The Boathouse Palm Beach may have shuttered its windows, but a new Italian-inspired venue has popped up for the summer in its homewares store: CASA by The Boathouse. With classic brunch fare, best enjoyed in a rustic setting within spitting distance of the water, CASA joins Boathouse Group's other beachfront venues, including Balmoral, Shelly Beach and Manly Pavilion. Unlike its predecessor, CASA is also offering up an all-day Italian-inspired menu and drinks — with cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Montenegroni (classic negroni with Amaro Montenegro) and Boathouse Margarita (with pineapple and jalapeño-infused olmeca altos tequila) as well as a beer and wine list. Choose between classic Italian antipasto, including arancini al formaggio and calamari fritti with chilli and aioli, pizzas and side dishes. If you can't snag a seat, the menu is also available to takeaway so you can enjoy some Italian eats at home. If you're in Palm Beach to catch some morning waves, you can enjoy breakfast and Single O coffee out the back daily from 7am until 3pm. Breakfast options include fruit salad, classic avo on toast and bircher muesli, and Italian panini.
It started with a twist: Severance, that is, as the Apple TV+ hit serves up one helluva take on work-life balance. In the streaming sci-fi mind-bender, employees at Lumon Industries — such as Mark S (Adam Scott, The Monkey), Helly R (Britt Lower, Darkest Miriam), Dylan G (Zach Cherry, Fallout), Irving B (John Turturro, The Room Next Door) and Burt G (Christopher Walken, Dune: Part Two) — seemingly live the clocking-off dream, although it turns out to be a nightmare. They have no choice but to leave their job at the nine-to-five grind each day, because they're physically incapable of thinking about it at home. Each has signed up for the show's titular procedure, where their personality and memory is split between their professional and personal spheres. Innies, as the series dubs them, navigate the corporate labyrinth with no awareness of what exists elsewhere. Outies, aka workers come quittin' time, have zero knowledge of what they get up to for a paycheque. The best new TV show of 2022, already proving one of the best returning television series of 2025 thanks to its stellar second season and a key reason that Apple TV+'s catalogue is among streaming's finest, Severance offers plenty more twists beyond its premise. One of them is right there in its core casting. The hair, the voice, the gaze: to see Walken on-screen — and to hear him echoing from it — is to experience all three, as remains the case here, but he's also in rare territory. It's "a different kind of part for me to play, the romantic interest, especially at my age", the acting icon and octogenarian tells Concrete Playground. "Also the fact that he's a decent, good person. I don't play a lot of those." Walken has rarely been out of the camera's gaze or away from the stage since he was a child. His first theatre credit came when he was just nine, followed by his debut TV appearance at ten. His famed way with monologues, a hallmark of his filmmography, springs from "a lot of big parts in Shakespeare", he notes. He has an Oscar for The Deer Hunter, a BAFTA for Catch Me If You Can and two Emmy nominations, one for the first season of Severance and the other three decades earlier for television movie Sarah, Plain and Tall. Busting out psychic powers in The Dead Zone, playing a Bond baddie in A View to a Kill, getting nefarious in Batman Returns, spouting Quentin Tarantino-penned dialogue in True Romance and Pulp Fiction, Saturday Night Live's viral 'More Cowbell' sketch, putting his dance training to great use for Fatboy Slim in unforgettable music video for 'Weapon of Choice', several acting parts in Turturro-directed films such as The Big Lebowski sequel spinoff The Jesus Rolls, his other excellent recent TV turn as an ex-conman in British dramedy The Outlaws: they're just a handful of his fellow standout parts. Severance's Burt G — Burt Goodman in his outie guise — is a wonderful showcase of a supporting role for Walken. Inside Lumon's fluorescent-lit walls, romance blossoms as the head of the company's Optics and Design department and Macrodata Refinement division employee Irving are drawn to each other, no matter how their employer's workplace setup attempts to place obstacles in their way. Walken's performance is tender, heartfelt and caring. Watching him light up with Turturro as their characters realise and process their feelings, and also dive into the idea that perhaps love transcends everything including having your brain severed, is one of the great joys of the series. When Irving is distraught and adrift without Burt after the latter's retirement, then driven to find his outie with his own, viewers feel that loss as well, so strong is Walken's imprint. It might be a part with a clear difference from most to his name, but he's as mesmerising as ever. History isn't irrelevant to Walken's Severance portrayal, though. His performance isn't just glorious because it allows him to step into shoes that he hasn't often been seen in, of course, but there's also no escaping that fact. Indeed, if viewers find themselves thinking about everything else that has brought Walken to this point in his career seven decades in — spying the contrasts to work lately and further back — while watching him in Severance, the man himself completely understands. He knows that an actor is never just seen as the one role that they're currently playing, and never can be, unless they've only ever played that one single role. What initially excited Walken about entering Severance's world, portraying a part that'll go down as one of his greats and making a rare return to TV, other than The Outlaws? How does the duality of the show's premise track with being an actor? What else on his filmography helped him with playing Burt? We chatted with Walken about all of the above, too, and also about his Shakespearean days, taking Burt beyond Lumon, working closely with Turturro and more. On What Initially Excited Walken About Severance — Especially with TV a Rarity, Outside of The Outlaws, on His Resume Since His Earliest Days as an Actor "Well, being with John Turturro and Ben Stiller. The script — you could see that it was a good part. Interesting, quite original, different. Also a different kind of part for me to play, the romantic interest, especially at my age. Also the fact that he's a decent, good person. I don't play a lot of those. Yeah, it was a lot to like." On Severance's Premise, the Similar Duality That Comes with Being an Actor, and the Idea in Burt and Irving's Storyline That Perhaps Love Transcends All "The premise is not something I ever thought about. And of course, being an actor, there's that dual-personality thing anyway. You are who you are, and then you're the guy who you are when you put the costume on. So that's kind of built in. I thought it was very interesting. I thought it was a little bit spooky and scary, not knowing — a little bit vampirish, almost, that you have this life at work and you have this life at home. It's sort of like you're alive at night and you're in a box somewhere during the day. Who knows? I didn't think about that part much, but I do think that that idea of love transcends all is probably true, and it certainly was useful in this case." On Meeting the Outie Version of Burt, and Stepping Into His Life, Expanding Beyond Burt's Time at Lumon "It was very interesting to have this new life, to see my house, to see the clothing that I wear, to see Fields, my husband — all of that was interesting. But I have to say that I have not seen the second season. You have, I guess. So I really, I can't really talk about it much — I don't know." On Whether Anything Else in Walken's Career Helped, Including Indirectly, with Playing Both Versions of Burt — Even Though This is Quite a Different Type of Character for Him "No, I haven't. I played, in a movie called The Dead Zone, I played a guy who has an accident and he kind of gets disconnected from his own mind because of being hurt in an accident. And it gives him certain qualities that he never had before. So I suppose that might be the closest I ever came." On Knowing That Audiences Always Bring Their Knowledge of an Actor, and the Baggage From Their Past Parts, to Any New Performance "Oh, absolutely. I think that when people talk about what it is to be an actor, to talk about, even think about what you doing when you're an actor, it doesn't get mentioned much, what you just did. But whenever you show up, you're not only showing up as the person you're playing, you're showing up as all the things that they've seen you in before. And things that they've heard about you, seeing things that maybe they've read in an interview or something that they've seen, like what we're doing right now. This interview that we're doing informs any part I might do in the future. It's all part of it. And as you use the word 'baggage', that can be good baggage and bad baggage. But it's always there. I don't think that anybody looks at an actor, particularly one who's been around a long time, and sees them as the word 'virgin'. I mean, there's no seeing things for the first time again, it's always with all that stuff." On How Working with John Turturro for Years, Including in Films That He's Written and Directed, Helped with Building Burt and Irving's Chemistry "Oh, very much. The fact that John and I know each other so well, I think shows up on the screen. You can tell — you know, you can't tell what they think of each other, but you can tell that they know each other. And that's very valuable in a case like this. Like how you see two people and you know they're married. I mean, they may not get along, but you know they're married. And in the case of John, I love John. He's my old pal." On How Walken's Way with Monologues Across His Career Stems From His Early Shakespearean Days "Early in my career, for some reason I got to play a lot of big parts in Shakespeare. And I had absolutely no background or qualification to do it. I just got these parts. I played Hamlet twice. I played Romeo twice. I played Iago. I played all these parts. I was part of a Shakespeare company and, as a result, I had to learn and perform these enormous monologues. Iago, I think, is the longest part in Shakespeare. You'd think it was something else. So I spent the early part of my career learning these big speeches. Now, I was never very good in these parts, but I did learn the lines and said them in front of a live audience to varying degrees of success. But it taught me how to do that. I think that's why I get all those big speeches." Severance streams via Apple TV+. Read our review of season one.
Manly Wharf has been taken over by Felons. And no, we're not talking about pirates, but the celebrated Queensland brewery that's opened Felons Seafood, a sprawling 300-seat seafood restaurant perched right at the water's edge, right next to its more casual offering that opened in October 2024. It's an impressive set-up — a breezy coastal aesthetic is anchored by white tones and raw, earthy textures, as well as plenty of sunlit space across the spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas. Inside, a 360-degree bar is framed by four stainless steel tanks pouring brewery-fresh beer, all backed by sweeping views across Manly Cove. [caption id="attachment_1011783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Helming the kitchen is Luke Bourke, a culinary wunderkind with a CV that belies his age. Most recently at Rockpool Bar & Grill — where he won Good Food Guide's 2025 Young Chef of the Year award — Bourke has also logged time at est., Noma Australia and The Ledbury in London. He's also a proud Palawa man and an alumnus of the National Indigenous Culinary Institute, and his elegant, produce-driven menu — which he's designed with fellow Rockpool alum and owner of Marrickville's 20 Chapel Corey Costello — reflects both his heritage and experience. The menu is very much an Australian expression of a classic seafood restaurant. Dishes range from the traditional — like prawn cocktail and a chilled seafood platter loaded with king prawns, Sydney rock oysters, tuna tartare, honey bug cocktail and lemongrass pipis — to the more creative — Bourke's signature tartar sauce features pickled warrigal greens and Felons IPA malt vinegar, while the abalone schnitzel sandwich with salted chilli mayonnaise already feels like a classic in the making. [caption id="attachment_1011781" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ethan Smart[/caption] The drinks program is equally considered. Felons Super Cold Crisp Lager — Australia's coldest lager, poured at -2 degrees and served in thick-walled glassware designed to maintain the ice-cold temperature — headlines the tap list, while the food-friendly wine list showcases Australian and European makers. There's also a bright, coastal-inspired cocktail list, with highlights like a salt and vinegar martini made with oyster shell gin and caperberry brine, a coffee- and macadamia-infused old fashioned, plus frozen classics and a dedicated spritz selection. It all adds up to a venue that's set to reinvigorate one of Sydney's most iconic waterfront destinations. These Felons might be from Brisbane, but they've nailed the laidback Northern Beaches vibe to a tee.
Searching for the best Sydney hair salon or barbershop is a harrowing journey. We've all had bad haircuts. Some of us have even tried (and likely failed) to do it ourselves. But once you find the perfect fit, you're life is forever changed. And you'll likely hold onto them for many years to come. But how many bad haircuts or beard shaping mishaps must we go through before we find the one? To make sure that time comes sooner rather than later, we have created this definitive list of the best places to get a haircut in Sydney. These local barbers and hair salons are staffed by total pros — no students learning to cut real human hair for the first time. So, read on to find your future hairdresser or barber who will help you look as fabulous as you feel.
