Every one of QT Sydney's guest suites have been carefully crafted to reflect and honour the historic Gowings and State Theatre buildings in which it resides. QT's exterior sports a striking blend of gothic, art deco, and Italianate-influenced architecture — and inside, the luxurious rooms carry through that art deco-meets-gothic aesthetic to quite the striking degree. Plus, thanks to its location right in the centre of the CBD — and alongside one of the city's most famous theatres — it's a great pick for out-of-towners, while locals can often be found making the best of its various bars, bistros and restaurants. And if you're looking to bring your pooch along, you're in luck. The QT pup fur-endly rooms come with an in-room menu specifically for woofers, a pooch-friendly mini bar offering and designer canine bedding. The doggy food range is overseen by the brand's head of treats — Nic Wood in Australia and Jiwon Do in NZ — and includes steak tartare with raw beef, mushrooms and egg yolk; bone marrow risotto with bone broth and crispy pigs ears; and chicken livers and pork necks on wholemeal toast with chicken gravy. Fancy a doggy dessert for your pooch? There's also a bacon ice cream sandwich, made from bacon ice cream, dried liver and oat biscuits. es, this is incredibly silly. But why not treat your pup, while you're treating yourself? Aussie pet lovers are lucky to have QT Sydney, for it is one of the top dog-friendly hotels in the country. Just nearby, you'll find Sammy Junior, Glass Brasserie and The Grounds of the City; however, if you don't feel like leaving your hotel, you're in luck. The QT Sydney hosts the renowned Gowings Bar & Grill, too. Want to stay a little closer to the beach? Hop over to the QT Bondi for a coastal escape. It's one of Sydney's best hotels, for sure.
Find yourself constantly daydreaming of corsets and spotted dick? Then don your top hat, grab your favourite Edgar Allan Poe novel and take a stroll back into yesteryear with Sydney Living Museums' (who were, until recently, the Historic Houses Trust) Gothic Sunday. Following the rollicking success of Regency Sunday, the newest instalment in the Vintage Sundays series has opted for a decidedly darker and more macabre historical trip: the twisted world of mid-1800 Victorian mourning customs. The rules remain the same as last time - period dress is encouraged, and faux Mr Darcy accents are compulsory - but the game is quite different this time round. Tours through a fully decked-out Vaucluse House by the undertaker of William Wentworth's mausoleum will have you immersed in the Victorian era's dark and decadent mourning process, and the sombre tones of an all-male choir will have you feeling like you have stumbled into a time machine. If you prefer a more hands-on approach to history you can try your hand at jet jewellery making or baking funeral biscuits. And if the doom and gloom of all this becomes too much to bear, then hop into your dancing shoes for your very own Victorian polka lesson.
House-made almond milk infused with rose petals, chilled Milo with choc chips and jaffles dripping with cheese and sausage — Meraki takes all your childhood food dreams and turns them into adult realities. Barista Toufick Chami — whose CV includes Circa, The Cupping Room, Tap and Ona — opened the glass doors of this sunny, friendly corner cafe back in 2016. He combines his Lebanese background with modern Australian cafe fare, creating dishes that break the mould through simple but effective twists. The signature toastie, for example, called The Saltan's Jaffle, is made up of tasty cheese, sujuk (dry, spicy sausage), olives and house-made smoky capsicum relish, while the granola is served on watermelon-infused rose water reduction and a pear poached in Earl Grey tea. The compact menu changes frequently and, every morning, a batch of freshly baked goodies lands on the counter. Be there early to nab one. Chami sources coffee beans from Stitch, St Peters. But, for non-coffee drinkers, there are plenty of alternative adventures, such as the Red African hot chocolate, chilled vanilla rose Milo and the aforementioned house-made almond milk made with beetroot, rose petals and Himalayan sea salt.
One of the reasons that it's so easy to lose yourself at teamLab Borderless, the acclaimed and hugely popular Tokyo digital art gallery that should be at the top of every visitor to Japan's must-visit list, is the way that its stunning sights keep moving around you. No one just looks at art here — they're truly immersed in it. At RISING 2025, expect that same sensation. When Melbourne's annual winter arts festival returns, expect to step into a field of red beams, too. Whether you're a local or hitting up the Victorian capital just for the fest, expect to never see The Capitol the same way again as well. After first announcing that it'd be getting swinging in 2025 — at mini golf, that is, courtesy of an art exhibition that's also a nine-hole mini-golf course that's taking over Flinders Street Station Ballroom — RISING has unveiled its full program. Hailing from teamLab alum Shohei Fujimoto, intangible #form is a massive highlight. The Japanese artist's free installation will take over The Capitol each evening complete with all of that crimson lighting, which'll respond to your movement. Sparking the feeling losing yourself in its beams and hues is 100-percent the piece's aim. With 65 events featuring 327 artists on RISING's 2025 lineup between Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15, intangible #form is just one of the fest's standouts this year. Another comes courtesy of Suki Waterhouse playing her first-ever Aussie shows, which you can only see in Melbourne at the fest. After proving a drawcard in 2024, Yasiin Bey is returning to RISING in 2025, this time joined by Talib Kweli. Still on tunes, Portishead's Beth Gibbons, Aotearoa favourite Marlon Williams, septuagenarian grime stars Peter Bowditch and Basil Bellgrave, Black Star, RONA, Soccer Mommy and Japanese Breakfast are also on the bill — as is the return of eight-hour music fest-meets-block party Day Tripper, with DIIV, Mount Kimbie, Annie and the Caldwells, Bktherula, Paul St Hilaire and Bad Vacation taking to the stage. [caption id="attachment_994703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mathieu Bitton[/caption] If you haven't seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch before, this is your chance to redress that gap in your theatregoing, with this new Australian production of the rock musical starring Filipino Australian singer Seann Miley Moore. And if you've ever wondered if you could manage to sit still — completely — for 90 minutes, Woopsyang's "do nothing" challenge is part of RISING, and asking festival attendees to participate. Or, catch the Australian premiere of Olivier-winning hip-hop dance work BLKDOG by Botis Seva — and then grab a seat for The Wrong Gods, a new piece by S Shakthidharan, the playwright behind RISING 2024's Counting and Cracking. Celebrating Divinyls legend Chrissy Amphlett via cabaret, hearing sound artist Sara Retallick dive deep into The City Baths as a composition space, dancing again at the return of SHOUSE's Communitas, spotting Melbourne Art Trams' latest iteration rolling around town, embracing a playful stage musing on heartbreak with the appropriate soundtrack: that's all on offer, too. [caption id="attachment_994693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ryan Cara[/caption] Also on the agenda: peering at large-scale projections that champion Yorta Yorta ancestral connections as they flicker across Hamer Hall, all thanks to Moorina Bonini; discovering what happens when time and sound bend in the void beneath Federation Square; watching six performers work through 36 Shakespeare plays using household objects; and another date with the Bard, with Hamlet staged by a neurodiverse cast. BLOCKBUSTER, also at Fed Square, looks set to live up to its name, giving RISING a free ode to South Asian culture. Think: street food, Pakistani R&B, Punjabi rap, art trucks, workshops and more. To similarly feel spoiled for choice while hitting up just one part of the festival's program, head to Night Trade, which is again part of the program, bringing street, karaoke and microbars to a late-night art market between Capitol Arcade and Howey Place. The list goes on — including Soda Jerk switching from bringing TERROR NULLIUS and Hello Dankness to the big screen to designing a mini-golf hole for the aforementioned Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf. [caption id="attachment_994700" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Woopsyang[/caption] "RISING is about breaking conventions — bringing wild, intimate and unexpected creativity into the heart of Melbourne," said the event's Co-Artistic Directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek, announcing 2025's lineup. "We are a festival of art music and performance that is proudly challenging and uncompromisingly inclusive. This year, audiences are invited to navigate a storm of lasers in the prismatic fantasy of the Capitol Theatre, swim through a composition of tactile sound in the City Baths, join in an audio-visual experiment deep under the ground of our town square or compete in the defiant act of doing nothing." [caption id="attachment_994704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mandy Wu[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994692" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netti Habel[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Marr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Remi Chauvin[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katsuyuki Seki[/caption] RISING 2025 runs from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 across Melbourne. Head to the event's website for further information.
Sweethearts Rooftop Barbeque is the Cross' open-air diamond in the rough. For those seeking out a venue sans long lines, burly bouncers and more hipsters than you can poke a stick at, Sweethearts might just be the ticket. In the thick of Sydney's late-night partygoers' district on Darlinghurst Road, this place is drenched in "see where the night takes us" possibilities by redefining the way we engage 'entertainment' quarters. Atop Keystone's Sugarmill and Kit and Kaboodle sits this rooftop venue, lest we explain we've got the three-in-one deal going on here. Pub, nightclub and rooftop bar. After you've caught your breath after a heavy going four or five flights of stairs, kick back at one of Sweethearts' long bench tables, in amongst a mountain of trees, beneath some kitsch but redeeming pastel-coloured fairy lights. Reward yourself with a glass of King Valley Prosecco ($10). And don't be alarmed to see the charismatic barman pulling it as he would a coldie; the wines are on tap here. If you're after something that packs a bit more punch, opt for a wine spritzer like the East Coast Cooler ($10), a citric-fueled combo of sauvignon blanc, passionfruit syrup, sugar, lemon, soda, and orange bitters or a Mango Tree pitcher ($28) with mango liqueur, pineapple, rum, dry ginger and lemon. And who's knocking about the pans out back? That's a certain Robert Taylor (ex Manly Pavilion) whose menu focuses on fresh, grilled produce designed to share. Apparently it's all about skewers here with a range of meat, fish and vegetable on sticks ready to inhale. We recommend you go for the pork fillet ($14), salmon belly ($16) or chicken thigh ($13) of the skewer variety before indulging a Black Angus sirloin ($23 for 200g) or the soy braised brisket sandwich with pickled beetroot ($20). And get it right when you order, because you're the one accountable. The menus at Sweethearts are of the fill out yourself kind. With atmosphere aplenty and the place already packing out, we suggest you make Sweethearts top of your list. Get in early too, to watch the sun go down with spritzer in hand. See you there.
When a film bears the name American Sniper – and the memoir it adapts includes The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in US Military History in its title – certain things are unsurprising. To judge a movie by its moniker and a book by its cover, patriotism is expected, as are ample scenes seen through the crosshairs of a riflescope. Clint Eastwood’s latest feature delivers both. The true tale inspiring jingoistic fervour is that of Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), a Texan rodeo cowboy turned Navy SEAL. In four tours of Iraq post-9/11, he was credited with 160 confirmed kills. His fellow soldiers anointed him with the nickname 'Legend', continually proffering their thanks and idolatry. With each deployment, the worries of his wife, Taya (Sienna Miller), grew, as did the distance in their marriage. As the man who played Dirty Harry, Eastwood is no stranger to portrayals of men steeped in violence, or to positioning their deeds as those of necessity. Symbolism torn from many a western and war movie included, he takes to the story with passion and without subtlety. With his protagonist pledging allegiance to “God, country and family”, in that order, he paints Kyle as a hero, and shapes the feature as a tribute. Treading the fine line between condoning certain actions and representing reality is a tricky task, and one Eastwood’s feature does show signs of struggling with. Only slivers are glimpsed of a more complex and conflicted train of thought than the feature’s primary narrative. Shadows of martial discontent flicker over supporting characters, but the enemy is not within, in American Sniper's case, as an insurgent enemy sniper threatens the unit. It's a dramatic tension that's technically well-executed but thematically questionable. Similarly, Kyle’s difficulties on the home front are tinged with the weight his work bears on his conscience, explained as regret over the lives he couldn’t save, rather than any troubles with what he did and saw. And then there's the Iraqi problem. Whenever the viewpoint of the other side threatens to interject, such as with the plight of a local family forced to inform against a villain, empathy is absent. American Sniper presents one perspective only, so the occupied people of Iraq remain strangers. While Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers did the same, here there’s no Letters from Iwo Jima to offer balance. Performance-wise, the duty-bound feature isn’t helped by Cooper’s lead turn, even if an Academy Award nomination seems to indicate otherwise. He looks the part, complete with a hulking swagger and an aversion to his usual charm, but his rendering of Kyle is as one-note as the bulk of the storyline. Similarly, Miller plays the stereotypical neglected wife in a paint-by-numbers performance. Of course, countless films – war and otherwise – spin one-sided yarns of good-versus-evil and even do so well; however, American Sniper is never anything less than uneasy. The sand-swept action that clouds the frame, the unwavering conviction and the sentiment of the ending are predictably blatant and sometimes brutal – and so is the accompanying discomfort.
