Trevor Nickolls made history this year when his painting Metamorphosis – a vital, colourful and optimistic exploration of transformation – was awarded this year's Blake Prize. It's the first time in history the prize has been awarded posthumously. "His spirit is definitely with us," said Nickolls' agent of six years, Angelika Tyrone, who was at the College Of Fine Arts in Paddington to accept the award. She spoke of Nickolls' pioneering role in urban Aboriginal art and his enduring legacy. The $25,000 prize will go towards supporting an emerging Indigenous artist through the Trevor Nickolls Art Award. Since 1951, the prestigious Blake Prize has been awarded to an artwork that encourages an ongoing conversation about spirituality and the religious imagination. Metamorphosis was one of three works of Nickolls' which featured spirits and were completed shortly before his death in 2012, at the age of 63. It took the artist two months to complete the painting, inspired by the transformation of the physical being into the spiritual. "He's got the mimi spirit [an ancestral being from the Dreamtime] and the Aboriginal man, with butterfly wings on either side, and then the peace doves too which are almost helping elevate him to heaven," said Tyrone. "That's what Trevor said the painting was about – going from the corporate realm to the spiritual realm. He did a lot of these works that are similar." Born in Adelaide in 1949, Nickolls received a scholarship to go to art school and was the first Aboriginal artist to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale with Rover Thomas in 1990. He loved the colour of the earth and was heavily influenced by his early years teaching himself to draw by copying comic books. There is this kind of bright playfulness in Metamorphosis which includes elements that are both non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal, and incorporates themes of the Dreamtime as well as influences of city life such as machines and technology. The 62nd Blake Prize was announced along with the winners of the Blake Poetry Prize (Anthony Lawrence), the John Coburn Emerging Artist Award (David Capra) and the MUA Blake Prize for Human Justice, awarded to Adelaide Australian art world veteran, Franz Kempf AM, who tutored Nickolls in South Australia. Kempf's work, "The Outrageous Has Become Commonplace" was both a beautiful and haunting exploration of complacency and grief. The 73 shortlisted artworks will be exhibited to the public at Galleries UNSW at the College of Fine Arts (COFA) from Friday 18 October to Saturday 16 November, presented alongside the winning and highly commended poems for the 6th Blake Poetry Prize. Image: Trevor Nickolls, Metamorphosis
Harry Styles is having a huge 2022 already, after headlining Coachella, dropping a new album and announcing a big Australian and New Zealand tour. And, before the year is out, he'll also give his acting skills another workout in not one but two new films: Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman. Yes, this year seems to be going in one direction for the former boy band star. That'd be up, obviously. Actually, it also appears to be sending Styles back in time, to the 1950s to be exact, with both of his upcoming flicks set seven decades ago The first of those two movies is directed by Booksmart's Olivia Wilde, led by Black Widow's Florence Pugh and looks set to unfurl a 1950s-set nightmare when it releases in cinemas in October. Due to hit Prime Video Down Under on November 4, the second of the pair also jumps back to the same decade, but this time as part of a Carol-esque romance. In My Policeman's just-dropped first teaser trailer, Styles plays Tom, the young cop of the movie's title. In sweeping, emotionally resonant period-drama style, the film sees him get caught in a love triangle with teacher Marion (Emma Corrin, The Crown) and museum curator Patrick (David Dawson, All the Old Knives). It'll also flit forward to the 1990s, where the older Tom (Linus Roache, Homeland), Marion (Gina McKee, Phantom Thread) and Patrick (Rupert Everett, The Happy Prince) are still haunted by how things played out when they were younger. If the storyline sounds familiar, that's because My Policeman comes to the screen from Bethan Roberts' 2012 novel of the same name. For the film version, director Michael Grandage (Red) is doing the honours, with Ron Nyswaner (Freeheld, Philadelphia) on screenplay duties. Based on the handsome trailer, which features a hefty mood of yearning, viewers can expect an exploration of love, social expectations, and the heartbreak that springs when the latter dictates the former. And, obviously, for Styles' latest on-screen stint after Dunkirk and Eternals. Check out the trailer for My Policeman below: My Policeman will be available to stream via Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand on November 4. Images: courtesy of Prime Video © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.
Yakitori Yurippi is a tiny slice of traditional Japanese street eating in the most unlikely of places. Situated in the heart of Crows Nest, this hole-in-the-wall six-table restaurant has a surprisingly authentic charm thanks to some incredibly friendly staff, which includes a few Japanese yakitori veteran chefs and a sake sommelier to boot. As you'd expect with a sommelier-in-residence, the display of sake is quite impressive, as is the extensive list of Japan's finest whiskies — which, if you love whisky, you'll know is some of the finest in the world. Choose your own sake glasses amongst a hodgepodge of drinking vessels and get a tasting flight to enjoy while you chow down. A section of the dine-in menu has been seemingly created to cater for Aussie palates, but that's not what you come here for; in fact, we tend to think it should be taken off the menu altogether to let the authentic dishes truly shine. Their namesake is yakitori after all — and with an exposed charcoal grill manned by pros, it's the main drawcard. You know the drill: choose a bunch of things on sticks and eat to your heart's content. The must-trys include the succulent scallops which are served in the shell and topped with kombu butter, and the chicken and shallot, which is the most popular yakitori in Japan and is done especially well here. Pork lovers shouldn't miss the pork belly or the mochi wrapped in bacon, which is a strangely delicious combination — take our word for it. They've got adventurous eaters covered too, with everything from chicken liver, giblet and heart to cartilage and skin options. Of the specials, the burdock root chips add a crunchy, salty accompaniment to any yakitori and the Japanese omelette better resembles a melt-in-your-mouth souffle. Overall, this tiny Crows Nest restaurant is nothing short of a Lower North Shore gem and is worth a visit no matter what side of the bridge you reside.
Beloved Redfern pub The Woolpack has been given a revamp, led by an all-star team of Sydney hospitality mainstays. With The Good Atelier's Aaron Crinis at the helm, The Woolpack will boast a new menu of pub classics created by taco king Toby Wilson (Ricos Tacos, ex-Bad Hombres, ex-The George). Rounding out the team of experienced hospo names is Jamie Wirth (The George, The Duke, The Old Fitz) who will work with Crinis and The Good Atelier to shape the future of the venue. Wilson has given your typical array of nostalgic pub classics a reserved, but fun, makeover. There are classics served straight down the middle like schnitzel with gravy, but a lot of the items bring a unique twist to the selection of eats. The potato wedges are served with labne and fermented chilli, the chips are accompanied by French onion dip and a charred cauliflower steak is available with a black pepper tahini sauce. There are also two exciting sambos on the menu. One packs beetroot jam and caramelised onion into a rissole sandwich, while the other is a potato scallop butty spruced up with a curry sauce. "A great pub is an essential part of Australian culture, and the marker of a great neighbourhood," says Crinis. "While growing up working in pubs around Sydney, I have always looked on at The Woolpack as a true community pub." The new custodians have been wary to change too much about the pub outside of the menu, giving it a fresh coat of paint and a spring clean, but not a full renovation. "We wanted the vibe to feel like a nod to the great Aussie and English pubs of yester-year," Wirth continues. "The decor brings in some history from the Redfern area, with some vintage odd-ball pieces too — some bits were found throughout the upper levels of the hotel, and some we created especially for the pub." The al fresco dining has been expanded and a series of events including Tuesday trivia nights and weekend DJs have been introduced, with a Sunday roast and live jazz set to become a weekly end-of-week occurrence from next month. The Woolpack is located at 229 Chalmers Street, Redfern. It's open from 12pm until late seven days a week. Images: Jessica Nash
With exciting outdoor explorations, remarkable eateries, eye-opening cultural experiences and an effortless transit system, Singapore is a no-brainer for your next family getaway. Thanks to Singapore Tourism, we've rounded up some insider tips on activities around the Lion City to delight any kids (and kids at heart) and make your family trip to Singapore unforgettable. Skip the tourist haunts for these lesser known adventures when you're here. Race at Hyperspeed at The Palawan at Sentosa Sentosa is a haven for family fun, with everything from tranquil beaches, shops and eateries to theme parks, indoor skydiving, zip-lining and treetop obstacle courses, a dolphin island, and a role-play city for kids. Can't decide where to start? Kick off your Sentosa adventures at The Palawan, where you can get a bite at the food trucks before letting your tiny tots run wild at Singapore's only floating water park, HydroDash, or at the beachside mini-golf course, UltraGolf. The Palawan is also home to a massive go-karting circuit, which spans 308 metres across three levels. What makes HyperDrive stand out is not only its sheer size, state-of-the-art electric go-karts and immersive lighting and sound features, but its innovative Game of Karts experience. Instead of just zooming around the track, drivers can participate in an interactive virtual game while racing, collecting weapons or boosts along the track to beat out the competition. Stimulate Your Senses at Sentosa's Sensoryscape While you're at Sentosa, be sure to explore the newly opened Sensoryscape. As the name suggests, this 350-metre passageway is a treat for the senses, making use of pioneering architecture, soundscapes, augmented reality and light projections. Linking Resorts World Sentosa to the beaches in the south, Sensoryscape features six stops — the Lookout Loop, Tactile Trellis, Scented Sphere, Symphony Streams, Palate Playground and Glow Garden. From verdant views and streams of water to textured plants, scented flora and edible greenery, each garden is designed to be interactive and immersive. As the sun sets, Sensoryscape comes alive with digital projections, sounds and lights to complement the installations. Be a Zookeeper for a Day at Mandai Wildlife Reserve Get up close and personal with Singapore's wildlife at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which consists of the Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, Night Safari and River Wonders. Do more than just marvel at the animals when you visit the Singapore Zoo — children above the age of six can become a zookeeper for a day and learn about Mandai Wildlife's conservation efforts, meet some of the animals, try their hand at basic caring duties and enjoy lunch at Ah Meng terrace. There are two programs: the Kid Edition runs from 9am–1.45pm on Saturdays for little ones between the ages of 6–12, while the Junior Edition runs from 9am–4pm on Saturdays for teens above the age of 13. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at the Museum of Ice Cream With 14 themed rooms, interactive experiences, delightful photo opportunities and of course, unlimited ice cream, the Museum of Ice Cream is a pastel-hued paradise. Embrace your love of all things sweet as you play giant games, do arts and crafts, leap around in an inflatable room and dive into a pool of sprinkles. A general admission ticket will also get you unlimited amounts of five different ice cream desserts, but for only 10 SGD more, you can unlock additional flavours with a premium ticket. Marvel at Nature at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden Located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, this enchanting park is specifically designed for children under the age of 14 and is the first of its kind in Asia. Intended to educate little ones and foster their appreciation for nature, the gardens include a maze, playground, treehouse, pond, flying fox, potting garden, fruit orchard and classrooms, with interactive activities and educational signs dotted throughout. To preserve the magic of the grounds (and for safety reasons), adults are only permitted if accompanying a child. [caption id="attachment_983728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oo La Lab Facebook[/caption] Create Your Own Scent at Oo La Lab For a one-of-a-kind souvenir, book in for a workshop at Chinatown perfumerie Oo La Lab. Adults and teens can have a go at mixing their own scents to create a bespoke perfume, incense or candle. If any little ones want to have a go, there's also a 60-minute workshop for kids aged five and older, where they'll get to learn about smells, play around with fragrances and make their own scented body wash to bring home. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre.
