It feels as though event season has popped off earlier than usual in Sydney. Perhaps the start of daylight savings and some blissful days of sunshine will do that to a city that hasn't had a proper summer in two years. In anticipation of your increasingly stacked social calendar, Tribe in Quay Quarter — a hair salon tucked away like a calming oasis from the rush of Circular Quay — is offering customers a blow-dry and glass of sparkling wine for just $55 on Thursdays and Fridays until the end of October. Make a booking to get one of Tribe's expert stylists on your mane for beach waves or Hollywood glam finish — whatever you desire — to get that salon finish for your next after work event for when you want to treat yourself. Tribe also uses environmentally sustainable, socially responsible products as a bonus. Tribe Lifestyle is offering customers the bubbles and blow-dry experience on Thursday's and Friday's for a limited time until October 28. Make your booking here under the 'styling' section.
This quaint cafe in Leura is known for its standout breads baked in-house. It also makes jams, cakes, chutneys, curds and a heap of gluten free alternatives, too — so there's something for everyone. Grab an egg and bacon roll — or some freshly baked gluten-free walnut and fig bread — and a table in the courtyard, which is covered and has heating lamps during winter. And bring your dog, four legged friends are welcome here. Serving both breakfast and lunch all day, you can either start your day here, or end it.
If you've been listening to the grapevine, you'll have heard Darling Harbour's recent Mediterranean import, Cafe Del Mar, might not be 100 percent legit. It's true: the Ibiza original's website claims the Sydney version "has nothing to do with our iconic Cafe del Mar brand", while Aussie director John Zappia issued a response labelling the above statement "false and very disappointing". Luckily for Zappia, his venue, whether a part of the brand or not, is far from disappointing. From the Camilla-clad hosts to the blue, white, wood and golden decor that screams beachside holiday cocktails, the large open kitchen, ample outdoor summer seating and wraparound views of, albeit, this city's not-so-favourite aforementioned harbour, the team behind this place have put on quite the show. In all honesty, though, considering the brand in question's history of drawing food-appreciating party animals from all corners of the world, you'd bloody hope so. Said food is topnotch. Head chef Ben Fitton commands the kitchen, and his rule is fair and tasty, offering a pleasantly simple menu with a fair few standout performers. The most notable were the Berkshire pig jowls, served in crispy cases with truffle mash ($24), and the black-inked chilli salt and pepper squid with lime aioli ($24). FYI, the squid isn't deep fried, it comes tentacles and all, but blow me down it's good. For main we divided a six-hour cooked Murryland lamb shoulder (with some of the freshest salsa verde I've had in a long time) from the shared mains section ($65). The meat fell off the bone and straight into our mouths. To drink we sipped a Blanco Dos ($45), one of the six signature sangria pitchers (three red, three white) and designed for four. You can imagine it suited the two of us all evening. Of course, if you're less of a philistine, there's a "carefully selected" wine menu to peruse. We finished with a scoop of sorbet and an espresso: the former comes from a regularly changing list, while the latter made us feel awfully European. All in all, the only real criticisms are the DJ should think about turning the volume down just a tad before 8pm, and the lighting from the two giant and really rather quite spesh chandeliers was a little harsh. Let's just keep our fingers crossed all the rigmarole over whether or not Sydney has its own Cafe del Mar gets sorted. Personally, we want this place to stay.
The term 'Christmas rush' didn't become a part of our vocabulary by accident. As much as we'd all like to get our present shopping done early (and usually intend to), life often has other plans. It's the end of the year, after all, so there are parties to attend and holidays to plan, not to mention work to finish, food to eat, drinks to sip and loved ones to spend time with. If you haven't managed to get to the shops in between all of the above, you're only human. With the big day almost here, we've teamed up with the MCA Store at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to help out everyone that's left things to the last minute — because if there's one spot you're guaranteed to find a creative gift for the art lover in your life, it's there. Perhaps your mum would love a new scarf? Maybe your bestie is really into puzzles? Whoever you're buying for, you'll find everything from homewares, games and toys to Indigenous art, creative tea towels and cute totes in our top picks from the shop's range. TITJIKALA SILK SCARF, DORIS THOMAS ($250) No one is travelling too far this Christmas; however, this silk scarf by Indigenous artist Doris Thomas will transport whoever receives it to the community of Titjikala. It's located 130 kilometres south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, and it's where the artist grew up — and she has captured it on a stunning piece of fabric that wouldn't look out of place on someone's wall. Textile art is just one of Thomas' skills, alongside carving, pottery and painting. Since 2010, though, she has been working with Tangentyere Artists to capture the landscapes of Country, as this brightly coloured scarf demonstrates. [caption id="attachment_794263" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MCA Store, insulated 475ml water bottles with artwork by Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] KEITH HARING/JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT WATER BOTTLE ($84.95) Just because a gift is practical doesn't mean it can't be stylish as well. That includes reusable insulated water bottles, which everyone needs, particularly over summer. They help reduce plastic waste, so they're doing the environment a solid. They're free of chemicals that could leach into your drinks otherwise. And they keep your water cool — or hot, if you'd prefer. The MCA Store has a couple of particularly eye-catching options, featuring artwork by Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. They each come in a stylish gift box, too, which also features its own piece of Haring or Basquiat art. [caption id="attachment_794261" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MCA Store, puzzles, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] PUZZLES ($7.95–54.95) It's the year of the puzzle, because everyone has given at least one a go over the past 12 months. Life might be returning to normal, but puzzles are always a great gift, as well as fun to do. It's not just the challenge of piecing them together that appeals. It's the fact that they come in so many shapes, styles and sizes, so there's at least one that's perfect for everyone. Indeed, if you wanted to only give puzzles to your friends and family this year, you'll have plenty to choose from — including ones adorned with classic VHS tapes, abstract designs, and a vintage cacti and succulent chart. Or, if one of your mates is obsessed with The Queen's Gambit (like everyone), you can opt for a chess set instead. TEA TOWEL, LINDY LEE ($29.95) Since the beginning of October, the MCA has been singing the praises of Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee, with more than 70 of Lee's works currently on display at the Museum. The Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop exhibition will end in February, sadly, but you can give someone a piece of Lee's work that they can keep forever. From the merchandise range, may we suggest a tea towel? Everyone uses them, and this isn't any old piece of fabric. Made from black linen, it features a screen print of Lee's 'Small Hearts Find Each Other #1', which is part of the 2018 artwork 'True Ch'ien'. Drying the dishes won't be quite so boring when your housemate, mum or dad have this in their hands. [caption id="attachment_794268" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MCA Store, various soft sculptures by the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] 'ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE SCULPTURE', RHONDA SHARPE ($1400) Give someone a piece of art and you're really gifting them something that keeps on giving. It'll always be there to brighten their days and their home — and, whenever they look at it, they'll instantly remember exactly who brought it into their life. It's important to note this, because buying someone a painting or sculpture isn't usually a cheap endeavour. Picking up Indigenous artist Rhonda Sharpe's 'Always Was, Always Will Be' sculpture certainly isn't for the friend you made last week. Made from recycled blankets, bush dyes and wool, Sharpe's colourful creation is particularly lively and eye-catching. There's a reason that she is one of the famous artists at Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, after all. THE ART OF DINOSAUR DESIGNS BOOK ($79.99) What do you give the person who already has a heap of Dinosaur Designs homewares and jewellery, as you've thoughtfully noticed over the years? A book about the much-loved Australian brand, of course. Authored by Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy, it celebrates 30-plus years of the company's work, charting its journey from the Paddington Markets (where it started out as a stall) to becoming a household name. With a name like The Art of Dinosaur Designs, there's no doubting what it focuses on — or, that it's filled with stylish images. As a result, the hardcover coffee table tome is also a great gift for design fans in general. AFTERNOON DELIGHT TOTE BAG, JON CAMPBELL ($24.95) They're small, handy and practical. You can use one as your go-to handbag, or you can collect them and rotate your way through a few. They come in different sizes and images, and you can never have too many. Yes, we're talking about tote bags. They're another of those items that everyone needs — and, if you find the right one, that everyone also likes receiving as a gift. The MCA Store's latest addition to the tote bag ranks is a nifty little canvas number created by MCA Collection artist Jon Campbell, which is exclusive to the Sydney spot, so you won't find it anywhere else. A top tip: you can always use a tote bag as wrapping and fill it with other gifts as well. [caption id="attachment_787817" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lindy Lee, 'Secret World of a Starlight Ember' (2020), installation view, 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2020, stainless steel, image courtesy of the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia, Sydney. Photograph: Anna Kučera.[/caption] MCA MEMBERSHIP ($50–160) So, you've found the perfect pressie for everyone on your list — except one person. We've all got a friend or family member who has absolutely everything and who proves impossible to buy for as a result. That's when getting a membership to the MCA works a treat. Don't just give your pals, partner or parents a mere object; instead, give them an experience. Actually, you'll be giving them a whole year's worth of arty fun, as they'll be able to drop by whenever they like (within opening hours) and gain free unlimited entry to all of the museum's exhibitions. They'll also score tickets to exclusive events, an Art Matters magazine subscription and discounts, including at the MCA Store. To give your loved ones any of the above items for Christmas, either visit the MCA Store in-person or online at store.mca.com.au (just be sure sure to check out shipping dates). Top image: MCA Store, 2020. Image courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photograph: Anna Kučera.
The Badlambs story started 17,000 kilometres away. After years cutting hair in a bunch of contexts — from Edinburgh's Famous Spiegeltent to Adelaide Arts Festival's late-night club — hairdresser Tony Mellis decided to set up his own salon in 2001 in Bloomsbury, an upmarket area in London. More than a decade later, he was ready to move to Australia — Bondi, to be exact. So he brought his business with him. Hairdressing, for men, women and children, is just one aspect of what goes on at Badlambs. While you're there, rummage through Mellis' incredible collection of antiques, bric-a-brac and local artworks. Just some of the objects to have passed through his hands include a framed, signed version of Listen Like Thieves on vinyl signed by INXS themselves, an original enamel London street sign, and a meat cleaver autographed by Mark "Chopper" Read. Oh, and don't be surprised if musicians drop by to jam on the in-salon piano — live music of both the organised and impromptu varieties is part of the Badlambs experience.
Pumphouse Sydney has come a long way since its early days. Back in 1891, the only beverage being poured was drinking water for the young colonial city of Sydney. It was the first hydraulic pumping station in NSW until it was decommissioned, and the Heritage Council made it the Pumphouse Tavern. Now it's Pumphouse Bar and Restaurant, and it's opening its latest addition: a garden terrace. On Saturday, November 18, the Terrace is partnering with First Creek Wines and Chandon to welcome guests to a launch party for three hours of libations and celebrations in this leafy new location. There'll be live music, canapés and free-flowing drinks on offer from 1–4pm. The common theme? The Terrace focuses on native plants, flavours and ingredients from its decoration down to the menu. Speaking of the menu, it stars the likes of pecorino croquettes with soubise, onion molasses, and candied macadamia; Greek saganaki with kefalograviera, spiced honey, and lavender; whole spatchcock with miso butter, charred radicchio, candied macadamia, and confit shallots and slow cooked beef cheeks with confit garlic mash, porcini butter, and salsa verde. A quick tip: if you book your tickets online for a reservation at the Terrace between Sunday, November 19 and Christmas Eve (six people max) — quote the code TERRACE to get a complimentary glass of Chandon Garden Spritz on arrival. Thank us later. The Terrace Garden Launch Party will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 1–4pm. Tickets are $99 pp. For information or to book your tickets, visit the website.