Word around film circles is that a sequel to Tim Burton's 80s hit Beetlejuice is on its way, and that Wednesday favourite Jenna Ortega is in line for a key role. That's great news for future filmgoers; however, if you're looking for an eerie (and amusing) night at the movies now, horror event fiends Haus of Horror have a solution: a screening of the OG Beetlejuice in a cemetery. Already in March, Haus of Horror has unleashed The Exorcist in a haunted prison with a session at Parramatta Gaol. But that's just one event on the crew's list for 2023. The next jumps forward a decade with its picture choice, gets silly and goes all in on Burton doing what Burton became a famous filmmaker for doing — loving all things spooky and strange — this time at Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to head along, but you will spend time with a couple with one: Barbara and Adam Maitland (GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin). And, you'll see what happens when they start to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moves into their house (including Schitt's Creek's Catherine O'Hara and Stranger Things' Winona Ryder) and they decide they need a 'bio-exorcist' (Michael Keaton, Morbius). There's obviously no better place to show this flick, and Haus of Horror are leaning in for the first instalment in their new Graveyard Nights series. There are no prizes for guessing where it'll be screening movies each time this event pops up, starting at 6pm on Saturday, March 25. Also on the agenda: a cemetery tour to kick things off, plus a DJ spinning tunes over sunset, and spots for a bite and a drink. Also, there'll be a photobooth for snaps with Beetlejuice, the usual movie snack range including popcorn, and The Betelspritz Bar pouring non-boozy beverages such as The Miss Argentina (made with green apple sweet syrup, lemonade, grenadine and fresh cherries), The Lydia (grenadine, lemonade, black tea sweet syrup and fresh strawberries) and The Ghost with the Most (black tea sweet syrup again, lemonade, grenadine, green apple sweet syrup and strawberries). Come 8pm, the film will play — and if you'd prefer to pack a picnic, that's also encouraged. You'll also want to bring blankets, pillows and lawn chairs (low ones so you don't block out the view for whoever sits behind you) for getting comfy. Tickets cost $39, or $59 if you'd like to book a large bean bag to sit on. One caveat: attendees are asked to be respectful of the site, including its headstones, trees and buildings. Check out the trailer for Beetlejuice below: Graveyard Nights: Beetlejuice takes place at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Federation Road, Lennox and Church streets, Newtown from 6pm on Saturday, March 25 — head to the Haus of Horror website for tickets and further details.
Since dropping a trailer back in September 2022, the instantly stunning-looking Suzume has sat high on animation fans' must-see lists. Given that the Japanese movie is the new release from Your Name and Weathering with You director Makoto Shinkai, it was always going to. The filmmaker's resume speaks for itself, also spanning The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimetres per Second, Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Garden of Words — and his features deserve to be as eagerly anticipated as Studio Ghibli's. Whether you've been excited about Suzume for months or this is the first you're hearing about it, you'd best mark your diary — because Shinkai's latest now has a release date Down Under. The film opened in Japan back in November, and will make its way to cinemas in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday, April 13. As seen in lively trailer, Suzume puts Shinkai into familiar territory visually, with the animation and art direction alone spectacularly and breathtakingly gorgeous. Every detail-filled frame of his films could easily sit on a wall — and, from the sneak peek, Suzume easily continues the trend. Story-wise, the movie follows its titular high school girl as she teams up with a mysterious young man to travel through otherworldly gates. The pair cross paths in a quiet Kyushu town, with the stranger telling the with 17-year-old Suzume that he's looking for a door. From there, they get hopping as disasters start to strike around Japan. As more doors open, more destruction follows — and it's up to Suzume to close the portals to stop the cycle. The coming-of-age tale doesn't just include doors that keep opening up in Japan's "lonely areas people have forgotten" — doors in places that'll make you want to travel far and wide through Japan, as Weathering with You did with Tokyo — but also talking cats, swirling red clouds and scampering chairs. "At its core, Suzume is based on the massive disaster that occurred in Japan twelve years ago. I'm eager to see how this film translates to international audiences: what makes sense, what doesn't, and what common ground we have across cultures," said Shinkai. "The film's imminent international release will hopefully give me the answer to those questions. And, I cannot thank our team members enough for their unprecedented talent and perseverance throughout the film's production. On behalf of the entire team, I would also like to give thanks to all the fans who have cheered us on, making Suzume possible." As they did with Your Name and Weathering with You, Radwimps provide Suzume's soundtrack. The film heads Down Under after playing the Berlin International Film Festival in February, in the prestigious event's official competition — becoming the first Japanese animated film to do so since Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, which won the coveted Golden Bear in 2002. Check out the trailer for Suzume below: Suzume opens in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, April 13.
"On a bitter, cold Christmas eve, one dark soul is selected for redemption by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come". So starts the narration for the trailer for new festive flick Spirited — and so starts another new take on A Christmas Carol, too. But this adaptation and updating of Charles Dickens' well-known tale has a few things that most others don't, plus a twist. First, there's tunes, because this movie is a musical, complete with plenty of big song-and-dance scenes in the just-dropped sneak peek. Also, it features Will Ferrell (The Shrink Next Door) and Ryan Reynolds (The Adam Project) leading the show. (Yes, you now have another Ferrell movie to add to your Elf-led festive binge.) Reynolds yet again plays 'ordinary guy that something unusual happens to'. Actually, he plays Clint Briggs — but thanks to films like Free Guy and The Change-Up, he has slipped into this kind of part before. Here, he's the "level-20 pain in the Dickens" who is selected by the Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell) to get a haunting visit, to hopefully spark him to reform his ways. As brought to the screen and stage countless times, transforming from curmudgeonly to compassionate is the aim of this spirited intervention, which also features Octavia Spencer (The Witches) as Clint's boss — and someone that the Ghost of Christmas Present is quite fond of. The twist with Spirited, other than the songs? The film unfurls A Christmas Carol's narrative from the perspective of the ghosts. Writer/director Sean Anders and his co-scribe John Morris say "bah humbug!" to the regular version of the story, clearly, with the pair reteaming after Instant Family, the Daddy's Home movies and Horrible Bosses 2 — and reuniting with Ferrell after Daddy's Home franchise as well. Apple TV+ will stream the end result, releasing Spirited on Friday, November 18, and adding it to the 'films based on A Christmas Carol' subgenre alongside everything from Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Scrooged. Check out the trailer for Spirited below: Spirited will be available to stream via Apple TV+ from Friday, November 18.
Bluesfest has officially cancelled its 2026 event. In a statement on Friday, organisers attributed the decision to "rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs, combined with softer ticket demand and international uncertainties." "For more than three decades, Bluesfest has brought extraordinary artists and audiences together in Byron Bay while also driving significant tourism and economic activity for the Northern Rivers and New South Wales," Festival Director Peter Noble said. "This makes the decision incredibly difficult. After careful consideration, we concluded we could not proceed in a way that would meet the standard our audiences, artists and partners expect." The festival had a stacked lineup planned for 2026. Headliners included Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu, The Wailers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sublime, Counting Crows, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, and more. Bluesfest director Peter Noble announced last year that 2025 would be the final year, however, shortly after, he said that declaration was as much a call to action as a resignation to fate. "Do we have to say it's the last Bluesfest to get people to focus on us?" he asked at the time. Confirmation of Bluesfest 2026 then came on the same day that the Australian Greens unveiled a $20 million-a-year rescue plan to keep the country's festival scene alive and kicking. With 109,000 punters through its gates in 2025, the announcement comes as a major shock to the music community. Head to the website for more information. This article first appeared in Rolling Stone Australia. Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get more stories straight to your inbox.
