A new year has begun, and for us that means one thing — it's time to book new travel destinations for 2020. This time around, instead of searching for things like 'best beaches' or 'best cities', plan your travel from a different angle. An arts and culture angle, that is. Planning your calendar around the world's many festivals is a fun way to change up your regular trip routine. Think a biennale in India, a mountain burning festival in Japan and one celebrating 24-hours-of daylight in Russia. Here are seven lesser known arts/culture festivals to travel overseas for this year. [caption id="attachment_757197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jirka Matousek via Flickr.[/caption] PINGXI LANTERN FESTIVAL, PINGXI DISTRICT, TAIWAN Taking place just outside of Taipei, the Pingxi Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year with one stunning illuminated display. Visitors write a message and place it inside a paper sky lanterns, then set it aflame and release it into the night — alongside thousands of others. It's an impressive sight that holds an air of magic around it. While the lanterns float overhead, the streets are filled with folk performances, street carnivals and contests. The annual festival has been taking over Taiwan for over 2000 years, having begun during the Xing Dynasty. We can't think of a better way to ring in the (lunar) new year. When? February 1–8, 2020 KOCHI-MUZIRIS BIENNALE, FORT KOCHI, INDIA Every two years, the charming seaside town of Fort Kochi becomes a mecca for all things art in India. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale showcases contemporary Indian and international art in heritage properties around the city — this year includes a townhouse, project space, art cafe and converted warehouse. Each biennale is curated by an artist who is chosen by a committee of artists, scholars and collectors. Now in its fifth edition, the 2020 curator for the festival is artist and writer Shubigi Rao. She was born in India but is based in Singapore, and is known for her layered installations across mediums like books, etchings, drawings and puzzles. The festival runs for over three months each year, so you have a good window in which to book your trip, too. When? December 2020 – March 2021 [caption id="attachment_757203" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nwhitely via Flickr.[/caption] WAKAKUSA YAMAYAKI, NARA, JAPAN For one seriously fiery sight, make sure you're in Nara, Japan on the forth January of the year. An ancient version of Burning Man festival, the Wakakusa Yamayaki festival sees the dead grass on Mount Wakakusayama set on fire — and that's followed by one big ol' fireworks display. No one quite knows the origin of the festival, leaving it shrouded in mystery. Some accounts claim the mountainside burning began due to boundary conflicts between the Kohfukuji and Todaiji Temples. Others claim the fires are meant to scare away wild boars, and even ghosts. Regardless of the origin, it's an impressive sight. The blazing mountain can be seen from any point in the city — with Nara Park being the best lookout. When? January 25, 2020 [caption id="attachment_757204" align="alignnone" width="1920"] This Is Edinburgh via Flickr[/caption] HOGMANAY, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh really knows how to ring in the new year. While parties happen all over the world on New Year's Eve, no one does it quite like the Scots — their celebration runs for two full days and features street parties, carnival rides, Christmas markets and a full on music festival to boot. The multi-stage festival takes place on December 31 straight into the new year, with at least five bands playing simultaneously. Alongside the festival is a torchlight procession on December 30. Also on the docket is an ice rink, ferris wheel, polar bear plunge in icy waters (dubbed he Loony Dook race) and even an arts festival that takes over nine unusual venues across the city. When? December 30, 2020 – January 1, 2021 ART FAIR PHILIPPINES, MANILA PHILIPPINES The Philippines' vibrant art scene is on full display each February when Art Fair Philippines transforms The Link carpark into a cultural marketplace. The weekend-long festival was only just founded in 2013, and has since become the top art event in the country. A wide range of contemporary art is available to view and purchase, ranging from paintings and sculptures to photographs and more experimental installations. All of the artists are on hand alongside their work, so you can chat to the makers of your favourite pieces. If you're travelling with a friend or partner, it's also a fun way to start out the evening — the exhibition stays open until 9pm each night and there are heaps of food and drink vendors available, so you can peruse with bubbly in hand. And entry tickets cost just a tenner. When? February 21–23, 2020 [caption id="attachment_757202" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose via Flickr.[/caption] WHITE NIGHTS FESTIVAL, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA While images of Russia's picturesque city of St Petersburg often depict a blanket of snow, the summer months actually see nearly 24 hours of daylight here. And the city celebrates these long days for three full months each year — specifically from mid-May through mid-July. Stars of the White Nights is a massive collection of arts and culture events spanning music, film, ballet and opera premieres (including at the Mariinsky Theatre, pictured above) and outdoor festivities. Many of the city's top museums stay open overnight during this period, too. Or simply wander along the River Neva, where gypsy bands, jugglers, fire eaters and other carnival acts can be seen performing all night long. When? May 22 – July 21, 2020 ART BASEL, MIAMI BEACH, USA Started over 40 years ago, Art Basel is considered to be the premiere art event of the year by many. It's held annually across Hong Kong, Basel, Switzerland and Miami Beach. The USA instalment takes place over three days in December and features works from over 250 leading galleries across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and even Australia. It showcases masterpieces from modern and contemporary artists, alongside exhibitions by emerging artists — and this year has partnered with KickStarter specifically to support up-and-comers. Art forms span paintings, sculptures and photographs, as well as large-scale installations films, and editions from master artists. And you have the added benefit of being next to one of the States' best beaches, too. When? December 3–6, 2020 Top image: Jirka Matousek via Flickr.
What happens when you combine two of the city's hottest chefs, an award-winning young-gun sommelier and a suburb on the brink of a revival? Bistrot 916. Run by Restaurant Hubert colleagues chef Dan Pepperell (Alberto Lounge, 10 William Street and Frankie's) and sommelier Andy Tyson (Alberto Lounge), together with long-time Rockpool Dining Group chef Michael Clift, the Potts Point restaurant has just opened its folding glass doors much to the excitement of every Sydney Francophile. Pepperell and Tyson didn't set out to reproduce Restaurant Hubert, but the pair's decision to leave the Swillhouse group's OTT French restaurant and open a bistro of their own warrants a comparison. The Bistrot 916 space may not have the same labyrinthine, escapist quality as Restaurant Hubert, but it doesn't need to: the food and wine contain enough creativity and chutzpah to take you on a journey on their own. In place of Hubert's well-lit red velvet-heavy interior, Bistrot 916 is dark and restrained. Pink paper tablecloths cover dark wood tables, wines line the walls and the space is lit by soft pendant lights and candles. Waitstaff and sommeliers in white chef jackets walk you through the restaurant's single-page food menu, which starts with a so-good-you-must-order-two scallop ceviche with tiger milk and a tuna tartare with beef fat-fried potato. [caption id="attachment_801364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] For entrees, you can keep it simple and go for French classics — such as chicken liver parfait and pork rillette — or follow Pepperell down the path towards the more unusual. Boudin noir spring rolls, fried lamb's brains with smoked eel mayonnaise, snail pasta and grilled tongue await you here, before a quick veer left leads you back to French bistro staples for the Plats Principaux: duck, steak or lobster served, of course, with frites. If you're after a cocktail, a Death in the Afternoon (champagne and absinthe) is our pick, but you can also go for a well-made negroni, sazerac or mojito, too. For wine, Tyson has selected a suitably lengthy collection of predominantly French drops that trundles through Beaujolais, Jura, Languedoc and Rhône for all less than $20 a glass. Taking over the space next to Fratelli Paradiso, formerly home to Merivale's Lotus, Bistrot 916 is the latest exciting addition to a suburb quite clearly on its way up (again). While Potts Point has been plagued by lockout laws and some big-name closures over the past couple of years, a spate of openings have occurred in the last few months, including a new pizza joint by the Monopole, a charcoal chicken by Morgan McGlone and chef Ben Sears' Tel Aviv haunt. Find Bistrot 916 at 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point from 5–9.30pm daily and 12–2pm Friday–Sunday. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Sydney is on a hot streak with new swimming spots right now. Fresh areas for a dip have been popping up all across the city, whether it's Barangaroo's new city beach, the restoration and reopening of the historic Dawn Fraser Baths, or zones dotted along the Parramatta River. And, things aren't slowing down, with the Inner West's Callan Park the next location bookmarked to host summer swims. Located along the Bay Run in Lilyfield, the 61-hectare heritage park sits alongside the Parramatta River. Following two years of exhaustive water testing, swimming at the park has just been given the tick of approval, with the Inner West Council announcing plans to transform the waterfront into a swimmer's paradise. Following the approval, a new 50-metre tidal pool will now be built at the site. Significant features of the pool include swimming lanes, an expansive jetty, and two moored pontoons for sunbathing and diving. "With its position at the heart of the Bay Run, the Callan Park tidal pool can become a Sydney icon," Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said. "With our location finalised and all approvals now granted, we are ready to partner with the New South Wales Government to fund the construction of this beautiful new swim site." Alongside the water testing, environmental impact research, river-depth analysis and floor quality testing were all undertaken in order to gain approval. Swimming at Callan Park has been five years in the making, with a plan to clean up the waterways and get the go-ahead first announced back in 2018. The popular Lilyfiled park is set to become the sixth swim spot to land along Parramatta River, joining Bayview Park, Dawn Fraser Baths, Cabarita Park Beach, Chiswick Baths and Lake Parramatta. The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) is also enquiring into reintroducing swimming to the likes of Bedlam Bay, McIlwaine Park and Putney Park in the future. Callan Park is located on Balmain Road, Lilyfield.
Lately, the world has seen all sorts of weird and wonderful shoe creations, from sneakers made from recycled ocean plastic to beer-proof kicks to those chicken-and-waffles-inspired Nikes. But this latest sneaker design find might just be the strangest yet, with some bright sparks in Amsterdam crafting a shoe with soles made from chewing gum collected from the city's streets. Dubbed Gumshoe, it's a collaboration between companies Gum-tec and Publicis One, plus local shoe brand Explicit Wear, and it's out to stomp all over The Netherlands' costly chewing gum problem. Apparently, the country's streets rack up around 1.5 million kilograms of the stuff each year, creating the second biggest litter issue after cigarettes. The Gumshoe sole features a special kind of rubber crafted from used gum that's been recycled into a sustainable material. They're available in black or hot pink, with a map of Amsterdam stamped into each sole. On Gumshoe's website, Mustafa Tanriverdi, from Marketing and Investments, Amsterdam Metropolitan Area said, "with these shoes, we take a step closer towards gum-free streets and at the same time create awareness amongst gum users without being preachy." If you fancy a pair of gum-based kicks for your own feet, head over to the Explicit Wear website. Via Designboom
Much of Marrickville's Victoria Road is proposed for development, with an 18-hectare area between Enmore Road and Sydenham Road currently under rezoning consideration. If it receives approval, it won't just see an influx of mix-used developments — featuring residential, retail and commercial components, as well as open spaces — but also, around Rich Street, a hub for creatives and artists. Across three multi-storey buildings spanning 13,000 square metres, the Rich St proposal endeavours to bring together fledgling businesses, established arts operators and more, over a range of creative fields. Catering to around 500 artists, onsite work space will be flexible to encourage interaction, with the project receiving input from artists and industry leaders from the local community. According to the development website, it aims to create "a permanent home for the creative industries, start-ups and the arts, that builds upon the existing established culture in Marrickville." Located beside and behind The Factory Theatre, Rich St will also turn the site's current warehouses and timber yard into public parkland, as well as cafes, an exhibition space, a potential openair screening space and a rooftop bar. While it's still a matter of it, rather than when, it comes to fruition — amid concerns about the vast development plans in the area — there's no doubting that it'll prove a huge change for Marrickville if it goes ahead. For more information about the proposed Rich St development, visit the project website. Via Domain. Images: Rich St.