Chee Soon & Fitzgerald is well established in the Sydney design scene. The shop has a rich and impressive history — it first opened in Surry Hills in 1996, and were the first in Australia to stock Finnish homewares giant Marimekko. If you're a fan of lush textiles and left-of-centre homewares, this place is sure to become one of your favourites. The Redfern store is home to Japanese ceramics, African textiles, folk art from all around the world and, if you're lucky, that one-of-a-kind antique piece you've been dreaming of. We recommend bringing your credit card.
There's a certain entrancing quality to rooftop bars — maybe it's drinking at altitude, maybe it's the fresh air on your face or the sun beating down on your Vitamin-D-deficient skin — whatever the reason, these beguiling open-air beauties consistently draw us in. Thankfully, Sydney has just scored five more swish new rooftop bars just in time for spring. While it might be tempting to head to the same old al fresco stalwarts you know and love, why not soak up the sun someplace new. From a Palm Springs-inspired bar to a plant-filled seaside oasis, these new rooftops on the block are pulling out all the stops. And, we're glad — cocktails taste infinitely better skyward in new surrounds. Here are our favourite new rooftop bars to visit in Sydney — so, next time it's sunny, you can spend less time Googling venues and more time drinking. You're welcome.
A top contender for best lunchtime pho in the CBD, Madame Nhu's underground Vietnamese takeaway joint in the Galleries Victoria went overground in late 2012. Opening across from Bar H on a corner in Surry Hills, Nhu has a permanent pop-up bar look, the Viet version of El Loco. Sit in and drink up seems to be the message, with a cocktail bar offering eight different tipples and a restaurant menu split between starters, pho, and mains. The team behind Madame Nhu also own fellow Viet restaurant Xage on Crown Street, although this is a more relaxed affair, with its simple bar stool, table arrangements, and inexpensive menu. Madame Nhu was the first lady of the pre-Communist South Vietnam in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her namesake clearly wants to be the first lady of Vietnamese pho franchises in the city, although in Surry Hills, she's a grungier version of the quick and business-like CBD Nhu. The entrees are familiar terrain for Vietnamese foodie lovers. The small goi cuon summer rolls ($8.50-$9.50) range from tiger prawn filling to bbq duck fillet with three dipping sauces. The baby banh mi ($5.50) is a baguette slider with tasty chicken pate, mayo, salad, and soy dressing and is a simpler version of the kind of miniature snacks that Dan Hong churns out. The pho noodle soups ($12.90-$15.90), for which city workers queue up each weekday in the Galleries Victoria basement, are brewed for eight hours, and although a little sweet for some tastes, have a loyal following. The mains are a spicy collection of salads and rice and noodle dishes, from a simple bun bo grilled beef vermicelli ($15.90) to a carmelised slow-cooked chicken ga kho ($16.90). The cocktails, as the menu cheekily boasts, "are not for sissies". The punch is more in the flavour rather than the alcoholic hit. Our picks are the mango lychee slushy ($10) and the Red Under the Bed ($14). Madame Nhu fits into Surry Hills' on-the-fly bar scene with its simple set-up and quick-and-easy service. With Spice I Am and House just around the corner, the area has become a great triangle of south-east Asian dining.
For a small business that set out thirty years ago to create a simple after-dinner mint for restaurants and cafes, this family-run establishment has certainly flourished. Somewhat of an institution around these parts, Fardoulis is a go-to for any gifting occasion. Whether you need a thank you gift, an 'I'm sorry' present or a birthday box for that person in your life who already has everything, Fardoulis has you covered. Take your pick of delectable handmade treats for your special someone — from a simple bag of the bunny-shaped caramel truffles to a very OTT hamper — and make sure you pick up a couple of things for yourself while you're at it. The team have spent the last three decades experimenting with unique flavours and recipes, so you can guarantee there's something for every chocolate lover's palate. The best part about the store is that there are always free samples. A perfect reason to make a visit, if you ask us.
Waiheke is an island of rolling hills, gorgeous vineyards and white sandy beaches — a glittering jewel in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf. As it's only a short hop from Auckland's CBD on a ferry and easy to get around, it should definitely be on your list of places to visit when planning that next short break over the pond. Once there, it's not hard to see why Waiheke regularly appears in travel polls as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It has a great reputation for relaxation and, most importantly, good food and wine. With over 20 vineyards to choose from, in the place locals affectionately call the Island of Wine, we've narrowed down some of the finest. Flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand offers great everyday fares from all three. That means you could be nestled up by the fire at one of these top spots in no time at all. MAN O' WAR VINEYARDS Located on the far east of the island, Man O' War vineyard definitely delivers the wow factor both for its location and its wine. The vineyards are set on slopes that surround the tasting room and restaurant, which sits at the edge of the water. It's the only beachfront cellar door on Waiheke and has amazing views over to the Coromandel Peninsula. The tasting room is a lovely place to sip and hear about the flagship and single-vineyard drops. Plus, there are platters and sharing plates available to make the most of the experience. From the big robust winter warming Dreadnaught syrah to the softer summer styles of the Pinque rosé and the Exiled pinot gris, there is something for all palates on offer at Man O' War. OBSIDIAN VINEYARD Located in Onetangi and hidden away in an amphitheatre amongst the vines, Obsidian's cellar door is a simple but beautifully relaxed setting. The 30-minute tastings are led by passionate, knowledgeable staff, and the wine is sublime. Obsidian is known for its deep and delicious Bordeaux-style reds, though it also makes a delightful rosé and chardonnay, too. Yields are deliberately kept low to maximise quality and, as a result, only a limited number of cases are produced each year. The vineyard runs a wine club membership and, as an 'Obsidianado', you'll get access to three tasting packages during the year, with each containing at least one bottle of exclusive vintage and variety. BATCH WINERY The Thomas family's vineyard restaurant and cellar door has one of the best views on the island, with stunning views across to the Coromandel and Auckland's Sky Tower. Let the crew know you're coming over and they'll pick you up from Matiatia Ferry to transport you to the beautifully designed Batch Winery. It was built with reverence — both of the relaxed Kiwi way of life and the traditional winemaking process. The restaurant offers a relaxed ambience to dine with friends and family. The menu takes its inspiration from Waiheke favourites, offering fish 'n' chips, locally sourced oysters and a take on the classic Kiwi onion dip served with potato sourdough. It's a wonderful place to while away an afternoon, drinking a glass or two of Fizz rosé and gazing out over Waiheke island. PASSAGE ROCK WINERY Passage Rock is Waiheke's most awarded winery, with over 60 gold medals earned since 2001, including 18 gold for its reserve syrah. As well as producing magnificent wine, it's also in the most picturesque setting, with Orapiu Bay in the background. After your wine tasting, make sure you spend an hour or two in the bistro, which serves delicious platters and woodfired pizzas. PODERI CRISCI Poderi Crisci offers a little slice of Italy on Waiheke with its old world-style restaurant full of Tuscan charm. A great believer in the Italian tradition of eating and drinking, Poderi Crisci has a four-hour Sunday long lunch that's well worth making the time for. But if you only have a few hours to spare, then the degustation or 'trust the chef' menu will suit you well. The wines are definitely European-influenced — highlights include the cheeky white Arneis and the red blended Viburno. These are produced in a beautiful cellar room that also hosts an annual opera night, which alone is well worth making the trip for. CASITA MIRO Situated above Onetangi beach, Casita Miro is a relaxed, vibrant place where you can take your time to enjoy some seriously delicious food and wine. The restaurant specialises in Spanish and Mediterranean sharing plates, with fine Iberian cured meat, cheeses, local oysters and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. The outdoor area also runs with the Spanish theme, featuring an evolving mosaic inspired by Gaudi's famous Parc Guell, not to mention views out across the Hauraki Gulf. The tasting room sits outside the restaurant in a colourful garden space, and here you can try a flight of five for $15, including the delightful fortified blend, the Madame Rouge. Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away. Plus, Vinomofo has released a case of wine featuring six delicious wines representing the diverse and unique sub-regions of Waiheke, Kumeu and Matakana. Every case has a one in 50 chance of winning return flights to Auckland (from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane). T&Cs apply.
Macquarie Park's multi-level neighbourhood pub and entertainment venue The Governor Hotel is set to kick off in August with the opening of JINJA, an exciting new Cantonese restaurant with a hatted chef at the helm. The diner will open on level one of the venue, joining The Governor's bistro and rooftop bar as part of its multi-faceted hospitality offerings. Leading the kitchen at JINJA is Head Chef Sebastian Tan who previously ran the hatted Silks and Teahouse out of the Crown Sydney. Speciality Chef Kushal Lama will join Tan in the kitchen, bringing over 16 years of culinary experience and generational hospitality knowledge to the venue. Opening Wednesday, August 3, the 218-capacity restaurant will offer a new outpost for top-quality Cantonese dishes to this newly developed north-Sydney suburb. Diners will be welcomed by red neon signs and a lush modern fit-out inspired by traditional Cantonese restaurants with a dining room, a bar, private rooms and a secret space hidden behind a sliding door making up the expansive eatery. Once you've taken your seat, you can expect a dedicated dumpling station and a variety of dishes ranging from the expected favourites like wonton soup, prawn and chive dumplings and peking duck pancakes to inventive and lavish takes on classic bites. Highlights of the more extravagant side of the menu include XO southern lobster scallop dumplings and black garlic wagyu beef sui mai. There's also a distinct drinks menu accompanying the food. Tea-lovers will also be enticed to the venue by a specialty tea dispensary, and there's also a boundary-pushing cocktail menu, accompanied by the country's largest selection of baijiu and a 100-strong wine list with both Australian and international drops on hand. JINJA will open Wednesday, August 3 at Level 1, 9 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park. It will be open from lunch Wednesday–Sunday and dinner Wednesday–Saturday. Images: Steven Woodburn
Since '50s-inspired bar Hinky Dinks closed late last year, there's been a gaping, cocktail-sized hole at 185 Darlinghurst Road. But, the good news is, it's now been filled — and with some high-level Sydney hospitality personnel, no less. The team behind Darlinghurst favourite Buffalo Dining Club have well and truly taken over the space, launching a sleek new wine parlour Johnny Fishbone last night. The name embossed in shimmering gold lettering on the wooden door is sign enough that the new tenants have changed the whole vibe of the space — inside, the chequered floor has been replaced with understated tiling, the red features have been axed in favour of deep greens and timber, and a long marble-topped wooden bar is the main centrepiece. There's a solid wine wall too, which should tell you a lot about their offering. As its pedigree would suggest, Johnny is also turning out some top-notch bar food. Choose from seafood snacks like oysters, ceviche and sardines with tomato jam or bigger options such as the fish with cured fennel and saffron and the spatchcock with paprika brandy. Johnny Fishbone is open from 5pm Tuesday and Sunday, so you can head there and grab a seat at the bar tonight — although, if it's anything like Buffalo Dining Club, it could be hard to get one. Johnny Fishbone is now open at 185 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst. For more information, visit johnnyfishbone.com.au. By Jasmine Crittenden and Lauren Vadnjal. Images: Steven Woodburn.