UPDATE: Artemis II has launched and is on trajectory as planned. Visit the NASA website for further updates. Few cultural moments are as ingrained in our collective memory as the handful of missions that have sent astronaut crews into space or celebrities into orbit. Thankfully, this time it's the former — more specifically, Artemis II, the first crewed mission being sent to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. In a world and newscycle that are constantly circulating bad news, this seems like an occasion worth celebrating, but nobody seems to be talking about it. So, here's everything you need to know about Artemis II. Important disclaimer: this isn't going to be a moon landing. But, it's still an exciting mission and the first time that human beings are entering the moon's celestial neighbourhood since the Apollo missions. Artemis II is scheduled for a promising two-hour launch window that starts at 9.30am AEST tomorrow, Thursday, April 2, from where its crew of four (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen) will set out on the most exciting surveying job in decades. [caption id="attachment_1088418" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chip Somodevilla[/caption] Artemis II is performing a 10-day flyby mission, circumnavigating the celestial body to survey it for potential landing sites for subsequent Artemis missions, where NASA aims to have humans return to the lunar surface by 2028. The crew will collect data from orbit of the lunar surface and the effects of deep space travel on the human body — all to inform missions to come and a culminating long-term goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. It's a mission of multiple firsts, too. The crew includes the first woman (Koch), the first person of colour (Glover), the oldest person (Wiseman) and the first non US National (Hansen) to either leave low Earth orbit or travel around the moon. It's also expected to break speed records for crewed missions on its lunar transit and reentry over the Pacific Ocean. [caption id="attachment_1088419" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, left, Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, right, stop for a group photograph as they visit NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)[/caption] The American-organised mission will be supported from Australia, too. NASA's Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla and the Australian National University's (ANU) Quantum Optical Ground Station at Mt Stromlo Observatory will provide tracking and communications support for the mission. Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg told the ABC,"In the Apollo era, Australia hosted the most amount of tracking stations outside of the US that supported Apollo. We were absolutely critical then; we are also absolutely critical now." [caption id="attachment_1088420" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Joe Raedle[/caption] But why is nobody talking about it? A lot of hype was built for the mission's original launch in February, only for it to be postponed by hydrogen leaks, so perhaps the rescheduled date has already been swallowed by the ruthless news cycle and the stories surrounding the fuel crisis, Iran War and any other myriad of upsetting current affairs. Plenty of people are talking about space via Project Hail Mary, but this is the real deal. But now you know. Tomorrow morning, you can tune in to the live broadcast of the launch window on NASA's YouTube channel. It currently has an 80% chance of being a successful launch, pending the weather holds. Should it be a success — humanity will be taking its biggest step towards a future in the stars since Apollo 11 landed all those decades ago. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Thanks to a fast-track approval pathway instated by the NSW Government, a number of hospitality groups and operators have submitted proposals to develop multimillion-dollar multi-storey housing developments on suburban sites that are home to pubs and clubs, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. While coming at an opportune time amidst ongoing housing shortages across the country, some parties are concerned that the developments threaten heritage sites. The proposals were submitted to the Housing Delivery Authority, a state government initiative that allows developers to circumvent local council approvals for major residential developments that can begin construction within a year. Since its establishment, the HDA has approved over 300 major developments, all bypassing councils and going directly to the state government for approval. While a number of proposals submitted to the HDA are revisions of previously rejected proposals (now reworked with the density that they need for HDA approval), several original proposals are coming from the hospitality sector, with high-density housing now earmarked on land previously exclusive to local RSLs and pubs. Proposed sites for the mixed-use developments include a two-tower, 440-unit development on the Cabramatta Hotel site, a 15-storey tower above the Narwee Hotel, 190 apartments above the heritage Strathfield Hotel and 291 apartments on the Palms Hotel site in Chullora — all of which are owned by Iris Capital, which has submitted 10 proposals to HDA, totalling almost 2500 apartments. In Sydney's North Shore and Northern Beaches, Dee Why RSL has submitted a proposal for 115 apartments and community facilities to be built on neighbouring land — while the owners of the Castle Hill Tavern and Forest Hotel are reportedly exploring redevelopment options. One of the largest proposals submitted is in Sydney's south, where Mortdale RSL has proposed a 20-storey development that would see a neighbouring apartment block demolished to make way for the project, which includes 233 apartments, a supermarket and a rebuilt club. Speaking in support of the HDA as an approval pathway for housing projects, Iris Capital CEO Sam Arnaout told SMH, "Local council planning systems have failed to deliver sufficient housing because [controls] particularly around height and density meant [proposals] were no longer commercially feasible." Images: Wikimedia Commons Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
These days most of us have a certain something we avoid while eating — whether it's a personal preference or an allergy. Gluten, get out. Dairy? No thanks. So, it comes as no surprise that more and more restaurants have become more tolerant of our intolerances. Now, a new health-focused, dietary requirement-friendly chain — called The Good Place — is set to open across NSW and Queensland. Former My Kitchen Rules finalist Scott Gooding has channelled his nourishing, paddock-to-plate ethos into a bricks-and-mortar example of how healthy, dietary-accommodating food can be done, launching the first Good Place in Miranda, in Sydney's south. With more stores to open in Blacktown and Central Park in Sydney and Buddina and Surfers Paradise in Queensland in the coming months, The Good Place is completely gluten- and soy-free as well as low in carbs and sugar. Plus, it's open all day, every day. Breakfast dishes such as the Kakadu Smoothie Bowl with coconut cream, MCT oil, peanut butter and Kakadu plum and the pesto omelette with chargrilled greens are evidently nutritious (and hopefully just as tasty). And while the Bubble & Squeak with pork belly, cabbage, roast potatoes, fried egg, peas and parsley with pumpkin bread is heartier and just as nutrient-packed. [caption id="attachment_717888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raspberry Floater[/caption] For dinner, there's everything from a creamy vegan curry to tender ox cheeks in a sticky sauce with chargrilled greens or the 12-hour slow-cooked lamb with roast potatoes and cafe de paris butter. Sweets are covered, too, and include a semi freddo made with raspberries, dark chocolate, coconut, macadamia and coconut kefir and the Raspberry Floater — hemp organic raspberry kombucha with house-made chocolate ice cream. There are also smoothies and coffee, health-conscious cocktails and a selection of certified organic and biodynamic wines for you to sip. Gooding's food is also made using organic produce that has been sustainably and ethically sourced wherever possible. The Good Place is conscious dining and, whether the name is a misaimed reference to the acclaimed Netflix show about a 'utopia' (that's actually hell) or a riff on Gooding's name, we reckon Gooding's done good. The Good Place Miranda is now open from 9am—10pm daily at level 4, Westfield Miranda, 600 Kingsway, Miranda. Outposts in Blacktown and Central Park in Sydney and Buddina and Surfers Paradise in Queensland are slated to open in coming months. We'll update you when they do.
When Isaac returns from an unspecified war, he's not expecting it to have followed him home. His house is a battlefield, his mother and newly transgender sibling are soldiers marching to secure the downfall of the patriarchy. His father, an abusive disciplinarian, has suffered a stroke and now shuffles about the house in strange clothing, seemingly lost. Struggling to piece his life back together, Isaac has to reacquaint himself not only with civilian life, but a family too different for him to know or remember. He is still a son and a brother but his tribe are on the warpath and he represents the very thing they've vowed to destroy. Playwright Taylor Mac has said the Hir manifested from memories of his hometown, Stockton in California, a place he was bursting to leave as a young man and clearly does not remember fondly. The central question, he says, is, "What responsibility do we have to something that has been abusive to us?" Its setting may classify it as a kitchen sink drama, but make no mistake — a ticket to Hir is a ticket to war. Image: Rehearsal shoot, Helen Thomson. Photo by Brett Boardman.
You've probably sat at the bar at Bitter Phew and learned a lot about beer while making your way through lagers, ales and stouts, and chatting to the friendly staff. But this winter, you can sip schooeys and learn about native Aussie ingredients thanks to this series of workshops. Gabriel Gutnik (Ziggy's Wildfoods), a local champion of ingredients that are foraged or sourced from Indigenous-owned and -operated companies, will chat about Australia's plethora of local flora and their potential. He'll also serve up a native ingredient-heavy cocktail and grazing board pairing. The Oxford Street bar will also host lunches and dinners by Caitlin Koether of Wild Provisions, who's known for highlighting old-world preservation techniques, like fermenting, salting and sugaring.
How many times can James Cameron break his own record? How many shades of blue can shimmer across the screen in one movie? Will Avatar's 13-years-later first sequel also dazzle the Oscars, as its predecessor did? Will Avatar: The Way of Water influence everything that comes after it, special effects-wise, also as the initial flick did, too? They're just some of the questions that the mere existence of this Avatar follow-up sparks. Here's another: will you get Eiffel 65's 1998 hit 'Blue (Da Ba Dee)' stuck in your head, even though it surely isn't in the film? Audiences will start finding out the answers to these queries in mid-December, when Avatar: The Way of Water hits cinemas worldwide — and Cameron has dropped a full trailer for the movie in the interim. This is Avatar: The Way of Water's second sneak peek, following an earlier look back in May — but this is one of those films that you might only truly believe exists once you're sat in a theatre watching it, because it has been in the works for that long. If you saw Cameron's initial entry in this sci-fi franchise back in 2009, you'll undoubtedly be buying a ticket. Indeed, given that the original Avatar quickly became the highest-grossing picture of all time — a record this one will try to break — it's highly likely that you did and will. Amid blue-hued CGI-filled waters and skies, and surrounded by the franchise's blue-toned Na'vi people, Avatar: The Way of Water steps back into the story of the Sully family, aka Jake (Sam Worthington, Fires), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana, The Adam Project) and their children, on the habitable moon Pandora. This time around, staying safe and alive remains a focus, as trouble keeps finding the Sullys, battles mount and striving to keep together also requires their focus. Also set to feature: Sigourney Weaver (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Stephen Lang (Don't Breathe 2), Cliff Curtis (Reminiscence), Joel David Moore (Bones), CCH Pounder (Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Kate Winslet (Mare of Easttown) and Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement. If the two sneak peeks so far have you excited about re-entering Avatar's blue-heavy world, get ready for more where that came from. A third movie is due in 2024, a fourth in 2026 and a fifth in 2028. Check out the latest Avatar: The Way of Water trailer below: Avatar: The Way of Water releases in cinemas Down Under on December 15. Images: Photos courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
How much green will be seen at 2025's Laneway Festival? With Charli XCX headlining, expect the Brat hue to be everywhere. Given the event's February timing, and the fact that Charlotte Emma Aitchison is headlining, it's going to be Brat summer Down Under. It's set to be a Djo, Beabadoobee-, Clairo-, Barry Can't Swim- and Remi Wolf-soundtracked summer as well, with the quartet also among the big names on Laneway's lineup. Charlie XCX was last in Australia in 2023 for Sydney WorldPride and For the Love, and before that in 2020 at Laneway. If you're keen to see the 'Guess', '360', 'Apple', 'Speed Drive', '1999', 'Doing It' and 'Boom Clap' talent this time, you'll need a Laneway ticket, as she's playing exclusively at the fest. [caption id="attachment_975321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harley Weir[/caption] In 2025, she'll have company from BICEP doing their CHROMA AV DJ set, Olivia Dean, Eyedress and Skegss, too, alongside STÜM, RONA, Hamdi, Joey Valence & Brae, 2hollis, Fcukers, Ninajirachi, Julie, and Girl and Girl. The event started by Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio in the mid-00s is playing Centennial Parklands in the Harbour City on Sunday, February 9, 2025. [caption id="attachment_974759" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Hardy[/caption] Laneway Festival 2025 Lineup Charli XCX Beabadoobee Clairo Barry Can't Swim BICEP present CHROMA (AV DJ set) Djo Remi Wolf Olivia Dean Eyedress Skegss STÜM RONA Hamdi Joey Valence & Brae 2hollis Fcukers Ninajirachi Julie Girl and Girl + Triple J unearthed winners Top images: Charlie Hardy/Maclay Heriot. Updated Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Move over Egypt: this summer, visiting the Australian Museum means venturing to South America. After dedicating the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 to blockbuster exhibition Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, the Sydney institution is wrapping up this year and starting 2025 with another massive must-see blast from the past. In an Aussie-exclusive season, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will display 134 priceless artefacts and head back over 3000 years. When it opens on Saturday, November 23, 2024, this historical showcase from Peru's Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon will feature jewels, masks and other treasures, some of which have been found in royal tombs. As the name makes plain, gold is a focus. In fact, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru boasts the most-opulent collection of Andean gold that's ever left Peru. As well as peering at its items across the exhibition's six-month stay, attendees will be able to explore Machu Picchu via virtual reality — although that part comes at an extra fee. This highlight of the program is the first-ever VR 'fly-through' of the famous site, organisers advise, and will get Australian Museum visitors feeling like they've been transported both back in time and to the other side of the world via not just VR, but also 360-degree motion chairs and drone footage. "One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a top bucket-list destination for many Australians, and this exhibition will further inspire visitors with its state-of-the-art storytelling alongside treasures from these intriguing ancient empires," said Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO, announcing the exhibition. "I'm delighted that the Australian Museum will be hosting this exhibition highlighting the rich history and culture of ancient Peru, enabling the people of NSW and beyond to experience Machu Picchu and all our country has to offer," added Consul-General of Peru Mr José Alberto Ortiz. "Through the representation and interpretation of the myths and rituals of Andean civilisations and their rediscovery and reappraisal in the 21st century, it seems possible to reconstruct the foundational images of modern Peru." "I know the public will be captivated by our unique culture dating back more than 3000 years and will be fascinated by the stories of five empires which are still present in our country today," Ortiz continued. Sydney is just the fourth place in the world to welcome Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, after the exhibition's stops in Boca Raton in the US, Paris in France and Milan in Italy. Expect the Australian season to be busy, given the nation's love of historical exhibitions at the Australian Museum — breaking attendance records, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, which was also produced by Neon Global, sold more than 508,000 tickets. Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru opens at the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, from Saturday, November 23, 2024 — head to the exhibition website for further details, and tickets from Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Images: Neon Global.
It’s the cornerstone of any self-respecting diet. Now, Cuckoo Callay is celebrating the noble pig with the launch of their inaugural Bacon Festival — an event that’s sure to sizzle. Starting early February, the Newtown cafe will modify their menu, showcasing the best our porky pals have to offer. There’ll be bacon burgers, bacon ice cream and even a bacon Bloody Mary. Sourcing their pork from Marrickville-based suppliers Black Forest Smokehouse, the Cuckoo chefs have put together eight delectable dining options, none of which sound remotely good for your heart. The Ultimate Bacon Breakfast features five different types of pig, including bacon steak and bespoke bacon sausage. The Piggy Popcorn chicken brioche burger, meanwhile, is a veritable farmhouse reunion. In case your arteries weren't strained enough, there's also a selection of sweeter options, such as Cuckoo’s Bacon Waffles. Naturally, they come topped with bacon caramel ice cream and rashers covered in chocolate. The cafe's got you covered on the beverage front as well, with an absurd bacon milkshake to accompany their bacon cocktail. Suffice it to say, the Bacon Festival is not vegetarian friendly. Keep your snouts on the Cuckoo Callay Facebook page for the full menu, which is set to be made available for twelve weeks from February 9.