If you're a lover of contemporary art, there are two things you've probably found yourself in repeated fights over. Firstly, why a canvas with naught but a single monotone colour deserves to hang in a gallery and, secondly, why live art is more than just 'crazy for the sake of crazy'. So, the artist nailed his arm to a wall? It's about politics. She had all her clothes cut off by strangers? Gender. It's an artist's job to test the bounds of acceptance and cover unchartered ground, but some artists are notorious for taking that extra step into the unknown. We thought we'd take a look into the extreme history of the artform — the highs, the lows, and all the wilfully mutilated body parts. (TW: self harm and sexual content.) Pyotr Pavlensky nailed his testicles to some cobblestones November last year saw millions of men sympathetically shift in their seats as Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky drove a decent-sized nail through his scrotum and into Red Square. After receiving worldwide attention (that headline is clickbait in any language), Pavlensky stated his actions were a form of political protest against Russia's ever-increasing "police state". "The performance can be seen as a metaphor for the apathy, political indifference and fatalism of contemporary Russian society," he said. Such tactics were not new to this ballsy artist either as 2012 saw him sew his mouth shut in support of the recently imprisoned Pussy Riot. It's one way to get people talking, but at what cost? Vito Acconci hid under gallery floorboards while masturbating While we're on the topic of male genitals, it's definitely worth bringing up American artist Vito Acconci and his seminal work 'Seed Bed' (pun entirely intended). First performed in 1972 at New York's Sonnabend Gallery, this controversial and generally well-regarded work involved the artist hiding under a makeshift ramp in the gallery space and masturbating for eight hours a day. While it outwardly seems like the engineered scheme of a sexual deviant, the work is famous for being enormously effective on its audience members. While standing in the desolate gallery space, gallery-goers could hear Acconci murmuring explicit sexual thoughts via a loudspeaker, and were uncomfortably conscious of his presence under their feet. 'Seed Bed' has since been re-performed by Marina Abramovic in a very welcome inversion of the original work's testosterone overload. Marina Abramovic stared at thousands of strangers in silence until they cried This woman is the queen of all things performance art. Aside from taking on 'Seed Bed', she has a wealth of her own legendary artworks including 'The Artist is Present', a piece that inspired a documentary in its own name. For 736 hours and 30 minutes, Abramovic sat in silence at the Museum of Modern Art staring at whoever sat opposite her. The piece proved so cathartic for audience members it has spawned not only a film, but a fan blog called Marina Abramovic Made Me Cry — the artwork had this effect on the artist herself too when her ex-lover came to visit. Don't be fooled though; Abramovic is tough as guts. In her work 'Rhythm 0' she had audiences inflict pleasure and pain on her body with objects including honey, a scalpel, a rose, and a loaded gun; and in 'Rhythm 10' she played a Russian knife game dodging her fingers with 20 knives in quick succession. There are a lot of men in live art, but this woman may be the most hardcore there is. Tehching Hsieh punched a time clock every hour, on the hour, for a year Abramovic has described Hsieh as a "master" of the form. He's done the dirty stuff — he lived alone in a wooden cage unable to read, write, or listen to radio or TV for an entire year. He then went the other way — wilfully living outside for another whole year. But in the time in-between, he undertook 'Time Clock Piece'. From 1980-1981, Hsieh punched a factory-style time clock every hour, on the hour. After shaving his head at the outset, the artist took a photo of himself each hour and the subsequent documentary evidence, as the hair grows and grows, shows a passing of time equal parts beautiful and woefully depressing. Santiago Sierra tattooed these women's backs in exchange for heroin It's impossible to be indifferent to the kind of work that Sierra does. With most pieces including people from disadvantaged backgrounds in less than desirable positions, to many the art looks a lot like exploitation. In '160cm Line Tattooed on 4 People', Sierra found four heroin-addicted sex workers who were willing to have their backs tattooed in exchange for a single shot of heroin. While on the surface this seems outright despicable, the self-aware nature of the act did serve as a counter-point for many. After all, structures of power can never change if they aren't first exposed. Taras Polataiko had women contractually obliged to marry strangers In the live art piece 'Sleeping Beauties', Ukrainian artist Taras Polataiko found five female volunteers to feign sleep in an art gallery and endure the kisses of thousands of strangers. And here's the kicker: if they ever opened their eyes after a smooch, they were contractually obliged to marry the kisser. The agreement stood for gallery-goers too — in order to gain kissing privileges you had to present a valid ID and sign a legal document promising you to marriage. The performance ended on a meaningful note however, as the beauty opened her eyes to find a woman's lips. As Ukraine still hasn't legalised same-sex marriage, the work raised important questions about the issue and thankfully gave the participants a loophole to wriggle out of . Chris Burden was crucified to a Volkswagen There's nothing artists love more than a good crucifixion to dredge religion up in their work. If you thought Madonna jumping on a cross for a music video was out there, in his 1974 work 'Trans-fixed', American artist Chris Burden actually crucified himself to a Volkswagen Beetle. For no immediately apparent reason, either. The car came out of a garage for two minutes, revved a little, then returned inside. Obviously he was never one to shy away from pain. In 1973's 'Through the Night Softly' he got down to his underwear and crawled through glass, and in his aptly-titled 1971 work, 'Shoot', he was shot point blank in the arm with a rifle. More power to him. Joseph Beuys spent three days in a small room with a coyote The creeper to inspire all creepers, Joseph Beuys was an influential German artist whose 1974 work 'I Like America and America Likes Me' consisted of him skulking around a gallery in New York with naught but a coyote, some straw to sleep on, and a disturbing get-up that made him look like a gothic shepherd. He was taken from the airport via ambulance, never having stepped on American soil and stated of the work, "I wanted to isolate myself, insulate myself, see nothing of America other than the coyote." Once his time was up, he shared an awkward hug with the somewhat domesticated creature and boarded a plane home. Mike Parr had his lips, eyes, and ears sewn together The only Australian addition to this list, Parr has made a name for himself in the field of self-mutilation. This six-hour endurance piece, 'Close the Concentration Camps', was done in protest to the prolonged detention of asylum seekers during the Howard era, and has a disquieting resonance to this day. In 2002 there were reports some detainees had sewed their mouths shut in protest, but the trauma felt very distant to many Australians. Parr's act of solidarity at the Monash University Museum of Art brought this violence uncomfortably to the fore. Francis Alys enlisted the help of 500 volunteers to move a sand dune 10cm to the left One of the main arguments people have against modern art is that it's inconsequential, and Francis Alys' work certainly makes a good case for them. In his most-famous piece, 'When Faith Moves Mountains', this Belgian artist took to the outskirts of Lima and recruited 500 people to move a sand dune, one shovel at a time, slightly to the left. In response to intense confusion from everyone in the world, he responded, "Sometimes making something leads to nothing, sometimes making nothing leads to something." Artists are nothing if not riddlers, I guess.
UPDATE, Friday, June 20, 2025: 2025's First Nations Film Festival — National Reconciliation Week has been extended until Wednesday, August 6 (from its original end date of Tuesday, June 10). This article has been updated to reflect that change. As part of the flurry of streaming services always competing for our eyeballs, FanForce TV joined the online viewing fold during the COVID-19 pandemic as a pay-per-view platform. The service runs all year round, of course, but it goes the extra mile for National Reconciliation Week, which is when it hosts one leg of the First Nations Film Festival (previously known as the Virtual Indigenous Film Festival). In 2025, the National Reconciliation Week season is taking place between Tuesday, May 27–Wednesday, August 6, all solely online. The returning fest has four features and a collection of shorts on its lineup, starting with The Moogai — which sees writer/director Jon Bell (Cleverman) turn his own short into a full-length film, explore how Australia's past continues to haunt in the process, and brings back his stars Shari Sebbens (The Office) and Meyne Wyatt (Troppo) as a couple grappling with Stolen Generations trauma with their growing family. Also excellent: Like My Brother, a must-watch documentary that follows four young Indigenous women from the Tiwi Islands as they set their sights on playing AFLW at the highest level. With Blown Away, the impact of Cyclone Tracy upon Darwin is in the spotlight four decades later — and Winhanganha, which was commissioned by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, sees Wiradjuri artist Jazz Money examine archives through a First Nations lens. To view this at-home screen celebration, you'll need to buy an all-access pass, which lets you catch everything for $38.
Founded by twins Cam and Chris Grant back in early 2017, Unyoked's tiny houses have been in high demand since the outset. There are 13 cabins across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, including one designed by Matthew McConaughey. All properties have been placed in secret patches of wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city. The off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Unyoked's ethos is to connect back with nature to help unplug, alleviate stress and anxiety. Each cabin is designed to make you feel like you're part of the surrounding landscape, too. Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. [caption id="attachment_745749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Brimble[/caption] Images: Unyoked and Luisa Brimble
Along the coast, just before Newcastle, lies the whale watcher's haven that is Caves Beach. The coastal bushland trek is an easy trail that ends in the clifftops above the beach, just south of Pinny Beach. If you're there for the whales, the track is best for watching the northern migration from May till July. Located in Wallarah National Park, the trail is five kilometres return and takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. The southern end of the beach is also home to a group of sea caves that are accessible at low tide and should not be missed. Images: Destination NSW
Darling Harbour favourite Bungalow 8 is celebrating its 21st anniversary in style with a grand reopening following a $3-million renovation, splitting into two venues – Bungalow 8 and Bungalow Bar and Balcony. Serving King Wharf visitors since 2003, the revamped day-to-night destination, which reopened to the public on Saturday, October 19, boasts a fresh look throughout the two-level venue complete with a new rooftop dining area, tropical courtyard seating and an upstairs cocktail lounge. While this revamp is set to mark a new era of the popular day-to-night venue, Bungalow 8 will still retain its signature tropical charm that attracted celebrities and revellers alike in the early 2000s. For midday diners, the waterfront venue's updated ground floor and courtyard provide the perfect setting for casual lunches or corporate meetings. An oasis in the bustling harbour precinct, Bungalow 8 will feature an array of lush, tropical plants, cabanas with banquet seating and glittering festoon lighting. Upstairs, the newly renovated cocktail bar and balcony provide a stunning view of Darling Harbour, perfect for late-night drinks and glamorous private events. An homage to the original fitout, the bar retains its signature botanical wallpaper and lush green flooring while melding the old with the new using contemporary seating and sleek LED lighting. Don't let this polished new look fool you though — there is fun and mischief to be had at the waterfront venue once the sun sets over Darling Harbour. At night, Bungalow 8 will become a party destination, playing host to a variety of weekend events. With the addition of a custom DJ booth, curated lighting and a top-of-the-line sound system, local DJs and musicians will keep the tunes pumping late into the night every Friday and Saturday. To close out the weekend, the King Street Wharf venues will hold new Sunday Sessions from 2pm, featuring DJ sets accompanied by a live saxophonist. The venue's decor isn't the only part of Bungalow 8 getting a makeover. Curated by Executive Chef Jason Roberson, a new lunch-till-late menu will be launched, featuring crowd favourites like burgers, sandwiches and salads. The menu will also feature a wave of new dishes such as Thai chilli wings dipped in lime crème fraiche or the Bungalow club sandwich on focaccia. Those dining in large groups will find options such as a charcuterie board featuring a selection from LP's Quality Meats, or a shared snack platter with truffle fries, eggplant parmigiana 'arancini', char-grilled corn cob, and salt and pepper calamari. The menu will also include a wide selection of local and international wines and new cocktails to match Bungalow 8's playful and tropical revamp. Try Sandy's Big Night Out on Kings Street Wharf, featuring citron vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple, lemon and mint, or the Picante de la Casa with blue agave tequila, lime, agave, coriander and green tobacco. Venue Manager Teddy Hepworth says customers will have a lot to look forward to from the venue's new era. "There's a lot to love about Bungalow 8's new chapter and we're excited to swing our doors back open to show everyone! New cocktails to shake, a delicious food menu and curated spaces that compliment both our iconic location and atmosphere." Find Bungalow 8 at 3 Lime Street, Sydney CBD, or via King Wharf. For more details, go to the Bungalow 8 website.
The name Knowles may be synonymous with Beyoncé — AKA Kween Bey— but her li'l sis Solange isn't standing in any shadows. The singer, songwriter, actress, model and fashion icon has won a Grammy, starred on the front covers of magazines and released a chart-topping album — and now she's coming to Sydney. It was announced this morning that Solange will be headlining Vivid LIVE 2018, performing four shows on June, 1, 2, 3 and 4. They will be her only Aussie performances this time round. This will be her first Australian performance since she toured back in 2014 (aside from a one-off performance at H&M in 2015). And she has released a tonne of sweet tunes since — including her award-winning album A Seat at the Table, which hit number one in the charts in late 2016. So, in June, expect to hear Solange belt out hits such as 'Don't Touch My Hair' — the lyrics of which the London Evening Standard's editors probably should've heeded — and 'Cranes in the Sky', which won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. To get your hands on tickets, you'll need to enter a ticket ballot. To do so, head to the Opera House's website between now (Monday, February 26) and midnight on Sunday, March 4 and register. Successful applicants will be notified on Thursday, March 8. No other live music acts have yet been announced for Vivid LIVE 2018 — with the rest of the lineup expected to be announced in the upcoming weeks — but if it continues anything like it has started, this year is going to be a banger. Solange will perform four shows at Vivid LIVE 2018 at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall between June 1–4. Registrations for the ticket ballot are now open.