Among the many things that cinema's various bleak visions of the future have taught us, the need for sturdy footwear is right up there. Who wants to be caught wandering through Mad Max: Fury Road's apocalyptic wasteland with flimsy shoes? And, although Blade Runner's 2019 setting has been and gone, who wants to be bathed in its neon lights or Blade Runner 2049's orange haze without their toes covered? Consider Dr Martens' new Warner Bros-inspired range the perfect kicks if dystopian times come, then. Some are best worn if you're feeling shiny and chrome, others will suit you if you wonder whether androids dream of electric sheep. The iconic footwear label has teamed up with the movie studio to celebrate the latter's 100th anniversary, paying tribute to Mad Max: Fury Road and the OG Blade Runner specifically across four pairs of docs. There's two types of shoes for each, with both films scoring their own riff on Dr Martens' 1460 boot and Jadon boot. Here's one way to choose which kind you want: via the thickness of the soles, with the Jadon's platform base adding to your height. For Mad Max: Fury Road devotees hanging out for prequel Furiosa, the 1460 version comes with "what a lovely day" printed on the back of old harness leather, and also features a harness over the shoes, plus laces with a spearhead charm printed with Immortan Joe emblem. If you opt for the Jadon boots, you'll get chrome-plated shoes that feature the skull emblem stamped on a metal plate, a zipper to match, red rubber and a chain threaded around the back, gear-inspired eyelets and a skeleton arm pointing towards the toe. The Blade Runner kicks both feature four unforgettable words: "like tears in rain". With the 1460 boot, the phrase repeats along the welt. With the Jadon, it's printed on the backstrap. The 1460 also includes a grid print, a strip of reflective tape on the backtrap, a Tyrell Corporation stamp and lace charm to match, as well as a dog tag. With the Jadon, it boasts red stitching, multiple Tyrell Corp nods — including via embossing — and an origami unicorn charm. When you're getting decked out to worship your favourite sci-fi classic, there's also Blade Runner-inspired bag if you're a matchy-matchy sort. Dr Martens new Warner Bros anniversary range is available from Thursday, November 16 online and in stores — head to the brand's website for further details.
It's winter. The nights are getting longer, the cold is getting colder, and there you are with two perfectly good ears and nothing to do. But we've got you covered with some Scottish hip hop and four excellent Aussie acts: Big Scary, back with their second album; Ash Grunwald, who has teamed up with two-thirds of The Living End for some huge, riff-heavy blues-rock; OXBLVD, who kinda sound like if Boy & Bear had shot a man in Reno; and some dark, angular, multiple-guitar-having rock from Sydney's Service Bells. So snuggle in with that special someone – you're in for a wild ride. 1. OXBLVD - Gotta Get Away First off, it's pronounced 'ox blood'. Second, I almost didn't include this when I couldn't find a Soundcloud or YouTube clip to embed, but I figure you're all smart enough to find your way over to the band's Unearthed page. And besides, this is way too cool to ignore. There's a serious spaghetti Western vibe to the new single, and you can almost see the band as outlaws, riding across the deserts of the Wild West. There's a real swagger to the guitars, and singer Ed Worland sounds like a man possessed as he wails 'run away' over and over on the coda. These boys can play, and I have no doubt they will be playing stadiums before too long. And when they do, you'll be kicking yourself if you don't catch their residency at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory this Friday, June 14, as well as June 28. 2. Young Fathers - 'Rumbling' When you think of Edinburgh, hip hop groups aren't usually the first things that spring to mind. But Young Fathers are going to change all that. With three distinct, unique MCs, Young Fathers take the influences from their African homelands (Nigeria and Liberia), the grime of the housing projects of their adopted Scotland and all manner of hip hop and electronica influences to end up with something quite striking. 'Rumbling' comes from their first mixtape — imaginatively titled Tape One — but they've also just dropped Tape Two for free on Soundcloud. If there were any justice in the world, these guys would be huge. As it is, it's probably a question of when, not if. 3. Ash Grunwald – The Last Stand Ash Grunwald is one of those 'best-kept secret' kinda guys. He's been around for a decade, playing thousands of shows all over the country and leaving audiences totally enraptured wherever he goes. But he's done all this on independent labels and off his own bat, and he's never reached been able to reach as big an audience as he should. He's an extraordinary guitar player, with (at least) a four-octave voice, and to hear him in full flight is a real treat. On his new album he has joined forces with two more of Australia's greatest musicians — Scott Owen and Andy Strachan, better known as The Living End's rhythm section. And they just cut loose, with huge, crunching riffs and incredible musicianship. https://youtube.com/watch?v=K_EjSuYWzxA 4. Big Scary - Luck Now Big Scary are one of the great success stories of Australian music in the last couple of years, proving once again that even a two-piece can make it big with great songs and a little bit of luck. Their piano ballad 'Falling Away' was a huge smash, and the heavy piano chords that open 'Luck Now' remind you immediately of their earlier hit. But this one has a halting, skipping backbeat and noises swirling all around it, and the production on singer Tom Iansek's voice sounds almost exactly like Bon Iver. It's a really interesting direction for the band to take, and proves that Iansek and drummer Jo Syme are just as versatile, creative and talented as bands with five times the members. Their new album, Not Art, is out at the end of June (pre-order here), and I can't wait to hear what the rest of it sounds like. 5. Service Bells – Prospector's Waltz Queens of the Stone Age have just released an excellent new album, but where do you go after that if you want some pure, unfiltered rock and roll swagger? Sydney's Service Bells, that's where. Rising from the ashes of the criminally under-appreciated Cameras (RIP), Service Bells are all about thick riffs, good times and dark clothing, like all the best parts of QOTSA and Interpol combined, but with David Bowie singing. Yeah, I thought that would get you to hit 'play'.
As its name makes plain, Huxtaburger serves up quite a few patty-and-bun combos. It also does a mean chicken sandwich, however. So, if you like tucking into fried chicken, ranch slaw and pickles on toasted sourdough, you're in the right spot, From Monday, February 15–Wednesday, February 17, you'll definitely want to make a date with the chain's Redfern store if you're feeling particularly peckish. That's when it's doing two-for-one chicken sangas, so you'll double your meal while only spending $12.50. The sangas come with your choice of mild chipotle barbecue sauce or Huxtaburger's own sauce, and they're available all day for those three times. You can grab the deal multiple times, too. And, you can choose between dining in, grabbing takeaway or ordering online and getting your sangas delivered. If you opt for the latter and spend $30 — by grabbing some chips or shakes as well, perhaps — you can also get it brought to your house without paying a delivery fee via Deliveroo.
Salt Meats Cheese do Italian food in of all its stages — we're talking providing the produce for it, cooking it, selling it and, of course, eating it. Their Bondi Junction digs are where all of the kitchen magic happens, and they'll be running a series of gluten-free cooking classes in July for those who can't stomach gluten. No longer just the wheat-filled territory of those who can glute, the two classes in the Gluten Free Series will focus on pizza and pasta respectively. Learn how to make gluten-free Italian goodness from scratch over two hours, then sit back with a glass of wine and feast on your hard work. The gluten-free classes are on Saturdays: July 14, July 21, August 24 and September 8. If wheat isn't your weakness, there's also a whole host of other cooking class options that involve gluteny flour as well.
The good ol' Marly has bid farewell to its upstairs neighbour Miss Peaches and is about to welcome something much quirkier in her place. The Newtown boozer's first floor space will soon be home to the weird and wonderful Cuckoo — a kooky bar inspired by Germany's alpine resorts. Venture on up and you'll feel a bit like Alice tumbling into the rabbit hole. Brought to life by hospitality group Solotel with help from International Worldwide (the creatives behind the recently renovated George Hotel, The Duke, The Old Fitz) and Monster Children, Cuckoo is filled with knick-knacks, a lounge room bar pulled straight from your opa's house and constant sounds from the collection of cuckoo clocks adorning the walls. It even has a bouldering wall, so you can really pretend you're climbing up Zugspitze. The quirkiness is also embraced wholeheartedly by the drinks list, which boasts plenty of house-infused schnapps, alongside crafty concoctions like the cardamom, sour apple and ginger-laced Apfelschorle cocktail. Meanwhile, taps are pouring Germanic-style beers from local breweries like Batch and Wayward — try yours in a stein or in the glass shoey the team's calling Das Boot. [caption id="attachment_745121" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Das Boot[/caption] Sticking with the theme, Cuckoo's food offering is filled with German classics like schnitzel, sausage and spätzle, though, thanks to a dedicated, fully-stocked condiment station, the house-made pretzels might just steal the show. Cuckoo officially opens to the public on Friday, October 18, with a rollicking launch party from 6pm. You can RSVP over here. Cuckoo will open above The Marlborough Hotel, 145 King Street, Newtown, on Friday, October 18.
While bold lashes of colour and unique canvases (brush stroked skateboards, anyone?) no doubt demand attention, the artist’s struggle to distinguish himself is what has, in fact, inspired him. Brad Robson’s first solo exhibition, a paint work homage to New York City, is the result of everything he learned during a recent study trip and consequential month-long residency in New York. Describing his muse as “a place that’s so large and has so many people that it seems impossible to stand out from the crowd, blending in with the masses or being swallowed up by the day to day grind,” Robson’s works focus on the city’s skyline. But the rumblings of New York’s fast-paced daily life ensure his paintings are no tourist’s interpretation. Drippings and sponged dabbings, layered upon a colour wheel’s worth of tones, create frenetic, wildly imaginative scenes. Robson’s ability to convey the city’s energy through severely abstract imagery is remarkable. And each work is really just super pretty, to boot. The skateboards will obviously be a talking point. Robson has taken one of the most vivid representations of street culture and blasted his signature mural work across each deck. The Sydney-based artist has worked his magic over walls at the SBS studios, Erskinville’s Hive Bar and the Australian Museum’s fabulous educational hub, the Jurassic Lounge which often features live music and further after-hours revelry.
Boasting first-class wineries, coastline, bushland and surf beaches, Margaret River has more than earned its reputation as one of Australia's most beautiful places to explore. It's a region where you can go mountain biking along twisty old logging tracks, seek out Australia's megafauna fossils at Mammoth Cave and visit Busselton's eight-metre-deep Underwater Observatory — all in one action-packed day, should you choose. If it gets too much or you're due a little 'me time', Margaret River has just as much to offer those who want to wind down and experience some of the finer things in life. From sampling wines at one of the oldest wineries in the area to sitting in natural spas or simply watching a beautiful sunset over the ocean, the region has no shortage of bounties in the self-care department. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are some restrictions on where you can go on a holiday. But, you can start dreaming. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. [caption id="attachment_720253" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] WATCH THE SUNSET AT SURFERS POINT A ten-minute drive from the main town of Margaret River, Surfers Point in Prevelly is one of the best surf beaches in Australia. But it's not only the waves that draw people to its white shores; well equipped with viewing platforms and benches, Surfers Point is also one of the best spots around for admiring the stunning pinks, oranges and reds of a sunset over the ocean. For those who want next-level sensory delights, pack a picnic basket with local wine and cheese to enjoy while you take in the views. Trust us, you won't regret it. [caption id="attachment_720296" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jarrad Seng[/caption] VISIT THE INJIDUP NATURAL SPA Nothing says serenity more than a secret natural spa. Found at the end of an unmarked gravel path, near the car park at the end of Wyadup Road in Yallingup, Injidup (or Wyadup) Spa is a natural rock pool with amazingly clear water that bubbles up like a jacuzzi as waves from the ocean are pushed through the crevasse. Now that the word is out, it's not quite the secluded spot it used to be, but if laying your tired body against warm rocks while water foams and flows around you is appealing, it's worth a visit. TREAT YOURSELF TO A MASSAGE AT BODHI J Nestled in the cliffs above Injidup Beach and offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean is Bodhi J at Injidup Spa Retreat. Treatments range from body wraps to mineral facials and spa baths, but the Li'Tya Marta Kodo rock massage is a signature. Inspired by Aboriginal Australian techniques for realigning energy flow, the massage includes applying hot stones to your body's pressure points in a rhythmic massage that'll have you feeling so boneless you'll be floating on air long after it's over. STAY IN A LUXURY VILLA WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE SPA AT THE LOSARI RETREAT Fancy being surrounded by 100-year-old peppermint trees while you sip champagne in a hot tub overlooking a pristine lake? Then the Losari Retreat is the place for you. Set on 26 hectares of lush greenery, the boutique hotel is only an eight-minute drive from the Margaret River town centre but makes you feel transported to a secret country escape much farther away. The four limestone villas each have their own private outdoor spaces with spa baths, as well as cosy lounge areas and fireplaces that are perfect for when the weather gets a little cooler. And, as if that wasn't enough, there are also in-villa spa treatments and massages for when you really need pampering. HIKE A PORTION OF THE FAMOUS CAPE TO CAPE TRACK White sand beaches, clear blue waters, rugged cliffs — Margaret River is filled with show-stopping scenery, and there's no better way to enjoy it than by hiking a portion of the famous Cape to Cape Track on one of Walk into Luxury's guided tours. Along the way, you'll explore the likes of surfer favourite Redgate Beach, bash through Boranup Karri Forest bush and witness spectacular ocean views at Canal Rocks. Once you've satisfied your sense of adventure, it's time to do the same for your appetite, via gourmet platters, lunch hampers and a particularly indulgent midday meal at Vasse Felix, Margaret River's first vineyard and winery. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Injidup Spa Retreat.
