First Melbourne hosted Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, then Sydney got the upper hand by coaxing Rene Redzepi to bring his world-renowned restaurant Noma to Barangaroo for a few months. But then, in a serious move of one-upmanship, Melbourne took back the culinary crown (for now, anyway), nabbing the rights to host next year's World's 50 Best Restaurants awards earlier this year. Further to the announcement — which was made back in June ahead the 2016 awards in New York — the World's 50 Best Restaurants have just released the finer details of the huge event. The ceremony that, well, ranks the world's best restaurants from 1-50 will take place on Wednesday, April 5 and the Carlton's Royal Exhibition Building. It's a pretty big deal for little ol' Melbourne (and Tourism Australia) as it's only the second time the awards will be held outside of London. But that's just the start of it. The ceremony will be just one part of a seven-day program of events, which will bring some of the world's best chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and other people of food influence to Melbourne. Running from April 1-7, the program will coincide with 2017's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and include a series of masterclasses, the Chef's Feast (just for chefs though, sorry) and a smattering of satellite events. The chefs — which might well include the likes of Modena's Massimo Bottura, D.O.M.'s Alex Atala and the brothers from El Celler de can Roca — will be treated to a week of Australia's best food too. "After 14 years hosting the awards event in London, we decided to take The World's 50 Best Restaurants on a global tour, kicking off in New York in June 2016," said World's 50 Best Restaurants group editor William Drew. "Now we could not be more thrilled to be moving to Melbourne, one of the great food cities of the world, in 2017. Come April next year, Australia will undoubtedly be the place to be for those passionate about great food and inspired restaurants." Well, shucks. If you're not familiar with the awards, they're the ranking that everyone uses when talking about the best restaurants in the world. This year Italy's Modena was awarded the number one spot, while Noma has been a former list-topper multiple times. 2016 gave special mention to Melbourne's Attica and Brae (number 33 and 65, respectively), as well as Sydney's Quay (number 98), which probably has a lot to do with why they've decided to come Down Under in 2017.
Perched in the treetops above Cockle Bay Wharf, Hunter & Barrel's setting is a kind of upmarket rustic retreat, with a spacious room stocked with stacked whisky barrels, fur throws, a large-scale hanging greenery and a roaring coal pit fire. On a summer night, you can sit outside on the deck and watch the people passing over nearby Pyrmont Bridge. Overseen by ex-Danks Street Depot supremo Jared Ingersoll, it’s a welcome addition to an often indifferent dining strip, showcasing a love of meat, smoke and all things pastoral — a kind of concept restaurant offering a slice of the outback in an urban centre. Kick things off with the hearty Hunter's Platter ($28), which comes piled with bresaola, Italian coppa, honey-glazed ham, pickles, eggs and olives. Starters include mussels ($16), which continue the theme of smokiness, being lightly steamed in smoked porter. The drinks list includes the likes of a well-balanced Solena Negroni ($16), which blends both the barrel-aged and fresh, benefitting from the spice and botanicals of the McLaren Vale Settlers Gin. The Chieftain brings the sweetness of prosciutto to a watermelon and vodka-based cocktail, while the Devoted Squire (both $16) boasts a citrusy, fresh taste. The smoked margarita ($28, serves two) offers butter-washed tequila and glasses rimmed with Himalayan rock salt. There are also unusually good mocktails, like the Queen Regent — which is dessert-like with berries and white chocolate syrup — and the very fresh Masquerade, made up of hibiscus, elderflower and hints of stone fruit (both $8). The centrepiece of the restaurant though is its flamed-cooked offerings, which include the likes of braised kangaroo tails ($24). You get the feeling it's the kind of tender, tasty stew early settlers probably dreamed of enjoying around a campfire after a long day of labour. The coal-roasted rump ($29) is a moist piece of meat elevated by a black pepper and garlic sauce, which makes the winning choice to go for bold flavour over subtlety. Still on beef, the slow-roasted rib ($34) benefits from being cooked overnight; it's fall-apart tender and you won't leave a morsel. Each main comes with a choice of sides (also available separately for $8), including juicy roasted corn and grilled cauliflower, which comes soft and creamy like mashed potato. The desserts (all $10) go for a kind of campfire comfort. Golden syrup dumplings are sweet and sticky, while the chocolate and marshmallow roast comes with McVities digestive biscuits to scoop up the mallow and chocolate sauce — kind of like a s’mores deluxe. Overall, this is a winning update of a particularly rustic and Australian brand of dining. Staff are unfailingly enthusiastic about the restaurant — and, chances are, you will be too.
Oakberry Açai is giving 100 customers free açai bowls on Thursday, September 15 to celebrate the opening of its brand-new Martin Place outpost. The international açai chain is opening its new store at 5 Martin Place, just down from the new dining precinct that has arrived in the bustling city square. If you want to nab a free bowl, you'll have to be among the first 100 customers to arrive at the new store on opening day, but if you miss out on a freebie, you're not fresh out of luck. As part of the promotion, Oakberry is also offering its classic açai bowl for just $10 across its first two days of operation — Thursday, September 15 and Friday, September 16. Originally out of Brazil, Oakberry opened its first Sydney store in Bondi in 2018. The Martin place outpost will be the Oakberry's 17th outlet, with existing spots across Coogee, Manly and Queensland. For information on the promotion as the big day approaches, follow Oakberry on Instagram.
Does Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick) only have one more mission left in him? The title for the eighth Mission: Impossible film might just point in that direction. Viewers won't know until the movie hits cinemas in 2025, but the flick that was initially called Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two is now named Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: spending until May wondering if audiences are about to see the last of Ethan Hunt. It was back in 2023 when Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One hit cinemas and left viewers wanting more, by design: when it wrapped up its 163 minutes of espionage antics, everyone already knew that a second part was on its way. Originally, the latter was meant to arrive in June 2024, less than a year after the first film. But amid Hollywood's strikes last year, the film was pushed back almost 12 months. Its release date Down Under: Thursday, May 22, 2025. It was also rumoured at the time that the movie would get a new moniker, so The Final Reckoning isn't a surprise in that regard. But the 'final' part of the title — and a just-dropped trailer that focuses on how every step leads you down a specific path, complete with the tagline "every choice has led to this" — wasn't as expected. "I need you to trust me one last time," Cruise also utters. The film's first teaser trailer traverses everywhere from snow and sky-high heights to under the sea and frozen in ice — and, as always, features plenty of Cruise running. Story details are sparse, however, but of course the film's star is seen hanging off of a plane. Viewers can expect world-hopping intrigue, explosions, chases and fights, though, as regularly occurs when Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Missions Force team return. Also back: a cast including Simon Pegg (The Boys), Ving Rhames (The Wild Robot) and Hayley Atwell (Heartstopper), Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon), Esai Morales (Crescent City), Pom Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Henry Czerny (Zombie Town), Angela Bassett (9-1-1) and Shea Whigham (Lawmen: Bass Reeves) — and, behind the camera, director Christopher McQuarrie helms again after doing the same on Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible — Fallout and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. On-screen, Holt McCallany (The Lincoln Lawyer), Janet McTeer (The Old Man), Nick Offerman (Civil War) and Hannah Waddingham (The Fall Guy) feature as well. Check out the first teaser trailer for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning below: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Read our review of Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. Images: Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
Stadium food isn't normally anyone's favourite part of a trip to the football, cricket or whichever other sport takes your fancy, but that's about to change at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium. In its latest big move, hospitality giant Merivale has just announced that it's taking over the dining options at the two venues — starting next month, just in time for cricket season. Come Sunday, December 5 — when the Big Bash pops up at the SCG — Merivale's food and drink offerings will be on the menu. That'll include dishes from acclaimed Merivale executive chefs such as Danielle Alvarez (Fred's), Jordan Toft (Mimi's, Bert's Bar & Brasserie) and Dan Hong (Ms.G's, Mr. Wong), as well as Mike Eggert (Totti's), Ben Greeno (The Paddington, Hotel Centennial) and Vincenzo Biondini (Vinnie's Pizza). Hong's spring rolls will definitely be up for grabs, as will pizza and gelato from Vinnie's, hot dogs from El Loco, dumplings and noodles by Queen Chow, and a range of options from The Chicken Shop. At the SCG, there'll also be a space called The Pavilion that'll serve up dishes from Coogee Pavilion-inspired outlets — as well as Bistro 1886 in the Members Pavilion, which'll take its cues from Felix's. Then there's the Smokehouse, a sports bar that'll pour craft beer and plate up Papi Chulo's smoked dishes, as well as paninis, salad bowls and Hong's aforementioned (and beloved) dish. That said, if you are still after pies, regular hot dogs and hot chips — those trusty stadium faves — they'll still be available, too. Merivale won the tender to become the SCG and SFS's exclusive hospitality experience partner for almost six years, with its tenure in the Moore Park precinct currently set to run until September 2027. "This is an incredible and truly unique opportunity for Merivale; we are humbled to be a part of Sydney's sporting and entertainment history," said Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes. "I want to sincerely thank Venues NSW for sharing our vision. This new partnership will see us bring together Merivale's wonderful talent pool, diverse restaurant brands, quality service and inherent love of Sydney to help deliver a world-class experience to every person who steps into the stadium." Merivale's food and drinks lineup will start being served at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium from December 2021. Images: Phil Hillyard.
When coming up with his visionary paintings, Brett Whiteley drew inspiration from all over the place. First, there were other artists, which included the likes of Francis Bacon, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh. But equally important were Whiteley's revered legends of music and literature, like French poet Arthur Rimbaud and, of course, Bob Dylan. His many intimate portraits of these influences are now on show at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills, in an exhibition titled Brett Whiteley: Tributes. The collection includes Whiteley's Portrait of Joel Elenberg (1980), painted in the very year that the well-known sculptor died at just 32. There are also several impressions of writer Patrick White, including Patrick White Flaws in the Glass (1981), and a portrait of Lloyd Rees. Meanwhile, Rimbaud's poetry and life are explored in The Rimbaud pages, a series of manipulated photographs, viewed through drawing, text, collage and screenprinting. And van Gogh's impact is demonstrated in the immense The starry night (1982), which is a deconstruction of the Dutch artist's famous swirling patterns. You can check out these works, among others, for free until August 28. The Brett Whiteley Studio is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am until 4pm. Image: Brett Whiteley Getting quite close, 1982. Brett Whiteley Studio Collection © Wendy Whiteley.
Shaping up to be a standout exhibition is Chromatic Syncopation, opening at Firstdraft on March 3. It will feature three of our best contemporary artists — Reko Rennie, Ross Manning and Rebecca Baumann (of last year's Romance Was Born exhibition) — brought together for the first time. Harnessing a range of different media, each artist engages with processes of reproduction and mechanisation. They also share a deft understanding of patterns and colour schemes. Curated by Consuelo Cavaniglia, this show aims to explore points of harmony and discord. You can probably expect whirring colours and kinetic sculptures — a bit like a deconstructed rainbow. Odds are it will be a dynamic and stimulating experience. This event is one of our top ten picks of Art Month. Check out the other nine here. Image: Rebecca Baumann, Motion Study II (2009), wire bound books, industrial fans, dimensions variable, photography: Bewley Shaylor, image coutesy of the artist.