If life in general hasn't been dystopian enough for you over the past few years, your next HBO obsession will be: The Last of Us, the television adaptation of the hit video game. Expect a tense future 20 years after modern civilisation has been destroyed, plus a seasoned survivor given a tough mission involving a teenager — and, amid that nightmarish quest, the kind of monsters no one wants to see. If you've been a fan of the button-mashing favourite since it first arrived in 2013, then played the sequel in 2020, then you're already devoted to The Last of Us — and you know where HBO's version is going when it arrives in January, streaming in Australia via Binge and New Zealand via Neon. If you're new to the gaming franchise, get ready for what's certain to be 2023's first big show, complete with an eerie, creepy, action-packed mood, and a story that dives into a fraught post-apocalyptic version of the US. That's been the vibe in both the initial teaser trailer from September and the just-dropped full trailer, both of which help tease out The Last of Us' premise. Pedro Pascal (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) plays Joel, who has been hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey, Catherine Called Birdy) out of an oppressive quarantine zone. There wouldn't be a game, let alone a television version, if that was an easy task, of course — and if the pair didn't need to weather quite the brutal journey. So far, so intriguing — and while the sneak peeks so far do indeed conjure up memories of The Walking Dead, that just comes with the basic concept. The Naughty Dog-created PlayStation game wouldn't be the huge hit it's proven for almost a decade now if it simply cribbed from that TV show, obviously. Fans of the game will note that Ashley Johnson (Blindspot) and Troy Baker (Young Justice), who voiced the Ellie and Joel in the source material, will indeed pop up in the HBO show. They'll clearly be playing different characters, however. Also pivotal to HBO's adaptation: co-creator, executive producer, writer and director Craig Mazin, who already brought a hellscape to the US network (and to everyone's must-watch list) thanks to the haunting and horrifying Chernobyl. He teams up here with Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also penned and directed The Last of Us games. Alongside Pascal and Ramsey — and Johnson and Baker — the series also boasts Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate) as Joel's younger brother and former soldier Tommy, Merle Dandridge (The Flight Attendant) as resistance leader Marlene and Aussie actor Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as smuggler Tess. And, Nico Parker (The Third Day) plays Joel's 14-year old daughter Sarah, Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) and Nick Offerman (The Resort) feature as isolated survivalists Frank and Bill, Storm Reid (Euphoria) pops up as Boston orphan Riley, Jeffrey Pierce (Castle Rock) plays quarantine-zone rebel Perry and Yellowjackets' Melanie Lynskey also guest stars. Check out the full trailer for The Last of Us below: The Last of Us will start streaming Down Under from Monday, January 16, 2023 — in Australia via Binge and New Zealand via Neon. Images: Liane Hentscher/HBO.
More than three decades since it was first published, the Watchmen series of comics is still considered one of the all-time greats of the medium. Brought to the page by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, the premise says plenty: in an alternative version of the world we all live in, superheroes definitely exist — but their presence has drastically altered history. Here, the Cold War turned out differently, caped crusaders largely work for the government and anyone else enforcing law and order while wearing a costume has been outlawed. Now, imagine that tale told with a satirical edge that deconstructs the superhero phenomenon, and you can see why it has hordes of devotees. Back in 2009 when comic book flicks were just starting to pick up steam — and when 23-film franchises were a mere dream — Watchmen was turned into a movie by Zack Snyder (who was fresh from 300, but hadn't made the jump to Batman v Superman or Justice League yet). Sequels clearly didn't follow; however, HBO is now hoping that the story will flourish on the small screen, enlisting Lost and The Leftovers co-creator Damon Lindelof to make it happen. Obviously, with Game of Thrones all done and dusted (at least until its prequels start hitting the screen), the network is in the market for a new pop culture phenomenon. This isn't just a straight adaptation. Apparently the ten-part series "embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name while attempting to break new ground of its own," according to HBO. If you're wondering just how that'll play out, the program's trailers might help. Building on the first teaser from a few months back, the latest trailer serves up murky mysteries, complicated heroes and villains, and a fine line between the two — plus "a vast and insidious conspiracy". To help bring the above to the small screen, Watchmen boasts quite the stacked cast, which includes Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, this year's Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Regina King, Hong Chau, Louis Gossett Jr and Aussie actress Adelaide Clemens. The big names don't stop there, with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross providing the score. Check out the new trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-33JCGEGzwU Watchmen launches on October 21, Australian and New Zealand time — with the series airing weekly from that date on Foxtel in Australia. Image: Mark Hill/HBO
If you liked choosing your way through Black Mirror: Bandersnatch — or telling Bear Grylls what to do in interactive series You vs. Wild — then Netflix has more where that came from. Come Tuesday, May 12, you'll be able to decide what happens to everyone's favourite kidnapping victim turned wide-eyed New Yorker in a one-off Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt special. While the Tina Fey co-created, 18-time Emmy-nominated comedy finished up its regular run with 2019's batch of episodes, which closed out the show's fourth season, it's coming back this month to put viewers in control. Netflix has actually been in the interactive game for a couple of years thanks to its children's shows like Puss in Boots, Buddy Thunderstruck and Stretch Armstrong; however this'll mark the streamer's first interactive comedy. Always wanted to curb Kimmy's (Ellie Kemper) ample enthusiasm? Keen to steer ex-socialite Jacqueline White (Jane Krakowski) towards a few sensible decisions? Think that landlord Lillian (Carol Kane) could be more eccentric and misanthropic? Just love everything that aspiring actor and singer Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess) does? Then this is for you, obviously. If you're fond of Jon Hamm's Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, too, you're also in luck — this interactive episode is called Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, after all. A whole heap of other famous faces co-star as well, including Daniel Radcliffe, Amy Sedaris, Fred Armisen, Chris Parnell, Jack McBrayer and Johnny Knoxville. Story-wise, as the just-dropped trailer shows, Kimmy is preparing to marry Radcliffe's Frederick in three days. Then she finds an old library book in her beloved childhood backpack, which sets her on a collision course with the Reverend — who just might have another bunker hidden away. Viewers can expect a wedding, a journey across three US states, explosions, an evil plan and potentially starting a war against robots. Along the way, you'll help Kimmy decide if she should make out with Frederick, and choose whether Titus should wait 4000 minutes for an Uber instead of walking — and they're just the two decision points shown in the trailer. Announcing the special last year, Tina Fey explained that "fans will be able to make choices on behalf of our characters, taking different story paths with, of course, different jokes," in a Netflix statement. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZWmRUxOj9g Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend will hit Netflix on Tuesday, May 12. Top images: Netflix.
If you've ever wanted to enjoy your nosh with casual waterfalls cascading over your feet (haven't we all?), all you need is a cheeky airfare. Nestled right at the foot of a spring waterfall in a coconut plantation and resort in Laguna, Phillipines, Villa Escudero takes novelty dining next level. A self-contained working coconut plantation, Villa Escudero was founded in the 1880s and still sports that colonial-style so prevalent in resorts in the Philippines. Featuring long bamboo dining tables set right over the water, Villa Escudero's restaurant must have some pretty pruny-footed waiters after a long shift. Sure, you could get the hose out at home and attempt to create the same effect, but Villa Escudero might have a natural one-up on your bond-losing acts. Via Lost at E Minor.
I find it hard to sleep the night before a big trip. Knowing that I have to wake up at 5am never helps the sheep-counting, but even so, I'm full of too much excitement to relax. Imagine then, the state I'd be in were tomorrow's trip the beginning of a six month stint in a warzone.Matthew Newton writes, directs and acts his way through such a dilemma, introducing us to three naval officers who want to spend their final night in Sydney as lasciviously as possible. Newton's definitely pulled in a strong supporting cast for his second feature, with appearances from Barry Otto, Jacki Weaver, Bud Tingwell and Pia Miranda, and has chosen well with Toby Schmitz, Ewan Leslie and Gracie Otto as his fellow headliners.This is a compelling film dotted with clever punches, though at times Newton's need to conjure an "average Australian male" clunks off the reel. Similarly, Hugh Miller's constant use of unsteady cinemtatography goes beyond a sense of realism and into the dimension of seasickness; effective for making me feel like a queasy ensign, but definitely overstaying its welcome.Three Blind Mice has a limited release at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington, running every Friday night for the general public from September 11.https://youtube.com/watch?v=of_koHUq0Rc
It's bright, lively, neon-lit, and wholly unapologetic about blending colour, cocktails and Tex-Mex cuisine — and soon, the fast-growing El Camino Cantina will double its Sydney footprint. The chain already has has spots in The Rocks and Manly, as well as another in the works in Moore Park. But first, it will launch a new joint in Westfield Miranda's rooftop dining and entertainment precinct. It's the latest expansion for the brand, which also operates in Brisbane and Melbourne, all under the guidance of Rockpool Dining Group (Sake, Rosetta, Burger Project and, of course, Rockpool Bar & Grill). If you've already been to one of El Camino's existing eateries, then you'll know this casual dining venue takes its vibe serious. Think loud and over-the-top, complete with giant margaritas, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, fluorescent signage and Tex-Mex staples. Setting up shop in the city's south, the new site will seat 280, including on the 180-person outdoor terrace. Expect to spend plenty of time outdoors here, with the external area featuring festive lighting, plus a sizeable stage for live bands and other weekend performances. The other drawcard comes down to the location — specifically, the panoramic views over Sydney that comes with it. Menu-wise, all of the chain's favourites will make the jump to the new spot. Slushie machines will serve up brain freezes in margarita form, with El Camino's coming in multiple sizes and many renditions, including a tropical Red Bull flavour. Other options span a host of beers from near and far, and a sizeable collection of mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup remains fun and casual, like the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations, and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. And some of the brand's specials will be available at Miranda, too — including ten-cent wings on Wednesdays and $2 tacos on Tuesdays. The venue will launch on Friday, June 14 with a three day fiesta. Until the venue closes on Sunday, September 1, giant margaritas and 'chalices' of beer will be just $7.50. El Camino Cantina will open on Westfield Miranda's rooftop at 600 Kingsway, Miranda on Friday, August 30. Images: El Camino Cantina Brisbane. Updated: August 20, 2019.