A decade ago, the co-founders of The Commons co-working space, Cliff Ho and Tom Ye, saw the writing on the wall. The way we worked was changing. From tech start-ups scaling with nimble teams to the beginnings of the booming content creation industry, the 2020s have revealed that more people are craving autonomy over their work days. Fast forward to 2026, and The Commons isn't just a co-working space with 19 locations, but a representation of the way we work today. From exercise and wellbeing to aligned work and socialising with ease, The Commons helps to blend it all seamlessly. At the two new Melbourne health clubs in Richmond and South Yarra, members can enjoy yoga and reformer pilates at 7am, a warm-down in the Bathhouse, followed by a 9am meeting in the cafe over coffee (or a healthy smoothie), and work in The Commons' meeting rooms. Other locations, such as The Commons in Martin Place and Collins Street offer a wine bar that pours signature cocktails and local drops, making it easy to transition from work to off-the-clock socialising. "People aren't coming in five days a week, and they're not coming in just to sit at a desk. They're using the space more intentionally, for collaboration, for connection, for meetings, and for moments where being around others adds real value," says The Commons' Head of Marketing Angelique Musico. The collaboration doesn't only exist through work but also The Commons' weekly events planned by the staff. This includes meditation, spritz afternoons, and team coffee runs to a local cafe. Each fosters a sense of community and a broader shift in the way people want to work in the 2020s and beyond. [caption id="attachment_1087710" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Commons Castlereagh[/caption] Design-Forward Spaces As more people start their own businesses or work for themselves, it's easy to simply log in from the comfort of your home. But, The Commons' spaces are also focused on design. "Design underpins everything," says Angelique. The locations across Melbourne and Sydney take inspiration from the places people already love but may not associate with the traditional office. "The Commons atmosphere is inspired by places you'd naturally want to spend time in outside of work, like your local cafe, wine bar, bookstore or art gallery. It's a design intent that really resonates with creatives and start-ups." [caption id="attachment_1087711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Commons Martin Place[/caption] The brand also works with the existing elements of a space's legacy. For example, in Collins Street, the former ANZ bank vault has been transformed into a sensory meditation space, complete with the building's metal door. The team has worked with renowned local design studios, including Flack Studio, DesignOffice, and Foolscap, to ensure each space has its own identity. "We believe workspaces should feel closer to hospitality environments: beautifully designed, welcoming and social," says Angelique. "When people enjoy being somewhere, the quality of work and collaboration naturally improve." This is also reflected in the spaces "third spaces", AKA, golf simulators, bowling alleys and massage chairs. Beyond the atmosphere and interior design, the spaces are literally designed for collaborative work. "The spaces are designed for people who value a workplace they can identify with and feel energised in, spaces where you can quickly jump on a large comfy couch for a brainstorm or step out for a coffee meeting at a moment's notice." Ultimately, The Commons' success lies in its holistic experience that reflects how people and businesses are working and building through the late 2020s. [caption id="attachment_1087708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Commons Collins Street[/caption] The Natural Evolution The Commons recently stepped into a new era. Inspired by the post-COVID wellness and bathhouse movements, The Commons Health Clubs in Melbourne's Richmond and South Yarra are a natural extension of the company's holistic experience. Featuring a state-of-the-art gym, studio classes including reformer pilates, and a luxe bathhouse, sauna and red light therapy room, The Commons Health Club is redefining wellness and work in Australia. It was also born from being highly tuned to what its members needed day-to-day. "Many members were leaving the building to go to the gym or attend fitness classes. Work and wellness were already part of the same daily routine, they were just happening in different places," says Angelique. [caption id="attachment_1079582" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Commons Health Club Richmond[/caption] The question became: what if the building supported that rhythm instead of interrupting it? "Our first integrated health club in Richmond, and our upcoming second health club in South Yarra, bring wellbeing into the everyday experience of work, creating a more complete routine where work sits alongside life. It's based on our belief that we do our best work when we're well." [caption id="attachment_1073141" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Commons Health Club Richmond[/caption] As our idea of work and work-life balance continues to evolve, The Commons aims to push beyond traditional (and often rigid) boundaries. From design-forward layouts, central locations, useful amenities, and an atmosphere that fosters a sense of community, The Commons' success comes down to creating spaces where work, connection and wellbeing coexist with ease. Schedule a tour to experience The Commons Health Club.
It's almost that time again, Sydneysiders: time for movies to compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour. Every summer, the scenic spot's vista over the water, city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge gets a 350-square-metre screen showing the latest and greatest flicks — and Westpac Openair Cinema has just revealed its complete 2024 program. Film lovers already knew that Sofia Coppola's Priscilla will open the outdoor picture palace's big summer return, and that Ferrari, Next Goal Wins and Poor Things are among the movies on Westpac Openair Cinema's lineup as well. They all have company, including the also previously unveiled Barbie and Amelie. Big-name titles abound, whether you're keen to see the Sydney premiere of The Dry sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2 or can't wait for the new Mean Girls musical — or just think that Saltburn would look spectacular in the venue's surroundings. Running from Wednesday, January 10—Tuesday, February 20, Westpac Openair Cinema will also show May December, which stars Natalie Portman- (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper); scandal-fuelled comedy Wicked Little Letters, as led by The Lost Daughter costars Olivia Colman (Heartstopper) and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking); and Nicolas Cage (Renfield) in Dream Scenario, where the inimitable actor plays an ordinary man who starts haunting the world's slumbers. Or, you can look forward to theatre and the screen combining via National Theatre Live: Dear England, featuring Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) — plus sublime Japan-set Oscar contender Perfect Days from iconic German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence). Other highlights span wrestling drama The Iron Claw, with Zac Efron (The Greatest Beer Run Ever), Jeremy Allen White (Fingernails) and Harris Dickinson (A Murder at the End of the World) leading the cast; Paul Mescal (Foe) and Andrew Scott (His Dark Materials) getting swooning in All of Us Strangers; the new version of The Color Purple; the George Clooney-directed The Boys in the Boat; and war veteran tale The Great Escaper, which could be Michael Caine's (Best Sellers) last performance. Or, there's Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) both starring in and directing Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, Ridley Scott (House of Gucci) reteaming with Joaquin Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid) for Napoleon, and Paul Giamatti (Billions)-led and Alexander Payne (Downsizing)-helmed comedy The Holdovers. The list goes on, complete with the already-released Past Lives, Oppenheimer, Dumb Money and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One also set to screen. Among the classic picks, Pretty Woman and The Notebook will also score a whirl. As for the snacks — because Westpac Openair Cinema is also about the dining experiences — you'll be nabbing a bite at Summer House Dining, Chandon Garden and Mike & Friends at The Point. As happens every year, tickets are likely to go quickly when they go on sale on Monday, December 11. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale, for instance — so put it in your diary ASAP. Westpac Openair 2024 runs from Wednesday, January 10—Tuesday, February 20, with Westpac pre sales from 9am AEDT on Monday, December 4 till 5pm AEDT on Wednesday, December 6, then general tickets on sale from 9am AEDT on Monday, December 11 — head to the cinema's website for further details. Images: Fiora Sacco, Chris Grundy, Andrew Maccoll and Nikki To.
The AFL Women's (AFLW) season is now in full swing, with big crowds relishing the inclusive atmosphere as the best in the business go to work. Yet now the post-game experience is set to rise above the usual affair, with Bunnings and the AFLW teaming up to elevate footy fever with live music and community fundraising included with the price of your match ticket. Kicking off in Adelaide and Sydney, Bunnings Afters will keep the celebrations rolling long after the final siren sounds, combining local musical talent, family-friendly fun and, of course, sausage sizzles. First up on Saturday, October 11, South Australian singer-songwriter aleksiah will be joined by soul act The Sundials as Adelaide takes on West Coast at Norwood Oval. Then, in Round 11, Bunnings Afters heads to Sydney's Henson Park on Saturday, October 25, soundtracked by the indie-pop hooks of Ixara and multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter MYMA. What's more, proceeds raised from each event's sausage sizzle and merch sales will go towards Headspace — a mental health charity supporting young people around the country. While a little outside Bunnings' usual niche, it's not their first foray into music. Just last year, Peking Duk went viral hosting a 'rave' at Bunnings Preston. "As women's footy continues to surge, we're proud to help grow AFLW crowds while shining a spotlight on emerging artists and grassroots talent," says Bunnings Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Melissa O'Neill. [caption id="attachment_928655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Ryan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption]
When you can't be bothered to cook and you're craving something reliable and delicious, Thai food has always had your back. And few restaurants do it better than Dodee Paidang. Dodee Paidang's house special is tom yum noodles — the recipe comes from the hugely popular Dodee Paidang chain in Thailand. Owner Somporn Phosri bought the recipe and opened up Sydney's three outposts — this one in Chatswood, plus Bondi Junction and Haymarket. The legendary soup in question is a sweet and sour broth flavoured with lemongrass, galangal, lime and Thai herbs and jazzed up with seafood and meat. All you have to do is choose how hot you want it: the spice level ranges from 'monster' (level one) to 'super nova' (level seven). Not a big chilli fan? Opt for the no chilli broth, cheekily named 'nursery'. Entrees include classics such as chicken wings, crab and prawn rolls, xsan sausage and fish cake and satay chicken. The fried rice is cooked to perfection and served with king prawns while the pineapples option adds a sweet and sour element which is especially delicious. The ginger and shallot sauce stir-fry is the pick of the bunch while the massaman beef is tender and melts in your mouth. If it's seafood your after, there are numerous whole fish options served up with variations of chilli, garlic, lemon and tomatoes. For something lighter give the som tum and soft shell crab salad a go. Basically, there's an almost never-ending of dishes at Dodee Paidang in Chatswood. You can easily come back over and over again and still find new dishes to try. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
As quickly as summer came, it's almost at its end. 2024 has been moving at a staggering speed. Blink and the next season will have hopped its way into town. That's right — it's time to talk about Easter already. You've probably noticed the return of hot cross buns and foil-wrapped chocolate rabbits on supermarket shelves, and now it's time to take notice of a series of Easter-centric foodie events across Sydney. The market maestros at Cambridge Markets are putting together seasonal editions of returning favourites in the season's spirit, each with dozens of vendors dishing out hot food, cool drinks and all sorts of homemade goodies, and each with a very special bunny in attendance. One of those returning favourites is Ryde Wharf Market, which takes place in Anderson Park fortnightly on Sundays, and will include an appearance from the Easter Bunny the week before Easter, Sunday, March 24, from 9am—2pm. Special occasion markets are also popping up at two Cambridge mainstays, Cronulla and Moore Park. First is the Cronulla Easter Market, running in Don Lucas Reserve on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, from 10am—4pm daily. Then, on Easter Sunday, March 31, the Ultimate Easter Market EQ will take over the Entertainment Quarter with 150+ stalls between 10am and 4pm. See the above panel for the dates of the Cambridge Easter Markets. For more information on Cambridge Markets or any of its events across Sydney, visit the website.
Unofficial Bridgerton balls have already popped up in Australia, but now it's time for the real thing: The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, which comes with the backing of Netflix and Shondaland. After bringing regency-era vibes to Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver and New York in the US, and also to Toronto and Montreal in Canada, the event is finally letting Down Under fans unleash their inner duke and duchess. For a month between Friday, May 24–Sunday, June 23, Melbourne will be doubling for London high society in the early 1800s, in The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience's exclusive Aussie stop. Step inside Fever Exhibitions Hall on Dawson Street in Brunswick and you'll feel like you're stepping back in time — or into the huge Netflix hit series, at least. Lady Whistledown aficionados will be able to head along every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening to promenade around an immersive setup where a string quartet will be playing live tunes inspired by the show, dancers will accompany the music and live theatrical performances will keep you entertained. You'll also go for a spin in the ballroom yourself at the afterparty. Before then, you'll also hit up Madame Delacroix's modiste and an underground painting studio, then visit with the queen. Actors in period costumes will be wandering around, helping to set the mood — and yes, if you'd like to dress to fit the occasion, and the series, that's obviously heartily encouraged. The drinks list, including cocktails, will be Bridgerton-themed. While your sips aren't included in your ticket, a full bar will be available, as will snacks such as chips and lollies to purchase. Tickets for The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience will be available via presales from 6pm AEST on Monday, April 29 and general sales from 6pm AEST on Tuesday, April 30. The event unleashes its lavishness just after the show's third season arrives, with the first four episodes dropping on Thursday, May 16, then the next four on Thursday, June 13.
