Hiking through forests and swimming around coral reefs can be great fun, but some of the best adventure holidays include those with close and personal wildlife experiences — and that doesn't mean just looking at birds in trees or visiting a zoo. This kind of epic getaway will have you witnessing exotic animals in their natural habitat, getting as close as you can without causing them any harm. To help you get on one of these trips, we teamed up with a bunch of local and international tour providers who curate experiences for animal lovers especially. Read on to find your fave and book your spot through Concrete Playground Trips. A HUMPBACK WHALE ADVENTURE This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of travel experience. Adventure lovers will spend seven nights in Tonga, diving around the island almost every day. Each day, you'll follow the lead of Jono Allen — the ocean photographer, environmental scientist, marine megafauna guide and filmmaker — as he takes you to a series of different dive spots. Every year, thousands of magnificent humpback whales migrate from the freezing feeding grounds of Antarctica to Tonga's warm, azure paradise to mate and give birth. You're not totally guaranteed to see these majestic sea creatures, but this place'll be your best bet. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_899178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Red Charlie (Unsplash)[/caption] FIVE-NIGHT LUXURY SERENGETI SAFARI This Tanzanian trek takes animal lovers to some of the country's most famous safari destinations, including Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro Crater. You'll traverse savannah grasslands in a 4WD car with only a couple of other tourists. Here, you've got an ideal vantage point for spotting zebras, leopards, giraffes and all other kinds of native wildlife. You'll also stay in incredibly glam accommodation along the way. Specifically, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Arusha Coffee Lodge and Grand Melia. It's guaranteed that you'll safari in total style on this Serengeti tour. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_893317" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Colin Meg (Unsplash)[/caption] 10-DAY BORNEO WILDLIFE EXPEDITION Borneo is a bucket list travel destination for so many nature lovers. People flock to this part of the world for its wild rainforests, rugged coastline and traditional villages full of friendly locals. Fantastically, this 10-day tour takes you to all of Borneo's best bits, including an orangutan sanctuary where you can get up close with the intelligent creatures. You'll also cruise along the Kinabatangan River, chill out on the stunning Manukan Island and get a taste of city life in Kota Kinabalu — spending your nights in luxe resorts, hotels and lodges. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_895302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS ON THIS NINGALOO REEF GETAWAY Swimming with the whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef should be at the top of everyone's travel hit-list when visiting Western Australia's Coral Coast. Exmouth is the gateway to the world's largest fringing reef — the iconic Ningaloo Reef — and that's exactly where you're headed on this exclusive three-day adventure. You'll enjoy a full day here, diving headfirst into the pristine aquatic wonderland that's home to dolphins, manta rays, turtles, humpback whales and, of course, the much-loved gentle giants: whale sharks. Spend the rest of your days at your own leisure. Our hot tips? Hitting up the iconic Cape Range National Park, home to native wildlife and epic walking trails. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_899180" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juli Kosolapova (Unsplash)[/caption] CROSS THE SOUTH GOBI DESERT BY CAMEL This isn't the usual two-hour camel tour you'll find Down Under — it is altogether more epic. You'll spend 11 days trekking around the largest desert in Asia, all from atop your humped steed. Wake up, jump aboard and explore Mongolia's Gobi Desert with local guides. This part of the locale is rich in mineral resources, diverse flora and fauna, thousands of unrevealed dinosaur fossils and rare paleo findings, as well as stacks of historical and archaeological sites. And seeing them via camel just makes your trip that much more unique and fun-filled. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_899177" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jorge Tung (Unsplash)[/caption] LUXURY SAFARI AROUND KENYA This seven-day tour takes adventure travellers to some of the greatest national parks and conservation reserves in Kenya. You'll see lions, elephants and rhinos in their habitats as they thrive in protected areas — a true must-do experience. Each night will be spent in a different luxury lodge located close to the wildebeest migration routes — meaning guests will likely get the chance to see these astonishing wild animals close-up (say, while having brekkie or swimming in their private plunge pool). If an African safari is on the cards this year, consider this exclusive offering from Concrete Playground Trips. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_899195" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Dunn (Unsplash)[/caption] SMALL GROUP FULL-DAY TOUR OF KANGAROO ISLAND Kangaroo Island is one of the top places to visit in Australia — and this tour will let travellers see some of its cutest and most rare wildlife. Start the morning with a cuppa and some homemade treats with fellow travellers before walking along koala-filled paths by the beach. After you're fuelled, you'll be taken to a series of natural sites that'll have you right up close to wallabies and sea lions. Watch pups nursing or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology. The trip even includes lunch at a private bush camp, where you'll dine on locally caught fish and drink plenty of South Australian wine. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_899184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 2H Media (Unsplash)[/caption] EXCLUSIVE GORILLA TOUR OF UGANDA Live your Gorillas in the Mist fantasy (sans scary poachers) on this seven-day primate tour in Uganda. You'll trek around the rainforests keeping your eyes peeled for all kinds of primates — think chimpanzees, monkeys and the almighty gorilla — and even jump aboard a river boat for a day. Throughout the animal-filled getaway, travellers will stay in Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Simba Safari Camp and the Isunga Lodge — each surrounded by nature and wildlife. It's one of the greatest ways to explore this part of the world. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Hu Chen (Unsplash).
If Chapter One is the beginning of some magical and mystical culinary food novel, we want to read the whole book. Since opening last year, Chapter One Coffee and Wine Room has attracted a regular flow of loyal locals. This quaint cafe is perched upon Campbell Parade, and from here you can see the sparkling Pacific as you order your morning coffee. With its Tuscan wine cellar feel, pendant lightbulbs, exposed brick, boho Bangalow rugs and vintage glass jar ornaments, Chapter One is a stunning little hole in the wall. It's got charm, it's got magic and you can't help but to feel like you have tumbled out of a story book setting. Their morning menu is relaxed (think marinated feta, avocado and soft boiled eggs over sourdough) and lunch offers fresh sandwiches and salads. Where this little cutie really hits it's stride though, is in the evening. With its fresh pasta, charcuterie and cheeses with wines from Australia, New Zealand and beyond to match the menu, Chapter One is a very welcome addition to Sydney's famous beachside suburb.
Triple J's Hottest 100 is back for another year, counting down the best songs of 2025 as voted by listeners around the country. The nation's biggest music event kicks off from 12pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and while you could tune in from home, it's far better with a cold drink in hand and a crowd singing along beside you. Across Australia, venues are turning up the volume and opening their doors for Hottest 100 listening parties, complete with drink specials, live sets and all-day kick-ons once the number one song drops. From inner-city pubs and coastal beer gardens to small-batch breweries and rooftop bars, here's where to celebrate the countdown in style this weekend. NSW: Akasha Brewing Company – Five Dock The Lord Gladstone – Chippendale 4 Pines Truckbar – Brookvale Resin Brewing – Bulli Darlo Bar – Darlinghurst East Village Hotel – Darlinghurst Taphouse Sydney – Darlinghurst The Strand Hotel – Darlinghurst The Golden Barley Hotel – Enmore Bombies – Freshwater The Governor – Macquarie Park Sauce Brewing Co – Marrickville The Courthouse Hotel – Newtown The Marlborough Hotel — Newtown The Old Commodore Hotel — McMahons Point Drink West – Penrith Public House – Petersham Salisbury Hotel – Stanmore General Gordon Hotel – Sydenham The Australian Heritage Hotel – The Rocks La La La's – Wollongong The Illawarra – Wollongong VIC: The Wine List – Euroa The Catfish – Fitzroy Top Yard — Melbourne CBD Holmes Hall — Moonee Ponds Welcome to Thornbury — Northcote Esplanade Hotel — St Kilda Westside Ale Works — South Melbourne QLD: Ric's Bar — Fortitude Valley WA: Rocky Ridge Brewing Co — Busselton Inglewood Hotel – Mt Lawley Rosemount Hotel – North Perth ACT: Assembly The People's Pub – Braddon Capital Brewing Co – Fyshwick NT: One Mile Brewery – Winnellie Don't see a listening party near you? Head to the website for the full list.
As our evening ferry pulls toward Cockatoo Island, it's obvious this is isn't going to be any ordinary weekend camping trip. First to catch our eye is an enormous sign in dazzling lights: "YOU CREATE WHAT YOU WILL". George Bernard Shaw's prescient words, captured here by artist Nathan Coley, announce that the 19th Biennale of Sydney has taken over the island. The installation glitters anomalously against a background of rust-enveloped cranes, abandoned shipyards and colonial residences that speak to the UNESCO World Heritage site's history as a penitentiary and industrial hub. Upon disembarking, we check in for our night of 'glamping' (that's glamorous camping). The glamour relates mainly to the fuss-free nature of the event: our tent has been pre-erected and equipped with comfy trundle beds, warm blankets and an esky that doubles as a bedside table. With cafes, restaurants and bars dotting the island and breakfast packs (from $15) that can be cooked up in the communal barbeque space, all we've needed to bring along are cooking and eating utensils and some warm clothes. The 125-strong tent village includes both glamping (from $125 per night) and camping (from $89) options, the latter being slightly smaller and sans-bed, as well as some empty sites for those who prefer to BYO (from $45). Our tent is right at the water's edge, looking over the sparkling Parramatta River to the leafy shores of Woolwich. It's easy to while away the twilight hours watching the boats sail by and chatting with the families and couples settling into the tents around us. At nightfall, we make our way to the Island Bar, a cheerful beach-themed oasis that leans into the irony of its location on a beachless industrial island by setting up shop within a charming array of shipping containers. The cocktails are summery and potent and are accompanied by tasty pizzas from the container-kitchen. With most campers asleep, we grab our lantern and take a late-night stroll around the island. The looming water tower and deserted power station make for delightfully spooky landmarks against the night sky. The glittering vistas of the Harbour Bridge and the Balmain and Birchgrove peninsulas are a constant distraction that we somehow manage to put up with. In the morning, we wolf down our breakfast pack of eggs, sausages, bacon and bread rolls ($30) and start game-planning to ensure we catch everything at the Biennale. The mixed-media installations and interactive sculptures are all loosely arranged around the defining principle of this year's Biennale: 'you imagine what you desire'. You are invited, exhorted and at times compelled to interact with the artists' work and to allow your imagination to pick up where they've left off. The most impressive works are those that embrace their unique surroundings and breathe life into the island's eerie structures. We sit within a crumbling, soon-to-be demolished house to watch Maison, a painstaking stop-motion film by Augustin Rebetez and Noe Cauderay about a house that devours itself and the curious characters within it. Susan Norrie’s Dissent plays footage of Japanese anti-nuclear protests within the old power station; on our way in, a Biennale volunteer cautions us not to touch any of the instruments as their surfaces may still contain heavy metals. Another compelling audiovisual piece, Ignas Krunglevicius’ Interrogation is a powerful psychological creation that utilises text, colour and electronic sound to convey the subtleties that can be lost in the process of police questioning. Among many video pieces, the physical works stand out: in Bush Power, Gerda Steiner and Jorg Lenzlinger bring together colourful bric-a-brac and outdated exercise machinery to create absurdist childlike contraptions that become symbiotic systems when set in motion by the viewer/participant. After a full day of creative stimulation (and excellent snacks from the Bamboo Dumpling Bar pop-up that overlooks the “Google search engine train”), we’re ready for the ferry ride home. We’ll be back in 2016 for the 20th Biennale, possibly with a group of ten to rent out one of the beautifully refurbished heritage houses, and ready for a new adventure on this eccentric and magnificent concrete playground. The 19th Biennale of Sydney is on until June 9, 2014. To book your trip and check out all the glamping options, visit the Cockatoo Island website. The writer stayed courtesy of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
Today, one month after the unmitigated frenzy that was the iPhone 6, Apple have unveiled their latest tech offerings to the world. Without quite as much fanfare, they've gifted us with the new iMac, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3. Unlike the latest iPhone, there isn't a huge list of new features to jump up and down about. But there is this one thing — the screens of both the iPad Air and iMac are thinner than a freakin' pencil. Gone are the days of the bulky and obnoxiously colourful iMacs that we knew and loved from the mid-2000s. The screen on the latest iMac measures in at a mere 5mm and the iPad Air isn't much larger on 6.1mm. This is a size reduction of around 18 per cent from the last models (which was 20 per cent thinner than the ones before that). We know live in a time when technology has beaten the cliche of being "pencil thin". Aside from putting everything on a serious diet, Apple has given the new iPads faster processors and better cameras. The iPad Air now has all the latest updates we've seen in the iPhone 6 including an 8 megapixel camera. It will also have less glare with a new coating reportedly reducing reflections by 56 per cent, and the same TouchID fingerprint sensor that enables you to use the nifty (and only slightly scary) Apple Pay. Speaking of things which sound somewhat daunting, Apple has given the latest iMacs "5K retina display". While it sounds a lot like something to do with 5,000 lasers shooting into your eyeballs, it actually just means a really, really good image quality. Over 14 million pixels will now be shimmering around your desktop's 27-inch screen finally giving crystal-clear definition to all your Youtube cat videos. All in all, there's nothing to be too excited about unless you've been trying to jam your iPad into inconceivably small cases all year. People just love to kick up a fuss about Apple because they makes us feel like we're living in the future. If tiny, tiny technologies are really your thing, you can pre-oder these new gadgets from tomorrow. The new iPad Air will cost you between $619-1,019 depending on how tricked out you want it to be; the iPad Mini will be $499-899; and the iMac will fluctuate wildly between $2,999-5,279. Just wait and see how expensive it is once they perfect a design the same thickness as a piece of paper. And no, in case you wanted to keep your new iPad in your pocket, Apple aren't afraid of them bending. Via Wired and SMH.
Put on your thinking cap and start sleuthing through all of the internet. Converse are hosting a series of amazing A-list gigs in Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand, and they're hiding tickets where you'll least expect them. So far we know that The Vines — who are all about the freebies lately — and Bloods are playing a free show somewhere in Melbourne on Wednesday, October 22; Remi and Collarbones are hitting up Sydney the following night; and a fresh lineup is heading over to New Zealand soon after. Oh, and we have your first clue. Converse sneakily posted an ad on Seek this morning for a casual "fist pumper". "This temporary, one night only, position is open for a front row fist pumper at a free gig," the ad read. "The successful applicant will show a willingness to party in the front row of the mosh pit ... [They also must] appreciate the epic sounds of bands, The Vines and Bloods". In case you haven't worked it out already, this is your ticket. If you're from Melbourne and maintain any of the above characteristics, we highly recommend applying for this job. They're currently taking "applications" for the position at hey@converse.com.au, but maybe trade in a full cover letter for a few photos of you in the mosh. This is possibly the only time making a resume link to your Facebook photos is a good thing. If you're hanging out for news about Sydney and New Zealand, we can't help you quite yet. When the campaign was launched last month in Europe and the UK there was a big focus placed on spontaneity, so you'll have to be pretty alert. Make your plans soft and let your friends think you're flaky; it'll be worth dropping everything when you're front and centre of a free show rubbing it in their faces.