Since November 2024, 200,000 people have enjoyed an IRL Bluey experience in Brisbane, wandering through the immersive installation dedicated to the series in the city that the animated hit sprang from. That number is set to grow. Due to its unsurprising success, Bluey's World is sticking around the Queensland capital, extending its season until February 2026. On- and off-screen, Bluey is inseparable from Brissie. For its setting, the hit animated series takes inspiration from the Sunshine State spot. It also hails from a studio based in the River City. The Heeler home resembles Brisbane's Queenslanders, too. And back in 2022 when a replica of the Bluey house popped up temporarily, there was only one place for it. It always made sense, then, that stepping inside the famous show would happen in the exact right location. Announced in 2023, Bluey's World gets attendees walking around life-sized sets that recreate the beloved family-friendly staple. Yes, the Heeler house and yard are part of the setup — for real life. Yes, you can expect to hear "wackadoo!" more than once while you're there. Movie World might've badged itself as Hollywood on the Gold Coast, but it's no longer the only big tourist hotspot giving visitors to southeast Queensland — and locals as well — a chance to explore their on-screen favourites IRL. Sprawling across 4000 square metres, Bluey's World features the Heelers' living room, playroom, kitchen, backyard (poinciana tree included) and more. Alongside bringing the global TV sensation's sets into reality, it also boasts familiar interactive games such as Keepy Uppy and Magic Xylophone, plus other activities for both kids and adults. Haven't accompanied your own little ones, or your nieces and nephews, to Bluey's World yet? Perhaps you know that appreciating the adorable Aussie show about a family of blue heelers isn't just for children, but you still haven't made the trip. Either way, this addition to Northshore Pavilion in Northshore Brisbane is big — literally thanks to its sizeable floor plan. And yes, as seen in the series, you can arrive via CityCat, including right through until early next year. "The response to Bluey's World has been phenomenal. Seeing families laugh, play and explore the attraction firsthand has been incredibly rewarding. We set out to create a truly special experience, and it's wonderful to watch it become a must-visit Brisbane destination for fans of all ages," said Bluey's World Producer Andrew Kay. "We're so proud of the one-of-a-kind experience we've created, and with the season now extended, we can't wait to welcome even more fans to Bluey's World. Reaching 200,000 visitors in just a few months is a testament to the love and enthusiasm for Bluey. It's been amazing to see families from all over the world step into Bluey's home and immerse themselves in the Heeler family's adventures," added BBC Studios ANZ Head of Commercial Scott Modra. Visitors should plan to spend 70 minutes bounding through the experience — and will also find an indoor playground that nods to Bluey's Brisbane neighbourhood, plus spring rolls and pizza on offer at the cafe. There's a soundscape to match, plus a gift shop. Bluey's World is exclusive to Brisbane, making it a tourist attraction to fans not only locally and nationally but worldwide. Unsurprisingly, that's a big part of the push from both the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, who are supporting the BBC Studios- and HVK Productions-produced experience. Find Bluey's World at Northshore Pavilion, 281 MacArthur Avenue, Northshore Brisbane until February 2026 — head to the attraction's website for more information and tickets.
Still buzzing after a whizz-bang national tour promoting latest single 'Medicine', Sydney-based DJ and triple j House Party host KLP (aka Kristy Lee Peters) is set to give back this Christmas with a gig/dance party to raise money for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy. Every single cent raised will go the charity's way. And even if you're not into the whole pudding-bauble-Santa-hat thing, you can rest assured that there'll be plenty of non-Christmassy content. In fact, KLP has curated a lineup of some of her favourite artists and beatmakers to raise a holiday toast with. Festive pals set to crank out a few sets include Cassian, DCup, Yolanda Be Cool, triple j buds Matt & Alex, Elizabeth Rose, Joyride and Lindsay 'The Doctor' McDougall, to name just a few. There'll also be a special mystery live act, who is yet to be announced. Doors for the KLP Kristmas shindig will open at 8pm, with the tunes, tinsel and lights continuing till late. Tickets are on sale from December 1.
The last three times that Emily Blunt graced screens, all in 2021, she battled theme park ride-inspired chaos (in Jungle Cruise), monsters that pounce on every sound (in A Quiet Place Part II) and bad Irish accents (in Wild Mountain Thyme). That's quite the trio. The British actor isn't done battling yet, however, as the just-dropped trailer for her new western series The English demonstrates. Her quest here: taking on the old west and getting vengeance. Since first making a splash in 2004's My Summer of Love and then earning attention in a big way in The Devil Wears Prada a couple of years later, Blunt has amassed a killer resume, spanning everything from The Young Victoria, The Muppets and Looper through to Edge of Tomorrow, Sicario and Mary Poppins Returns. So her involvement alone gives The English a hefty push onto must-see lists, although that's not the six-part Prime Video show's only highlight. Also helping ensure The English is worth a look: the fact that it hails from writer/director Hugo Blick (The Honourable Woman, Black Earth Rising, The Shadow Line), boasts Blunt as an executive producer as well, and has Greg Brenman (Peaky Blinders) and Colin Wratten (Killing Eve) similarly in producing roles. And, on-screen, Blunt is joined by Chaske Spencer (Blindspot), Stephen Rea (The Stranger), Valerie Pachner (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore), Rafe Spall (Trying), Tom Hughes (A Discovery of Witches), Toby Jones (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain), and Ciarán Hinds (Belfast). As for The English's storyline, Blunt plays an aristocratic Englishwoman — hence the title — named Lady Cornelia Locke, who heads to America in the 1890s with revenge on her mind. Her mission requires teaming up with Pawnee ex-cavalry scout Eli Whipp (Spencer), then making their way across a country that's bloody and violent at every turn, with the new town of Hoxem, Wyoming their ultimate destination. Also included along the way: musings on race and power, and a series of unsolved murders. Check out the trailer for The English below: The English will be available to stream via Prime Video from November 11.
Located within Sydney's The Star, Mashi No Mashi brings WAGYUMAFIA's authentic ramen to Australian shores for the first time ever. The luxurious Pyrmont restaurant serves up wagyu-centric dishes with all things ramen as the foundation of its menu. Chef Hisato Hamada's vision is to bring wagyu to the world. With three Mashi No Mashi venues now open as part of the restaurant group — the original digs in Hong Kong, a sibling venue in Tokyo and now one outpost Down Under — WAGYUMAFIA is slowly but surely extending its international reach. Sydneysiders looking for an excuse to hit up the ramen joint will find the perfect spot to get warm over the chilly months — or simply satisfy their cravings for the flavourful noodle-and-broth combo any time of the year. And, the wagyu on offer is sourced exclusively from the top 20 beef farmers in Japan, including the renowned Muneharu Ozaki of Ozaki Beef, so you are in for a treat. Mashi No Mashi is easily identifiable, with a neon-lit, comic-style logo adorning the exterior. The Sydney digs maintain a classic fit-out with a diner-like feel — you can opt to sit at one of the venue's tables or enjoy your meal at the bar as it's prepared right in front of you. The kitchen is not tucked away behind a set of walls; it's completely open and a part of the dining space. Staying true to its origins, the venue specialises in a 24-hour stewed kobe beef bone broth for its ramen, including the signature ramen — which doubles as the must-try option — the wagyujiro. You can also opt to enjoy this dish 'dry', without the broth. For other variations of the noodle dish, opt for the tokusei wagyu tsukemen, perfect for dipping, or the spicy samurai bomb tsukemen for a little kick paired perfectly with umami flavours — and both dishes boast a silky, flavourful broth. Plus, you can pair your ramen with the crispy wagyu gyoza or the wagyu donburi. Mashi No Mashi's love for Sydney extends to its menu, with chef Hisato developing the first ever izakaya menu exclusively for the city, alongside Sydney scoring the first release of the 100% wagyu bone stock. Plus, you'll also spot the wagyu cha siu bao, another Sydney-exclusive menu item featuring Ozaki wagyu with karashi mayo, served on a pillowy steamed bao. Future plans for the menu include chef Hisato's hopes to incorporate local Aussie ingredients to create brand-new ramen dishes, so be on the lookout for a revamp sometime soon. Head over for either the lunch or dinner service and keep in mind, it'll become a contender for the top spot on your go-to ramen joints. Top image: Steven Woodburn Appears in: The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney
Move over Toby's and watch out Campos, the Gypsies have arrived in town. Potts Point's latest espresso bar is far from what its name suggests. No velvet curtains, no lion heads or gargoyles and no fortune teller. There's scarce evidence of Bohemia in this humble 20-seat establishment. Ironically, the interior is utilitarian in style, with polished concrete floors, stainless steel benches and industrial light fixtures. Contrary to the seemingly cold aesthetic, this hole-in-the-wall espresso bar is sizzling hot on the coffee front. Gypsy Espresso cares about quality. How do we know? They use only the finest Arabica beans, carefully hand-roasted by their team of coffee experts. It is the culmination of their knowledge, care and skill in all aspects of the process that has resulted in the creation of coffee that is close to magical. They also provide a concise, but smart food menu comprising classic breakfast options – think scrambled eggs, breads and jams – and some appetising gourmet sandwiches and burgers, with the shredded pork ($10) a definite standout. Some simple seasonal soups and salads are available for lunch, all of which appear tasty and inexpensive. Refreshingly, there is no pretention surrounding these food offerings. Unfortunately, the food lacks the magical quality that the coffee holds. They're all about the perfect drip and you can tell. Add to the mix a warm atmosphere created by friendly, efficient staff and you've got yourself a sterling newish hotspot. Let's hope, for the Point's sake, this gypsy sticks around.