Fancy a pre-Christmas getaway to Tokyo? Keen to visit Osaka sometime between January–September 2025? Always wanted to head to Japan during cherry blossom season? Start making plans ASAP. As the end of 2024 approaches, flight sales keep dropping — and the latest will take you on a Japanese holiday. If you were gearing up to vacation somewhere else over the next 12 months, scrap that idea, then start thinking about everything that you want to do and see in Japan (here's two ideas: teamLab's stunning digital art gallery and Studio Ghibli's very own theme park). That's the only way to react to yet another Jetstar's flight sale on fares to both Tokyo and Osaka. This isn't one of the airline's return-for-free sales, but there are 25,000-plus discounted flights on offer with prices starting at $249 one-way. Accordingly, whichever of the two cities that you decide to fly into, the Australian carrier's new special will take you there while being nicer to your bank balance. As always, you'll want to get in quickly, with the cheap fares on offer until 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, November 1, 2024, unless sold out earlier. The sale covers direct flights from Cairns, Brisbane or Sydney, plus connecting flights out of Melbourne (Tullamarine), Gold Coast and Adelaide. The cheapest price will get you from Cairns to Osaka, while Cairns to Tokyo costs $269. Brisbane fares start at $357 to Osaka and $377 to Tokyo, while Sydney's are $368 and $388 to the same cities, and Melbourne's prices are $382 and $402. The normal caveat applies, as well as the standard advice to pack light: as is usually the case with Jetstar, checked baggage is not included. Jetstar's Japan sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, November 1, 2024 — unless it's sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
This laneway bar dishes up American-style snacks, including southern spicy fried chicken, loaded fries, mac 'n' cheese balls and a huge selection of burgers. Alongside the staples — think cheeseburger, fried chicken burger with blue cheese ranch and veggie burger — there are a few inventive options, including Gringo, with chunky adobo beef, guacamole, sour cream and corn chips, and Quarterback, featuring pulled pork ribs, slaw, jalapeños and chipotle mayo. To wash down your burger, the bar has a top-notch selection of craft beers, plus cocktails and over 50 whiskies on offer.
Watch this breathtaking piece of filmmaking and you'll never take a marble column for granted again. Armed with his camera, Albanian video artist Adrian Paci set out to follow a slab of marble — starting with its extraction from the earth, through its journey over vast oceans, to its chiselling, by the hands of an extraordinarily dedicated group of Chinese labourers. Touching on themes of dislocation, exploitation and globalisation (without sledgehammering them), Paci employs an epic, transcendent approach, creating a work that's beautiful and devastating at the same time. The Column was a smash hit at the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale. Before that, it exhibited in Paris, as part of Paci's Lives in Transit exhibition at the Jeu de Paume, and in Milan at PAC.
There are moments, certain descriptions and attitudes in Emerald City that make it seem like a work of speculative fiction, paying dividends as it comes to pass decades later. Of course, it is not. The work, by David Williamson, does not reside in the future, and its business is not prediction. Rather, it is a brutal satire which sits undeniably in the time period it was conceived. Consequently, enjoyment is tempered by disappointment during this savaging of Sydney and its occupants, mainly because of how little it seems we’ve changed in the intervening years. Despite, or perhaps because of, how well the text has aged, Lewis has decided against changing the setting; a poppy and synth-laden sound design by Kelly Ryall, a patchy backdrop of Sydney Harbour painted by Ken Done and more than one deafening shirt combine to celebrate the play’s status as a child of the '80s. The characters, too, evoke the period, displaying bastardry and avarice of a calibre that places them firmly at the dawn of the ‘greed is good’ era. Possibly the best part about Emerald City is that there is absolutely no one to root for: not Colin (Mitchell Butel), a power-hungry screenwriter whose star is not so much fading as sputtering; not Kate (Lucy Bell), his wife, whose stringent morality stretches only as far as the front door; not Elaine (Jennifer Hagan), Colin’s producer, descending a bottomless ladder in order to work her way out of a dry patch; and not Mike (Ben Winspear), an up-and-comer who’s figured out that art is a numbers game and is intent on selling his soul in lieu of creativity and talent. By the time the play begins, redemption is out of the question for any of them, and all that’s left is to watch the hubris pendulum on the backswing. Curiously, it is Helen (Kelly Paterniti), Mike’s girlfriend, and Malcolm (Gareth Yuen), a merchant banker, who come off as the most honest of the bunch. The openness with which they pursue their particular objectives allows them to seem marginally less despicable than their duplicitous counterparts. The ensemble is tight and the pace is relentless in this latest production of Emerald City. Despite the new millennium, Williamson’s skewering of Sydneysiders continues to ring true. Judging by conversation overheard just outside the theatre, though — snippets of ‘new diet’, ‘quinoa’ and ‘kale’, outrageous schmoozings and career-based pissing contests disguised as polite conversation — one wonders, after all this time, whether many of Williamson’s targets even know they’ve been hit.
It's hard to remember a time when Sydney's access to Greek food was limited to semi-formal restaurants or a cheeky late-night gyro. Zeus Street Greek Street well and truly changed that in the last few years, offering contemporary Greek food in a casual setting. The Rosebery outpost in The Cannery kicked off a succession of spin-offs (14 in NSW and counting), and was also one of the first eateries to set up shop in the burgeoning foodie precinct. Zeus is known as the 'God of hospitality' and the team here have it in droves. Pitas are the staple. The meat is prepared in the traditional souvla style: charcoal grilled on long skewers and then stuffed into a fluffy wrap with tomato, tzatziki, onion, paprika and chips. Classic cuisine favourites spanakopita and haloumi are available as sides, too. But make sure you leave room for dessert — the loukoumades will make you lick the plate.
A new glamping hideaway on the shores of New Zealand's Lake Hawea will let visitors cosy up in cocoon-like sleeping pods under the stars. Cross Hill Lodge & Domes is found in the high country setting of Glen Dene Station beneath the Southern Alps. The six geodesic Pacific Domes are said to be the first permanent structures of their kind in the country. The 40-square-metre domes feature their own centralised super king-size bed and bathroom unit, while floor to ceiling windows allow visitors to soak up light pollution-free night skies and picturesque views across the park-like surroundings. Each dome comes equipped with its own small kitchenette, contemporary bathroom, climate controlled gas fire and heat pump and private deck. Interior furnishings have been inspired by the local landscape and include plush sheepskins and woollen blankets. All guests have access to the main Cross Hill Lodge situated above the domes. The lodge serves as a gathering point to sit down for a meal, unwind with a massage or enjoy some quiet time in the outdoor wood-fired hot tub. Dinner and breakfast is provided with most of the packages and guests can choose from a range of meal options — including local paddock-to-plate cuisine and three-course degustation experiences with wines from the surrounding Central Otago region. Glen Dene Station has been owned and operated by the Burdon family since 1929. Cross Hill Lodge owners Richard and Sarah Burdon say the dome experience provides high country hospitality in an alpine lake-side environment, with mountains, forest trails and rivers right on your doorstep. The pair can advise and arrange activities for visitors to the area, including anything from private helicopter crayfishing excursions to farm tours and local e-bike tours. The family also owns The Camp, a holiday park experience that's been popular with campers and tourists since 1971. Cross Hill Lodge & Domes is open for bookings from May 9, 2021. Packages start from $375 per night for two people including cooked and continental breakfast. For more information, visit crosshill.co.nz. Images: b.remarkable media.
Plunge into 2015 with a big injection of soul love at the first Soul of Sydney Block Party for the year. We're talking an entire afternoon and evening of funk, New York disco, old school hip hop jams, early house beats and more. The main programming criteria: that the music gets you feeling mighty fine. The location is top secret, though we do know it's an indoor/outdoor 'funk oasis' located within five minutes of the CBD. Most of the lineup has been announced however, with Simon Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Graham Mandroules, All Souled Out DJs, Superbreak, James Locksmith, Mike Who, Phil Toke, DJ Cman, DJ Naiki, Edseven, DJ Saywhut and others confirmed on the bill. To complement the soundtrack, there'll be live art from Billy Kid and Friends, live hair braiding from Eden Stylez and a Bboy/dance showcase. Early bird $5 tickets have sold out, but there's still a scattering of $10 stubs left, which you can nab right here.
Tell Joel Edgerton that you're a rower and he won't be surprised. Everyone has been. "Once you start getting involved in a movie about a certain subject, it's amazing how many people come out of the woodwork," he explains. "They're like 'oh yeah, I rowed in college or university' or 'my son is a rower' and 'my daughter is rower'. It's a more popular sport than I had realised. And certainly back at the time that this story was taking place, rowing was one of the biggest sports in the United States." The film: The Boys in the Boat. The time: the Great Depression era, including the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The tale: an IRL chapter of sporting history that Edgerton found remarkable, as audiences should as well. "I could only assume that being Australian and not American is the reason why I've never heard of it before," he advises. "But if you start to weed out anyone you know who's been on a rowing team or is a rower, they know about this story." The ninth directorial effort from George Clooney (The Tender Bar), with Edgerton in a role that the actor-turned-director might've once played himself — and could've still easily now — The Boys in the Boat focuses on the University of Washington's junior varsity team, rower Joe Rantz and coach Al Ulbrickson. The squad competed on the world's biggest stage over the college's senior crew, at an Olympics held at a difficult period and in a fraught place. On his own since he his early teens, Rantz picked up an oar solely for the money paid to the team's athletes, plus the fact that they received somewhere to stay. Ulbrickson was the former rower who saw something in Rantz, but whose inner warmth and support isn't easily given when his eyes are firmly on the prize, as they always were. Edgerton plays Ulbrickson opposite Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) as Rantz, with Clooney working with a screenplay adapted from 2013 non-fiction novel The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. As the film's star himself notes, it's an underdog story, as sports movies tend to be. But the astonishing real-life details also fuel an exploration of the class clashes that see the pastime inherently equated with wealthy schools and well-off students, rather than the struggling Rantz and many of his crewmates, as told with sincerity, impactful performances and thrilling rowing scenes. [caption id="attachment_935417" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joe Maher/Getty Images for Warner Brothers[/caption] If it feels as if Edgerton is never far away from a screen, there's a reason for that: nearing three decades since his first credit in children's television series Spellbinder, his resume overflows with homegrown highlights and Hollywood productions. For Australians, he'll always be The Secret Life of Us' Will McGill. He'll always have Ned Kelly, The Square, Animal Kingdom, The Great Gatsby and The Stranger to his name as well. For everyone, he'll always be the Star Wars' franchise's Owen Lars, including as recently as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Zero Dark Thirty, Warrior, Midnight Special, Loving, It Comes at Night, The Underground Railroad, The Green Knight, I'm a Virgo: they all grace his filmography. So does directing and writing The Gift and Boy Erased while also featuring in both, producing The Stranger as well as leading it, and helping to turn Boy Swallows Universe into a streaming series. What appealed to Edgerton about taking on the part of Ulbrickson, who he notes "is basically the opposite of Ted Lasso"? How does he approach stepping into someone else's shoes, as he also did in Thirteen Lives recently? Was there a common baseline with Clooney on set, given that both are actors who direct, write and produce? Where did he originally imagine his career would take him? Edgerton chatted to Concrete Playground about all of the above — plus his first reaction to the tale told in The Boys in the Boat, which is in cinemas Down Under now, and more. ON EDGERTON'S FIRST REACTION TO JOE RANTZ AND AL ULBRICKSON'S TALES "My feeling about sports stories — I was involved in a big one, a sports movie called Warrior. I remember at the time, in the aftermath of that, realising that the sports movie isn't necessarily about the sport that's being depicted. It's really about the themes and about the character, and particularly about rooting for an underdog. And that if the movie's made well, that you can really appreciate it despite not knowing much about sport in question. So the idea that you could go watch The Boys in the Boat without really having much of a knowledge about rowing, I think it's true. You could go because it's really about the underdog story about these guys realising how they have to get united in order to achieve the victory. But I just got very excited. The biggest thing that really grabbed me was when you read that Joe Rantz had been abandoned by his father when he was 13 years old. And fully abandoned, as in left to live on his own — at the age of 13, through the depression. That, I don't know why — I'm sure it would've affected me hearing about that pre being the father, but picturing myself at the age of 13 being left to my own devices, I don't know how I would have survived. And that aspect to this underdog story really, really grabs me." ON PLAYING A ROWING COACH WHO'S BASICALLY THE ANTI TED LASSO "That's the joke: I say I didn't have to do any training, which is slightly true. Basically it's being the father of nine kids, essentially. I think coaches are like dads. There's a certain tough love aspect to them. From his part, there's the aspect for the kids that they want to impress and do the right thing by their coach, and so there's a real fatherly theme that runs through coaches, I think. And in particular