When Dark Mofo announced its 2023 lineup, it promised a sleepover. The Tasmanian festival also promised everything from a Twin Peaks-inspired ball to Soda Jerk's latest film; however, slumbering at the gleefully weird, wild and wonderful winter event was always going to stand out. Usually, Dark Mofo attendees are doing anything but catching 40 winks, instead staying up all night and making the most of the jam-packed program — not popping on their pyjamas and bunking down for the evening. The sleepover comes courtesy of Max Richter's SLEEP, which returns to Australia for a new eight-and-a-half-hour overnight stint. The session kicks off on Wednesday, June 14, greets the day on Thursday, June 15 and, unsurprisingly, is already sold out. Fancy playing along — well, kipping along — at home in your own bed? Dark Mofo is now making that happening with a live broadcast of the entire Australian-exclusive performance. [caption id="attachment_659938" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Allan[/caption] If you're new to Richter's and to SLEEP, attendees get some shuteye while Richter's compositions play. The former usually happens on beds at venues around the world, and the latter is based on the neuroscience of nodding off. In the past, Richter's SLEEP performances have been held at the Sydney Opera House, Philharmonie de Paris and Grand Park in Los Angeles, as well as at New York City's Spring Studios, London's Barbican and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. There's even a documentary about it that'll instantly get you excited if you aren't already. [caption id="attachment_659957" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rahi Rezvani[/caption] Lucky Dark Mofo ticketholders will be dozing at MAC2, but everyone else can join in and get the SLEEP experience by tuning into Edge Radio for the night. The live broadcast will start at 11.59pm on Wednesday, June 14, running until 8am on Thursday, June 15, so don't go planning an early start at work that morning. What makes SLEEP so unique? It isn't just a case of Richter and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble performing all night in different spots around the globe. The piece is informed by the neuroscience of sleep and takes its moniker seriously. Accordingly, it features slow-paced movements to help listeners tune out everything but the music as they slip into slumber — and to slow down their own pace in general. Yes, it's basically a lullaby — and it's enchanting. Here's a glimpse of SLEEP from its stint at the Sydney Opera House in 2016: Max Richter's SLEEP will broadcast live from Dark Mofo 2023 from 11.59pm on Wednesday, June 14–8am on Thursday, June 15 via Edge Radio. Dark Mofo 2023 runs from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania. For more information, head to the festival's website. You can also check out our wholesome-to-hedonistic guide, which'll help you stack your Dark Mofo itinerary based on the level of chaos you're after — and our Dark Mofo picks for last-minute planners. Top image: Max Richter - SLEEP im Kraftwerk Berlin am 15.03.2016. Foto: Stefan Hoederath.
The future is here and all our problems are solved. Or, more accurately, one specific problem that bugs us a bit. Three engineering students from the US have created a device that harnesses energy from your everyday activities to charge your phone on the go. No more crouching next to power points or annoyingly asking bartenders to pop your phone behind the bar. With this, you can genuinely re-charge your battery by dancing. This kind of technology has been around for a while now, but never in such a convenient form. Fitting in the palm of your hand, Ampy is a little power pack that can easily be strapped to your arm or popped in your pocket. Each of your movements are then used to power the lithium ion battery inside and that in turn is used to charge your phone when hooked up via a USB cord. Though you don't need to use the energy right away, a 30-minute run supposedly keeps your phone on for three hours. Understandably, people are already crazy excited for this thing. A Kickstarter campaign was launched to get production underway, and it reached its $100,000 target within three days. By the end of the 30 day funding period, it will have basically taken over the world. Of course, there are a number of reasons why this thing is great. Yes, it offers convenient power for when you're out and about, but it also encourages you to get off your butt and move. Prompting you to take the stairs instead of the elevator or ride your bike into the city, this tricky device may be the best health initiative we've ever seen. It also has the added benefit of using 100 per cent renewable energy. Forget coal mining and big electricity bills; pop on some Beyonce and dance yourself into some power. Either that, or cheat and clip it to your dog. Ampy won't be available in stores until June 2015, but you can grab yourself a discounted product from the first shipment by backing their Kickstarter now. A US$75 pledge (plus $15 delivery fee) will get you the device itself, or you can grab a full accessory pack as well for US$95. Via Buzzfeed and Forbes.
The annual reason to not go excessively turbo on New Year's Eve, Field Day, has announced its return for 2023. The festival will return to its home of The Domain, helping festival-goers start their new year with an extremely vibey day out, soaking up an equal mix of sunshine and live music. This year the tunes have been sourced from a stacked roster of local and international artists and creators, including Diplo, Honey Dijon, Bicep (Live), Denzel Curry, Yung Lean and Kaytranada. Tickets are on sale now and offer the usual range of experiences and access. That includes Fast Forward, which fast tracks you through most of the festival including express entry, exclusive bar lanes and dedicated toilets in the GA area. If you hate a queue, these are the tickets for you. Up another notch is VIP – taking the Field Day experience to a new level – with a dedicated entrance, access to a fully air-conditioned luxe venue, exclusive bar, toilets and a viewing platform of the main stage . Maybe the most enticing perk is phone charging stations to ensure you've got the juice to secure an Uber home and keep tabs on your mates. So, let's review: A day out in The Domain, three stages to watch all your favourite artists, a fully licensed bar, free water, snacks galore and ticket perks. What are we missing...oh right, the full lineup. FIELD DAY 2023 LINEUP A Little Sound A.GIRL Aitch Benee Bicep (live) Charlotte De Witte Cloonee Denzel Curry Diplo Dom Dolla Glaive & Ericdoa Holy Goof Honey Dijon Gold Fang Jennifer Loveless JK-47 Jnr Choi Kanine Kaytranada Mike Dimes Ninjarachi Partiboi69 Patrick Topping Pretty Girl Remi Wolf SG Lewis Shygirl Sofia Kourtesis Tkay Maidza Yung Lean Waxlily Field Day 2023 kicks off at 12pm on Sunday, January 1, 2023, and runs until 11pm. For more information on the venue, lineup, set times, and to secure tickets visit the website. Images: Field Day, Anna Ward.
It's easy to hide away from the weather, but another lazy weekend spent at home is bound to get boring before long. With this in mind, it's a good thing Tanuki —Double Bay's chic Japanese-inspired izakaya and bar — is ramping up the cosiness factor with the launch of its new Lounge Lunch every weekend. Developed by the same crew behind nearby neighbour Matteo Sydney, this fresh event is designed as a sultry, slow-burning take on a bottomless long lunch. Guided by Head Chef Ken Wee Lee (Sushi e, Toko), expect bold, cheeky twists on Japanese flavours, like salmon tataki, spicy tuna crispy rice, grilled miso chicken set and matcha tiramisu. Paired with two hours of free-flowing cocktails and wine, Tanuki's alluring lounge and upbeat courtyard are the ideal settings to sip Bandini prosecco and Rameau d'Or rosé alongside a curated selection of vino and tap beers. Plus, if you're really keen to enliven your weekend, you're welcome to upgrade to bottomless margaritas for $20 per person. Served every Saturday and Sunday for groups of four or more, this share-style banquet and beverage package is available for $100 per person. Perfect for when you've been cooped up inside a little too long, trust this inventive Japanese feast to carry the good vibes until the late afternoon and beyond.
Just a few years ago, US sports didn't resonate much with Australians. After all, we're already footy, AFL and cricket tragics. Yet the biggest day on America's calendar — sporting or otherwise — is now pulling in record viewers on our shores, with 2.6 million of us tuning into last year's broadcast. Whether you're a diehard pigskin fan, need something to chat about around the watercooler, or just care about the half-time show — reggaetón superstar Bad Bunny is headlining — there's no shortage of venues getting behind Super Bowl LX in 2026. That means tailgate parties, all-American food and drink, and merch giveaways before, during and after the NFL's championship game. Keen to watch? Live and direct from Santa Clara, California, the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks, with a massive global audience watching all the tackles and touchdowns. Kick-off is set for 10.30am on Monday, February 9, so tell the boss you're feeling crook, and catch all the action on the jumbotron at your nearest local listed below. CENTRAL Untied – Barangaroo The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf – Sydney Jacksons on George – Sydney Cargo – Sydney Bungalow8 – Sydney Darling Pavilion – Sydney The Glenmore Hotel – The Rocks The Squires Landing – The Rocks NORTH Dee Why Hotel – Dee Why Hotel Steyne – Manly The Old Commodore Hotel – McMahons Point The Mona Vale Hotel – Mona Vale The Buena – Mosman The Rag & Famish – North Sydney EAST Coogee Bay Hotel – Coogee The Strand Hotel – Darlinghurst Taphouse Sydney – Darlinghurst The Golden Sheaf – Double Bay Paddo Inn – Paddington Kings Cross Hotel – Potts Point The Light Brigade – Woollahra Kingsleys Woolloomooloo – Woolloomooloo SOUTH Camelia Grove Hotel – Alexandria BrewDog South Eveleigh – Eveleigh The Clock Hotel – Surry Hills Forrester's – Surry Hills WEST The Erko – Erskineville Brooklyn Boy Bagels – Marrickville The Marlborough Hotel – Newtown The Albion – Parramatta Public House Petersham – Petersham The Woodstock – Rooty Hill Super Bowl LX takes place from 10.30am on Monday, February 9, with pre-match coverage starting from 9am via ESPN on Foxtel, Kayo and Disney+.
On the long list of streaming services on offer to Australian viewers, DocPlay has carved out a pivotal niche: showcasing the best factual filmmaking both locally and globally. It's where you can watch 2025 Oscar-winner No Other Land — and 2024 and 2023's equivalents, 20 Days in Mariupol and Navalny — then catch the remastered version of Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense, plus not one but two recent films about Blur. It's also where you can enjoy a range of docos about Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture without paying a cent during NAIDOC Week 2025. Between Sunday, July 6–Sunday, July 13, DocPlay is making 11 films available to stream to everyone, no subscription required, to mark Australia's annual week to celebrate First Nations history, culture and achievements. Some of the documentaries in the platform's free collection step into the world of sport. Others contemplate art, battles to protect Country and the education system. Canberra's Aboriginal Tent Embassy and efforts to gather support for the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum are also covered. The Adam Goodes-focused The Australian Dream is one title that audiences will be able to watch for free — and, as it examines the hurtful treatment directed the former AFL player's way at the height of the champion's career, it makes for powerful and essential viewing. Still in the realm of Aussie Rules, Like My Brother charts the efforts of young women from the Tiwi Islands as they attempt to chase their dreams in the AFLW. In You Can Go Now, Richard Bell is in the spotlight, exploring both his art and his activism. With their jumps back to 1972, Ningla-A'na and Still We Rise each also follow the latter thread. Voice heads to Cairns in the lead up to 2023's referendum, while Incarceration Nation examines the impact of the judicial and prison system upon Indigenous Australians. With The Dark Emu Story, Bruce Pascoe's book of the same name is in the spotlight. Via In My Blood It Runs, so is First Nations childhood in Australia via a ten-year-old boy's experiences. And in Connection to Country, the fight to protect sacred sites in the Burrup Peninsula is front and centre. Rounding out the collection is Winhanganha, which was commissioned by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and sees Wiradjuri artist Jazz Money examine archives through a First Nations lens. Check out the trailers for the films in DocPlay's 2025 NAIDOC Week collection above and below: DocPlay's NAIDOC Week 2025 collection streams for free — no subscription required — from Sunday, July 6–Sunday, July 13. Head to the streaming service's website to watch.
Walking through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most luminous 2.1-kilometre stroll through nature that you can imagine — you'll be able to do all of this when Lightscape heads to Sydney for the first time in 2023. Already a hit in Melbourne, the after-dark light festival will be taking over the the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17, beaming away from 5.30pm each night as part of another dazzling Sydney event: Vivid. While the leafy spot is already extremely scenic, and Sydney's annual lights, music and ideas festival is already vibrant to look at as well, saying that Lightscape will be brightening up both is quite the understatement. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along that 2.1-kilometre route, including sparkling trees, luminous walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like giant flowers and glowing tunnels, both of which will make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after first taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it's understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a season overseas. Fingers crossed for pop-up food and drink stalls scattered throughout Lightscape in Sydney — selling, we hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm during the chilly winter nights. Lightscape sits on a Vivid Sydney bill that'll also see the event host its first-ever food fest, and also feature plenty of other lit-up spaces around the Harbour City. The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is back for 2023, this time with 49-plus light installations and 3D projections along its illuminated eight-kilometre stretch; Barerarerungar from First Nations artist Maree Clarke will be projected across the Museum of Contemporary Art; and Jen Lewin's The Last Ocean will also be a highlight, hitting Sydney after premiering at Burning Man in 2022. Lightscape will light up the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Queen Elizabeth II Gates, from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Vivid Sydney website.
Get ready to meet Mr Grumbles, a rufus betton; Rocky, a tree kangaroo; Yolo, Zaney, Harvey and Swarf, all Tasmanian devils; bare-nosed wombats Bell and Bruce; and Clementine, Patricia, Kandy and Keisha the koalas. They're all residents at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, one of Brisbane's long-standing tourist attractions — and they're making the venue's new nocturnal precinct their home. Joining them are potoroos, pademelons, bandicoots, bettongs, southern hairy-nosed wombats and echidnas, giving visitors to the Fig Tree Pocket animal haven an array of cute critters to peer at by night. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary's latest addition was announced in October and opened to start November, so both Brissie locals and tourists alike have a new reason to drop by. Plenty of folks have explored the venue over the years, but not like this until now. Based around a one-kilometre stroll called The Wild Walk, which meanders through a eucalypt planation, the new nocturnal precinct heroes Australia's nocturnal wildlife and offer night-time experiences. It features seven exhibit spaces filled with ten species — half of which are new to the site especially for its latest expansion. "There's a whole world of activity that happens after dark that we aren't privileged to, but Nocturnal gives people that experience, with a tour guide, in a non-invasive way to celebrate Australis's animal superstars and educate people about the importance of sustaining their ecosystems," explains Frank Mikula, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Curator. "It's an Australian native animal treasure hunt, with the prize being able to see these amazing creatures up close and personal." Nestled into a leafy pocket of the River City's western suburbs, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary already boasts the honour of being the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. It's a great place to cuddle a koala — including on Christmas Day if you're looking to for something other than the usual festive celebrations. See animals after dark is its latest attraction, with patrons able to get peering using portable thermal imaging cameras. The experience is designed around not disrupting the critters — so, no glaring beams are shone their way. Instead, you'll walk across the new elevated boardwalk, which has been custom-designed for the site. You'll also look through cameras that pick up heat signatures, and are around the size of a mobile phone. And, when an animal has been found, a non-intrusive red torch light will help you get a better glimpse. If you're keen, you can sign up for a tour that runs for 90 minutes three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Each group will welcome 20 visitors, and spans feeding opportunities and looking at burrow cams as well. Part of a $3.2-million project, the new additions further expand a venue where getting up close and personal with wildlife — not just by cuddling a koala, but also by holding an owl, touching snakes, and watching everything from kangaroos, wombats and echidnas to birds of prey, turtles and even Tasmanian devils — has been on offer for 97 years. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary's nocturnal precinct is now open at 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane. Head to the venue's website for more information and bookings.