It's a war that's been waged for decades among regional bakeries the country over: who's dishing up Australia's best pie? Whose pastry comes closest to perfection? Which filling reigns supreme? Well, 2023's top dog has officially been named, with Victoria's Country Cob Bakery taking out top honours at this year's edition of Australia's Best Pie and Pastie Competition. While you might have your own thoughts about which pie makes the best road-trip accompaniment, goes down best at the footy or makes for the ultimate comfort food, this nationally recognised contest is run by the experts at the Baking Association of Australia. The 2023 competition saw professional judges sample pies from hundreds of bakeries across three days. And for the fourth time — including in 2018, 2019 and 2020 — Country Cob claimed the top title, this time winning over tastebuds with a Cambodian fish amok pie, which was named the Best Seafood Pie as well. Country Cob not only has form, but has a range of ace pies. Back in 2020, it won for a pepper beef pie creation loaded with local ingredients. In 2019, it came out on top with its caramelised pork and pepper pie — and its satay seafood pie took out the top gong in 2018. It's an impressive run for baker brothers Ryan and Chan Khun, who've owned and operated the bakery since 2016. Over that time, they've won more than 350 trophies and medals for their baked goods. If that doesn't put their bakeries in Kyneton, Boronia and Springvale on your must-visit list, then we only have one conclusion: you hate pies. In 2023, the two backed up their big win with a slew of other awards, including taking out the title of Best Pepper Beef Pie, Best Mushroom Pie and Best Meat Pastie. And if you're new to fish amok — or amok trei (អាម៉ុកត្រី) — it's a Khmer steamed fish curry. Made with a mousse-style texture, and thought to date back to between the 9th and 15th centuries, it's one of Cambodia's national dishes. In pie form, it's clearly now an Aussie favourite as well. Country Cob Bakery is located at 130-132 Mollison Street, Kyneton; 951 Mountain Highway, Boronia; and 890-892 Princes Highway, Springvale — all in Victoria.
Pirates of Australia: prepare to panic and startle the parrot perched on your rough, sea dog shoulder. The Pirate Bay, the worst enabler of petty criminality in Australia (probably), will be blocked in the next 15 days. According to ABC News, in a case before the Federal Court of Australia, Foxtel and Village Roadshow have asked for five major torrent sites, including The Pirate Bay, to be blocked by major internet service providers. Other sites include Torrentz, TorrentHound, IsoHunt and SolarMovie. It'll be up to the ISPs to decide how to do the blocking. In what is presumably favourable news for piraters, the ISPs haven't been granted a rolling injunction, which means new sites can't be added to the block list as they spring up. This means mirroring can (and most probably will) spring up, making the whole legal exercise a little redundant. One commenter on the ABC post offered their experience of similar legal orders in the UK. What the lack of rolling injunction means is that if a site like TorrentHound (which doesn't actually exist anymore), closes down and restarts under a different name, they will have to go back to court to shut it down. It's been noted (again and again, mind you) that VPNs are an easy and cheap way around the blocks, but Graham Burke — co-chief executive of Village Roadshow, who, as well as being one of the copyright-holding applicants, have also proposed a plan to fine illegal downloaders — told the ABC he doesn't think they are a significant issue. "The experience overseas is not many people use VPNs because they cost money as well," he told ABC News. Sure thing. While the outcome of this court case doesn't worry most people — and there's nothing in the act that mentions any fines or penalties for people who try to access the blocked sites — the precedent has been set, so it'll be easier in future to litigate. In a live Facebook video chat, ABC journalists Will Ockenden and Jake Sturmer note that piracy rates have dropped since sites like Presto, Netflix and Stan have become widely available in Australia, so it's possible a solution is out there. What did they expect, though? Australia was colonised by a steady stream of low-key crims from the start. If they could have downloaded bread in the 1700s, you know the convicts would have been racing home every Monday to download the latest tastiest loaf from HBO. Via ABC News.
Walking through a cathedral made of 100,000-plus lights, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams — you'll be able to do all of this when Lightscape heads to Australia for the first time in 2022. Originally meant to debut Down Under in 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, the after-dark light festival will be taking over the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria — Melbourne from Friday, June 24–Sunday, August 7, beaming away from 5.15pm Wednesday–Sunday. While the leafy Birdwood Avenue spot is already extremely scenic, to say that Lightscape will be brightening up the place is quite the understatement. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along a 1.8-kilometre route, including sparkling trees, luminous walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like Winter Cathedral, the aforementioned installation that'll feature more than 100,000 globes and make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance. Lightscape comes to Australia after 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 last season. In Melbourne, Lightscape will also commission local artists to create works that'll celebrate the city's culture and nature — giving the after-dark light festival a local touch. Fingers crossed for pop-up food and drink stalls scattered throughout — selling, we hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm during the chilly winter nights. Lightscape will light up Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, from Friday, June 24–Sunday, August 7. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
If your daily life consists of more screen time than time spent outdoors, you're probably itching for a next-level escape — somewhere you can truly disconnect. With such a diverse and lush landscape right at our fingertips in NSW, why not switch up your daily routine, switch off your devices and get off the grid in the great outdoors? We've highlighted some top-notch experiences across the state where you can achieve a true sense of freedom. We're talking floating high above the Byron Bay hinterland as day breaks and hanging out with sea life on the far south coast. Your digital detox starts here.
Long before social distancing was on anyone's radar — especially when heading out to see a movie — drive-in theatres were ahead of the game. When you're watching a film in your car with only your friends and family in the same vehicle, you're instantly keeping away from other patrons. Accordingly, it's hardly surprising that the concept is attracting plenty of interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enter the Drive-In Movie Club, a pop-up that's setting up its big screen at a secret Sydney location for four nights. From Thursday, August 6–Sunday, August 9, it'll play beloved retro films while attendees get cosy in their cars with their nearest and dearest. Showing one movie per night, the lineup includes Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Then, the laughs keep going with Mean Girls — and, although it isn't screening on a Wednesday, you can obviously still wear pink. Elsewhere on the program, Dirty Dancing will hit the screen, as will Back to the Future (so if you happen to have a DeLorean handy, prepare to exclaim "great Scott!" a whole heap). Tickets are not yet on sale (we'll let you know when they are), but will cost $35 per car, which covers up to five people. You can also spend an extra $20 per person and have snacks — a drink, popcorn and candy — brought to your vehicle. https://youtu.be/qvsgGtivCgs Top image: Thomas Hawk via Flickr.
While al fresco watering holes might be a dime a dozen in the Sydney CBD, Cabana Bar is an impressive entrant into the mix. The expansive bar and restaurant, located in 25 Martin Place (the erstwhile MLC Centre), is bringing big resort energy to the city thanks to its openair terrace that stretches over 100 metres and is framed with festoon lighting and greenery. Ocean blue banquettes, wicker furniture and white-washed walls complete the look. The cocktail menu leans in to the resort energy — the signature piña colada is a standout here, while there are five margarita varieties and two 600ml fishbowls to choose from as well. The wine list is heavy on Australian makers with most also available by the glass. The food is no afterthought here. The menu, designed by executive chef Brad Sloane, reads like an intersection of resort-style plates and classic pub fare. Highlights include tequila-cured salmon and blue corn tostadas with avocado crema, prawn roll in a toasted milk roll with garlic butter and spicy marie rose and zucchini blossom spaghetti. There's also a late-night menu available from Thursday to Saturday, making this a no-brainer for a post-show bite if you're coming from the nearby Theatre Royal. Cabana Bar also has five spaces available to book for private functions, with both indoor and outdoor spaces available that can cater for groups of up to 80 people. Top image: Wasa Media
If it's been a while between visits to Chippendale, you may notice a few changes next time you drive up Regent Street. A strip of colourful brick-fronted townhouses has been demolished to make way for the multibillion-dollar Sydney Metro project, cabbie favourite Michael's Malaysian & Chinese Restaurant is gone and, in its place, a bright red neon sign has appeared. The sign belongs to Manny's, a matchstick-sized diner, whose pizza by the slice and juicy philly cheesesteaks are sure to be a hit with punters leaving Freda's and The Lord Gladstone in the wee hours. Run by Evan Hansimikali, who also owns the attached petrol station, Manny's opens from 6.30am on weekdays, for coffee and B&E rolls, all the way through to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. So, if you do stumble out of one of the aforementioned establishments after witching hour, you'll be able to grab a $5 slice of thin-crust New York-style pizza topped with double-smoked leg ham and artichoke, perhaps, or cabanossi and pepperoni. Vegan night owls are catered for, too, with about 40 percent of the menu meat- and dairy-free. Their late-night slice of choice might be topped with vegan cheese, potato and rosemary, instead. With only three seats, Manny's is more of a takeaway joint, and it knows this. A delivery service is in the works, it's setting up a happy hour deal with Freda's and it's primed for meals on-the-run, able to turn out a cheesesteak in a minute. And those cheesesteaks sound like they're more than worth the 60-second wait. To replicate the popular PA sangas, Hansimikali has hoagie-like rolls — a cross between baguettes and panini, he says— custom-made for him by Sydney's Fuel Bakery. Then, there's the all-important meat. "We use grass-fed scotch fillet steak," says Hansimikali. "We thinly slice it and throw it on the hot plate. It's so thin it falls apart in your mouth." After that, the rolls are loaded with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Some are also topped with meatball sauce and provolone, others eggplant and green peppers. They're not traditional, but Manny's isn't following any rulebook too closely. While the food is predominantly Italo-American, you'll also find Greek influences scattered throughout. One cheesesteak comes topped with tzatziki, you'll spot a hot dog with black olives and feta, and you can order fries covered in chilli and garlicky yoghurt. Cabbies might no longer be lining up for the Regent Street restaurant, but it looks like Ubers and personal cars will be soon, with plans for one of the petrol station lanes to be converted into a 'drive-thru'. Next time you're looking for fast meal beyond the Golden Arches, Manny's may be your answer. Find Manny's Pizza Diner at 66 Regent Street, Chippendale from 6.30am–11pm, Monday–Wednesday; 6.30am–midnight, Thursday; 6.30am–2am, Friday; 11am–2am, Saturday; and 5pm–11pm, Sunday.
It's always summer at Chippendale's Old Clare Hotel — well, on the rooftop, anyway. Located on the fourth floor of the boutique hotel, visitors can enjoy killer views of the city while lounging around on deckchairs in the sun, sipping refreshing cocktails and eating snacks prepared by Barzaari downstairs. Expect summer cocktails a plenty with the Pain-Killer ($21) — tequila, pineapple and maraschino, served in either a glass or an actual coconut — watermelon spritz ($19) and an extra-boozy rosé cocktail dubbed Rosey All Day ($18). All the classics will be available, too, as well as beers, spirits and G&Ts. Eastern Mediterranean-inspired snacks start with Sydney Rock oysters covered in colourful roe and harissa-spiked chicken wings served with pickled chilli, then move on to prawns with falafel and two pizza-style pita breads topped with the likes of chermoula, toum (a garlicky yoghurt), pickles and lountza (smoked pork). If you're famished, order the next-level bagel — filled with smoked brisket, pickles, iceberg and labneh — and a slice of sticky baklava served with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. The luxury inner-city lodgings opened for business back in 2015. It already has a lineup of food offerings so good they border on offensive, with A1 Canteen, Automata and Barzaari already in the building. The bad news for those wanting to take a sky-high dip is that you can only swim in the pool if you're a hotel guest. But maybe that means it's time to plan a staycation. Images: Nikki To.