with Ulbrickson, he's described as someone who barely cracks a smile, and it's pointing me in the direction of all those coaches that we see in various sports that just look like they're so determined to win that they look like they don't seem to enjoy themselves at all, except maybe when they have a trophy in their hands. I just love the idea of those aspects of him. It's basically the opposite of Ted Lasso. No warm and fuzzy edges. In fact, when I first started speaking to George about it, I was like 'can we lean into this even more?' — this idea that barely, I think it's once or twice in the film, you get a sense of the warmth that actually resides inside of him that he is proud of the kids, and that there is love inside of him. I think when we first meet Ulbrickson, he's not really looking at the individuals in the boat. He's just looking at the sizes of the different guys, and how fit and healthy they are, and just going 'let's just pick the eight'. They're not humans — just the eight best human machines that are going to power the boat." ON THE CHALLENGE OF BALANCING ULBRICKSON'S FOCUS ON SUCCESS WITH CARING ABOUT HIS TEAM "George, recently on a press tour in LA, was joking about sharing dailies, the footage, with the studio in the early weeks of the shooting. And I don't know if he was joking or not, but he was just talking about how the studio — because he and I had agreed on the sort of coldness, this sort of inability to show warmth, and I think they maybe wanted me to be a bit more likeable through the film. I was like 'no, I just want to hold off on that until the right moment to show that warmth'. I do feel like the audience is patient enough to see that there's a care waiting and brewing underneath there. But I find that every movie has its own challenges, and one of them was just trying to hold back too much warmth in this. I think that it earns its place at the right moment." ON PREPARING TO ENTER THE ROWING AND COACHING WORLDS "I did do some rowing training. I did some single-scull rowing, which I think it's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. The balance of a single scull is crazy. I just did a lot of watching of the coaches that were training the boys, and spent a lot of time sort of observing their journey they went on, which was quite remarkable actually. I was very impressed with how they went from complete novices to really very quickly in the space months pulling the trick that they could be an Olympic rowing team for the film. The relationship I had with them had this inbuilt kind of fatherly aspect to it anyway. I'm a bit older now and they're all young guys. We just had a good camaraderie in that sense. I felt a little bit perfectly removed enough from them, but admiring of what they were achieving on screen as actors and as a team that they were forming. It was a nice relationship that we formed just through the shoot." [caption id="attachment_935421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joe Maher/Getty Images for Warner Brothers[/caption] ON THE COMPLICATIONS AND PRESSURE OF STEPPING INTO A REAL-LIFE FIGURE'S SHOES "It all depends on how indelible that person was in their real life. I was very anxious about getting Harry Harris right for Thirteen Lives and doing the right thing by that story, knowing that I would eventually meet him and hope that he felt good that I stepped into his shoes. Ulbrickson is a different story because he's not somebody that the average person would really know about, know what he looked like. Uncannily, he looked a lot like my Dutch grandfather when I saw photos of him. I was like 'he looks like my Opa'. But there's no real footage or newsreel footage or audio recordings of him, so it was really up to me to just take the essence of what was said about him and amalgamate that with me so that I could be the right version of him that would make the movie work. So I didn't feel this immense pressure. The pressure I see is when I read about actors taking on some iconic role. Any of those actors who stepped into that TV show The Crown, like Elizabeth Debicki playing Diana. And Rami Malek doing Freddie Mercury. They're being asked to play characters or real-life people that we have an image of, that we have a memory of, and we have an affinity with because we're so familiar with them. That to me is a real challenge for actor — the nerves of stepping into something like that. Something like this is different, because there's a certain freedom and therefore a lack of or less pressure." ON WORKING WITH A FELLOW ACTOR-TURNED-DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER IN GEORGE CLOONEY "I think George has a really good shorthand with how to shape performance, being an actor. It is remarkable how many directors don't really either understand how to talk to actors. Or they get nervous to direct actors. Or, in the worst-case scenario, they've had bad experiences with actors and they are sort of hard-wired to not love working with them. George has a real care and love for actors, and a really good way of shaping performance. And as an actor working after having directed a couple of movies, I just feel like I'm perhaps a bit more of a team player in understanding how a film set works, and how to play my part in making it easier for what the scene requires — but never presuming to think I know better or that I would put my hand up to say 'are you sure you want to move the camera that way?'. I would never do that, the same way I wouldn't want an actor-turned-director telling me how I should play the character in some specific way." [caption id="attachment_935424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joe Maher/Getty Images for Warner Brothers[/caption] ON EDGERTON'S CAREER TRAJECTORY EXCEEDING EVERYTHING HE EVER IMAGINED "I feel like when I was a kid, I never really set goals. I went to drama school so I could work in the theatre, and then I started realising that it was possible to work in television and film because I knew stage actors who had also done that. Each step of the way was just stepping blindly into the future going 'alright, well maybe I could try this and try this'. But I never imagined that I'd get to work in Hollywood. I did start to develop that ambition once I saw that it was possible, but even then I didn't imagine that I'd have a nice, full career and enjoy the kinds of things that I get to do now. That said, there's still challenges that I want to get my hands on, and I've got lots to learn — like lots to learn — and lots that I want to try and wrestle with. Perhaps one of the great things about being an actor is the ability, as long as your brain keeps working, touch wood, that you can just keep evolving each step of your life, each phase life, into different sorts of characters. Here, I'm watching a bunch of other people be athletes, and I get to be the coach. And one day, if I'm lucky, I'll be playing grandfathers on film." [caption id="attachment_872851" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Stranger[/caption] ON WHAT EDGERTON LOOKS FOR IN A ROLE "It's always reading the script and just having a response. Character and story. Particularly now that I have a lot of responsibilities in my life being a dad. It's not just me and a couple of suitcases. That response has to be really, really strong that I feel a compulsion to get involved in something, particularly if it means going to another city. We stay together as a family. It's not like I'm going off for months away from my kids. I just want to feel a real draw and a real pull to do something, and usually it just starts with reading the script and going 'ohh, this is fascinating'. There's usually an element to it where I'll feel like something's got to be a bit of a challenge — or a little bit terrifying." The Boys in the Boat opened in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, January 4. Read our review. The Boys in the Boat images: Laurie Sparham © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Much like the great parma or parmi debate of the 21st century (it's parma, by the way), books can be a great divider. You've either not opened a novel since it's become a voluntary activity post-high school, or you have a delicately balanced pile of reading stacked on your bedside table at all times. If your reading has fallen to the wayside lately, this is the perfect time to treat yourself to some new literary feeds. Whether you're looking to top up your Jenga pile of books or looking for a treat to reignite your love of lit — here are some of the best books, novels and non-fiction to keep you company, according to our writers. MELANIE COLWELL: Branded Content Editor, published her first book in Year One which was available for loan from the school library Recommends: The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird. You could call me crazy for recommending a book that follows a worldwide pandemic right now. Read the room, right? But in a sort of twisted way, it makes you realise that even though things have been pretty shit over the past 18 months, they could be a lot worse. Like, wiping out half of the world's population worse. In this tale, the fast-acting virus infects 90 percent of the male population — yes, even newborns and children — and it's 97-percent lethal. It's told through a series of all-female, first person narratives, from the doctor who first diagnosed the virus but was dismissed and labelled "hysterical" to the scientists desperately racing to develop a vaccine and the governments trying rebuild society when, thanks to the ol' patriarchy, the majority of the workforce is gone. This unsettling novel forces you to face a very loaded conundrum: what would life really be like without men? ELLEN SEAH: National News & Features Editor, hates pineapple on literally anything Recommends: The Lost Man by Jane Harper, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I'm the type of person that has anywhere between three to five books simultaneously on the go. My housemate thinks it's moderately unhinged, but each to their own, right? The Lost Man is written by the same author as The Dry, which was recently released in cinemas starring the gorgeous Eric Bana. Out of her written works, I find that The Lost Man has a much more enthralling setting and character nuance compared to The Dry. It's still set in outback Australia and revolves around brothers Nathan and Bub Bright who meet for the first time in months after their middle brother is found dead. Promise that's not a spoiler. I also always come back to All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2015. It centres around a blind French girl in occupied France during World War II. Finally, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is not a quick, or an easy read. But, it is one of the few novels I've inhaled — haggling away hours usually dedicated to sleep — in order to finish it. It's a 720-page commitment, based on a deceptively simple premise: it follows the lives of four friends and their relationships through and after college. SARAH WARD: Associate Editor, has been on both Japanese and German television Recommends: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino. Every time he adds a new project to his resume, Quentin Tarantino takes something he loves — usually a genre of film, or several — and serves up his own distinctive version. The inimitable filmmaker clearly adores novelisations, so that's where he's branched out next. He obviously has a heap of affection for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, too, so he's turned his last movie into his first-ever book. On the page, the novel doesn't merely stick to the script, however. It changes details, takes detours and adds in plenty of film history. It shifts its focus and delivers commentary on the feature's storyline, too. In its style, it sounds and flows exactly as you'd expect of a QT book; his way with words, and with dialogue especially, easily translates to the page. Reading the novel feels a bit like spending time with the director, in fact, while also getting a big dose of nostalgia — as anyone who spent too long as a kid reading novelisations of their favourite movies will completely understand. CORDELIA WILLIAMSON: Branded Content Manager, has a killer collection of OTT sunglasses Recommends: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko. I'm not an audiobook fan. But, boy, when you're on a camping trip in woeful weather and your partner's taste in music doesn't cut the mustard — and Matthew McConaughey's reading to you — well, then, it's pretty damn good. The actor's debut book stunned me. More than just variations of his almighty catchcry 'Alright, alright, alright', Greenlights is a memoir, with a bit of self-help peppered throughout. Sure, it's navel-gazing, but it makes for one helluva read. From tales about his violence-fuelled (but loving) childhood and cutting his teeth in Hollywood to his time spent Down Under and wrestling matches in West African sandpits, raucous stories are what propel this book — so much so you question whether it is all real. Greenlights is, though, honest; offering pearls of unconventional wisdom alongside hilarious anecdotes. And, save your pennies and get the audiobook, rather than a hard copy. This man is worth his salt, and this book his voice. If you're the kind of person who has multiple reads on your nightstand at any one time, I cannot recommend Melissa Lucashenko's Too Much Lip enough. Gritty, hilarious and gut-wrenching, this 2019 Miles Franklin Award-winning novel is as much about familial bonds as it is a love letter to the Australian landscape. NIK ADDAMS: Branded Content Manager, dreams of one day becoming Poirot's sidekick Recommends: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz. While I was swept up in the romance of Isabel Allende's historical epic A Long Petal of the Sea and rode every wave in Meg Mason's stunning Sorrow and Bliss, I have long been of the belief that a good mystery novel is hard to beat when it comes to pure enjoyment. British writer Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders was one of the more impressive whodunnits I've read in a long time. It's as meta as it gets — it's told from the perspective of a book editor — and its primary plot device of a book within a book is one of the more ingenious approaches to the tried-and-true formula I've encountered in quite some time. Horowitz is a master of the genre, and Magpie Murders sees him at the top of his game. If you're looking for pure escapism, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. [caption id="attachment_730412" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sun Bookshop[/caption] COURTNEY AMMENHAUSER: Branded Content Producer, has successfully survived a cassowary chase Recommends: Glimpses of Utopia by Jess Scully. Last year the City of Sydney's Deputy Lord Mayor, Jess Scully, released a book that gave me hope in a pretty dark time. Glimpses of Utopia will take you around the world to look at how other countries have implemented future-thinking systems to help create fairer and more sustainable standards of living for its citizens. Ever heard of The Care Economy? Want to know more about a people-powered digital democracy? Been thinking about how your banking habits are contributing to climate change? If so, read this book, reflect on your choices and reimagine what the future can look like. Top image: Readings Carlton, Victoria.