Sure, hiring out a dedicated function space can be fine, but if you're looking to host a party that stands out from the rest, you want a space that has the buzzing atmosphere and the high-quality food and bevs you're after too — not just the capacity limit. That's why, if you really want an exceptional party, we wholeheartedly recommend that you opt for one of the standout bars and restaurants in this city — one with the good vibes and stellar menu built in. At one of the following joints, all the hard work is done for you. You simply need to pick the one that best aligns with your party needs. Whether you want to party in the ocean breeze, dance under a disco ball with a stellar cocktail in hand, sit down to a fine meal or have a party with everyone you know, we've got the spot for you.
Another beloved Sydney venue is shutting its doors — and you've only got until this weekend to dine in for a final meal. Joining the likes of Tetsuya's, Raja, Bistrot 916 and Lucky Kwong, affordable Castlereigh Street spot Hey Chú is the latest Harbour City restaurant to announce a 2024 closing date. Cuong Nguyen, the culinary great behind the joint, has decided to close Hey Chú due to increasing operational costs within the hospitality space. Instead, he will be turning his full attention to his other ventures, Penelope's and Hello Auntie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hey Chú (@heychu.castlereagh) Hey Chú will offer its final service on Saturday, June 15 before officially closing. The Hey Chú team took to Instagram this morning to announce its closure in a short and sweet post. "Thank you to all those who supported us! Goodbye for now, but not for good," said the crew behind the joint. The southeast Asian eatery is known for its affordable and fusion-forward food and drink offering, with the spot undertaking exclusive collaborations with the likes of the Lana and Porkfat teams, and launching affordable deals like its cash-only 'Happy Endings' hour. Its concept blends cues from family-orientated Asian cultures and the casual street diners of the southeast Asian region, putting a playful spin on unpretentious dining with a "pay your uncle a visit" ethos at its forefront. If you're looking to indulge in Hey Chú's finest flavour-packed offerings ahead of its upcoming closure, you'll want to ensure that the dry-aged beef cheeseburger, crispy pork cannoli, lobster agnolotti with smoked kimchi butter and the thit kho lamb pappardelle are among the dishes in your farewell feast. Find Hey Chú at Level 1 of Hotel Downing, 249 Castlereigh Street, Sydney, open from 5pm–12am Monday–Saturday until Saturday, June 15 — head to the venue's website for further details. Images: Chad Konik.
In 1954, Rear Window was the highest-grossing film in American cinemas, the first Godzilla movie rampaged across the big screen, and On the Waterfront won best picture at both the Oscars and the Golden Globes. And, in our neck of the woods, the first Sydney Film Festival was held. 65 fests and more than 9000 flicks later, and SFF is still going strong as it celebrates its latest milestone — with its usual excellent array of international cinema, of course. While the full 2018 SFF program won't be released until May 9, the festival's powers-that-be have revealed the first 26 films that you should start pencilling into your diary. Come June 6 to 17, you'll be watching everything from this year's top Sundance winner, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, to the absolutely exceptional festival circuit hit Foxtrot, from Israeli director Samuel Maoz. And, you'll be clamouring to see Oscar-nominated animated effort The Breadwinner, from the same Irish studio behind gorgeous SFF 2014 favourite Song of the Sea; the Martin Freeman-starring Ghost Stories, which features the star as a professor investigating paranormal activity; and Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, a documentary profile of the British fashion designer and activist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTHQhMW5iIE Other early standouts include the Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz-starring Disobedience, the newest film from A Fantastic Woman director Sebastián Lelio; American Animals, which is based on the true tale of four friends trying to steal the world's most expensive book; and psychosexual S&M thriller Piercing, featuring Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska and Girls' Christopher Abbott. In addition, the acclaimed Leave No Trace marks the latest feature from Winter's Bone helmer Debra Granik, while this year's best foreign-language Academy Award nominee The Insult relates a fiery court battle between a Lebanese Christian man and a Palestinian refugee. There's also Berlinale Silver Bear winner Mug, a touching Polish satire about a man who has a face transplant (and a flick that has nothing to do with Nicolas Cage, John Travolta and Face/Off). Among the documentaries, Cold Blooded: The Clutter Family Murders delves into the horrific small-town killings that formed the basis of Truman Capote's iconic true-crime novel In Cold Blood (as well as the film of the same name), with the Paradise Lost trilogy's Joe Berlinger in the director's chair. For something completely different — and completely adorable, no doubt — Pick of the Litter charts the lives of five puppies training to become guide dogs. Also on the bill: Genesis 2.0, about hunters in the New Siberian Islands in the Arctic Ocean searching for tusks of extinct mammoths; Chef Flynn, which focuses on 19-year-old culinary whiz kid Flynn McGarry; and RocKabul, with Aussie journalist Travis Beard meeting Afghanistan's first and only metal band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emta2b1N6m8 On the local front, West of Sunshine leads the charge, with the Melbourne-shot debut of Aussie filmmaker Jason Raftopoulos making its Australian debut after premiering at the Venice Film Festival last year. Then there's Jessica Leski's Kickstarter-funded I Used to be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story, which interviews fans of One Direction, The Beatles, Take That and the Backstreet Boys. Plus, SFF will also screen a brand-new digital restoration of Gillian Armstrong's 1979 classic My Brilliant Career. The just-announced titles join the previously revealed SFF 2018 retrospective, which will once again be curated by David Stratton, and will focus on ten films from Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki. Plus, as well as offering a sneak peek of the full lineup, SFF have also advised just where you'll be seeing this year's movies. For the second year running, the fest has added a new location, with Hoyts Entertainment Quarter joining returning venues The State Theatre, Dendy Opera Quays, Dendy Newtown, Event Cinemas George Street, Art Gallery of NSW, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Randwick Ritz and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. The EQ site will screen a specially selected family lineup, plus SFF's Screenability strand, which highlights the works of screen practitioners with disability. The 2018 Sydney Film Festival will run from June 6 to 17. Check out their currently announced titles by heading to the festival website. The full program will be released on May 9.
Some of the city's most striking examples of brutalist architecture may be protected from the current development boom, under a City of Sydney plan to heritage list a collection of Modern Movement buildings. The plan to preserve a chunk of Sydney's modernist architecture — constructed between 1945 and 75 — would see famed structures like Martin Place's MLC Centre, Town Hall House, the Sydney Masonic Centre and George Street's former Sydney County Council building granted heritage protection. Lesser known examples included in the proposal are Anita Aaron's Earth Mother sculpture in Cook and Phillip Park, and St Peter Julian's Catholic Church and Monastery in Haymarket. All up, nine sites have been recommended for heritage listing by the Heritage Council of NSW, the plan likely spurred on by the recent fight to save Sydney's brutalist iconic Sirius building. If they do receive heritage listing, any future development would require taking each building's heritage into account. Before the buildings are heritage listed, the plan still has a couple of phases to pass. It will be discussed at the next Central Sydney Planning Committee meeting and, if it's approved there, it will be passed on to the Greater Sydney Commission, then put out for public feedback. Image: MLC Centre.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has been given the green light by the NSW Government to go ahead with its $344 million expansion, dubbed the Sydney Modern Project. Kicking off in early 2019, the multimillion-dollar project is the gallery's bid to better compete with its interstate counterparts. While it was the country's most visited gallery in 2007, AGNSW has since dropped to fourth position behind Melbourne's NGV and ACMI and Queensland's GOMA. It's predicted this expansion will double the number of visitors to the Gallery. The ambitious plans, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architecture and design practice, SANAA — who is also behind New York's New Museum of Contemporary Art and the Louvre's satellite museum in Lens — would double the current exhibition space, incorporating an entirely new building and an outdoor public art garden. The new building, set to cover 7,830 square metres, will include a gallery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and a contemporary art space created from an old WWII oil tank. The expansion will also make the AGNSW Australia's first six-star Green Star rated public art museum, with the new building decked out with solar panels, rainwater tanks and an energy efficient method of air conditioning. The State Government already agreed to drop $244 million on the project back in June, with the gallery raising the remaining $100 million from private donations. Construction on AGNSW's Sydney Modern Project will begin in early 2019 and is slated for completion in 2021. The Gallery will remain open during this time. Images: Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizama/SANAA, courtesy of the AGNSW.
When Roxane Gay released Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business in 2023, the American author and academic gave readers a tome that stepped through ten years of her non-fiction efforts. With that milestone in mind, it feels apt that Gay's 2024 trip to Australia will also mark a decade since 2014's Bad Feminist first had everyone reading the commentator's books. Expect both texts to earn more than a small mention in Sydney and Melbourne come August. Gay will make just two stops Down Under this winter, both at festivals: at Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas and Melbourne's Now or Never. The Harbour City will welcome Gay first — she's the first speaker announced for FODI 2024, in fact, ahead of the event's full program being released on Tuesday, June 25 — before the Victorian capital beckons. "Roxane Gay is one of the world's most-brilliant social commentators. Ten years on since her book Bad Feminist caught the world's attention, she is still unafraid to call out privilege, hypocrisy, and entrenched social injustice. But today, speaking up can come at a huge cost. I can't think of anyone else more credentialed than Roxane to talk to FODI audiences about the importance of rocking the boat and facing criticism head on," said FODI Director Danielle Harvey, announcing the news. Gay will appear as a keynote speaker, discussing the topic of being a dissenter in the age of tribal warfare, at the 12th Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The event was established in 2009 to discuss difficult issues, push boundaries and inspire debate, putting both its initial guest and her topic right in its usual remit. 2024's FODI runs from Saturday, August 24–Sunday, August 25 at Carriageworks, focusing on the theme 'sanctuary'. As well as getting Gay chatting about her work live and in person, the fest will enlist the New York Times-bestselling author on panels, too. In Melbourne, the writer that's also behind Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body and Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture — and also Ayiti, An Untamed State, Difficult Women and The Banks in fiction — will get talking about having complicated views in complicated times with Jan Fran at Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday, August 27, in a session also presented by The Wheeler Centre. "The Wheeler Centre is thrilled to present Roxane Gay in Melbourne and celebrate this incredible compilation of her work. Roxane communicates complex ideas with honesty and power, and this is a rare opportunity to hear her in conversation," said The Wheeler Centre CEO Erin Vincent. Roxane Gay will appear at Carriageworks in Sydney as part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas from Saturday, August 24–Sunday, August 25 — and at Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday, August 27 presented by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. Presale tickets for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas go on sale on Tuesday, June 25, with general sales from Wednesday, June 26. Tickets for The Wheeler Centre are on sale now. Top image: Reginald Cunningham.
Yarra Valley wine country is set to score a bold new addition, with Levantine Hill Estate unveiling plans for a $20-million onsite hotel designed by acclaimed architecture firm — and Mona designers — Fender Katsalidis. Having just scored council approval, the award-winning winery's 33-room boutique accommodation is slated for completion in early 2024. Conceptualised to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, the new hotel will be set across two levels, decked out in natural materials and raw finishes to complement the property's existing spaces. That includes the cellar door, restaurant and winemaking facilities, which are also the work of Fender Katsalidis founder Karl Fender. Guest rooms are set to feature sprawling spa baths and fully stocked wine fridges, with the 2900-square-metre hotel boasting sheltered openair hallways, a lush collection of foliage and a solar farm atop the roof. Expect lots of polished concrete, rich leather and untreated silvertop ash used throughout. Catering to the wedding crowd, there'll also be a sumptuous bridal suite complete with its own cellar, bar and dressing room. And if you fancy arriving in style, the hotel will be located just a quick stroll from the estate's helicopter landing area. The luxe accommodation isn't the only grand thing in the works for Levantine Hill, either, with plans for an additional 47-room hotel currently being finalised. That project will also be brought to life by Fender Katsalidis. Levantine Hill's accommodation plans come six months after Cedar Mill Group announced it's set to open an outdoor concert venue and 300-room hotel, also on the Maroondah Highway, at some point in 2024. Levantine Hill Estate's new hotel is set to open in early 2024, at 882 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream, Victoria. Images: Fender Katsalidis Architects.
Pastels and poop. Step inside Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience and that's what awaits. The colour scheme is soft and soothing, but the point of focus is literal crap (well, fake versions). If you've ever called something "cute shit" before, those words have never applied quite as they will here. This Japanese-style installation takes its cues from not only Japan's kawaii poop trend, but from the Unko Museum's sites across the nation, including in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Shizuoka. Now, Unko Museum is making its Australian debut in Melbourne — originally slated to open in December 2023, but now adding some adorable crap to summer from Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The focus: "max unko kawaii", aka "the maximum cuteness of poop". Also one of the mains attractions: getting everyone taking snaps and filling their social-media feeds, so expect a heap of pastel emoji-esque shit to fill Instagram. Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience is split into zones and areas, spanning displays to take pictures of and other inclusions that are more immersive. Think: images of poop projected around the place, snapping selfies with poop props and flying poop, and retro-style games with a poop theme in a space called the Crappy Game Corner. Pastel-hued toilets are also a feature, lined up along a wall under a sign calling them "my unko maker". So are neon poop signs, giant poops, a ball pit where the balls are shaped like poops, poop hats, walls filled with toilet seats, glowing poop lights and a towering toilet-shaped doorway. Plus, exiting through the gift shop here means picking up kawaii poop merchandise and souvenirs. In Japan, as at October 2023, 1.4-million people had flushed the interactive experience into their itineraries. In Australia, Melburnians and tourists who now want to add some poo to their next Victorian visit can expect to spend 30–60 minutes revelling in endearing crap, in a family-friendly experience — because poop is for everyone.