Whether you're treating yourself to a staycation or travelling further afield, no one likes going on holiday without their four-legged best friend. That adorable pooch isn't just your trusty companion at home, but in general — and, as every dog lover knows, those barking cuties like doing everything you do (and 100-percent think they can, too). At QT Hotels & Resorts across Australia and New Zealand, your dog can now come for a luxurious sleepover with you, with the chain going pet-friendly. Book yourself and your pupper in for a night, and you won't be the only one ordering off the dine-in menu or scoping out the mini-bar, either. Now on offer at all of QT's sites, the chain's Pup Yeah! fur-friendly stays include a night's accommodation for you and your doggo, an in-room menu specifically for woofers, a pooch-friendly mini bar offering and designer canine bedding. The doggy food range is overseen by the brand's head of treats — Nic Wood in Australia and Jiwon Do in NZ — and includes steak tartare with raw beef, mushrooms and egg yolk; bone marrow risotto with bone broth and crispy pigs ears; and chicken livers and pork necks on wholemeal toast with chicken gravy. Fancy a pupper dessert? There's also a bacon ice cream sandwich, made from bacon ice cream, dried liver and oat biscuits. If your canine has dietary requirements, QT also has appropriate options thanks to Eden Bondi — including vegetable terrine, sweet potato meatballs, and pupcakes with watermelon. And, in the mini-bar, there are also treats from pet bakery Woof Gateau for Aussie dogs, while NZ pooches can snack on bites from Wellington dog bakery Smack Bang. Bedding-wise, in Australia your pupper will be reclining in comfort thanks to a Nice Digs sleep set — and Wolves of Wellington is doing the honours in NZ. Some QT sites are even doing dog treatments at their onsite spas, such as pedicures, mud masks and blow dries. If you're now thinking of planning an indulgent getaway with your pooch, you'll just need to make sure it weighs less than 20 kilograms. Packages start at $450 per night, which includes bedding, a water bowl and a dish for your doggo from the in-room menu. For more information about QT Hotels & Resorts' Pup Yeah! dog sleepovers — and to book a stay — visit the chain's website.
Two years since opening in Surry Hills, Bar Suze has announced that it will be taking part in a well-worn hospitality tradition: pivoting. The small Foveaux Street bar that's been specialising in natural wines and Swedish snacks will shift its focus and reopen as B.S. Pasta Palace on Friday, July 7. Expect the same great Bar Suze atmosphere with a no-fuss menu focusing on pasta and snacks. Thankfully, this means that Surry Hills isn't losing the bustling spot, but you do only have a couple more weeks to get your hands on the venue's toast skagen or eggplant galette. [caption id="attachment_907153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Toast skagen, Nikki To[/caption] To celebrate the site's time as Bar Suze and mark its evolution, the team is throwing a Midsommar party on Sunday, July 2 before the bar shuts down for a four-day hibernation. This walk-in-only celebration will feature plenty of natural wine, signature Bar Suze Nordic snacks and DJs setting the soundtrack. Not content with just an overhaul of their original venue, Bar Suze owners Greg Bampton and Phil Stenvall are also opening a new outpost in Potts Point. Named Caravin, this 30-ish-seat French wine bar will arrive in the former Dumpling & Beer site next to Piccolo Bar on Ward Street. [caption id="attachment_808310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Suze, Nikki To[/caption] Bampton and Stenvall will bring their learnings from Bar Suze over to this second venue, where they're aiming to really put their stamp on Sydney's wine bar scene. Expect a diverse list of vino partnered with an experimental menu of European snacks. The opening will solidify Potts Point one of the best spots in Sydney to find an understated haunt with a standout drinks menu. Caravin will join its neighbour Piccolo Bar — one of our picks for the 20 best bars in Sydney — as well as Piccolo's sibling Vermuteria, the Love Tilly Group's Dear Sainte Eloise, Bar Lucia, Chester White Cured Meats and Jangling Jacks, just to name a few, in the vibrant late-night suburb that has enjoyed a major comeback since the end of the lockout laws. [caption id="attachment_907152" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Suze, Nikki To[/caption] B.S. Pasta Palace will open at 54 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills from Friday, July 7, while Caravin will open at 9 Ward Avenue, Potts Point in spring 2023.
As you read this, Kiwi charity Live More Awesome are getting their hands dirty, literally, constructing the world's biggest waterslide. This 650m long monster is the length of two Sky Towers and is located just 30 minutes from Auckland, New Zealand. The aim of the event is to raise funds and increase awareness for depression, as the not-for-profit charity is all about combatting mental illness through life changes, not just drugs. D-day is set for the 23rd and 24th of February and will feature three waterslides (the others will be a more standard 60m and 80m), food, and a shady area to hang out, complete with Kiwi entertainment (courtesy of George FM). Co-founder Jim Hunt says, "The World's Biggest Waterslide is all about pushing boundaries and creating the ultimate summer event. We have some epic entertainment planned for the day and we can't wait to see the reaction on people's faces as they come down the slides, it will be a truly unique experience". According to MentalHealth.org.nz, depression in New Zealand has affected as many as 1 in 5 people within the past year alone. "We're a couple of Kiwi guys who like so many others have really suffered at hands of depression," co-founder Dan Drupsteen says. "It was really tough, but having come out the other side we decided the best way for us to keep depression at bay was to 'Live More Awesome'. We hope this amazing project will encourage others to do the same and we want people to know it's ok to ask for help." Ticket prices start at $46 and are limited to 2000 people. You can contribute to the building of the waterslide through Indiegogo. Check out their progress so far in the video below.
For home-style cooking that'll transport you to a family dining table in Lebanon, look no further than Baba Ghanouj. The Parramatta outpost of this restaurant (which has sibling venues in Dural, Castle Hill and Kirrawee) boasts a broad menu of traditional plates, desserts and imported drinks. The warm space is ideal for group outings, with large tables set among dramatic arches and chandeliers. Even more charming is the outdoor dining area where you can enjoy your next date night on a tree-lined street under draped strings of fairy lights. The menu is divided into cold and hot mezza, small pans, salads, mashawi (grilled skewers) and wraps (available until 4pm). For the mains, choose from plates such as chilli prawns with tahini, red capsicum, onion and vermicelli rice; pan-fried barramundi with coriander, lemon, paprika and garlic; or slow-braised lamb with spices, rice, nuts and yoghurt dip. Banquet options are available for couples or groups, which include 9–12 mezza and three meats. If that's still not enough and you can't find your favourite Lebanese dish on the menu, have a chat to the kitchen and they'll prepare it for you. Baba Ghanouj is open mornings every day and until 11pm on Tuesday–Sunday, so you can drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and satisfy any cravings between meals.
Sydney's dining scene is set to score a glamorous new addition this spring, as Chris Lucas, the celebrated Melbourne restaurateur behind zeitgeist-defining venues such as Chin Chin, Yakimono and Maison Bâtard, brings his Venetian-inspired brasserie Grill Americano to the Harbour City. And while we announced the news when it broke in February, new details have now been revealed about the opening — including an official launch date. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 19, when Lucas' second Sydney restaurant opens at No. 1 Chifley Square, perhaps better known as the heritage-listed Qantas House building. Grill Americano Sydney will channel the same old-world Italian elegance and theatrical flair that's made the original one of Melbourne's hardest-to-book restaurants since it debuted on Flinders Lane in 2022. [caption id="attachment_1030742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Griffin Simm[/caption] But don't expect a carbon copy. Executive Chef Vincenzo Ursini — whose resume includes stints at Michelin-starred kitchens Ristorante Reale, Le Calandre and Mugaritz, and who's helmed Grill Americano Melbourne since 2024 — has worked closely with Lucas Restaurants Head of Culinary Damian Snell and Lucas himself to create a menu that pairs Grill Americano signatures with new dishes designed exclusively for Sydney. A clutch of the new additions lean into Sydney's love of fresh fruits of the sea. Among them: prawn panzerotto with Oscietra caviar, tuna 'nduja and anchovy crostini and a Sicilian-style seafood risotto laced with saffron and chilli. A dedicated raw seafood bar will spotlight oysters, crustacea and daily-changing crudo selections. [caption id="attachment_1030741" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Griffin Simm[/caption] Naturally, many of Grill Americano's Melbourne favourites will make the trip north, including the scampi alla veneziana on saffron pilaf and the show-stopping tiramisu, which is served tableside. The kitchen's famed bistecca offering, featuring 15 premium cuts and specialty beef dishes, will also demand attention, from the bistecca pepe e verde Angus Chateaubriand with cognac and green peppercorn to a 700-gram New York Cut Striploin of grappa-infused, dry-aged Chauvel beef. Chef Simone Giorgianni, who has led the restaurant's acclaimed pasta program since day one, will bring a lineup of daily handmade favourites to Sydney. Expect pillowy ravioli, silky pappardelle and a luxurious lobster tortellini finished with sauce américaine. To match, Master Sommelier Paolo Saccone has curated an extensive wine list — Melbourne's cellar houses over 2000 bottles — while the classic-leaning cocktail list includes a tribute to the bellini from Harry's Bar, Venice's legendary 1930s cocktail den. Designed by Chris and Sarah Lucas with longtime collaborator Samantha Eades, Grill Americano Sydney will feel familiar to fans of the Melbourne original thanks to its signature blue velvet banquettes, a 30-metre-long marble bar and an open kitchen anchored by a Josper grill and woodfired oven, all framed by the building's existing soaring ceilings and expansive heritage windows. Reservations open mid-October — and with buzz already building, this is shaping up as one of Sydney's biggest restaurant openings of 2025. [caption id="attachment_1030743" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Grill Americano Sydney is set to open on Wednesday, November 19, at 1 Chifley Square, 68–96 Hunter Street, Sydney. Reservations, which open from mid-October, can be made on the Sydney reservations page. For more information about the restaurant, visit the Lucas Collective website.
Japanese salon Shinka has been a Sydney staple since 2008. It boasts three Sydney CBD locations — one in The Galeries and another two along Clarence and Castlereagh Streets — and three more in Tokyo. You'll only find Japanese stylists at each Shinka branch, most of whom have experience working in Tokyo. The Sydney locations also offer luxurious interiors, like high cathedral ceilings, glazed walls and gold and white finishes. Cuts start at $70 for women and $60 for men, with colour treatments from $100 and balayage from $160. Alongside your usual cuts and blow drys, Shinka also offers Japanese and keratin hair straightening and digital perms — the latter will leave you with natural looking, bouncy curls.