There can never be enough summertime barbecues, but why not make your next one something a little special? Sure, there are heaps of spots to fire up the barbie around Sydney, but — in the interest of making the most of it — trade in your usual go-to for someplace new. Our pick is down in the Sutherland Shire at Woronora's Burnum Burnum Sanctuary. The reserve is pristine and remote, so you and a date (or some mates or your family) can enjoy an exclusive getaway here. Its barbecue facilities and sheltered eating areas boast gorgeous riverside views — and you can soak it all in with snag in one hand and a local craft brew in the other. There are plenty of nearby bushwalking tracks to explore before or after you eat — check out Eagle Rock, which is also frequented by blue tongue lizards, miniature wrens and black cockatoos. There's playground equipment for the little ones, too.
With mountains to the west, beaches to the east and pretty Tuggerah Lake on its doorstep, the little Central Coast town of Wyong has adventures for everyone and every season. Set up home base at the Mercure Koonidah Waters Central Coast and follow our guide to the area. Start your day whale watching from a windswept headland, spend your afternoon horse riding through rolling paddocks and drift into the evening with a dreamy sunset over the Great Dividing Range. Along the way, there's a milk factory-turned-cafe (and pub), an old-school Italian restaurant and a bunch of other eateries to explore. Wyong lies just 80 minutes' north of Sydney, which means you don't have to spend too much of your precious weekend stuck behind the wheel. EAT AND DRINK You'll eat well in Wyong, with restaurants here drawing on fresh produce sourced from the Central Coast and the farms just beyond. But first thing upon arrival, how about starting with coffee? Head to the Milk Factory, on the idyllic banks of Wyong River, a couple of kilometres west of Wyong. Built in 1906, this rather epic property still produces food of the best kind: chocolate and cheese. It's also home to a cafe — where hearty eats include brioche French toast with berries, pecans and maple syrup — as well as a friendly pub. Come back at lunchtime for classics like Wagyu rump or a pulled pork burger with slaw and smoked barbecue sauce, accompanied by a craft brew — be it a Mountain Goat from Melbourne or a Murray's from Port Stephens. Another option is to jump in your car and drive southeast for 20 minutes to Wamberal, where you'll find Lotus Cafe. This airy, sun-filled spot does Toby's Estate coffee and decadent dishes like breakfast coconut panna cotta with mango puree, seasonal fruit and granola. Say yes to a Nutella hot chocolate afterwards — that's the whole point of a winter weekender. By the way, the beach is just a stumble away over the dunes. Back in Wyong, book a table at Osteria A'Mano for dinner. This top-notch Italian restaurant occupies a beautifully restored 1914 building, with original timber floorboards and tiles. Head chef Alessandro Cigola oversees the creation of traditional dishes featuring fresh, premium-quality produce sourced from nearby. Start on duck liver pâté with red wine jelly, sour cherries and pickles, followed by homemade fettuccine with lamb ragu, mint and pecorino. All pastas, breads and desserts are made from scratch, while the featured Italian and Australian wines area all made "the old way". Another option is Karinyas, within the Mercure Kooindah Waters. Here, the emphasis is on simple yet creative combinations, driven by local produce. Think scallops with burnt butter and local macadamia nut sauce and duck breast with cauliflower puree, asparagus and sour cranberry jus. There's also a long, long wine list, big on local drops. The Hunter Valley is just an hour's drive away, after all. DO If there's one surefire, environmentally friendly way to warm up on a cold day, it's got to be a bike ride. The Tuggerah Lakes Cycleway begins just six kilometres from Wyong in Chittaway Bay then follows the foreshore for a peaceful 12 kilometres before reaching The Entrance. Don't have your own bike? Hire from a self-service station — there's one at The Entrance visitor's centre on Marine Parade. Once you've conquered that, your next stop is Crackneck Lookout on the coast, around 20 minutes' drive southeast of Wyong. Anytime between May and August is ideal for whale watching. Moreover, this spot doubles as a stop along the three-kilometre Coast Walking Track, which stretches to Bateau Bay in the north and Forresters Beach in the south. Meanwhile, on Wyong's inland side lie vast expanses of state forest, conservation area and national park. Among them is the TreeTops adventure park in Ourimbah State Forest, where you can ride the world's longest roller coaster zip line, a one-kilometre adrenaline rush at canopy level. There are also three high ropes courses, covering more than 100 obstacles, from ladders and bridges to tunnels and cargo nets. For scenery, the Watagan Mountains — around an hour's drive north — are particularly spectacular; immerse yourself in rainforest on the Circuit Walk or valley views at Monkey Face Lookout. Alternatively, if you're keen to get in the saddle, then give Peppercorn Park a call. The good folks there will happily take you on a trail ride around the stunning property, just ten minutes' north of Wyong, in Jilliby. Adventures begin at $70 for a 90-minute beginner's journey, and lessons and overnight treks are available, too. SLEEP To surround yourself with nature without resorting to a tent — book a sleepover at Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast, a golf resort and spa encircled by wetlands and bush. If you're travelling in solo or duo mode, sleep over in a King Room; if you're with buddies, there are one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, all of which come with golf-course views. The resort also knows how to settle in for the winter — they provide giant Jenga (and other board games), which you can enjoy on the terrace while toasting equally oversized marshmallows made by the chef in-house. Mulled wine or Baileys-infused hot chocolate complete the winter idyll. Don't forget to make the most of the facilities. Among them, you'll find two pools, tennis courts, a gym, barbecues and a day spa. Go to the AccorHotels website to book your stay in Wyong, and to discover more of regional NSW, swing by Visit NSW.
Byron Bay might steal the headlines, but we'll let you in on a secret: neighbouring Brunswick Heads, just a 15-minute drive north of Byron, provides the truly serene beach holiday you've always dreamed about. Thanks to its location on the Brunswick River and among mangrove forests, this welcoming coastal community is teeming with spots for stellar scuba diving, hiking and dining. If you're ready to hit up the Northern Rivers, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to present an alluring selection of activities that ensure your visit is simply unbeatable. Whether you prefer wildlife encounters or hanging out in celebrated restaurants, Brunswick Heads has both in spades. [caption id="attachment_745641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Centophobia (Flickr)[/caption] GO WHALE SPOTTING The next whale-watching season is coming up fast, and Brunswick Heads provides the ideal spot to catch these majestic creatures cruising northbound from May to July. The team at Blue Bay Whale Watching has been leading on-water expeditions since 2011, meaning an incredible sighting of a majestic humpback whale or two is almost guaranteed. Each adventure only takes ten passengers on board the Bay Warrior, an 8.5-metre catamaran with 360-degree views of the ocean. There's plenty of shelter if the weather unexpectedly turns, too, so there are indoor and outdoor vantage points for you and your crew to get a glimpse of these magnificent creatures up close. [caption id="attachment_702566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sebastian Pena Lambarri (Unsplash)[/caption] TAKE A DIVE A visit to this part of the world would not be complete without experiencing the striking underwater world that exists off the coast of Brunswick Heads. Julian Rocks is widely recognised as one of the region's premier dive sites, with this craggy outcrop providing several moorings that make reaching this location a relatively straightforward affair. There are suitable spots here for divers of all experience levels, meaning just about anyone can explore the surrounding waters frequented by manta rays, leopard sharks, and yes, the occasional great white, too. While this subtropical oasis certainly isn't for the faint-hearted, diving at one of Australia's top scuba locations will give you plenty of stories to tell. [caption id="attachment_805448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Forson (Pexels)[/caption] PADDLEBOARD AT TORAKINA BEACH Torakina Beach should be your number one choice for stand-up paddleboarding. Set at the mouth of the Brunswick River, this sheltered paradise sees barely a ripple for waves, so pushing yourself along the crystal-clear waters is relatively hassle-free. You're also well within touching distance of Brunswick Heads, with the community's thriving cafe scene just a five-minute walk away for a post-paddle refuel. Want to keep it a bit more rustic? With picnic areas, barbecues and showers spread throughout the surrounding bushland, Torakina Beach is a truly dreamy spot for a day in the sun. [caption id="attachment_844191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mia (Flickr)[/caption] TAKE A GUIDED KAYAK TOUR Brunswick Heads and its surrounds are renowned for kayaking — the series of creeks and tributaries ensures you can get up close with lush landscapes and native wildlife. If you're looking for an expert to give you the inside word, there's no shortage of guided kayaking tours available to book. Byron Bay Eco Cruises provides a comprehensive three-hour tour where you'll take part in a river cruise that delves deep into a rainforest before loading into kayaks to scout out local wildlife (with binoculars provided, too). Finally, there's the chance to stand-up paddleboard amid the Brunswick River's serene environment. [caption id="attachment_844211" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Christy Gallois (Flickr)[/caption] EXPERIENCE A LOCAL RITE OF PASSAGE It seems like every small town has a slightly hazardous rite of passage that provides endless stories — both good and bad. In Brunswick Heads, this initiation involves making the leap from the South Beach Road Bridge into Simpson's Creek about four metres below. With the creek providing a wonderful swimming spot at high tide, dozens of people, young and old, test their mettle on a hot summer's day. There's every reason to get involved, but do take caution if you decide to take the leap from this 85-year-old wooden bridge. DISCOVER BRUNSWICK HEADS' DINING SCENE Don't assume the pinnacle of Brunswick Heads' dining starts and finishes with fish and chips on the beach (though we would absolutely recommend doing this). The town has a growing reputation for fine-dining institutions that will knock your proverbial socks off. Fleet (pictured above) is one such venue, but with seating for only 14 guests, you'll have to book early to sample its award-winning hyper-local tasting menu. La Casita is another stellar example of the region's booming culinary scene. The team here works alongside the region's top makers and producers to create its mouth-watering dishes, which feature hearty Mexican flavours that put many city-centric options to shame. Plus, the boozy cocktails ensure you depart with an extra bounce in your step. [caption id="attachment_844194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TAKE A HIKE AND PICNIC IN THE RAINFOREST There are so many incredible vistas to enjoy throughout the Northern Rivers region, but you don't have to bust a gut to experience some of the best. The easygoing North Head walking track, located on the edge of town in the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, is a 30-minute trail guiding you through the coastal rainforest. As you break through the canopy and look down upon the Brunswick River, you'll find several spots perfect for unfurling a picnic rug and basket. Once you're back on your feet, the trail leads you through fascinating wildlife habitats and eventually out to the ocean beach. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Graham Cook (Flickr)
A Taiwanese filmmaker might've made your favourite movie, although you may not realise that. Adored the original The Wedding Banquet? A fan of Brokeback Mountain? Loved Life of Pi? Still in awe at Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's action scenes? Thank Ang Lee (Gemini Man) — but he's just one of many talented directors from Taiwan. To dive into the depths of the rest of Taiwan's filmmaking prowess, Australia became home to the Taiwan Film Festival in Australia back in 2018. After starting in Sydney, it now tours to five other cities — but the Harbour City remains on the itinerary from Thursday, July 24–Saturday, September 6, 2025, complete with 2025's closing-night session of Hou Hsiao-Hsien's (The Assassin) Tony Leung (Fox Hunt)-led 1998 great Flowers of Shanghai, playing a restored 4K version, at the Sydney Opera House. Largely playing Event Cinemas George St in the New South Wales capital, this year's fest spans more than 40 sessions among its features and shorts — including 15 films scoring their Australian premieres — and puts a particular focus on showcasing female perspectives. Daughter's Daughter kicks off the program, starring Sylvia Chang (Forget You Not) and screening fresh from its berth at Sydney Film Festival. Also highlights: The Chronicles of Libidoists, about chasing desires, plus romance Unexpected Courage. From there, get ready for a range of fellow titles that, outside of occasional berths at Australia's major fests, don't often make it to our shores. Yen and Ai-Lee and the Sung Kang (Fast X)-costarring Worth the Wait both hail from filmmaker Tom Lin (The Garden of Evening Mists), Where the River Flows and Organ Child have crime thrills covered, and Stranger Eyes is a Singaporean co-production — as well as the first Singaporean feature to ever premiere in Official Competition at the Venice International Film Festival.