Sydney's inner west is known for its shop local mentality; it has heaps of independently owned and family-run businesses to choose from, and this is especially true in Marrickville where different cultural heritages have combined to proudly offer cuisines from the homeland. If you consider yourself a foodie, it's a suburb you should get to know better if only for its award-winning coffee beans, Greek-style souvlaki shops and locally made craft brews. However, it's not all about what you can eat. In Marrickville, you'll also discover vintage homewares, speciality florists and many other gems besides. We've teamed up with American Express to bring you a hit list of the stores you should make time to explore, so whether you're here for meat, cheese, coffee or fresh buds, you can shop small with your Amex Card.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the good folks at Vision Australia's Seeing Eye Dogs need you — again. As part of the organisation's ongoing dog-training program, it has puppies running around the place quite often, and it's in need of volunteers to raise them. That includes right now, with more adorable pooches arriving over Easter. In other words, Vision Australia is giving away puppies — although you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy carer, you'll get a puppy for about a year, from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–15 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as a seeing eye dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available for regular visits. A fenced-in backyard is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, and all food, training equipment and vet care. You'll also need to be home or with the puppy most of the time — so you won't be leaving the dog alone for more than three hours a day, sat in front of Dog TV — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. [caption id="attachment_853581" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicola Cotton[/caption] Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is looking for people across the majority of local government areas across greater Melbourne, as well as Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Mornington Peninsula, Macedon Ranges and their surrounding areas. In New South Wales, you'll need to be on the Central Coast. And in Queensland, Brisbane's north and Sunshine Coast areas are the current priorities. Once the pups reach 12-15 months old, they'll return to Vision Australia — and complete their journey to become four-legged companions for people who are blind or have low vision. Keen to help? You can register for an information session or apply online right now. If you're eager but can't commit to the full year, there's also a six-month caring option. For more information about Seeing Eye Dogs Australia's puppy carers, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
Ladies, prepare to spend 5 glorious kilometres running through mud, being shot at by foam cannons, getting coated in colour and conquering obstacles at Miss Muddy. Since launching in March 2014, the female-only event has happened ten times. And on Saturday, September 26, its 11th incarnation is heading for Penrith Regatta Centre. Six thousand or so participants are expected. Miss Muddy's goal is to bring you a fun, fun, fun, judgement-free day out, while raising money for charity. To enter, you simply need to register online and then turn up on the day, ready to run, crawl, slip and slide your way to the finish line. The event is not about winning or proving your physical prowess, but about doing something different, getting active and catching up with friends, without giving a damn what anyone else thinks. While you're at it, you're encouraged to use the opportunity to raise money for a charity of your own choosing. "The Miss Muddy obstacle event attracts a wide variety of women from a wide range of fitness levels. We even have participants who are wheelchair bound and blind participating in the event, which is great to see," said Miss Muddy owner Adam McDonald.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jWZ6P1rWy4 FIRST COW Gone are the days when every image that flickered across the screen did so within an almost square-shaped frame. That time has long passed, in fact, with widescreen formats replacing the 1.375:1 Academy aspect ratio that once was standard in cinemas, and its 4:3 television counterpart. So, when a director today fits their visuals into a much tighter space than the now-expansive norm, it's an intentional choice. They're not just nodding to the past, even if their film takes place in times gone by. With First Cow, for instance, Kelly Reichardt unfurls a story set in 19th-century America, but she's also honing her audience's focus. The Meek's Cutoff, Night Moves and Certain Women filmmaker wants those guiding their eyeballs towards this exquisite movie to truly survey everything that it peers at. She wants them to see its central characters — chef Otis 'Cookie' Figowitz (John Magaro, Overlord) and Chinese entrepreneur King-Lu (Orion Lee, Zack Snyder's Justice League) — and to realise that neither are ever afforded such attention by the others in their fictional midst. Thoughtfully exploring the existence of figures on the margins has long been Reichardt's remit, as River of Grass, Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy have shown as well, but she forces First Cow's viewers to be more than just passive observers in this process. There's much to take in throughout this magnificently told tale, which heads to Oregon as most of Reichardt's movies have. In its own quiet, closely observed, deeply affectionate and warm-hearted fashion, First Cow is a heist movie, although the filmmaker's gentle and insightful spin on the usually slick and twist-filled genre bucks every convention there is. Initially, after watching an industrial barge power down a river, First Cow follows a woman (Alia Shawkat, Search Party) and her dog as they discover a couple of skeletons nearby. Then, jumping back two centuries and seeing another boat on the same waterway, it meets Cookie as he's searching for food. Whatever he finds, or doesn't, the fur-trapper team he works with never has a kind word to spare. But then Cookie stumbles across King-Lu one night, helps him evade the Russians on his tail, and the seeds of friendship are sown. When the duo next crosses paths, they spend an alcohol-addled night sharing their respective ideas for the future. Those ambitious visions get a helping hand after the Chief Factor (Toby Jones, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom) ships in the region's highly coveted first cow, with Cookie and King-Lu secretly milking the animal in the dark of night, then using the stolen liquid to make highly sought-after — and highly profitable — oily cakes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcOP5kQrABk WRATH OF MAN With revenge thriller Wrath of Man, filmmaker Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen) and actor Jason Statham (The Meg) reunite. The pair both came to fame with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, repeated the feat with Snatch, then unsuccessfully tried again with Revolver, but they've spend the past 16 years heading in their own directions. During that stretch, the former subjected the world to his terrible Sherlock Holmes films, fared better with left-field additions to his resume like The Man From UNCLE and Aladdin, but didn't quite know what to do with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. The latter has become an action go-to over the same time — with both forgettable and memorable flicks resulting, including three Fast and Furious movies and a stint scowling at Dwayne Johnson in the franchise's odd-couple spinoff Hobbs & Shaw. Thankfully, now that they're collaborating again, they're not just interested in rehashing their shared past glories. From Wrath of Man's first moments, with its tense, droning score, its high-strung mood and its filming of an armoured van robbery from inside the vehicle, a relentlessly grim tone is established. When Statham shows up shortly afterwards, he's firmly in stoic mode, too. He does spout a few quippy lines, and Ritchie once again unfurls his narrative by jumping between different people, events and time periods, but Lock, Stock Again or Snatch Harder this isn't. Instead, Wrath of Man is a remake of 2004 French film Le Convoyeur. While walking in someone else's shoes turned out horrendously for Ritchie with the Madonna-starring Swept Away, that isn't the case with this efficient, effective and engaging crime-fuelled effort, which finds its niche — and it's a new one for its central duo, at least together. Statham plays Patrick Hill, the newest employee at the Los Angeles-based cash truck company Fortico Securities. On his first day, his colleague Bullet (Holt McCallany, Mindhunter) dubs him H — "like the bomb, or Jesus H," he says — and the nickname quickly sticks. H joins the outfit a few months after the aforementioned holdup, with the memory of the two coworkers and civilian killed in the incident still fresh in everyone's minds. So, when gunmen interrupt his first post-training run with Bullet and Boy Sweat Dave (Josh Hartnett, Penny Dreadful), they're unsurprisingly jumpy; however, H deals with the situation with lethal efficiency. Cue glowing praise from Fortico's owner (Rob Delaney, Tom & Jerry), concern from his by-the-book manager (Eddie Marsan, Vice) and intrigue about his past from the rest of the team (such as Angel Has Fallen's Rocci Williams and Calm with Horses' Niamh Algar). Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MGhAbSsKtQ LAND Pitting humanity against nature is one of cinema's favourite setups; however, when movies dwarf a lone soul in their expansive surroundings, then watch them try to survive, the medium endeavours to explore exactly what makes us tick. The mere sight of a single figure attempting to endure against the elements can send a potent message, reminding viewers of how small we each are compared to the planet we live on, how fleeting our existence ultimately proves in its lengthy history and how witnessing one day following the next is never a given for anyone in any situation. Like everything from Into the Wild and The Grey to All Is Lost and Arctic before it, Land conjures up these ideas and themes within its hauntingly beautiful frames. It also boasts the space and patience to ponder the impressions our traumas and tragedies leave, too. None of these notions are new or unique, and Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam's (Submergence) screenplay doesn't ever pretend otherwise or treat them as such. Rather, this thoughtful drama knows that it's traversing well-worn and universal territory, and that films past and future will continue to walk similar paths — but director and star Robin Wright (Wonder Woman 1984) is also well aware that continually interrogating and reevaluating why we're here, where we fit into this world, what we choose to do with our lives, and how we change and evolve along the way is what makes us human. In her filmmaking debut after helming ten episodes of House of Cards over the years, Wright plays Edee, a woman who can only see one way to cope with the type of pain, loss and heartbreak that has forever upended life as she once knew it. With a trailer filled with tinned and dry food, she escapes to the Wyoming wilderness, where nothing but a rustic cabin, clear lakes, trees and mountains as far as the eye can see, and the occasional animal awaits. But when a bear destroys her food supplies and the region's frosty winters prove punishing beyond her expectations, Edee struggles to find the peace she seeks. Enter the kindly Miguel (Demián Bichir, Godzilla vs Kong), a kindred spirit with his own troubles to work through, and with his own draw to the land as well. When done badly, movies about finding solace and strength in the great outdoors threaten to turn the "nature is healing" trope into a movie, but Land isn't that feature. It doesn't unravel a romance against cinematographer Bobby Bukowski's (Irresistible) scenic imagery, either. Instead, it watches as Edee works through the minutiae of her chosen new existence, faces challenges, rediscovers the value of having even just one person to reach out to and slowly comes to terms with who she is after all she's been through. Wright's internalised performance is phenomenal, and although its final act moves too quickly, this is always a compassionate, poignant and affecting film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrpibk1CgUw CLIFF WALKERS 2016's Matt Damon-starring The Great Wall might've threatened to prove otherwise, but when Zhang Yimou makes a movie, it usually demands attention. The Chinese filmmaker's 1988 debut Red Sorghum won Berlinale's Golden Bear, 1991's Raise the Red Lantern remains stunning on multiple levels, and 2002's Hero, 2004's House of Flying Daggers and 2018's Shadow remain dazzling examples of the wuxia genre at its finest. With new release Cliff Walkers, the acclaimed director toys with an espionage narrative. Jumping into the spy realm is new for him, but when the film starts with sweeping shots of snowy Manchukuo — a Japanese-controlled state in China's northeast in the 30s and 40s, and the site of a death camp that's pivotal to the story — it's clear that he's behind the lens. Indeed, these frosty moments are so visually striking that, when the white landscape gives way to terse, tense altercations on trains and then within the city of Harbin, feeling disappointed is an instant side effect. Zhang has a meticulous eye for streets and interiors, too, however. And, for secret exchanges and fraught chases also. Benefiting from the filmmaker's regular director of photography Zhao Xiaoding as well, there isn't a single shot in Cliff Walkers that doesn't demand attention. Even the sight of fallen snow collecting in the brims of the hats worn by the feature's characters boasts its own beauty. Within its eye-catching frames and amidst its entrancing era-appropriate production design, Cliff Walkers tracks four Chinese operatives who've been tasked with rescuing a survivor of a massacre at the Manchukuo camp from the Japanese authorities — a job that's filled with peril from the outset. After parachuting into the snow in the feature's vivid and alluring opening, Zhang (Zhang Yi, The Eight Hundred) and Lan (Liu Haocun, A Little Red Flower) tackle one part of the mission, while their romantic partners Yu (Qin Hailu, The Best Is Yet to Come) and Chuliang (Zhu Yawen, The Captain) are paired up and saddled with the other. It's the 30s, and double-crossing, double agents and danger all follow, as does betrayal, heartbreak, tests of loyalty and hard choices. The film that unfurls doesn't overflow with surprises, plot-wise, but Zhang and first-time feature screenwriter Quan Yongxian focus on the details, making every coded interaction and suspenseful altercation as gripping as the movie's multi-layered cat-and-mouse games. After his previous picture, One Second, was pulled from the 2019 Berlinale at the last moment — officially due to "technical difficulties" — Cliff Walkers' patriotic leanings don't come as a shock; however, it doesn't dampen the film's visual splendour or involving narrative, either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24umxshK1f8 TWIST Forget watches, calendars and social media reminders that tell you what you were doing on this day years ago whether you like it or not — when it comes to conveying the passing of time, the entertainment industry has a surefire tactic. There's nothing quite like seeing the now-grown child of a famous face start appearing on-screen to make you realise how quickly the seconds, minutes, hours and more melt away. Twist is the latest film to have that effect, thanks to the first-time lead actor that plays the titular Charles Dickens-penned character. Rafferty Law looks exactly like his father, sounds like him and has the same stare that's worked so well for the latter for years, including in The Third Day and The Nest of late. He also appears here opposite Michael Caine, who Jude Law co-starred with in 2007's Sleuth; however, this isn't quite the start to his big-screen career that the younger Law would've hoped for. A modern version of Oliver Twist that reframes the famed orphan as a freerunner and graffiti artist who leaps between London's rooftops and tags the tallest of buildings, it's the update that no one could've asked for — including the teenage audience it's targeting. And, at a time when even Guy Ritchie is moving on from his usual bag of tricks with Wrath of Man, it enthusiastically follows in his decades-old footsteps. Presumably director Martin Owen (Killers Anonymous), screenwriters John Wrathall (The Liability) and Sally Collett (The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud), and the seven other folks given either idea or additional material credits just couldn't handle living in a world where Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Dickens hadn't crossed paths. There are no gruelling orphanage scenes in Twist, but there is a criminal mastermind called Fagin (Caine, Tenet), a gang of light-fingered pickpockets led by Dodge (Rita Ora, Fifty Shades Freed) and an abusive villain named Sikes (Lena Headey, Game of Thrones). When the eponymous teenager falls into their company, he's rightly apprehensive; however, he just wants to belong, even if that means becoming part of an art heist. If it wasn't for fellow building-leaping crew member Nancy (Sophie Simnett, Daybreak), Twist mightn't fall in as thickly with the thieves as he does. But Owen and his fellow creatives never let a cliche pass by. Similarly, as their hero and his new pals plot to pilfer paintings from gallery owner Losberne (David Walliams, Murder Mystery), the film doesn't miss an opportunity to spout hackneyed dialogue, fill its soundtrack with oh-so-literal choices and throw in more parkour whenever it seems that a few minutes might tick along without it. Caine should've left his Dickensian escapades to The Muppets Christmas Carol, while everyone else should've expended more than a couple of seconds thinking about this flimsy wannabe caper. And, while Rafferty Law's presence might remind the audience that time passes so quickly that multiple generations of families keep popping up on our screens (see also: Scott Eastwood in Wrath of Man, Lily-Rose Depp in Voyagers and John David Washington in Tenet, just to name a few), Twist makes its 88-minute running time feel like an eternity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN9RO5SnnCs THE DEVIL HAS A NAME In one of the many courtroom scenes in The Devil Has a Name's second half, Californian almond farmer Fred Stern (David Strathairn, Nomadland) takes the stand in the $2 billion lawsuit that he has brought against Shore Oil. He's demanding compensation for the poisoning of the land beneath his property for the past ten years, and the questioning and corresponding testimony turns to matters of intention and knowledge — with Stern pointing out that the energy behemoth mightn't have deliberately contaminated his farm initially, but it also didn't change its ways once it discovered the environmental effects of its actions. Instead, regional director Gigi Cutler (Kate Bosworth, Force of Nature) sent a flunky (Haley Joel Osment, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile) to try to buy Stern off. The latter's foreman Santiago (Edward James Olmos, Mayans MC) immediately questioned the motives behind the deal, but it took the sight of toxic water streaming out of his shower to inspire Stern to fight. As told in flashbacks by a whisky-swilling Cutler to Shore Oil's slimy CEO (Alfred Molina, Promising Young Woman), the resulting battle sees lawyers both crusading (Martin Sheen, Judas and the Black Messiah) and corporate (Katie Aselton, The Unholy) become involved, a villainous fellow company employee (Pablo Schreiber, First Man) endeavour to derail Cutler, Stern's property threatened and Santiago's undocumented status given a public airing. Olmos also directs The Devil Has a Name, working with a script by first-timer Robert McEveety. Just like the company at its centre, their film has an intention-versus-reality problem. Taking its cues from the very real water contamination wars in Central Valley, passion, anger and a worthy point pump through the feature. But The Devil Has a Name isn't merely the latest in a long line of sincere dramas about corporate exploitation of natural resources and the very real consequences for everyday folks, as seen with Dark Waters, Promised Land and Erin Brockovich. Thanks to its overboiled tone, Bosworth and Molina's scenery-chewing, Schreiber and Osment's utter cartoonishness, and its eager bluntness, it strives for the comic causticity that Thank You for Smoking applied to the tobacco industry and I Care a Lot to legal guardianship. Finding a sense of balance between earnest and darkly comedic isn't Olmos' strength, though, and nor is pairing social activism with exaggerated melodrama. It doesn't help that Reynaldo Villalobos' (Windows on the World) cinematography always appears to be moving, with little reason, or that Bosworth is only ever asked to be in femme fatale or hysterical mode. When any combination of Strathairn, Olmos and Sheen share the screen, however, it's easy to see how The Devil Has a Name would've worked without its soapy, over-the-top quirks — but that's not the movie that Olmos has made, sadly. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on January 1, January 7, January 14, January 21 and January 28; February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25; March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25; and April 1, April 8, April 15 and April 22. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig, The White Tiger, Only the Animals, Malcolm & Marie, News of the World, High Ground, Earwig and the Witch, The Nest, Assassins, Synchronic, Another Round, Minari, Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, The Truffle Hunters, The Little Things, Chaos Walking, Raya and the Last Dragon, Max Richter's Sleep, Judas and the Black Messiah, Girls Can't Surf, French Exit, Saint Maud, Godzilla vs Kong, The Painter and the Thief, Nobody, The Father, Willy's Wonderland, Collective, Voyagers, Gunda, Supernova, The Dissident and The United States vs Billie Holiday.