More and more Australians are reassessing their drinking choices, and choosing to ditch or simply limit the booze. In response, clever bartenders, winemakers and beer brands across the globe have been busy dreaming up new and creative alcohol-free beverages to make that no-booze night out a satisfying option. And, there's now one Melbourne haunt that'll leave teetotallers more spoilt for choice than ever before — with the Brunswick Aces Bar, the city's first dedicated non-alcoholic cocktail lounge, now open. From Saturday, May 1, local distillery and booze-free gin producer Brunswick Aces is welcoming patrons into its much-anticipated Brunswick East watering hole, which also marks the first of its kind in the country. The 150-person Weston Street space is not only a temptation-free drinking destination for the teetotaller or sober curious, but also just a neat spot to hang and imbibe when alcohol's simply not on your night's agenda. The bar's rocking a look best described as industrial baroque, with lots of plush furniture covered with velvety textiles, walls filled with gilded frames and moody floral arrangements trailing from the ceiling. While Brunswick Aces does make regular gin, it's perhaps best known for its range of sapiir — a non-alcoholic distilled drink crafted on botanicals. The brand uses aromatic ingredients like lemon myrtle, pepperberry, wattleseed and that all-important juniper to create a concoction that's akin to a gin, sans booze. And in this new bar, you've got a front-row seat to the sapiir distilling operations, while you sip the spoils just metres from where they're made. The menu might be short on alcohol, but it's sure not wanting for choice. In fact, there's more than 100 booze-free options available. You can expect to find an ever-evolving range of crafty cocktails, led by boozeless takes on the classics such as a negroni and an espresso martini. There's be a focus on local ingredients, too, with appearances from some premium international labels and regular product features. And, alongside the cocktails sits an impressive lineup of non-alcoholic beers and wines sourced from all over the world, as well as mixed drinks made on booze-free spirits and sapiirs. While you're there, you can browse and buy some hangover-free tipples in the country's first physical non-alcoholic bottle shop. This retail section will be slinging local brands including Heaps Normal, Ovant and Songbird Wine, as well as international offerings like the Netherlands' Vandestreek Playground IPA. [caption id="attachment_801275" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brunswick Aces' signature sapiir.[/caption] If you're hanging for the real deal, that's okay, too. In the spirit of inclusivity — and celebrating Brunswick Aces' other pursuits — the bar will be serving a single alcoholic option: a gin and tonic, made on the brand's own Spades and Hearts gin blends. Find The Brunswick Aces Bar at 124 Weston Street, Brunswick East, from Saturday, May 1. It's open Thursday–Saturday 3–11pm, with the bottle shop open Monday–Saturday 11am–5pm. Top images: Griffin Simm
Every city has its traditions, but one of Sydney's midyear mainstays since 2012 takes its cues from the other side of the globe. The event: the Bastille Festival that livens up Circular Quay and The Rocks each July, serving up French celebrations without the plane fare to Europe. Food, wine, art: if any of these pique your interest, then this four-day French fest is for you. Uniting people in the spirit of Bastille Day, the popular event is back again in 2022 — and it's always huge. Running from Thursday, July 14–Sunday, July 17, this year's street fest will serve up everything from 100 performances to a 1.4-kilometre wine-tasting walk around the harbour. Expect a big emphasis on vino in general, of course — and food, too. All that wandering and watching is hungry (and thirsty) work, after all, so there'll be a heap of pop-ups keeping attendees fed and watered. Highlights include four villages, each with their own festivities, making it a choose-your-own-adventure kind of setup. At Customs House, you'll dive into all things Parisian, for instance. Here, fresh raclette, crepes, saucisson, baguettes and cheese will be on the menu in a big way. Food is also the attraction over at First Fleet Park, which has been dubbed the 'chef village'. In a festival first, this space will bring together Sydney's best chefs and eateries, who'll all be whipping up new dishes with a French twist — at the event and in the participating restaurants for a week beforehand. If you like making the most of winter, then the MCA lawn is your destination. Think: fire pits, igloos that'll change colour as the night goes on, melted cheese, roasted marshmallows and mulled wine. And, finally, the Christmas in July village will take over The Rocks with wood huts, snow, European-style Christmas markets, gingerbread houses, cheese stations, and crepes and waffles. There'll be more mulled wine, too, because no one can get festive midyear without it. Entry is free, but you'll be paying for whatever you'd like to eat and drink as you go. And if previous years are anything to go by, Bastille Festival is set to be an epic showcase of food, wine and art — and you're likely to have a heap of company.
Two days before kicking off for 2024, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has announced that one of its beloved annual events has been cancelled, with Fair Day no longer happening this year. Usually attracting over 70,000 attendees, the free celebration was set to take over Victoria Park on Sunday, February 18, but has been scrapped after asbestos was found in the venue's mulch. "On Monday, February 12, following advice from the Environment Protection Authority about possible asbestos contamination in mulch, test results found bonded asbestos at Victoria Park," said The City of Sydney and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in a combined statement released on Wednesday, February 14. "The City and Sydney Mardi Gras have been working together closely over the past two days to coordinate cleanup of the affected areas while bumping in Fair Day infrastructure in time to hold the event," the announcement continues. "Following a more detailed investigation into the safety concerns at Victoria Park, it has become clear to the City and Sydney Mardi Gras that an event of the scale of Fair Day is unable to proceed this Sunday." A massive drawcard at the 17-day festival, Fair Day was due to see Melissa Tkautz break out 'Read My Lips'; talents from & Juliet perform; and LION, Paul Capsis, Royston Noell and DJ Nate also take to the stage. The doggywood pageant, karaoke cave, drag king games and First Nations circle were all also on the agenda. "This is an incredibly disappointing decision, as Fair Day is a pivotal part of the Mardi Gras calendar. But we have to put the safety of our community first," said Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore AO. "We will continue to work with Mardi Gras once the asbestos issue is resolved. Today's decision underscores how serious this is. The NSW Government and the EPA must make sure this never happens again." "Fair Day is one of our most loved events, and is attended by over 70,000 people each year. It breaks our heart to see this Sunday not go ahead, but given the safety concerns we must put our communities' wellbeing first," added Mardi Gras CEO Gil Beckwith. "This cancellation is a setback, however it presents us with an opportunity to unite and support one another more strongly. The rest of our festival continues unchanged, offering many chances over the 17 days for our communities to come together in celebration and solidarity." On Tuesday, February 13, The City of Sydney advised that asbestos had been found in mulch at not only Victoria Park, but also Belmore Park and Surry Hills' Harmony Park. Testing is being undertaken in another 32 parks in the local government area. Sydneysiders are urged to avoid the mulched garden beds at the affected parks, as well as mulched areas beneath trees. If asbestos is found, the mulched areas will be fenced off and signs erected. The below parks are currently undergoing testing: Arcadia Park, Forest Lodge AV Henry Reserve, Forest Lodge Bicentennial Park 1, Glebe Bicentennial Park 2, Glebe Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe Chippendale Green, Chippendale Clyne Reserve, Millers Point Cook & Phillip Park, Sydney Creek Street Reserve, Forest Lodge Dr H J Foley Rest Park, Glebe Frog Hollow Reserve, Surry Hills Giba Park, Pyrmont Harold Park, Forest Lodge James Watkinson Reserve, Pyrmont John Street Reserve, Glebe Jubilee Park, Glebe Larkin Street Park, Camperdown Minogue Reserve, Glebe Munn Reserve, Millers Point Observatory Hill Park, Millers Point Orphan School Creek, Forest Lodge Paradise Reserve, Pyrmont Pirrama Park, Pyrmont Pottinger Park West, Dawes Point Quarry St Streetscape and Steps, Ultimo Robyn Kemmis Reserve, Glebe Seamer Street Reserve, Glebe St James Park, Glebe Stewart Street Glebe Reserve, Glebe Toxteth Park, Glebe Wentworth Park, Ultimo Wood Street Playground, Forest Lodge Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2024 runs from Friday, February 16–Sunday, March 3, 2024. For more information, or for tickets, head to the event's website. Fair Day will no longer take place on Sunday, February 18 at Victoria Park. Head to the event's website for more details. Images: Ann-Marie Calilhanna / Jeffrey Feng.
If we're to believe any film about pirates, famous shipwrecks or Pixar fish, there are a lot of secret treasures to be found on the ocean floor. But surely, none as grand as this. English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor has just laid to rest one of his finest works in the Bahamas. Measuring in at over 5 metres tall and weighing a whopping 60 tonnes, this enormous and serene lady is officially the world's largest underwater sculpture. Though it's hard to imagine that dumping 60 tonnes of foreign material in the ocean can be a good thing, this work, entitled Ocean Atlas, actually doubles as an artificial reef for marine life. The sculpture is made of long-lasting, pH-neutral marine cement and was created in consultation with the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation. "[The work shows] the vital role the local community and especially the younger generation have in conserving the islands' natural resources," said the artist. The artwork's name makes similar allusions to such environmental responsibilities. In Greek mythology, Atlas was condemned to hold the sky on his shoulders — an idea beautifully represented in the hunched female figure just below water level. As the tide draws in and out, locals are reminded of her constant watchful presence off their coastline. Though Sydney in particular is familiar with sculptures by the sea, the idea of underwater sculpture is a bit of a novelty for us. But this artist has been pioneering the concept for nearly ten years; he now has hundreds of sculptures to be found all over the world's most idyllic beaches. His underwater sculpture park in Mexico even features over 400 life-size works — a glorious incentive to take diving lessons. 'Ocean Atlas', on the other hand, is a special case. She is so large she in fact had to be lowered into the ocean in separate portions. Being face to face with this work would be a completely unique experience. Even more so as she gathers spooky seaweed and marine life. Don't be alarmed if you don't hear from us. We're booking flights to the Bahamas and stocking up on snorkelling gear ASAP. Via Forbes and Daily Mail. Photos via Jason de Caires Taylor.
Acclaimed chef Clare Smyth is set to open her latest venue Oncore on the 26th level of Sydney's Crown. Oncore and its hyper-seasonal and locally focused menu joins the likes of Nobu Matsuhisa's Nobu, Alessandro Pavoni's a'Mare, Silks and Woodcut as part of the dining options in the hotel and casino. The acclaimed chef has a culinary resume that will drop any jaw. Smyth has been named World's Best Female Chef at the 2018 World's 50 Best Restaurants, has been awarded three Michelin stars for her London restaurant Core, and cooked at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She also worked at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse's Le Louis XV (both three Michelin starred-restaurants), guest judged on Netflix's The Final Table and, locally, appeared on MasterChef Australia. Oncore will be Smyth's first restaurant outside of the United Kingdom. The 68-seat venue was originally announced in January of 2020, but after some delays, it is finally set to open on Thursday, November 18. The restaurant will offer diners panoramic views of Sydney Harbour including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. As suggested by the name Oncore, a play on Smyth's original London outpost, it aims to bring the Core experience to Sydney while giving it an Australian spin, utilising local Australian producers and placing sustainability at the core of its practices. Some of Smyth's most renowned dishes have made their way over from the UK, including slow-cooked potato topped with smoked trout and herring roe. The Potato and Roe served with beurre blanc has become a fan-favourite of the London restaurant's menu and is sure to delight Sydneysiders at Oncore. The dish pays homage to Smyth's childhood in Northern Ireland and will be made with potatoes sustainably farmed in the NSW southern highlands. Another highlight from the menu is the Beef and Oysters, which is inspired by the Victorian-era English beef, oyster and stout pie. At Oncore, the dish will combine Wapengo and Wagonga oysters with NSW Shiro Kin Fullblood Wagyu beef. The Oncore cellar will house more than 3000 bottles of wine in its cellar, with drops from Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy and vineyards across both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere available to pair with the food. If you're looking to have a little fun with your drinks, there will also be a small cocktail bar on hand serving a reserved selection of inventive cocktails with views of the water. Joining Smyth as part of the Oncore team is Bennelong's former Restaurant Manager Michael Stoddart. The hospitality veteran started his journey in the kitchen at London's SoHo House and has worked at restaurants across the globe over the last decade. Oncore by Clare Smyth will open on Thursday, November 18 on Level 26 of Crown Sydney, 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. More than 8000 garages opened their doors to bargain hunters in previous years, and they're doing it for the seventh time on Saturday, October 22. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There's a right slew of sales happening all around Sydney, with everyone from an ex-Vogue editor to the Rose Bay Community Gardens joining in on the festivities. You can views the best Sydney sales here, or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
We're all down with the fact that cheese and wine are a match made in tastebud heaven, but knowing which styles make the best mates can prove a little more elusive. Luckily, the folks at Cake Wines know a thing or two, and they're happy to share. Off the back of a sell-out event in June, the label's Redfern cellar door will be pulling together a couple of your all-time favourite things once a month, for a new cheese and wine pairing series called Where's the Cheese? Featuring Cake's own tasty drops alongside a global selection of top-notch cheese, each of these monthly nights will focus on a different wine varietal and explore which styles of cheese complement it best. This month — Thursday, August 17 — will focus on Cabernet and its ideal dairy offsiders, including an aged Gruyère, a cloth-bound cheddar and a Parmigiano-Reggiano. The $10 entry fee will get you samples of all that delicious cheese and plenty of fun facts to whip out at your next dinner party. You'll need to bring a few extra dollars for the wine, which'll be on offer at standard cellar door prices. You can book a table on their website. Updated: August 9, 2017.