Is there any activity that KFC doesn't think could be improved by fried chicken? Given that the fast-food chain has put on weddings, opened a pop-up nightclub, held a music festival and hosted an 11-course degustation, there clearly isn't. The next to join the list is holidays. Even better, the chook-slinging brand is serving up free holidays. Always wanted to know what KFC dishes up in other countries? Now you can head there to find out on the brand's dime. KFC is calling its giveaway Kentucky Fly Chicken, naturally. Is Kentucky on the destination list? That hasn't been revealed, because exactly where you could be spending time is being kept a surprise. The promotion starts on Tuesday, February 20, runs through to Monday, March 18, and includes giving away trips over four weeks. Each week's winner scores a jaunt to somewhere around the world were fried chicken is definitely on the menu, of course. To enter, you do indeed need to buy some KFC first. Wannabe travellers can hit up the KFC app, then look for the international products among the usual range. They'll stand out in terms of what they're dishing up, but they're hidden. Locate them, spend at least $1 on an order, then cross your chicken-loving fingers that you emerge victorious in the winners' draw. Whatever the special meal is that you're looking for on the app, the nation that it's from is where you'll be flying to if your name is picked. And while there's only four trips on offer now, the campaign unofficially started with a fifth getaway which has already been won. It was to Tokyo, and involved spotting the wafu cutlet burger on the Aussie app, then jetting to Japan to try it in-person. The four folks who receive the rest of the prize getaways will get business-class flights, four-star accommodation, plus $6000 in total in cultural experiences and spending money while you're there. KFC is calling the promotion a travel service, because arranging your itinerary is covered. Depending on the destination, this might be an excuse to break out your KFC sweater — or your bucket hat from the chain's 2023 couture line. To enter the Kentucky Fly Chicken promotion, head to the KFC app between Tuesday, February 20–Monday, March 18, look for the international products among the menu and spend at least $1 on an order. Visit the KFC website for more details.
Fancy a beer and singing along to some of the biggest hits from the past few decades? In one of Sydney's most iconic venues, no less? Well, there's no better way to get back into the live theatre scene than with The Choir of Man: the ultimate heartwarming show that's swinging into Sydney Opera House this February. Returning after two sell-out seasons Down Under — and in its first touring performance in over a year — The Choir of Man sees nine mates catch up at their local watering hole, dubbed The Jungle, with the stage transforming into a convivial pub setting each evening. So, throw whatever ideas you have about a night at the theatre aside and grab yourself a pint, because this show will have you chair-dancing along to classic rock, joining in with pint percussion, foot stomping and watching high-energy dance routines. Still need convincing? Here's the inside scoop on the hit show's anticipated return to Sydney. [caption id="attachment_798887" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] THE RUNDOWN The show first took off at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 after 20 years of development by the producers Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson. Yep, two whole decades. "I wanted to create a show that was a reflection of my experiences, not only of singing, but also of community and friendship," says Doodson. Since then The Choir of Man's unique and wildly entertaining act has spawned shows across Europe, the United States and Australia. For the House's gig this time round, The Studio's getting decked out with faded wooden decor, colourful lights and a working beer tap. A place where "people can come together and laugh together or cry together. It's a place of sitting together and supporting each other." [caption id="attachment_798889" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] THE REVIEWS After taking to the Sydney stage twice, The Choir of Man has received much praise. In Daily described the production as "a celebration of the local places where people come together to belong" while Arts Review said it was "fresh, fun and fantastic". But it wasn't just the critics who were raving, with two sell-out Sydney seasons proving theatregoers were fans, too. "Having people singing along, having a smile on their face [and] a drink in their hands is the best thing we can ask for," says Doodson. "We want people to be reminded of going down to the pub with mates and having a good time." [caption id="attachment_798891" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] THE SHOW While the set may look like your typical Brit-style pub sporting soggy carpets and tired furniture, don't judge the show by its decor. The nine performers are sure to dazzle and amaze as they sing, stomp and play instruments in this 80-minute romp of cabaret. If you've seen The Choir of Man before, the actors usually share and encourage audience members to drink with them on stage. However, due to COVID-19 limitations, this won't be the case. Instead, you can bet the boys will recreate that community spirit amongst the audience without any unsafe interaction. "It's a show all about community," says Doodson. "We have never had to come together as much as we have now and never been more deprived of community than we have in the last year." THE BLOKES These nine men are just your average Joes, really, all playing exaggerated versions of themselves. Denis Grindel is the narrator, like that mate of yours always spinning longwinded yarns at the bar. Tom Brandon is the blokey bloke with a 'hard man' exterior and Alistair Higgins is the muso. Then, you've got James Hudson who's always down for a laugh, while Matthew Campbell is the bore — you know, the one who always plays it safe. Plus, Peter Lawrence who they call 'The Beast'; the one who's always on the dance floor; Mark Irwin, the Cockney Casanova; and Mark Loveday as the barman. The cast represents different races, sexualities and personalities that come together and remind us of the importance of being there for one another, through the good and the bad. "We set up to create a show about nine people who like signing and [instead] ended up with a bunch of friends who created a show and took on board their experiences and the things that were important to them," says Doodson. [caption id="attachment_798890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] THE TUNES This fun story of camaraderie is backed by a banger-filled songbook packed with too many crowd-pleasing rock classics, power ballads, pop songs and Broadway hits to count. The inspiration? "Each song has to tell a story — and we have a good reflection of international music and genres," says Doodson. Expect everything from Guns 'n' Roses and Queen to Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele and Avicii. So, no matter what your taste in tunes is, there's sure to be something that'll have you grooving in your seat — or belting out the chorus. And if you're hoping there might be an Australian twist on the usual setlist, keep an ear out as there may be an appearance of a much-loved Aussie classic or two. 'The Choir of Man' is showing at Sydney Opera House from February 18–April 4, with tickets priced from $59–105. For performance times — and to book tickets — head to the Sydney Opera House website. Top image: Prudence Upton
Nestled in the sleepy suburb of south Sydney's Grays Point, Jack Gray is a cafe by day and a wine bar by night. Open for coffee seven days a week and drinks on Fridays and Sundays, the venue is an exciting opening for The Shire, with top-notch eats, an exciting wine list and live music all in one place. The venue is the passion project of owner Ben Coombes who wanted to turn his neighbourhood cafe into a community hub for Grays Point. "Our focus is to bring people together, and whether it be with coffee or wine," says Coombes. Located on the edge of the Royal National Park, the cafe is an ideal stop for breakfast for anyone heading towards local parks, hikes or the nearby Pork Hacking River, as well as a reliable pitstop for locals on the hunt for their morning coffee. The all-day menu features breakfast classics done well. There are scrambled eggs with caramelised leek, vintage cheddar and sourdough; bacon and egg rolls made with Ironbark bacon and house-made apple and tomato relish; or banana crepes with vanilla bean ricotta, maple toasted almonds and dulce de leche. There's also a selection of loaded deli rolls that won't set you back CBD prices. Pick up a takeaway ricotta, caramelised onion, manchego cheese and mushroom breaky roll or a smoked salmon bagel. Come wine bar afternoons every Friday and Sunday, the baristas transform into bartenders and the focus shifts to cocktails. The wine list balances crowd-pleasers and interesting varieties including regional NSW pét-nats and "funky" South Australian reds. Accompanying the drinks are share plates of bar snacks like hummus or a peach and burrata salad, and soft-shell tacos. Served on locally made corn torillas, the tacos feature toppings like barbecue chorizo with tomatillo chimi churi, and an irresistible vegetarian option that combines roast pumpkin, spiced cauliflower, avocado, salsa and pickles. Jack Gray is located at 110 Grays Point Road, Grays Point. It's open for 6am–2pm Monday–Friday, 7am–2pm Saturdays and 7am–1pm Sundays. Wine bar afternoons are held from 6pm Fridays and 4pm Sundays.
Next time you're in Bondi, don't miss the chance to mosey up Campbell Parade to Ben Buckler Cellars. Locals know this spot as a wall-to-wall wine haven, with a wide range of both Australian and imported wines on offer. Plenty of family-owned labels are on display here from little known wine regions, and the staff is very knowledgeable, offering wine-drinking tips and direct access to winemakers. Expect regular specials and rare wine styles to grace the shelves — like durif, nebbiolo and viognier — so if you're on the hunt for something super specific, this may be where you'll strike gold. You'll also find a selection of locally made spirits here, too, including Manly Spirits' gins and botanical vodkas. Images: Yaya Stempler
Just north and around the headland of Long Reef Beach, you'll come to a top-notch location for some friendly beach games: Collaroy. Collaroy has the benefit of being slightly sheltered, so playing games that involve lightweight or excess equipment is often pretty good here, such as spikeball and frisbee. Plus, it stretches into Narrabeen Beach, giving you just over 3.5 kilometres of continuous beach to play on. After you've worked up a sweat, you can head to one of the beach's many barbecuing and picnic areas or head into The Collaroy for a cold beer. And be sure to stick around for sunset, as this beach offers some of the best.
It looks like it's going to be a while longer yet before you can jet off on that next sunny holiday to the Greek islands. So why not let them come to you? A breezy new Greek meze bar has opened its doors in the heart of Bondi Beach, named and inspired by the tiny Aegean island of Ikaria. Here, husband-and-wife duo Joaquin Saez (Alberto's Lounge, Cho Cho San, co-owner of La Palma) and Emily Abay are bringing a taste of the Mediterranean coast to Sydney's own stretch of beachside paradise. You're invited to step through the door and embrace the Ikarian philosophy of life, centred around celebration, happiness and enjoyment. Fashion photographer Abay has helmed the design, creating a tranquil vision of archways, whitewashed walls and neutral-toned tiles, framed by sweeping views across the water. It's a holiday vibe, to be sure. Leading the kitchen is Head Chef Robert Young (Quay, Born by Tapavino, the UK's Restaurant Martin Wishart), who is turning out a share-focused menu peppered with plenty of Mediterranean flavours. You'll find the likes of an Ikarian-style taramasalata served with warm pita for dipping ($7), saganaki finished with chestnut honey ($19) and crisp zucchini chips matched with tzatziki ($11). Octopus is grilled, and teamed with lukanika (a type of sausage), radicchio and endives ($28), while salsa verde finishes a dish of Greek-style lamb meatballs ($26). Ikaria's wine offering is diverse for its size, featuring mostly European labels, alongside a handful of local beers and Greece's Mythos lager ($10-12). But if you're really embracing those vacation feels, expect to be tempted by the cocktail list, which stars sips both classic and original. There's a riff on the martini, crafted with olive gin and rosemary thyme vermouth ($22), and the striking Blue Zone ($23) — a fusion of tequila, blue curaçao, cucumber agave and rosemary smoke.
From the street, A Man and His Monkey looks like any other suburban cafe. But venture inside and you'll find a cosy cafe that's serving up hearty brekkies, salads and sandwiches with an Israeli flair. We're talking a haloumi and eggplant-stuffed pita pocket, malabi — a popular Middle Eastern-style rose-scented milk pudding topped with pistachios, coconut and strawberries — and a mean shakshuka. The latter will rival those from any of the popular shakshuka joints across Sydney — and you can opt to have it with sujuk, slow-cooked lamb, hummus or labne. Come lunchtime, order the hummus plate, which comes with pita and your choice of sides, including poached eggs or eggplant salad. There are also a range of toasties and sandwiches available, including the reuben with double-stacked house-made pastrami. Wash it down with a coffee or one of the turmeric, purple taro or chai lattes. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Sydney fine-diner nel doesn't do anything by halves. When it shows its love for Disney, Moulin Rouge!, Australian native ingredients, British food or KFC on its plates, Nelly Robinson's restaurant goes all in with decadent multi-course degustations. The same applies to Christmas, with the eatery's festive end-of-year spreads a seasonal culinary highlight. But who wants to get jolly just once a year? Not most of us, and not this Wentworth Avenue spot. In 2024, nel is jumping on the Christmas in July trend with Sunday roasts every week. Of course, nel's take on anything it sets its ingredients to is never like anyone else's. So, your winter lunches can now include a nel spread with lamb shoulder, smoked salmon with caviar and dill, and sticky toffee pudding among the dishes — and that's just part of it. This is a four-time-only affair for this year, because there are four Sundays this July, with the festive offering kicking off on Sunday, July 7. You'll pay $85 for your taste of merriment, and you'll also need your wallet for any beverages on top. Bookings are essential. Christmas jumpers are optional (but you know that you want to wear one anyway).