Thanks to her vibrant, playful and dot-filled body of work, Yayoi Kusama is known for many things. Her brightly coloured pumpkins, often blown up to larger-than-life size, are instantly recognisable. Her mirrored infinity rooms constantly dazzle the eye, too. But when it comes to interacting with her pieces, the Japanese artist's obliteration rooms might be her most entertaining creation. The concept really couldn't be more simple. As every visitor enters the space, they're given a page of stickers. Then, as quickly or slowly as each person sees fit, it's their job to place those stickers around the room. If you're heading along at the beginning of the exhibition's run, you might see plenty of white surfaces just waiting to be covered with circles of colour. If you're taking part towards the end of its season, a rainbow of dots might already fill every nook and cranny. First developed for children as part of an Australian show — Queensland Art Gallery's APT 2002: Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art — back in 2002, obliteration rooms have been part of Kusama's repertoire ever since. That said, in almost two decades, she hasn't extended the idea to a greenhouse — until now. As announced in mid-2019, a huge site-specific Kusama exhibition will display at the New York Botanical Garden, kicking off in May this year. KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature sprawl over The Bronx venue's entire 250 acres, both inside and out. And, while the broad details were unveiled when the show was first revealed, the site has started announcing specifics — such as Kusama's first obliteration greenhouse. Called Flower Obsession, the interactive artwork will task visitors with applying coral flower stickers throughout the interior of the space. Given that KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature is all about celebrating the natural world and its inspiration on the artist's work, it's safe to assume that the greenhouse will actually function as a greenhouse. Just don't go plastering any stickers on the plants, of course. [caption id="attachment_732283" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] New York Botanical Garden, Robert Benson[/caption] Another just-revealed highlight: Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart, which'll take Kusama's famed infinity room concept outdoors, responding to changing light throughout each day and season. Dancing Pumpkin will tower 16-feet high — and be shaped like the vegetable, naturally — while the vivid I Want to Fly to the Universe will span 13 feet in height, with the biomorphic form featuring a yellow face and polka dots. They're all brand new works; however the exhibition will also reimagine some of the artist's existing pieces. A recreation of the painting Alone, Buried In A Flower Garden might be the most striking, with the NYBG's horticulturists planting a whole garden that mimics its shapes and colours. Elsewhere, tulips and irises will be planted in formations that'll resemble pumpkins when they bloom. Also, floral presentations will bring another of Kusama's pieces to life in a new medium — using violas, salvias, zinnias and chrysanthemums. [caption id="attachment_758873" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart (2020)[/caption] As all of these aspects of the exhibition make plain, attendees won't just be walking through multiple halls filled with Kusama's work or moseying around an entire gallery. This is a multi-sensory experience, involving wandering around the whole grounds and spying her pieces not only placed on walls and floors everywhere, but mixed among the natural wonders outside. When the showcase kicks off in 2020, running from May 9 to November 1, visitors can also expect a host of Kusama's giant floral pieces, nature-based paintings, botanical sketches, collages and soft sculptures. KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature marks the first-ever large-scale exploration of the acclaimed artist's overflowing fondness for the natural world — and, taking its cues from nature, the show is designed to transform over the course of the exhibition. Obviously, interactive installations such as Flower Obsession will evolve thanks to audience participation, but the whole space will also change with the seasons. Transitioning from spring to summer to autumn during the exhibition's duration, the different conditions will add a new tone to Kusama's work. If you've been contemplating making New York travel plans for this year, consider this some extra motivation. Yayoi Kusama's exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden will run from May 9, 2020 to November 1, 2020. Head to the venue's website for further details — and to purchase tickets from February 26.
For one week only, Georgie Wine Bar is teaming up with Maybe Sammy to present Francesca: a gnocchi pop-up bar that's bringing a taste of New York's Little Italy to the Sydney CBD. Happening as part of Maybe Cocktail Festival, this event will combine steaming bowls of fluffy gnocchi with imaginative Italian-inspired cocktails. Four indulgent gnocchi varieties are on the menu, all inspired by New York's legendary Italian dining scene and named for cult 1980s flick Bianco, Rosso e Verdone. Cheese lovers should go for the creamy Bianco, while those who can't go past a traditional tomato sugo can tuck into the Rosso. Then there's the Verdone, made with fresh green pesto. Can't decide? Opt for the Tricolore, which gives you a little of all three. The menu also includes a selection of classic Italian starters and desserts. To match these pillowy creations, Maybe Sammy has come up with a cocktail list of Italian classics with a twist. Think: reimagined takes on a bloody mary, garibaldi, bellini and more. Can't stick around for long? You can pop in for a plate of gnocchi and beer, wine or soft drink of your choice for $18, plus there's a grab-and-go window for gnocchi al desko. To get Georgie ready for Francesca's takeover, she's undergone a bit of a makeover. From the moment you walk in, you'll feel like you've been whisked away to Little Italy via red-and-white tablecloths, piles of chilli, and artworks featuring Mutti tins.
The Rocks is often described as the birthplace of modern Sydney, so it only makes sense that this historic precinct is transforming into a creative hub for September. Presented as the first-ever Arts & Culture Month, this addition to the city's early spring cultural calendar is a welcome one. Running from Monday, September 1–Tuesday, September 30, the inaugural event is stacked with fascinating experiences, from live music and stand-up comedy to diverse markets and weekend workshops. Get to know the local creative scene through Art Trail Night on Thursday, September 25, as renowned precinct artists Shazia Imran and Max Mendez host meet-and-greets in open-late galleries. For a self-guided adventure, this is also your chance to check out pieces by Nancy Liang, Jumaadi, Vanessa Berry and Linda Brescia tucked down local laneways. Meanwhile, The Rocks Square will be activated throughout the week, with Comedy Night on Wednesday, September 10 and Poetry Slam on Wednesday, September 17. Plus, there are live jazz sessions every Thursday from 6pm, while local DJs light up Sundays as they go crate digging for their favourite dance floor tunes. Take part in vino tastings and listen to viticulture tales at the NSW Wine Cellar Door Talk from Saturday, September 27–Sunday, September 28. Blak Markets returns for one day only on Sunday, September 21, celebrating First Nations creativity and culture. Then, Wildflower's Native Displays offers the chance to learn about bush food through native botanical installations crafted by the namesake Indigenous landcare experts. With loads more to explore, journey to The Rocks for a culture-filled encounter.
Missed out on staying in a replica of the Bluey house when it was temporarily up for rent in Brisbane? The home of Australia's family-friendly animated phenomenon is now welcoming a Bluey attraction so that you can experience the global hit for real life. Set to open in August 2024, Bluey's World will get you walking around life-sized sets that recreate the beloved series — whether you're taking your nieces and nephews along, or know that appreciating the Aussie show about a family of blue heelers isn't just for kids. When Airbnb listed its Bluey abode in 2022, the response was massive. Expect the reaction to Bluey's World to be the same. Opening at Northshore Pavilion in Northshore Hamilton, the space itself will be sizeable, spanning across 4000 square metres. Bluey and Bingo's bedroom, the family's living room and kitchen, the poinciana tree in the backyard: they'll all be a part of the experience. So will hearing "wackadoo!" constantly, we expect. Visitors will also find a playground and a cafe onsite, with interactive play a focus, taking cues from Bluey episodes in the process. There'll also be a soundscape to match, plus a gift shop, all in a purpose-built venue. And, for big Bluey birthday celebrations, the site will host parties as well. Bluey's World will be exclusive to Brisbane, making it a tourist attraction to fans not only locally and nationally but worldwide. Unsurprisingly, that's a big part of the push from both the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, who are supporting the BBC Studios- and HVK Productions-produced experience. "Our government has backed Bluey from the very beginning. Brisbane is at Bluey's core and now the show is a global sensation, we want to invite fans from around the world to come and experience Bluey's home," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. "Queensland is a world-class place to live and play and I truly believe that is a big part of why Bluey has captured fans around the world," the Premier continued. "Bluey is a homegrown Brisbane superstar who has captured the imagination of families worldwide. With an audience that spans more than 60 countries, Bluey's World is a unique and significant tourism offering that will draw people to our city from around the globe while giving residents more to see and do here in Brisbane," added Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Bluey's World will open at Northshore Pavilion, Northshore Hamilton, Brisbane in August 2024 — head to the attraction's website for more information and to join the ticket waitlist.
Back at full capacity and back at The Wharf. After a rough old year, Sydney Theatre Company is returning to revamped digs at its old home in Walsh Bay with Act 2 — the second half of its 2021 season. With all of Sydney tipsy on our newly regained freedom, STC has cast the net wide, selecting 11 works guaranteed to beguile avid theatregoers and new converts alike. Featuring reworked classics such as The 7 Stages of Grieving, Death of a Salesman and the return season of Kip Williams' reimagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray, a one-woman audio-visual wit-banquet starring Eryn Jean Norvill, Act 2 suffers no shortage of heavy hitters. But there's also plenty for those prepared to look a little further afield. Sigrid Thornton will make her STC debut (finally) in a prickly tussle with fake news in The Lifespan of a Fact, while Squabbalogic have transformed Gough Whitlam's trials and tribulations into the self-described 'extremely serious musical comedy' The Dismissal. [caption id="attachment_802327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Brett Boardman[/caption] Sure, you might have spent a good chunk of the last year cooped up at home with only actors for company. But these ones aren't behind a glass screen. And they're busting to welcome you back — face-to-face — to the newly-renovated Wharf Theatres, Roslyn Packer Theatre and the Sydney Opera House. To explore the program and to book, head to the Sydney Theatre Company website.
