the world's most influential architects, multi-award-winning Mahdavi has been commissioned to help bring the historic pieces to life via her scenography, tasked with creating a setting that complements Bonnard's signature use of colour and light. The results aren't just spectacular — they're dreamy. "Monsieur Bonnard and I share the same passion: colour," Mahdavi explains of the exhibition. "I love his subjective perception of colour — the way he transforms the intimacy of everyday life into something sublime." "Pierre Bonnard is one of the most captivating artists of the post-impressionist movement. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience his work within a vivid scenography designed by India Mahdavi, one of the world's leading designers working today. Both the artist and the designer are celebrated for their ingenious use of colour, which made them a natural and authentic pairing for this NGV-exclusive exhibition," adds Tony Ellwood AM, the NGV's director. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi runs at the NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. For more information, see the venue's website. Images: Installation view of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi, on display from June 9–October 8, 2023 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Lillie Thompson.
In the area hedged by Central, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst sits Sydney's Hollywood Quarter, the locale home to some of our faves: Paramount House, NOMAD, Butter and NEL (at a glance). And while Vivid Sydney is here, the micro-precinct is rolling out a lineup of events to warm up your winter. If you only have time to head to one venue, Hotel Hollywood is a primo choice. From Friday, May 26 till Saturday, June 17, a whole range of musos will be bringing live performances and art to the Foster Street corner spot adding energy to an already loved venue. Commissioned by the Hollywood Quarter's curators Arts-Matter, multidisciplinary First Nations artist Jazz Money (pictured below) is illuminating their words across the walls of the classic pub, which has a rich feminist history. In a nod to this past and to the key themes in Money's creative practices, the words 'Light Beyond Horizon' will shine in neon until Saturday, June 17. The Hollywood was one of the rare safe spaces for women to drink in the 70s, and these three words reflect this: "There is always a light beyond the horizon that motivates us forwards," Money shares. [caption id="attachment_902806" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Hay[/caption] The fun isn't saved for the weekends here — there's live music at 8pm every night from Wednesday through Saturday, and entry's free. On Wednesday, June 7, a tag-team poetry performance will kick off, seeing Tug Dumbly and Benito Di Fonzo perform the best examples of their wit and lyricism. On Thursday, June 8, Illya Szwec's Irie Man will bring their 70s Jamaican blues and rock. And, on Saturday, June 10, local Sydney indie artist Chelsea Silva takes to the stage. There's plenty more, all delivering the makings of a groovy night out, so pick a date, grab your pals and head to the Hollywood Quarter this June. Hollywood Quarter's Hotel Hollywood will be hosting live music and poetry throughout Vivid Sydney 2023. For more information and to plan your trip, head to the website. Top images: James Schulz (first two).
In the area surrounded by Central, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills sits Sydney's Hollywood Quarter, the locale home to some of our faves: Paramount House, Butter, Hotel Hollywood and Pellegrino 2000, at a glance. And while Vivid Sydney is here, there's a staggering lineup of events to warm up your winter. So, if you're overwhelmed by the vast number of light-powered events, listen up: Sydney's Hollywood Quarter has all you need for a brilliant time. From Friday, May 26 till Saturday, June 17, a whole range of arty installations (curated by Arts-Matter), culinary pop-ups and live music performances will be taking over the micro-precinct — here are six of the best.
Rydges North Sydney has reopened its doors after an extensive refurbishment, unveiling a contemporary retreat designed for both business and leisure. Tucked down McLaren Street, the hotel promises quiet nights away from the hustle and bustle, but at only 50 metres from the Victoria Cross Metro station, you'll only be minutes away from Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay on the other side of the bridge — not to mention all the attractions around North Sydney. The transformation spans all 168 rooms and suites, including the new two-bedroom family rooms, which now feature bunk beds— a rare feature in hotels — as well as one-bedroom king suites (some with balcony) and a penthouse suite with stunning views across Sydney Harbour. Each room has been refreshed with neutral tones and a colour scheme inspired by local flora and the Australian landscape, with oodles of natural light and thoughtful additions like wireless charging next to the beds, creating a modern, tranquil atmosphere for guests. Rydges North Sydney now boasts North Sydney's largest conference and event space, with five newly designed meeting rooms. Spanning 399 square metres, the rooms are equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, making them ideal for corporate events, conferences, weddings and more. Guests can also enjoy the new Wattle Bar and Kitchen, which offers modern Australian dining, a fitness studio and secure underground parking—perfect for those who wish to travel by car but don't want to pay city parking fees. With its thoughtful design and prime location, Rydges North Sydney provides a stylish, comfortable base for exploring the city.
Opened in 2015, the six-hectare, harbourside park is one of the newest public spaces built in Sydney's CBD. It was constructed on the land of a former container terminal, built to mimic the shape of the shoreline as it would have existed before colonisation. And the park is named for the leader of the Cammeraygal people, Barangaroo. When you're visiting Barangaroo, it's likely you're here to walk or cycle along the promenade, Wulugul Walk, which snakes around the harbour with distinctive sandstone blocks that you can climb over and sit on. There's also a large, elevated grassy area called Stargazer Lawn, which is where you can lay out a picnic blanket and watch the harbour boats sail by. And underneath that grassy lawn there's an expansive events space called The Cutaway, which houses markets, public art exhibitions and photoshoots, depending on the events calendar. It's one of the few city parks where you're permitted to bring booze for your picnic. You can also purchase food and drink from nearby restaurants, bars and shops in Barangaroo. You don't need to book a spot in advance, however, if you are looking to invite more than 50 people you need to enquire with Barangaroo Reserve's Events team. Note, there's limited shade in the park and no barbecues. However, there are drinking fountains and public toilets, plus parking. Image: Destination NSW.
The Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble arrives at the Opera House with four Australian premiere works. The company, which generally tours, teaches and contributes to community in its New York stomping ground, aims to make modern dance and music accessible to all (note: a dance development program for people living with Parkinson's coincides with this tour). The company’s founder and namesake, Mark Morris, is known for joyful and witty works that attempt to shake up the dance world. A conductor and opera director (as well as dancer/choreographer), Morris makes dance works that have an intrinsic union with music. The company rehearses and performs with its own collective of musicians, so that music is one part of an evolving conversation between sound and movement, never an afterthought. The work of Mark Morris Dance Group is so invigorating, it prompted Fergus Linehan, former Sydney Festival director to remark, “Anyone who is interested in music, dance and art generally in the 20th and 21st century must see this work.”
As the source of those bright green hotdog buns and pancake stacks dominating your Instagram feed, entrepreneur Sarah Holloway knows a few things about how to spot (and start) a food trend. In 2014, she went from corporate lawyer to professional foodie when she started her own business, tea company Matcha Maiden, and then expanded it to vegetarian cafe Matcha Mylkbar (purveyor of said buns and stacks). A big part of her life (which she documents as @spoonful_of_sarah) involves swotting up on Melbourne's best food, drink and wellbeing offerings, so if total nourishment is what you aspire to on your upcoming visit to the city, she's an ideal guide. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In Melbourne, we've called in Sarah, whose favourite spots range from Burnley's happiness-promoting Serotonin Eatery to Windsor's degustation-sporting Morris Jones. A stay in one of Pullman's two locations in Melbourne — Albert Park or On the Park in East Melbourne — will not only put you in the thick of all this action, it will let you rest and digest in five-star luxury at the end of the day. Read on for Sarah's top Melbourne food hot spots in her own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. BREAKFAST AT MATCHA MYLKBAR My (completely non-biased, of course) Melbourne favourite is Matcha Mylkbar. It has everything I love in one spot (by no coincidence). Breakfast outings are my favourite way to start the day, food innovation and creativity are my great passions and healthy living is my philosophy. Our menu unites clean eating with satiation and excitement — plus it's a stone's throw from the beautiful beach in St Kilda. The "vegan egg" is a must-try! It's made from coconut, sweet potato and turmeric, but the texture and protein content is almost like the real thing. BRUNCH AT SEROTONIN EATERY Happiness + cafe go together in my world, so eating at a "happiness cafe" speaks to my heart. Serotonin Eatery has beautiful, colourful, nourishing bowls, served in a happiness-promoting environment complete with swings, tucked away in leafy Burnley. Don't miss the Positive Pancakes! Dehydrated organic bananas are ground into banana flour to make the pancakes, which are topped with banana nice-cream, coconut yoghurt and berries. ELIXIRS AT GREENE STREET JUICE I visit this stunning elixir bar filled with soul-replenishing goodness most days. Greene Street Juice's flagship "elixir bar" has the best juices in town, as well as smoothies, broths, tonics and even crystals. If you make one stop for your wellbeing from inside to out, make it here. The New Yorker smoothie — a twist on banana — is my favourite, but their concoctions range from alkaline activated charcoal and lemon water (Gotham City) to an energising carrot and beetroot juice with burdock root extract (The Bronx). MINDFUL MORNINGS AT GREENFIELDS This beautiful new venue on Albert Park Lake mainly caters to events, but it also hosts a monthly "Mindful Morning" with meditation, yoga, tunes and a delicious healthy breakfast from their eatery. A truly nourishing experience for mind, body and soul! Greenfields focuses on which local, raw, organic and fermented ingredients, and if you miss the Mindful Morning, you can grab a la carte eats from Wednesday to Sunday instead. BITES OF ALL SIZES AT LBSS Literally the place where you can get a bite that's little, big, sweet or salty, LBSS (Little Big Sugar Salt) in Abbotsford is another favourite for breakfast or lunch with something to suit every palate. The seasonally changing Plate of Health is my favourite for something healthy, filling and delicious. The cafe is also known for offering "Eggs with Friends" — a spread of breakfast dishes for sharing selected by the chef. LUNCH AT URBAN PROJUICE Tucked away in a converted terrace house, Urban Projuice is the home of health. Run by a beautiful family who glow with vitality, the menu here is absolutely delicious, with lots of takeaway options too. I love to grab a snack then go for a walk around Albert Park Lake nearby. The Smoothie Bowls here include a Snickers-inspired option with cacao powder, natural peanut butter, banana, soy milk, dates and fresh seasonal fruit and nuts. QUICK CUPPA AT MAGIC ON FERRARS Not far away from Urban Projuice is the Melburnian coffee lover's best-kept secret, Magic on Ferrars. It's known for its amazing St Ali coffees and very cosy setting (its few seats are almost always occupied), but it also does a mean breakfast and a solid matcha latte using Matcha Maiden. I love popping by for meetings. AFTERNOON DELIGHTS AT PANA CHOCOLATE Even though I don't have a sweet tooth, there is nothing quite like a dessert experience at Pana Chocolate. Perfect for a guilt-free afternoon snack indulgence, the store on Church Street in Richmond not only stocks the range of Pana's beautiful organic, raw vegan chocolates but also offers a range of delectable dessert creations. I can't go past the cookie dough caramel slice, which features layers of crunchy activated buckwheat, chocolate cheesecake and cashew nuts, and is sweetened with agave and coconut nectar. DEGUSTATION DINNERS AT MORRIS JONES Morris Jones on Chapel Street, Windsor is one of our favourites for a night out. Head chef Matthew Butcher brings a wealth of experience and culinary flair to the degustation menu, which always keeps us entertained and infinitely satisfied. His Nitro Violet Crumble dessert is next level! It combines the flavours of violet ice cream, chocolate soil and frozen honeycomb, and the plating is finished at the table from a pot of liquid nitrogen. SEAFOOD SENSATIONS AT NOBU Our first foodie tradition ever was date night at Nobu, and eight years later, nothing has changed. This Melbourne outpost of the famous New York Japanese restaurant has been open at the Crowne since 2007, and overlooks the Yarra River. The miso cod keeps us coming back every time, along with some of the most exquisitely prepared seafood around town. Plus, don't miss the green tea dessert bento box! Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
Rather than a wasted day of woe, Sundays are meant for nourishment. For homecooked meals, meaningful chats and creative beverages. Over the weekend, Concrete Playground and Secret Garden — keen weekenders and lovers of good food, new friends and general tomfoolery — teamed up to create the ultimate Sunday fortress of fun: Cubby House. Taking over the stunning Strickland House, the very first instalment of Cubby House saw a temporary haven created purely for punters to reclaim the weekend. We feasted on braised Mirrool Creek lamb and fire baked whole cauliflower salad from Raven's Eye, had one too many Bloody Marys from the Golden Age bar, marvelled at Tracey Spicer talking sex robots, listened to Omar Musa school us on Rendra, tackled the heavier parts of the news with Tom Tilley and the Guardian journos, had our shoes polished, learnt how to do a cryptic crossword, played croquet on the lawn, and had our socks harmonised off by All Our Exes Live in Texas. Here's to reclaiming Sundays! Images: Samantha Hawker and Andy Fraser.