Lovers of utes — or Aussie cars in general — should make tracks to Deniliquin this October, for the 21st annual Deni Ute Muster. The town sits in the southwest corner of New South Wales, making it a relatively quick 3.5-hour commute for Melburnians (it's 7.5 hours from Sydney). The 'rural-themed' camping festival attracts some 20,000 visitors, as well as utes of all models and vintages. There are so many trucks in attendance that each year the festival tries to break its own 1999 Guinness World Record for the largest parade of utes (currently 2839, if you're interested). Country music fans have their own reason to visit, with a full lineup of local and international acts taking the stage across two nights. This year's program is headlined by Tim McGraw. Driving competitions, building challenges, lawn mower races, whip cracking, wood chopping and a go-kart track are also on the docket. The $269 ticket price also covers camping, so you can bring your own tent or caravan — or simply roll out a swag in the back of your ute.
If it's been a while between visits to Chippendale, you may notice a few changes next time you drive up Regent Street. A strip of colourful brick-fronted townhouses has been demolished to make way for the multibillion-dollar Sydney Metro project, cabbie favourite Michael's Malaysian & Chinese Restaurant is gone and, in its place, a bright red neon sign has appeared. The sign belongs to Manny's, a matchstick-sized diner, whose pizza by the slice and juicy philly cheesesteaks are sure to be a hit with punters leaving Freda's and The Lord Gladstone in the wee hours. Run by Evan Hansimikali, who also owns the attached petrol station, Manny's opens from 6.30am on weekdays, for coffee and B&E rolls, all the way through to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. So, if you do stumble out of one of the aforementioned establishments after witching hour, you'll be able to grab a $5 slice of thin-crust New York-style pizza topped with double-smoked leg ham and artichoke, perhaps, or cabanossi and pepperoni. Vegan night owls are catered for, too, with about 40 percent of the menu meat- and dairy-free. Their late-night slice of choice might be topped with vegan cheese, potato and rosemary, instead. With only three seats, Manny's is more of a takeaway joint, and it knows this. A delivery service is in the works, it's setting up a happy hour deal with Freda's and it's primed for meals on-the-run, able to turn out a cheesesteak in a minute. And those cheesesteaks sound like they're more than worth the 60-second wait. To replicate the popular PA sangas, Hansimikali has hoagie-like rolls — a cross between baguettes and panini, he says— custom-made for him by Sydney's Fuel Bakery. Then, there's the all-important meat. "We use grass-fed scotch fillet steak," says Hansimikali. "We thinly slice it and throw it on the hot plate. It's so thin it falls apart in your mouth." After that, the rolls are loaded with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Some are also topped with meatball sauce and provolone, others eggplant and green peppers. They're not traditional, but Manny's isn't following any rulebook too closely. While the food is predominantly Italo-American, you'll also find Greek influences scattered throughout. One cheesesteak comes topped with tzatziki, you'll spot a hot dog with black olives and feta, and you can order fries covered in chilli and garlicky yoghurt. Cabbies might no longer be lining up for the Regent Street restaurant, but it looks like Ubers and personal cars will be soon, with plans for one of the petrol station lanes to be converted into a 'drive-thru'. Next time you're looking for fast meal beyond the Golden Arches, Manny's may be your answer.
A new wave of hotels offering more than just a room and a buffet breakfast has taken over Sydney in the last few years. From the beloved Paramount House Hotel to the new Ace Hotel or the northern beaches' freshly transformed Manly Pacific, these accommodations offer both tourists and Sydneysiders a range of lifestyle experiences during their stay. The latest boutique hotel to open in Sydney has arrived on Oxford Street with 56 luxury rooms and suites, an all-day restaurant and a Palm Springs-inspired pool bar. Oxford House is Paddington's first lifestyle hotel, offering guests stylish accommodation, a hotel pool with DJ sets and a bar, and plenty of extras you've come to expect from a top-notch hotel — all in the centre of one of Sydney's top dining and entertainment hubs. While the pool is exclusively for hotel guests, both the bar and the hotel's sleek, street-level restaurant are open for Paddington locals to come and enjoy oysters and a cocktail. The interior of Oxford House — or OH! as it's being branded — has been designed around ample natural light while complimenting the crisp, stylish aesthetic of Paddington with warm natural hues and rich textures. "Whilst we took design notes from the sleek lines and muted colours of Palm Springs, it was important that Oxford House effortlessly threaded into the cultural fabric of Paddington, so art and design were key," says the Principle Designer at Public Hospitality, Tom de Plater. "We collaborated with culture king, George Gorrow to showcase an incredible collection of art, paintings, photography, collage, printmaking and sculpture from artists including Lena Gustafson, Adam Turnbull and Niah McLeod throughout the property." Just some of the considered accompaniments you'll find in the rooms are custom-made bathrobes from Double Rainbouu, crockery from Marc Newson, hair care products from Grown Alchemist and speakers from Mashall. Away from the rooms, there are two hospitality spots built into the hotel. The first is the all-day dining, sitting at street level of Oxford Street for perfect people-watching. In the morning, Oxford House hotel guests and public diners can start their day on rolled bircher muesli, the OH-melette with woodside goats curd, or a lavish big breakfast featuring mixed sauteed mushrooms, crispy kale, truffle oil, pecorino, poached egg and sourdough. Later in the day, the menu switches to feature fresh oysters, kingfish sashimi, house dips, grilled market fish and roasted cauliflower. There's also a sun-soaked pool bar serving up poolside drinks, grilled king prawns, classic burgers and fish sourced from the Sydney Fish Markets. Come weekends, the bar will host DJ sets and digital art shows. "This was a unique opportunity to create an accommodation first for Paddington, provide a new hospitality experience for locals, and help energise an important part of town," continues de Plater. "Given the hotel's enviable location — famed shopping, nightlife and Allianz stadium, all within walking distance and the beach and city, a short drive away - we wanted to create a space that really felt like an unexpected escape; a hotel that was as relaxed as Oxford Street is lively." Rooms range from $229–499 and are available to book now. Oxford House is located at 21 Oxford Street, Paddington. The pool bar is open 7am–11.30am and midday–8pm.
Alpine, mountainous, snow-capped — these aren't words you would normally associate with our sun-kissed country. But Australia is a land of extreme seasons and surprises. The High Country is right on our doorstep, only a few hours' drive from Melbourne, but it's almost a different world, especially in autumn. The transitional season between the sun-drenched summers and snowy winters is one of the most fascinating times to visit the High Country. Before the mountains go into full alpine retreat mode, they come alive with apple trees, autumnal colours, and the emotive, alluring scent of deciduous environments that we only get to experience once a year. Not to mention the bountiful gastronomic opportunities that the harvest season presents to the High Country's many wineries, pubs, cafes and farm doors. Because we know that no mountainous hike is the same without something delicious to sustain and motivate you, we've paired the region's best hearty bites with its most invigorating treks. BRIGHT AND TIKI COCKTAILS Start in Bright, a historic village that acts as the gateway to some of the region's best treks. Bright itself is worth the trip in autumn for both its glorious autumn foliage and its inspired culinary scene. To fuel up (and you're going to need it), head to Tomahawks — a cool, cosy bar and restaurant in the middle of town. Try the chargrilled broccoli served with smoked butter and almonds and the dukkah lamb ribs for a hearty snack, or go one of their brioche buns if you want more energy. Make sure to try their Tiki cocktails while you're there — they pack a flavoursome punch. Afterwards, drive about an hour north of Bright to Diamantina Hut and trek up Mount Feathertop. From there, it's an 11-kilometre hike up the mountain — about seven hours return. It's a steep climb but will take you into another world in autumn: a misty, mossy, fantasy land with spectacular views. If you end up back in Bright, reward yourself with a drink at distillery Reed & Co, whose signature Remedy dry gin is made with native pine needles and eucalyptus. The venue also boasts a custom-made fuel grill so you can count on a nourishing meal to fill you up. WANDILIGONG AND MUSHROOM FORAGING If a seven-hour hike is a little intimidating, try this alternative. Start, once again, in the beautiful town of Bright with a mushroom foraging class. They run throughout May (prime mushroom foraging season) at a local cooking school. You'll hunt for local mushies before learning five Italian recipes to make the most of your haul. Then put your new skills to the test on a six-kilometre trek to Wandiligong, a tiny gold-mining town to the south of Bright. In April, the town hosts a seasonal nut festival where the growers of the region harvest and show off their produce, both nut and otherwise. Get on down there for the chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire smell alone. Make the most of your time in Wandiligong by stopping at some of its other foodie haunts: Wandiful Produce, where you can gather your own freshly fallen chestnuts at this time of year and take a tour of the farm, and Nightingale Brothers orchards, the spot to imbibe fresh apple cider and stock up on edible gifts. MOUNT HOTHAM AND VIENNA SCHNITZEL Go properly Sound of Music with an Alps-inspired mountain adventure. Start the proceedings at Zirky's, the Mount Hotham resort founded by Austrian Peter Zirknitzer, who came out here in the 1950s to teach skiing. His family still runs this operation, and their European roots shine through in the dining room, where Austrian-style schnitzel is served on Wednesday nights. Then, in stark contrast to such luxury, head on down to Mount Hotham and brave the three-day alpine camping trek. It's a 37-kilometre trek from Mouth Hotham to Falls Creek, and autumn is the perfect time to go. It's cold enough to use all that shiny, high-tech camping gear you love, but not so cold that you'll need cross-country skis. The manageable track winds through snow-gum woodlands and snow grass plains, with a few summits and historical sites along the way. This trek requires a bit of pre-planning because of the camping element, but it's well worth it. Consider overnighting at Cope Hut or Dibbins Hut, where there are new camping platforms. MOUNT BULLER AND A CELLAR DOOR If you lean more towards the food and wine side of the trek and treat adventure, opt for an easier hike between the twin peaks of Mount Buller and Mount Stirling. The moderate 7-kilometre trail takes about 2.5 hours through pretty snow gum forest. Those seeking truly iconic scenery can take a detour to a nearby cabin, used in the movie The Man From Snowy River. You'll want to make a stop on your way down Mount Buller at Delatite Wines. Their cellar door serves simple antipasto platters made with local ingredients — a fine accompaniment to the European-style wine and rolling hillside views. MOUNT BUFFALO AND AN OLIVE GROVE If you want to get your hands on some local produce, stop by the local olive grove and farm gate at Mount Buffalo Olives. Extra virgin olive oil is, as we all know, the nectar of the Gods, and it doesn't get much better than this. The Mount Buffalo olive vineyard has incredible views of the region. As well as olives and olive oil, they produce lots of tasty treats to fill out a picnic basket. Once you have your picnic ingredients sorted, head to Lake Catani campground. It's a great picnic destination to gorge yourself on all that freshness, and it's the starting point for plenty of 2-3 hour hikes up Mount Buffalo itself. Mount Buffalo is one of the easier hiking destinations in the High Country, so think of it as more of a digestive stroll than a high-adrenaline slog. For the athletes, there's the Horn Trail 30 minutes away — it's a punishing uphill trek that rewards you with the best views. BEECHWORTH AND BEER If you're interested in the history of the region, head to Beechworth and check out the Gorge Scenic walking tour. This one is a moderate walk (not a hike, so leave the hydration backpack at home for this one) and give yourself a few hours to enjoy it. The trail takes you out of town, through rugged Victorian country and the richest goldfields in Australia then loops back around to finish at the Beechworth Visitor Centre. You'll travel past waterfalls, rugged landscapes, historical sites, goldfields, quarries and bridges. The town of Beechworth also has a rich architectural history that'll leave you feeling like you're in an episode of Aussie-style Westworld. Grab some educational material from the visitor centre to get the most out of the walk. And when you're all wandered out, head over to Bridge Road Brewers to recover with a chestnut pilsner and roast duck pizza. They make all their small-batch beers on site, while the kitchen specialises in some of the world's other best sources of carbs — pizza and pretzels. Plan your High Country getaway by visiting the Wander Victoria website and discover more of the autumnal delights across regional Victoria before the season is out.