Ask just about any international visitor and they'll tell you how it is: Australia is packed full of creepy crawlies that are all dangerous and mostly deadly. We locals know the situation's not quite as sketchy as all that, but that there are plenty of native snakes, spiders and insects you probably wouldn't want jumping on your face. Well soon, you'll be able to determine the nasty ones from the nice ones with just a quick snap on your smartphone camera, thanks to new app Critterpedia. Currently in the beta testing phase with an artificial intelligence training platform being developed with CSIRO, Critterpedia is the brainchild of a regular Aussie mum and dad, Nic and Murray Scarce. The idea was spawned after fielding continuous questions from visiting British friends and family regarding our scary local wildlife population. So, how does this creature-identification app work? You simply use your device to take a photo of any snake or spider, then Critterpedia will call on its trained algorithm system to classify the beast, also offering details on its family, genus or species. It's designed to educate and raise awareness about our much-maligned Aussie creatures, while removing some of that fear factor. While Australia is home to more than 2000 species of spiders of 170 species, many of them don't pose a serious threat. As you can imagine, there's been a stack of AI work behind Critterpedia's hefty catalogue of info, with hundreds of thousands of images fed to the platform to help train its speedy identification function. CSIRO's digital specialist arm Data61 is collaborating on a special machine-learning engine that can sort through the masses of data to accurately classify species in just moments. While the app is in this development stage, users can do their bit to help train up the algorithm by submitting their own photos of local snakes and spiders. The extra imagery will assist in fine-tuning the platform's recognition systems in the lead-up to its launch. The Critterpedia app is currently in development. You can sign up here to become a tester and contribute photos to help train its algorithm.
From dead characters to killer plants, M Night Shyamalan's films are known for veering off in out-there directions, as everything from The Sixth Sense and The Village to The Happening and Split has shown. So, when a trailer for one of his movies drops, you can expect that it'll tease a strange twist. That's what the first sneak peek at Old did back in February, with the feature's new full trailer now fleshing out a few more details. As already established in the first 30-second clip, Old follows a family led by Gael García Bernal (Ema) and Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) as they head off on a beachside holiday. Finding a particularly secluded spot online, they lap up their scenic surroundings — even when a few more people show up. But then a dead body is spotted floating in the water, putting everyone on edge. Next, the couple's kids disappear behind a few rocks, only to return looking much older than they did mere seconds ago. There's an eerie tone to both the initial sneak peek and the new trailer, unsurprisingly. If you're wondering where Shyamalan will take the concept from there, you'll have to wait until the thriller releases in cinemas in July. The filmmaker has penned the movie's script, too; however, he's based it all Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters' graphic novel Sandcastle. Hoping that it turns out more like Unbreakable and less like The Visit is understandable. As well as Bernal and Krieps, Old has amassed a hefty cast, including Rufus Sewell (The Father), Alex Wolff (Hereditary), Australian actors Abbey Lee (Lovecraft Country) and Eliza Scanlen (Babyteeth), and New Zealand's Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit) — the latter of whom will be hitting our screens a few times this year, given that she also stars in Last Night in Soho. If you're already getting big Lost vibes, Ken Leung (Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens) also features. And no, neither him nor any of his co-stars say "I see old people" in the new trailer. Hopefully that'll remain the same in the movie itself. Check out the new trailer below: Old opens in Australian cinemas on July 22. Top image: Universal Pictures.
Matt Whiley's Re- has sustainability at the core of every element, from its menu to its upcycled and sustainably sourced interior. Since opening in 2021, it's led by example, demonstrating how the hospitality industry can be less wasteful, with Whiley taking out Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award in 2021 at The World's 50 Best Bars awards. This focus on environmentally-conscious operations extends to its drinks list, of course, and the team is continuing to push the boundaries with Re-'s new cocktail menu. The idea around Re-'s ten new cocktails is to divert the world's ten most wasted food items away from landfill and into tasty, one-of-a-kind cocktails. The ten oft-wasted pieces of produce include: bread, dairy, bananas, rice, chicken and eggs, leafy greens, apples, tomatoes, seafood shells and root vegetables — all of which Whiley and co. have creatively turned into different 100 pantry staples and ten signature cocktails. Take seafood shells, for example. Their signature drink combines Tanqueray gin, oyster shell amazake, black granny smith apple, waste wine vermouth and martini caviar into a truly luxe reminiscent of your classic martini. Some of the food waste is incorporated into cocktails in more obvious ways. Like apples, which are combined with Johnnie Walker Black, banana butter, muscat and Lucky Kwong sake. Ingredients like chicken may be more challenging to imagine in your standard negroni. Yet, Whiley isn't one to shy away from a challenge and has created a caramel out of chicken feet which he has combined with Ketel One, black garlic vinegar, cascara and muscat. "For this menu, we've turned each of the world's most wasted food items into 100 pantry staples. From here, we will create recipes with these ingredients, offering an ever-evolving list of cocktails and drinks," says Whiley. These food waste items have also been incorporated into the bar's list of more traditional cocktails including martinis, sgroppinos and old fashioned. "It's never been more important to recognise that we all have a responsibility to make changes now that are so desperately needed to shape our future for the better. We developed Re- with an overriding commitment to sustainability with a minimal-waste mentality and so this new menu is going to help us maintain this ethos. We think about waste all wrong. Food waste isn't mouldy stuff, it is more often perfect produce that someone doesn't want." The plans don't stop here, with Re- announcing it's looking to create 100 drink recipes based on these 100 pantry items across the coming months. Re- is located at Shop 8, 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh. It's open midday–10pm Tuesday–Thursday, midday–midnight Friday and 4pm–midnight Saturday.
"Just f**k — never in my life have I had a sandwich like this before!" While legendary butcher Anthony Puharich may have spent many an hour on the meat grinder in this time, he's certainly not mincing his words when it comes to the results of a collaboration that should have Sydney's sandwich lovers drooling. The humble sanga is getting a gourmet glow-up courtesy of two Harbour City culinary heavyweights. Puharich – the acclaimed meat-smith behind Vic's – has lent his carnivorous expertise to Bhas Pureephat, the mastermind behind Sydney sandwich stalwart Sandoitchi. Together, the pair have crafted a sandwich that elevates the common lunch staple to an experience that will thrill even the most discerning palates. Gastronomic flexes on everyday dishes are hardly a new concept. From top-tier tacos to burgers infused with gold leaf, fancy diner food are a common sight on menus across Australia and around the world. Puharich and Pureephat's contribution to this indulgent genre comes in the form of a Stone Axe fullblood wagyu tenderloin sandwich ($65). Boasting a marbling score of +9 courtesy of 500-day ration-fed cattle, this premium protein is generously paired with a rich and flavourful Yakiniku sauce and spicy wasabi mayo nestled between Sandoitchi's signature brioche roll. Puharich insists only the best is fit for their sandwich: "We've taken it to another level, by using the very best quality blood wagyu available in Australia." But wait, there's more. The duo have also crafted a decadent wagyu fat chocolate mousse and fresh strawberry sandwich ($10) as a sweet and indulgent chaser for the savoury main course. "It's truly exciting to bring this exceptional ingredient to life at Sandoitchi Café. Each dish is carefully prepared to offer a unique experience," Pureephat shares. "This is a rare opportunity for everyone to indulge in the very best of wagyu right at a local café—no reservations required." Puharich adds, "If you're going to have just one sandwich in your life, this is the sandwich to have!" The Stone Axe fullblood wagyu tenderloin sandwich is available now at Sandoitchi in Darlinghurst and Chatswood Chase. Head to the Sandoitchi website for more details.
With temperatures beginning to rise, it's an ideal time to hit the venues near the waterside for a drink or a bite to eat. Whether you missed a European holiday or craving to return, feed your appetites for a Euro-summer with a visit to a beachy bar or restaurant for a long lunch or candle-lit dinner on the waterside. As Sydney is surrounded by sea and harbour, we're spoilt for choice. From a waterfront institution in the east known for its Aperol Spritz to a beachfront eatery in the Shire, here are the top spots you should visit for summer sunset sips and snacks in Sydney.
Located in Hardy's Bay, the Fat Goose is somewhat of a Central Coast institution for baked goods. Its breads, pastries and pies have been eaten by both locals and tourists since 2007. Grab a bacon and egg roll for $7.50 a coffee (it's roasted by Fat Poppy Coffee) and head to the park or hang out in the leafy courtyard in front of a sit-down breakfast. All breads and pastries are made on the premises and turned into delicious dishes, adorably named after local landmarks and people, from the Half Tide Rocks — sautéed mushrooms, shallots, garlic and parsley on toast — to the Killcare Boaties, which is a dish of fennel rosti with premium smoked salmon and creamy scrambled eggs. It also does gluten-free loaves.
A breezy new Sri Lankan restaurant has arrived in Surry Hills, taking over a two-storey space to bring a fun and fresh dining experience to the area. Kurumba comes from the crew behind The Fold in Dulwich Hill, which closed down earlier in 2023. The end of that chapter led to the being of this one, with the team moving to Surry Hills to open an ambitious new multi-space venue. "As much as we loved the community of Dulwich Hill, our dream was always to open up a restaurant and wine bar, and we felt that Surry Hills would help us achieve our dream," says Kurumba General Manager Travin De Hoedt. Upstairs, you'll find the dining room that spotlights traditional Sri Lankan eats while mixing things up with the addition of Sydney menu staples like Sydney rock oysters, Western Australian lobster and smoked brisket. Downstairs, there's a casual bar where you can snack on hoppers over a glass of top-notch wine. "We really loved the concept of blending a wine bar with our cuisine. It felt like something no other Sri Lankan restaurant was doing," continues De Hoedt. "We're very fortunate to have some amazing suppliers that give us the ability to have fun with the drinks list, going for wines that people wouldn't expect to go with Sri Lankan food, and craft cocktails using Sri Lankan spirits like Ceylon Arrack and Colombo 7 Gin that surprise and delight." Highlights from the main dining room include smoked brisket pan rolls, kajugama tiger prawns in a chilli cashew butter and crispy pork belly curry. If you're okay with splurging a little, Kurumba's signature dish is the lobster kottu — a chopped roti, vegetable and lobster-head curry. The set menu is a great way to attack the meal, especially if you're in a group. The $85 per person option runs through the pan rolls, hot butter soft-shell crab, three different curries and tempered cauliflower, all paired with hoppers and rice. Or you can go big with the $125 premium menu, adding the signature lobster kottu and oysters topped with calamansi, coconut water and coriander root to the fold. If you've got the space, there's only one way to round out your meal at Kurumba. While there are a few desserts on offer, the falluda soft serve is a must-try, adding rose syrup, crystallised pistachio and crispy vermicelli to the nostalgic sweet treat. You'll find Kurumba at 555 Crown Street, Surry Hills — open 5.30–11pm Tuesday–Thursday, 12–11pm Friday–Saturday and 12–4pm Sunday. Head to the restaurant's website to browse the full menu and make a reservation.
Ever since opening its Marrickville HQ, Messina has been on a tear of culinary collabs with fellow icons in Sydney's food and drink scenes — as well as expanding its menu from dessert all the way through the day back to breakfast. The latest in that lineup is a one-weekend-only pairing with fellow Marrickville local Olympic Meats, with a two-night takeover of the Messina HQ car park this Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6. If a mix of Messina-made dessert and chargrilled Aussie-Greek delights is exactly the kind of feast that gets your tummy rumbling, you'll want to make a stop for the best car park food that money can buy. What sorts of food you ask? Picture a flaky golden spanikopita (just like it's served at Olympic) packed with wild greens and feta, a lamb shoulder and belly gyro meat 'yeeros' with tsatsoupeli, Messina garlic yogurt, tomato, onion and whey-dressed lettuce and marinated chicken pitogyros with potato, onion, saltsa and pink sauce. Stomach growling yet? What about smoked lamb, pork and kasseri cheese loukanika with Greek Big Mac sauce on a soft roll, or a light watermelon and Colin Woods haloumi salad? We also mentioned dessert: warm loukomades soaked in honey atop a scoop of honey gelato, sprinkled with candied walnuts. You'll be rolling home. Messina Eats: Olympic Meats will run from 12pm until sold out on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, walk-ins only.