The Sydney Opera House is introducing an exciting addition to its myriad of renowned experiences. Joining one of Sydney's best restaurants in Bennelong, as well as the newly renovated Concert Hall, Opera Bar, House Canteen, the Utzon Room and a range of other tours, theatres and bars at the iconic harbourside venue, will be Midden by Mark Olive. Led by its namesake chef, this new restaurant will bring seasonal menus showcasing native ingredients to the space currently occupied by Portside. Midden by Mark Olive will open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, plus high tea on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Tuesday, July 4 in the Sydney Opera House's Western Foyer. A proud Bundjalung man, Olive will pull from thousands of years of First Nations cooking to create the produce-driven Midden menu. Shell middens are areas defined by large collections of shells discarded from local residents eating crabs, oysters and other shellfish. Tubowgule, the traditional name for the area the Sydney Opera House now resides on, was once a midden of oysters pulled fresh from the neighbouring harbour. "Middens were vibrant communal spaces with food at their core," says Olive. "Opening a restaurant at the Sydney Opera House on Tubowgule, Gadigal country is a dream come true. I could not be prouder to follow in the pioneering footsteps of leading Indigenous Australians like Rhoda Roberts, Justine Saunders and Stephen Page, who have brought incredible First Nations storytelling to this place over the past 50 years." Expect to start your meal with Sydney rock oysters in a bush tomato and wattle-seed vinaigrette, and damper bread infused with native herbs and partnered with whipped eucalyptus butter. Other snacks and starters available at Midden include native thyme hummus; smoked kangaroo salad; lemon myrtle and pepperberry-cured salmon; and an Indigenous Australian platter featuring highlights from the grazing menu alongside regional cheeses, tandoori crocodile, marinated artichoke and Tasmanian mountain pepper leaf flatbread. If you're still hungry after making your way through your entrées, there are heftier mains on offer including smoked blue gum barramundi, black olive pappardelle, braised wallaby shanks served with sweet potato rosti, and seared pork belly infused with the flavours of river mint and bush honey. "The land on which the Opera House stands was a gathering place for ceremony and culture for thousands of years before the building itself was ever conceived, and I hope the menu we've created will give guests a real taste of that millennia-old history and maybe even inspire some to cook with our vibrant native ingredients at home too," Olive continued. Reservations for the new waterfront restaurant are open now. Midden by Mark Olive will open at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, July 4. It will be open 11.30am–2.30pm and 5–8.30pm Monday–Sunday, and will run high tea on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Catching up for a drink on a rooftop bar is a tried and true Sydney tradition, and if you're on the hunt for a spot to enjoy some sky-high sips on Sussex Street, look no further than Above 319. The colourful inner-city watering hole is brought to life by an abundance of greenery, a bright neon sign and a rooftop pool, all setting the stage for a drinks menu of classic sips. Located on level 14 of the Vibe Hotel, this Darling Harbour destination leans into bright floral vibrancy with pink and orange branding and a fresh, crowd-pleasing selection of cocktails. Cucumber and rose petal G&Ts, passionfruit and vanilla mojitos, salted caramel espresso martinis and raspberry bellinis all grace the drinks list. If you've arrived with a group, opt for one of the shared jugs — the Volcano Punch combines spiced rum, peach liqueur, a heap of fruit and ginger beer, while the Smokin' Sangria is made with malbec wine, vodka, orange liqueur, pressed pineapple, orange juice and ginger beer. Located right by Darling Square and Haymarket, it's a lovely stopover to head before or after a hearty meal at one of Chinatown's top eateries. What more could you want from a Friday than a post-work drink up above the Sydney CBD followed by a trip to Spicy Joint or Porkfat?
About 40 minutes into the train ride from the city to Hornsby is the sleepy suburb of Turramurra, and across the platform, you'll spy the bright lights (and just as bright crowds) of Kipling's Garage Bar. If this isn't your stop, think again, you're looking at one of the best bars on the North Shore and the busiest spot between Gordon and Hornsby. The name speaks to the vision of the owners (who are locals of 20 years) but also the history of the site. The 'Kipling' is a tribute to well-known author Rudyard Kipling, who once said, "A man can never have too much red wine or too many books". The 'garage' refers to the fact that the site was once a mechanic garage, which also inspired the industrial-chic aesthetic of the interior. Now it's a classy wine and tapas bar, servicing stomachs instead of engines. There is no one theme to the menu, with interchanging lunch and dinner menus to suit all tastes and portion preferences. Lunch goers can enjoy hearty meals like classic fish and chips ($30) or a decadent mushroom spaghettini ($30). In contrast, dinner guests can enjoy a tapas-style menu of share plates featuring baked gnocchi ($15), salt-and-pepper calamari ($15) and three-cheese zucchini flowers ($16). The wine list is a local legend, but there are also plenty of beer choices, cocktails, mocktails and non-alcoholic picks to suit the dish in front of you. You'll find Kipling's Garage Bar at 2 Eastern Road, Turramurra, about a 60-second walk from the train station. It's open seven days a week, and walk-ins are available, but reservations are recommended – though unavailable for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.