On-screen, Ali Wong doesn't let go of grudges easily, at least in Beef. In rom-com Always Be My Maybe, she's also been romanced by Keanu Reeves. Tuca & Bertie had her voice an anthropomorphic song thrush, while Big Mouth sent her back to middle school. The American actor and comedian's next project: her current stand-up comedy tour, which has just locked in Down Under dates. Wong is presently working her way across the US and Canada, has also hit up London and Paris, and will head to Australia and New Zealand in July 2024. She's announced four dates, kicking off in Auckland, then jumping over to Melbourne. From there, she'll work her way up the east coast, next hitting up Sydney before wrapping up in Brisbane. Bringing her Ali Wong: Live tour this way comes after a massive 12 months for Wong. It was back in early April 2023 that Beef arrived, getting audiences obsessed and sparking plenty of accolades coming Wong's way. She won Best Actress Emmy, Golden Globe, Film Independent Spirt and Screen Actors Guild awards for playing Amy Lau, who has a carpark altercation with Danny Cho (Steven Yeun, Nope) that neither can let go of — and that changes both of their lives. The series itself, on which Wong was also an executive producer, has earned just as much love — including the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series; Golden Globe for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television; Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series under 40 minutes; Film Independent Spirt Award for Best New Scripted Series; and PGA for Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television. [caption id="attachment_893741" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2023[/caption] Behind the microphone, Wong's comedy career dates back almost two decades, including three Netflix stand-up specials: 2016's Baby Cobra, 2018's Hard Knock Wife and 2022's Don Wong. And, as an author, Wong also has 2019's Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life to her name. [caption id="attachment_946689" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Always Be My Maybe[/caption] Ali Wong: Live Tour Dates — Australia and New Zealand 2024: Monday, July 8 — The Civic, Auckland Thursday, July 11 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne Friday, July 19 — ICC Theatre, Sydney Monday, July 22 — Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Ali Wong is touring Down Under in July 2024, with presale tickets available from 9am on Wednesday, March 20 and general sales from 9am local time on Friday, March 22 — head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2023.
Vegans of Sydney, rejoice — and start preparing your stomach for a cheese onslaught. While avoiding animal products and fiending for cheese don't always go hand-in-hand, COMMUNE is here to help. To paraphrase an old proverb: give someone vegan cheese, and you make them happy for a moment; teach someone to make vegan cheese, and you make them happy for a lifetime. At COMMUNE's Vegan Cheesemaking workshop on July 1, holistic nutritionist Kate Levins of Nourishing Club will share the skills needed to whip up plant-based cheeses — and yes, we really do mean more than one. Learn how to make sunflower and chive cheese, sesame and miso cheese, and cashew, thyme and black pepper cheese, aka enough for the ultimate vegan cheese platter. As well as discovering why these cheeses, and dairy-free eating in general, is so good for you, you'll also get to eat what you make in a communal post-class feast. And, while everyone gets the gift of knowing how to fashion their own whenever they like, you'll also get some cheese to take home with you. Tickets cost $60 plus booking fee ($3.39), and they're sure to get snapped up quick.
This weekend, a whole heap of Sydney's best chefs are joining forces — 30 of 'em, to be exact — and it's all in the name of bushfire relief. Cooks for the Bush will take over Nomad's temporary Surry Hills digs on Sunday, January 12 for one serious fundraising brunch and bake sale. While the brunch sold out in record time, the takeaway bake sale will see tasty treats created by the likes of Aria's Joel Bickford, Butter's Julian Cincotta, Kitchen by Mike's Mike McEnearney, Continental Deli's Michael Nicolian, Fred's Danielle Alvarez, Icebergs' Nic Wong and Alex Prichard and Alex Prichard and, of course, Nomad's own Jacqui Challinor. Head chefs from Rockpool, Biota Dining and Cho Cho San are also involved, as is Duncan Welgemoed from Adelaide's famed Africola. And this is just to name a very few. You can check out the full list below. All chefs and suppliers are giving their time and produce for free, so 100 percent of proceeds on the day will be donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Also coming up is a silent auction, with many of the participating restaurants donating gift vouchers for special dining experiences. The auction page is still in the works, so keep an eye on the Nomad website. https://www.instagram.com/p/B692rQKJKQ2/ Image credit: Nomad Up the Road by Petrina Tinslay
The Rocks is home to some of Australia's oldest and most classic pubs, but you probably don't spend enough time in the historic area. So we've got some suggestions for you to remedy this during Vivid. Directly across the water from Bennelong Point, The Rocks is perfectly positioned for uninterrupted vistas of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the harbour. So with Vivid officially electrifying the area with light, sound and colour, it's time to take advantage of these sprawling, illuminated views. Here are five bars worth a visit — whether you're after dazzling rooftop sights, historic brews in the heart of it all or a bit of culture with your tipple. MCA CAFE ROOFTOP BAR The MCA Cafe's rooftop, waterfront position makes for a pretty extraordinary panorama, taking in the Opera House, the Bridge and Kirribilli. During Vivid, the bar is open until 9pm Wednesday to Sunday, making it an ideal stop on your night out in The Rocks. Miss the early evening crowds over a glass of wine four floors above, and take in unobstructed views of the full projection on the Opera House. You'll also be able to glimpse some more works below. And when you've had your fill (and once the crowds below have cleared some) head back down and out towards Circular Quay so you can see the Organic Vibrations show projected on the MCA itself. ENDEAVOUR TAP ROOMS With not only eight brew taps, but also four additional taps for rotating cider, wine and house cocktails, Endeavour Tap Rooms certainly spoils you for choice. Plus thanks to their partnership with Applejack Hospitality (the minds behind Bondi Hardware, Della Hyde and Circular Quay's Hacienda) you'll find yourself sitting pretty in the heritage building fit with stained glass windows, vintage wallpaper and chic chandeliers, all giving the space a living room vibe. Pre-light viewing, pop in before 6.30pm for $5 middies, $9 pints, $10 mystery paddles and bar snacks like $1 wings, plus dressed oysters on a half shell, raw hiramasa kingfish tostadas and crispy, succulent pork hock nibbles. GLENMORE HOTEL ROOFTOP Even though the ground floor of The Glenmore has a homey, neighbourhood vibe, during Vivid, it's all about the rooftop terrace. Barring any docked cruise ships, the view of the Opera House is pretty sublime, plus the Harbour Bridge is so close you could almost touch it. Not to mention, the retractable roof is a nice little feature, so you can continue to enjoy the sights even if it starts to rain. Order a bev — there's plenty on tap, plus wines and cocktail jugs if you're with a group — and settle in for a cruisy night overlooking the Vivid glow. THE LORD NELSON BREWERY HOTEL Once sandstone house, now historic pub, the Lord Nelson has to be one of Sydney's most iconic places to enjoy a beer. A proper, old English-style pub, with naval prints on the walls, no poker machines and plenty of locals: this is exactly how pubs should be. On tap you'll find the six beers brewed on-site, ranging from a summer ale to a porter. Set further from Circular Quay, the pub is an ideal spot to end up after a winding tour through the Vivid installations in The Rocks. It's also perfectly positioned near Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade to round out the night with more views over the city and a tipple or two. THE PUSH Named after the notorious Rocks Push, a ruffian gang during turn-of-the-century Sydney, The Push is an Art Deco incarnation of this group of bandits. Right in the thick of it on George Street near the MCA, the bar offers local and NZ wines, craft and boutique beers and ever-changing list of cocktail specials. Nestle in among the black timber panelling and leather banquettes with one of this month's Vivid-inspired cocktail in hand. The Push has created a menu of tipples touching on the full colour spectrum. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink, these cocktails take the Vivid experience inside combining gin with pomegranate, rum with passionfruit, tequila with white grapefruit and vodka with kiwi fruit, for a vibrant, fruity display of drinks. Find out more things to do in The Rocks during Vivid here. Top image: Kimberley Low.
Want to experience the buzz of live sumo without the hassle of that long flight to Tokyo? You're in luck, because you can experience the thunder of one of Japan's most ancient and traditional sports here in Australia over one action-packed weekend. On Friday, January 19 and Sunday, January 21, Melbourne and Sydney respectively will play host to 'Sumo International Downunder'. Punters will get to experience all the show and panache that comes with live sumo, including a traditional pre-match Taiko drumming show. Hiroki Sumi, a huge figure in the sumo world, will be the star of the show. Known for his appearance in Netflix's 2023 series Sanctuary, he has gained international recognition beyond traditional sumo circles. Although he plays a fictional character in the series, Sumi is a genuine world-class sumo wrestler, and his appearance in Australia is a massive get. Special VIP tickets are available if you fancy donning a mawashi (sumo belt) and trying some sumo wrestling on stage. VIPs will also get an exclusive meet-and-greet with the sumo wrestlers, including Sumi himself. Melbourne's Festival Hall will host two events on the same day, with the first starting at 11am and the second at 6pm, while Sydney's Aware Super Theatre will host the final show at 7pm. [caption id="attachment_878169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alessio Roversi (Unsplash)[/caption]
Next time you're jetting abroad, you might want to add a visit to Singapore's Changi Airport to your trip. After hosting a short-term Harry Potter-themed world over the Christmas period and opening the world's largest indoor waterfall in April, the airport has now added a massive new Canopy Park into the mix. It features a mirror and hedge maze, suspended sky nets and a slide-filled sculptural playground, to name a just few of its attractions. Located on the top level of the airport, the indoor park spans over 14,000 square metres and houses over 1400 trees. It's home to seven different attractions, including the aforementioned maze, which comes in at a whopping 500 square metres (we suggest you don't enter here — and get lost — just before your flight). Travellers can also catch views of it from above on one of several elevated platforms. Other sky-high features include a 23-metre-high bridge with a glass floor offering views of the Shiseido forest valley and Rain Vortex waterfall below. You'll also be able to bounce or walk along a 250-metre span of sky nets, which are suspended five storeys in the air. Or spend your time wandering through a slide-filled sculptural playground, a petal garden, a topiary walk filled with animal-shaped shrubs and a fog-covered, cloud-like play area to boot. A virtual reality lounge, dubbed Changi Experience Studio, has also just opened on level four. The 90-minute experience includes interactive games, projection storytelling, immersive shows and gallery exhibitions. An onsite IMAX theatre, the YOTELAIR Hotel and over 280 retailers and eateries (including Nike, Marks & Spencer, Muji, Zara and Uniqlo stores) can now be found within the airport as well. It's all part of the 137,000-square-metre Jewel Changi entertainment and retail complex, designed by famed architect Moshe Safdie. The ten-storey building, set under a glass-and-steel dome, is jam-packed with shops, dining options, greenery and activities — and is connected to the all-important airport, of course. Forget just killing time on a layover, searching for a phone charger or suffering in uncomfortable chairs while you're waiting for your flight home. Here, you might have to remind yourself that you're actually at an airport. For further details, visit the Jewel Changi Airport website. Entrance to the Canopy Park is set at the $5 SGD (around $5.30 AUD, $5.60 NZD), with selected attractions costing between $8—22.