Matt Yazbeck knows a thing or two about an encore. After relocating his enduringly popular fine diner Toko to a moody George Street basement in 2022, the Sydney restaurateur is returning to the CBD this spring with KODA. Set to open on Tuesday, November 18, KODA will take over the former Monopole site on Curtin Place, bringing a "no-attitude, fun-times destination" to the heart of the city. "KODA is a cocktail bar and robata grill, fired up with the freshest daily ingredients and a twist on Japanese technique," Yazbeck shares in an exclusive interview with Concrete Playground. "We wanted to create something different from what we already offer [at Toko] — something more accessible without skimping on quality and experience." At the heart of the space is the robata grill, around which diners can perch for a front-row view of the kitchen in action. "The robata grill will be amazing," Yazbeck says. "Guests will be seated around it and all produce will be on an ice display for customers to choose, and chefs to grill and serve." While menu details are still under wraps, there'll be a clear departure from the envelope-pushing creations at Toko. "The flavours will be simpler and let the produce be the hero — flavours won't be too tricked-up," Yazbeck reveals. For something more relaxed, nab a sun-drenched seat by the north-facing wraparound windows for share plates and cocktails. "KODA is as much of a bar as it is a dining destination," Yazbeck explains. "The bar menu is fun and incredibly tasty — everything has a Japanese hint, but it won't be as refined as Toko." To that end, KODA's drinks list will draw inspiration from the kitchen — rooted in Japanese flavours, but not bound by them. "We use a Japanese sake or spirit as the base for most of our original cocktails," Yazbeck says. "[You'll also find] Japanese flavours and ingredients like yuzu, lychee, watermelon throughout." The venue's design will also echo the easygoing ethos. Timber star lights woven around the perimeter, cherry blossoms draped from the ceiling and those showpiece wraparound windows that let in plenty of natural light will define the room's aesthetic. "Again," says Yazbeck, "the atmosphere will lean into Japanese but won't be owned by it." Taking over the old Monopole site might come with the burden of expectation, but Yazbeck is clear that KODA stands on its own. "The concept was built before the site was locked in," he says. "The location lends itself perfectly to the concept, which has been years in the making — it's a very different offering targeting a different audience." In stark contrast to its predecessor, which was very much a venue for occasion dining, KODA is pitched as an everyday offer — the kind of place you could drop into for an after-work drink and snack, or settle in for a full robata feast. "We want people to use KODA as an escape from the usual," says Yazbeck. "We want people to feel that it's their own space to enjoy. It's an accessible venue for people to visit numerous times a week if they choose. Walk-ins are encouraged, but bookings will be taken for the grill and a handful of seats. We would love for KODA to be the highlight of our guests' week." KODA is set to open on Tuesday, November 18, at 16/20 Curtin Place, Sydney. Stay tuned to Concrete Playground for more details.
If you've ever wondered what a sushi fare from Black Star Pastry would look like, taste like or even entail, you needn't wonder any longer. In celebration of International Sushi Day, the popular Australian mainstay will completely transform its Rosebery site from a bakery-slash-cafe into a Japanese-style izakaya serving up sweet and savoury sushi. After putting itself on the map with its coveted watermelon cake, the dessert brand has not shied away from concepts and collaborations that riff on its offerings in the past. From cocktails inspired by its cakes and festive treats to a meteor cake celebrating World Chocolate Day, Black Star Pastry has served up many reimaginations of its creations. [caption id="attachment_800490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Star Pastry's flagship in Newtown[/caption] Next, you'll find a weekend-long pop-up at its Rosebery spot. From Friday, June 21–Sunday, June 23, the joint will be decorated with paper lanterns to match the sushi-themed dishes that it'll be slinging — and its menu will even see the return of its Ari-Gateaux (a fun fusion of Japanese and French which loosely translates to "hello cake") sushi cake. If you manage to secure a spot, you're in store for a showcase of the Black Star Pastry crew's incredible culinary skill. As for the lineup of Willy Wonka-esque treats on offer, expect a chestnut cream-filled gâteau sponge with poached pears and finger lime 'caviar'; a grapefruit jelly-, julienned rockmelon- and lemongrass cream-starring creation to lead the sushi rolls; a torched rockmelon nigiri; a pomegranate molasses and yuzu 'soy sauce'; matcha white chocolate 'wasabi'; and pickled apples in place of pickled ginger. Plus, you'll be able to pair these limited-edition dishes with neo-Japanese drinks. The sips selection stars reimagined variations of Japanese street food containing Four Pillars spirits, such as doughnut yakitori, a matcha-centred cocktail and a Japanese chicken curry pie-inspired option. Tickets for a meal at the izakaya are priced at $70 with seatings available from 6–7pm, and go on sale from Thursday, May 30. If you're looking to get your hands on the famed 'Ari-Gateaux' cake, you'll need to preorder as stocks will be limited. The item is priced at $16 a pop, and you'll be able to collect your order from the Newtown store — and Melburnians can join in on the action by ordering pickup at the Driver Lane locale on Tuesday, June 18. Black Star Pastry's izakaya pop-up will run from Friday, June 21–Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the corner of Dunning Avenue and Hayes Street in Rosebery. Head to the Black Star Pastry website to pre-order your Ari-Gateaux cake, or visit the izakaya's reservations page to secure your spot at the limited-time pop-up.
In honour of the recent selection of the winner of the World Press Photo awards this week, here are each of the winners from 1955 to 2011. They say a picture tells a thousand words, and this old statement is strikingly appropriate for what's displayed here. Some truly moving and iconic pieces are featured; let's hope that the coming year's winner can uphold the tradition. Warning: some images contain graphic or objectionable content. 1955 A competitor tumbles off his motorcycle during the Motorcross World Championship at the Volk Mølle race course. (Mogens von Haven) 1956 A German World War II prisoner, released by the Soviet Union, is reunited with his daughter. The child had not seen her father since she was one-year-old. (Helmuth Pirath) 1957 Dorothy Counts, one of the first black students to enter the newly desegregated Harry Harding High School is mocked by whites on her first day of school. (Douglas Martin) 1958 National Football Championships between Prague and Bratislava. (Stanislav Tereba) 1960 A right-wing student in Japan assassinates Inejiro Asanuma, Socialist Party Chairman, during his speech at the Hibiya Hall. (Yasushi Nagao) 1962 Priest Luis Padillo offers last rites to a loyalist soldier who is mortally wounded by a sniper during military rebellion against President Bétancourt at Puerto Cabello naval base in Venezuela. (Héctor Rondón Lovera) 1963 Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc sets himself ablaze in protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. (Malcolm W. Browne) 1964 A Turkish woman mourns her dead husband, a victim of the Greek-Turkish civil war. (Don McCullin) 1965 A mother and her children wade across a river to escape US bombing. The US Air Force had evacuated their village because it was suspected of being used as a base camp by the Vietcong. (Kyoichi Sawada) 1966 The body of a Vietcong soldier is dragged behind an American armored vehicle en route to a burial site after fierce fighting. (Kyoichi Sawada) 1967 The commander of an M48 tankgunner of the US 7th regiment in Vietnam's 'Iron Triangle'. (Co Rentmeester) 1968 South Vietnam national police chief Nguyen Ngoc Loan executes a suspected Viet Cong member. (Eddie Adams) 1969 A young Catholic wears a gasmask during clashes with British troops. People had been fleeing from teargas after a night of street fighting. (Hanns-Jörg Anders) 1971 During negotiations on the safe-conduct of a group of criminals on the run, police superintendent Gross suddenly shoots down gang leader Kurt Vicenik. The gang, who had disappeared after a bank-robbery in Cologne, re-emerged near Saarbrücken, carrying a hostage with them. A chase followed and the police and the robbers met at Baltersweiler. The two other men were captured in a wild fight. The men running away from the bullets are policemen. (Wolfgang Peter Geller) 1972 Phan Thi Kim Phuc (center) flees with other children after South Vietnamese planes mistakenly dropped napalm on South Vietnamese troops and civilians. (Nick Ut) 1973 Democratically elected President Salvador Allende moments away from death during military coup at Moneda presidential palace in Chile. (Orlando Lagos) 1974 The Faces of Hunger. A mother comforts her child, both victims of drought. (Ovie Carter) 1975 A mother and her daughter are hurled off a collapsing fire-escape in an apartment house fire in Boston. (Stanley Forman) 1976 Palestinian refugees in district La Quarantaine. (Françoise Demulder) 1977 Police throw tear-gas at a group of chanting residents of the Modderdam squatter camp protesting against the demolition of their homes outside Cape Town. (Leslie Hammond) 1978 A demonstrator is engulfed in flames of the molotov cocktail he was about to throw at the police during protests against the construction of the New Tokyo International Airport. The original Narita Airport plan was unveiled in 1966. To acquire the initial land, the government had to evict protesting landowners. Violent clashes between the opponents and authorities resulted in 13 deaths, including five police officers. The new airport opened in May 1978. (Sadayuki Mikami) 1979 A Cambodian woman cradles her child while waiting for food to be distributed at a refugee camp. (David Burnett) 1980 A starving boy and a missionary in Uganda. (Mike Wells) 1981 Lt. Col. Antonio Tejero Molina orders everyone to remain seated and be quiet after armed Guardia Civil soldiers stormed the Assembly Hall of the Spanish Parliament. Three hundred deputies and cabinet members were in session to vote upon the succession of premier Suarez. They were released next morning after having been held hostage for almost 18 hours; the coup was a failure. (Manuel Pérez Barriopedro) 1982 The war in Lebanon: The aftermath of the massacre of Palestinians by Christian Phalangists in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. (Robin Moyer) 1983 Kezban Özer (37) finds her five children buried alive after a devastating earthquake. At five o'clock in the morning she and her husband were milking the cows as their children slept. A few minutes later, 147 villages in the region were destroyed by an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 on the Richter scale; 1,336 people died. (Mustafa Bozdemir) 1984 A child killed by the poisonous gas leak in the Union Carbide chemical plant disaster. (Pablo Bartholomew) 1985 Omaira Sanchez (12) is trapped in the debris caused by the eruption of Nevado del Ruíz volcano. After sixty hours she eventually lost consciousness and died of a heart attack. (Frank Fournier) 1986 Ken Meeks' (42) skin is marked with lesions caused by AIDS-related Kaposi's Sarcoma. (Alon Reininger) 1987 A mother clings to a riot policeman's shield at a polling station. Her son was one of thousands of demonstrators arrested because they tried to prove that the presidential election on December 15, which was won by the government candidate, had been rigged. (Anthony Suau) 1988 Boris Abgarzian grieves for his 17-year-old son, victim of the Armenian earthquake. (David Turnley) 1989 A demonstrator confronts a line of People's Liberation Army tanks during protests for democratic reform. (Charlie Cole) 1990 Family and neighbors mourn the death of Elshani Nashim (27), killed during a protest against the Yugoslavian government's decision to abolish the autonomy of Kosovo. (Georges Merillon) 1991 US Sergeant Ken Kozakiewicz (23), gives vent to his grief as he learns that the body bag at his feet contains the remains of his friend Andy Alaniz. 'Friendly fire' claimed Alaniz's life and injured Kozakiewicz. On the last day of the Gulf War they were taken away from the war zone by a MASH unit evacuation helicopter. (David Turnley) 1992 A mother carries her dead child to the grave, after wrapping it in a shroud according to local custom. A bad drought coupled with the effects of civil war caused a terrible famine in Somalia which claimed the lives of between one and two million people over a period of two years, more than 200 a day in the worst affected areas. The international airlift of relief supplies which started in July was hampered by heavily armed gangs of clansmen who looted food storage centers and slowed down the distribution of the supplies by aid organizations. (James Nachtwey) 1993 Boys raise toy guns in a gesture of defiance. The Palestinian uprising, which began in December 1987, strengthened the Arab population in their determination to fight the occupying force. In March Israel closed its border with Gaza, causing a massive rise in unemployment. With more than 800,000 people contained in the Israeli-patrolled, eight-km-wide strip of land, bloodshed increased sharply. The peace agreement signed in Washington on September 13 promised limited authority for the Gaza Strip and a withdrawal of the Israeli army. (Larry Towell) 1994 A Hutu man at a Red Cross hospital, his face mutilated by the Hutu 'Interahamwe' militia, who suspected him of sympathizing with the Tutsi rebels. (James Nachtwey) 1995 A bus on the road leading to Grozny during fighting between Chechen independence fighters and Russian troops. The civil war which erupted when President Yeltsin sent troops to the rebellious province in December 1994 was still dragging on months later. When the Chechen fighters fled Grozny, the capital, where the war had claimed a horrendous human and material toll, Russian troops pursued them into the countryside to the south and east. (Lucian Perkins) 1996 Landmine victims in Kuito, a town where many people were killed and traumatized during the civil war. (Francesco Zizola) 1997 A woman cries outside the Zmirli Hospital, where the dead and wounded were taken after a massacre in Bentalha. (Hocine) 1998 A woman is comforted by relatives and friends at the funeral of her husband. The man was a soldier with the ethnic Albanian rebels of the Kosovo Liberation Army, fighting for independence from Serbia. He had been shot the previous day while on patrol. (Dayna Smith) 1999 A man walks the streets in one of the largest gathering points for ethnic Albanian refugees fleeing violence in Kosovo. (Claus Bjørn Larsen) 2000 The mother of a Mexican immigrant family makes piñatas to support herself and her children. The family numbers among the millions of 'uncounted' Americans, people who for one reason or another have been missed by the national census and so don't exist in population records. (Lara Jo Regan) 2001 The body of a one-year-old boy who died of dehydration is prepared for burial at Jalozai refugee camp. The child's family, originally from North Afghanistan, had sought refuge in Pakistan from political instability and the consequences of drought. The family gave the photographer permission to attend as they washed and wrapped his body in a white funeral shroud, according to Muslim tradition. In the overcrowded Jalozai camp, 80,000 refugees from Afghanistan endured squalid conditions. (Erik Refner) 2002 A boy holds his dead father's trousers as he squats beside the spot where his father is to be buried, surrounded by soldiers and villagers digging graves for victims of an earthquake in Armenia. (Eric Grigorian) 2003 An Iraqi man comforts his four-year-old son at a holding center for prisoners of war, in the base camp of the US Army 101st Airborne Division near An Najaf. The boy had become terrified when, according to orders, his father was hooded and handcuffed. A soldier later severed the plastic handcuffs so that the man could comfort his child. Hoods were placed over detainees' heads because they were quicker to apply than blindfolds. The military said the bags were used to disorient prisoners and protect their identities. It is not known what happened to the man or the boy. (Jean-Marc Bouju) 2004 A woman mourns a relative killed in the tsunami. On December 26, a 9.