Not that you need one, but you've now got a fresh excuse to bring your pup along on that next holiday or staycation. Already pet-friendly hotel group Ovolo is upping the ante this September, with a slew of extra goodies in store for its four-legged guests. In honour of International Dog Day (August 26), Ovolo is beefing up its usual V.I.Pooch packages for stays between Thursday, September 1–Friday, September 30, at all of its Aussie hotels. It's teamed up with pet treat subscription service Waggly Club to offer furry travellers additional goody packs, filled with edible treats and toys to really get that tail wagging. Waggly's signature boxes are usually packed with a range of all-natural, Australian-made dog snacks, plus a chew treat, and a new toy or two for the collection. The popular V.I.Pooch package already includes a comfy dog bed for premium holiday snoozing, a special food and drink mat to help keep in-room mess to a minimum, and access to Ovolo's expert team of doggy support staff. The offer has been a hit since the hotel group introduced it back in 2020, helping to kick off a new wave of dog-friendly luxury hotel experiences here in Australia. The elevated V.I.Pooch package is available this September at Ovolo hotels nationwide — you'll find them in Melbourne (Laneways and Ovolo South Yarra), Sydney (The Woolstore 1888 and Woolloomooloo), Brisbane (The Valley and The Inchcolm) and Canberra (Nishi). [caption id="attachment_867004" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ovolo South Yarra[/caption] The V.I.Pooch x Waggly Club package is available at all Aussie Ovolo hotels throughout September, clocking in at $80 per pet. Has your pooch got the travel bug? Check out these other great dog-friendly stays.
Whether you're puffed out from tackling City2Surf or just seeking a different kind of cool down on a Sunday morning, Gelato Messina has teamed up with New Balance and the Unofficial Run Club for a one-day takeover in Bondi. This post-run recovery is sweeter than usual, featuring 2000 free scoops of gelato in two limited-edition flavours inspired by New Balance's high-performance footwear. Specifically, that'd be on-trend colourways of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5. With the same dedication as a world-class athlete, Messina's ice cream chefs have created a pair of winning flavours just for the occasion. You've got creamy choc malt gelato swirled with nougat gelato or the earthy notes of matcha gelato combined with swirls of dulce de leche. Scooping from 10am on Sunday, August 10, don't wait to make tracks to Gelato Messina Bondi. With these exercise-inspired flavours available on a first-come, first-served basis, plan a pitstop on the way home after the main event or treat it as motivation to embark on a mid-morning power walk.
Cherry blossom season in Japan is the stuff of dreams. From late March to early April, the air begins to warm, the cities transform into dreamy pink landscapes, and wherever you look, you'll feel like you've stepped right into a Studio Ghibli film. If you've ever dreamed of strolling under a canopy of cherry blossoms, Japan in cherry blossom season is a must. But with them only lasting a fleeting couple of weeks, making the most of your trip is all about good timing, great spots, and knowing what to do beyond just taking a few pretty photos. We've done the legwork and have found some ideas of how to do it right, from the best viewing locations to the ultimate cherry blossom-themed experiences, plus the perfect stays and special deals to top it all off. [caption id="attachment_997052" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Mauro Repossini via Getty Images[/caption] Hanami Viewing at Ueno Park One of Tokyo's most famous hanami (flower viewing) spots, Ueno Park is the heavyweight champion of cherry blossom season. With over 1,000 trees lining its wide paths, it's where locals and travellers alike gather to lay down their picnic blankets, crack open some sake and soak in the beauty of the season. If you're travelling with the family, it's got plenty of space for the kids to run around, with food stalls and even Ueno Zoo to keep everyone fed and entertained. For an overnight stay close to the action, MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East is just around the corner, offering modern apartment-style accommodation that's ideal for groups and families to unwind after a day of cherry blossom sightseeing. [caption id="attachment_997548" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa[/caption] Cherry Blossom Scenery on Sumida River Prefer your blossoms with a view in the backdrop? The Sumida River is where you'll want to start exploring. Running right through the heart of Tokyo, it's lined with pink cherry blossom trees that contrast beautifully against the Tokyo skyline. Spend your day taking a leisurely riverside walk, hop on an hourly departing water bus, or take the scenic route back to your hotel to see the trees at night. Just minutes away, MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa puts you right in the thick of the riverside action, with spacious rooms and a prime location to explore the best of Tokyo's cherry blossoms. [caption id="attachment_997053" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robert Holmes via Getty Images[/caption] Cherry Blossom Keepsakes From Tokyo Disney If you're travelling with kids (or just love a touch of nostalgia) then Tokyo Disney's cherry blossom experience is an ideal way to experience the serenity, but not compromise on excitement. Each year, Disney also releases a special cherry blossom-themed collection that makes the perfect keepsake for your trip. Think pastel pink plush toys of all your favourite Disney characters, merch, accessories and collectible figurines. [caption id="attachment_997055" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Flavia Morchetti via Getty Images[/caption] Cherry Blossom-Themed Treats at Various Visiting Japan in spring means one thing: cherry blossom everything. Our advice? Lean into it fully. Start your morning with a blossom-infused latte at MOSCA by Ginger Garden, grab some cherry blossom mochi from Muji, and if you're feeling indulgent, treat yourself to the stunning floral dessert collection at Haute Couture Cafe. Sweet, pink, and Instagram gold. Immersive Cherry Blossom Art at TeamLab Planets For something that feels straight out of a dream, check out TeamLab Planets and their popular 'Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers' exhibit. You'll find yourself completely immersed in a surreal world of cherry blossoms, creating the ultimate immersive hanami experience, one that you can't find anywhere else in the country. [caption id="attachment_997058" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Showkaku