Spooky season has returned, a time of ghosts and ghouls, flirting with lolly-based diabetes and getting into the spirit by bingeing all things horror. Generally the impulse is to line up a movie marathon of monsters and murderers, but why not mix a little interactivity into your goosebump-inducing genre consumption this year? With horror being such a beloved creative territory there's a boundless wealth of frightening indie games around, but to help you dip your toe into the terrifying here's a list of six (aka 1/111th of the spookiest number possible) to try… if you dare. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3ZIJccpj8[/embed] MUNDAUN Folk horror is not a genre that shows up much in the gaming world which seems to have an overwhelming preference for sci-fi scares and general supernatural gore. Swiss developers Hidden Fields decided to buck trends with Mundaun, a first-person exploration game rendered in hand-pencilled fashion. You play as Curdin, a man visiting a small village in the alpine foothills to pay his post-funeral respects to his grandfather after the old man perished in a barn fire. Only problem is, grandpa's grave is empty. As you delve into the mystery of what happened to gramps, you uncover a historical deal made under the duress of war that has cursed the village, and it's up to you to do something about it by poking around the town of Mundaun and its surrounds, speaking with its inhabitants, and indulging in some light puzzle solving. There's a pinch of survival horror mixed in too, so you'll need to manage limited ammo and weapons to deal with a variety of enemies, from animated straw men to undead soldiers. The game's striking aesthetic lends an uneasy air that feeds excellently into the surreal, foreboding setting, steeped in a confluence of Christianity and Paganism. There's nothing else quite like it, so make sure you play with the lights off for the best experience. Spookiness Rating: 7/10 Available on: PC, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBuh9afznMg[/embed] YUPPIE PSYCHO If you've ever drawn a salary as a corporate wage slave, Yuppie Psycho is going to speak to you on another level. This survival horror game, developed by French/Spanish team Baroque Decay, puts you in the shoes of Brian Pasternack, a nervous young man on his first day at Sintracorp. His job? Kill the witch that has cursed the company for years. You'll spend your time roaming the 10 floors of the company's headquarters, rendered in gloriously retro pixel art. Almost from the get-go, it's clear that something is deeply, deeply wrong. Most of your coworkers are slack jawed and dead eyed, responding with gibberish when you try to talk to them. Someone keeps painting messages on the wall in blood. There's a cemetery in the woods on the 8th floor, and a spider monster in the archives. Alongside all of this standard horror, the game deftly mixes in the anxiety and imposter syndrome that accompanies starting a new job, as well as the existential despair that comes from mandatory motivational meetings, dealing with the spectrum of irritating co-workers and navigating the forced, two-faced jollity of a professional environment. With multiple endings based on choices you make, and even two vastly different paths to get to the end, it's a game you can pick up and play again and again. Spookiness Rating: 6/10 Available on: PC/Mac, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe4gVfZ1Q2I[/embed] WORLD OF HORROR 'A little bit of HP Lovecraft, a little bit of Junji Ito' is a great recipe for the vibe of a horror game. WORLD OF HORROR by Polish solo dev panstasz takes place at the cusp of the apocalypse. The Old Gods are awakening, panic and madness are spreading, and monsters are stalking the streets of Shiokawa, the small Japanese town where the action takes place. The primary thrust of the game sees you investigating a series of strange occurrences. It's a roguelike, so the changing raft of cases means no two runs are exactly the same which gives the game great replayability. The turn-based combat leans towards the challenging side (hey, no one said the end of the world would be easy), but an RPG-esque upgrade system will help ease the stress of late-stage runs — provided you make smart choices. Plus it's primarily an adventure game, so if you fear fast-twitch gameplay there's nothing to worry about here... beyond everything else happening. The Junji Ito inspiration comes through heavily in the lineup of monsters, mirroring the manga artist's off-putting creations in throwback 1-bit graphics that look like they came straight off the page. Fans of Japanese horror will definitely want to give this one a whirl. Spookiness Rating: 9/10 Available on: PC/Mac, Console release coming October 26th [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naCeKfdPbTs[/embed] CRITTERS FOR SALE Critters For Sale is weird, man. No other way to put it. Created by solo developer Sonoshee, this blend of point-and-click adventure and visual novel is a heady, paranoid time, as compelling as it is mildly repulsive. Play through five nonlinear short stories linked by broad themes of good vs evil, time travel and black magic, with woozy, grainy 1-bit graphics that help to heighten the general feelings of discomfort and discombobulation. Some feature multiple endings based on choices you make, which encourages multiple playthroughs supported by quality-of-life features that skip you to key story points so you don't have to start at the beginning every time. Others hide secrets that will only make sense once you've explored all the stories. Each tale comes from the perspective of a different character, so you're never quite able to find a stable narrative footing as you navigate between them, boosting your sense of unease. It's a highly-advanced horror game that bucks the modern trend of blood and brutality for an ineffable surrealism, leaving an impression on you long after you've completed its twisted paths. The faint-of-heart need not apply. Spookiness Rating: 9/10 Available on: PC [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrRWb7tFxR8[/embed] DREDGE Oceans are terrifying. Out where the water is an almost-black blue, where anything could be lurking below... that's nightmare territory. This is the niche in which Dredge, by New Zealand's Black Salt Games, floats. You're a nameless fisherman, freshly arrived to the island town of Greater Marrow after a shipwreck left you with no memories. The mayor gives you a boat and a job as the community angler and off you go to complete missions for a variety of characters, some with more sinister motives than others. The crux of the game is its day/night cycle. When the sun is up, you can roam the waves with relative impunity. Once the dark arrives your panic metre starts to fill, which can lead to reality-altering hallucinations and death if you push your luck. That's not to mention the sea monsters that inhabit the archipelagos you'll visit, which will have you navigating coastlines in frenzied fear, searching for escape. Mix all the above with a raft of compelling gameplay mechanics, such as a variety of fishing mini-games, the Tetris-like cargo management system and 128 different types of fish to catch and catalogue, and you've got an experience will truly hook you in. Spookiness Raiting: 6/10 Available on: PC, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI9zBBTyX-E[/embed] LITTLE NIGHTMARES II The decision to include a sequel over the original game took a lot of soul searching. But ultimately, since the focus here is spooks and scares, Little Nightmares II takes the cake (it's also technically a prequel, but let's not get bogged down in details here). Developed by Swedish team Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares II is a 2.5D puzzle platformer that is packed with peril. You're Mono, a young boy in a paper bag mask who, along with a mysterious young girl as a sidekick, must make your way through the decrepit, dank Pale City to uncover what lies inside the Signal Tower at its heart. Along the way you'll have a lot to deal with, such as the television-addicted inhabitants who fly into an incoherent rage if you sever their connection to the cathode ray tube. The strength of the game lies in its set pieces, each of which is a polished jewel of terror. Talk to anyone who has played Little Nightmares II previously and they can wax lyrical about the School, the Hospital, or the end sequence, which features a twist that will slap a gasp out of you. The character design is also outstanding, with the adult inhabitants of the world represented as twisted grotesqueries, exactly what you'd expect from the point of view of a child. With a gameplay loop centred on dying, learning and dying again, and an atmosphere that will keep your anxiety levels at a roiling boil, Little Nightmares II is a key addition to the game library of any horror fan. Spookiness Rating: 8/10 Available on: PC, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch
Whatever happens to Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) at Nevermore Academy in the second season of the Netflix series that bears her name, she'll be back at school afterwards. Before the sophomore run of the streaming hit begins dropping episodes from August 2025 — splitting season two into two parts, with the first arriving on Wednesday, August 6, then the second batch on Wednesday, September 3 —Wednesday has already been renewed for season three. Of course, all things Addams Family have been delighting audiences for almost 90 years, with the first-ever cartoon panel featuring the creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky brood published in 1938. Following a lineup of other TV shows between the 60s and the 90s, as well as a range of films — live-action and animated alike in both cases — the first season of Netflix's take on the clan became and remains the most-viewed English-language series of all time on the streamer. As for when season three will hit and what's in store, details are unsurprisingly scarce given that season two hasn't yet premiered. "Our goal for season three is the same as it is for every season: to make it the best season of Wednesday we possibly can," Alfred Gough, one of the series' co-creators and showrunner alongside Miles Millar, told Netflix's Tudum. "We want to continue digging deeper into our characters while expanding the world of Nevermore and Wednesday, added Millar. "We will be seeing more Addams family members and learning more family secrets in season three." The pair, who also penned Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — and are clearly fond of working with the filmmaker, since he's also behind Wednesday, including as both a director and an executive producer — are already promising to expand the Addams crew in season two. Enter Joanna Lumley (Amandaland) as Hester Frump, Wednesday's grandmother, for instance. In the show's second season, its black-clad protagonist is back at Nevermore Academy and being heralded as a hero thanks to her efforts in season one. Wednesday is characteristically unimpressed by the attention, the trailers so far illustrate. Soon, her focus is elsewhere, however, thanks to a premonition of her roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie) coming to a grave end, with Wednesday determined to do whatever she can to stop that from happening. Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) are also among the series' new cast additions in season two, while Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History), Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) and Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) are back as Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley — plus Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago. Among its fresh faces, Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) are also onboard — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, though — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's been talk of a spinoff about the character. Check out the full trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. We'll update you with more details about season three when they're announced. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan and Jonathan Hession/Netflix © 2025.
Nerding out over denim is something only connoisseurs of wine or coffee could really understand. Region, preparation, final style; jeans aren't just flaps of fabric you squeeze into every day. But we don't all mull so deeply over selvedge, chain stitching and five point pockets — leaving that instead to a man called Denham. Originally founded six years ago in Holland by a jeanmaker called Jason Denham (his actual name, what even), fashion label Denham has expanded to the UK, further into Europe, the US and now Australia (despite only having a core team of half a dozen creatives). Having opened just a few months ago on George Street in collaboration with Hilton Seskin (owner of Topshop and Glue), Denham is carving a niche for serious and not-so-invested denim fans in Australia. The country's only Denham store has found a snuggly Sydney home in The Rocks, boasting a sweet, sweet heritage listing. Denham's new space wears floorboards from 1844, square-paned windows and bare piping to hold up the wares. They're also burning the same incense you'll find in the Amsterdam store, slightly like Subway's olfactory technique but significantly more classy. Denham are masters of The Little Things — more points in your pockets so your hand fits better; treating jeans as if they were already one, two, three years old; making waistlines appear lower than they actually are so you stay classy without nerding out. Using high quality Japanese denim, getting fabric effects through Italian laundries and making hardcore American-style work jeans, Denham seem to take the best bits out of every denim-crazy country and blend it with their own Dutch savvy. Denham even make their own sake — one of Denham's head dudes is a seventh generation sake-maker. While you can't buy it in-store in Sydney yet (dastardly licensing laws), we can keep fingers crossed that our city's love for the stuff will find a way to will it over. But while there's a wide range of jackets, shirts, trenchcoats and hats to pair with your brand new slacks, with a name like Denham it's all about getting psyched on a new set of slacks. Denham denim specialist Kyl Jones knows his denim. Having worked for years for Glue (through which Denham was first distributed), Jones found his preferred Denham poison and pushed it all the way to its own Rocks store. Jones took us through a fitting with Denham's stretchy monkeymakers, quashing any former fears with jeans fittings. Going for a struggle-street-worthy skinny jeans fitting might dredge up the same kind of horrifying shivers as bikini shopping — tiny, tiny garments that expose every bulge. But it doesn't have to be this way — the Denham team are genuinely and refreshingly honest about what looks good on you, how it should fit and actually give you a bucketload of geeky denim tips you'll pass on to patient buds later. Seriously, ask questions. Shorties like myself can get their long denim legs trimmed and altered in store; Denham rock two vintage sewing machines that took a specialist to seek out (and boy, are they expensive to fix). One rocks a hardcore chain stitch (the stitch super denim fans look for), the other a thinner stitch better suited to stretch jeans. While there's more of a male range instore, lady denim enthusiasts need not go wanting — anything you don't see on the shelves can be easily snavelled online. So if you're one to psych out over selvedge or you're just sick of looking super bulgy in Kmart skinnies, get your jeanless butts to Denham.
After the Sydney Opera House replaced its Festival of Dangerous Ideas with Antidote last year, we didn't think we'd see it again. But the festival will rear its head for its ninth iteration, this time trading in its Bennelong Point digs for a space on Cockatoo Island. Co-founded by The Ethics Centre (TEC) and the Sydney Opera House back in 2009, FODI 2018 won't just have a new venue, but a new partner as well — teaming up with the UNSW Centre for Ideas for the first time. But the concept will remain the same, again bringing together thought leaders and creative thinkers for a weekend of critical discussion around the most important global issues of today. While the program has not yet been revealed, we do know that this year's festival will specifically examine themes of trust and truth, and will again aim to incite debate, push boundaries and inspire intellectual freedom. Previous years have seen discussion topics like 'open the borders', 'let banks fail', 'a foetus is not a person' and 'the end of men', with a focus on themes of asylum, gender, justice and race — to name a few. "Knowing who to trust and what to believe has never been so complicated," says co-founder Danielle Harvey. "FODI has a legacy of exploring polarising ideas and making bold curatorial choices. These dangerous conversations are even more critical when truth and clarity are hard to find." Longstanding FODI curator Simon Longstaff will again be at the helm of the program. In the past, he has signed on high profile though leaders like activist Alicia Garcia (founder of the #BlackLivesMatter movement), feminist protest punk band Pussy Riot, international journalist Mona Eltahawy, political activist Tariq Ali and WikiLeaks' Julian Assange. Based on that, it's fair to expect another big list of names for 2018 — we'll keep you updated as the program is unveiled. The 2018 Festival of Dangerous Ideas is coming to Cockatoo Island on November 3 and 4. Tickets will go on sale in August and you can sign up here to get first dibs.
While unscrewing the cap on a bottled cocktail was the closest many of us got to a bar for a large chunk of 2020, some clever Sydneysiders actually opened a bar. And they're an impressive bunch, too. Our fair city is now home to a gin distillery in Surry Hills, a retrofuturistic bar on the 83rd level of Sydney Tower and lower north shore spot dedicated to cognac and jaffles. That's just the start. As the storm clouds start to clear and we reach the end of a weird (and sometimes horrific) 12 months, we're taking a moment to celebrate the good that's come from 2020 by rounding up the best new bars to open their doors this year.
The lights drop, the cinema falls silent, and Channing Tatum's butt cheeks fill the screen. Either Ice Age 4 went in a bold new direction, or this is Magic Mike. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Magic Mike is a film about male strippers. It wants to be more than that; it wants to be a tale of temptation, immorality and even love, but at its heart (and butt) it remains all about the stripping, which is actually a good thing. Based largely on Tatum's own experiences as an 18-year-old football star turned stripper, Magic Mike follows the eponymous leading man as he teases and tantalises scores of screaming women inside Florida's raunchy Xquisite strip club. The costumes are outrageous; the routines, even more so; and every performer's body is sculpted, buffed, waxed, and spray-tanned to perfection. It's a film where, unlike The Full Monty, the stripteases are played to impress rather than amuse, and thanks to some exceptional choreography, they stand out as the best scenes. Tatum also produced Magic Mike, though he cast British actor Alex Pettyfer to play the semi-autobiographical role of Adam. Together they achieve a believable chemistry, with Tatum the charismatic mentor and Pettyfer the naive rookie first drawn to and then corrupted by the allure of sex, drugs, and Village People. The true star of Magic Mike, however, is club owner Dallas, played to ostentatious perfection by Matthew McConaughey. Maintaining his unbeaten run as 'most shirtless actor in Hollywood', McConaughey combines caricature with calculated menace in a performance that could well earn him an Academy Award nomination. Ultimately, there's not a whole lot of plot to speak of, and despite a few dark scenes, it's certainly one of Soderbergh's most lightweight pictures. That said, Magic Mike is also terrifically engaging and marks another big tick against Tatum's name, whose recent string of hits might finally have the naysayers biting their tongues.
In news that everyone already knew, no one will be dancing in North Byron Parklands this winter, with Splendour in the Grass moving to November this year instead. Thanks to New South Wales' current COVID-19 outbreak, the lockdown to prevent its spread and the growing number of cases in other Australian states, no one will be making shapes in Sydney this July, either. That's when the fest was planning to host Splendour in the City, a nine-day Sydney pop-up slated for SITG's usual midwinter spot — but organisers have announced that the event has now been cancelled. In a statement on Monday, June 28, the festival's team pulled the plug on the mini fest, which was set to take place at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal from Saturday, July 10–Sunday, July 18. "With Greater Sydney currently in lockdown until 9 July and COVID-19 outbreaks now evolving in other states, it has become impossible to progress with plans to move artists and staff around the country, and also to build the event in Sydney," the Splendour crew noted. "Organisers also acknowledge the health and safety of staff, volunteers and ticketholders is the foremost consideration in line with the health advice from authorities." Splendour in the City has been completely cancelled, rather than rescheduled, too — a decision made due to "uncertainty around venue and artist availability in coming months, and IRL Splendour in the Grass scheduled for November." Ticketholders will start receiving refunds automatically via Moshtix from today, Tuesday, June 29. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Splendour in the Grass (@splendourinthegrass) Splendour's virtual festival Splendour XR will still run online across the weekend of Saturday, July 24–Sunday, July 25 — and, at this stage, Splendour in the Grass itself is slated for Friday, November 19–Sunday, November 21. It's been a rough year or so for the music and events industry, for festivals in New South Wales and for Splendour. 2020's SITG was postponed from July until October, then completely scrapped. Also, plans to proceed in July 2021 as usual were pushed back, leading to the current November date. Splendour in the City was planning to host an array of beloved Australian artists such as SITG mainstays like Violent Soho, Illy, Vera Blue, Dune Rats and Tash Sultana, as well as two stacked nights of stand-up comedy and a whole heap of extras — all aiming to recreate as much of the OG Splendour experience as possible. If the full-sized Byron Bay edition of SITG goes ahead in November, it's set to do so with headliners Tyler, The Creator, The Strokes and Gorillaz; however, that's obviously all reliant upon COVID-19 restrictions allowing the event to take place. Splendour in the City will no longer run from Saturday, July 10–Sunday, July 18 at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal. Ticketholders will start receiving refunds automatically via Moshtix from Tuesday, June 29.