Tea lovers have a brand-new reason to get excited — internationally renowned tea brand HEYTEA has finally opened a Sydney store. The wildly popular Chinese brand prides itself on producing high-quality brews that hero fresh ingredients, so it steers clear of artificial sweeteners, creamers or flavourings. You can expect its viral signature cheese tea to be an instant hit with Sydneysiders, but its menu also spans from indulgent milk teas and refreshing fruit brews to tea lattes for that quick caffeine hit. For the dairy-free and vegan customers, you can opt for the oat milk variation of the drink of your choice, too. But that's not all — for a short time, the new CBD outpost is handing out huge discounts to celebrate its grand opening. Until Thursday, August 1, when you buy two drinks, your second will be half price. Head into the newly opened outpost from Monday, July 29 to discover its innovative tea flavours and to score your cheap sip.
Sydney's home of perfect-for-every-occasion artisanal gifts Sorry Thanks I Love You (STILY) has been hosting free in-store yoga classes for the past four years. Now, with the closure of gyms across the country and increased social distancing, it's bringing them online. And, yes, they'll still be free. Running every Monday night at 6pm AEDT (for the foreseeable future), the Instagram live classes will be streamed on STILY's Instagram page and hosted by Misch Gomez. They'll run for an hour and give you a chance to wind down and get out of that Twitter hole (at least temporarily). If you don't have a mat, you can even roll out a towel — and get ready to get bendy. A benefit of doing the class at home, as STILY has pointed out, is that there's "no one noticing if you pause to take a sip of your gin and tonic". Well, except your cat, dog or green baby. [caption id="attachment_739127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joey Clark[/caption] Top image: Rita Ince
There's no getting around it: times are tough and many of us are tightening our belts to meet this moment of soaring living costs and reduced discretionary spending. However, if you think there's no way for you to enjoy a night out in Sydney without breaking the bank, think again. Venues across the city are doing their part to cut the cost of dining with special happy hours, bottomless deals and giveaway offers that deliver incredible bang for your buck without compromising on quality. We've rounded up some of the best dining deals the Harbour City has to offer this month. Which one will you visit first? Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Sydney The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney The Best Rooftop Bars The Best Mexican Restaurants in Sydney
Every kid dreamed about stepping inside their favourite TV show or movie, whether you were an 80s child who wanted to dance magic, dance through Labyrinth, a 90s teen saying "as if!" to life outside of Clueless — or keen to stake vampires with Buffy — or a 00's Gossip Girl wannabe. Now that we're all adults, those kinds of fantasies keep becoming a reality, in a way, thanks to the seemingly non-stop array of immersive pop culture-themed installations and experiences that keep popping up around Australia. So if you've recently been wishing you could scope out Middle-earth thanks to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, you'll soon be able to. Break out the lembas bread, because Prime Video is taking Melburnians — and everyone who happens to be in Melbourne between Friday, October 7–Sunday, October 9 — to a JRR Tolkein-inspired realm. You might recognise those dates as PAX Aus' next festival, with the gaming and gaming culture event taking over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. That's where you'll find Prime Video Corridor of Curiosity: See Where It Takes You, too, complete with a room dedicated to the streaming platform's new Lord of the Rings series. On offer in that dedicated hobbit-, elf- and dwarf-loving space: a celebration of Middle-earth, naturally, as well as a heap of costumes from The Rings of Power. You'll be able to scope out outfits worn by Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir and Sir Lenny Henry as harfoot community leader Sadoc Burrows. (And yes, it is a great time to marvel at threads from big franchises in the Victorian capital, given that ACMI is currently displaying Thor: Love and Thunder costumes, too.) The Prime Video Corridor of Curiosity: See Where It Takes You also includes two more rooms dedicated to two of the service's other shows — which is ace news for The Boys aficionados. In that space, you'll enter The Vought Boardroom in The Seven Tower, and you'll be tasked with a mission. This challenge room-style setup will have you solving clues to find missing vials of Compound V within a set timeframe (and working out how you feel about supes, probably). Lastly, a third room will be based around Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, which'll involve entering an interrogation, finding a hidden entrance to a shooting gallery, then hitting targets — for bragging rights and a spot at the top of the leader board. Also up for grabs: limited-edition pins, which you'll nab for completing each room. You'll need to buy a badge to enter PAX Aus, however, if you're keen to head along. Prime Video Corridor of Curiosity: See Where It Takes You will pop up at PAX Aus at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne from Friday, October 7–Sunday, October 9 .
Perched along the New South Wales coast and boasting 20 kilometres of shoreline, Jervis Bay is known for its spectacular beaches. Because it's around a three-hour drive from Sydney, it's also a popular holiday spot for anyone keen to get out of the city, get splashing and soak in some stunning sights. But, in news that might come as a surprise to Sydneysiders, the area known as Jervis Bay Territory isn't actually part of NSW — which means that, under current COVID-19 restrictions, folks from some parts of the state aren't presently permitted to visit. Jervis Bay Territory, a small peninsula section of Jervis Bay encompassing Booderee National Park, is actually a Commonwealth-administered territory, and has been since 1915. It also falls under the laws of the Australian Capital Territory as a result — and the ACT has restrictions in place people who've been in the Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong areas. Those border rules apply to Jervis Bay Territory, too, so if you're thinking about heading south for a beach trip, you may need to adjust your plans. For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jervis Bay Territory has had Public Health Emergency Directions in effect, which are designed to "protect residents and minimise risks to visitors". The latest, from December 21, 2020, makes it clear that anyone from a place deemed a hotspot by the ACT is not allowed to enter Jervis Bay Territory. While that list is updated frequently, with the last change coming into effect yesterday, Monday, January 11, the Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong areas are still considered 'COVID-19 affected areas'. [caption id="attachment_796806" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A map of Jervis Bay Territory[/caption] As detailed in a government update to start the new year, if you try to enter Jervis Bay Territory without an exemption, you'll be turned away. If you're a resident of the area and you're returning home from a hotspot, you'll be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. And, if you're wondering how checking these details works, when you're entering the region, you're required to provide information — including photo ID — if asked by an emergency services officer. The penalty for failing to comply with the border restrictions is hefty, with fines up to $8000. Exemptions to enter the ACT and Jervis Bay Territory "will only be granted in highly exceptional circumstances" according to the ACT's Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Emergency Direction 2021 — and you're considered an 'affected person', and therefore unable to access the region, if you've been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the past 14 days. For more information about Jervis Bay Territory border restrictions, head to the Commonwealth Government website. Top image: Kristina Kl. via Flickr.
Instead of rushing straight home after work, take a trip to St Marys, where you can watch the sun set high up in the clouds. Skypeak Aerial Park, which opened in mid-2016, features 80 challenges on its menu of adventures, including scaling an ancient red river gum, free falling 15 metres and riding a trapeze at a height of 22 metres. Prepare to test your balance and tackle any fear of heights you may have. And if you're just not an adrenaline junkie, there's something for you too. Settle for a stroll along a sturdy, elevated walkway with excellent views of everyone else in action. Skypeak is open from 9am-7pm and you can buy a pass to suit your scaredy cat level.
We don't mean to alarm you, but Christmas is officially less than two months away. So it's probably time to start planning for all of the things. Like pressie shopping, the perfect response for when your nosey uncle asks why you're still single and that most hallowed of traditions: the office Christmas party. While we can't help with the first two, we have a few suggestions for the latter. Namely, checking out some of the pubs, bars and event spaces owned and operated by Australian Venue Co. From landmark institutions to humble locals, you will find AVC venues in cities, suburbs and regional towns across Australia. In fact, there are ten in Sydney alone. So, settle in for a sit-down lunch at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo (the steaks and seafood are sublime), lock in an evening at The Loft for a couple of cocktails overlooking the harbour or book at The Rook — where you can hire the entire venue and create your own private party. Whichever you choose, all of Australian Venue Co.'s Sydney venues are sure to be knock-the-socks-off-your-boss impressive. Secure a spot for your office Christmas party at an Australian Venue Co. venue. For the full list of venues and for more details, visit the website.
On the Quay end of George Street, at the base of the Four Seasons Hotel, the warm and inviting Mode Kitchen & Bar sits ready to welcome you. Striking a winning balance between casual bistro plates and finer dining, uncomplicated dishes of Australian ingredients with Italo influences are served with pristine attention to detail. As well as the bistro-style menu of refined bites, you'll find a relaxed atmosphere and a new winning weekday offering. If you're heading to a show at the Sydney Opera House, need to warm up before you venture into Vivid Sydney's bright lights, peckish after finishing work in the CBD or looking for a terrific spot to perch yourself before dinner, the Milanese-style aperitivo is for you. From 4–6pm, Monday to Friday, a bountiful spread of Italian antipasto awaits clued-in Sydneysiders for just $30 — with a drink alongside, too. It's a truly delicious bargain by anyone's standards. As a start, there are wheels of sharp cheese, cherry tomatoes ripe on their vines, plump salty olives and plates upon plates of salumi. House-made focaccia and woodfired pizzas are stars, too, though there'll be a rotating lineup of seasonal favourites in competition. For the accompanying aperitivo, you'll choose from a list of crafted Italian cocktails; think classics like negronis and Aperol Spritzes, and fun ones like Milano-Torino sours. There'll be a selection of vinos and beers, too. After your first, you'll pay $15 for a cocktail (or just $6 for a frothy brew). Perfectly placed to explore the Harbour City's waterside beauty, Mode Bar & Kitchen is a top spot to launch your night — make sure you nab a reservation. Aperitivo takes over Mode Bar & Kitchen from Monday–Friday, from 4–6pm. Bookings are recommended, so to plan your visit, head to the website.