The broken record of Sydney real estate rhetoric continues to spin — but a Newtown sale over the weekend may have hit a new pitch of absurdity. On Saturday, February 7, a four-metre-wide driveway at 184 Church Street, Newtown sold under the hammer for $1.25 million — a cool 25 percent above its already eye-watering $1 million price guide. Yes, a driveway. Not a house. Not even a studio. Just 110 square metres of land previously used for parking, watering plants and growing vegetables. According to reporting by realestate.com.au, the narrow parcel — roughly 4.08 metres wide — attracted four registered bidders, with three actively competing at auction. The reserve was set at $1.1 million, but a developer ultimately secured the site well beyond expectations. [caption id="attachment_1072478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] realestate.com.au[/caption] The listing described the block as a "ready-to-build" site with R1 residential zoning, positioned in the heart of Newtown and flanked by terraces and student accommodation. While modest in width, the land's development potential appears to have done the heavy lifting. Listing agent Chris Akkawi of Adrian William Real Estate told realestate.com.au that the buyer was a developer, though the exact plans remain unclear. "The company that purchased it is a developer — they are going to develop on it," Akkawi said. "What they are going to develop, I don't know… I think it will be something they hold on to." [caption id="attachment_1072479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] realestate.com.au[/caption] The vendor, an elderly woman who lives nearby, reportedly purchased the site in the 1980s and had used it as a personal driveway for decades. "She has just used it as parking, somewhere she can water plants, grow some veges — and now it will basically be money put to her retirement," Akkawi said. Unsurprisingly, the sale ignited strong reactions online. A post shared by Instagram account The Noticer, as cited by realestate.com.au, drew a flood of comments capturing the public mood. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Noticer (@thenoticernews) "Just stop eating smashed avo guys and you too will be able to afford a driveway like this!" one user wrote. Another simply said: "LOL Australia is cooked." Others were more succinct: "Just the driveway? Madness." And: "WTF bro." While the sale feels uniquely unhinged, it sits comfortably within Sydney's broader property fever dream. In recent years, price records have continued to tumble — from compact inner-west land parcels nudging $1.3 million, to Australia's most expensive home selling for a staggering $141.55 million at Barangaroo in 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Domain (@domain.com.au) Still, there's something particularly confronting about watching a patch of asphalt outperform entire homes in other Australian cities. For first-home buyers, renters, and anyone still clinging to the idea that hard work leads to housing security, the sale feels less like a curiosity and more like a slap in the face. Images: realestate.com.au
Travel junkies, get planning, booking and packing: Black Friday is here, and Jetstar is serving up a heap of discounted flights to make your cheap getaway dreams come true. If you're keen on a holiday to Cairns, Byron Bay, Hobart, Uluru, Hamilton Island or more, you'll find sale fares here to help. And if you'd like to cross the ditch for a Queenstown jaunt, that's on the list as well. How cheap is cheap? Jetstar's Black Friday Fare Frenzy sale has fares starting at $39 one way, covering the Sydney to Byron Bay/Ballina route (aka always the cheapest leg when these kinds of discounts hit). But that's just the start of the sale offering, which runs for four days — until 11.59pm AEDT on Monday, November 28, unless sold out earlier. For folks travelling from Sydney, you can also make the trip to the Sunshine Coast for $59, Hervey Bay for $79, and either Hamilton Island or Cairns for $109. Given that summer is almost upon us, flights to Queensland feature heavily, although a fare to Darwin will cost $149. Melburnians can also head to the Sunshine Coast for $99, the Gold Coast for $69, Byron Bay for $79 and Hamilton Island for $129. Or, that Queenstown leg costs $209. Brisbanites, your choices include Newcastle/Port Stephens from $59, Mackay for $69 and Launceston for $99 — or, if you're happy to depart from the Gold Coast, Melbourne for $69, Cairns for $79 and Hobart for $109. Other cheap legs include Adelaide to Cairns from $159 and Perth to Cairns from $169. Wondering when to block out in your calendar? Dates vary depending on the departure and destination points, but the sale covers flights from mid-December 2o22 through till the end of March 2023. Also, don't forget that you'll either be travelling light, given that the sale fares don't include checked baggage, or paying extra for a suitcase on top. Jetstar's Black Friday Fare Frenzy sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Monday, November 28 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Five years in the making, W Hotel's luxury Darling Harbour development will finally bring the global hotel chain back to Sydney in October this year. Originally scheduled to open in 2020, the unmistakable harbourfront hotel has faced several delays and setbacks, but will finally swing its doors open in three months' time — and it has just revealed the next-level dining options that are in store for Sydneysiders and guests alike. The flagship restaurant and bar for the hotel will be called BTWN, playing on the building being wedged between its neighbouring expressways. This ambitious all-day eatery's kitchen is led by Head Chef Chris Dodd (ex-Aria, The Blue Door and Bistrot Plume), whose menu places emphasis on sustainability and local New South Wales produce. Hotel breakfasts and hearty dinners will be available here, with expected highlights from the mains menu including poached Murray cod, slow-cooked yoghurt-rubbed lamb shoulder and mushroom ragout. The level-three restaurant can be seen from the adjacent highway, acting as a living, breathing billboard for the hotel. Inside, designer Bowler James Brindley uses urban hallmarks and a slick chrome fitout inspired by airstream food trucks to celebrate the hotel's place in the heart of the city. Come sundown, a one-of-a-kind dessert bar labelled 2AM will open inside BTWN. Acclaimed Singaporean dessert chef Janice Wong is in charge of this venue within a venue — her first permanent outpost in Australia. Wong has twice been named Asia's best pastry chef on The World's Best Restaurants list, and runs restaurants and dessert bars across Singapore, London, Korea and Tokyo. The accomplished lover of all things decadent has crafted a menu that will appeal to both sweet tooths and more conservative dessert-enjoyers — and one that is designed to pair with BTWN's wine list and custom cocktails. 2AM's cacao forest is created using chocolate mousse, passionfruit chocolate, and consommé made from mango, lime and lychee. Or, there's the cassis plum, which places a bombe with yuzu pearls on top of elderflower yoghurt foam and choya granita. Rounding out the offerings at the sleek inner-city venue is the cocktail bar, which will keep things rolling from midday till late with a meticulously designed drinks list and sweeping views of Darling Harbour. Located within The Ribbon, the multimillion-dollar development has been designed by HASSEL architects and sits on the former IMAX theatre site (don't worry, the new IMAX is scheduled to also reopen this year). Outside of the dining options, W Sydney's drawcards include 585 stunning rooms and suites, plus exuberant shared spaces throughout the hotel including a heated rooftop infinity pool overlooking the water, a luxury spa and a gym. If you want to be one of the first to stay in the massive Darling Harbour accommodation, bookings are now open for stays starting from Wednesday, November 1. [caption id="attachment_909978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Janice Wong[/caption] W Sydney will open its doors in October 2023 at 31 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour — head to thee Darling Harbour website for further details.
"One more thing, Manson is small, like, really small — try not to stare," talkative serial killer Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton) warns FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) in the new trailer for Mindhunter season two. If you didn't know, Charles Manson was only 157 centimetres tall (just under 5"2), which is short — especially in comparison to Kemper's towering 206-centimetre (6"9) frame. In this season of the show — which finally drops on Netflix on Friday, August 16, returning two years after the series first hit the platform — the agents are hoping Manson (Damon Herriman) will help them solve the Atlanta child murders. For the uninitiated, across 1979–81, at least 28 kids, teens and adults were killed — and this second trailer for the show's new season shows the reaction in Georgia, the agents desperately trying to solve the case and some particularly gruesome murders. This time round, expect more criminal profiling and psychological thrills, obviously, with the show based on the excellent non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit. Expect more meticulous Fincher magic as well, as the Seven and Zodiac filmmaker continues his on-screen fascination with serial killers. He has company behind the lens, thanks to Australian director Andrew Dominik (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and US helmer Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress, Out of Time). Get creeped out by the second trailer for Mindhunter season two below (and the first here, if you haven't already): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHlJQCyqiaI Mindhunter season two drops on Netflix on Friday, August 16.
Radically Soft is throwing Sydney's first clothing market celebrating larger bodies, hitting the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on Saturday, June 24. Founders Cribbs and Tess have pulled together a lineup of inclusive brands and second-hand clothing businesses that will be running stalls with your next favourite addition for wardrobes sized 16–30+. Harlem Starlet, Zavaeh, Creations by DSP, M.Sunflower, Roskr, Kirbee Lawler and Embracing Bella Clothing will all be taking part in this inaugural plus-sized market. Expect new and pre-loved fashion, handmade artwork, accessories and vintage ware to all be available on the day. You can also pick up an adorable Radically Soft tote for $15 (or a special one-of-a-kind coloured tote for $25) so that you can carry home all your killer finds. [caption id="attachment_906441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wombat Cereal[/caption] The marker is running from 10am–2pm and entry is free. If you want to head along you can register online. Following the market, Radically Soft isn't done with its intersectionally inclusive events. On Saturday, July 15 it's hosting a mid-year clothing swap with We Are the Mainstream at Burwood Library. And, on Wednesday, August 2 the team is hosting a VIP screening of Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated Barbie. [caption id="attachment_906439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Big Thick Energy World Pride Market, Christine Wang[/caption] Top image: Wombat Cereal
Prosecco, you've probably been drinking a lot of it in your Aperol cocktails this summer — we don't blame you, it's delicious — but there's so much more to the bubbly Italian wine than being a splash in a spritz. Indeed, prosecco is a tasty tipple in its own right. But, to fully experience its nuanced beauty, you must go directly to the source. That's where the King Valley comes in. Located in northeast Victoria, the region is known for its irrefutably fresh produce and first-rate vino — there's even a place called Prosecco Road that's packed with neat rows of prosecco vines and rivals Northern Italy when it comes to beauty. So, to help you plan your extra bubbly getaway, we've partnered with the purveyors of fizz at Dal Zotto Wines to bring you some top prosecco-filled experiences to have in the King Valley. Get ready for one helluva bubbly weekend. EAT AND DRINK First things first, you'll need to get your prosecco fix, so head to Dal Zotto Wines. Nestled among soaring gums and rolling hills, the charming cellar door is a real family affair. Patriarch Otto Dal Zotto planted the first prosecco grapes on the property back in the 90s (which just so happen to be the very first prosecco vines in Australia) and released Australia's first prosecco in 2004. Now his sons, Christian and Michael, continue to craft quality vino, while matriarch Nonna Elena maintains the on-site kitchen garden that provides seasonal produce for the trattoria. It's all about la famiglia here, and you can taste it in every bite and drop. Work your way through the five different styles of prosecco, before tucking into homemade pizza, antipasto and charcuterie. All the produce you'll taste is grown and handpicked from the garden and — alongside the knock-out prosecco — is the real hero here. Don't forget to grab a couple bottles of your favourite bubbly to-go; you'll need it over the weekend. Trust us. If you're after something a little more substantial — and we mean substantial — head to Gamze Restaurant and Smokehouse Door in Milawa. Occupying a converted 150-year-old tractor garage, the smokehouse slings all kinds of mouth-watering meat and deliciously stodgy food, as well as local wines and craft beer. Go straight for Felix the Dog, a footlong grilled kransky with fried onion, sauerkraut and barbecue mayo, which is sure to satiate even the hungriest of travellers. While there's no prosecco here, there is a juicy 2016 Dal Zotto Cuore Del Re available by the glass and bottle. Finally, be sure to stop by Milawa Cheese Factory for a cheese and wine flight. Located in the town's historic butter factory, Milawa Cheese Company has been slinging wedges of the good stuff since 1988 and only uses artisanal cheesemaking methods. Every wheel is made by hand and preservative free, so you can only imagine the incredible flavour. In addition to the comprehensive cheese offering, there's also an on-site restaurant Milawa Kitchen and the Walnut Tree Collection gift shop. But, really, who needs gifts when you can take away cheese? SEE AND DO While it may be tempting to spend the whole weekend wining and dining, there are also heaps of fun outdoor adventures to embark on in the King Valley. Not only will you be exposed to the idyllic countryside, but sweating it out will make you feel as though you've earned the prosecco to come. Plus, those feelgood exercise-induced endorphins never go astray. Start with a trip to Paradise Falls. True to its name, it's an idyl buried deep in the Alpine National park, just outside of Cheshunt. Misty falls, mighty rocks and Australian natives to boot, this peaceful oasis is the perfect place to while away a day. And, since there are picnic facilities, you can pack a bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco and some gooey cheese and have yourself a fancy little lunch. The best part? It's only a 20-minute return bushwalk to the falls and back. If you'd prefer to check out the sites on two wheels, take the Milawa Gourmet Bike Ride. The ten-kilometre 'Pedal to Produce' route will take you past some of the region's famed gourmet food stores and give you the opportunity to procure some local treats while, of course, sampling the goods at renowned local eateries along the way. The journey will take around an hour, depending on how leisurely you pedal, and can be tackled by people of all fitness levels. Next, stop by the King River for a spot of fishing. Now, we're not suggesting you go full Rex Hunt, but casting a line can be super relaxing. There's a top-notch fishing spot at Upper King River Road, where the river meets Lake William Hovell. While you're awaiting your perfect catch — a rainbow trout or redfin, perhaps — you can take in the lush forest surrounds. How's the serenity? Finish up with a picnic by the river's edge, featuring the gourmet goods from your bike ride, a bottle of bubbles and, who knows, maybe a fish? (BYO barbecue or sashimi knives.) STAY After all that eating, drinking and sightseeing, you'll need a place to rest your weary head. Luckily, there are plenty of twee country cottages to stay in around the King Valley — one of the cutest being Cortes Cottage. Set on one of Australia's oldest operating walnut farms Valley Nut Groves, this secluded weatherboard home exudes relaxed rural vibes and is a lovely place to unwind. Comprised of two bedrooms — one with a queen-sized bed, the other with two singles — the cottage has all the creature comforts, including a clawfoot bath, record player, fully equipped kitchen and that all-important rainfall shower. It's a house built for chilling — but if you're itching for an adventure, take a short 15-minute stroll through the paddock till you reach Ovens River. Go for a swim, skip rocks, cast a line — the choice is yours. To finish the weekend on a high, we suggest popping a bottle of prosecco and watching the sunset by the river Start planning your trip to King Valley, first stop: Dal Zotto for a glass of bubbly perfection. And once you're there, share your first Dal Zotto drink experience to Instagram and hashtag #FirstDZ to go in the running to win a year's worth of Dal Zotto prosecco and many more weekly prizes.