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered a series of deadly waves that traveled across the Indian Ocean, wreaking havoc in nine Asian countries, and causing fatalities as far away as Somalia and Tanzania. (Arko Datta) 2005 The fingers of malnourished Alassa Galisou (1) are pressed against the lips of his mother Fatou Ousseini at an emergency feeding center. One of the worst droughts in recent times, together with a particularly heavy plague of locusts that had destroyed the previous year's harvest, left millions of people severely short of food. (Finbarr O'Reilly) 2006 Young Lebanese drive down a street in Haret Hreik, a bombed neighborhood in southern Beirut. (Spencer Platt) 2007 A soldier of Second Platoon, Battle Company of the Second Battalion of the US 503rd Infantry Regiment sinks onto an embankment in the Restrepo bunker at the end of the day. (Tim Hetherington) 2008 Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office enters a home, following mortgage foreclosure and eviction. He needs to check that the owners have vacated the premises, and that no weapons have been left lying around. (Anthony Suau) 2009 Women shout their dissent from a Tehran rooftop on 24 June, following Iran's disputed presidential election. (Pietro Masturzo) 2010 Bibi Aisha, an 18-year-old woman from Oruzgan province in Afghanistan, fled back to her family home from her husband's house, complaining of violent treatment. The Taliban arrived one night, demanding Bibi be handed over to face justice. After a Taliban commander pronounced his verdict, Bibi's brother-in-law held her down and her husband sliced off her ears and then cut off her nose. Bibi was abandoned, but later rescued by aid workers and the U.S. military. (Jodi Bieber) 2011 A veiled woman holds a wounded relative "inside a mosque used as a field hospital by demonstrators against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen. (Samuel Aranda) [via Buzzfeed]
If it wasn't for Violet Crumbles, the world wouldn't have quite a few things. Firstly, we wouldn't have the pleasure of biting into those chocolate-honeycomb bars themselves, and tasting that delicious flavour combination. We also wouldn't have the slogan "it's the way it shatters that matters", which is up there with the catchiest advertising lines of all time. And, Bertie Beetles wouldn't exist, because the showbag favourite was initially created to use the pieces of honeycomb left over from making — you guessed it — Violet Crumbles. Thankfully, no one needs to live in a world without either Violet Crumbles or Bertie Beetles — or, thanks to your next must-try cocktail, without Violet Crumble espresso martinis, too. The latter has just hit the market thanks to the Melbourne-based Feminaè Beverage Co, and it is indeed exactly what it sounds like. Now it's the way your caffeinated boozy tipple shatters that matters, too. Sold in hefty two-litre ready-to-drink casks, the VC espresso martinis are made with cold-drip coffee, vodka and Australian cream, and then infused with Violet Crumble honeycomb, caramel and chocolate flavours. A box will set you back $79.90, and includes 24 standard drinks — for parties, or just to keep in the fridge for when the urge strikes. You'll also get a Violet Crumble bar to shatter over the cocktails — or just to eat if you'd prefer. (Let's face it, if you're keen on this kind of espresso martini, you're already a fiend for the chocolate bar itself.) Feminaè is only releasing a limited run, which means ordering sooner rather than latter is recommended — and they're already shipping the casks out. The company also has a passionfruit and pavlova cosmo in its range — now sold out, sadly — if you're already thinking about what other sweet treats deserve to be turned into cocktails. Our suggestion: Bertie Beetles, naturally. Feminaè Beverage Co's Violet Crumble espresso martini casks are available to buy online for $79.90 while stocks last.
With the DIY trend in full force, everything from making your own jewellery to flavoured butter is 'in'. And although these projects look super-easy on Pinterest, they often don't turn out as well as one would hope (unless you're a crafty blogger mum). Luckily, there are little things called 'workshops' to guide you through the process. This terrarium-building one will teach you how to build your own mini-garden, even if you don't have a green thumb. And a florist, Justine Rose, hosts it; with a surname like that, you know she's legit. Everything you could need, including tools, a vase, tiny plants and earthy materials will be provided. All you need to do is show up with two small, cleaned glass jars, in case you want to make more for Christmas gifts. Its grammar school crafting on a grown-up level. Mum will be sure to love it even more than your noodle necklace from kindergarten.
With staycations still firmly on the docket in Australia, there's never been a better time to explore our own backyard. New South Wales is filled with adventure, whether you've lived in the state for a few years or a few decades. From a luxury weekend cruise with P&O Cruises to self-guided winery tours on an e-bike, here are five ways to explore NSW on the cheap. These local excursions won't blow your entire bank account either — so you can keep saving up for that overseas holiday that will hopefully be on the cards soon. [caption id="attachment_804203" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE AN E-BIKE TOUR OF THE MUDGEE WINE REGION Instead of taking your umpteenth trip to the exxy Hunter Valley, head to another of New South Wales' incredible wine regions. Our pick is Mudgee. Set about three hours' drive from Sydney, this charming town is dotted with heritage-listed storefronts and surrounded by a range of top-notch wineries — many of which are accessible by bicycle. Make it a cruisy ride with the recently launched Ezyride electric bikes, with prices ranging from $65 for a half-day, up to $225 for a three-day hire. On the wine front, keep an eye out for Portuguese-style drops from Mansfield Wines, organic wines from Thistle Hill and Italian varietals from Di Lusso Estate, plus the award-winning Robert Stein Winery and Lowe Family Wine Co. When you need a break from wine-hopping, get on your bike and head to some of the region's many wetlands, waterfalls and rolling hills. [caption id="attachment_804206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton, Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A ROAD TRIP AROUND THE STATE IN A CAMPERVAN While flights around Australia can continue to pose a risk to travellers, there's plenty of adventure to be had on the open road. For your next road trip, combine your transport and accommodation in one by hiring a campervan. Campervan hire in Sydney won't blow the budget out, and gives you the ultimate flexibility around how you plan your adventure. Operators like Spaceships and Jucy both come equipped with everything you'll need for a short or long road trip. If you're looking to head down south, take the scenic route to the Victorian border via Kosciuszko National Park. Along the way, stop into Cooma for a truffle-inspired brunch and truffle hunt at Macenmist Black Truffles and Wines, explore the historic town of Jindabyne with a leisurely bike ride along the Lake Jindabyne Foreshore Trail, and head around the mountain to discover one of the region's many stunning hiking trails. Take the coastal route back to Sydney and enjoy the crystal clear waters of Pambula, Mollymook and Jervis Bay. Don't forget to stop into Tathra for some of Australia's very best oysters, before heading back into town via Clifton's stunning Sea Cliff Bridge. Headed north? It's hard to go past dolphin and whale watching at Emerald Beach, majestic sunsets at Caves Beach and incredible waterfall walks at Dorrigo National Park, not to mention Cabarita Beach, which was named Australia's best beach in 2020. For more suggestions, check out our Road Tripper Guides. GO ON A COMEDY CRUISE With international travel a no-go, you might think cruises are off the table — and you may not have the time or money to spend on a weeks-long vacation. Luckily for Sydneysiders, P&O offers short-break cruises, so you can spend a long weekend on the open seas without blowing your budget. For those with a funny bone, opt for P&O's three-night Comedy Cruise (starting at $398.50 per person), which brings together some of Australia's top comedians for gigs and workshops in the onboard comedy club. You'll even get to try your hand at your own stand-up routine, with performances judged by the celebrity comedians. If you're in the mood for a more relaxing stay, you can while away the hours poolside from the comfort of a shaded cabana, or indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment. You can also enjoy one of the many restaurants, bars and nightclubs onboard before retiring to your luxury accommodation, with some rooms boasting private balconies. [caption id="attachment_789748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Donkey Mountain Wolgan Valley, Blue Mountains, Destination NSW[/caption] MAKE A LIST OF NSW'S TOP TREKS AND TICK THEM OFF ONE BY ONE With its diverse range of mountainous terrain, stunning beaches and breathtaking coastline, New South Wales has something to offer every trekker. Apart from feeding your adventurous spirit, hiking also has the added benefit of being a free-of-charge activity in most instances (park fees aside). We suggest making a list of your bucket list hikes in the state and ticking them off one by one. Not sure where to start? Lucky for you, we've done the research for you. Looking to conquer a mountain or two? Check out our picks for epic mountain hikes. Into the ocean? Our list of NSW's best coastal and seaside walks will get you started. And hardcore trekkers will love our overnight and multi-day hikes. [caption id="attachment_804191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emerald Beach, Destination NSW[/caption] BOOK A BEACH ESCAPE — THAT'S NOT BYRON OR BATEMANS There's more than one way to soak up the sun, sand and sea in our state. Sure, Byron and Batemans Bay are popular for a reason. But if you want to avoid the crowds (not to mention the jacked up tourist prices), look outside these spots to some of New South Wales' other gorgeous seaside locations. A few of our favourite coastal towns to rent a beach house in include Berry, Ulladulla, Tathra and Pambula down south, or South West Rocks, Crescent Head and Emerald Beach up north. All of these will offer an equally stunning beach getaway, without breaking the bank. You can even combine a few beach hut stays with your aforementioned campervan trip, giving you a few rest stops along the way. For more information about P&O Cruises, head to the company's website. Top image: Sea Cliff Bridge, Destination NSW
Next time that you're looking for a cocktail spot, follow the pins. That's what The Pinnacle Guide, the new bar recognition system that's throwing some love at the top watering holes around the world, gives out. Michelin does stars, this ranking does pins — and on its just-announced first batch of picks, two Australian bars have made the cut. Scoring one pin apiece: El Primo Sanchez and Maybe Sammy, both in Sydney. The duo both hail from the same crew, in fact, and now have bragging rights over Australia's other cocktail havens. In total, 25 bars received one pin and 12 were given two pins. Nowhere has nabbed three pins so far. [caption id="attachment_889906" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Created by three folks behind London Cocktail Week — Hannah Sharman-Cox, Siobhan Payne and Dan Dove — The Pinnacle Guide doesn't just make its selections based on beverages and bar service. Also considered: an establishment's approach to sustainability, diversity and philanthropy. The idea is for the guide's pinned watering holes to reflect everything that's required to be a cocktail bar, and that The Pinnacle Guide is the kind of list that heroes versatility as well. Bars submit to be considered, which requires them to provide information on their drinks program, how they manage their staff, and both the venue's aesthetics and its vibes. From there, anonymous reviewers comprised of mixologists, industry experts and bar enthusiasts undertake in-person reviews to decide which places deserve a place in the guide. [caption id="attachment_941736" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] To get a pin, a bar must be considered excellent, outstanding or exceptional both in front of and behind the bar. Securing three pins requires both the written application and the service during the reviewer's visit to be exceptional, and no venue has achieved that so far. Other overall considerations by The Pinnacle Guide include that commitment to sustainability, and ensuring that the drinks list expands beyond booze, with at least two curated non-alcoholic drinks required on the menu (so, thoughtful mocktails, not basic soft drinks). [caption id="attachment_889910" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] "We've been overwhelmed by the incredible response to the first round of applications for The Pinnacle Guide. In revealing this first list, we have been able to realise our goal of celebrating the extraordinary range of cocktail bars the world has to offer — from tiny drinking dens to majestic hotel bars," said Dove. "We're proud of our unique submissions process, which has allowed these deserving bars to shine — and we're excited to shed light on many many more in the months and years to come." In the first picks made since The Pinnacle Guide's applications opened in November 2023, entries came from around the globe, including Australia, the UK, the US, Singapore, Spain, Mexico and Dubai. Maybe Sammy's inclusion adds another accolade to its lengthy collection, including being named the number-one bar in the data-driven Top 500 Bars list for 2023 and also coming in 15th on The World's 50 Best Bars list for last year. The Pinnacle Guide's Pinned Bars: Three-pin bars: None Two-pin bars: ATLAS, Singapore Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, Phoenix, USA Nipperkin, London, UK Origin Bar, Shangri-La Singapore, Singapore Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, UK Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain Pretty Decent, Louisville, USA Selva, Oaxaca, Mexico The American Bar at Gleneagles, Auchterarder, UK The Spy Bar at Raffles London, UK Thunderbolt, Los Angeles, USA True Laurel, San Francisco, USA One-pin bars: Artesian, London, UK Ballroom by Barbary Coast, Singapore Blue Bar at The Berkeley, London, UK Couch, Birmingham, UK Cure, New Orleans, USA El Primo Sanchez, Sydney, Australia Kiki Lounge, Isle of Man, UK KOL Mezcaleria, London, UK Kwant Mayfair, London, UK Little Rituals, Phoenix, USA Magnus on Water, Maine, USA Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia Meteor, Minneapolis, USA Milady's, New York City, USA Nightjar Shoreditch, London, UK Passing Fancies, Birmingham, UK Rattlebag, Belfast, UK Roka Dubai, UAE Sexy Fish, London, UK Sexy Fish, Manchester UK Side Hustle, London, UK Swift Soho, London, UK The Dead Rabbit, New York City, USA The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles, London, UK Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese, London, UK For more information about The Pinnacle Guide and its pinned bars, head to its website. Find El Primo Sanchez at 27–33 Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney. Find Maybe Sammy at 115 Harrington Street, The Rocks, Sydney. Top image: Steven Woodburn.