It might seem counterproductive to leave Australia in search of a beach holiday, but across New Zealand's 15,000 kilometres of pristine coastline, there are more sheltered seafronts, rugged cliff-lined shores and black sand beaches than you can shake a towel at. Deciding where to spend the warmer months with sand in every crevice and saltwater lapping around your ankles can be an adventure in itself. This month, New Zealand enters another phase in its post-COVID reopening plan, and from 11.59pm NZST / 8.59pm AEST on Tuesday, April 12, we can once again visit our closest neighbours without needing to quarantine on arrival. If you've got a trip over the ditch on your 2022 wishlist, we've put together a list of some of the best New Zealand beaches that you should visit at least once in your lifetime — whether you're keen to brave a winter dip or you're just already dreaming of next summer's sojourns. TAWHARANUI REGIONAL PARK, AUCKLAND Found around 90 kilometres from Auckland central, Tāwharanui Regional Park offers the full spread of summery activities for keen adventurers. Once you've reached the end of the gravel access road, you'll be greeted by beautiful white sand shoreline, easy walking tracks and crystal-clear rock pools up for exploration. It's also known to pump out some beginner-friendly waves, so don't forget to pack your preferred floatation device. And to really make the most of your trip, book a spot at the tent campsite so that you can stare at the clear skies above. [caption id="attachment_791375" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Bryce[/caption] CATHEDRAL COVE, COROMANDEL This gem is a must-do in the Coromandel — and for good reason. Golden sand and a stunning natural rock archway await, whether you decide to arrive at the picturesque spot by boat, kayak or on foot. Leaving from Hahei, the 45-minute walk is well maintained and traverses rugged farmland, before delving into native bush. There are plenty of dramatic vantage points for photo opportunities, but the main event is the beach where you can easily wile away an entire afternoon. [caption id="attachment_791442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Department of Conservation[/caption] ANCHORAGE BAY, ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK It can be hard to pick just one beach in the Abel Tasman, but how about starting with Anchorage Bay? The horseshoe bay is home to the first large beachside camping spot along the Abel Tasman walking trail and where boaties anchor their vessels — making it one of the more popular destinations in the national park. Here you'll find sweeping golden sand and turquoise blue waters, with a number of short walks leading to smaller secluded bays and stunning natural rock formations. During low tide you can walk across the tidal estuary to Torrent Bay. It'd also be rude not to mention (and jump in water taxi to) Kaiteriteri. [caption id="attachment_791435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adventure HQ[/caption] MAITAI BAY, BAY OF ISLANDS To really feel like you're on a tropical island, head to Maitai Bay at the point of the Karikari Peninsula. With its golden sand and crystal-clear blue water, the small sheltered horseshoe bay is something straight from a postcard. The destination can be extraordinarily popular in the summer months, so much so that local iwi declared the region a "no-take zone," in 2018 to allow sea life to recover. The rahui on fishing has finished, but we still recommend you reserve your time here for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. If you're seeking a thrill, head through the bush at the right end of the beach and you'll find a stone ledge that serves as the perfect diving board. Book well in advance for a spot at the DOC campground. [caption id="attachment_664046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Russell Street[/caption] PIHA, AUCKLAND Swim with caution at this rugged west Auckland beach. Piha might be best known for its strong currents and New Zealand's television answer to Bondi Rescue, but it's also a stunning location to spend the day. Choose your real estate on the hot black sand (don't forget footwear) and then cool off between the flags. Walking tracks can be completed along the headlands and up to scenic lookouts, while further along the coast are equally as wild beaches like Karekare and Muriwai where you can take a surf lesson and go horse trekking. [caption id="attachment_791439" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Awful-N4[/caption] NEW CHUMS, COROMANDEL Hidden away from the masses for most of the year, New Chums has previously been voted as one of the world's top ten beaches. The stretch of golden sand on the Coromandel Peninsula is fringed by pohutukawa and native forest and has no buildings, roads or infrastructure. Access to the one-kilometre undeveloped stretch of paradise is by boat or via a rocky foreshore walk from the Whangapoua car park. And once you're there it's no uncommon to spot marine life swimming the length of the beach. [caption id="attachment_791437" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kiwi Canary[/caption] AWAROA, ABLE TASMAN NATIONAL PARK Awaroa made headlines in 2016 when it was bought via crowdfunding campaign by the New Zealand public for over two million dollars and then donated back to the national park. The secluded golden banks of Awaroa are only accessible to those walking the Abel Tasman Coastal Track two hours either side of low tide, or by boat or helicopter. A short walk inland there's the Awaroa Lodge where you can enjoy pizza under a glade of native trees, and there are several glamping and camping options for overnight holidaymakers. [caption id="attachment_791441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Russell Street[/caption] NGARUNUI, RAGLAN Sometimes called Ocean Beach, Main Beach or Wainui Beach, this wild black sand beach with consistent waves is ideal for groms learning how to surf. The Raglan Surf School is parked up right on the vast west coast stretch for those keen to get in on the action, while more experienced riders can hire boards and wetsuits by the hour. With unforgiving riptides, ocean swimmers should stay between the flags. Hang around until the end of the day and you'll cop an extraordinary sunset. [caption id="attachment_791440" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glen Sinclair[/caption] WHARARIKI, NELSON This windswept beach has to be one of the country's most photographed sections of coastline. The beach is only accessible via a 20-minute track from the end of Wharariki Road, which travels over farmland and through coastal forest. With particularly big seas, sight-seeing is the number one attraction here — and the Archway Islands will certainly serve up the goods. The group of four rock formations rising from the tide provide an exception photo opp, especially if you decide to tour the region on horseback. [caption id="attachment_791436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trevor Klatko[/caption] NINETY MILE BEACH, NORTHLAND This epic 88-kilometre-long stretch of sand has to be seen to be believed. The famed northland beach starts near Kaitaia and makes its way up to Cape Reinga. At low tide the beach is officially a public highway, but don't even think about bringing your rental hatchback here — several have been swallowed by the unforgiving seas. The dunes at Te Paki in the north are famously used for bodyboarding — just expect to take home pockets full of sand. Bring water, and sunscreen. From 11.59pm NZST / 8.59pm AEST on Tuesday, April 12, double-vaccinated Australian tourists will be able to holiday in New Zealand without needing to isolate on arrival. Tourists will be required to test negative for COVID-19 with a PCR or RAT before leaving Australia for their trip, before providing negative tests on day one and day five of their stay in New Zealand. For more information, head to the New Zealand Government's official COVID-19 website. Top image: Adam Bryce.
Since July last year, every Stranger Things fan has been troubled by one question: what happened to Hawkins' beloved police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour)? The show's third season didn't seem to end too well for the character, all thanks to the mind flayer, the Russian lab below Starcourt Mall and that pesky gate to the Upside Down. But then, in season's final moments, a Russian-set post-script — and a mention of "the American" — left everyone with a sliver of hope. When Netflix renewed Stranger Things for a fourth season last October, it didn't give any further details away about Hopper's fate. But when it comes to dropping the first teaser for that very season, the streaming platform isn't keeping anywhere near as quiet. The just-released sneak peek is called 'From Russia with Love', which should tell you enough — and while the clip only runs for 50 seconds, it does reveal exactly what you're hoping. Resolving the show's big cliffhanger in a teaser is certainly an interesting move. Of course, the trailer doesn't unfurl any specifics — and this is Stranger Things, so, well, strange things are definitely still be at play. In a statement reported by Deadline, series creators the Duffer Brothers noted that "it's not all good news for our 'American'", while explaining that "back in the States, a new horror is beginning to surface, something long-buried, something that connects everything". While season four of Stranger Things doesn't have a release date as yet — and might not even hit Netflix until 2021 — the teaser coincides with the beginning of production on the new episodes. It's worth remembering that, when the platform did announce the show's renewal for a fourth season, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". Given that the third season ended with Joyce (Winona Ryder), Will (Noah Schnapp), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) leaving town, that statement doesn't just apply to Hopper. We'll have to wait to see what it means for Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Max (Sadie Sink), Steve (Joe Keery) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer), though. Check out the teaser below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB2GYwbIAlM Stranger Things season four doesn't currently have a release date — we'll update you when Netflix announces its plans.
It's here! It's finally here! When the boys behind award-winning bar Bulletin Place announced they were opening a second venue, the whole of Sydney clasped their hands and jumped for joy. With such talent behind Dead Ringer, how could it not be good? Located in a turn-of-the-century terrace on Bourke Street, Surry Hills, one of Dead Ringer's many drawcards is its beautiful courtyard, which is guaranteed to pack out over summer; you can quote me on that. Inside there are casual spots at the bar for that quick after-work drink, and when you finally face up to reality and accept you'll be staying for dinner, nab one of the romantic low-lit booths out back. Since they've already nailed drinks, this time around they've turned their attention to food. The menu, created by former est. chef Tristan Rosier, consists of 16 fine-dining share plates designed to complement their boutique cocktail list. Yep, no wedges with sour cream here. The 'everything tastes better deep-fried' adage is proven true again in a serve of pasta dough, born again as a bowl of chips. It's served alongside a cheese and fennel dip topped with fine wisps of parmesan. If you love Le Snak packs, then it's right up your alley. The menu also features a clever pairing of blood sausage with Greek yoghurt ($18), which is an absolute epiphany, while a cheeky bowl of pork jowl terrine ($10) trades up the toast for a sprinkle of crunchy crumbs so you can eat it with a spoon. Genius. For something more substantial, there's a hearty steak tartare ($16), which comes with pickled eggplant and potato paper (fancy way of saying potato crisps), or a robust lamp rump ($34) with black garlic mustard and bitter greens. Its moist pink flesh is so even throughout that it sparks a conversation on how that's even possible. Sous vide? Slow oven? How? And yes, the cocktail menu lives up to the hype. The highlight is the hot and cold buttered toddy ($14), made from warmed scotch and muscat poured over Messina burnt butter and sage gelato to create a boozy thickshake. Need I say more? If you were ever a fan of a Bacardi Breezer back in the day (admit it), then you'll love their yuzu breezer ($17), a bespoke bottled bev made with Tsuru-Ume yuzu liqueur, Aperol, rum and soda with a rebranded Dead Ringer label. There better be a UDL in the works. If you're enjoying your time down memory lane, then follow it with a Red-Dinger ($17), made with Redskin-infused gin, blood orange and raspberry vinegar. The only miss on the cocktail menu was the Dixie Cup ($18), a plumy, acidic drink that had little in common with its namesake. I felt like a child that had been promised ice-cream only to be handed a piece of fruit, totally betrayed. While it's not exactly a dead ringer for Bulletin Place, there's plenty to love here. It could even be Sydney's next big thing.
In Sydney, we're blessed with an abundance of excellent places to eat. Whether it's a spot for date night, somewhere to catch up with your crew or just to break up your mid-week routine, you generally don't have to go far to find a great meal. Harris Park, a buzzing multicultural neighbourhood with a friendly village-like atmosphere, is certainly one such place. It punches above its weight when it comes to great places to eat in this suburb that sits just south of Parramatta. In partnership with the City of Parramatta, we've put together this list of the six must-try dishes in Harris Park. BYO stretchy pants. BUTTER CHICKEN DUMPLINGS Where to find them: Momozz, 104-108 Wigram Street What they are: Some of the greatest combinations in life are often the most unexpected. Did ice cream and fries walk so freshly steamed momos luxuriating in butter chicken sauce could run? Possibly. This signature serve from bustling diner Momozz is one of those dishes that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. Your choice of veggie or chicken momos are steamed to order, before being tossed in the restaurant's special butter chicken sauce — which itself hits the sweet, earthy and creamy notes you want it to — and finished on the plate with a generous helping of raita to bring the flavours together. We'd say these packages of pure pleasure do what they say on the tin, but that'd be underselling them. MEETHA PAAN Where to find it: Durga Paan and Falooda House, 3/14-20 Station Street East What it is: As one of the most ubiquitous snacks in the subcontinent, paan is everywhere in India — but it's a lot harder to track down in Australia. For the uninitiated, paan is a betel leaf stuffed with an assortment of ingredients and folded up into a bite-sized morsel (a lighting-fast yet hypnotic process which can elicit an ASMR response in some viewers), typically consumed as a post-meal treat or palate cleanser. Paan has such a legacy in India that it's endorsed by Ayurveda practitioners thanks to its being rich in carotene, calcium and vitamins, and also makes an appearance in the Kama Sutra. You can try the delicacy at Harris Park's Durga Paan and Falooda House, one of the very few spots in Sydney dedicated to the treat (and a TikTok favourite, too). There's a sweet (meetha), savoury (sada) and chocolate version available, but we love the sweet version. It's a texture-laden flavour bomb in which a fresh betel leaf envelops a colourful array of crunchy tidbits, dried fruits, fennel seeds, sweet chutney and desiccated coconut. Durga has also become known for its fire paan, which is by no means a hyperbolic misnomer. ZNOUD EL SETT Where to find it: SweetLand Patisserie, 55 Wigram Street What it is: This legendary Lebanese dessert — also known as a lady finger — is a bona fide indulgence. Especially popular during Ramadan as a post-iftar treat, these creamy and crispy pastries are a perfect pairing for a cup of coffee or tea. The version from family-owned SweetLand Patisserie is an excellent rendition of the classic dessert. Expect a beautifully rich and delicately flavoured ashta — which is similar to clotted cream — encased in layers of filo pastry which is wrapped into a finger-sized cigar, baked until perfectly golden and doused in a fragrant rose and orange syrup. It's then finished with a dollop of ashta and a drizzle of crushed pistachio. Stopping at just one might be a challenge. DAHI PURI Where to find it: Chatkazz, 14-20 Station Street East What it is: The clue's in the name here, folks. Think of dahi puri as the zingy cousin of the much-loved chaat pani puri. This one-bite wonder might be less well known than pani puri, but it is still definitely worthy of your attention. And Harris Park institution Chatkazz is one of the few places in town where you can get it. So, how does it differ from its similarly named sibling snack? The base of puffed, deep-fried bread filled with a layer of boiled potato is the same, but that's where the similarities end. Dahi puri sees hearty chickpeas packing out the crunchy base which is then topped with yoghurt, various chutneys, sev for extra crunch and finished with a pomegranate seed for an extra bit of depth. A true delight. MANGO KULFI Where to get it: Rocket Kulfi, 84/65 Wigram Street What it is: Perhaps one of the subcontinent's best-loved desserts, kulfi is often thought of as India's answer to ice cream — but that's not quite the case. Where ice cream is whipped before being frozen, kulfi is not, and the result is a more solid, dense dessert that's more like a frozen custard. Its density also causes it to melt more slowly than ice cream, making for less sticky fingers (at least in theory). As its name would suggest, Harris Park go-to Rocket Kulfi specialises in the frozen treat and uses a traditional recipe to create its range of classic and contemporary flavours. You'll likely want to work your way through the whole list of flavours, but you can't go wrong with the sweet, creamy mango. Bonus: the icy-pole sticks are made with 100% pure Australian milk and are also free of gelatin, artificial flavours and preservatives (Apk Ticket). LAMB CHOWMEIN Where to get it: Chulho, 59-61 Wigram Street What it is: Nepal's incredible cultural and geographic diversity means that its cuisine is really more like several cuisines under the one proverbial banner. There are a few dishes that are enjoyed throughout the mountainous, landlocked nation though — and chowmein is one of them. Thought to be introduced to Nepal by Tibetan settlers, chowmein has become one of the country's most popular and ubiquitous fast food items. The Nepali take on the Chinese stir-fried noodle dish doesn't stray too far from the version you've likely already had, but that doesn't mean it's not worth your time. Wigram Street restaurant and live music venue Chulho prepares its version with expertly cooked thin egg noodles wok-fried with a medley of fresh vegetables, soy sauce and a secret homemade sauce that adds a whack of umami. We love the lamb version, with the tender protein adding a layer of subtle sweetness to the palate. To discover more excellent eats and things to see and do in Harris Park, head to the website. Images: Nikki To
If you're all about the bubbly things in life, prepare to be swept away by the city's effervescent new booze festival, rocking into town this autumn. Descending on Pirrama Park in Pyrmont on Sunday, May 19, the inaugural Sparkling Sydney is set to deliver a jam-packed day of gourmet food and fizzy fun. At this free event, you'll have the chance to sample over 60 sparkling wines from top local and international labels, including Savannah Estate, Pinnaro Wines, Santa & D'Sas and Stonehurst Cedar Creek. Entry to the festival is free and tasting packages, which you can purchase at the event, start at a tidy $20. More quaffing is to be enjoyed at the festival's pop-up sparkling bars — pair some molluscs with award-winning bubbles at The Ridge North Lilydale Sparkling Rose + Oyster Bar, or down a luxe concoction of white peach and prosecco from Bellini Cipriani Bar. If you prefer your fizz in the form of a crisp, spirit-based creation, make tracks to the the Gin and Tonic Garden Bar, where you'll learn about the art of gin pairing from the folks at Fever-Tree and Adelaide Hills Distillery. Here, you'll also be able to try the latter's highly lauded Green Ant Gin. Of course, there'll be plenty of top-notch eats to match, from Happy As Larry's woodfired pizzas to Asian fusion fare courtesy of Jimmy Liks and vegan snacks by Yulli's. Sparkling Sydney runs from 11am–5pm.