Sano via Getty Images[/caption] Explore Cherry Blossom-Coated Landscapes Around Tokyo If you're up for a little adventure beyond Tokyo, Mount Yoshino is the perfect change of pace. Home to over 30,000 cherry trees covering the slopes in every shade of pink, it's one of Japan's most breathtaking destinations year-round, but especially during the blossom season. Pair it with a day trip to Nara Park via a 90-minute express train ride from Mount Yoshino, where you can stroll among freely roaming deer under the trees. After a day of exploring, head back to MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo. Smack bang in central Kyoto, it's a comfy base with easy rail access to both Nara Park (about an hour) and Mount Yoshino (around 90 minutes). Plus, you're within walking distance of Gion's many shopping and dining options. Where to Stay to Support Your Trip Cherry Blossom season is busy, and finding the right place to stay makes all the difference. Designed with families and groups in mind, MIMARU offers apartment-style stays with the space you need to relax after a long day of exploring. Tokyo's cherry trees typically bloom from late March to early April, but if you miss the peak, don't stress. MIMARU staff all speak English and are on hand to recommend alternative sightseeing spots so you can still get your fill of springtime magic no matter the month. Visit the APARTMENT HOTEL MIMARU website for more information and book your stay using the code mimaru_cp for an extra 5% off your stay. *Reservation period: Until May 31, 2025 *For stay period: until December 31, 2025 *Applicable to reservations for 2-6 nights *Pokémon rooms are excluded *Discounts other than the MIMARU Member Program discount will not be applied. By Jacque Kennedy
Penélope Cruz didn't score an Oscar this year for Parallel Mothers. Her husband Javier Bardem didn't win one for Being the Ricardos, either. And, just a couple of years ago, Antonio Banderas also didn't nab a shiny Academy Award for Pain and Glory — but the three acclaimed actors are all winners at the 2022 Spanish Film Festival. The annual cinema showcase spotlights not just Spanish but also Latin American cinema, and it's back for another Aussie tour throughout April and May — hitting up Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Byron Bay. On the bill: 34 movies that hail from both regions, or tie into them in one way or another, including several with Cruz, Bardem and or Banderas at their centre. Kickstarting this year's Spanish Film Festival with the Cruz- and Banderas-starring Official Competition must've been the easiest programming choice in the fest's history. A filmmaking satire, it casts Cruz as a famous director entrusted to bring a Nobel Prize-winning novel about sibling rivalry to the screen, and enlists Banderas as a Hollywood heartthrob. Throw all of that together and it's clearly film festival catnip, as the movie's berths at overseas fests such as Venice, Toronto and San Sebastián have already shown — and it'll enjoy its Australia premiere as the Spanish Film Festival's opening night pick. The aforementioned — and sublime — Parallel Mothers is also on the lineup after releasing in Aussie cinemas earlier this year, if you missed it then. And, so are two Cruz-Bardem collaborations: Jamón Jamón, the pair's first film together, which marks its 30th anniversary in 2022, and 2017's Loving Pablo, which sees Bardem play Pablo Escobar. Of course, the Spanish Film Festival spans plenty of movies that don't star Spanish cinema's best-known acting names, too — with 2022 Goya-winning political drama Maixabel, fellow Goya-recipient Mediterráneo: The Law of the Sea, psychological horror flick The House of Snails, road-movie comedy Carpoolers, and the coming-of-age-focused Once Upon a Time in Euskadi also on the program. Or, there's Girlfriends, about childhood pals reuniting; dramatic thriller The Daughter, which hones in on a pregnant teen; mother-daughter drama Ama; the Himalayas-set Beyond the Summit; and The Cover, about a pop star impersonator. From the Cine Latino strand, ten films hail from the likes of Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic — including rom-com The Big Love Picture, thriller Immersion, the footballer-centric 9 and Goya-winner (yes, another one) Forgotten We'll Be. Plus, the lineup also includes Language Lessons, which is directed by and starring Natalie Morales (The Little Things), and also features Mark Duplass (Bombshell) — with the pair navigating an online setup to play a Spanish teacher and her student. And, there's sessions of the Spanish-language version of Disney's Encanto as well. SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: April 19–May 15: Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney April 20–May 15: Palace Electric, Canberra April 21–May 15: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema, Melbourne April 27–May 18: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Adelaide April 27–May 18: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX., Perth April 28–May 18: Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane April 29–May 15: Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The Spanish Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, April 19–Wednesday, May 18. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival's website.
Across from the Seymour Centre and hidden just out of view from the hustle of Cleveland Street is a real quacker of a pub. Yeah, you'd be a goose not to duck into The Duck Inn Pub & Kitchen — and everyone would be crying fowl if these avian puns continued, so here is where they'll end. Situated on Rose Street in Chippendale, The Duck Inn's a pub with a distinctly un-pub-like feel. You'll find no pokie machines, no punters fixated on the dogs on TV. Instead, it looks and feels more like going to a friend's place that you're a little bit jealous of, with cosy couches and reading lamps, a cardboard deer head on the wall and a bunch of well-worn books and board games (Uno tournaments every quarter, trivia every Monday). Despite its shiny new interior, The Duck's still a pub where being a pub matters the most — the pub grub. The Classic Oz Beef Burger with shoestring fries ($18) is an updated classic that was our highlight of the menu. The fish pie topped with mashed potato (also $18) ties in well with winter nights. If you're still feeling chilly after eating, the buttered rum ($10 mug) goes down a warm, buttery, cinnamon-y treat. It's hard to deny the warmth and homely comfort of The Duck. Between the whitewashed walls and leafy beer garden, it's the perfect watering hole for friends, family or first dates. The perfect Duck sitting? Sunday afternoon drinks that turn into dinner with a side of Jenga.