TIVA combines Sydney's love of luxurious bars and live music into a romantic venue underneath The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar. Head down Wednesday through Saturday, and you're sure to find a band or a solo artist filling the room with jazz, soul, R&B or folk music until late. Plus, accompanying this roster of live entertainment is a daily program of DJs spinning tunes Monday through Saturday. The venue is reminiscent of many classic lounge bars, boasting subtle lighting, velvet booths and mirrored tables. A palette of navy and black tones pulls the room together, complimented by polished steel and marble finishes, giving it a luxe atmosphere. Once you've found your table or booth, your attention will turn to what you'll pair the night's playlist with. If you've come for a few drinks, there's plenty to choose from. "Tiva is a place you want to settle in to enjoy the music. High-end spirits, elegant cocktails, champagne, and table service with some understated theatre are the ultimate support act to the incredible entertainment planned," says Head of Bars Jonothan Carr (About Time, The Rover, Grandma's Bar). The espresso martini ($24) is elevated by the use of a high-end French press, the single malt whiskey and cognac old fashioned ($24) is served tableside in a decanter, and the Regal Margarita ($24) is complete with smoked paprika and roasted pineapple. As for food, Tiva takes queues from its upstairs sibling, The Charles Grand, serving up a French-inspired array of eats. Highlights include hashbrowns with roasted chicken cream ($10), a wagyu cheeseburger ($30) and crumbed Moreton Bay bug sandwiches ($20) — as well as caviar service ($140), of course. Pulling together champagne, impressive cocktails and French bar snacks with top-notch live music, Tiva is coming to Sydney's most romantic venues list. Head to the bar's website to see the list of performances it has coming up. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
If you want to catch a bus in Sydney, the Opal card has been the main way to pay for your trip for a while now. But that's about to change. After rolling out card payments on light rail and ferries back in March last year, and on trains in November, Transport for NSW has announced that contactless card payments — and devices that have the service enabled — will be rolled out across all Sydney buses this August. Yep, you can leave your Opal in your wallet/on your desk/down the side of the couch — with this new technology, you can just tap your card or phone (Visa, Mastercard and American Express are all accepted in credit or debit) right onto the regular Opal scanners. Doing this will charge you for an Adult Opal single trip ticket, and if you use the same card each time you travel, the daily, weekly and Sunday caps will automatically be applied to your fare. It's expected that all buses will be able to accept credit and debit cards by the end of September. In another win for commuters, other fare discounts will now be available on all credit card transport payments for the first time, too. Which means if you transfer between services, travel off-peak, usually qualify for the Weekly Travel Reward (where, after eight trips in a week, you get half-price fares) you'll get those discounts on your credit card across the train, light rail, ferry and bus network (when the latter is rolled out, of course). Moving away from dedicated transport cards — or adding other payment options — will make things easier for tourists and travellers (and people who, god forbid, leave their Opal at home), who shouldn't have to buy a new piece of plastic just to catch a bus or train (or pay extra for a paper ticket if they don't) when they're visiting. However, if we're moving towards a contactless future, ensuring the new system remains accessible for anyone that doesn't have a smartphone, smartwatch or bank card remains a concern. Contactless and credit card payments will be rolled out across Sydney buses from August, and it's expected all buses will accept it by the end of September. Top image: Stephen Rees via Flickr. Updated: August 29, 2019.
Tucked along the coast close to the Victorian-South Australian border, and just beyond the westernmost end of the Great Ocean Road, Nelson is a charming country town brimming with incredible outdoor adventures. With its tight-knit local community and hardy surrounding wilderness, this is one spot to put on your list if you're looking for top-notch hiking, surfing, fishing and more. Nelson might not be considered the end of the earth, but its veritable collection of stunning landscapes means you and your pals will struggle to find a place with better access to nature. Whether you get your kicks from underground walkways, remote inland hikes or riding rugged waves, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to present a collection of experiences in this thriving border town where unforgettable memories are guaranteed. [caption id="attachment_841188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPLORE THE DRAMATIC PRINCESS MARGARET ROSE CAVE Situated along the banks of the Glenelg River, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave sees daring travellers descend into a subterranean cavern where calcite formations have ebbed and flowed over the last 700,000 years. Opened in 1940 as one of Australia's first show caves, the limestone lair is one of Nelson's standout destinations. Make the most of your time underground with a guided tour, during which you'll have 45 minutes to wander illuminated walkways flanked by crystalline stalagmites and stalactites that have expanded to over six metres in length. If you can't get enough of your surrounds, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave is located next to a picturesque campground, where you can find close encounters with native wildlife among a eucalypt forest. [caption id="attachment_841190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] TACKLE THE GREAT SOUTH WEST WALK AND SPEND A NIGHT BENEATH THE STARS A staggering amount of rewarding hikes are located along the Great Ocean Road's 243 kilometres, but few are as impressive as the Great South West Walk. While the total distance of this epic journey through Victoria's western coast takes around 12 days to complete — the whole trail is longer than the Great Ocean Road itself — choosing a section or two to tackle is a far more realistic prospect for most. Across full-day hikes and laidback loops, the path meanders from the coastal edge inland through Cobboboonee National Park and side-by-side with the Glenelg River, meaning you'll see both lush forests and idyllic seaside villages. If you're looking to really connect with nature, pack a tent and set yourself up at one of the 14 well-maintained campsites along the way, which provide fitting amenities for an overnight stay. [caption id="attachment_843921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] SEE WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE OCEAN AT DISCOVERY BAY ESTUARY BEACH Exploring scenic beaches is one of the main reasons to cruise Victoria's western fringe. Discovery Bay Estuary Beach is a particularly beautiful highlight, as the meeting point of the Glenelg River and the rugged Southern Ocean. And whether you want to take it easy on the river side or test your mettle on the ocean side, the two kilometres of sandy shoreline means that the swimming and surfing potential is virtually endless. Fair warning: the beach isn't patrolled by lifesavers so be sure you know what you're doing before you set off. Situated about a five-minute drive from the centre of Nelson, this beach is also beloved for its fishing, with local anglers heading out by boat or seeing what they can catch in the shallows. Plus, the surrounding wetlands and sand dunes provide critical ecosystems for hundreds of rare waterbirds and plant species, ensuring you feel that enchanting connection with nature. [caption id="attachment_841194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SURF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN AT DISCOVERY BAY COASTAL PARK For even more surfing possibilities, heading further south to the Discovery Bay Coastal Park leaves you totally spoilt for choice. Spanning nearly 26,000 acres from Cape Nelson to the South Australian border, this spectacular national park welcomes you to soak up the diverse landscape from end to end. While you might feel the urge to dive in anywhere, several top-quality breaks present the best waves. Crumpet Beach and Blacknose Point are ideal for newbies, while Descartes is where more experienced surfers test their skills. Meanwhile, Discovery Bay Marine National Park offers outstanding underwater ecosystems, so be sure to pack your snorkelling gear. There's plenty happening inland, too, thanks to soaring coastal cliffs, impressive sand dunes and idyllic freshwater lakes and swamps. Feel free to take your time here — there are several vantage points within the park where you can catch one of the best sunsets in Victoria. [caption id="attachment_841197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HEAD TO CAPE BRIDGEWATER FOR OTHERWORLDLY ROCK FORMATIONS Set in an ancient volcanic crater, Cape Bridgewater's otherworldly landscape is perfect for road trippers seeking a unique adventure. Its jagged coastline is home to some of Victoria's highest clifftops, and the countryside beyond overflows with freshwater lakes that are excellent for fishing and water skiing. However, the coast remains the main attraction, with the Bridgewater Blowholes helping travellers get up close to rock formations forged in the basalt and scoria rock over millions of years. The cape is also well-known for its population of fur seals, with a dedicated viewing platform providing a glimpse of this year-round colony situated on the ocean edge. [caption id="attachment_843922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] FISH AND PADDLE ALONG THE GLENELG RIVER Spanning 350 kilometres from Nelson's Discovery Bay to the lofty Southern Grampians, the Glenelg River boasts a thriving biosphere that makes for a captivating day on the water. With the waterway considered one of the state's top fishing destinations, you can cast a line for flathead, morwong and silver sweep throughout the year. If you decide to explore the inland reaches of the Glenelg River, Dartmoor is great for a pitstop. Here, Paestan Canoe Hire provides everything you need for a peaceful paddle beneath the shaded banks. For something a little different, tee off for a round at Dartmoor Golf Club or feast on classic pub grub at the Dartmoor Hotel Motel. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Visit Victoria
When December hits in Sydney, 'tis the season to be jolly. From Friday, December 2 onwards, 'tis the time to sip BrewDog's beers, too. That's when at the Scottish craft beer giant will open its long-awaited first-ever Sydney bar, a 910-seater space in the old locomotive workshop in South Eveleigh. Sydneysiders have been waiting for this to happen for some time, given that BrewDog launched its first Australian brewery and taproom in Brisbane in 2019, and just threw open the doors at its second Brissie venue as well. The South Eveleigh location was announced back in September, after the company previously advised that it was teaming up with hospitality group Australian Venue Co (AVC) to set up new beer bars around the country. Indeed, when Sydney's debut spot opens its doors, it'll be the brand's fourth nationwide, with a Melbourne site in the historic Pentridge Prison launching at the end of November. The Harbour City mightn't claim bragging rights for BrewDog's first, second or even third Aussie outposts, but there'll still be much to boast about in South Eveleigh. Settling into a precinct that already hosts Lucky Kwong and Re, the $3.2-million venue will literally be huge, for starters, spanning a large indoor dining space, a bar and a beer garden. It'll seat 720 beer aficionados inside and 190 outside, and pour 40 brews through its taps. Those beverages will cover the brand's own beers, of course, as well as 'BrewDog & Friends' guest beer tap takeovers and collaborations with local breweries. Don't feel like a brew? Cider, wine, spirits and cocktails will also be on offer, alongside a range of non-alcoholic options. All of the above will help wash down a food menu that'll feature burgers and pizzas, and do all-you-can-eat wings every Wednesday. BrewDog South Eveleigh is embracing vegetarian and vegan dishes in a sizeable way, too, dedicating half of its range to plant-based bites — including two-for-one vegan eats on Mondays. Given the location, the beer behemoth's first Sydney spot will pay respects to the site's history, with the architects at Studio Y designing the venue around the original workshop machinery collection. You'll be able to peer at it as you drink, in fact, truly turning your day, afternoon or evening sinking pints into a unique experience. Also inside, punters will find neon signs, plus fittingly industrial-style decor and lighting; think: polished concrete floors, as well as a concrete bar and kitchen countertop. Seating-wise, booths, low and high tables will fill the beer hall. BrewDog's Sydney welcome comes via that new partnership with AVC, aka the group behind spots such as Cargo, Kingsleys and The Winery. It sees the world's largest craft beer bar operator join forces with one of Australia's big pub operators, and will span multiple sites — but exactly where and when any venues beyond South Eveleigh and Pentridge will open hasn't yet been revealed. BrewDog currently operates over 100 beer bars worldwide and, if you need an extra incentive to head to South Eveleigh on its opening day, it'll be giving the first 200 customers through the door on that date — and that date only — the chance to win free beer for a year. BrewDog South Eveleigh will open in Bays 1 & 2, Locomotive Workshop, South Eveleigh, 2 Locomotive Street, South Eveleigh from Friday, December 2 — operating from 11am–10pm Sunday–Wednesday and 11am–12am Thursday–Saturday.