To those whose days don't truly start until there is caffeine in their system, take note. Kickaboom, a cheery cafe in Glenbrook, lives up to its quirky name putting a pep in your step with premium brews and tasty bites. On appearance alone Kickaboom is a far cry from the 'greasy spoon' eateries that populate the lower Blue Mountains area. The venue is sleek and modern, with polished concrete floors, white tiles and indoor greenery. It would not look out of place in a trendy inner west suburb. The similarities don't end there, either. The drinks menu is a lengthy affair featuring Mörk hot chocolate; a turmeric, ginger and honey latte; and a Speculatte (a hot milk beverage made with a Dutch spiced biscuit). But coffee is the main game here. For milk-based coffees, expect the OG blend by Reuben Hills. Meanwhile, black, filter and single origin offerings change regularly, often featuring roasts from Seven Seeds, Wood and Co and Sample. The cafe also hosts regular events for coffee fiends including Aeropress tutorials, latte art competitions and talks on coffee sourcing and farming. And with an award-winning barista at the helm, you'd expect nothing less. Kickaboom owner Dylan Johnson has been in the coffee game for 15 years. Most recently, he was head barista at Paramount Coffee Project during which he nabbed the Australian Aeropress Champion in 2014. A lifelong Blue Mountains resident, Johnson chose to stay local for his own venture but he brought with him the boundary-pushing energy from the city. And, in fact, even further afield, with inspiration from his travels dotted throughout the menu. Herein lies another element that sets Kickaboom aside — the food is not your run-of-the-mill cafe fare. Southeast Asian influences are evident in the black sticky rice bircher and sticky pork bibimbap. The fried chicken waffle brings the American vibes (via Paramount Coffee Project). There's plenty of choice for vegan and gluten-free diners, too, with the miso eggplant toastie with vegan béchamel and house-made harissa proving to be one of the most popular menu items. The quality is there too — the kitchen staff have lengthy stints at fine-dining establishments, such as Darlinghurst's now-closed Onde and Ester, on their resumes. Produce is locally sourced from the Hawkesbury region and many ingredients are made from scratch, including soft serve, syrups, butter, almond and macadamia milks and baked treats. Whether you're a local or day-tripper, Kickaboom will certainly set your day on the right track.
The upside to getting to a shopping centre right on opening? It's easy to find a park. The downside? You skipped brekkie to get there on time and now you're hungry. If that's happened to you while shopping at Chatswood Chase, let us point you in the right direction: Three Beans. Part of a collection of cafes with over 20 locations dotted across Sydney and Brisbane, Three Beans Chatswood Chase will sort your early morning hunger out with its menu of cafe classics. Whether you opt for something sweet like muesli or banana bread with house-made praline butter, or a hearty green brekkie bowl, packed with avocado, quinoa, haloumi, pesto and an egg, you'll leave feeling satisfied and ready to power through that shopping list. Slept in? Not to worry, the menu is available all day and also includes wraps, sandwiches and tarts. And don't be put off by the fact that Three Beans is a chain; it uses its scale for good, by supporting Aussie growers and producers. The eggs come from Rohde's farm in South Australia's Clare Valley, pork is from Borrowdale near Goondiwindi and the chicken is from Mount Barker.
When the horror event fiends Haus of Horror started showing flicks at Parramatta Gaol, that was just the beginning of its scary-movie screenings in notably eerie venues. Next came loving all things spooky and strange at Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown — and those graveyard film nights are returning from November 2023. Kicking things off on Saturday, November 25: Gremlins, which means remembering all of the rules about feeding after midnight, and exposing its firry creatures to water and sunlight. It also means seeing Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul's Jonathan Banks, aka Mike Ehrmantraut, plays a deputy in a bit part in this upbeat, anarchic comedy. While the movie is the main attraction — specifically, this movie in this particular setting, especially given that it isn't usually a cinema — attendees can also enjoy a cemetery tour, Mowgli May on DJ duties, a Gremlins-themed photobooth, and food and drinks. One caveat: attendees are asked to be respectful of the site, including its headstones, trees and buildings. Doors open at 6pm, with the film playing from 8pm.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled its 2018 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on Friday, April 27 in South Australia and travel through Maitland, Townsville, Bendigo and Canberra before finishing up in Bunbury on May 12. This year sees local talent new and established taking the stage, with the lineup spanning up-and-comers like Alex Lahey, Baker Boy and Winston Surfshirt right through to favourites Flight Facilities and Australian legend Paul Kelly. International talent like Portugal. The Man, Royal Blood and Duke Dumont will make their way to the Moo too. Here's the full lineup. GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 LINEUP Alex Lahey Aminé (USA) The Amity Affliction Baker Boy Ball Park Music Claptone (Ger) Confidence Man Cosmo's Midnight Dean Lewis Duke Dumont (UK) Flight Facilities Grinspoon Lady Leshurr (UK) Mallrat Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Portugal. The Man (USA) Public Service Broadcasting (UK) Royal Blood (UK) Sampa The Great Skegss Superduperkyle (USA) Tkay Maidza Vera Blue Winston Surfshirt GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 DATES & VENUES Friday, April 27 — Wayville (SA) Saturday, April 28 – Maitland (NSW) Sunday, April 29 — Canberra (ACT) Saturday, May 5 — Bendigo (VIC) Sunday, May 6 – Townsville (QLD) Saturday, May 12 — Bunbury (WA) Pre-sale tickets for GTM will go on sale at 9am local time on Wednesday, January 31. All other tickets for Wayville, Maitland and Canberra will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, February 6, and Bendigo, Bunbury and Townsville will be released the day after at 9am on Wednesday, February 7. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Image: Jack Toohey.
The average person spends eight hours a day looking at a screen. That's not just your laptop or television set but also the time you spend on your phone. Observe the number of people thumbing their smart phones on the evening bus, and it's easy to believe that a lot of people exceed that average eight hours on a regular basis. Now, instead of waxing poetical about how grim this is, and imploring you to run into the streets, pick wildflowers, and dance barefoot (all thoroughly recommended pursuits), it might be better to think about how to get the most out of your time spent with a screen. Because a lot of the time we read, and look, at crap: think of the number of times you’ve heard about Kate Middleton's boobs in the past couple of weeks, or watched a Gangnam Style parody (you know you have). Last year, Eli Pariser gave a TED talk in which he pointed out that web companies like Facebook and Twitter, in trying to tailor their services to you and your tastes, end up blocking out the information they think you don't want to know about. That means you get trapped inside what he calls a 'filter bubble'. If Facebook knows you're passionately involved in campaigning for gay marriage, for instance, you won't get information that's going to expose you to other arguments in your news feed. By the same token, if Facebook thinks you only want to hear about pop culture, you're not going to end up hearing much about asylum seekers. This means that, ultimately, because we never get information that challenges our worldviews, we end up in a bubble in which we hear the same messages and information over and over again. Unless we go looking elsewhere. These are the tips we discovered while trying to get out of our media ghetto and into the bright lights of the big media city. Tidy up your RSS feed and bookmarks If you use Google Reader, go through and see how many of those subscriptions add value to your life. Balance out what you get from The Sartorialist by subscribing to The Huffington Post, Jezebel, or McSweeney's. Thinking about spreading out your information — so it's not all stories from America — is also a good way to go: you want to know what’s happening around the corner as much as you want to know what’s happening in New York this weekend. (As people who keep an eye on what's happening locally, we unabashedly recommend subscribing to us.) Buy a newspaper or a magazine One of the best things about these old-fashioned things is that, while you can skim and skip pieces, what's inside them is curated by an editor. They also offer work that people have been paid to write, and that often produces more interesting and well-researched content. Aside from your average copy of the Sydney Morning Herald or the Age, and high-brow magazines like the Monthly and the New Yorker, magazines like Fantastic Man or The Gentlewoman offer quality journalism mixed in with the pretty pictures. Mag Nation is a good place to browse. Explore Filtering Services Filtering services like Prismatic and Bottlenose collate information from your social media activity and provide you with a unique and personal newsfeed. These things are great because they expand your horizons beyond just giving you what you want to hear. The top stories in my Prismatic feed, for instance, cover the US presidential election, architecture inspired by mathematics, and (I don't know what this says about me) a guide to the top 10 hipster neighbourhoods in the US. None of which I would have stumbled across all on my lonesome. Monitor Yourself Setting limits about how long you spend on networks is really important. You can leave Facebook or Twitter open all day, but that doesn't mean life will get any more interesting. Set rules for yourself about how long you're prepared to sit monitoring a feed. Wired has a pretty awesome graphic showing how you might spread out your screen time, but I would also recommend going for a walk or baking a cake to give your square-eyes a rest. Broaden Your Horizons We’re long past the days when social media meant Facebook alone. It's not uncommon now to meet somebody who would never dream of having a Facebook account but will actively encourage you to follow them on Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram at once. Different mediums offer different things. Checking out sites like Pinterest and Reddit might broaden your horizons in ways you've never thought of before. Explore Overlaps Sometimes the lowbrow and the highbrow blend together in a beautiful dance. Superficial stories can blend in with serious issues. The most recent example of this is Chris Brown's new tattoo. While everyone can marvel over its similarity to that beaten-to-a-pulp image of Rhianna, it provokes more serious discussions about domestic violence and might elevate your thinking about the subject beyond the initial "oh no he didn't!". Upworthy Eli Pariser, the same guy who gave the aforementioned TED Talk, has since started a site designed to make important and compelling things as viral as videos of people planking. Designed to give you the tools and knowledge to make yourself a better and more aware human being, Upworthy is still in it's early stages but definitely worth checking out.