What better way to embrace the warmer weather — and 2020's slow return to normality — than with some good old-fashioned outdoor moviegoing? This spring, Sweethearts Rooftop has brought back its al fresco cinematic experience with another killer lineup of cult hits. Taking place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7.30pm, the rooftop bar of Potts Point Hotel will break out the projector to show a range of classics from across the decades. Think Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; comedies Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Crazy Stupid Love and Pitch Perfect; and the first three Harry Potter movies. You can also watch Blow, Donnie Brasco and Snatch. The best part: it's all free, so you won't spend a cent to catch a flick. That's your openair movie-viewing sorted until the first week of December. You will, of course, need your wallet for whatever you'd like to eat and drink while you're watching. Top image: James Ambrose.
There is a clear marking of time in Penrith — BHSD (Before High Street Depot) and AHSD (After High Street Depot). When these guys set up shop it was a sign Penrith had reached maturity. Operated by husband-and-wife team Tim and Noreen Bryan, who met while working at Matt Moran's Aria, High Street Depot was the cafe we'd all been waiting for and desperately needed, serving up perfected classics like eggs benny and smashed avo, made a little more adult with a sprinkle of nuts and creamy feta. The food is as consistent as the service, which is excellent, and you'll never be disappointed with your Single Origin coffee.
Snow Eggs, passionfruit puddle pies, Buddha's Delights... these dishes have all made marks on Australia's culinary landscape. And they were all created — or brought long-lasting fame — on MasterChef Australia. Last month, the reality cooking show, which aims to unearth the nation's best home chefs, launched its tenth season. Yep, it really has been a whole decade since Julie Goodwin and Poh Ling Yeow went head-to-head in the final episode of Season One. To celebrate the anniversary, we've partnered with MasterChef Australia to take a look at its impact on our national foodie scene. Here are five chefs who, since appearing on the show, have continued to shape how we cook, what we eat and where we source our food. Even if you're not a devotee of the show, chances are, you've fallen under their influence one way or another, somewhere along the way. ANDY ALLEN When 24-year-old electrician Andy Allen won MasterChef Australia Season Four in 2012, he became the youngest-ever champion. Unlike the other chefs on this list, he didn't grow up with a particular culinary tradition. "I like to explore each and every cuisine, from all corners of the globe," he said. "I'm learning new things every day and want to share those things with the people who dig food as much as me." To that end, Allen's brought tonnes of adventures into Aussie kitchens. His recipes are all about experimenting with simple combinations of fresh ingredients. Think beer- and maple-glazed pork belly or roast cauliflower with pickled grapes. He's big on foraging, too, so natives appear in recipes such as salt and pepperberry abalone, crisp-skinned butterfish with quandong jam and chilli mud crab with green mango, coconut and herb salad. These two passions combine in Allen's TV show, Andy and Ben Eat Australia, which sees him and his mate Ben Milbourne (who also starred on MasterChef Australia) go off the beaten track on all sorts of food-related escapades. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Allen helps run Three Blue Ducks Rosebery, the second incarnation of the eponymous Bronte original. [caption id="attachment_673952" align="alignnone" width="1920"] adamliaw[/caption] ADAM LIAW Adam Liaw's 2010 victory over runner-up Callum Hann at the end of MasterChef Australia Season Two attracted more viewers than any other non-sporting event in Australian television history. Since then, the Malaysian-born lawyer-turned-celeb chef hasn't stopped. Each of his five cookbooks is devoted to an aspect of Asian cooking. Asian After Wok (2013) teaches you how to whip up fresh, authentic Asian dishes at home, even when you've only 20 minutes to spare, while The Zen Kitchen (2016) combines Japanese recipes with zen philosophies, hoping to bring better health and more tranquility to the Australian kitchen table. Meanwhile, through his TV show Destination Flavour, Liaw, along with co-hosts Renee Lim and Lily Serna, has transported us to the deepest culinary corners of Japan, Singapore, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand. With him as our guide, we've travelled down Singapore's satay street, found out how to butcher a crocodile in the Northern Territory and joined the indigenous Sami people of far northern Norway on a reindeer-herding expedition. In all his spare time (what spare time?), Liaw represents Australia at UNICEF as our National Ambassador for Nutrition. [caption id="attachment_673947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @pohlingyeow[/caption] POH LING YEOW We got to know Poh Ling Yeow, another Malaysian-born celeb chef, at the same time we did Julie Goodwin. The two battled it out for the inaugural MasterChef title in 2009, with Yeow coming in as runner-up, by a teeny-tiny margin. The defeat in no way held her back, and today Yeow is responsible, not only for making Buddha's Delight famous, but also for thousands of us creating edible gardens — the subject of her much-followed reality TV show Poh & Co. It carries us into the daily life of Yeow, her husband Jono Bennett and their two dogs, as they go about transforming the backyard of their Adelaide home into a veggie patch. Before that, you might've caught her in Poh's Kitchen, where she demonstrated how to make Malaysian pineapple tarts, cakes and epic sushi platters, among many other decadent dishes. One particularly influential episode encouraged us to re-think the traditional Christmas table, as Yeow teamed up with a bunch of international chef mates to create a multicultural feast. If you're keen to catch up with her in real life, then get yourself along to Adelaide Central Market, where she runs Jamface, a cafe peddling home-style sangas and pastries, all made from scratch. Every Friday evening, you can sit down to a six-course extravaganza. [caption id="attachment_673946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @justineschofield[/caption] JUSTINE SCHOFIELD MasterChef Season One gave us more than its fair share of killer chefs. As well as Julie Goodwin and Poh Ling Yeow, there's Justine Schofield. Her main claim to fame is her TV show Everyday Gourmet which, since launching in April 2011, has aired more than 600 episodes and is still going strong. Schofield's chief legacy has been bringing the art of gourmet cooking into Australian homes, in a way that's accessible and down-to-earth. Many, many ingredients that once alienated us with their hard-to-pronounce names and obscure origins have – since travelling through her kitchen – become household names. Among the hundreds of recipes in Schofield's portfolio are beetroot and walnut tart tatins with goat's cheese, fudgey flourless chocolate cake and ricotta and ham omelettes. One of her tricks is keeping things simple: by substituting just one or two ordinary ingredient with slightly fancy ones, you can create a whole new dish. What's more, she proves that going gourmet can be done while staying healthy and meeting unusual dietary requirements, with nutritionists joining her on various episodes to collaborate on recipes. [caption id="attachment_673950" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @_juliegoodwin[/caption] JULIE GOODWIN MasterChef Australia started with Julie Goodwin, when, in 2009, she became our first ever champion. Almost immediately, passionfruit puddle pies and lemon diva cupcakes – two of her most memorable MasterChef creations – appeared on tables across Australia. But that was just the beginning. In 2010, on a mission to get folks back into their kitchens, the Central Coast-based chef starred in TV show Home Cooked! With Julie Goodwin. Visiting the homes of various celebs — including cricketer Steve Waugh, radio host Amanda Keller and actor Gyton Grantley — she shared her cooking tips and tricks. At the same time, Goodwin launched her first cookbook Our Family Table a collection of recipes covering everything from lazy Sunday morning brekkies to camping cook-ups, including several passed down through Goodwin's family over generations. These days, should you happen to fancy a trip to Gosford, you can meet the original MasterChef in-the-flesh at Julie's Place, where she hosts workshops, masterclasses and special events, such as high teas and long lunches. Catch the latest season of MasterChef Australia from Sunday to Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten.