Peering at ancient pyramids isn't normally a Sydney pastime, but it will be come September 2024 without needing to leave the city — or country. At virtual-reality experience Horizon of Khufu, you'll get immersed in the past like it's all around you. Patrons will see the Great Pyramids of Giza, including flying over the Giza Necropolis. You'll climb to the top of the Pyramid of Khufu, in fact, and gaze out over Egypt with a 360-degree view. Getting a glimpse of burial chambers and embalming ceremonies, finding the queen's chamber, sailing down the Nile, attending Khufu's funeral: that's all also on the agenda, as is checking out the Great Sphinx of Giza and witnessing these ancient wonders by night. That's where your eyes will be heading, at least, via a VR headset that'll take you into a shared play space. Your peepers will also be checking out recreations of sights dating back 4500 years, to the time of Khufu, the second pharaoh of Egypt's fourth dynasty. He's the figure that's believed to have commissioned the largest of the pyramids, which was also his tomb. Your body will need to be at the Harbour City's Fever Pavilion, where Horizon of Khufu is making its Australian debut from Thursday, September 5, 2024. Once you've popped on your headsets, attendees will be led through Horizon of Khufu by a virtual guide, all while benefiting from design by Egyptologist and Harvard University professor Peter Der Manuelian. If you're with your date or mates, or family, the 45-minute experience also lets you visuals others in the VR space, so you won't all just be off on your own wander through bygone years. Australia joins France — where Horizon of Khufu debuted in 2022 — as well as the US, Canada and the UK in being able to enjoy this blast from the past. Unsurprisingly, it has proven popular around the globe, notching up more than one million visitors so far. If you've seen plenty of other Egypt obsessives at Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and Pharaoh, you'll know that Aussies will help boost those numbers.
Wicker furniture, driftwood chairs, handmade jewellery, indoor plants and art sourced from local artists — Cronulla Living encapsulates the best of beachside interior design. While you're ogling throw rugs and decorative cushions, make sure not to overlook the practical essentials, such as cookware, that are also in stock. Located right next to South Cronulla Beach, a visit to Cronulla Living will have you inspired to recreate the seaside vibes at home. Images: Caitlin Morahan.
Dorrigo National Park is home to waterfalls, 600-year-old trees, a shaded walking track, colourful flora and fauna and an elevated boardwalk with breathtaking views. The best way to explore this lush World Heritage-listed rainforest is via the popular Wonga Walk. It'll take you about two hours to complete the 6.6-kilometre loop, passing by the cascading Tristania Falls and Crystal Shower Falls. Take the Lyrebird link track from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre that leads onto the Wonga walk. The walk is fairly easy but has some steeper sections and boulder crossings so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. Images: Destination NSW
There's something secretive and special about slipping into an art gallery after hours. Add a few laughs and a glass of wine, and it's pretty difficult to imagine a more seductive reason to get out of your house for the night. Running over Wednesday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 18, the Art Gallery of New South Wales' is hosting a series of late-night events as part of NAIDOC Week — a week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements. The highlight of the two nights, kicking off at 6.30 both weeks, is Faboriginal, an art game show run by Aboriginal writer and comedian Steven Oliver. Two teams will battle it out on topics relating to the gallery's Indigenous Australian art collection. Brush up on your trivia, as the crowd will be called out to help when the teams get stumped. A series of talks relating to NAIDOC Week's 2018 theme, 'Because of her, we can!' will also run across the two nights. The discussion will feature three prominent female Aboriginal artists, Juliette Seymour, Samantha Rich and Emily McDaniel. The late-night events are only one part of the AGNSW's NAIDOC Week celebrations, to see the full lineup, head to the website.
Ease into your weekend with a stroll around the Blackwattle Bay Loop, a gentle five kilometre walk that takes in the Anzac Bridge, Glebe foreshore and the Sydney Fish Markets. You'll walk past a colourful mural that illustrates the history of Blackwattle Bay, across lush lawns perfect for picnicking and catch picture-worthy views of the CBD. Once you've got your endorphin dose sorted for the day, head over to Glebe Markets for lunch and a browse. Grab some nosh from one of the food stalls, before spending some time rummaging around the vintage and contemporary fashion, jewellery, artwork and homewares.
Here's one way to add eight movies to your must-see list in 2025: Australia's Alliance Française French Film Festival has not only unveiled its dates for the event's next tour of the country, but has also started dropping a sneak peak of its lineup. As proves the case every year, autumn Down Under will mean venturing to Paris and beyond from your cinema seat. Head along to AFFFF and you'll also be helping the fest to celebrate its 36th year. If you're in Sydney, mark Tuesday, March 4 in your diary. Melbourne's season opens the following day, then Brisbane and Canberra the day after that. Perth's turn arrives the next week, while Adelaide gets into the action the week afterwards. In all locations, the festival runs through until at least early April. Already the largest celebration of French cinema outside of France itself, AFFFF will be even bigger in 2025, hitting up 18 cities — and adding five new locations, in Darwin, Ballina, Ballarat, Warriewood and Warrawong, to its slate. Across its full run, the festival is set to host 5500-plus screenings. If you like Gallic films, that's a whole lot of sessions to say "oui" to. While the complete lineup will arrive in early February 2025, the fest has kicked off its program announcements with the Tahar Rahim (Madame Web)-starring Monsieur Aznavour, about singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, as its opening-night pick. The movie has been doing big business in France, selling 1.8-million-plus tickets. Now, it's Australia's turn to head along. Also on the bill: the latest version of the The Count of Monte Cristo, which features Pierre Niney (The Book of Solutions) in the lead and takes AFFFF's centrepiece slot; Meet the Leroys, a road-trip dramedy that marks Charlotte Gainsbourg's (Alphonse) latest film; and Prodigies, a tale of sibling rivalry with Emily in Paris' Camille Razat. Beating Hearts, which is helmed by Gilles Lellouche (Sink or Swim) and stars Adèle Exarchopoulos (Inside Out 2) and François Civil (The Three Musketeers), played at Cannes International Film Festival 2024 — as did the music-loving My Brother's Band from The Big Hit writer/director Emmanuel Courcol. Viewers can also look forward to The Divine Sarah Bernhardt, with Sandrine Kiberlain (Meet the Barbarians) as the eponymous actor. And last — for now — but not least is All Stirred Up, a comedy focusing on a customs officer on the border between Quebec and the United States, plus her daughter's attempts to win a cooking contest. Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025 Dates Tuesday, March 4–Wednesday, April 9 — Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Moore Park, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, Roseville Cinemas, Warriewood, Sydney Wednesday, March 5–Wednesday, April 9 — Palace Cinema Como, The Kino, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema,The Astor Theatre, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Regent Ballarat, Melbourne Thursday, March 6–Tuesday, April 8 — Palace Cinema James Street, Palace Cinema Barracks, Brisbane, QLD: Thursday, March 6–Wednesday, April 9 — Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra Thursday, March 13–Wednesday, April 16 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville, Windsor Cinema, Perth Wednesday, March 19–Wednesday, April 23 — Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Adelaide The Alliance Française French Film Festival will tour Australia in March and April 2025. For more information, visit the AFFFF website. Check back here on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 for the full program.
Cafe owners and baristas are the cornerstones of every community they serve, providing excellent food and cups of precious coffee to keep the world (and all of us) turning. Who better to show appreciation for these local legends than the businesses they source their coffee from? Enter Toby's Estate and the annual Local Legends competition. Every cafe in Australia that grinds, pours, and serves coffee made with Toby's Estate beans is up for voting by its community. The winner receives the prestigious title of one of the most popular cafés in their state and a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. We're proud to present the NSW Toby's Estate Local Legend of 2024: Hippo Espresso in Warners Bay. We spoke to Aaryn Algie, owner and Hunter Valley resident, about the cafe and his favourite spots around town. How Did You Get Into The Hospitality Industry? I've been involved in the industry for about 20 years. I got into it because I really enjoyed interacting with people, and hospitality was the best way I could do this and get paid! Like most people, I started at the bottom and have worked my way up, doing everything along the way. It's the perfect industry to meet people, and the friends I've made through the industry are unbelievable. What's Your Go-To Coffee Order, and Do You Have a Trick For Making The Perfect Cup Every Time? An almond latte gets my day going. There's no real reason why it's almond; I just got one by mistake one day and stuck with it. My secret to getting a perfect cup every time…get someone else to make it. Things always taste better when you don't have to make it yourself. From Your Menu, What's The Perfect Pairing with a Morning Coffee? If it's a grab-and-go kind of day, it's hard to beat our breakfast wrap: scrambled egg, hash brown, bacon, spinach, and tomato relish. Or one of our famous Acai Bowls, where you can even create your own with unlimited toppings! But if I have the time (which isn't often) to sit and eat, our omelettes are a must! They're like an egg pizza with the lot! Why Do You Use Toby's Estate? We've been using Toby's for nine years now. It's a very smooth and consistent coffee, easy to drink, and I think that's what appeals to me about it the most. What's Your Favourite Toby's Estate Roast? We use the Woolloomooloo or 'Wolly' as its friends call it! So, it's obviously my favourite, but they all have their own unique qualities. What Made You Choose to Open in The Area You're in Today? The cafe had been here a couple of years before we purchased it. I grew up nearby and knew the area pretty well, and it really is the perfect spot for a cafe— a busy little hospitality strip with Lake Macquarie just 50 metres away! Where's Your Favourite Local Spot to Grab a Bite? (Other than Here) Living an hour from the cafe, I don't get to eat nearby too often, but when I do, my go-to is definitely Emilio's, the perfect Italian restaurant. Their pizza and pasta are fantastic, and the chilli octopus is next level! Where's Your Favourite Local Spot to Grab a Drink After Work? Close to home in The Hunter Valley, Nineteen at The Vintage is my go-to. A couple of Stone & Woods on tap is the perfect end to the day. Where Do You Like to Go to Escape Into Nature Nearby? There's a little sand island at the bottom end of Lake Macquarie called Naru. It's the perfect spot on a summer's day: crystal-clear water, a sandy beach area—just the perfect chill-out spot. If You Had a Friend Come to Visit, Where's The First Place You Would Take Them? I'd take them to the best vineyards in the world and do some wine tasting in the beautiful Hunter Valley. What are Some Other Local Small Businesses You Think People Should Support? Sharon at Warners Bay Dog Shop supplies us with dog treats to sell to all our furry customers. It's a great local business with a great team! Even her dogs, Fifi and Max, pop in occasionally. Is There Anything Else That You'd Like People to Know About Your Business? We know the majority of our customers by their coffee orders, not their names. So much so, we were watching a Matildas game once, and Emily Van Egmond (who's a regular when she's in Australia) came on the TV, and one of the staff said, "OMG, that's a small flat white and coconut and pistachio girl!" Hippo Espresso is the Toby's Estate Local Legends winner for NSW in 2024. For more information on it or other cafes that serve Toby's Estate, visit the website.