It's not every day you get to hang out with a Hollywood A-lister and step into a fully immersive experience that's as close to the Land of Oz as you'll ever likely encounter. Yet that's precisely what's going down just outside Los Angeles, as Airbnb celebrates the release of Wicked: For Good with the launch of Elphaba's Retreat. Made for Wicked fanatics, this one-of-a-kind experience and overnight stay is worth the international adventure alone. Taking place on Wednesday, December 3, superstar Cynthia Erivo — aka Elphaba in the films — is inviting 20 guests to discover Elphaba's Retreat through a three-hour experience. Stepping into a picture-perfect refuge, those selected will have the chance to hang out with the Grammy, Emmy, Tony-winning and three-time Academy Award nominee that goes far beyond a simple meet-and-greet. On the day, you'll sip tea by the fireside with Cynthia, while a sommelier serves a special blend steeped in forest flora. Then, guests undertake a guided exploration, revealing easter eggs and authentic artifacts from the movies before taking part in a multi-sensory sing-along that brings the Ozian Forest to life. Finally, there's still time for a creative workshop where you'll weave your own witch's broom from willow, moss, poppies and more. Yet this fantastical adventure gets even better for a lucky guest and their plus-one who experience Elphaba's Retreat through an overnight stay. With the witch heading out of town for the night on Saturday, December 6, this whimsical accom filled with whispers will serve as a peaceful after-dark hideaway. Throughout the night, guests can expect a quiet meal and an enchanting evening of non-stop stargazing. Ready to change for good? Guests can now request to book the experience with Cynthia Erivo on the Airbnb website for free, with submissions closing at 2am AEST on Thursday, November 14. At the same time, guests can request to book the overnight stay — you'll have until 2am AEST on Friday, November 21, to submit. Designed as the ultimate Wicked experience, there's no better way to get immersed in Elphaba's world. "Elphaba taught me that our differences are what makes us powerful," says Cynthia Erivo. "Her story transformed me, and I can't wait to share that journey with you." Submissions for the Airbnb Wicked: For Good experience close at 2am AEST on Thursday, November 14, while booking requests for the overnight stay remain open until 2am AEST on Friday, November 21. Head to the website for more information.
It takes a pretty special — and downright genius — place to transcend all ages, dress codes and occasions. But The Boathouse does just that. Whether you're hankering for a post-swim feed up at Palm Beach or taking your mum out for lunch in Balmoral, The Boathouse always fits the bill. The venue at Shelly Beach — the fourth on Sydney's north shore — the winning formula has made it to Manly. The sheltered, only accessible by foot traffic Shelly Beach location is the perfect spot for the cafe-restaurant. There are people half-dressed, hair still dripping seawater, sipping smoothies, and there are large groups, fully dressed (and nicely), popping a bottle of wine and settling in for a long Sunday lunch. There's also a kiosk for beachside takeaways. Predictably, it's packed, and the hectic order at the counter and finding a table system still stands. Boathouse owners Pip and Andrew Goldsmith sure know how to run a damn good venue, and unsurprisingly, they've done it again at Shelly Beach.
A cucumber is more or less responsible for Andrew Mowbray's obsession with the gourd. Wandering around his garden one fateful morning, he made a rather unusual discovery. Between his fence and a tree, a cucumber was growing, but as a result of being squashed on both sides, it looked more like a hard, green pancake - 'pressed flat with rounded edges and completely trapped'. Finding the form 'formally interesting' and 'architecturally amazing', he started thinking about how he might be able to re-create it in a manner that would not be threatened by decomposition. Research led him to the Lagenaria gourd, which won't come as a surprise to those acquainted with the robust plant. When people initially came up with the idea of cultivating plants, the Lagenaria gourd was one of the first with which they experimented. Once dried, it becomes as tough as wood, making for a trusty container, bottle, ladle or birdhouse. The West Africans were the first to transform it into an instrument, and the concept soon spread through Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. The gourd is one of the few plants that we grow for aesthetic and practical purposes, rather than to feed ourselves. Now, Mowbray is taking its functionality to new heights, by transforming the gourd into a building block. He grows each one in an acrylic container, which is cubic, with semi-circular depressions enabling the development of 'nubs or buttons'. A modular unit' can be created by locking several of them together. At the same time, he is exploring the sculptural potential of the gourd's form, through emulation with plaster, cement and other materials. [VIA Inhabitat]
Whalebridge sits in Circular Quay the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge offering up French cuisine and specialising in seafood. The venue comes from The Sydney Collective, the team behind the Watsons Bay Hotel, The Farm in Byron Bay and The Imperial. It boasts a prestigious head chef, ultra-luxurious menu and unbeatable harbour views. Open in the former Circular Quay digs of longstanding seafood restaurant Sydney Cove Oyster Bar, the harbourfront venue is headed up by Executive Chef Will Elliot who has previously worked across London's St John, Melbourne's Cumulus Inc. and fellow Sydney CBD French bistro, the beloved Restaurant Hubert. "What's exciting about Whalebridge is the opportunity to prepare and plate a menu which is entirely new to Sydney," says Elliot. "These are produce-driven dishes rooted in traditional French technique and the articulation of those flavours." On the menu, you'll find house specialities that celebrate French cooking and fresh local seafood including duck confit ($38) and lobster thermidor (market price). An array of charcuterie and an expansive selection of caviar ($80-320) are on offer to start you off, as are mains like steak or mussel frites ($45-55). There's also an entire range of canned goods reminiscent of popular Sydney eatery Continental Deli. Enhance your meal with a selection of tinned tuna belly, scallops, or white asparagus and leek barigoule to your meal ($10-38). Accompanying the dishes will be a 150-strong wine list pulling from renowned regions in both France and Australia. "I love good produce treated simply, that's why I love French cooking. It has very humble origins, but it's been refined over so many years to bring out the best in something, without masking what made it good in the first place," Elliot continues. Most striking at Whalebridge is the view, with an uninterrupted view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the outdoor seating that's calling out to be enjoyed with a glass of French wine and a spread of oysters, scallops and kingfish.
Sacrilege is a life-size inflatable recreation of Stonehenge. That’s right. The enigmatic monument that’s perplexed historians for years has been "reimagined" as a bouncy castle that all and sundry can hop around on. Commissioned in 2012 by the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art and the Mayor of London for the Cultural Olympiad, this work by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller has proven to be a smash hit. Deller’s work frequently deals with British history and he is known for engaging the public in innovative and quirky ways. Both adults and children are allowed to engage with this fun installation that's 34 metres long and 5 metres tall. Take your shoes off and head to the Festival Village in Hyde Park any time from 9am to 9pm, Tuesday to Sunday. As the artist himself says, “You haven’t lived until you’ve bounced on Stonehenge.” Image courtesy of Mayor of London/ICON.
Wave your hand, see a massive roster of musicians behind the microphone across the Harbour City: that's the SXSW Sydney Music Festival setup. The live tunes part of the event lets you wander between more than 200 performances on 25 stages over seven days if you have a wristband, and the 2024 lineup just keeps expanding. After a successful Australian debut in 2023, SXSW Sydney is back for a second year from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 — and the program announcements continue to drop. This time, the festival's music strand has added over 25 acts, plus a heap of speakers. When you're not dancing to China's Berlin Psycho Nurses, Indonesia's KATHMANDU and mindfreakk, YONLAPA from Thailand and Sydney's own 2touch making their live debut — and also the likes of Touch Sensitive, Heno., dogworld, GIMMY and Kurilpa Reach — you'll be hearing from Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman as the man behind the Slumdog Millionaire score gets chatting. SXSW Sydney 2024 started revealing its lineup details back in May, and has kept growing it since. A further announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Accordingly, no one can say that they don't have anything to see when the fest makes its comeback this year, especially if the music bill gets your toes tapping. Other fresh additions span Arky Waters, Bakers Eddy, Big Sand, Charm of Finches, Dave Kent, Elizabeth M Drummond, Holiday Sidewinder, Hydra Fashion Week, Ivoris, Kinder Bloomen, Majak Door, Nao Yoshioka, overpass, Rub Of Rub, Tim Hicks, YAHYAH and Yawdoesitall among the folks taking to the stage. Joining the speakers: Priyanka Khimani, who was named one of the top music lawyers by Billboard; veteran bookers Marty Diamond and Larry Webman; A&R Island Records head Marihuzka Cornelius; and plenty more. In one of those aforementioned July drops, 2024's SXSW Sydney Music Festival also added 40-plus talents, such as the UK's Jorja Smith on the 'Be Honest' musician's Australian tour — and also Canada's Aysanabee, Thailand's PYRA, New Zealand's Brandn Shiraz and XUZZ, and the UK's Submerse. Aussies Brazen Barbie, Jamahl Yami, Kitschen Boy and Special Feelings scored a spot as well. And prior to that, the 2024 program already confirmed human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, Australian race car driver Molly Taylor, pianist Chad Lawson, Westworld's Luke Hemsworth hosting a session about the Tasmanian tiger, Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, TikTok marketing head Sofia Hernandez, Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, cricketer David Warner, Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid and documentary Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, about the new uses of former Pizza Hut buildings across America — and that's barely scratching the surface of the lineup specifics announced so far. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Images: Peter McMillan, Jordan Kirk, Jess Gleeson and Ian Laidlaw.
Romance. Kidnapping. A farm girl called Buttercup. A scheming prince. A swashbuckling saviour. A giant. When William Goldman threw them all together, The Princess Bride was the end result — first in his 1973 novel, and then in the 1987 film that the late, great writer also penned. For three and a half decades, viewers have watched Fred Savage (The Afterparty) hear the world's best bedtime story, Robin Wright (Land) and Cary Elwes (Black Christmas) frolic in fields, and Andre the Giant tower over everyone around, with The Princess Bride one of those beloved 80s flicks that never gets old. That said, if you've ever found yourself enjoying all of the above and dreaming that its soundtrack could fill the room around you while being played live by an orchestra, then you're about to be in luck. Despite what outlaw boss Vizzini (Wallace Shawn, The Good Fight) might exclaim, The Princess Bride in Concert definitely isn't inconceivable. Instead, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Opera House are channelling another famous The Princess Bride line: as you wish. This delightful movie-and-music combo will hit the famed venue's Concert Hall on Friday, March 24–Saturday, March 25, playing three shows across the two dates (at 7pm on both days, and 2pm on the Saturday as well). General ticket sales start at 10am on Monday, November 14 — and if you need a refresher on all things The Princess Bride, the comedy-romance-adventure flick follows farmhand Westley (Elwes) on a rescue mission to save his true love Princess Buttercup (Wright) — and also features Mandy Patinkin (Wonder), Billy Crystal (Here Today) and Christopher Guest (Mascots). SSO will perform the entire score live, as written by Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler and adapted for a full orchestra by Mark Graham, with Nicholas Buc as by guest conductor.