Located in the former Flying Fish site at the end of Jones Bay Wharf, and headed up by Executive Chef Danny Russo, Sala delivers fresh takes on Italian classics and plenty of seafood in a 160-seat space. "We wanted to call on nostalgic Italian flavours and give them a modern flair to offer a sophisticated yet playful experience to diners," Russo says. Renowned hospitality duo Kerrie and Con Dedes of the Dedes Waterfront Group round out the team. Through the use of a far-reaching ingredients list, the group has created an impressive menu centred around new versions of Italian standards. For example, a simple Italian dish such as risoni has been transformed into crispy finger-food starters paired with caviar and parmesan ($30 for two pieces). Other Sala highlights include hiramasa kingfish with green tomato, stracciatella and pickled cucumber ($34); Russo's signature squid ink tortellini with crab meat in a lemon and caper sauce ($45); and a rotating dessert menu featuring interesting and innovative end-of-meal treats. Head Sommelier Rocco Pezzullo has curated a predominantly Italian wine list that's sure to pair well with your tortellini, and Bar Manager Behzad Vaziri's cocktail spans Italian classics (there's a full range of negronis) and signature mixes. These unique Sala creations are all inspired by the sea, featuring the likes of the Oyster Shell Martini ($26) made with Never Never Oyster Shell Gin, and the Mediterranean Side ($25) which combines mastica, limoncello, egg white and basil. As for the fit-out, that's been handled by The General Store. The design agency's Chief Strategy Officer Danny Lattouf says: "We set out to create the most authentically Sydney dining experience, with the welcoming Greek heritage of the Dedes Group and the Dedes family, the Italian culinary mastery from the Russolini Group and Danny himself, and then the heritage of this stunning harbour and the building itself."
It's almost impossible to recognise Regent Place these days. What even was it before? The area was like antimatter, a nowhere place behind Event Cinemas George Street that if looked at directly would cause your eyes to blur and mind to slip until you came to in line for onion rings at a fast food place across the road. And now? Now it's like a cool offshoot of Chinatown. Level one is a neon-bright Tokyo mirage, while in the basement is the jumble of Senyai Thai, a Misschu hut and AstroTurfed cocktail bar Assembly. One ever-packed Regent Place destination is izakaya joint Yebisu, where you can mix and match a pre-movie feed or settle in for a long, congenial night of grazing on Japanese share plates and sake. Wood tones splashed with street art by Ash Johnston act as a trendy cloak from the city beyond. It's a gargantuan menu; with more than 100 dishes, the focus is on dizzying quantity rather than A-class quality, and that's fine when your meal is as fun and reliable as this. It's perfect for a party, really, as all tastes are accounted for, whether you fancy regional rarities such as dried skate fin ($8.80) and vinaigrette tuna skin ($10.80), dependables of the sushi or yakitori variety or just giving up on the world and going for fried mixed cheese ($14.80). Adding some spontaneity to your ordering is the iPad menu system, which is so often derided as a novelty but simply works for tapas-style dining. It means you genuinely can order course by course if you want to, and there's no awkward sitting around trying to get the waitstaff's attention. Yebisu could even take this further, letting diners access more information about a dish with a tap — though it's possible the information overload would be crippling. For us, it's a journey guided by gut from deep-fried to fresh and back again. The tom yum goong roll ($15.80/8 pieces) is one of those dishes you're likely to crave after leaving, though it's a hugely unsubtle hit of tempura prawn, lemongrass rice and salt. The cooling mix sashimi entree ($15.80/9 pieces) is welcome right about now, although some of the fish was not at its most tender on this occasion. We get through a small range of good yakitori, available by the skewer, but the best grilled meat is actually from the entree menu: Angus beef tataki ($16.80), seared ever so cleanly around the edges, butter-soft in the middle and topped with an abundance of crunchy, thin spring onion rounds. Sake and shochu are a specialty at Yebisu, and as well as ordering off the iPad, you'll also be visited by an attendant with sake trolley and plenty of recommendations to share. Each sake is served ceremoniously, with designated cups for each type and a cheer of 'Kanpai!' There's cold, sweet sake for beginners, but a warm Urakusami is a brusque step up. Accompany it with some takoyaki octopus balls ($7.80) — fried, doughy, croquette-ish fare on sticks is a comforting chaser at any bar.