Restaurateur Howin Chui has a knack for reimagining well-established Asian cuisines. At the Chatswood outpost of Senapi Ramen, Chui's collaboration with former Sokyo chef Chase Kojima pioneered an omakase experience centred around noodle soups. At the Kowloon Cafes in both Burwood and Chatswood, Chui conjured startlingly convincing Hong Kong streetscapes serving authentic dai pai dong-style street eats. Now, Chui has turned his inventive eye towards a genre of food Sydneysiders not only know and love but are often obsessive about: dumplings. Alongside business partners Jacky Huang and Colin Ho, Chui has sought out uncharted territory in Australia's dense yum cha offering and the result is his latest fast-paced venue at Grosvenor Place in the CBD — Yum Cha Project. [caption id="attachment_969619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (L–R) Waiwing Lau, Vincent Lim and Howin Chui[/caption] The restaurant's ambition is to make dim sum a more on-the-go dining option. Instead of the steamer-stacked trollies and leisurely pace of traditional yum cha restaurants, diners will be able to grab their order in takeaway boxes inspired by pizza and burger joints. The menu is all about convenience and comfort eating, with yum cha heroes including classic barbecue pork buns, prawn dumplings, vegetarian dumplings, shallot pancakes, spring rolls and prawn siu mai sharing the menu with fast-food riffs such as cheeseburger spring rolls and Peking duck pizza. Diners can also pimp their meal with a selection of Asian condiments at the complimentary sauce station — another nod to fast-food dining culture. Signature iced teas are another house speciality, including grapefruit jasmine green tea, lychee jasmine tea and dark-roasted oolong milk tea topped with Hong Kong favourites like egg pudding, lychee coconut jelly and pink blossom agar pearls. Alcoholic beverages are also on the menu including the Yum Cha staples of Tsingtao and Orion Beer. Once again tapping the skills of Darren Kong from Kong Studios — the creative visionary behind the bright, bold aesthetics at seven of Chui's eight Sydney venues — the fitout is an eye-popping mix of canary yellow tiles and neon signs, including one that proudly asks, "Dim Sum Body Say Yum Cha?". While there is seating for 50 diners, the open-plan kitchen has been built for speed to cope with a high volume of takeaway orders. "Our mission for Yum Cha Project is to make yum cha more accessible, affordable and convenient, all whilst allowing diners to customise their experience via an on-the-go solution." Howin Chui says. "Through Yum Cha Project, we share our culture and memories for delicious, convenient dining with the community, one dim sum at a time." Ever the innovator, Chui will also draw on his experience as a nightclub operator to bring some party vibes to The Yum Cha Project. This will include after-work happy hours with live DJs on Thursdays and Fridays to tempt city workers to stay later in the CBD. Find Yum Cha Project at Shop 3/225 George Street in the CBD, open Monday–Wednesday, 8am–4pm and Thursday–Friday, 8am- 8pm. Images: Kera Wong
The team behind multi-venue dining destination Hinchcliff House has been hard at work creating four new restaurants and bars at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. The historic hotel, which has been undergoing a mammoth $60 million renovation, will eventually feature a Vietnamese-French fusion diner, Delta Rue, and a leafy rooftop oasis, Wentworth Bar, on its higher floors. However, before that duo open, its sister venues on the hotel's ground level will be welcoming their first guests from Wednesday, October 9. [caption id="attachment_974651" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (L–R) Nathanael Merchant and Elliott Pinn | Jason Loucas[/caption] A luxury 110-seat diner heroing Australian-sourced seafood cooked over charcoal, tilda will combine refined cuisine with a laidback Aussie vibe. Head Chef Nathanael Merchant (ex-Bently), alongside Precinct Executive Chef Elliott Pinn, has created a menu that features native ingredients incorporated into dishes that nod to Australia's multicultural culinary heritage, such as scallops with lemon myrtle, tamarind and coconut, and crab toast with seaweed butter, avocado and caviar. Sommelier Paul Sadler (ex-Chophouse) will also favour locally produced drops, with major vineyards sharing the cellar with small-batch, contemporary and progressive makers. One distinctive offering at tilda will be the tableside bread and butter service, mirroring a popular dining trend from the US. Presented on a butler's tray with Dinosaur Designs-made utensils, guests can choose their own adventure, with options including softened butter spiked with pepper and chive, whipped macadamia and seared Jersey cow's milk drizzled in honey, perfectly paired with saltbush focaccia. [caption id="attachment_974654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] Pitched as "where old-world charm meets contemporary cool", live jazz performances, sleek decor and dazzling bartending will set the tone at bar tilda. Also located on the ground floor, it will be yet another welcome addition to Sydney's recent boom in martini bars — including Bobbie's in Double Bar, Dry Martini in Chippendale and Midtown at The Bristol in the CBD. Whisky will also be a prominent focus, not only on the drinks list but also in the decor. A grand, gilded whisky armoire containing more than 100 varieties of amber nectar will create an impressive focal point. House Made Hospitality's Director, Jason Williams, has crafted a cocktail menu that includes some theatrics. The martini experience, for example, invites guests to get up close and personal with one of the bar team as they mix their preferred martini at their table from a dedicated martini cart. Vinophiles are well served with 30 by-the-glass options to sample, primarily championing Australian producers. These include drops from both stalwart vineyards and new-wave cellar doors. Bar snacks will lean luxe yet playful, with light bites including cacio e pepe popcorn and loaded fries topped with 24-month-aged parmesan and bacon aioli. Hungrier guests can opt for classic dishes like a chopped salad topped with lobster, a Rangers Valley Black Onyx rump cap steak with peppercorn sauce, and an ever-faithful cheeseburger. "Whether you're just passing through Sydney or you're a local looking for a change of pace, the bar offers a lively pause," Williams says. "It's a chance to unwind and soak up the best of what's pouring in our own backyard." Find tilda and bar tilda at Softiel Sydney Wentworth, 101 Phillip Street in the CBD. Tilda is open Monday–Tuesday, 7am–10pm; Wednesday–Friday, 7am–11pm; Saturday, 5.30–11pm; and Sunday, 5.30–10pm. Bar tilda is open Monday–Tuesday, 6am–11pm; Wednesday–Friday, 6am–late; Saturday, 7am–late; Sunday, 7am–11pm.
Last year, an unlikely duo gave Sydneysiders a sarnie worthy of their finest hangover. Now, it's coming back — and it'll be available Australia-wide. Two indulgent favourites, PappaRich and Belles Hot Chicken, are pooling their resources to create a Malaysian-style fried chicken sandwich of your dreams. On offer for both lunch and dinner, this spiced-up sandwich features Belles' signature fried chicken, plus Malaysian slaw with coconut vinegar and secret sauce, all between PappaRich's toasted Hainan-style sweet bread. Belles Hot Chicken chef Morgan McGlone is the man behind this creation, so you know it'll be damn tasty. It will be available from Monday, March 25 at all 30 PappaRich restaurants around the country. If you're in Sydney, that means you can grab one in Bankstown or on your lunch break at the express outlet inside Westfield in the city; in Melbourne, pop by Chadstone, Southern Cross or QV; and PappaRich in Wintergarden and Coorparoo Square will be selling them in Brisbane. There are a heap more locations though, so check the website if you're looking for one closer to you. The sandwich will be available for lunch and dinner from March 25 until May 15 at PappaRich locations across the country. Find more details on the Facebook event.
We love wine and we know you do too, and the quality and variety of wine being produced locally in Australia has, arguably, never been at a higher level. Now there's a new way to get your hands on delicious, drinkable, interesting drops made in our myriad wine regions — and you'll be buying direct from the source. iHeartWine is a new first-of-its-kind marketplace that connects winemakers and grape growers directly with the wine-loving public, which means you can shop bottles from Australia's best independent and boutique wineries without the markup you pay from a retailer, while putting the lion share of every sale directly back into the producer. Win-win. This idea for iHeartWine, which exists as an app, was conceived by wine writer and aficionado, Marc Malouf, as a way to support winemakers amid the knock-on effects of COVID and the tourism industry essentially bottoming out. Marc explains: "Hard working wineries who would usually be thriving from tourism, are struggling. Less people are able to visit, taste and buy wines from family-run wine producers … 2021 is set to be an abundant year for grape production and smaller winemakers need a channel to get their wine out there." The curation of the producers and winemakers included in iHeartWine's shop is very much informed by quality stuff that you can't just pluck off the shelves of your local bottle-o. "Every winery on iHeartWine makes wines from a place of truth, passion and obsession," says Marc Malouf. "These are the wineries and winemakers we should be paying attention to and celebrating... but they often suffer from the same fundamental flaw — they are somewhat invisible to wine drinkers. Unless you stumble across a wine on a restaurant list, or take a wrong turn on a trip through a wine region, chances are you will never come across these hidden gems and I think it's time we changed this." And as you load up your cart, you can feel good knowing that most of what you spend is going straight back to the producers. All wine sold on iHeartWine comes directly from the wineries themselves, which means the winery earns 90% from every bottle. We'll drink to that. The iHeartWine app is available for download here.
Opening in January 2020, Mrs Palmer didn't have much time to establish itself in Darlinghurst before the lockdown hit and cafes were forced to close to dine-in customers. As the sandwich shop and margarita bar was still allowed to offer takeaway, though, it did just that — with a helping hand from some of the city's best chefs. Mrs Palmer teams up with top chefs to create limited-edition sandwiches, with each one available for takeaway for just two weeks. Past contributors have included Josh Raine, executive chef at Japanese fine diner Tetsuya's, who whipped up a burnt burger cheese bechamel, smoked bacon and kombo fried chicken number, and Aria's executive chef Joel Bickford, with a fermented chilli, wombok, pickled mushroom and fried shallot sando. Each limited-edition sandwich costs between $13–25 depending on what is inside it and is usually unveiled on Mrs Palmer's Instagram in advance. If the fortnightly sandwich special doesn't quite tickle your fancy, the shop also has a falafel sanga with garlic sauce ($11), one with crispy pork belly ($14), The Cure ($13) with three different cured meats (wagyu pastrami, spicy salami and mortadella) and a riff on a parmigiana ($14). There are also two salads and four types of fries (including tater tots and haloumi fries). When you visit, be sure to take note of the door to the left of the counter. It doesn't lead to a stock room, as you may assume, but to a tiny, dimly lit margarita bar. La Farmacia's cocktail menu is split into four types of margarita: classic, spicy, fruity and botanical. All up, there are 16 to try — ranging from a mind-numbing Carolina reaper-infused tequila tipple to a mezcal and hibiscus tea option. To pair with your marg is a selection of Mexican-style snacks, including ceviche, cactus salad, flame-grilled corn and, on Tuesdays, $2.50 tacos. Images: Terence-Kent Ow
In The Guest Edit we hand the reins over to some of Sydney's most interesting, tasteful and (or) entertaining people. For this instalment, we have Jade Le Flay — ultra charismatic fixture of Sydney nightlife and dance music scene — take the role of our after hours shepherd, guiding us to her favourite Sydney cocktail joints and what to order from the drinks list at each. And with her resume, she's a reliable source when it comes to having a good time. She's a producer and DJ (who's done supporting gigs for hip hop titans like Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzivert), hosts Spotify's A1 podcast (among others), and was recently featured in a campaign for JD Sports x Nike alongside drill crew ONEFOUR and First Nation's rapper Kobie Dee. And still, she always makes time for a cocktail. That's our kind of guest editor. JADE LE FLAY: In my years of DJing, hosting and promoting events, I've been lucky enough to experience some of Sydney's best venues and, of course, make my way through their cocktail lists. A few in particular have stood out. On the drinks side of things, the perfect cocktail is one of two things: something you could have never imagined in your wildest dreams but somehow works (and works well), or a perfected classic. As important as the drink itself is the vibe of the venue — and how well it matches the cocktail. A few of the places below boast incredible views of Sydney's most iconic locations, places where the staff treat you like family, and places that transport you around the world while you're there. 1. BAD HOMBRES, BONDI BEACH The bar: Bad Hombres, 75-79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach The drink: The "Rosalinda" (Altos blanco, triple sec, watermelon, Bad Hombres' o-t sauce and citrus) When my vegan friends ask me where to eat in Sydney, I instantly recommend Bad Hombres for their delicious Mexican-inspired, plant-based food and the vibrant energy that uplifts you as fast as their 'Rosalinda' cocktail — a twist on the classic spicy margie! What's the twist? It's EXTRA spicy! Just how I like it. If you can appreciate that they make their own hot sauce then you'll understand and feel how much love has gone into the menu. 2. SAGA BAR, CHIPPENDALE The bar: Saga Bar, 49-51 Goold Street, Chippendale The drink: Strawberries & Cream (Wheatley vodka, shaken with strawberry syrup and cream) This hidden gem is the mecca of dreamy delights that makes you feel like you're on a movie set in south east Asia. From the magical decor, moody lighting to the golden mosaic bathroom, this spot is a must! My select from Saga Bar is a nightcap called 'Strawberries & Cream' — it's the perfect substitute for dessert. [caption id="attachment_786072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Walsh[/caption] 3. BAR 83, SYDNEY CBD The bar: Bar 83, 100 Market Street, Sydney The drink: Seasonal Spritz (vodka, prosecco, strawberry, coconut water, elderflower tonic) Paired perfectly with oysters and a view you literally can't find anywhere else in Sydney, Bar 83 is one of my go-to spots in the Sydney CBD. The stand out interiors is giving Austin Powers and perhaps James Bond aesthetics with bold red and gold furniture — it's very Instagram friendly. I come here just for a quick Spritz stop in between shopping. 4. UNA MAS, COOGEE The bar: Una Mas at Coogee Pavilion, 130a Beach Street, Coogee The drink: Sangria Blanco (peach, vermouth, wine and seasonal fruits) A dear girlfriend suggested we eat at this Spanish tapas joint at the Coogee Pavilion. I was very keen but little did I know I'd be whisked away to a classy and intimate beachside location — the views here are pure bliss. As soon as I realised this was a Merivale restaurant, I knew we'd be in for a treat as the service is always A1! Sangria is perfect for those hot summer nights and I love picking at the ice and the fresh fruit drenched in wine at the end of the drink. I don't know why but this makes me very happy. 5. ICEBERGS DINING ROOM AND BAR, BONDI BEACH The bar: Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach The drink: No. 147 (Ketel One vodka, coconut, passionfruit, pineapple, lime and aromatic bitters) If a cocktail's ingredients include three or more fruits, it's game over for me! Icebergs nailed this cocktail — it's my go-to if I need some quenching on a warm day! This famous beachside venue is a true Bondi bubble favourite but rightfully so. It may be world-famous (which can actually make you think that's kinda corny) but it boasts a very local/community vibe. If anyone comes to visit me in the east, this is where I take them because not only do the views exceed expectations but above all the staff treat you like family. 6. EMPLOYEES ONLY, SYDNEY CBD The bar: Employees Only, 9A Barrack Street, Sydney The drink: Playing with Fire (Appleton Estate signature blend, Overproof rum, Chivas 12 year, and Amaretto shaken with cinnamon, pink guava, peach, finger limes and fresh lemon) My favourite memory of this venue is taking some friends there to play a DJ set and try out the menu for the first time. I was a few cocktails in at this point but I remember wanting to order one of everything on the menu. It is by far one of the more sophisticated but still cool venues in Sydney with that New York flair. I imagine cocktail experts would rate the Employees Only drinks menu very highly as they seem complex and difficult to make. Oh, and they have burlesque shows which I think can be corny but also kinda cute. Def go there for the cocktails though! Ed's note: Employees Only is on our list of Sydney's Best Underground Bars That Are Actually Underground. [caption id="attachment_764760" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 7. MEU JARDIM, SYDNEY CBD The bar: Meu Jardim, 304 Kent Street, Sydney The drink: Espresso Martini I first enjoyed dinner and drinks here for a friend's birthday and immediately fell in love with the cool, blue signature neon lighting — it feels like you're inside a modern European spaceship vibe. Doja Cat would love it here. The venue throws pretty decent parties here too, so the espresso martini is perfect to get you on that buzzy vibe and ready to dance! 8. NOUR, SURRY HILLS The bar: Nour, 490 Crown Street, Surry Hills The drink: Lichee (Vodka, Pama liquor, cranberry, lychee and pomegranate) Again, I follow the sweet and fruity cocktail vibe all day, everyday! This refreshing little number paired with Lebanese food is my all time favourite mix of flavours. It doesn't get better than Middle Eastern food for this tropical island gyal. Nour's extensive wine list is also very impressive and the location in Surry Hills is a good alternative to the city or the beach. [caption id="attachment_723371" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 9. BAR OMBRE, CIRCULAR QUAY The bar: Bar Ombré, Level 3 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Circular Quay The drink: Long Island (gin, vodka, triple sec, tequila and Bacardi) It's a proven theory that cocktails taste even better on a rooftop overlooking the Sydney skyline — you can practically touch the harbour bridge from Bar Ombre. They also have very decent live music and food menu. I never think to order Long Island's but for some reason, the vibes here pushed me outside of my comfort zone. [caption id="attachment_793003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] 10. SMOKE, BARANGAROO The bar: Smoke at Barangaroo House, 35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo The drink: Mai Thai (Bacardi Carta Blanca, coconut, citrus, pineapple, lemongrass, chilli, coriander, pandan leaf) Rarely quiet enough for walk-ins, this is a very showy type of venue with a sophisticated cocktail menu. Not often do you find a drink with pandan leaf as an ingredient. We love this. The Mai Thai is spicy and short and my top pick on the menu for sure. I think I tried every cocktail at Smoke from DJing here for over a year or so. Great vibes (and not just because I was the DJ).