Every dog loves the beach, but perhaps your pet pooch would like to do more than just paddle by the shore and sprint along the sand? Did you ever think about that? Well VetShopAustralia certainly have, and to get them on the board, they're holding their annual Surfing Dog Spectacular in Noosa this weekend, March 5-6. If you've ever dreamed of hanging ten with your four-legged bestie, this is your chance. So, do you actually need to know how to surf in order to teach your dog to do the same? Nope. In a free, Saturday morning clinic designed to teach pet owners how to get fit, have fun and strengthen their bond with their beloved canine, former tandem surfing world champion and professional dog trainer Chris De Aboitiz will teach you everything you need. Plus, if you don't have a hound of your own, you can even take to the waves with one of his rescue animals. If watching rather than participating is more your style, then head along on Sunday afternoon instead. That's when you can witness the best of Australia's surfing dogs in action, showcasing new manoeuvres and competing for the grand VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Spectacular title. Part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, the event celebrates its fifth year in 2016. If you've skipped it previously, don't make the same mistake again. Just think: if you can get your furry friend to stand on a surfboard, you're one step closer to making an all-dog remake of Point Break a reality. The VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Spectacular takes place from March 5-6 at The Spit and First Point, Noosa. For more information, visit their website.
Holidaying looks different to every single one of us. Rancho Relaxo is the destination of choice for many, some want to shop their way through a city, while others feel sunrise hikes and fully booked itineraries are the only way to go. If you're seeking a destination that will suit every type of travel companion, we've found it: the Southern Highlands. The region has plenty to offer, from boutique wineries and produce-driven cafes to lush bushy surrounds with an abundance of ways to relax or adventure. And, to seal the deal, Tiny Homes Joadja has four luxuriously appointed, off-grid tiny homes that are pretty unbeatable in terms of places to stay. To make life easy, together with Tiny Homes Joadja, we've curated some of the must-have experiences in the region no matter who you're holidaying with. HOLIDAYING WITH A WILDLIFE LOVER Booking a few nights in Elevation delivers proximity to creatures large and small — think eastern grey kangaroos, red necked wallabies and swathes of birds — making it a wildlife lover's dream getaway. The home for two is set in a small clearing and has large windows framing towering gums and native scrub. Here, a game of creature spotto from your plush queen bed is all in an arvo's work; and you're just a skip from the Wingecarribee River, a known spot for platypus nests. A short drive will see you arrive in charming Berrima. Meander through the eucalypts along the Berrima River Walk, keeping your eyes peeled for the ever-elusive resident platypuses. Hot tip: set out for your day in the early morning light for a better chance of spying on the shy little guys. Drive half an hour down Nowra Road and you'll be at Fitzroy Falls, a lush site teeming with birdlife. Spot cockatoos (glossy blacks and gang-gangs), honeyeaters and golden whistlers — and try to catch the incredible mimicry of a lyrebird. Then, mix some flora with the fauna along the Wildflower Walking Track. On your way back to your teeny abode, pass through Wildes Meadow and grab a classic country feed at a classic country pub, Burrawang Village Hotel. Never enough critter sightings for you? Book a Southern Highlands Wildlife Day Tour and discover the best spots to spy koalas, wombats and sugar gliders. HOLIDAYING WITH A COUNTRY-TOWN ENTHUSIAST Small bakeries with long lines, stores selling covetable homewares and quiet brick-lined streets — it's easy to be seduced by the charm of a country town. If you're travelling with someone who's forever looking to slow things down (without ditching city comforts), a Southern Highlands town-crawl is the trip for you — and Wilson's Rest offers the ideal home base. Start your meandering in Mittagong, the town heralding your arrival to the Southern Highlands from Sydney. Pop into the antique shop on Main Street for a treasure to take home, then head to The Boston Ivy for brekkie. Nab a few treats from Ms Peacock (maybe a Birthday Cake Bar or Buttercrunch Toffee) before continuing on to Bowral. Feeling regal? Head to Dirty Janes to sip tea from fine bone china within the high-ceilinged space full of vintage curios, or go all-in with a high tea. In Berrima, there's a cute country post office worth a little look, and Mrs Oldbuck's Pantry for your local jam and honey needs. Your tiny home awaits for when you need to rest those legs. Spend the night fireside, gazing up at the expanse of stars, before crawling into your lofted queen bed. HOLIDAYING WITH A LOVER If you're loved-up and looking for picturesque surroundings that mirror the way you feel, The Rapids has you sorted. It's based right on the riverfront and has a cute kitchenette, fireplace and a stunning view from the bed — so no one will blame you should you choose not to venture far. But, if you're up for some exploring, cute and couply activities are nearby. After getting caffeinated via the in-house roasted beans at Rush Roasting Co, sip your way from cellar door to cellar door, sampling cool-climate drops from boutique producers. The vast Southern Highlands Winery estate will welcome you with a glass of homegrown pinot, and the cellar door at Cherry Tree Hill has more than one award-winning tipple on offer. Head to Joadja Estate around lunchtime to taste vino from the oldest vineyard in the Highlands before soaking up the booze with rice paper rolls or vermicelli salad from on-site Vietnamese food truck Ms Pho Canteen. The task of the evening? Deciding between a night in under the stars at The Rapids and a booking at Eschalot, the seasonally driven fine diner in Berrima. HOLIDAYING WITH YOUR WHOLE GANG Travelling with more than one other person? Lock in a weekend with your pals at The River Cottage, a cosy property on the banks of Wingecarribee River that sleeps up to eight. With both an indoor fireplace and an outdoor fire pit, plus a porch that overlooks the river, this charming cottage is a great spot to recharge those friendship batteries with long evenings of beers, board games and buzzing conversation. Your chances of seeing wildlife on the property are pretty high (you'll be only 20 metres from the riverfront, after all). But if you want a guarantee of an up-close encounter, pay a visit to Australian Wildlife Sanctuary. Afterward, swing by the ever-popular Bendooley Estate to browse the shelves at The Berkelouw Book Shop and perhaps enjoy a vino by the stone fireplace. Or, to soak up more nature, time your visit to the region with the Tulip Festival in Bowral. If spending an extended period of time with your best mates (a rare occurrence these days) has you feeling like a little kid again, plan a quick stop at The Big Potato in Robertson, then stock up on sweet treats at Lolly Swagman or Gumnut Patisserie. Or, for a more substantial feed, pay a visit to Bowral cafe Veggie Nook. For more information on Tiny Homes Joadja and to book your escape, visit the website.
Aakash Nihalani takes the stationery store to town. Creating 3D images on two-dimensional surfaces, the New York-based artist uses an unlikely medium to create his street art — tape. Immediately identifiable by his signature style of bright, bold lines, look-twice illusions and meticulous repetition, Nihalani conjures movement by playing with your expectations. Hailing from Little India, Jackson Heights in Queens, the artist grew up in Jersey and returned to NYC around 2004 to dive headfirst into art school. Now, Nihalani's works are highly recognised from NYC to Vienna — he's even done a residency at the De Kooning estate in the Hamptons. Nihalani's work is created using cardboard, tape and a whole bunch of accuracy. Not one to shy away from experimenting with materials, Nihalani found his magic thread by chance. "I stumbled upon using tape by accident," he told Design Boom. "I was using a painter’s roll to attach some screen prints to the wall for a student exhibition. There was a pedestal in the space that was casting a cubic shadow on the floor that matched the shapes I was using in my prints, so I outlined the shadow with the tape. It all made sense in that moment." Dotted around NYC, the perspective-warping works range from epic installations like Platforms, Drop and Dominos, attached to concrete walls and best posed in front of; to the most recent shirt-attached Landline series (which would be unbelievably cred-prompting worn to a party as a pair). Budding artists, looks like it might be time you ditched Eckersley's for Officeworks. Via Lost at E Minor and Design Boom. Images from the artist's website, Eye Scream Sunday.
Woolloomooloo's Manta Restaurant offers reasons aplenty to make a booking. Iconic waterfront location: tick. Incredible wine list: tick. And an impressive menu with a focus on sustainability, seasonality and Sydney's freshest seafood dishes: tick, tick and tick. But, just in case you're a tough cookie to impress and need a little more incentive to check it out, the waterfront venue is offering it by way of two exclusive degustation dinners. First up is the Manta x Veuve Clicquot Degustation Dinner on Wednesday, October 26. Break up your work week and give yourself something to look forward to on humpday by making a reservation to enjoy this truly indulgent dining experience. For $295, you'll be treated to four delicious courses featuring oysters, scallops and lobster — designed to pair perfectly with a glass of Veuve Clicquot. Have a weakness for wine from New Zealand? Secure your spot at the Manta x Cloudy Bay Degustation Dinner on Wednesday, November 4 for $159. Offering a similar four-course and wine pairing concept — the evening will see drops of Cloudy Bay's new 2022 Sauvignon Blanc complemented by a selection of signature flavours. Expect kingfish ceviche, New Zealand rack of lamb with saltbush, macadamia and Davidson plum, and a delicious dessert of coconut, mango and passionfruit pavlova (that we'll give the Kiwis credit for this time). To reserve your seat at either (or both!) of these degustation dinners, visit the Manta Restaurant website.
Within Darling Square's stunning new food complex lies a haven for all things brewed, distilled and made in small, limited batches: Bucket Boys. Having established their roots in Marrickville in the form of a bottle shop before expanding to a bar, then adding a co-op bottle-o in a Petersham pub to their belts, the boys behind Sydney's craft beer go-to are now in the city. You'll find this is not your run of the mill watering hole. The bar has 20 taps, each pouring wonderful and 'weird' beers, from a locally brewed raspberry and guava gose to ales, porters, the occasion Belgian brew and a range of BB's own attempts. Not a beer drinker? You'll also find specialty, natural wines and small-batch spirits aplenty. If you're just passing through and looking to pick up a six-pack (or few), the adjoining bottle-o is just as impressive as the bar. It more closely resembles a sort of art gallery for alcohol, and houses just about everything a new-age drinker could ask for. Sours, saisons and stouts? Of course. Limited runs of Tasmanian gin and wine on skins? You bet. Aussie and Kiwi craft brews are extensively represented as are wines (including BB's own) and spirits, with a carefully selected bunch of international alcohols also available. Basically anything BB deems worthy (which may as well be doctrine) has made it onto the shelves. Images: Kimberley Low
Get ready to embark on a captivating journey come Saturday, July 8. Burramatta NAIDOC Day is helping us embrace, honour, and celebrate Australia's many rich and vibrant First Nations cultures. The theme for this year's event is 'For Our Elders', paying tribute to the vital role that Elders play within Indigenous and Australian communities. Expect captivating storytelling, and a celebration of both traditional and contemporary Indigenous cultures. So get friends and family together to immerse yourselves in an array of captivating performances – including live music sets featuring artists like Dean Brady, Stiff Gins and Akala Newman. Look out for the dance showcases by Jannawi Dance Clan and Muggera Cultural Enterprise. If you are looking to get a little more involved, you can get hands-on with some traditional arts and crafts. Or browse the market stalls for something special to bring home. Burramatta NAIDOC Day is an occasion not to miss. Come together as a community for an opportunity to connect, celebrate and learn. Burramatta NAIDOC Day is running on Saturday, July 8 from 10am to 4pm. For more information, visit the website.