Located in the Broke Fordwich subregion of the Hunter Valley, Krinklewood makes certified biodynamic and organic drops on its sustainably run vineyard. This boutique winery boasts incredible views of the Brokenback Range as well as an old-world cellar door set within Provence-inspired gardens. You'll likely catch a glimpse (and hear the songs) of the region's abundant birdlife, too, thanks to its remote setting. Sample wine varieties typical of the region, including verdelho, semillon and chardonnay, along with a sparkling shiraz, rosé and Krinklewood's Wild range of blends. To complement the wine, snack on the cheese platter ($27.50) of all organic cheese, served with locally-sourced olives, chutney, apricots, almonds and cornichons. The cellar door is open Friday to Sunday, from 10am–4.30pm, so make sure to plan accordingly. Images: MJK Creative
Vivid Sydney is returning this May and the Fort Denison Restaurant is getting in on the act with its very own Dinner DeLIGHTS. This long-NYE favourite has a unique vantage point within the city's harbour and history to showcase the yearly spectacle, as our skyline again plays canvas to projections of light, music and ideas. For $99 a head, the Fort Denison Restaurant is offering an all-encompassing harbour evening, including: a two-course meal, return boat fares, an intimate talk with a Vivid Sydney special guest, entry to the park and a guided tour of Australia's only Martello tower from the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. No word on who said special guest/s will be, but the event is known for celebrating local and international creative minds. The ferry service will be running from Circular Quay, giving guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in Vivid's light walk before they settle into their harbour views of the famous light show over dinner. Dinner DeLIGHTS will run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the 18-day festival, 24 May to 10 June, and for the festival's closing night from 6.15pm to 9.45pm, with additional return ferries shuttles available throughout the evening. For more information head to www.fortdenison.com.au, or email reservations@tecatering.com.au to secure your booking. Places are limited.
Agreed to host a dinner party? Well, you're going to need seafood. In Greek, faros means lighthouse — so let Faros Seafood be your beacon to guide you. The freshness and quality at this beloved Marrickville fish market are impeccable, so you'll be able to prepare anything from prawn tartare to a baked snapper that'll blow your guests minds. And, it goes without saying that the customer service at this longstanding family business is always exceptional. They unsurprisingly love to talk seafood, so they'll happily assist you with ideas for dishes or serving suggestions. The market has been a staple of the Marrickville community for over 50 years. George and Dorothea Bananis, who emigrated from the Greek island Limnos, set up the oyster shucking business on Buckley Street in 1969 in the rear garage of their house. Over the years, it expanded to include all manner of seafood with the couple's son Peter now running operations.
Haymarket is clearly not short on bubble tea joints. But when Chippendale's Bubble Nini opened within the Maker's Dozen food hall in mid-2019, it brought something a little different to the area. Here, the team makes fresh pearls every morning, of which there are six different flavours. Once you've chosen from the 50 different tea options (with punny names like Jasmine Is a Cute-Tea, It Takes Two to Mango and How Ya Bean, Matcha Happening?) you can pick your pearls: sakura, matcha, taro, brown sugar, mango peanut or strawberry. It's a lot of decision making. If you're looking to narrow it down, our pick is the lavender-coloured taro pearls number, A Taro-Bly Bad Name. Bubble Nini also has locations in Chippendale's Central Park and on Sing Street in Waterloo. Images: Kimberley Low
Ever had a cocktail so good it deserved a permanent place on your skin? Now is your chance to get inked, as Bar Planet celebrates three years of slinging martinis with a one-off tattoo pop-up on Saturday, May 17. Whether you're already decorated from head to toe or a first-timer, it all kicks off at 2pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Headed up by the supremely talented Sydney-based tattoo artist Onnie O'Leary, guests can choose from a flash sheet of original Bar Planet designs inspired by the venue's iconic drinks and details. Starting from $100, the lasting memory might just be priceless. These creations are instantly recognisable to Bar Planet fans, with options including David Humphries' kaleidoscopic terrazzo bar top, bags of MSG-laced popcorn, wax-drenched candles, and the off-menu Skyscraper martini topped with a string of seven Kalamata olives. "Over the years, we've received lots of martini tattoos in our Instagram DMs," says Daisy Tulley, Group General Manager at MUCHO. "We can't believe Bar Planet has made its way onto our guests' skin! It's such a privilege and a joy to see." Images: Nikki To / Dexter Kim.
High-concept cocktails, leather booths and a distinctly horny vibe are the modus operandi at play in Pleasure Club. The new bar-meets-live music venue-slash-performance space has finally opened its doors on Wilson Street in Newtown after almost a year of preparation and the promise (according to Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf) to "blow up the status quo of what your average live music bar is presenting". So does it deliver? Well, the drinks list is pretty unreal, for starters. For the venue's launch, Creative Beverage Lead Sam Kirk collaborated with booze whisperer Matt Whiley (of Re) on a cocktail series dubbed 'Nostalgia Machine'. And you very quickly get a sense of the 90s breed of nostalgia they are accessing. Our pick is the 'Cherry Ripe', an astonishingly accurate rendition of the polarising chocolate bar created with rum, cherry, dark chocolate, Davidson's plum and coconut. The 'Vegemite' is also a highlight, kind of like a dirty martini but... Vegemitey? Other creations on the menu include 'Mr Whippy', 'Cheese TV' and the more palate challenging 'Chicken Parm' made with vodka, comte cheese, bacon, tomato and chicken salt. We liken it to a chilled alcohol-laced chicken soup. Do with that information what you will. The drinks are accompanied by a simple menu of good hot dogs that pair surprisingly well with the cocktails. The vibe of Pleasure Club is an anything-can-happen horny hedonism. A glowing purple eye greets you at the street level entrance, hinting at the layers of violet hues contained within. Otherworldly decor and stage design are tone-setters for the entertainment program, which will be a true mixed bag of live music, performance art and audience interaction. According to Odd Culture Group's Creative Director Nick Zavadszky, "It really will be a different beast depending on the occasion. There will be some heaving and revelrous late nights as well as some pared back, lo-fi shows. We've spent a lot of time engineering the journey from evening into late-night, with cues for transitioning to what we call Dark Service around the 11pm mark. You'll have to experience that one for yourself." And as of this evening you can. Pleasure Club is now open from Wednesday to Sunday 4pm-4am at 6 Wilson Street in Newtown. For programming details and more follow the venue on Instagram. Images by Parker Blain.
For the past nine years, juniper spirits have been flowing everywhere from London to Melbourne thanks to big gin festival Junipalooza. But if you're a Sydneysider with a fondness for the tipple in question, you would have been looking on with a touch of envy for most of that time. Well, until 2022, when the fest finally hit the Harbour City for two huge days. Following a successful debut Sydney edition, Junipalooza is returning in 2023. Come Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27, the gin festival will hit Carriageworks with plenty of drinks. The Sydney event will feature sampling stations from some of the world's best distillers. Fifty distillers from around the globe will be sharing their gins, with over 100 different types set to feature. Renowned international distillers like Singapore's Tanglin Gin and India's Hapusa will be in attendance alongside local favourites like Ginny Pig Distillery, Old Young's Distiller, Melbourne Gin Company, Bondi Liquor Co and Four Pillars. If you're eager to sip your way through the fest, you can choose between three sessions, with tickets on sale now. On the Saturday, you can start the day with drinks from 11am–3pm, or spend your evening sampling gin between 4–8pm. On Sunday, an 11am–4pm session is on the cards. Top image: Jacquie Manning.
While Sydney's Italian cuisine is known for being inventive and boundary-pushing — think Bella Brutta's clam pizza or Ragazzi's ever-changing ravioli varieties — sometimes all you want is some simple homely food. Palle, the new restaurant coming to Tramsheds from the team behind A Tavola and Flour Eggs Water, is all about homely and hearty Italian food with one big speciality: meatballs. "Mum's recipe was basic, but it was full of sustenance and love. It took a pandemic to make me wonder why the meatball has taken a backseat in the dining scene," said Founder of A Tavola, Flour Eggs Water and Palle Eugenio Maiale. "Palle is all about bringing back comfort, nostalgia and love, in a fun and playful way." Translating to "balls" in Italian, Palle is bringing bright colours, terrazzo clad tabletops and a concise themed menu to Tramsheds, alongside the existing Flour Eggs Water outpost and Forest Lodge favourites like Belles Hot Chicken, China Diner, Fish & Co and Messina. On the menu at the vibrant and colourful diner, you'll find classic meatballs side-by-side with more uncommon takes like salt cod and potato balls or tangy lamb tzatziki balls. From there you have a decision to make. You can order your meatballs in a set of two, a bucket of twelve, inside a sub or on top of a bed Palle's house-made spaghetti. There's even a chicken parmi sub or a lamb ball sub with whipped feta. If you want to ease into your meal before ordering your bucket of meatballs, there's a range of classic Italian starters and sides on offer. Cold cut meats, cheesy garlic bread, fried zucchini flowers, white cabbage salad and a crab and corn crostini will all tempt you before you even get to the main event. Of course, bombolini is the obvious dessert to have on offer at a meatball restaurant and Palle doesn't disappoint, with cinnamon, raspberry, Nutella or dulce de leche-flavoured balls available post-dinner. Palle will open on Friday, May 6 at Tramsheds, 1 Dalgal Way, Forrest Lodge. It will be open for lunch and dinner Friday—Sunday. Images: Dexter Kim
Every neighbourhood needs a reliable Thai restaurant. For Potts Point, it's Llankelly Thai. The laneway restaurant is perfect for when you and your mates desperately need a catch-up but you're all on a budget. It likes to pride itself on simplicity, offering up food that always tastes great. The service is friendly and relaxed and they're open every day for lunch and dinner. The lunch special runs from 11:30 in the morning until 4:40 in the afternoon and it is a great place to swing by with a group of mates or colleagues. The laksa chicken is prepared in a homemade laksa based soup, paired with your choice of vegetables including carrot, broccoli and beansprouts before being topped with dried red onion. Alternatively the wanton soup with chicken wontons, vegetables and egg noodles is especially delicious. Vegetarians might enjoy pumpkin and tofu stir fry served with rice. The dinner menu is more eclectic but still has a traditional approach. Start with a roasted duck salad tossed in lychee with tomato, cucumber, shallots and chilli jam dressing and the tom yum noodle soup with Thai herbs and bok choy. For a main, the brave can try the spicy panang curry with bamboo, chilli and basil leaves, while a gentler option is the massaman with slow cooked beef, coconut milk and roasted peanuts. As you'd hope, the chef recommendations are spot on. Our favourite being the 'Holy Duck' — a stir fried roasted duck with chilli, mixed vegetables, pumpkin and basil. Llankelly Thai is the kind of Sydney restaurant you head to for classic and tasty Thai eats in a laidback setting. It's not trying to invent the wheel. That ain't necessary when the food tastes this good.