We all know the idiom, but this art installation, in collaboration with The Empathy Museum, invites visitors to literally walk a mile in someone else's shoes. What's more, the pop-up store in which you find said footwear is shaped like a giant shoe box. These are real shoes, too, but not just anyone's; these are the shoes of people with real stories: refugees and migrants who have come to Australia, made it their home and changed the environment around them in the process. You'll learn, you'll laugh, you'll cry, but one thing's for sure — you'll never think of the famous phrase in the same way again.
A public gallery of art installations from artist collective Art Pharmacy has popped up in The Rocks. The series of large-scale outdoor artworks appeared in October and is going to be up and adding colour to the waterside suburb for the next year. The artworks are themed around revival and renewal, two much-needed themes in Sydney after over 100 days of lockdown. Each installation has been created by a different local artist or set of artists, with the artworks ranging from hyper-coloured mirrored hallways to bright multi-coloured lanterns. Barkindji woman Maddison Gibbs has created a work that explores both caring for Country and fighting the injustice taking place in Australia. Gibbs artwork Spirits Make Noise, snakes across a sandstone wall in The Rocks and is inspired by female Aboriginal ancestors and matriarchs. Other works include Rochelle Haley's Nurses Walk, which reflects light across a Rocks tunnel, glowing at certain times of day and in certain lights; and Jason Wing's Pemulwuy Butu Wargun Mural which is dedicated to Aboriginal leaders who fought to resist the British invasion of Australia in the 1700s. Images: Anna Kucera
Wander down Cronulla's The Esplanade and you'll find a bright white all-day diner welcoming in locals and visitors from all edges of town. The friendly neighbourhood restaurant Bobby's comes from the team behind Bangor Tavern, pulling from the flavours and aesthetics of the Mediterranean while celebrating seafood just metres from rolling waves and white sand. The venue opens its doors at 7am each day, accommodating surfers and early morning beach-goers with coffee and breakfast bites. Around lunchtime, the full menu is rolled out and that's when things really begin to fire up. Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas (Totti's, Otto) and Head Chef Shaun Baker (Bills, Yan Restaurant) have created a menu of fresh ocean-to-table creations, leaning on staples of modern Australian diners and bold Mediterranean dishes. There are plenty of crowd-pleasing options for a gorgeous summer's day: ultra fresh oysters, prawn rolls, barramundi burgers and cuttlefish linguine. Fish and chips and rump steak are on offer for those who like to have their own main, or if you're in the mood to share you can order a whole snapper or spatchcock for the table, then pair it with a series of share-friendly starters. As for the drinks, the Mediterranean theme continues here with hospo mainstay Alex Cameron moving over from French favourites Franca and Armorica to curate a list of European wines and cocktails designed to pair well with seafood on a hot Cronulla day. Limoncello spritzes and a pineapple and lime negroni both grace the cocktail list, while the Horn Iced Tea freshens up its Long Island counterpart with the addition of Aperol and prosecco.
Doused in gravy, hot sauce or sambal, served on a plate with mac 'n' cheese, or sandwiched in a soft bun — fried chicken is the epitome of comfort food in lots of places around the world, and Sydney is no exception. This city's restaurant scene offers heavenly bird done in every way imaginable. These local joints combine nationalities and styles to champion the fried side of the chook. In Sydney, you can eat fried chicken with Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese or Indonesian influences, as well as heaps of American-style versions. If you really want to indulge, bookmark this list and hit all 13 restaurants before the end of the year. Go on, we dare you. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Sydney The Best Banh Mi in Sydney The Best Burgers in Sydney The Best Bagels in Sydney
Looking for a cause for celebration? Passeggiata is the place for you. Spearheaded by former 10 William Street chef and ex-Sagra owner Nigel Ward, this ambitious Italian restaurant is decked out in a bright summery yellow facade. Passeggiata takes its name from an Italian tradition — an unhurried, leisurely stroll you take with your family after a hearty meal. This is the energy that Ward brings to this eastern suburbs eatery located on Bronte Road in Charing Cross, Australia's second-oldest shopping strip. "After a big long lunch, everyone puts on their suits and their Sunday best and they all go out to the town square and walk around real slow, go have some gelato, or have a little drink somewhere," Ward told Concrete Playground. "Nobody's in too much of a hurry, the intention is to ... slow down and enjoy the little qualities of life." Passeggiata's menu is seasonal, so you can expect it to change over time, but the initial array of eats offers something for everyone, with a heavy focus on seafood. To start, there's smoked kingfish with crostino and creme fraiche, sardines "aqua pazza" with tomatoes and olives and tagliolini with prawns and calabrian chilli. Moving out of the ocean and venturing onto land, try the fried zucchini flowers with roast potatoes and rosemary salt, veal chop milanese, radicchio with cumquat or the wagyu bresaola with Jerusalem artichokes and anchovies. "I hope when people come here [that] they're not coming with an out time. They just want to come and enjoy themselves and take their time, get a nice bottle of wine [and] eat lots of food," Ward continues. There are two spaces to enjoy your meal at Passeggiata, a 40-seat main dining room downstairs and a more intimate 30-seat upstairs space which Ward plans to use for set menu dinners. "I'm building the restaurant I want to go to," Ward says. "This is it for me. I've bought the building, I want to be here for 30 years. I want this to be the Lucio's of the 21st century." Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
Bookshops come and go, but Gould's has stood its ground in Newtown since 1988. That's possibly because shifting the titles anywhere else would require the Army, Navy and Air Force. But the more likely key to its longevity is its second-hand book collection being not only the biggest in Australia, but also one of the most extraordinary anywhere. Forget everything primary school taught you about alphabetical order and the Dewey Decimal system. The whole point of the Gould's experience is to get lost. Whether you're looking for a specific book or simply browsing, you'll be wandering down book-lined alleys, picking your way through stacks and coming across rarities and out-of-print editions. Expect to bump shoulders with at least a few frazzled uni students. Image: Jesse Jaco.
Tucked away behind Merivale's ivy is Ash St Cellar. A mixture of Italian tapas, self-proclaimed 'famous' charcuterie, fine wine and an intimate atmosphere, this is a CBD cellar bustling with European charm. Charm you can indulge without debilitating jetlag, that is. A favourite among the after-work crowd, this chandelier-clad eatery certainly looks impressive. If you can, arrive early and grab a table outside, otherwise, true to its cross-continental allure, inside's a tad cosy. If you're anything like us and have turned up a little too late, however, fear not because this will give you ample time to spy on your neighbours' dishes from Sicilian-born head chef, Alfie Spina's menu before making your choice. Wine-wise, there's an impressive selection of vino with plenty available by the glass and plenty more available via a small bank loan. We opted for a glass of the Portuguese 2009 Quinta de la Rosa 'Tonnix' Douro Duriense ($11) and an Italian Mauro Molino Barbera d'Alba Piedmont ($13). Both were fruity, full-bodied and more than acceptable to sip before our food arrived. Warmed Ligurian black olives ($8) were swiftly followed by the selection of four cured meats from the aforementioned charcuterie ($23). Accompanied by bread, sea salt and olive oil, Salchichon Spanish salami, pork lonza (cured pork loin), jamon Serrano and wagyu beef bresaola made up the quartet. The Serrano was the lead by far. After a brief interval, prawns cooked in chilli and garlic ($19) sounded out the end of the savoury courses with grilled lamb loin chops, sweet potato, young peas and mint ($24). The prawns were delicious but the lamb was almost perfect with just the right amount of mint. For dessert, we couldn't go past the tart of the day ($14). That day it was blueberry and pine nut and it was bang on. Ash St Cellar is a fine venue for a glass of the good stuff, a nibble or even a five course feast. It's also a venue proving that when you know how to do it right, you can do it right again and again.
In the era of streaming, you might be surprised to learn there is still a DVD store of all thing in Sydney's inner city. Nevertheless, Film Club has cemented itself as one of Darlinghurst's most beloved shops. Rather than stocking any old new release like a 00s Blockbuster, Film Club's purpose is to provide a place where one can go to find those films that are unfindable. Owner Ben Kenny specialises in finding copies of arthouse, foreign and indie films, and also holds an unbelievably impressive range of classics, such as silent movies from the 20s and cult films from the 60s. This shop is nirvana for film buffs, and the friendly folk behind the desk are happy to chat movies to you all day long. Image: Trent Van der jagt.
UPDATE Monday, July 26: The Fold is now offering pickup blue swimmer crab feasts for two. The feast includes crab curry, basmati rice with crispy onions, red lentil dry curry, kale malum, papadum, chutney and orange cream caramel for dessert. Pre order 5–6pm, Thursday–Saturday. Dulwich Hill's Sri Lankan cafe and restaurant The Fold is a true family affair. It's run by the De Hoedt family whose culinary experience spans decades and multiple acclaimed Sydney eateries. Head Chef Augi De Hoedt has 35 years of experience in the industry, including ten years as the Culinary Director at Sri Lanka's Cinnamon Grand hotel. Augi's sons Travin and Jason (both Franca Brasserie alumni) are in charge of the dessert menu alongside Travin's fiancée Saaya Takahashi (Sixpenny). Dilki, the duo's mother, manages the front of house. The Fold has been serving up the family's take on Sri Lankan food to Dulwich Hill locals since 2020, but has recently expanded to serve dinner as of this February. On both the day and dinner menus, you'll find a variety of hoppers, curries and desserts. Until 3.30pm daily, you'll find The Fold's unique take on avo on toast ($12) with tamarind glaze and slated pistachio, as well as pot roast beef buns ($11.50) and shakshouka ($19.50) and benedict ($18) hoppers. [caption id="attachment_802721" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kera[/caption] Come 5pm, Thursday–Sunday, dinner is on offer. Curries take centre stage at night, making up a bulk of the dinner menu. Ranging from $14–28, you'll find everything from eggplant moju to devilled beef in spicy tomato gravy and lamb polkiri baduma. Elsewhere, you'll find lamprais ($22) — Dutch Burgher rice and curry baked and served inside a banana leaf — and a string hopper feast ($24). Following dinner, avert your attention to the dessert menu where you'll find Sri Lankan love cake served with spiced ice cream, watalappam baked custard and palm sugar pancake with grated coconut. Images: Kera