While his name may sound more like a cartoon character thought up to teach you about the birds and the bees, Rupert Bunny was an incredible Australian artist celebrated for his series of Impressionist works created during his many years in France. His portraits portray a romantic vision of glamorous and beautiful women in early twentieth century Paris. Alongside an exhibition of his paintings Rupert Bunny: artist in Paris, the Art Gallery of NSW is also presenting a series of films inspired by Bunny's works, depicting the many bohemian visions of Paris created by directors throughout the last fifty years. See the art and then watch a film — get hopping.All films are free.Casque d’or (Golden Marie) 1952Wednesday 25 November 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 29 November 2pmMadame de… 1953Wednesday 2 December 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 6 December 2pmPot-bouille (House of lovers) 1957Wednesday 9 December 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 13 December 2pmLe rideau cramoisi (The crimson curtain) 1952Wednesday 16 December 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 20 December 2pmCamille Claudel 1988Wednesday 6 January 1.30pm & 6pmSunday 10 January 1.30pmChéri 2009Wednesday 13 January 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 17 January 2pmCoco avant Chanel 2009Wednesday 20 January 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 24 January 2pmFrench can-can 1955Wednesday 27 January 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 31 January 2pmMoulin Rouge 1952Wednesday 3 February 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 7 February 2pmCamille 1936Wednesday 10 February 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 14 February 2pmAn American in Paris 1951Wednesday 17 February 2pm & 7.15pmSunday 21 February 2pm
What features a bruised and bloody Man of Steel (David Corenswet, Lady in the Lake), plus his dog Krypto dragging him home? The first teaser trailer for Superman did when it dropped in December 2024. What builds upon that scene, showing how the superhero canine first wants to play, then takes his human companion back to the Fortress of Solitude? The new almost five-minute sneak peek at the film that initially premiered at CinemaCon 2025, and has now been released online by writer/director James Gunn. Gunn hasn't just penned, helmed and produced Superman. He's also overseeing the new DC Universe in his role as co-CEO and co-Chairman of DC Studios. His take on Krypton's most-famous figure is the debut film in the new franchise, and it has a date with cinemas in July 2025 — but you can now see a bit more of it in advance, before much of what was in the first teaser follows. Alongside Corenswet as the flick's eponymous character, Superman boasts Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu) as Lex Luthor, plus Gunn regular Nathan Fillion (Deadpool & Wolverine) as Green Lantern and Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho. Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) also co-stars Supergirl, as part of a cast that spans Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), Frank Grillo (Tulsa King), Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) and Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth), too. As always in the Super, The Suicide Squad, and three-time Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker's work, Gunn's brother Sean (Creature Commandos) is among the ensemble as well. If it feels like Superman has been missing for cinemas for a while — well, in these superhero movie-heavy days, that is — that's because it's been eight years, since Justice League. That's when Zack Snyder's film initially arrived in its theatrical version (Zack Snyder's Justice League, aka the Snyder Cut, debuted on streaming in 2021). In the DC Universe, Superman will be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026, as directed by Dumb Money's Craig Gillespie. Clayface will also release in the same year, working with a script from Doctor Sleep and The Fall of the House of Usher's Mike Flanagan. As for Superman's story, the trailers aren't big on narrative detail, but Gunn's take on the character is set to be a superhero who believes in humanity's goodness — even if presumably Lex Luthor tests that idea. Check out the latest sneak peek at Superman below: Superman releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
As with those who drop the 'F-bomb’ on radio, those who utter a different F-word — feminism — should still perhaps expect a few dismissals from those within earshot. But why is this so? Is 'feminism' really so dirty a word? To shed some light, this March the Sydney Opera House, as part of its Ideas At The House program, will play host to an afternoon of fierce and exciting debate about the state of feminism, featuring Germaine Greer and Naomi Wolf — two of the movement’s most audacious and influential avatars. While the spirit of the first wave shines-on, the focus of feminist critique has probably changed a little over the last decade. Sex and gender discrimination can be tougher to conceptualise when they crop-up in unfamiliar, newly global, locales. Consider Wolf’s observation of a few months back that the riot police involved in stymieing the US Occupy movement seemingly targeted women in their brutish crackdowns of last year. For feminists like Wolf and Greer, today’s feminist debate is as much about geopolitics as gender-politics. The day itself will see Greer and Wolf deliver separate lecture presentations, following which they will together be joined by a debate panel featuring international journalist/poet Eliza Griswold, SlutWalk Melbourne organiser Clem Bastow, and human rights activist Samah Hadid. Tickets to each of the lectures and to the final debate panel are sold separately, or together at a discount, so you may pick and choose what to attend according to your interest, or you may attend all three. If you’re at all interested in women’s rights, or in the insights offered by its champions, these three events present an uncommon opportunity to hear from those at the front, to speak your mind, and to nourish your political wits.
It truly is the greatest time of the year to eat. From towering grazing platters to prawn cocktails and unnecessary cheese courses at every meal, this is where you can really pull the rip cord and unleash your BES (Best Eating Self). But let's face it, tis the season for eating meat (with apologies to our plant-based friends). And while it's hard to beat the enduring festive classics like a gleaming glazed ham dotted with cloves or the once-a-year visit to turkey town, Christmas is also a great time for doing things differently so they feel special — and your third and fourth helpings are really well-earned. In this quest for memorable Christmas meat feasts, we turned to the experts. The carnivore whisperers. The ones behind the slabs representing that great trade that will never die. We asked the butchers. DARREN O'ROURKE - VIC'S MEATS, NSW "When it comes to something new as the showstopper on your festive table, in my world it's all a fantastic cut of meat. If I have the energy after the madness leading up to it, I would try a milk-poached pork neck in a bread sauce (pork neck is really versatile and where a scotch fillet steaks comes from), a slow-cooked lamb leg with a whiskey and pepper berry glaze or whole roast beef tri-tip with salsa verde as that centrepiece. And you can't forget the greens, of course." Here is Darren's beautiful collection of recommended sides: Brined and roasted whole cauliflower, anchovy and thyme beurre noisette Broccolini, kale and green beans, lemon vinaigrette Iceberg lettuce (yes iceberg lettuce!), eschallots, green olives and chardonnay vinaigrette Roast potatoes and fried caper berries and chilli Raw vegetables, bagna cauda LUKE LEYSON - GOODWOOD QUALITY MEATS, SA "Starter — Sausage rolls should be front of mind when thinking of Australian Christmas starters. To start with, you want to grab some English pork sausage meat from your local butcher. If they don't sell it separately, just remove the skins of their pork sausages (they won't be offended). Add some Christmassy flavours, such as sage and macadamia nuts, and these beauties can be prepared before the big day so you can pop them into the oven on Christmas, hassle-free." "Main course — For me, Christmas is about two things: being organised and pork (I could fit family in there somewhere, but I'm happy with my decision). This Christmas Eve, or Beermas as we call it in our family, I am slow-cooking a Boston Butt for pulled pork for the big day so all I need to do is re-heat and eat. Two things, amazingly delicious and you can use your favourite ham glaze on this whilst smoking to add a bit of Christmas spirit. Wraps, burgers, sliders, or part of a salad; pulled pork is very versatile." "Glazed ham – If you love your Australian ham and want to take your relationship with it to the next level, you need to be glazing your ham. Peel the skin off, score the fat, heat up the ham in your oven or BBQ and lather that good flavour of an amazing glaze over the top. Normally, I would go anything sweet and citrussy as my go-to but this year calls for Australian Pork's newest glaze recipe Spiced Coffee, Maple Syrup and Bacon Glaze. After all the work involved during the Christmas Week rush, us butchers will need the extra caffeine to get us through the day." ANDREW VOURVAHAKIS - ANDREW'S CHOICE, VIC "There is something really comforting about a meal centred around a roast. It's about so much more than putting food on a plate as it seems to somehow capture a theatrical element of cooking and eating whilst honouring the cook who has infused the meal with their very own meraki. We strongly believe food is a celebration and we aim recreate flavours that transport you back to time spent around the family table." "This Christmas you can't go past an Italian favourite: the porchetta. A noble dish that usually takes centre stage of family feasts around the festive season. There is a certain opulence reminiscent of Medieval banquets, sans the wild boar with an apple stuffed into its mouth. At Andrew's Choice our St. Andrews Roast Porchetta is made using the finest Australian pork loins that are hand rolled and seasoned with a traditional spice blend of garlic, rosemary and a hint of chilli, before it is tied and slowly roasted to perfection." ALASTAIR STEVENSON - GILLY'S SMALLGOODS, QLD "I think a rolled collar butt with some sweet glaze would be a great roasting option, obviously the loin is very popular but I think the collar butt is perfect with the marbling through the meat. At Gilly's we also produce mini portion hams utilising the primal cuts in the leg but I don't think you can beat the traditional bone-in leg ham … it is Christmas!" Alastair is right: it is Christmas. So whether you're sticking with a classic leg of ham, going all-out on slow-cooked lamb and homemade sausage rolls, or saying 'screw you, meat, I'm barbecuing a whole fish!', we salute you and wish you the warmest tidings for the festive season. Happy beermas, everyone. Main image: Darren O'Rourke (L) and Luke Leyson (R),
Google unwrapped a gift for all Internet music fans in the form of their new streaming platform Google Play Music All Access. The new service is Google’s attempt to stake a claim on the music streaming market, which now has a customer base in the hundreds of millions, and steal some of the users of already popular apps Spotify and Grooveshark. The product not only offers the streaming of music and radio online but also allows users to merge their existing music libraries with the millions of tracks available on Google Play (minus The Beatles of course who are digitally exclusive to iTunes), with new tracks suggested based on their similarity to your own music. Users can then create playlists from their amalgamated music log that can also be accessed offline. Whilst these features are very similar to platforms like Spotify, it is their unique radio features that Google is hoping will prove the difference. The primary selling point is that you can reorder and skip tracks at will. That’s right, you can organise the radio that you are listening to. Unlike many other products that offer a free version, the service is subscription-only with a fee of $10 a month. However, Google are offering a 30-day free trial to sweeten the deal. You can also purchase tracks to keep forever if you want to. It can all be popped into your cloud as well, meaning you can access it anywhere, anytime, even on your Android. Google have tried to cover all needs of the online music user here and whilst the service is only available State side at the moment, it will be soon be accessible to all World Wide Webbers. The announcement wasn’t the only reward offered by the Internet moguls at Google I/O, every tech developer’s favourite annual conference. The giants are also upgrading their maps, removing the sidebar from the platform to concentrate activity on the map itself. Maps are also set to be personalized, with your favourite restaurants and hangouts appearing so that you can find you way there quickly no matter where you are. Public transport directions are also improved, meaning all we bus users can finally find out exactly where to hop off, instead of being left with an unplanned walk resembling a marathon. Plus it just looks cooler — you can even go underwater. Having a verbal conversation with Google is about to get a whole lot easier too, with the new Conversational Search feature employing data about you to create a more relevant search result. Other announcements include a new API that will sync your notifications so that if you dismiss one on your tablet, it won’t annoyingly set your phone off too; Google Now Cards to remind you about appointments and Game of Thrones episode releases; as well as other more minor developments and upgrades. Like Google Play Music All Access, these features may not be immediately accessible in Australia and New Zealand but they should be on their way soon. [Via Gizmodo]
There are many ways to spend Halloween, from dressing up and eating too many lollies to partying and hitting up spooky events. But watching John Carpenter's Halloween on October 31 remains one of the greatest ways to spend the occasion for one simple reason: 43 years on, it's still an absolute masterpiece, as well as one of the best horror movies ever made. This year, you can also pair Jamie Lee Curtis-starring 70s classic with the latest entry in the franchise that it's spawned over the past four-plus decades. Obviously, you can match up the OG Halloween with any of the flicks in the saga each and every year — but in 2021, Halloween Kills is finally hitting cinemas. Since that first movie back in 1978, the Halloween series has been through quite a few ups and downs. Clocking up ten follow-ups and 11 movies in total until now, the slasher franchise has delivered excellent and terrible sequels, veered into remake territory, both killed off and brought back its heroine, and completely erased parts of its own past several times. And, like its mask-wearing villain Michael Myers, it always finds a way to go on. Since 2018's Halloween, that's been especially great news, with the Jason Blum-produced 11th flick in the franchise proving a smart, thrilling horror delight, and ranking second only to the movie that started it all. Indeed, the film was such a success that two more sequels are headed our way from the same team (aka Blum, writer/director David Gordon Green and co-scribe Danny McBride): Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. Originally, Halloween Kills was due to hit screens last year, in October — when else? — but, as announced in 2020 by franchise creator John Carpenter, it moved back its release to October this year. That's now fast approaching, with fans soon able to make a return trip to Haddonfield. Yes, that means that Curtis' spirited Laurie Strode will have another altercation with her lifelong nemesis, too — because, when it's at its best, that's what this franchise is all about. Picking up where its immediate predecessor left off, Halloween Kills will also take a few cues from another movie in the series, as its initial trailer and just-dropped latest sneak peek shows. Not one but two teasers last year set the scene for the saga's 12th entry, but the latest clips dive deep into the storyline. Following the events of the most recent film, Laurie ends up in hospital with life-threatening injuries just as Michael starts stalking through Haddonfield again — which is the same storyline that Halloween II followed exactly 40 years ago. Thankfully, if the last flick is any guide, Halloween Kills shouldn't prove a needless remake. Green and McBride did a stellar job of nodding to the past while finding a new way forward with 2018's Halloween, after all — and leaving horror fans definitely wanting more. This time, too, Laurie and her daughter Karen (Judy Greer, Valley Girl) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak, Son) team up with other survivors of Michael's rampages and decide to hunt down their attacker. Check out the latest Halloween Kills trailer below: Halloween Kills will release in Australian cinemas on October 28, 2021. Top image: Ryan Green/Universal Pictures.