In terms of physical proximity to the night sky, Sydney Observatory is a pretty good starting point. One of the highest points overlooking Sydney Harbour, its building houses three telescopes — including the oldest working telescope in Australia, which was built for the 1874 transit of Venus. And for those of you who prefer gazing at the star closest to us, without getting completely blinded, there's a telescope that lets you look at the sun. The Observatory runs night and day tours, workshops exploring early Indigenous astronomy and a range of short courses. Plus on those special days when there are eclipses, the Observatory hosts dedicated events. This is definitely the first step for every would-be Galileo.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Flickerfest. As the director of Flickerfest for the past 16 years, Bronwyn Kidd has programmed thousands of short films — and seen many, many more. She's got such a strong eye, in fact, that three categories in the festival are Academy® Accredited, giving their filmmakers a track to the Oscars. She shared with us her top seven films to keep a particularly close eye on at Flickerfest. So no getting distracted by the Bondi stars or ducking out for a drink at the bar when you see these titles flash on the screen. "It's always hard with so many great short films to choose from, but here are some of my personal faves out of the 106 short films in competition handpicked from 2200 entries received from this years fest," says Bronwyn. "I'm a big fan of truly unique, creative short films, so these are just some of the ones that have stood out for me. "One of the reasons I'm still so passionate about short film is that I believe that the short film format creates the opportunity to experiment and surprise without the pressures to conform of the commercial features world, and these shorts certainly fit that category." SEQUENCE Spain / 20min / 2013 A quirky short about everyones worse nightmare — what if you wake up one day and realise the entire world has dreamed about you? 216 MONTHS France / 26min / 2012 Weird and wonderful. Nothing is comparable to the success of Maureen, the ventriloquist singer, except her belly: it is simply outrageous. But a shadow is hanging over her career and that of her manager husband’s. The entrancing voice that comes out of Maureen’s insides has a name: Charles. He will soon be 18, the rebellious age, and he has one sole objective in life: to be born. THE MISSING SCARF Ireland / 7min / 2013 Quirky and surprising. Albert the Squirrel makes a startling discovery: an empty space where once his favourite scarf lay. He heads off into the forest only to find everyone else is preoccupied with worries of their own. He helps who he can before moving on but never seems to get any closer to his goal. Ultimately, Albert’s problem is put in perspective by the friends he helped and the problems they faced and overcame together. BUTTER LAMP France/China / 16min / 2013 Sweet and exotic. A young photographer and his assistant suggest to Tibetan nomads to take their picture. Through these shots, the photographer will weave unique links with each of the various villagers. THE KINGDOM OF DOUG Australia / 15min / 2013 Josie and her fellow cult members have gathered in an ice skating rink to commit mass suicide. When Josie loses faith in Doug, her charismatic cult leader, she starts questioning their choice to die. TANGO UNDERPANTS Australia / 13:40 / 2013 Carolyn, a young Australian backpacker, travels to Buenos Aries, where she discovers not only the wonders of the tango but also the vital importance of the right underwear. Starring Emma Booth. JAMBO AMANI Spain / 32min / 2013 A group of Congolese FDLR militiamen have decided to renounce violence surrender their weapons and enter the reintegration programme of the the United Nations. Happy to leave behind the troubled mountains of North Kivu, they take a helicopter to the city of Goma, where a new life is about to begin. They're all part of the packed Flickerfest 2014 program. Details and screening times are on their website.
Lighten your run with Mizuno, then lighten your spirits at the Color Run after party. Two rules govern the Color Run. First, turn up at the start line at 9am, dressed according to the official dress code: a white shirt. The adornment of the rest of your anatomy is a matter of personal choice. Rainbow tutus, crochet moustaches and leg warmers resembling packets of Life Savers are often part of the scenery. Second, appear 5 kilometres later at the finish line, doused in colour. How you get there is up to you. Even though the event is known as a 'fun run', travelling methods tend to vary from traditional marathon style to human wheelbarrow-ing to commando crawling. The colour part is easy — every kilometre, participants find themselves in a sea of bright cornflour pigment. None of the usual running event conventions apply. Time keeping, winners, divisions, Personal Bests and the like are all overwhelmed by the focus on having a good time. "[It's] less about speed and more about enjoying a colour crazy day with your friends and family," the Sydney Color Run site reads. Whether you're slower than the proverbial tortoise or fast enough to consider taking on Usain Bolt, you'll feel as though you're a vital part of the action. The Color Run was established in January 2012 by American triathlete Travis Snyder. Last year, 600,000 people joined in at 50 events around the world. This year, it's looking more like a million participants and 100 gatherings. The Color Run is a commercial enterprise, but the organisers do sometimes partner up with local charities. This month's Sydney race will support the Celebrate Life Foundation and the Cure for Life Foundation. Excited? Looking for the Registration webpage? We're sorry to have to tell you that the next Sydney run, to be held on August 25, has already sold out. If you're keen enough to travel, however, you can get your rainbow on at 15 other locations around the nation, the nearest being Wollongong, and the furthest away, Perth.
Since April 2017, Manly Spirits Co. has been bringing handcrafted Australian spirits to the northern beaches and beyond. It's the brainchild of couple David and Vanessa, who spent 18 months visiting distilleries across the US, the UK and Europe before setting up their own digs in Manly. To sample their creations, swing by the distillery's tasting bar. Lined with light timber, splashed with copper and dotted with turquoise-topped bar stools, this cosy spot hits just the right balance of coastal breeziness and pared-back industrial style. Those unfamiliar with Manly Spirits should start with a tasting. There's a choice of four, including the Distillery Tasting Flight, which lets you sample three drops, and the G&T Flight, which includes premium tonic water, an ice bucket and garnishes, so you can mix and match to suit your tastes. The Manly Spirits range takes much of its inspiration from Australian natives, especially those available along Sydney's coastline. The Marine Botanical Vodka, for example, features kelp and sea parsley foraged from local beaches, while the Coastal Citrus Gin is infused with lemon aspen, lemon myrtle, meyer lemon, sea parsley and coriander. There are whiskies and liqueurs, too. Should you get peckish, the snacks menu offers cheese, sardines, jamon andr olives. Alternatively, you're welcome to order a pizza from nearby Mimmo or Sale Pepe. Images: Alana Dimou.
Celebrating a decade of wintery debauchery, the Greenwood Hotel's much-loved Snow Festival is back from Friday, June 27–Sunday, July 6. Featuring a jam-packed lineup, this North Shore institution has been fully transformed into an Aspen-themed wonderland, with 50 tonnes of real snow making this bustling program an unforgettable experience. For the 2025 edition, one of the headline attractions is the 20-metre toboggan slide, where the whole family can get involved in this adrenaline-pumping experience usually reserved for the snowfields. Then, it's time for the Canada Day Party on Saturday, June 28. Everything Great White North is going down, from street hockey showdowns and themed trivia to massive giveaways, including a return United Airlines flight to Canada. Like every good mountain resort, the Greenwood Snow Festival hosts Winter Night Markets. From Monday, June 30–Friday, July 4, expect fashion, art and homewares alongside mulled wine, winter cocktails, street food bites and live music. There's also the chance to break out your boot-scootin' ways, as Shania Twain Line Dancing takes over the Greenwood's usual dance class on Tuesday, July 1, with non-stop hits and endless yee-haws. The following night welcomes Mario Kart Snowdown: Battle of the Businesses. Putting corporate pride on the line, you'll compete on the controller to see who can glide their way to victory. And it's just for bragging rights. The office with the best time will receive 15 percent off the Greenwood Hotel for the whole year. With loads more parties and events happening throughout the Greenwood Snow Festival, now is the time to prepare your winter outfit for the faux slopes of North Sydney.
It has been 11 art-filled years since Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art first opened its doors, and the creative riverside hub just keeps going from strength to strength. As unveiled on Friday, July 13, GOMA is now home to an illuminating new permanent work: Night Life, a brand light installation by artist James Turrell. You might be familiar with the Arizona-based artist's piees if you've been to Mona or the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). He's the one behind the sky-centred installations at both galleries — at Mona, the gazebo-like Armana lights up at sunrise and sunset each day, and at the NGA in Canberra, Within without acts as an outdoor viewing chamber to enhance your view of the sky. All up, Turrell has created 80 'skyspaces' like these around the world. Brisbane's Turrell piece isn't a standalone structure like these other two Australian works. Instead, Night Life lights up GOMA's eastern and southern white façades from within the building, using an 88-minute-long shifting pattern of vibrant coloured light developed by Turrell especially for the location. GOMA director Chris Saines describes it as "a permanent solid light installation that is a deeply immersive field of slowly changing colour." When illuminated — which it will be from sunset to midnight each and every night from this point onwards — the gallery is visible from across the river and around South Bank's cultural precinct. Commissioned for GOMA's tenth anniversary, while Night Life is a new addition, it actually ties into the gallery's history. As Saines explains, "during the development of GOMA, lead architects Kerry Clare, Lindsay Clare and James Jones envisaged an artist-illuminated 'white box' on the gallery's main pedestrian approaches. More than a decade on, Turrell's architectural light installation realises the potential of GOMA's white box façade, and completes a major aspect of the architects' original design intention." Images: James Turrell's architectural light installation at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA. By Lauren Vadnjal and Sarah Ward.
Well, winter has certainly made its impending arrival known. Even before we officially started the season, we were blasted with chilly climes, making us all collectively moan about how cold it is and once again act as if we've never experienced winter before. But hold it right there. Winter is a good thing, people. It brings heaps of things to do in our fair city, and it marks the return of the best drink deal going. Nothing warms from the inside out like a nice stiff drink, especially one that costs you nearly half of what you'd usually pay. That's right, Merivale has brought back its deal offering 49 percent off drinks under $200, available from 5–7pm at nearly 40 of its venues for all of June — just because. Just because you've almost made it to the halfway point of 2019; just because you're avoiding the EOFY rush at work; just because Merivale felt like indulging Sydney's population. With 30 days to play with, we've teamed up with the hospitality behemoth to point you toward the best spots to make the most of this very happy happy hour — regardless of your budget and location. From a teensy CBD cocktail bar pouring teensy (but strong) cocktails for just $4.08 to waterside spots serving magnums for less than a lobster, you'll have many a venue where you can take advantage of the deal. So read on and start planning all the different occasions (excuses) that'll get you out and about as winter fully settles in. Winter hibernation? Who needs it.
If the Scream franchise can make another comeback — and, come January 2022, it will again — then another late 90s horror series can pop up again, too. Both Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer were penned by the same screenwriter, they each followed slashers terrorising teens and, on-screen, they pushed Party of Five cast members to the fore. Now, as Scream already did between 2015–19, I Know What You Did Last Summer is heading to the small screen. We know what you'll be doing this spring, clearly. Once again, Lois Duncan's 1973 novel of the same name will come to life — and yes, a car accident will play a pivotal part here as well. This time, the show's group of teenagers find themselves being stalked by a killer a year after their graduation night turned bloody. You know how it goes from there, with I Know What You Did Last Summer's central characters forced to try to stay alive while they're also still attempting to hide their secret — and they need to work out who's swinging weapons their way, obviously. To flesh out the underlying concept over the course of the series, this version of the story is set to ponder everything else that lurks in the key figures' seemingly perfect town, so it's taking a few more cues from Scream there as well. On-screen, Madison Iseman (Jumanji: The Next Level), Bill Heck (Locke & Key), Brianne Tju (47 Metres Down: Uncaged), Ezekiel Goodman (Dragonfly), Ashley Moore (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), Sebastian Amoruso (Solve), Fiona Rene (Underwater), Cassie Beck (Joe Bell) and Brooke Bloom (The Sinner) will be endeavouring to survive — or, maybe one of them is the killer? Australian director and horror genre hitmaker James Wan (The Conjuring, Saw, Insidious) executive produces the series, while Sara Goodman is in the writer's chair. Amazon Prime Video will start airing I Know What You Did Last Summer from Friday, October 15, with new episodes dropping weekly until Friday, November 12. The streaming platform has also just dropped an initial teaser trailer, if you're wondering how the premise shapes up almost a quarter-century after the original film. And no, there's no word if Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe or Freddie Prinze Jr will make cameos in the series. Check out the first teaser trailer below: I Know What You Did Last Summer starts streaming via Amazon Prime Video on Friday, October 15.