When the newly engaged Lauren (Miranda Tapsell, The Surfer) and Ned (Gwilym Lee, SAS Rogue Heroes) made a whirlwind visit to Darwin in 2019 film Top End Wedding, it was to get married. Six years later, the two key characters from the hit rom-com are heading back to the Northern Territory capital. Meet Top End Bub, which is extending the world of the flick by picking up again with its central couple — this time with an added child, and by unfurling the next chapter in the pair's tale via a streaming series. Tapsell not only starred in Top End Wedding but co-wrote the script. With Top End Bub, she's in both roles again — and also co-created and executive produced the series with fellow returnee Joshua Tyler (100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone). Their new story: sending Lauren and Ned to the NT again, away from their settled life in Adelaide, to become the guardians of their orphaned niece Taya (debutant Gladys-May Kelly). First confirmed in 2024, Top End Bub is set to span eight episodes — and you'll be watching it soon. The series hits Prime Video from Friday, September 12, 2025. Ursula Yovich (Troppo), Huw Higginson (Ladies in Black), Shari Sebbens (The Moogai), Elaine Crombie (Invisible Boys), Rob Collins (Austin) and Tracy Mann (Home and Away) are also making the leap from Top End Wedding to its new spinoff, while Brooke Satchwell (Triple Oh!), Guy Simon (The Secrets She Keeps) and Clarence Ryan (Territory) are among its fresh additions. "Words can't describe how excited I am to bring Lauren, Ned and the Top End back to your screens. We all love a happy ending, but what happens after happily ever after? We can't wait for you to find out!" said Tapsell back when Top End Bub was initially announced. "It's been fun to dive back into the world of Top End Wedding, a world that means so much to us and to our audience. A romantic setting full of funny characters who face heartbreaking challenges in heartwarming ways. I am thrilled to be collaborating with such an incredible team," added Tyler. There's no sneak peek at Top End Bub yet, but you can watch the trailer for Top End Wedding below: Top End Bub will stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 12, 2025. Images: John Platt / Prime Video.
Mosman has welcomed Amalfi Coast-inspired gem St Siandra to The Spit's waterfront, bringing with it a touch of coastal luxury and permanent vacation vibes. Tasteful golden-hued interiors, terracotta tiling and white marble bar give way to stunning beachfront views and a tantalising menu that promises a journey through the Mediterranean — all without the airfare. Come in via the sun-soaked wharf entrance and take a seat on the woven loveseats — sourced from Italy — and take in the thoughtful interiors designed by Sally Taylor, who has previously curated venues including Felix and Queen Chow. Up the winding stairs is the dedicated event space Bluebird Room & Deck, awash in calming blue hues and natural light. It can host up to 70 guests and has its own private bar and stunning views of the waters below. Continuing the Euro-summer vibes, the menu features fresh seafood, vibrant seasonal produce and classic Mediterranean flavours with a sprinkling of Middle Eastern spices. The spot is slinging brunch most days with dishes like stracciatella toast with caramelised onion, pistachio and chilli oil, and fried chicken and waffles with sage dukkah and date caramel syrup. Heading over for the lunchtime or dinner menu, instead? Tuna crudo and the Spring Bay mussels are crowd favourites as are the classic tray of Sydney rock oysters with champagne mignonette. For a meat-focused main, opt for the Angus MB4 short rib skewer or the lamb shoulder accompanied by broccoli gremolata, pomegranate and za'atar. Sail your way through cocktails, each with nautical themes or named after local luxury yachts or a bottle of bubbly. Dessert runs to the likes of spiced persimmon pavlova, Sicilian citrus tart with toasted meringue and strawberry; and the classic ricotta fritters with cinnamon sugar and banana caramel. St Siandra was conceived by the hospitality duo, Mitchell Davis and Gavin Gray, the team behind Great Eats. Collaborating with the visionary Head Chef Sam McCallum, formerly of Nomad, and Adam George, the ensemble is a seasoned all-star cast ready to bring maritime allure to Mosman. Images: Steve Woodburn
Last year, the two distinct festivals Mould and Pinot Palooza teamed up for the first time, showcasing — as you can probably guess — the best of Australian cheese and wine. Well, the combined experience was such a hit, this crowd-pleasing duo is running it back once more, bringing together a massive celebration of fromage and fermentation. Presented by Revel, Mould x Pinot Palooza is touching down in five capital cities, including Adelaide for the first time and Sydney after an 18-month hiatus. Meanwhile, the 2026 program will also run four sessions over three days, adding Sundays to the lineup at every leg of the tour. That gives you even more opportunity to explore over 100 Australian cheeses and wines ready to be paired and savoured. On the cheese front, expect the full spectrum of flavours, from funky blues to creamy bries and plenty of stinky samples, accompanied by a huge selection of pinot. So far, the confirmed names for 2026 include festival favourites Milawa Cheese and the bold flavours of Rub-a-Dub, alongside low-intervention innovators Ohkela Wine and sustainable Victorian standouts Mulline Vintners. Beyond the cheese and wine, bars spread throughout each venue will pour top-notch beers, spirits and cocktails, while a host of food producers will be on-site offering ready-to-eat bites, pantry staples and grazing essentials. "Cheese and pinot naturally belong together, and this format gives people the freedom to explore both at their own pace, talk directly with producers, and enjoy the experience without it feeling over-programmed or precious," says Head of Revel, Jess Audus. Mould x Pinot Palooza 2026 Dates: Brisbane: Friday, May 22–Sunday, May 24 at John Reid Pavilion, RNA Showgrounds Sydney: Friday, June 12–Sunday, June 14 at The Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park Melbourne: Friday, July 3–Sunday, July 5 at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Perth: Friday, August 7–Sunday, August 9 at Silver Jubilee Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds Adelaide: Friday, August 28–Sunday, August 30 at The Queens Theatre
Spoil yourself. Go on. Sure you might've been able to fly to Melbourne and back (twice) — but dining at Tetsuya's is an occasion that is slightly more palpable. This is high-flying dining, with very few institutions left like it in Sydney. And yes it may have slipped off the list of the world's top 50 and lost its third chef's hat in 2011; despite all this, there's something to be said about a restaurant that was at the forefront of Australian dining for so long and still has an extensive waitlist. It's a luxurious experience — nay, a luxurious journey. And plus, who said only the rich kids can have the all the fun? Situated smack-bang in the middle of the CBD, the refurbished, Heritage-listed site feels like you literally have left the country for dinner. The entire mansion (yes, it's huge) maintains a traditional Japanese theme — right from the front gates and valet parking, through to the polite and gentle escorting to your table. Eclectic artworks and ceramic pieces adorn the low-lit dining areas, all three of which overlook an immaculate Zen-like garden. The atmosphere is professionally formal yet ceremoniously quiet and tranquil. Tables are impeccably set with shining cutlery and crisp white tablecloths; napkins are immediately — and elegantly — thrown onto your lap. The staff is exceptionally efficient; they don't waste any time here. And they can't afford to waste time — we did warn of a culinary journey. The ten-course degustation menu clocks in at almost five hours, so get comfy. The cuisine is simple and unique and based on the Japanese philosophy of using natural seasonal flavours, with elements of French hinting through. The comprehensive (and weighty) list has over 3000 wines: you may as well go all out and get the matching wines (and extra $97) as it completes the experience. Moreover, the sommelier has done all the hard work for you and ensured that each of your dishes is precisely complimented. To get the ball rolling and whet the appetite, the complimentary truffle butter and bread is an uncomplicated yet decadent start. Fellow diners are already dropping their jaws, ramekins are almost licked clean, and a mere crumb is left. Thankfully, the first dish of the night arrives in due time before you've filled up on glorious carb/fat combo (who would've thought?). And it's a strong start: a warm savoury custard is rich and salty with bursts of flavour in every spoonful. It's paired with a Tamanohikari sake, which — not surprisingly— makes for the perfect accompaniment. Following on from this, Salad of the Sea is nice, and the marinated scampi is a confusing texture combination. Perhaps it's the frozen egg yolk? Suffice to say, truffle butter is winning thus far. The signature dish at Tetsuya's comes out at plate number four — about an hour and a half into being seated. The waiter will outline the complexities of the dish, but a word of advice: choose to ignore the details should you squirm at 'unpasteurised roe'. Matched with a Riesling, the confit of Petuna ocean trout lives up to all its expectations, delivering a full-bodied texture that isn't overly fatty. It doesn't end there, though. Two meat dishes take another 45 minutes of your time before the three desserts: because, everyone needs three desserts right? If we may be so bold, the real orgasmic taste explosion is Tetsuya's chocolate cake. Yes, it's insanely original, but it brings the five-hour voyage to an insane conclusion. While each dish was exquisitely executed and distinctively different, the truffle butter — shamefully? — has to be the hardest act to follow. Or do subsequent dishes just fail to offer that 'wow factor'? If it weren't for the entire Tetsuya's experience — from the service to the setting (to the truffle butter) — would this degustation alone be worth it? There's definitely an argument that the the roller-coaster of dishes is just too much to handle, when all we really want now is simplicity. Nonetheless, Tetsuya's is a Sydney must-do experience. It's certainly not a cheap affair, but the focus really is about a love of food crafted by chefs who are ferociously dedicated. Branch out from the burgers and enjoy one of Australia's most well regarded restaurants.
Visitors to NSW's Royal National Park may be treated to a rare spotting of an iconic Australian animal soon, with ten platypuses set to be reintroduced into the area for the first time in nearly 50 years. Platypuses haven't been spotted in the Royal National Park since the 1970s, when the park's resident duck-billed mammals were seemingly wiped out by a devastating chemical spill. But a collaborative effort by UNSW researchers, WWF Australia, Taronga Zoo, and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will see the adorable creatures return to the park from late next year. Dr Gilad Bino, the projects leader from UNSW's Centre for Ecosystem Science, says the initial group of ten platypuses will hopefully be the start of a growing population in the area. "We'll monitor how they settle in, with the hopes their population will start to grow and reestablish in the area and allow people a place to come and appreciate this unique animal," he said. [caption id="attachment_824577" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Platypus Conservation Initiative[/caption] The platypuses will be released in the second half of 2022 and will be a mixture of males and females. All platypuses will be fitted with acoustic tags so researchers can track their progress and breeding activity. Before these ten brave mammals are reintroduced into their new habitats, researchers will survey the park to confirm there are no platypuses left, and to find an ideal environment for the mammals. A recent study by UNSW found that the areas where platypuses live in Australia has shrunk by 22 percent in the last three decades. "Platypuses are resilient animals, but it's vital that we develop the capability to actively manage populations and do a better job at protecting their freshwater homes," Centre for Ecosystem Science Professor Richard Kingsford said. "We want future generations to see platypuses in the rivers of the Royal and Heathcote National Parks and all the way down the east coast of Australia." You can follow the work of UNSW's Centre for Ecosystem Science on the university's website.