You can never have too many John Wick movies. After the first film in the Keanu Reeves (Sonic the Hedgehog 3)-starring action franchise arrived in 2014, more thankfully followed — and if you're a fan, two, three and four flicks about the dog-loving assassin have never been enough. Reeves returns to the role in upcoming spinoff Ballerina, but that's not the only time you'll see him in the series again in the future. Yeah, we're thinking he's back: a fifth John Wick film is now officially locked in. Film studio Lionsgate has announced both another entry in the main saga and Reeves' comeback as its titular figure — something that initially floated way back before John Wick: Chapter 4, but wasn't actually guaranteed after the way that feature wrapped up. There's no word on when the fifth movie will arrive now, who else will be in it or what the storyline will follow as yet, but there doesn't need to be: Reeves as John Wick again is plenty to look forward to. That said, Reeves isn't the only returnee for John Wick 5, with his former stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski joining him. All five films not only boast its inimitable star, then, but Stahelski behind the lens. "It's so important to get this story right and give John's story the proper next step. It's exciting to take the first step on that road," said producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee (Monkey Man) about the fifth entry, as per Variety, with both also involved in the John Wick realm since its beginning. Led by Ana de Armas (Ghosted), From the World of John Wick: Ballerina has a date with cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 5, 2025. This franchise has already earned a TV series, too, courtesy of The Continental: From the World of John Wick — and more related tales are also on the way. Newly announced: an animated John Wick prequel film. Already revealed back in 2024: a Donnie Yen (The Prosecutor)-starring chapter picture about Caine, who first popped up in John Wick: Chapter 4. That movie now has a director, and it's none other than Hong Kong actor and filmmaker Yen himself. There's obviously no trailer for John Wick 5 yet, but check out the trailers for past John Wick films, plus the upcoming Ballerina, below: John Wick 5 doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you with more details when they're announced. Via Variety.
Twilight at Taronga — the after-hours live music series that boasts arguably the best view of Sydney Harbour, as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs. Past lineups have featured the likes of The Jezabels, Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile, Mavis Staples, Paul Kelly and Wolfmother, and, from the looks of things, its 2023 series will be just as epic. Held in Taronga Zoo's natural amphitheatre, the next batch of shows will run from Friday, February 10–Saturday, March 11, 2023. And we've got some real humdingers to look forward to, including Daryl Braithwaite breaking out 'The Horses', plus fellow homegrown stars Kate Miller-Heidke, The Church, The Living End, Xavier Rudd, Kasey Chambers and Busy Marou. ABBA parody/tribute Bjorn Again will also hit the stage, as will James Morrison running through the 'A–Z of Jazz'. And, a big drag gala will bring together Karen From Finance, Kita Mean, Spankie Jackzon, Carla From Bankstown, Elektra Shock and more, all for Sydney WorldPride — while a comedy gala will feature Nazeem Hussain, Melanie Bracewell, Anne Edmonds, Lloyd Langford, Claire Hooper and Danielle Walker. You can BYO a picnic, but there'll also be gourmet hampers available onsite alongside a handful of food trucks. Ticketholders can also purchase discounted same-day entry into the zoo (so you can sneak in a visit to your favourite mammal, bird or reptile beforehand) and, if you want to make a weekend of it, you can add on a night at Taronga's luxe eco-retreat. As always, all proceeds will go back into Taronga's ongoing conservation work, including its campaign to protect our marine life. So, you can see a gig and feel good about helping the zoo. Get excited and check out the full lineup: [caption id="attachment_745448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat[/caption] TWILIGHT AT TARONGA 2023 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES LINEUP: Friday, February 10 — The Living End Saturday, February 11, 10am — Justine Clark Saturday, February 11, 6pm — Bjorn Again Saturday, February 18 — Xavier Rudd Friday, February 24 — The Church Saturday, February 25 — James Morrison's A–Z of Jazz Thursday, March 2 — Drag gala featuring Karen From Finance, Kita Mean, Spankie Jackzon, Carla From Bankstown, Elektra Shock and more Friday, March 3 — Daryl Braithwaite Saturday, March 4, 10am — Teen Tiny Stevies Saturday, March 4, 6pm — Comedy gala featuring Nazeem Hussain, Melanie Bracewell, Anne Edmonds, Lloyd Langford, Claire Hooper, Danielle Walker and more Friday, March 10 — Kate Miller-Heidke Saturday, March 11 — Kasey Chambers and Busy Marou Tickets for Twilight at Taronga 2023 Summer Concert Series go on sale at 12pm AEDT on Thursday, November 3 via twilightattaronga.org.au, with Twilight at Taronga member pre-sales from 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 1.
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a rite of passage that everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime (or multiple times — who's stopping you?). BridgeClimb Sydney will take you safely — big emphasis on 'safely' for all you worrywarts out there — up and down the iconic landmark in a small group. You'll receive a bunch of stories and stats along the way. But, let's be real, you're here for the view. And what a view it is — you'll be 134 metres above sea level, affording you panoramic views of Sydney in all its glory. You can choose from day, night, twilight or dawn climbs. All BridgeClimbers receive a group photo, cap, free pass to the Pylon lookout — a lookout atop the big stone tower at the south end of the bridge — and, best of all, a certificate of authenticity. Stick that one in your wallet for the next time you're out and someone doubts your bravery. And for those of you who want a taste of the experience but are not entirely sure that going all the way to the top is for you, you can try the BridgeClimb Sampler. This means a leisurely one-and-a-half hour stroll to halfway up the bridge to a unique vantage point (minus the vertigo).
What do bread, bagels, pasta, pastries, biscuits and beer have in common? Other than the fact that they're all delicious, they're all also made from grains. And, they'll all be on offer at Sydney's latest food festival, which is dedicated to the humble crop behind so much of what we eat today. If snacking on artisan bread, downing a plate of penne and washing it down with a pint of lager is your idea of a delicious multi-course meal, then the Grains Festival has you covered. Taking place in the very fitting space that is The Flour Mill of Summer Hill — aka a working flour mill until 2009 — from 10am on Sunday, July 1, the event celebrates grain-based food and beverages in an array of forms. And carbs, obviously. Bringing their best grain-focused fare are the likes of Brickfields, Knafeh, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Brasserie Bread, The Bread and Butter Project, Adamo's Pasta, The Farm Wholefoods and more, while Young Henrys, Cake Wines, The Grifter Brewing Company and Capital Brewing Co will be on drinks duty. With the area set to become a foodie precinct as part of its redevelopment, the festival is really all about getting folks to visit the new space — but it'll also feature playdough for any younger attendees, plus live tunes for everyone.
There's never a bad time for gelato. There's never a special occasion that couldn't use it, too. That's all in Gelato Messina's wheelhouse, with the chain mighty fond of releasing limited-edition treats to make holidays even tastier. The latest example: its Easter 2023 offering, which brings back its gelato-filled chocolate eggs. Dessert heaven? This is it. Also, if you've always wanted to smash open a Messina Easter egg, that's on the menu as well. Either way, you'll be tucking into an egg handmade out of Messina's milk chocolate — and it'll be filled with frosty, creamy goodness or six rocher balls. First, the gelato-packed eggs, aka a dream for gelato and chocolate lovers alike. That's tasty news as it is but, in even better news, these goodies come in a trio. So, you'll get the Ménage Egg Trois, as Messina has dubbed it, all for $95. The gelato chain says the three eggs can feed between six and ten people, but it's obviously up to you how much you share them On the menu: a custard and shortbread gelato number, with the chocolate egg also featuring strawberry jam yolk, and then dipped in strawberry white chocolate; and an egg packed with vanilla and coconut gelato, mango sorbet, mango gel yolk and baked cheesecake, then encased in white chocolate and desiccated coconut. And, rounding out the pack is a pretzel and milk chocolate-coated egg featuring chocolate gelato with peanut fudge, chocolate brownies and peanut butter caramel. Your tastebuds might already remember that Messina did gelato-free chocolate Easter eggs in 2022, too. This year's version sprinkles its shell with chopped roasted hazelnuts, and boasts two waffle cone and white chocolate rocher balls (filled with waffle cone cream), two 65-percent dark chocolate and salted peanut rocher balls (filled with peanut cream), and two milk chocolate and hazelnut rocher balls (filled with Messinatella cream) inside. That'll set you back $70, and apparently will keep two-to-four people (or just you) very satisfied. As a bonus, Messina is also making golden versions of both Easter sets — and the difference isn't just in the appearance. If your milk chocolate gelato-filled eggs happen to be gold on the outside, you've won a year's worth of Messina. If your giant chocolate egg has a golden rocher inside, same deal. You will need to take a photo, then email hello@gelatomessina.com to claim your prize. Messina's Easter kits can only be ordered online on Monday, March 20 for collection over Easter — of course — between Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9. Messina now opens its orders at various times for various places, so you'll want to hop online at 9am for Queensland and Australian Capital Territory stores, 9.15am for Victorian shops, and at either 9.30am, 9.45am or 10am depending on where you are in New South Wales. Gelato Messina's Easter eggs are available to order from Monday, March 20 for pick up between Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9 — head to the Messina website for further details.
Gin & Jazz is back at The Apollo for another year. Every session brings you four hours of live, laidback grooves, which you can match with a $95 banquet – or all your favourite dishes. If you go for the former, you'll start with Beverage Director Matt Whiley's pink martini — a sweet yet herby mix of Four Pillars gin, Oscar vermouth, salted strawberry and bay leaf. Then, it'll be straight into the banquet, which consists of nine of The Apollo's classic dishes. Start with olives and pickles, grilled pita, tzatziki and bonito crudo with tomato tartare, before moving onto saganaki cheese with honey oregano, alongside a village salad. The main is oven-baked lamb shoulder alongside roasted potatoes, while watermelon and ouzo makes for a refreshing dessert. As for the jazz, it's happening on the last Sunday of every month between May to September, from 12–4pm. Catch guitarist Arthur Washington and his band on Sunday, June 29 and Sunday, August 31, and the Soundcliff Jazz Trio on Sunday, July 27 and Sunday, September 28.