Last year the State Government announced some ambitious (and unprecedented) plans to expand Melbourne's rail network — ones that we were, admittedly, unsure whether to get too excited about. But it's happening. The long-debated $11 billion Metro Tunnel project has been funded and the Andrews Government has just revealed who will design and build the project, along with a first look at what it will all look like. Just to catch you up, the Metro Tunnel will see two new nine-kilometre twin tunnels and five underground train stations added to Melbourne's inner city. These new stations will be located in Parkville, North Melbourne, CBD North, CBD South and the Domain, and create a new path into the city that doesn't rely on (but connects to) the City Loop. The idea is that it will ease congestion in the City Loop and allow more trains to be getting in and out of the city. In a media release published yesterday, the Andrews Government announced that, after an extensive tender process, they've created the Cross Yarra Partnership to build and design the tunnel and stations. This partnership will involve a number of companies, led by Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital. Along with the announcement, the first station designs have been been revealed too. They look a hell of a lot different to the inside of Melbourne Central, with first renders showing a preference for arches and what most underground stations lack: natural light. At street level, some of the new stations will also add public space. Here's a quick look at the five stations. ARDEN If you're travelling via Footscray, you'll bypass North Melbourne to get onto the Metro Tunnel, and this will be your first stop. This new station will be located in the largely industrial area of North Melbourne on Laurens Street and will service the growing residential population there. Plans for Arden show lots of natural light and bike parking at street level. PARKVILLE This station will provide an easy connection to the Royal Melbourne, Children's and Women's Hospitals, as well the University of Melbourne — at present, people looking to get here either have to get a bus from North Melbourne Station or a tram from the CBD. Parkville Station will sit on Grattan Street. CBD NORTH Located at the north-end of Latrobe Street, this new station will provide an alternative for Melbourne Central, but will still be linked via underground walkways if you do need to change lines. The new entrance at Franklin Street will also include this new green space. CBD SOUTH CBD South Station will be located just near Flinders Street Station, and you'll be able to access it from City Square, Federation Square, Swanston Street and the Degraves Street underpass. If you need to access Flinders Street Station, you'll apparently be able to do so through an underground connection. Lots of white arches planned for this one DOMAIN This station will be a gamechanger for anyone who currently has to deal with the mayhem that is changing trams at Domain Interchange. And all with a floating timber canopy on top of it. Trains from here will continue to Pakenham and Cranbourne. Construction on all this is expected to begin next year and the target completion date is 2026. We'll keep you updated on any new plans for the Metro Tunnel. Images: Metro Tunnel.
If blitzing the ARIAs and taking out the number one spot in this year's triple Hottest 100 wasn't enough for Sydney producer Flume, he's just landed himself a Grammy. The 25-year-old has just won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards for his runaway May 2016 success Skin, beating Jean-Michel Jarre, Tycho and Louie Vega to the trophy. It's the first Grammy win for Flume, aka Harley Streten, who was also nominated for Best Dance Recording, for triple j Hottest 100 winner 'Never Be Like You', but was pipped to the post by The Chainsmokers with their popular single 'Don't Let Me Down'. Watch Flume's delightful acceptance speech here, which includes a mad shout out to Australian music: Check out Flume's exclusive anthem for Keep Sydney Open here. Image: Cybele Malinowski.
A brand new climbing gym has arrived in Sydney, and it boasts a whopping 850 square metres of bouldering space. Set just around the corner from Marrickville Metro, the new Fitzroy Street digs are open daily and offer training facilities, a fitness centre and an onsite cafe — along with indoor climbing walls aplenty, of course. This is the third outpost for BlocHaus, which hails from Melbourne and Canberra. The newest space includes an adjustable kilter board, 40-degree woodie, campus and peg boards and an eight-metre padded slack line. Its climbing options also offer shorted walls and padded mats — so ropes, spotting partners and additional gear aren't necessary here. Apart from the bouldering gym, there's also a specialised training facility and a fitness area complete with weights, bars and bands. Alongside the equipment, visitors can grab a coffee and snacks from the onsite cafe, or pick up merch and equipment in the adjoining shop. For those new to bouldering, you can grab a day pass for $20, or a ten-visit pass for $180. If you're already an avid climber, your best bet is to sign up for a membership, which will cost just $30 per week and comes with added benefits like unlimited use of all facilities, ten percent off merch and mates deals. BlocHaus Bouldering is open from 6am–10pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10am–10pm Tuesday and Thursday; and 9am–9pm Saturday and Sunday.
He's had his heart broken during a lusty Italian summer, romanced Saoirse Ronan in a Greta Gerwig film not once but twice, spiced up his life in a sci-fi saga and sported a taste for human flesh. The next addition to Timothée Chalamet's resume: a sweet time worshipping chocolate. Get ready for a big Timmy end of 2023, with Dune: Part Two hitting cinemas Down Under in November, then Wonka giving Roald Dahl's famous factory owner and candy man a Chalamet-starring origin story. First gracing the page almost six decades back, in 1964 when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory initially hit print, Willy Wonka has made the leap to cinemas with Gene Wilder playing the part in 1971, then Johnny Depp in 2005. The difference this time: not just Chalamet plunging into a world of pure imagination, but a film that swirls in the details of Wonka's life before the events that've already been laid out in books and filled two movies. As the just-dropped first trailer for Wonka shows, the picture's main man has a dream — and, after spending the past seven years travelling the world perfect his craft, he's willing to get inventive to make it come true. Starting a chocolate business isn't easy, especially when the chocolate cartel doesn't take kindly to newcomers. "You can't get a shop without selling chocolate, and you can't sell chocolate without a shop," the bright-eyed Willy is told early in the debut sneak peek. From there, brainwaves, optimism, determination and life-changing choices all spring, plus big vats of chocolate, chocolate that makes you fly — "nothing to see here, just a small group of people defying the laws of gravity," comments a police officer — and Willy's dedication to making "the greatest chocolate shop the world has ever seen". Also accounted for: a mood of wonder, and not just due to the umbrella-twirling dream sequences and cane-whirling dance scenes, or the leaps through fairy floss and chats with Hugh Grant (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) as an Ooompa-Loompa. Indeed, the magical tone doesn't just fit the tale; it's exactly what writer/director Paul King and his co-scribe Simon Farnaby have become known for on the Paddington films. King helmed and penned both, while Farnaby also did the latter on the second (and acted in each). The duo also worked together on wonderful and underseen 2009 film Bunny and the Bull, and on The Mighty Boosh, of which King directed 20 episodes. On-screen, Wonka's cast is as jam-packed as a lolly bag, with Chalamet and Grant joined by Farnaby (The Phantom of the Open), as well as Olivia Colman (Secret Invasion), Sally Hawkins (The Lost King), Keegan-Michael Key (The Super Mario Bros Movie), Rowan Atkinson (Man vs Bee), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey: A New Era) and Natasha Rothwell (Sonic the Hedgehog 2). Yes, you'll want a golden ticket to this. Check out the first trailer for Wonka below: Wonka releases in cinemas Down Under on December 14, 2023.
Back in 2020, the Hella Mega Tour tour was meant to come to Australia, bringing Green Day, Weezer and and Fall Out Boy our way all on the same bill. Dates were announced, tickets went on sale, but then the pandemic hit, so the event didn't go ahead. Now, three years later and within the space of mere days, both Weezer and Fall Out Boy have either locked in or teased trips Down Under. Weezer have made everything official, unveiling dates for three shows along the east coast in October. Fall Out Boy, however, are just dropping hints at the time of writing. But you don't post an Aussie flag, a kangaroo emoji and a clip from The Simpsons' Australian episode if you're not going to follow through — we hope. 🇦🇺🦘🔜 pic.twitter.com/34YUSb2dr8 — Fall Out Boy (@falloutboy) August 14, 2023 So far, the above tweet is all that fans have to go on — so watch this space for actual tour details when they're announced. If you haven't heard the name Fall Out Boy for what seems like ages, the Chicago-formed band weren't just big in the 00s — they reformed in 2013, complete with both new music and new live gigs. [caption id="attachment_913087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rufus via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] If Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Andy Hurley and Joe Trohman do make the trip Down Under sometime soon — adding dates to a tour that's also taking them to Japan this weekend, then to Europe until November — they'll do so of the back of their eighth studio album So Much (for) Stardust, which released in March this year. And, of course, they'll treating audiences to everything from 'Sugar, We're Goin Down' and 'Dance, Dance' to 'Uma Thurman' from their couple of decades together. Fall Out Boy haven't announced Australian tour dates yet, but we'll update you if/when they do. Keep an eye on their website and social media in the interim. Top image: Drew de F Fawkes via Wikimedia Commons.
If you've done your dash with the dalgona coffee and all those failed attempts at sourdough, here's a little culinary project that might just revive your kitchen-weary soul. The minds over at global sauce company Heinz have released recipes for a series of unconventional ice creams — dubbed Creamz — starring some of the brand's most iconic condiments. Yep, mayo ice cream is a thing and it can be on the menu at your house this weekend. Over on its UK website, Heinz is now selling a range of ice cream-making kits, filled with all the ingredients and equipment needed to whip up a batch of these frozen 'Creamz', crafted on the likes of its salad cream and barbecue sauce. Unfortunately, the DIY packs are only available to UK locals, but the recipes themselves are free to download from anywhere in the world. Basically, all you'll need to do is stock up on milk, double cream and sweetened condensed milk, grab an extra bottle of your favourite Heinz condiment, and jump in the kitchen to give those crafty folk at Messina a run for their money. You can have a crack at variations like the Ketchup Creamz — which apparently works a treat topped with meringue and raspberry coulis — and a mayo-infused edition they reckon pairs well with apple and blackberry compote. Or perhaps the barbecue sauce number is more your speed, garnished with some maple syrup and crispy bacon bits. Wherever your sauce obsession lies, we recommend you clear some space in your freezer — things are about to get a little crazy. You can find all five of Heinz's Creamz recipes over at the website.
Oh, Christmas, how we missed you dearly. The cold is slowly fading while the distant sound of Mariah Carey is rising. Wishlists and plans are being drafted, but November is for more than just preparing; later this month, celebrations will begin. On November 26, the CBD will become a winter (summer) wonderland with the help of the Martin Place Christmas Markets. Beginning in the final weekend of November, the markets are bringing 40 stalls of food, fashion, gifts, homewares and much more to the bustling boulevard. Consider it a grand return to the Christmas of old, no longer burdened by restrictions and lockdowns. These markets will become the heart of Sydney's celebrations when performers and carollers roam the stalls and decorations deck the halls. The markets will be running from 11am to 8pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday right up to Christmas Eve (and 9am to 3pm on that day), with a regularly rotating offer of stalls ensuring no two nights are the same. And on the opening night, revellers can bear witness to the lighting of the Martin Place Christmas tree and a festive firework show to usher in the season. The Martin Place Christmas Markets begin on the weekend of November 26/27 and run regularly every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Christmas Eve. For more information on the event and vendors, visit the website.
In heartbreaking news, Bistrot 916 is the latest Sydney haunt to join the slew of venues that will close in 2024. Since opening in 2021, the Potts Point locale has served extravagant French fare that has earned it a spot among Sydney's best French restaurants. Now, the sleek spot be shutting its doors ahead of the site that it calls home being demolished. Unfortunately, the CBD stalwart will be ceasing operations as a result of impending development on its current and surrounding location. An exact date for the final service hasn't been revealed, but the Challis Avenue restaurant is encouraging Sydneysiders to come in for a celebratory last dinner before it officially shuts. The three ex-Restaurant Hubert hospitality giants behind the venue, Dan Pepperell (Alberto Lounge, 10 William Street and Frankie's), Andy Tyson (Alberto Lounge) and Michael Clift (Rockpool Dining Group), took to the restaurant's Instagram page to announce its closure. "We would like to send our deepest gratitude to all of our incredible staff past and present and to our beautiful customers, it has been our pleasure," said the Bistrot 916 team via an Instagram post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bistrot 916 (@bistrot916) While Bistrot 916 will no longer dish out its top-notch French cuisine, the crew behind it will still be serving up New York-style eats at Clam Bar, Italian feasts at Sydney institution 10 William Street, Pellegrino 2000 — which recently hosted international star Taylor Swift — and soon-to-come subterranean diner Neptune's Grotto residing underneath Clam Bar. And for that goodbye trip to Bistrot 916, it's recommended that you book sooner rather than later to secure a farewell meal — you'll have company. [caption id="attachment_801360" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_801364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Find Bistrot 916 at 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point, open from 5–9.30pm Monday–Thursday and 12–9.30pm Friday–Sunday. Head to Bistrot 916's Instagram page for future announcements and updates. Top image: Cassandra Hannagan.