If you're fascinated by anatomy and don't get too creeped out by cadavers, then we might've found your ultimate exhibition. Having scored rave reviews on its international tour, the world-renowned Real Bodies exhibition has finally made its Sydney debut at the Entertainment Quarter's Byron Kennedy Hall. This one digs pretty deep and is a little different to your standard cultural experience in that it features a collection of 20 real, perfectly preserved human bodies, alongside over 200 anatomical specimens. Exploring birth, life and death, through a compelling mix of art, science and emotion, Real Bodies aims to give visitors a whole new perspective on the weird and wonderful complexities of the human body. The exhibition's divided between ten different galleries, each focused on various physiological functions. Dive into the intricacies of the respiratory system in the 'Breathe' gallery, or discover the science behind physical attraction as you explore the one titled 'Love'. Just remember, it's probably not one you want to schedule in for straight after lunch.
The cold weather won't stop many from scoring a scoop of ice cream, but sometimes, a warmer bite just feels right. With this in mind, it's a good thing Gelato Messina is back with a new edition of its cult-favourite cookie pie. Made in collaboration with Tony's Chocolonely, this is the ideal chance to discover the brand's mission to end exploitation in the cocoa industry. Designed to be baked fresh at home, this feel-good cookie pie offers the ultimate treat for when you're rugged up on the couch. Plus, this inventive dessert hits all the marks of a winter treat: golden on the outside, gooey on the inside, and loaded with Tony's beloved milk and dark chocolate pieces. Crafted in-house by Messina's pastry team, expect each pie to resonate with the same thought and care as the brand's top-notch gelato. Speaking of, this molten delight is best served with a scoop of your go-to Messina flavour on top, helping to create your dream combination. Available from all Messina stores and for delivery from Monday, July 7, these limited-edition treats are served first-come, first-served. Just don't expect them to last long. Priced at $25 each, you're welcome to bundle with 500ml, 1L or 1.5L tubs of Messina gelato, so you can scoop at home until your heart and tastebuds are content. If you're keen to brave the cold weather, single-serve cookie pies will be served in all Messina stores (except Circular Quay and The Star) from Monday, July 14. Available from 5pm every Monday–Thursday throughout winter, these smaller portions are priced at $12, with your choice of gelato scoop making your after-dark adventure more than worth it. Plus, the team is getting in the mood by launching Brownie Points, a limited-edition flavour created to pair with your pie. Think salted milk chocolate gelato, lashings of caramel and Tony's double-choc brownie rolled into a toothsome scoop. It's available from all Messina stores from Saturday, July 12–Saturday, July 19, or until sold out. Tony's Chocolonely and Gelato Messina's cookie pie is available from all locations and for online delivery from Monday, July 7. Head to the website for more information.
Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor isn't just the domain of Robin Hood. In SBS's new six-part series, it's how a 13-year-old Northern Territory kid not only tries to get by, but endeavours to help his friends, family and others in his struggling community. The cheeky, big-hearted, hoodie-wearing teen's name: Robbie Hood. Giving a classic concept a uniquely Indigenous Australian spin, the idea behind Robbie Hood is both simple and ingenious, like many of the best are. Rather than following an adult outlaw attempting to correct the disparity between the wealthy and the less fortunate, the bite-sized show steps into the life of its eponymous hero (Pedrea Jackson) across its ten-minute-long episodes. In an area blighted by poverty, racism and systemic inequities at every turn — sky-high grocery prices that make meat unaffordable, and a foster-care system that does the bare minimum for kids in need, for example — when Robbie flouts the law, it's for a good reason. His light-fingered ways aren't a weapon in a folkloric class war, but a social-realist reflection of suboptimal conditions in Australia's Red Centre Forget Sherwood Forest, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, Will Scarlett and Maid Marion, then. Instead, in Alice Springs' dusty surrounds, Robbie butts heads with kindly Shane the Copper (Dan Falzon), pals around with the always-hungry Little Johnny (Levi Thomas) and ever-sarcastic Georgia Blue (Jordan Johnson), and has a crush on checkout chick Mim (Tiara Doolan). He's always trying to make life easier for his Nana Mary (Audrey Martin), and, while he calls his boozing, guitar-playing dad (Andy Golledge) a dickhead, his love never falters. Robbie takes the same approach to his hometown — sure, he dubs it a shithole mere moments into the series' first episode, but it's still his home. Set in the lead up to Christmas, the show charts sweltering days, attempts to sneak into the local pool, quests to get enough pre-paid power cards to keep the electricity running and trips to the speedway, with writer/director Dylan River finding humour and heart in every scenario. Indeed, the show's ability to pair an upbeat spirit with an unflinching look at reality is one of its unwavering strengths. Robbie Hood's characters, including its irrepressible, irreverent protagonist, are well aware of their situation, and yet they're never defeated or defined by it. Perfecting that balance and happily dismantling stereotypes in the process, River is helped by his fantastic cast, especially the spirited Jackson — a first-time actor who oozes charisma as the titular thief. The series' expressive cinematography also assists, capturing the everyday minutiae of Alice Springs without a hint of sugarcoating, while also surveying its striking, sprawling desert landscape. River, however, is his own MVP. The young Aussie filmmaker crafts an entertaining and insightful exploration of life in the Red Centre, as partially inspired by his own life as well as the experiences of his friends and family. And, in making perhaps the best twist on Robin Hood yet, he also adds a stellar credit to his growing resume. The son of Samson and Delilah director Warwick Thornton, and grandson of pioneering Indigenous Australian figure Alfreda Glynn, River already has documentaries Buckskin and Finke: There and Back to his name, as well as cinematography credits on his father's Sweet Country and upcoming Adam Goodes doco The Australian Dream. All six episodes of Robbie Hood are available to stream now on SBS On Demand.
Treat yourself — or a friend — to a luxury gift box of artisanal chocolates from family-run chocolatier Just William. Owner Suzanne Francis makes the bite-sized chocolates by hand in new and surprising flavour combinations, from the popular ganache cream centre 'bombs' filled with fruit, booze or caramel, to the animal-shaped treats like mango penguins, strawberry echidnas and orange koalas. The store always has gift boxes dedicated to special occasions such as Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and Easter — so even if you forgot to save the date, Francis has your back for a premium gift set of handmade truffles on any day of the year.
Keen to explore the seas on your next trip to Jervis Bay? If you want to go beyond the usual splash in the shallows or baking on the beach, then take a half-day or full-day tour with Sea Kayak Jervis Bay. You'll learn paddling techniques, trivia-comp-winning facts about the bay and, between paddling sessions, you'll stop for coffee, cake, fruit and a dip at a stunning beach. If you're feeling intrepid, venture away from the shoreline to Bowen Island. It's illegal to disembark, but there's stacks to see from your boat, including fairy penguins — approximately 5000 breeding pairs live there. If you're a seasoned paddler, you can also hire kayaks for the day without the tour, which will set you back $60 for a full day if you're solo or $85 for a double kayak.
Along with offering excellent food and drink at its cafe, Cornersmith is also an advocate for and teacher of a more sustainable, more delicious way of living. From teaching the fundamentals of preserves, to explaining the basics of pickling, Cornersmith is dedicated to sharing ways of making your food last longer, taste better and do more for you nutritionally. Some of their recent additions include cheese making, bread baking, pastry rolling and fermenting. Fermented food has become massive in Sydney over the last few years — think kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles (and the list goes on) — so why not try your hand at it? Classes change week to week, so check their website to see what's on.
The crew behind beloved pizza shop My Mother's Cousin is carving out a claim to be the go-to hospitality group for anything dough-related in Sydney's south. Not content with running one of the area's best pizzerias, the team has delivered another standout venue in the form of Self Raised Bread Shoppe. Decked out in retro signage and awnings accompanied by a chequered lino floor and wood panelling, the cafe and bakery is serving carb-laden goodness on Jubilee Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Carlton, just down from Jubilee Stadium. On the counter you'll find a glass cabinet with the day's baked wares for sale. Expect kouign-amanns, croissants, filled doughnuts, tarts and cinnamon buns all ready to satisfy your sweet cravings. Or, if you'd prefer the savoury route, opt for focaccia topped with tomato and ricotta, sausage rolls or a selection from the made-to-order sandwich menu. If you're heading in before 10.30am and on the hunt for something hot and hearty you have two choices. The first is the egg, cheese and potato hash on a milk bun with your choice of peppered ketchup or the specialty house sauce plus the optional addition of sausage — a perfect combo for a Sunday morning after a big night. The other option is your classic sourdough grilled cheese with mushroom as an optional added extra. From 10.30am until close, the sandwich selection expands to include mortadella, turkey, ham, and salami hoagies; tuna sandwiches loaded with dill, onion, cheese and pickles; a vegetarian delight that loads up ciabatta with artichoke, onion, rocket, parmesan and mayo; or a classic panko-crumbed schnitzel sambo on white bread. Self Raised Bread Shoppe does have more than your bread needs covered. There's also shelves of providore faves like hot sauces, cold meats, sardines, olives, burrata, coffee beans and cans of iced tea.
The Hunter Valley's music and wine festival Grapevine Gathering is gearing up to return to the vineyards of Pokolbin's Roche Estate in 2021 after taking 2020 off for obvious reasons. The festival pairs the very best drops with a vibrant music lineup full of local talent. Canberra party-starters Peking Duk and Brisbane indie-rock group The Jungle Giants are two of the bigger acts heading up the lineup. They'll be joined on the winery stage by Vera Blue, The Veronicas, San Cisco, CC:Disco!, King Stingray and Rest for the Wicked. It's going to be a big day of tunes, folks. Aussie sketch comedians and Instagram celebrities The Inspired Unemployed are taking on hosting tunes to keep you entertained between acts. In addition to the tunes, punters will have access to an array of first-rate food options and a heap of wines, of course. To help make commuting to-and-from Pokolbin a little easier, the festival has organised return buses from Sydney, Newcastle, Gosford, Maitland and Cessnock. You'll just need to add a (slightly pricey) bus pass to your ticket. Pre-sale tickets drop at 6pm on Wednesday, February 24 (you can sign-up for those here) with general tickets going on sale at midday on Thursday, February 25.