While more of us are working from home and practising social distancing, it makes sense that we're increasingly wanting a furry, four-legged friend by our sides. We understand your yearning for a new adorable pet, and so does the RSPCA. And, to find permanent homes for pups, cats, bunnies and guinea pigs surrendered into its care, it's calling out to the community to help look after its many animal during this tough time. So, if you've been thinking about adding a pet to your fam (and have considered it thoroughly), now might just be the time. Although shelters and care centres across NSW closed to public walk-ins from April 2, as a result of current federal and state restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19, that doesn't mean you can't adopt. Instead, RSPCA has launched 'Adopt from Home', where the entire adoption process is conducted over the phone or video call and, once approved, your new pet is transported to your house for a (socially distanced) meet-and-greet. Rest assured, too, that the usual procedures and standards still apply, so every animal will end up in a happy new forever home. Last year, the RSPCA found new homes for 2654 pets Australia-wide. Over the past couple of weeks alone, RSPCA NSW shelters and Petbarn adoption centres have seen more than 500 animals adopted across the state, which is a 28 percent increase compared to this time last year. In a statement, RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said, "As this pandemic escalates, we are asking for your help to find forever homes for the animals in our care." To welcome in a new family member, you must fill out this form, then a RSPCA NSW will be in touch to arrange a time for the process to take place via phone or video call. Due to the new process, you'll also have to purchase a carry box, lead or car harness, too, so your pet can make it to you safely. According to the RSPCA, at present there is no evidence that you can contract COVID-19 from a companion animal. If you're thinking about adopting, you can check out all the good boys, kittens, bunnies and birds looking for new homes in NSW. For details about adopting animals, head to the RSPCA NSW website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
This is a blast: before its second season even arrives, Fallout has already been renewed for a third. Prime Video has announced not only that the hit video game-to-television adaptation will return in December 2025, but that more is on the way after that. That's what happens when a series becomes one of the platform's top-three most-watched shows ever, notching up more than 100-million viewers globally. It was true when Fallout was locked in for season two, and it remains the case now: bring a massively beloved video game to TV in the right way and viewers will come flocking. That worked for The Last of Us as well, which is currently streaming its second season and also has a third in the works. While Fallout will initially take viewers back to the wasteland before 2025 is out — complete with stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The White Lotus) and Aaron Moten (Emancipation) returning as Lucy, The Ghoul and Maximus, respectively — there's no exact December date for season two as yet. Understandably, there's also no release date at all locked in for season three so far. For the second season, though, viewers can look forward not only to picking up where season one's finale left off, but to venturing through the Mojave wasteland to New Vegas. When it dropped its initial eight episodes in 2024, Fallout took its cues from the games that first debuted on computers back in 1997, with three released sequels, a fourth on the way and seven spinoffs all following. The live-action television iteration follows Lucy, a lifelong vault-dweller, who leaves her cosy underground digs to navigate the irradiated wasteland that earth has remained for two centuries after the nuclear apocalypse. Crossing her path: bounty hunter The Ghoul, who has ties to life before the devastation; and Maximus, an aspiring soldier with the Brotherhood of Steel, who don giant robotic suits. In this nightmarish future, a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence awaits beyond the bunker that the optimistic Lucy, daughter of Hank (Kyle MacLachlan, Blink Twice), who oversees Vault 33, has always called home. Bringing the chaos to life is a behind-the-scenes team featuring Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, as well as Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) as writers and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in it as well. "The holidays came a little early this year — we are thrilled to be ending the world all over again for a third season of Fallout," advised Nolan and Joy, announcing the news. "On behalf of our brilliant cast and crew, our showrunners Geneva and Graham, and our partners at Bethesda, we're grateful to our incredible collaborators at Amazon MGM Studios and to the amazing fans as we continue our adventures in the wasteland together." There's no sneak peek for Fallout season two yet, but you can check out the trailer for season one below: Fallout streams via Prime Video. Season two will arrive in December 2025 — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
Art/Work is a new Concrete Playground series where we take some time to chat with our local creatives in an attempt to unravel the daily grind behind being an artist. This week we speak with Kate Mitchell, a Sydney-based endurance artist represented by Chalk Horse. She is also one half of the paper cut crazy duo, Greedy Hen. Beware, jealousy pangs coming up, no more day job for this lovely lady! Most days you'll find me having some good times working at the Greedy Hen studio in Surry Hills. Greedy Hen is essentially a multi-disciplinary studio functioning partly as an art collective and partly as a design studio, housing the collaborative works of Katherine Brickman and myself. We make artwork, mostly collage/illustration heavy and it ends up in a whole variety of industries. We share our studio with some top notch people like Elke Kramer, Mikie Inglis and Benja Harney. It's non stop action in there! When I am not there I am having good times working/making from my studio at home. Otherwise I'm at the beach or on a bike. For the most part I spend my week bouncing ideas around with Katherine Brickman in Greedy Hen HQ, nutting out plans of attack and then getting them done the best way we can. We never know what will be in our inbox each morning, but usually there is some job waiting patiently for us! From time to time I work from my studio at home, it's quite a good balance. At the moment I am working on a solo Greedy Hen show which opens on May 5th at Lamington Drive in Melbourne. And currently I have some video works in a splendid group show called Social Sculpture on at Anna Schwartz Gallery at Carriage Works. It's on until May 14th. If money wasn't an issue I'd sail around the world, live on an island, climb some mountains, raft some rapids, make travel documentaries, meet some serious locals, learn to tie knots properly, never live through another winter and just wholesomely get out there and get involved. And realise all art dreams! Being an artist in Sydney is delightful and relentless in equal measure. My neighbourhood is Bronte. There's the beach and the RSL, what could possibly go wrong? I'm quite a fan of sneaking in a good body surf at Bronte beach in the mornings, and then I can't resist a dance off at Good God Small Club. It never fails to deliver.
When pink guards approach, little that's good happens. In the first teaser trailer for Squid Game season three, that proves true again. The just-dropped sneak peek at the Netflix hit's third and final season starts with its red-adorned figures carrying a black box — the type used as coffins for players who haven't made it in this life-or-death game. Naturally, everyone decked out in a green tracksuit is curious, as well as apprehensive. It's time to play one last time — or it will be come Friday, June 27, 2025. Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) is back in the game. A huge gumball machine is part of the next round, complete with red and blue balls. The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun, The Magnificent Seven) also makes a return. Expect to hear a baby crying as well. That the deadly contest at the heart of Squid Game just keeps going, continuing to pit new batches of 456 players against each other in a battle to the death to win 45.6 billion won, sits at the heart of the award-winning Netflix series — but will that remain the case now that the show itself is wrapping up? What happens next in Gi-hun's quest to bring down those responsible for the killer competition? If you've watched season two, which dropped on Boxing Day 2024, then these are probably some of your questions already. Fans will also know that Player 456 went back in the game with new fellow competitors for company, then found himself closer to the person pulling the strings than he knew. However his efforts pan out this time around, the show's last run will feature a finale written and directed by series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. In Squid Game's second season, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returned as the man in the suit, aka the person who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place — and so did Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) as detective Hwang Jun-ho. That said, a series about a deadly contest comes with a hefty bodycount, so new faces were always going to be essential. That's where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all came in. If you've somehow missed all things Squid Game until now, even after it became bigger than everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series serves up a puzzle-like storyline and unflinching savagery, which unsurprisingly makes quite the combination. It also steps into societal divides within South Korea, a topic that wasn't invented by Parasite, Bong Joon-ho's excellent Oscar-winning 2019 thriller, but has been given a boost after that stellar flick's success. As a result, it's easy to see thematic and narrative parallels between Parasite and Squid Game, although Netflix's highly addictive series goes with a Battle Royale and Hunger Games-style setup. Netflix turned the show's whole premise into an IRL competition series as well, which debuted in 2023 — without any murders, of course. Squid Game: The Challenge has already been picked up for a second season. Check out the first trailer for Squid Game season three below: Squid Game season three streams via Netflix from Friday, June 27, 2025. Season one and two are available to stream now. Images: Netflix.
A brand-new event is coming to Bondi Pavilion this winter, with the inaugural Bondi Wellness Festival taking over the historic beachfront venue on Sunday, July 27. The one-day event will bring together some of Australia's most respected wellness leaders to explore movement and mindfulness in a high-energy, community-focused setting. Across three streams — Movement, Connection and Expansion — festival-goers can take part in everything from high-intensity boxing sessions and cardio-dance workouts to sound healing, guided meditation and breathwork led by Bondi lifeguard Dean Gladstone. The day also features panels, talks and live podcast recordings tackling topics ranging from fertility to biohacking. Whether you're chasing a post-workout high, taking a closer look into self-awareness or seeking renewed motivation, the festival is designed to uplift and inspire. With facilitators and keynote speakers like Gina Chick, Sinead Hegarty, Trent Knox and Sandor Earl, you'll be able to nourish your mind and body, right by the sea. Add in delicious eats from Glory Days and Surfish, as well as tarot readings, massages and a pop-up bookstore by Gertrude & Alice, and you've got yourself a dreamy Bondi Sunday.
Just when you thought drowsy Sunday afternoon grill-ups couldn’t possibly get any more deliciously lazy, Lynx comes up with a voice-activated barbecue, aka Smart Grill. That’s right, all you have to do now is kick back on your banana lounge and tell the barbie how you want your steak done. Well, that’s a slight exaggeration. But the MyChef interface promises to take a whole chunk of guesswork out of the process. No more black-on-the-outside-scary-pink-on-the-inside culinary disasters. Instead, the system links you to an online database providing all the information necessary for grilling perfection. Simply answer a couple of questions and MyChef advises you on the big decisions — when to turn, when to season and when to call it. At this stage, you'll have to stop resting on your laurels and do some flipping, salting and peppering, but the voice-controlled system does have the power to take care of other major jobs, such as getting the burners to optimum temperature. Plus, MyChef can keep you informed of developments via text messages and audiovisual cues through the companion app, so you can hang out by the pool, mix some cocktails and see to your guests without having to worry about messing up the steaks. And, just in case you indulge in one too many mojitos, misplace your phone and forget all about your feast, there’s an automatic safety shutdown mechanism. Having previewed at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Smart Grill is currently in prototype stage. Lynx is hoping to have it on the market next year. ViaGizmag.
When you've already spent 2025 singing and dancing with Robyn at Saturday Night Live's 50th-anniversary concert, then releasing the Saoirse Ronan (Blitz)-starring first-ever music video for 'Psycho Killer' 48 years after the song's debut, what comes next? For David Byrne, the answer is a new album in September, plus a new world tour that kicks off the same month — and heads Down Under in January 2026. The iconic Talking Heads founder and frontman has dropped two huge pieces of news at once, revealing his impending latest record Who Is the Sky? and the live shows to support it. In Australia and New Zealand, he'll be playing his first gigs since 2018, when he brought his American Utopia tour — which none other than Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods) turned into a concert flick also called American Utopia, aka one of 2020's absolute best films — this way. [caption id="attachment_1008708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shervin Lainez[/caption] If you're in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and you're thinking "this must be the place", then you're right: Byrne is venturing to each of these cities. First, he'll hit up Spark Arena on Wednesday, January 14 on his sole NZ stop, before kicking off his Aussie dates on Saturday, January 17 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. From there, he'll play ICC Sydney Theatre on Wednesday, January 21; Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Thursday, January 22; Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena on Saturday, January 24; and Perth's RAC Arena on Tuesday, January 27. If you caught his American Utopia gigs or watched the film, you'll recognise some other familiar faces on the Who Is the Sky? tour. Byrne is taking to the stage with 13 musicians, singers and dancers, some of whom were part of the American Utopia band. Just like in those famous shows, his fellow performers will all be mobile throughout Byrne's latest set. Like tour, like album: Who Is the Sky? isn't just Byrne's first set of live gigs since American Utopia, but also his first record since that Grammy-winning release came out in 2018. Launching on Friday, September 5, 2025 — with first single 'Everybody Laughs' out now — the new album features St Vincent, Paramore's Hayley Williams, The Smile drummer Tom Skinner and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco among its guests. Byrne has long been a must-see live performer — and there's long been filmic proof of that fact. Forty-two years ago this December, he made concert film history with Talking Heads when he walked out onto a Hollywood stage with a tape deck, pressed play and, while standing there solo, began to sing 'Psycho Killer'. Then-future The Silence of the Lambs Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme directed cameras his way, recording the results for Stop Making Sense. David Byrne Who Is the Sky? World Tour Australia and New Zealand 2026 Dates Wednesday, January 14 — Spark Arena, Auckland Saturday, January 17 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Wednesday, January 21 — ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney Thursday, January 22 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Saturday, January 24 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide Tuesday, January 27 — RAC Arena, Perth David Byrne is touring Australia and New Zealand in January 2026, with ticket presales from 2pm local time on Thursday, June 12, 2025 and general sales from 1pm local time on Friday, June 13, 2025. Head to the tour website for further details. Live images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Bloody excellent news, gin lovers: Four Pillars' bloody season is back for 2023. Since 2015, the Healesville-based distillery has turned its winter sip into one of the most coveted tipples of the year, and this year is no different. But, instead of just one limited-edition wine-infused concoction, there's two on offer: the cult-favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin and new sibling Bloody Pinot Noir Gin. Spirits fiends familiar with the shiraz version will know that it is ridiculously popular for a reason. Also, it's gin infused with shiraz grapes. That blend gives the drop its cerise hue, and provides sweet undertones — but means that it avoids a higher sugar content. It is boozier, though, with an alcoholic content of 37.8 percent (compared to an average 25 percent in regular sloe gin). Initially it came about when Four Pillars came into possession of 250 kilograms of Yarra Valley shiraz grapes, did some experimenting, and bet that steeping those grapes in its OG Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks — then pressing the fruit and blending it with the gin — would end tastily. The 2023 Bloody Shiraz Gin follows that process again, while the Bloody Pinot Noir Gin sees Four Pillars try another grape variety. If the distillery is bottling it and selling it, clearly it turned out well, too. This newcomer also sources its fruit from Yarra Valley again. The end result is softer and lighter but with a heavier gin taste, and with aromas of rose petals, strawberries and cherries. Both gins go on sale on Saturday, June 10 for $88 each at the brand's website, and from Thursday, June 1 if you're a Four Pillars subscriber. The shiraz version will also be available at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery and Four Pillars Sydney Lab, plus selected bottle-os. Bloody Shiraz Gin fans over the years will also know that it always comes in a limited-edition bottle, with year's featuring artwork by Australian illustrator Luke Lucas. Plus, the full bloody range includes gin and tonic cans and a Bandwagon booze-free shiraz option — so even if you're not partaking in alcohol, you can still enjoy a drink. Also bloody brilliant: to celebrate not one but two bloody gins, and bloody season overall, Four Pillars is hosting a midwinter gin fest. Running from Thursday, June 1–Sunday, July 31 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the festival is actually 15 events, offering each city something a little different (while always heroing the two tipples in the spotlight, of course, and getting everyone saying "bloody" over and over). In Sydney, the Four Pillars Lab will celebrate World Gin Day with a weekend-long party filled with drinks, snacks, DJs, workshops and free tastings. The venue is also doing a Golden Century BBQ takeover, teaming pork, duck and dumplings with Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks; putting on a big feast with North Bondi Fish; popping up at North Sydney's Rafi and the Harbour View Hotel; and bringing back the Gin & Film Fest at Golden Age Cinema with a focus on slasher sirens. [caption id="attachment_902042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wes Nel[/caption] In Melbourne, the Healesville distillery is doing comparable World Gin Day festivities, and also hosting a Fireside Festival that's all about hot cocktails. Also, Yakimono is doing a feast, there'll be takeovers at Dessous and Goldilocks, and the Gin & Film Fest is back at Thornbury Picture House. Last but not least, Brisbane gets a feast as well at Newstead's Stratton. And, the venue is hosting a month-long takeover with a special Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks menu. [caption id="attachment_851598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anson Smart[/caption] The 2023 Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin and Bloody Pinot Noir Gin will go on sale around the country on Saturday, June 10, or on Thursday, June 1 if you're a Four Pillars subscriber. Head to the Four Pillars website to make a purchase — or hit up the Four Pillars Distillery at Healesville, Victoria and the Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills, Sydney. Four Pillars bloody range images: Benito Martin.