While Pyrmont's beloved Sydney Fish Markets are set to move to its new-look multimillion-dollar site by the end of 2024, the NSW Government has just unveiled plans for the future of Blackwattle Bay and the current Sydney Fish Market site in its absence. The new plans for the bay are currently on exhibition to the public. The plan includes 12 buildings with the potential to hold 2800 residents as well as commercial, retail and community spaces. Libraries, childcare facilities, community centres and a public domain building for cultural use adjacent to the Sydney Fish Market are all outlined as part of the project. The transformation will also see the waterfront precinct feature a new foreshore promenade running between Glebe Island Bridge and the new fish market, which will form part of a plan to make the fish market site more accessible. Other aspects of the proposal include a new ferry stop, public wharves and an underground car park with 417 spaces. [caption id="attachment_819574" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artist interpretation of the new Blackwattle Bay[/caption] "Building the new Sydney Fish Market at the head of Blackwattle Bay is an incredible opportunity to transform an under-utilised area into a vibrant, accessible and attractive waterfront precinct," Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said when more detailed plans for the fish market were revealed last year. The new-look Blackwattle Bay precinct will potentially form part of a larger foreshore project that will also see White Bay's heritage buildings and surrounding area restored and transformed into a residential and commercial precinct. Included in the proposed plan for White Bay, which is currently under consideration, is the restoration of the Glebe Island Bridge and the preservation of the Glebe Island Silos. Other elements of the planned development include affordable housing, increased employment opportunities, the maintenance of the area's maritime industry, a harbour foreshore walk and a waterfront park. [caption id="attachment_804466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render of White Bay[/caption] On Facebook, Sydney Lorde Mayor Clover Moore called the plan for Blackwattle Bay "shocking", claiming the project was designed with "maximum developer profits" in mind and warning the residential buildings would "re-cast the whole area as shadow land" including the new Sydney Fish Market's solar panel roof. If you want to have your say about the plan you can find out more and make a submission via the NSW Government's Planning Portal up until Sunday, August 8. The new Sydney Fish Market is slated for completion in 2024. Images courtesy of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Hyrule is heading to the big screen, and Link and Princess Zelda along with it. After almost four decades of mashing buttons to save the magical land, fans of The Legend of Zelda will be able to see the game franchise make the leap to cinemas. Coming off a huge year for film adaptations of its titles thanks to box-office smash that is The Super Mario Bros Movie, Nintendo has announced that it's turning its beloved Ganondorf-battling action-adventure series into a feature. The Legend of Zelda will have something else in common with Nintendo's favourite plumbers: it's getting the live-action silver-screen treatment first. While animation worked well for Mario's latest date with picture palaces in 2023, Link, Zelda and the like will be flesh and blood. Just imagine how Hyrule's stunning landscapes will look. The Legend of Zelda's move into movies will boast Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow of Nintendo, as one of its producers — alongside Avi Arad, whose resume includes all the Spider-Man flicks (live-action and animated), some X-Men films, early Marvel titles like Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and also Ghost in the Shell and Uncharted. While it's too early for any news on stars, The Maze Runner filmmaker Wes Ball will be directing. And the film will indeed hit cinemas, with Sony distributing — and co-financing the movie with Nintendo. No details about the feature's storyline have been unveiled so far, either. Accordingly, if you're wondering which game or games it might follow — and if your favourite, be it the OG 1986 The Legend of Zelda, 1991 masterpiece A Link to the Past, 1998's Ocarina of Time or 2013's A Link Between Worlds, for instance, might get a nod — there's no answers as yet. "By producing visual contents of Nintendo IP by itself, Nintendo is creating new opportunities to have people from around the world to access the world of entertainment which Nintendo has built, through different means apart from its dedicated game consoles," said the company in a statement announcing the film version of The Legend of Zelda. "By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone's faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible." Given that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom hit Nintendo Switch back in May, 2023 is clearly a big Zelda year, even if the film obviously won't release before 2024 hits. Exactly when it will start showing in cinemas is also among the details that haven't yet been revealed. The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Images: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
A new annual event is joining Sydney's regular celebrations of flavour and culinary talent, this time shining a well-deserved spotlight on Australian native ingredients and First Nations flavours — thanks to the inaugural First Nations Food Festival in Carriageworks this September. Taking place on the weekend of Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, the festival is a showcase of Australia's leading indigenous chefs, businesses and creatives. The lineup, curated by organiser Indigiearth, will highlight bushfood and First Nations culture through food, education and performances. Talents from throughout the world of hospitality and beyond are set to take part, too. There'll be cooking demonstrations from Ben Shewry (Attica), Kylie Kwong and native grains expert, Kerrie Saunders and speaking sessions from Raylene Brown (Kungkas Can Cook), Ronni Kahn (OzHarvest), Pat Torres (Mayi Harvests), Jenny Khan (The Unexpected Guest), and Aunty Beryl, founder of Yaama Barrgay. Visitors will be able to enjoy any of the above sessions, or visit the Indigiearth pop-up cafe, browse market stalls from eighteen participating Indigenous-owned and operated native ingredient producers, and take part in bushfood masterclasses. Speaking ahead of the festival, Indigiearth CEO, Founder and Executive Chef Sharon Winsor said "This festival is more than a showcase, it's a celebration of Country, culture and connection through food…We're sharing the stories of the people who grow, harvest, cook and protect these ancient ingredients with the broader community. It's about honouring our past while creating a stronger future for native foods and First Nations voices." The inaugural Australian Native Food Festival will take place on September 27–28, general admission is free, registration required. To register or for more information, visit the website. Images: supplied
We all joke about pulling a 'don't you know who I am' card on a joint, but when Big Time rockers pull it on a tiny, tiny Seattle cafe there's some dramatic head-shaking to attend to. After finishing a gig this weekend in Seattle, Rage Against the Machine's guitarist Tom Morello attempted to skip the queue at Seattle's 5 Point Cafe — to no avail. According to Grub Street, 5 Point was at capacity when the Rage legend waltzed up to the front of the line and demanded entrance, after the cafe team "who's told bigger rock stars than him no," gave him the ol' hell no. Like any self-respecting, hospitality-burned celeb, Morello decided to get on his 4am Twitter soapbox. Having long supported worker's rights and wage raises, Morello thought now was the perfect, out-of-context time to drop this rant: Five Point restaurant in Seattle is the WORST. Super rude & anti-worker. Shittiest doorman in the Northwest. Prick. Spread the word. — Tom Morello (@tmorello) September 27, 2014 After his early-morning "so, ner" went rampaging online for a spell, restaurant owner David Meinert didn't let the guitarist have the last say, taking to Facebook with a response to the "tweet from our pal": "For the record Tom Morello — The 5 Point is totally pro-worker. We try to pay more than any other small restaurant, and on top of the higher pay, we offer health insurance, paid sick days, paid time off, retirement and profit share. Sorry if you had an issue with our staff, but typically our staff is awesome, and when they are not, it's usually a reflection of the customer. Act like a prick = get treated like a prick. "I have to say, your attacking a small business without knowing anything about it, or addressing your problem with them directly before you go on a public rant, pretty much sucks. Just lost a ton of respect for you, and I've been a fan for years, both of your work in Rage and your work for workers rights since. "PS — rock stars don't get special treatment at The 5 Point. We couldn't give less of a shit. Sorry. "And PSS — I'm the owner of the 5 Point and have worked to raise the minimum wage in Seattle and support the same nationally, worked to get paid sick days law in Seattle, and am supporting a City sponsored retirement plan for employees of small businesses. I hope you do the same for your employees on the road..." "PSSS — turns out he and his crew didn't get let in as the place was at capacity and there was a line. No one was being let in. According to our doorman who I totally trust, Tom and his crew were all totally rude. Quote from the door guys "I knew who he was, we had no room, his whole party was being rude. He wanted a special room in the back. Clearly had no ideas what it is like inside. I've told bigger rock stars than him no." Since his kneejerk reaction, Morello had time to come up with some kind of 'forgiveness' — with conditions. Willing to forgive the Seattle Evil (Egg) Empire 5 Points Cafe doorman powertrip if good guy owner D Meinert fully embraces #15Now min wage — Tom Morello (@tmorello) September 29, 2014 Meinert has somewhat relented and offered this on Facebook an hour ago: "Hey all, about this Tom Morello thing... I think Tom was in the wrong, and his tweet was offensive and pissed us off, BUT, Tom stands up for workers and uses his fame for some very good causes, almost always for those most in need. Yes he's very rich, yes he was on a big corporate record label. But every other interaction I've had with him has been cool. I would far rather people be enraged about the issues Tom is trying to bring up than wish Tom ill. So if you want to get pissed, be pissed that companies like iHop or Darden are spending millions to fight raising the minimum wage, and are supporting politicians who want to oppress women, minorities and workers, in order to get higher corporate profits. If everyone spent as much time posting about these issues as they have about Tom, we'd all be better off." Pancake Gate update: Luv&respect the workers.Glad to sit down w/owner next time in Sea, happy about his commitment to pay raise for workers — Tom Morello (@tmorello) September 30, 2014 So Morello's put his manners back in and Meinert's smoothed things over. And we can absolutely get behind Morello's famously Damn The Man activism, any day of the week. Perhaps next time ranting about workers' rights and equality is best done when you're not rock-starring your way past a queue? Via Grub Street and Stereogum.
La Disfida is an institution. It even makes the pizza scholars of Sydney weak at the knees at the sheer mention of the street name. Pizzas with minimal toppings are swept in and out of the fiery oven in swift succession, and the place is routinely humming. And they’re all humming for one thing only: pizza. To get straight to the point, La Disfida do an outstanding rendition of the Margherita ($22): the smattering of tomato, mozzarella and basil lay the perfect foundations for a charming classic. Yet it’s the Tartufa ($26) that keeps them coming back. It's not the most beckoning of titles for a pizza, but honestly, when they've put wild mushrooms, prosciutto, mozzarella and truffle on a round of dough that’s been woodfired to perfection, are you really going to call the name police? And just quietly, should you decide to whet the appetite with some starters, the polenta chips with gorgonzola sauce ($17) are gob-smackingly delicious.
Omeio is a Paddington favourite, thanks to its incredible collection of deli goods, fresh coffee and a delicious food menu that'll have you salivating. The grocery is all about bringing love back to the neighbourhood with a selection of goods inspired by owner Niko Giourgas' Greek and French heritage. He relies on mostly local suppliers, including sourdough baguettes from nearby Organic Bread Bar and Church Farm General Store's smoked hot sauce from Billinudgel (near Byron Bay). Expect to find artisanal goods, like raw honey, handmade granola and premium olive oil on the shelves, alongside display cases stacked with cured meats, salads and quiches, perfect for a low-key picnic.
One of the most iconic sports bars in Sydney, Sports Bar at the Star, is perhaps one of the biggest players in the sports bars games. Without a doubt, one of the biggest drawcards of this Pyrmont venue is its commitment to playing ALL sports live, no matter what time of the day they're on. And no matter what you decide to watch, Sports Bar at The Star boasts six mega screens, over 50 LCD TVs and the behemoth: a 34 square metre LED screen to rule them all. The only bigger screen in town is the IMAX. Food-wise, the in-house restaurant Fuel offers a full menu of pub classics. And for the punters, there's Australia's first paperless TAB right in the middle of the action. Yes, it's in the casino, but what it lacks in intimacy, it makes up for in scale. This bar is huge, and there's simply no way to miss the action. Watch any sport, any time, and if you can't decide — just watch them all at once. Best for live international sport at any time.