If you weren't aware, loveable hitmaker Post Malone has his own rosé. Created with award-winning Provence winemaker Alexis Cornu alongside music manager Dre London and Global Brand Equities' James Morrissey, Maison No. 9 is a classic Provencal pink wine, sporting a name inspired by Post Malone's favourite tarot card the Nine of Swords. The wine is crisp, dry and savoury, and comes in a sleek minimalist bottle sporting a tarot-inspired sword with a rose wrapped around it. The bottle also mirrors the theme of swords and knights, with a solid-glass cap shaped into battlements reminiscent of a historic medieval castle that's located near the vineyard where the wine is made. "Rosé is when you want to get a little fancy," says the diamond-certified, Grammy-nominated pop star. Following successful launches in the US and the UK that saw immense popularity — the wine sold 50,000 bottles in its first 48 hours in the UK — Malone has brought Maison No. 9 to Australia for a limited run of just 10,000 bottles. So, you're going to have to act quick if you want to get your hands on a bottle. Currently, the only way to order the rosé in Australia is through Dan Murphy's website, where you can nab a bottle for $42.99. Accompanying the Australian release of the wine is a line of merch available through the Maison No. 9 website. T-shirts sporting an image of Post Malone with the wine are available, as well as hoodies, crewneck jumpers, wine glasses, dog toys, socks and beanies, all with the wine's logo and signature sword printed on them. While you're at the website, you can also find recipes for a series of cocktails that you can make with the wine, including sangria, spritzes, rosé bloody marys and rosé palomas. 10,000 bottles of Post Malone's Maison No. 9 are available now via Dan Murphy's online.
Marrickville favourite Baba's Place — one of our favourite restaurants in Sydney — is kicking off spring with a street party with an acclaimed Armenian chef Tom Sarafian (Sarafian) at its bustling warehouse restaurant. Before opening his namesake Melbourne venue, Sarafian worked at the Michelin-starred London restaurant Petersham Nurseries Cafe and alongside Greg Malouf at Melbourne's MoMo. He'll be taking over Baba's Place on Sunday, September 3, cooking up wood-fired zhingyalov hats with spring herbs and tel banir from an Armenian dome-style oven. Things will kick off from 2pm for anyone wanting a late lunch. Around 4pm, DJs will take over with an Armenian-inspired playlist and dessert will be rolled out. Sweet tooths will be treated to znoud el set with house-made ashta, pistachios and cardamon syrup. Baba's Palce's classic array of drinks will also be on offer throughout the day including orange wines and rakija and tonics. "Tom has been supportive of us at Baba's Place since the beginning," says Baba's Place Founder Jean-Paul El Tom. "Tom's passion is telling the story of underrepresented cultures through cooking. Tom's Armenian with a Lebanese family through his wife, and our cherry kofta is an Armenian-inspired dish made by a Lebanese chef — so that synergy has been there since the beginning." The street party will continue until 9pm, giving everyone plenty of time to get an early night before the work week starts again. [caption id="attachment_837075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cordelia Williamson[/caption]
To lovers of bread everywhere: you've all gotten around the dipping breads, focaccia and naans of the world, giving them their fair share of time in the limelight. Now, it's time to shine a spotlight on roti in all of its glorious forms. An innovative roti-centric eatery has set up shop on the edge of the Sydney CBD. Tucked away in a cosy corner of Ultimo is Kafe Kooks, an out-of-the-ordinary casual spot that celebrates the flaky flatbread. Kookiness and rebellion is at the heart of this joint's purpose, with the venue paying homage to David Bowie by name, aiming to build an environment where the eccentrics, creatives and wild childs feel right at home. But whether you're headed in to join the roti revolution or are visiting for a lunch date, you are guaranteed to leave with a newfound appreciation of the previously untapped versatility of roti. Conceived by Andrew Ray, Kafe Kooks has brought his alliterative roti vision to Australian shores. Ray's menu pulls inspiration from a range of Asian influences, featuring food items from Indian, Indonesian, Singaporean and Chinese cuisines, to name a few. If you are trying out roti dishes for breakfast, keep your eyes peeled for the dippy eggs which comes with roti soldiers, the classic Sarang burung — a roti and egg take on a bird's nest with a side of sambal, and the eggs Florentine — served in a roti 'coin'. Take a look at the rest of the menu and you'll find you are spoilt for choice. The dishes range from curries and roti paratha wraps to Asian salads like gado gado, and grilled lamb souvlaki or wasabi prawns. For something different, opt for the madtarbak which is similar to a toasted sandwich. The beef and the curbano madtarbaks are highly recommended. You'll spot fusion dishes on the snacks menu, too, like the signature mooncake — roti paratha paired with luxe chicken liver parfait encased in whipped butter. And for something sweet to round out your meal, try the banana roti or the apple crumble. Pair your selection with a fresh coffee courtesy of Genovese coffee, a milkshake, the dairy-free coconut iced coffee, or a selection from the excellent Simon Says Juice range.
Gallery Brave, Sydney's newest art gallery, is wrapping up the year with a delightfully chaotic festive project: the Naughty Nice Emporium, a pop-up Christmas store that blends art, mischief and a twisted take on holiday gift giving. Instead of stressing over the perfect present, visitors can hand the choice over to Santa's moral compass. Just pick a mystery box — priced at $70, $50, $20 or $10 — and find out whether you've been deemed naughty or nice only when you crack it open. The project continues the ethos behind Gallery Brave, which opened recently inside Surry Hills' storied Hibernian House — a building long cherished by Sydney's street-art community. More than a traditional gallery, the space is designed as a "street-facing creative playground" where art, design and culture collide. Founded by agency Today the Brave, the gallery was created to liberate creativity beyond just advertising and give artists a platform to make not just art, but music, merch, publications and more. Recommended for mature audiences only, and perfect for last-minute Kris Kringle hunters, playful gift-givers or anyone wanting to lean into the joyful chaos of December, the Naughty Nice Emporium taps into that same community-driven, tongue-in-cheek spirit. Expect whimsy, surprises and plenty of festive mayhem.
If you're bored of holidays spent idling by a pool, sunbaking on a beach and ambling in a park, step up your holidays with these next-level adventures. With Intrepid Travel, we have selected six adventures that will take you to the planet's most extreme corners, from Antarctica's pristine icy beauty to the Himalayas' rugged peaks. Whether you seek the roar of cascading water or the silent majesty of remote landscapes, prepare to be immersed in experiences that redefine the meaning of epic. Antarctica There's nowhere on the planet quite like the extreme icy desert that is the unspoiled Antarctic wilderness. Spy penguins, whales and seals (oh my), snowshoe to the best viewpoints and learn from the talented expedition team. Start your adventure at the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, before boarding a vessel to the ends of the earth. Cross the infamous and unpredictable Drake Passage — it can be calm as a lake or rough and turbulent. Experience the temperature falling as you reach the Antarctic Peninsula. Daily excursions will take you to Anvers Island, Deception Island and the South Shetland Islands. Explore the icy wilderness, with backdrops of towering icebergs, impressive glaciers, imposing snow-capped peaks, and waters dotted with ice flats. Mt Everest If bushwalking and hiking are your usual weekend activities, take your excursions up a notch (or 50) with a trek to the highest peak on our planet. Tick the mighty Mt Everest off your bucket list with an expedition to Base Camp. This trip of a lifetime to Mt Everest Base Camp will take you past unfathomably high peaks, stunning alpine lakes, icy glacial plains, unforgettable vistas and to the limits of your strength. Hiking the mighty Himalayas is no walk in the park. This trip includes 12 days of hiking for up to eight hours a day, reaching altitudes of over 5000 metres. Are you up for the challenge? Iceland What's more extreme than a hike to the highest mountain? How about an island created by volcanic eruptions? Iceland is a geographical marvel — but there's more to this island than ice (and Björk). This Nordic island nation is defined by its dramatic landscape of actively rumbling volcanos, scenic fjords, natural hot springs, gushing geysers, massive glaciers and gigantic waterfalls. Iceland is frequented by volcano-loving tourists who love to take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, gasp at the giant Skogafoss and Detifoss waterfalls and spy the aurora borealis as they circumvent this North Atlantic island. Madagascar Madagascar isn't just a lush jungle island overloaded with cartoon characters who like to move it, move it. This lush island nation has white sand beaches, steamy, humid jungles and numerous lemur species. Connect with nature as you travel down bumpy roads bordered by baobab trees and explore the national parks, reserves and lush rainforests. This adventure isn't for those who love to watch wildlife from the comforts of sleek bedsheets and spa baths. This is for wildlife lovers who want to get up close and personal with local animals in the rainforest. Scotland Embarking to the Orkney Islands promises a captivating adventure through untamed landscapes and rugged beauty. Located off the tip of Scotland in the North Sea, these islands boast an otherworldly charm, where ancient history collides with the raw forces of nature. The Orkneys are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a sanctuary for diverse bird species, seals, and other marine life. As you traverse the untamed terrain, be prepared to witness dramatic sandstone cliffs, windswept beaches and ancient Neolithic sites, all contributing to the untamed allure of the archipelago. From the mysterious standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar to the ancient village of Skara Brae, the Orkneys tell a story of a wild, resilient landscape shaped by natural forces and its inhabitants' resilient spirit. Central Asia Kyrgyzstan's rugged mountainous terrain, including the formidable Tian Shan range, beckons adrenaline seekers with challenging trekking opportunities and high-altitude landscapes. Uzbekistan captivates with its ancient mosaic-tiled ancient cities and arid deserts. Explore both on the trip to these contrasting landscapes, encountering nomadic traditions in Kyrgyz yurt camps and exploring Uzbekistan's historic cities like Samarkand and Bukhara. Witness where the past meets the present, offering an unforgettable journey for those seeking a blend of adventure and history. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website.
By day, Gaku serves up steaming bowls of ramen. By night, it's an innovative izakaya with ingredients and techniques borrowed from across Europe and Asia. But first: the ramen. Gaku serves up four different types: a yuzu-spiked duck broth with smoked duck and duck meatballs, a seafood bowl with salty clam consommé and poached clams and a chicken tonkotsu with pork char siu served standard or spicy. Sydney has no shortage of ramen, but Gaku makes it unlike anywhere else in the city. Chefs Haru Inukai (owner of the now-closed Sussex Centre Ramen Ikkyu and Elizabeth Bay's BlancHaru) and Shimon Hanakura (ex-Aria) add modern twists to the dishes without sacrificing technique — they successfully combine their experience making traditional ramen and working at fine dining establishments. The only problem you'll have with the ramen is getting your hands on a bowl. Only 40 portions are made each day, and they're not sold takeaway. Meaning, you'll have to head into the restaurant — a compact, but not overcrowded space on Darlinghurst Road with exposed bricks and wooden details — between midday and 2pm, any day of the week. If you can, grab a seat at the long wooden bar overlooking the kitchen and watch Inukai and Hanakura at work. Try and get a seat at the bar at night, too. You'll want to come back to check out the equally innovative dinner menu. At first glance, it's what you'd expect from a Japanese grill: karaage, wagyu, sashimi and pork belly. But look closer and you'll find ingredients and techniques borrowed from France, Italy and China. The wagyu is bresaola, cured and thinly sliced and served with Padrón peppers and a shichimi buttermilk. There's a burrata salad, too, with chunks of tomato and salty bonito flakes. Inukai's signature, a riff on Hakka salt-baked chicken, is a whole spatchcock cooked and served in a shiso and koji salt bake. It's both impressive to look at and to eat — the salt crust sealing in the flavours and the juice. It's not all innovation and experimenting, either — some dishes are refreshingly simple. Often sourced that morning (you can keep an eye on the daily catches via Instagram), the sashimi is served with wasabi and pickled kohlrabi. The grilled Angus or wagyu steaks are sliced and presented with a plate of sauces: black pepper, wasabi and soy. Gaku may seem like a typical izakaya but Inukai and Hanakura's use of fine dining techniques — at both lunch and dinner — and its eclectic and interesting ingredient list make it anything but. As word of Gaku spreads, it's only getting busier (and harder to snag a midday bowl of ramen) so we recommend booking a visit, tout de suite. Images: Trent van der Jagt