The historic Bridge Street basement formerly home to Burns Philp & Co will be transformed into a nostalgic Japanese restaurant from beloved Sydney chef Mike Eggert. Merivale's latest opening will arrive in early 2024, with Good Luck Restaurant Lounge taking elements from Eggert's Totti's while celebrating big Japanese flavours. The inspiration for the venue comes from a Good Luck Pinbone pop-up that Eggert ran back in 2017. This new CBD eatery will function as somewhat of a spiritual successor to that now-closed diner, incorporating a similar mix of Italian and Asian culinary techniques and dishes. [caption id="attachment_931518" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Eggert, Steven Woodburn[/caption] "Pinbone leaned into a mix of Italian and Chinese cuisine, but Good Luck takes more inspiration from Tokyo," says Eggert. "Think Totti's, but then add soy, dashi, vinegar with fresh herbs, citrus and chilli." Accentuating the menu will be a fitout that takes inspiration from 1970s Japan. Merivale boss Justin Hemmes took control of the space that once acted as a bustling lumberyard, with the goal of transforming it into a diner that transports you back to Tokyo some 50 years ago. Expect to find live seafood tanks, two wine rooms, a bar, and a selection of both private and semi-private spaces accompanying the expansive Good Luck Restaurant Lounge dining room. "It's going to be a fun vibe — maybe a bit wild but not stuffy or elitist. It's got that feel where you know you'll lose track of time... it's just great food with a side of party." Good Luck Restaurant Lounge is set to open at 11 Bridge Street, Sydney in 2024. Follow its progress at the venue's Instagram.
The black parade is coming back to Australia — eventually. After their last attempt to head to our shores in 2020 was thwarted due to the pandemic, the reunited My Chemical Romance announced earlier in 2021 that they'd tour the country's east coast in 2022. However, those gigs have now been pushed back to 2023 — but extra shows have also been added. Hopefully the third time will prove the charm for Gerard Way and co, and for music lovers eager to grab their eyeliner, don every black piece of clothing in their wardrobe, relive their angsty emo teenage years and let out three cheers. The new tour will mark more than a decade since MCR last came to our shores for the 2012 Big Day Out — and comes after the US group went their separate ways in 2013, then reformed in 2019. Fans will be pleased to know that MCR are headlining their own shows on this tour, too, rather than leading a festival bill as they were slated to do in 2020. And, they'll now be playing two gigs at each of their stops in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney — with their rescheduled 2023 tour doubling down on stints at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Rod Laver Arena and Qudos Bank Arena. While waiting an extra year to see MCR isn't quite the end-of-2021 development anyone wanted, being able to snap up tickets to new shows if you missed out in the first round is clearly much better news. Back in late 2019, when MCR announced that they were literally getting the band back together, they sold out their first reunion gig in Los Angeles quick smart — and tickets to their Australian gigs have already proven mighty popular. The group has been trying to take its new show on the road ever since they reformed, but, thanks to the pandemic, that has obviously proven much trickier than anticipated. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Monday, March 13 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane — NEW SHOW Tuesday, March 14 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane — SOLD OUT Thursday, March 16 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne — NEW SHOW Friday, March 17 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne — SOLD OUT Sunday, March 19 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney — SOLD OUT Monday, March 20 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney — NEW SHOW My Chemical Romance will tour Australia's east coast in March 2023. For further information — and for pre-sale tickets for the just-announced new shows from 3pm on Tuesday, December 14, and general tickets from 12pm on Wednesday, December 15 — head to the tour website. Top image: My Chemical Romance performing by NBSTwo via Flickr.
Need to get from A to B, and keen to do so on a neon green scooter? Well, you're in luck. After setting up shop in New Zealand, running a test in Melbourne and trialling electric bikes in Sydney, US-born company Lime has now unleashed its motorised two-wheeled transport in Brisbane. Specifically, Lime is giving its dockless electric scooter service a whirl, initially leaving several hundred — yep hundred — in South Bank and Fortitude Valley. When the outfit launched in NZ, it clocked up more than 300,000 rides within a month, so it's clearly hoping for a similar influx of scooting here. The company has been gaining popularity across the globe, with even Uber signing up as a strategic partner. With biking Lime's domain, its Lime-S electric scooters are of the stand-up variety — like the ones you probably had as a kid, not mopeds. But, with a 250-watt motor, they can reach speeds of just over 23 kilometres per hour and have a range of around 32 kilometres. They'll cost you $1 to unlock and 30 cents per minute. In terms of hiring them, it works much the same as dockless bikes services that we've seen. You locate a nearby scooter using the Lime app, unlock it by scanning a QR code or entering an ID, and cruise to your destination. You then park and lock the scooter safely out of the way. Each of the vehicles is also equipped with a sensor, which can tell the operators its location. And for keeping an eye on battery life, that's something that you can monitor via the app. In Brisbane, Lime will add more to spots around the city according to demand, and will also collect the vehicles every night from wherever they end up. As far as the latter is concerned, the aim is twofold: to juice up the scooters for the next day, and to reduce both vandalism and street clutter. In other cities like Melbourne and Sydney, the bicycle sharing service boom, which Brisbane City Council has refrained from entering so far, has folks leaving their bikes wherever they feel like it, throwing them into rivers and more has been a problem around the country, which Lime clearly hopes to avoid in Brissie. In Sydney, the company is currently trialling bikes rather then scooters due to legal restrictions; however the Queensland Government has given Lime an exemption to laws that otherwise deemed its vehicles illegal. Without the arrangement with the authorities, users could've been fined up to $10,444 due to the speed and power of the scooters. The state's road rules mandate that motorised scooters can't travel faster than ten kilometres per hour, or have an electric motor with more than a 200-watt output. The Lime scooters are now circulating Brisbane. To find one, download the Lime App and follow the instructions.
Sydney's northwest just got an injection of Italian glamour with the opening of Sarino's inside Mullane's Hotel in Baulkham Hills — right opposite the new billion-dollar metro Metro Northwest railway. Run by Momento Hospitality (Bella Vista Hotel, The Governor), the second-floor restaurant is sleek and minimalist, with expansive skylights catering to the theatricality of an open kitchen, where guests can watch the chefs at work around a central charcoal oven or, if they prefer, retreat to one of three hidden private dining rooms. The lofty space also has an attached craft distillery, which will begin pumping out almond liqueur for the restaurant's affogatos and limoncello using fresh lemon's from the Colosimo family (founders of Momento) orchards in early 2020. The food leaving the kitchen is sophisticated and refined, and honours the family's Calabrian heritage. It's all made using produce from regional NSW, too, where possible. Executive Chef Joe Cavallo is plating up dishes such as the buffalo ricotta, buffalo mozzarella and parmigiano regiano ravioli — we count three cheeses — with burnt sage butter and pistachio, the porchetta with roasted apple and leek ash, and a 1.2-kilogram bistecca alla Fiorentina. We're also pretty keen to try the antipasto and cheese menus, which covers cheeses from Italy and Victoria, house-roasted capsicum, marinated olives, artichokes, and salumi from Italy and Byron Bay, including a 24-month San Daniele prosciutto. Pair your meal with one of more than 200 wines and finish it off with a tipple in the adjoining cocktail bar and intimate lounge space. Try the Sunday Roast negroni, which adds notes of rosemary and butter-washed gin to the classic Italian aperitif. Guests can expect to sip rare single malt whiskies (with a hefty price tag) and store the spirit in their own private liquor cabinet for safekeeping. Two dozen top-shelf whiskies from around the world are available, and your drop will be served in crystal glassware with specialty ice and complimentary mixers and snacks. Then just lock it away for when you next come back (you know, if you have the cash).
Tired of dating apps? There's little chance of getting ghosted by a rescue pup this Valentine's, as Petbarn Foundation and Maggie's Rescue make it easy to find your soulmate by hosting a unique Rescue Restaurant. This special event is an IRL chance to meet a dog in need of a forever home, plus there's even time for Sydney singles to mingle with other adopters. Taking over Forrester's in Surry Hills on February 13, this dog-friendly pub is the ideal setting for Rescue Restaurant. Here, the experts from Maggie's Rescue will facilitate meeting the pups and make sure the match is compatible. Then, it's over to you to spark up a conversation over snacks and drinks if any fellow adoptees catch your eye. Rescue Restaurant is hosted as part of Rescue Month, where Petbarn Foundation and SavourLife come together to save as many pets as possible. Aiming to rescue 400 pups from pounds while re-homing 500 cats from in-store adoption centres, you can do your bit by applying for this invite-only event. It's a great way to discover true love, human or otherwise.