Oh, modern life. For all its joys and conveniences, it also brings with it a particular set of stresses. From fast-paced, expensive city living to pressure from friends, family, and social media to be and look a certain way, it's no surprise we go through our days feeling a bit overwhelmed. Yet, compared to the effort we put into our physical wellbeing — clocking hours at the gym or religiously adhering to one diet or another — we tend to pay much less attention to our mental health. The result: an uptick in depression, anxiety, and general unhappiness. Luckily for us Sydneysiders, Mary Hoang and her innovative new psychology and mindfulness venture The Indigo Project are here to help. Noting the lack of businesses dedicated to mental wellbeing in Sydney, Hoang set out to build a sanctuary where city dwellers could go to de-stress and cultivate inner peace. Based in Surry Hills, the newly opened space uses mindfulness and modern psychology to, in Hoang's words, "help people get their shit together". Refreshingly unpretentious, The Indigo Project offers innovative workshops, one-on-one therapy, meditation, yoga and lunchtime nap classes (yes, nap classes), as well as local and international retreats. Hoang's path to founding The Indigo Project was winding. Originally from Perth, she moved to Sydney to pursue a degree in psychology and, after graduation, worked with the city's street kids through The Salvation Army's Oasis Youth Support Network. "I found the best way to connect with the kids was through mediums like hip hop dance and graffiti," she says. "And I became passionate about this creative, down-to-earth approach to psychology." But going on to work in various private practices, Hoang found that her youthful, creative approach was not readily embraced by employers. "I had all these ideas like taking meditation into the corporate world and creating mindfulness workshops that incorporated music, but my bosses preferred to stick to their old-school ways," she says, in her characteristically enthusiastic tone. So, in 2012, Hoang decided to take the leap and branch out on her own. Naming her venture after the concept of indigo children (that is, a generation of individuals thought to have supernatural intuition, intelligence, and creativity), she set out to build a business that would cater to young, creative individuals by teaching mindfulness in an approachable way. While the journey hasn't been easy — "you certainly don't learn how to run a small business in your psychology classes" — it's also been incredibly fulfilling. After three years of working out of her apartment and renting rooms for workshops and classes, Hoang finally opened the permanent location last month, in October 2016. "It took me years to find this place because I wanted somewhere people would want to linger, to talk, to collaborate — not just drop in for a class and then rush back out," she explains. This goal has been achieved with the serene Surry Hills space — it features beautiful Scandinavian-style furniture, abundant potted plants, and an AstroTurfed rooftop. Today, The Indigo Project's jam-packed program offers something for everyone. The only "requirement", Hoang says, is a curious mind. "If you're asking questions about how you can be more present and reduce your stress, we have something for you." For an introduction to mindfulness, try one of the daily meditation or yoga classes. Once you're ready to delve deeper, sign up for The indigo project's signature Get Your Shit Together course. An eight-week mindfulness meditation program, the course gives participants the tools to understand their minds better and learn to live in the present. You could also give the genius Nap Time a try. Perfect for those moments in the work week when you're practically nodding off at your desk, the class provides a guided relaxation meditation and the opportunity for a little pick-me-up snooze in the middle of the day. It's designed so you head back to work energised and ready to tackle the afternoon's challenges. If you don't have a nap desk, this is the next best thing. Even if you're sceptical, give it a go — your mind will thank you. The Indigo Project is located at 33 Foster Street, Surry Hills. For more information and a class timetable, visit theindigoproject.com.au. Keen to check it out? The Indigo Project team are offering one free yoga, meditation or naptime class to the first 50 Concrete Playground readers who book online using the code CPGROUND50. Book via www.theindigoproject.com.au. Images: Kimberley Low.
Fossix Coffee has been serving up artisanal eats and specialty coffee on Pitt Street since its opening in 2016. Run by owner Jeremy Glass and chef Sean Kiely, the cafe boasts house-made pastries, cakes and other sweet treats that are a far cry from your run-of-mill CBD cafeteria eats. Open from 7.30am every weekday, the foyer cafe is serving up espressos and iced coffees made on a rotating selection of coffee, including single-origin blends by Sample Coffee. Hungry visitors can check out the takeaway brekkie and lunch menu — think smoked salmon bagels, croissants and barbecue pulled pork wraps — or choose from a selection of vego and gluten-free options. Those with a sweet-tooth can tuck into the changing menu of cakes, with local favourites including the Golden Gaytime cheesecake, 'Mum's carrot cake' and a decadent red velvet cake. And if you head down on a Friday afternoon you can grab any remaining slices for just $5 a pop. With a cool, greenery-filled interior hidden from street view, Fossix offers an escape from the hubbub of the CBD. Plus, you can consider your next office soirée sorted with the extensive catering menu, offering everything from mini-bagels and canapés to a three-litre urn of batch brew filter.
Parlour X is housed in an old sandstone building on Oxford Street — known as 'The Church' — and is difficult to miss. It was founded in 2001 by owner Eva Galambos, after a career spanning 12 years as a commercial fashion agent for Giorgio Armani and Nicole Farhi in London and Sydney. With this in mind, it's little surprise that Parlour X has carved out a name for itself as the leading one-stop shop for luxury designer wear and accessories. Inside the grandiose building, you'll find premiere collections from high-end international and Australian labels including Fendi, Paco Rabanne, Comme Des Garçons and Christopher Esber. Galambos also uses her exposure to Europe's high-end fashion world to promote and showcase emerging Australian designers.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
Some voices could utter anything and make it sound interesting, and David Attenborough's is one of them. That said, that's not why the iconic British broadcaster has become such a trusted and beloved figure in the nature documentary world. His involvement in any project that roves over, probes and ponders the planet we all live on is the ultimate stamp of approval. Whether he's narrating Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, their sequels, a stampede of other series or film David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, his participation always means more than merely his vocal tones echoing across exceptional imagery — it means astute science-backed insights paired with a first-rate spectacle. When it initially arrived in 2022, becoming one of the year's best new shows and giving nature doco fans the five-episode series they didn't know they'd always wanted — and simultaneously couldn't believe hadn't been made until now — Prehistoric Planet followed that formula perfectly. And it is a formula. In a genre that's frequently spying the wealth of patterns at the heart of the animal realm, documentaries such as The Living Planet, State of the Planet, Frozen Planet, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet, Green Planet and the like all build from the same basic elements. Jumping back 66 million years, capitalising upon advancements in special effects but committing to making a program just like anything that peers at the earth today was never going to feel like the easy product of a template, though. Indeed, Prehistoric Planet's first season was stunning, and its second is just as staggering. Again, Prehistoric Planet 2 streams via Apple TV+. Again, it's also dropping its five instalments over five nights, this time screening across Monday, May 22–Friday, May 26. And, each chapter again heroes a different environment and the ancient creatures that called it home. This second go-around starts with the inhabitants of earth's islands during the Cretaceous age, then moves to the badlands, primarily focusing on areas with volcanic activity. Next, hopping between continents, the show gets swampy. After that comes a dive into the oceans, followed by a journey to one particular patch of terrain: North America. The catch, in both season one and this return trip backwards: while breathtaking landscape footage brings the planet's terrain to the Prehistoric Planet series, the critters stalking, swimming, flying and tumbling across it are purely pixels. Filmmaker Jon Favreau remains among the show's executive producers, and the technology that brought his photorealistic versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King to cinemas couldn't be more pivotal. Seeing needs to be believing while watching, because the big-screen gloss of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World sagas, the puppets of 90s sitcom Dinosaurs, and the animatronics of Walking with Dinosaurs — or anything in-between — were never going to suit a program with Attenborough as a guide. Accordingly, to sit down to Prehistoric Planet is to experience cognitive dissonance: viewers are well-aware that what they're seeing isn't real because the animals seen no longer exist, but it truly looks that authentic. Still set to a rousing score by acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer (now fresh from Top Gun: Maverick) with Bleeding Fingers Music's Anže Rozman and Kara Talve, Prehistoric Planet 2 also expands its focus beyond season one's creatures, aka all the regular dinos that everyone grew up knowing. Familiar beasts still walk through the series' frames, accompanied by new titbits about their lives and behaviour — feathered raptor babies prove both cute and clever, for instance — but honing in on new animals feels as revelatory as it's meant to. One such critter earns episode two's attention, with the Indian sauropod isisaurus first observed as mothers-to-be trekking through gas and avoiding lava to lay eggs in volcanic ash, then seen as hatchlings navigating the treacherous spot to return to the herd. Visually, with painterly backdrops that look otherworldly because fiery mountains always do (see also: Oscar-nominated documentary Fire of Love), the time spent with these plant-eating, long-necked dinos is as beautiful as anything the show has ever delivered. The isisaurus boasts ample company, each making their moments and episodes gleam in different ways. When the island-centric first season-two episode shows the dance-like mating ritual of the hatzegopteryx — the heaviest animal to ever fly — against pristine white sands and an ocean backdrop, it too stands out. So do the towering pterosaurs anyway with their 12-metre wingspans, of course. Also on the list: the pachycephalosaurus with their colourful dome-shaped skulls, as often seen butting against each other, and the displays of combat between clashing triceratops. Dinosaurs, they're just like people: always trying to leave an impression, claim their turf and find companionship. During the chapter dedicated to swamps, prehistoric frog beelzebufo — also known as devil toad — croaks to find love, too. As its presence demonstrates, and the hatzegopteryx as well, dinos aren't the only creatures in Prehistoric Planet's jam-packed return. The ocean instalment is especially fond of ammonites, devoting much of its running time to the molluscs' life cycle and graceful movements through the underwater deep, while mammals, bony fish, flightless seabirds, primitive ducks, million-strong swarms of flies and vegetarian crocodiles all make an appearance. Surveying a broader range of the animals calling earth home before the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction event doesn't just help prolong the program and ideally open the doors for even more seasons to follow; it's an aptly thoughtful touch. Every episode may begin with Attenborough surrounded by fossils, but there's far more to prehistoric life and to scientific learnings about the period than the familiar — artefacts and critters alike. In season two, context isn't only relegated to each chapter's introduction. Moving season one's post-show forays into the facts behind the imagery into the show itself, every nightly segment now ends with expert talking heads — from Prehistoric Planet's consultants, London's Natural History Museum and beyond — chatting through the data and discoveries backing up everything viewers have just seen. That too is an intelligent move, because the longer anyone watches this series, takes in its Attenborough-voiced insights and becomes immersed in life oh-so-far back, the more they want to learn. Move over Jurassic Park — this is the best dino franchise now. Check out the trailer for Prehistoric Planet's second season below: Prehistoric Planet season two premieres via Apple TV+ across Monday, May 22–Friday, May 26, with a new episode available to stream each day. Read our full review of Prehistoric Planet season one, and read our interview with executive producer Mike Gunton and series producer Tim Walker about season two.