The extraordinary creativity of Chinese artists over the centuries is set to be celebrated next month, with the launch of Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei at the Art Gallery of NSW. This blockbuster exhibition, which is launching at the peak of Sydney's Lunar New Year celebrations on Saturday, February 2, marks the first time that Taipei's National Palace Museum has displayed works in the Southern Hemisphere. Showcasing 87 masterworks across painting, ceramics, illustration, bronzes, calligraphy, jade and wood carvings, the exhibition explores the ancient Chinese concept of tian ren he yi — a philosophical principle based on the relationship between nature, humans and the cosmos. These incredible objects date from as far back as 5000 years ago (the Neolithic period) right up to the 19th century and, for the most part, are drawn from the Imperial collections of the Qing dynasty. Don't leave without seeing one of the most popular of the National Palace Museum's treasures: the 'meat-shaped stone'. It's exactly what it sounds like — a stone carved from jasper that closely (so closely it'll make you feel oddly hungry) resembles a piece of tender, juicy braised pork belly sitting in a decorative gold dish. As always, the gallery will host a number of special events alongside this exhibition including traditional Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, a film series and live music (inspired by Chinese poetry) from singer-songwriter Sophie Koh. Head down on Wednesday, February 6 for a special Lunar New Year-inspired Art After Hours and Saturday, February 9 for a free traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Plus, we've got our hands on some passes for you and a mate to see the exhibition for free. Enter with your details below. [competition]708984[/competition] Images: Qing dynasty 1644–1911, Shen Yuan, 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'; Qing dynasty 1644-1911, 'Meat shaped stone', National Palace Museum; Ming dynasty 1368–1644, 'Portrait of the Hongzhi Emperor', National Palace Museum; Qing dynasty 1644–1911 'In celebration of the Amitabha Buddha' (detail) National Palace Museum; Ming dynasty 1368–1644, Qiu Ying, 'Fuxi', National Palace Museum.
If your "new year, new you" thinking has already started as 2024 approaches, you might be justifying your end-of-year excesses during the festive season by making a health kick one of your New Year's resolutions. IKEA wants to assist. Sure, walking around its stores is already a workout, but the Swedish retailer is going a step further by releasing its first-ever fitness range — on Monday, January 1, 2024, of course. So, gyms aren't for you, but you'd like to get active and you need some equipment to help? The DAJLIEN collection features exercise mats, ring dumbbells, step-up boards and more. Indeed, the whole aim of the range is making working out accessible for wherever suits you to get sweaty — and making it a part of your everyday routine. The collection's moniker is the Swedish word for daily, in case you need a reminder that fitness should be more than a now-and-then thing. IKEA designed the limited-edition range by exploring how folks workout at home, even doing visits in New York, Chicago, London and Shanghai. Factoring into the end products: issues surrounding space, time, motivation and exercise gear not fitting in with home decor. Some items also double as storage, and others are meant to be both practical and stylish. When the collection drops in-store and online, prices will span from $6–149, with hand towels the cheapest items and a bench with storage that can also work as a coffee table the most expensive. You can also pick up belt bags, massage balls, bath ponchos, air purifiers, slippers, blankets, trolleys and valet stands, with the range's colour scheme including dark and light green, yellow and white — plus bamboo. If some of the above items don't sound like they'll help you when you're actually exercising, that's because the recovery process and just stress relief in general are also covered by the DAJLIEN collection. "Not everyone feels safe or comfortable going to a gym, and at home we often deal with small space and time constraints. DAJLIEN was born from the desire to find smart solutions that address these limitations, and help people create a convenient and motivating place for exercise," explained IKEA Designer Sarah Fager. "We wanted to create smart, beautiful products to inspire and redefine training as a fun, easy and natural everyday activity." "DAJLIEN is all about supporting movement and helping people live more active lives at home. We have designed a collection that helps bridge the gap between home and active life, that recognises that training can take many shapes and forms — and that you don't need a lot of space to do a simple workout,"added fellow IKEA Designer Akanksha Deo. IKEA's DAJLIEN collection goes on sale across Australia, in stores and online, from Monday, January 1, 2024 — until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website for further details.
This September, Carriageworks will once again become the beating heart of Sydney's design scene when The Big Design Market returns for three days of artistry, flavour and discovery. Running from Friday, September 19–Sunday, September 21, the event brings together an inspiring roster of 230 independent designers, alongside a curated selection of food and drink experiences. The market is renowned for its breadth and quality, with stalls spanning ceramics, jewellery, homewares, slow fashion, stationery and innovative lifestyle products. This year, expect bold new arrivals such as Indigenous label KingKing Creative, whose striking apparel fuses storytelling with design. Keep an eye out for sculptural ceramics from Ignem Terrae, and Sophie Anna's sustainable jewellery. They'll sit alongside returning favourites like Arcadia Scott, Ant Haus and Marlo Woodwork. Aside from endless creative designs, delicious food gets equal billing at The Big Design Market. Melbourne favourites Ugo Bar and Wonder Pies are joining Sydney icons, including Lucio Pizzeria, Shortstop Donuts and Brooklyn Boy Bagels. Plus, punters can sip boutique wines, small-batch spirits and artisanal non-alcoholic brews as they explore the stalls. This year's guest artist, Emma Morgan, will create a large-scale botanical installation that transforms the Carriageworks space, while a dedicated kids' zone invites younger visitors to pause and play. And for those who love a treasure hunt, Deluxe Show Bags are offering $25 bundles valued at over $155 and are only available on Friday. Entry to The Big Design Market is $8 (and free for under-12s), which can be purchased via the website. Images: Blake Walshe.
Only a three minute drive from Avoca Beach is an old corner store housing specialty coffee cafe, Like Minds. It's evident, once stepping inside, however, that Like Minds is so much more than just a place to drink coffee. It's also an art gallery, creative hub, design venue and market garden — a community space to be used and enjoyed. Opened by local couple James Rolph and Melissa Morgan, the cafe has a focus on sustainability with a "zero waste" food policy. Local produce is also used where possible and herbs are picked every morning from the on-site garden. But, back to what we're all (most likely) here for: coffee. Like Minds' brews are made on beans by Sydney's Fat Poppy Specialty Coffee and come cold, hot, black, white, iced and spiced. Yep, if you're feeling adventurous, you might decide to order the chipotle mocha, made with a double shot of espresso, smoked chilli and dark chocolate.