Having a drink with friends is such a simple act, but it hasn't been easy for Australians this year. During the country's periods of lockdown — including two for Victorians — clinking glasses with your mates was mostly vanquished to the realm of fantasy. So now that life is slowly returning to normal, we're betting that you're more than a little keen to gather the gang, pick up your preferred beverage and make the most of it. This year hasn't been smooth sailing for the folks who make your favourite drinks either, of course. But when you're saying cheers with your nearest and dearest, you can also say cheers to local standouts like 6Ft6, Billson's and 3 Ravens in the process. They're responsible for three of Victoria's most-loved tipples, and they have the votes to prove it as part of the BWS Local Luvvas initiative. Over the last few months, the bottle shop retailer asked Aussies to pick their top local drinks, in which the winners receive an extra helping hand with getting their products stocked in more BWS stores. That's a big show of love in a year where everyone definitely needs it — and we've chatted to the talented teams behind the scenes at 6Ft6, Billson's and 3 Ravens to hear about their journeys. THE GEELONG WINERY ON AN EX-SHEEP FARM 6Ft6 prides itself on three things: its location, its varieties, and its talented viticulture and winemaking team. They're must-haves for every winery, but this Geelong vineyard boasts a particularly intriguing story behind the first two components on that list. Not only does it sprawl across an old run-down sheep farm in the Moorabool Valley, but it originally began with 90 acres of pinot noir — because when you know what you like to drink and where you'd like to drink it, you naturally go all in. That was back in 1982, when Austin's Wines was first established. It is now run by a second generation of family members, Scott and Belinda Austin, and counts 6Ft6 among its brands. Although many folks in the industry can make the same claim, Scott and Belinda are now living the dream. "We've always had a passion for drinking wine," Belinda explains, "and the love and learnings of growing and making wine has been a fascinating journey to be on". These days, Belinda isn't just passionate about sipping 6Ft6's tipples, but sharing them. "We love to spread a little cheer wherever we go, and this has been very relevant in 2020," she notes. That's an impressive attitude to have in this difficult year, especially one that has brought so many changes to the winery. "We have had to adapt in more ways than we could have imagined, from finding ways to make up for lost revenue for events and restaurant trade, to shifting to a digital focus in our marketing efforts," Belinda says. "The only thing that hasn't changed in 2020 is the grape-growing and winemaking process. We are glad something was predictable!" THE 155-YEAR-OLD BREWERY AND DISTILLERY USING ALPINE SPRING WATER Back in 1865, when English brewer George Billson founded the company that still bears his name, he couldn't have imagined what would follow. Established in Beechworth all those years ago purely to enable easy access to the town's alpine spring water — which it uses in its spirits, beers, cordials and sodas, as sourced from a 150-year-old red-brick well onsite — Billson's is now a must-visit regional destination. "Historically, our small business has relied almost solely on regional tourism," says director Nathan Cowan. That statement doesn't apply to 2020, though. "It's definitely been a challenging year for everyone," he notes. But local support has helped to keep Billson's afloat, and keep its team busy. "It's so awesome to see so many people supporting their local producers. We wouldn't be here without it," he says. "When people choose local, they are supporting far more than just the business. There are so many flow-on benefits to the entire community." When someone chooses Billson's spirits, they're choosing a tipple made by a company that's "completely captivated by the process of spirit-making," Cowan explains, describing the team's approach as "a mix between creative expression and science". Unsurprisingly, Billson's is committed to using local ingredients in that process, too. "We are passionate about showcasing our spectacular region," Cowan says. "Our talented team use as many fresh local ingredients as possible, and we are lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing growers." THE OLDEST INDEPENDENT BREWERY IN A BEER-LOVING CITY It might seem like a fool's errand, asking a Melburnian to pick their favourite local brew — and to select only one, too. When BWS did just that, however, the city showed its support for 3 Ravens. Founded in 2003, the Thornbury-based beer makers, bar and barrel room helped kickstart Australia's craft beer scene, and did the same in Melbourne as well. Sparked by "a love for more flavoursome European style ales at a time when Australian beer drinkers' options were a little lacklustre to say the least," as general manager Nathan Liascos explains, it's now the Victorian capital's oldest independent brewery. That isn't a status that the 3 Ravens team takes lightly. "Brewing good beer is relatively easy, but brewing excellent, award-winning beer requires a lot more attention to detail," he notes. "We're firm believers that even people who claim to not like beer can be won over by an excellent example of something that aligns with their tastes — and we feel like our job is done whenever we hear 'I don't usually like beer, but...'." When you love beer and you feel just as strongly about making it, singing your favourite brew's praises isn't a hard task. But 2020 has thrown more than a few challenges 3 Ravens' way, although Liascos is looking on the bright side. "There have been some positive outcomes that we've been able to celebrate this year so far, such as seeing increased public awareness and support of local and independent businesses, and an incredible level of ingenuity and adaptation to an increasingly challenging world," he says. "It's also been fun delivering to the locals and personally meeting the people that have been supporting us through these turbulent times." To find these or other Victorian drinks as part of the BWS Local Luvva's initiative, head to your nearest BWS store.
Perhaps nourished by the torrential rain Sydney has been experiencing, a Lego forest recently sprouted in Martin Place. Featuring big-kid versions of the tiny plastic trees and flower sets we played with as kids, the installation marks the first activity of this year's Lego Festival of Play. 15 of the large-scale tree and flower models dotted the concrete, creating bright splashes of color in our currently dreary grey city. Onlookers didn't let the weather get them down, grabbing umbrellas and rain boots to take a stroll through this whimsical forest. After all, you're never too old, and it's never too rainy, to get out there and play. The Lego forest will soon be on the move, to other to-be-disclosed locations throughout Australia.
Across the past eight years, Sydney's All About Women festival has featured sessions on everything from hip hop and toxic masculinity to the post-#MeToo era — and, for its ninth iteration in 2021, it's once again presenting an exciting and eclectic program. When the event returns on Sunday, March 7, it'll feature talks, panels, workshops and films about the evolution of the feminist movement, its limitations, the gendered nature of household responsibilities, misogynistic online communities and the judgements built into artificial intelligence. There's also a session about coping with doomscrolling, because that topic couldn't be more relevant after the past 12 months. Once again, the fest will take place around International Women's Day — happening the day before, though, so it can still be held on a weekend. And while AAW has always covered a huge array of bases each and every year, there is a particular focus on power structures that limit the female experience in 2021. That subject will come through in sessions about identity, sexuality and resilience, and others that explore technology, entrenched inequalities and feminist futures. Talks about sex work and mindfulness are also on the bill, too. Leading the lineup of speakers is writer Isabel Allende, who'll be discussing her 2021 memoir The Soul of a Woman — which explores her role in the feminist movement across continents, cultures, and centuries. She's joined on the program by How to Be A Woman and More Than a Woman author Caitlin Moran, who'll examine the realities of of middle-aged life; Koa Beck, the ex-Jezebel editor-in-chief who penned White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind; and Laura Bates, author of Everyday Sexism and Men Who Hate Women and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project — with the ways in which the individual is often valued over the community and the corners of the internet swaying the mindsets of boys and young men all on the agenda. [caption id="attachment_797616" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Isabel Allende. Image: Lori Barra[/caption] For folks interested in AI, researcher and professor Kate Crawford will chat about machine classification and its role in entrenching inequality. Covering completely different subjects, one panel session will examine the often-complicated relationship between sex work and feminism, too, while another talk will help participants learn to cope with uncertainty in today's COVID-afflicted world. Or, attendees can head to workshops about making zines, weaving baskets — as led by Yorta Yorta woman Tegan Murdock and her mum Margaret Murray — and using music to help let go of the past. Unsurprisingly given the state of Australia's international borders, speakers from overseas will appear via video, rather than in-person. For those who can't attend AAW in person — including those located outside of Sydney — some sessions will be live-streamed as well, and made available to watch on-demand afterwards. The jump to online also includes AAW's film component. Two documentaries, Brazen Hussies and Coded Bias, will screen at the Opera House — and they'll also be available to stream online, alongside a lineup of short documentaries from female Australian filmmakers. Top image: Prudence Upton
Part of what makes travel so special is making friends with people from all over the globe. Yet staying in contact after you eventually return to the 'real world' is surprisingly rare. Think about the travel pals you follow: how many do you stay in contact with? It doesn't have to be this way. By putting yourself out there and going the extra mile, you can make these short but sweet connections into lifelong friends. This way, when you say 'keep in touch' as you leave for your next destination, it actually happens. Forging friendships on an epic adventure is easy when good experiences are had. Together with Intrepid Travel, we've curated this guide to making lifelong friendships while gallivanting across the globe. Put Yourself Out There You can't always expect friendship to find you. Instead, put in the effort to meet your fellow travellers and introduce yourself to your trip guide and other travellers in your group. You'll bond over new experiences and become closer with your group mates at food markets as you sample new foods. In rousing destinations like Cambodia, you'll find yourself surrounded by travellers from every corner of the globe at landmarks like Angkor Wat. Strike up a conversation with a friendly face; you might just become lifelong friends. Book a Group Tour Sure, taking an international adventure where every decision is made moment-to-moment is exciting. But sometimes, it's nice just to hang back and let someone else figure out the guesswork for you. This is where the beauty of group multi-day tours comes in. Best of all, these experiences are ideal for making friends, as you'll spend hours together roaming the sights and commuting between them. So, pass the time by getting to know each other. Before you know it, your travel bud becomes a close pal. Embrace the Unknown When you're travelling the world soaking up new experiences, finding a way to get out of your shell is essential. Although it might seem daunting at the time, saying yes when you're invited on an adventure by other travellers is the ideal way to form a tight bond. Similarly, inviting others to tag along when embarking on a trip is another way to kick-start friendships with those you meet on the road. In a vibrant country like Morocco, embracing the unknown is the best way to stave off culture shock. Bond Over Local Experiences The people you meet on your travels make some of the most striking memories. Although there's a good chance some just become hazy recollections from late nights on the town, others are a little more meaningful, especially when you connect over incredible experiences. For many, this means delving into local customs. Rather than sticking to what you know, exploring diverse food, art, and traditions means you level up your worldliness together. If you take a colourful journey to Mexico, getting your cultural fix is never far away. Stay in Touch Found a kindred soul on a trip to Turkey? Even the strongest connection won't last unless you commit to staying in touch. Once you're back home and the adventure is over, it's easy for real life to get in the way of lasting friendships. Fortunately, it's never been easier to keep in contact with your new friends. Add them on socials, tag them in pics and reminisce about the good times you shared. By keeping the group chat active, new adventures are bound to appear on the horizon. Plan Your Next Trip Don't wait for the next adventure to come to you. When you're looking to turn travel companions into forever friends, taking the initiative to keep everyone informed about your upcoming trips is the perfect way to organise an overdue meetup. Whether you've planned out a journey to the Southern Balkans or you've worked together with your pals to create an unforgettable itinerary, inviting travel friends near and far to join your adventure strengthens your bond and makes them companions for life. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website.
After building a cult following at Paramount House's rooftop and in a sleepy Newtown backstreet, A.P Bakery has opened a third Sydney outpost, this time enticing city workers back to the CBD with delectable pastries and lunch treats on Barrack Street. The A.P team's third bakery and cafe brings all of their favourites to a hole in the wall hidden among the hustle and bustle of a pedestrian-only section of Barrack Street. Keep an eye out for the warm glow of the bakery and the bright yellow A.P Place sign and head in to discover some of the best baked goods and brunch items Sydney has to offer. The menu here follows the A.P formula pretty closely. There's top-notch coffee from Reuben Hills, a range of sandwiches including the famous egg and cheese sando and a new cauliflower toastie, and a daily list of pastries, cakes, pies and bread. After extensive 'research', we can confirm that the Sri Lankan chicken curry pie, Aleppo pepper and asiago cheese scrolls, and fig leaf cream and rhubarb croissants are all must-tries if they're on the menu the day you visit. There are also a few special items that have been created specifically for the CBD shop. From 11am you can nab thick slices of pizza that you'll only find on Barrack Street, plus sandwiches made with the same bianca dough. And there's a cheeky salt and vinegar hash brown on the menu that's worth a try. If you needed an excuse to head back to the office, there aren't many better than A.P's creations. Because if you wanted to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you're out of luck — A.P Place is only open on weekdays. Time to call in sick and get your hands on a cauliflower toastie. Images: Finley Jones