If you're under the impression that Bundaberg is only good for sugarcane and rum, you're sorely mistaken. While it's true that the Bundaberg region is responsible for much of Australia's agricultural industry, in recent years the area's endless output of fresh produce has also led to a rise in local farm-to-table restaurants, with some of Australia's top cooking talent setting up shop in the area. Meanwhile, thanks to the region's prime position along Queensland's coastline, the area boasts a host of natural landmarks that comfortably go toe-to-toe with Australia's best-known destinations. It's also only a four-hour drive from Brisbane. Read on to find some of our favourite places to eat, drink and play in Bundaberg. [caption id="attachment_749802" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pocket Storehouse by Paul Beutel[/caption] EAT Bundaberg might still be a country town at heart, but it's got more than a few awesome dining experiences that give it a cosmopolitan touch. The Windmill Cafe Bargara is a must-visit stop when you're in the mood for some of the region's best coffee, which is made with fresh filtered rainwater. The menu offers all your favourite breakfast and lunch classics, alongside plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Plus, it has an in-house gelateria serving 25 sweet flavours that are best enjoyed on a stroll along the coastline. Back in Bundaberg city is another headline restaurant: Water Street Kitchen. Led by chef Alex Cameron and his partner Jen Cameron, the meals are delicately put together using ingredients produced on a range of local farms. Having initially run a successful catering company, the duo decided it was time to put a face to their creations, opening their cosy restaurant in 2017 and quickly becoming one of the city's most acclaimed fine-dining destinations. [caption id="attachment_752093" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Beutel[/caption] Once you start craving another coffee, Alowishus Delicious is a fine choice, having taken home top honours from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Countrywide Cafe of the Year awards. And when it's finally time to make dinner plans, head down to the H2O Restaurant & Bar. You'll find high-quality modern Australian dishes, with a striking view of the Burnett River to match. [caption id="attachment_749822" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kalki Moon by Paul Beutel[/caption] DRINK Bundaberg's reputation for rum certainly precedes it, but the Kalki Moon Distilling & Brewing Company has built its legacy within the world of gin. As the first Queensland distillery to win first prize for its London-style gin at the Australian Distilled Spirits Competition, Kalki Moon has also received a range of commendations from around the globe. Be sure to stop by the distillery's cellar door for a free guided tour and samples of its handcrafted tipples, and to pick up some souvenirs to take back home. Across town at the Ohana Cider House and Tropical Winery you'll discover some delightful drinks that wouldn't be out of place at any big-city bar. Having taken a holiday to Hawaii and fallen in love with the tropical climate, founders Zoe Young and Josh Phillips left behind their desk jobs in Perth to buy a piece of Bundaberg land, where they established their much-loved tropical winery. Since then, they've gone on to release ciders ranging from dry apple to pineapple and strawberry, as well as produce some of the region's top vino. Ohana Cider and Tropical Winery by Paul BeutelIf you can't wait to get your hands on some more Bundaberg-made wine, your next stop has to be the Hill of Promise Winery, located 40-minutes south of Bundaberg in the township of Childers. Here, winemaker Terry Byrne carries on the traditions of his Sicilian family, who moved to the region in the early 1900s, by making fortified reds to sparkling whites and Italian classics like limoncello. For an expertly made cocktail, Bert's is the place to be. Honouring the life of local aviator Bert Hinkler — who achieved a flurry of Australian flying records — the 1920s-themed bar ensures his pioneering spirit lives on. There are pizzas and share plates, plus a lengthy list of cocktails and aperitifs, including specialities like French pear martinis. [caption id="attachment_749819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lady Musgrave Island[/caption] DO The Bundaberg region is alive with natural wonders that draw visitors from all over the world. One of the most unique is the Mon Repos Nightly Turtle Encounter, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that'll leave you feeling like David Attenborough in the making. During Bundaberg turtle season, which runs from November to March, you can experience turtle conservation first-hand on the only ranger-guided turtle encounter on the east coast. Between November and January, you can witness mother turtles emerge from the deep blue and make their way up the beach to nest under the moonlight. Later in the season (late-January to late-March), you'll be able to look on as adorable hatchlings emerge from their sandy nests and scurry down to the beach. Next, dedicate some time to exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Bundaberg is perfectly positioned at the first and most accessible point of the reef, and coral cays Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island are the best places to experience the pristine waters and diverse marine life that the region is famous for (and, no doubt, why you're there). To explore Lady Musgrave Island and spend a day snorkelling with turtles, manta rays, tropical fish and other sea life, book a day trip with Lady Musgrave Experience. Your day tour includes transportation on a luxury catamaran from the Bundaberg coast, plus morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. [caption id="attachment_749818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lady Musgrave Island by Melissa Findley/Bundaberg Tourism[/caption] Just to the south is the picturesque Lady Elliot Island, which showcases some breathtakingly beautiful lagoons, as well as the last coral cay amid the Southern Great Barrier Reef. You can access the island for a day trip via a scenic flight with Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort or, if you want to stay a little longer, book a night's stay in one of its cosy glamping tents. Naturally, it wouldn't be a trip to Bundaberg without a stop in at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. You'll get to roam the sprawling museum and learn the secrets behind what it takes to be a master blender. A visit to The Bundaberg Rum Distillery guides you through a state-of-the-art facility before you take a break at the bar. [caption id="attachment_749815" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bundaberg Rum Distillery[/caption] The Bundaberg Region has activities for outdoorsy types aplenty, there are endless hikes to embark upon within the Cania Gorge National Park and Mount Walsh National Park. For something with a little less action, the white-sand beaches of Elliot Heads are just 20 kilometres from Bundaberg city, making it the perfect spot to catch Queensland's famous sun. [caption id="attachment_749827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kellys Beach Resort[/caption] STAY Situated overlooking the black volcanic beaches of the Queensland coast, C Bargara Resort is a luxe stay for weekenders looking to make the most of their time in Bundaberg. The resort sports a collection of bright apartments and penthouses, plus a sleek swimming pool with a sundeck. For something more back-to-basics, Kellys Beach Resort's charming self-contained eco villas are set against a backdrop of tropical gardens, while there are also tennis courts, a spa and a sauna for maximum relaxation. Bundaberg has plenty of great camping spots, too. The Burrum Coast National Park showcases an oceanfront camping area along Kinkuna Beach, while the Cordalba National Park places you among some of the state's best hiking trails deep within the eucalypt woodland. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Lady Musgrave Island by Darren Jew/Tourism and Events Queensland.
Located in Hardy's Bay, the Fat Goose is somewhat of a Central Coast institution for baked goods. Its breads, pastries and pies have been eaten by both locals and tourists since 2007. Grab a bacon and egg roll for $7.50 a coffee (it's roasted by Fat Poppy Coffee) and head to the park or hang out in the leafy courtyard in front of a sit-down breakfast. All breads and pastries are made on the premises and turned into delicious dishes, adorably named after local landmarks and people, from the Half Tide Rocks — sautéed mushrooms, shallots, garlic and parsley on toast — to the Killcare Boaties, which is a dish of fennel rosti with premium smoked salmon and creamy scrambled eggs. It also does gluten-free loaves.
To celebrate National Lamington Day — a very important date to diarise on Saturday, July 21 — Peter Gilmore's stunning fine diner Bennelong will hold a lamington drive for a good cause. Taking inspiration from the school canteen drives of your childhood, Gilmore will show off his take on the humble Australian sweet by serving them up in droves — with all proceeds from lamingtons sold on the day going to suicide prevention charity, R U OK?. And this take on the lammy is anything but humble. It's a proud square of cherry jam, coconut ice-cream and sponge encased in chocolate ganache and sitting in a bed of coconut milk parfait shavings. The dessert is also well-known to Sydneysiders and MasterChef fans alike, as it appeared on the television show and we learnt that it takes 49 steps to make. Available to diners in the main restaurant and at the Cured & Cultured and Bennelong bars, the lammy will be available at lunch from midday and throughout the afternoon (until sold out). Last year, the drive raised over $6000. If you've been wanting an excuse to try the famed lamington — or just dine inside the stunning Opera House restaurant — this is a great one. Bennelong's lamington drive runs from midday until sold out. Image: Nikki To
Award-winning playwright Dylan Van Den Berg is bringing his new Griffin Theatre Company show Whitefella Yella Tree to Darlinghurst's SBW Stables Theatre for its world premiere from Friday, August 19 until Saturday, September 17. Taking place in the early 19th century, Whitefella Yella Tree follows two First Nations teenagers, Ty and Neddy, who meet under a lemon tree as the country is beginning to be invaded by white settlers. A friendship blossoms, followed by the rush of young love as the boy's relationship turns romantic. Little do they know how their world and their communities are about to change forever. Exploring themes of love, Country and Blak queerness, the play is anchored on two standout performances from Guy Simon (First Love is the Revolution, Wakefield) and Callan Purcell (Hamilton, Bran Nue Dae), who help bring to life Van Den Berg's story of coming of age in the time of colonisation. "There's no one else in Australian theatre writing quite like Dylan Van Den Berg," Director and Artistic Director of Griffin Theatre Company Declan Greene said. "He seeks out the gaps in our cultural memory: the bits erased by wilful forgetting. His plays are feats of vivid imagination, but always bound to an unflinching emotional truth." Previews for Whitefella Yella Tree will take place August 19–22 before the production officially opens on Wednesday, August 24. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Griffin Theatre Company (@griffintheatre)
A new dining precinct with seven exciting new Asian restaurants and two retail outlets has opened in the heart of Mascot. Unity Mascot is a new innovation by the Meriton Retail Precinct, now open across the road from Mascot Central with a range of both indoor and al fresco dining options spanning Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Taiwanese and Malaysian cuisine. Highlights of the new precinct include the second outpost for authentic Malaysian restaurant Into Laksa Sydney, 90-seat Chinese restaurant Western Legend BBQ and Wan, a Taiwanese and Japanese fusion restaurant from the owners of Mascot mainstays Cuppa Flower and Moon and Back Café. Wan opened at the end of last year and offers a relaxed walk-in only experience with pork dan dan ramen, chicken karaage, salt and pepper prawns, cheesy spring rolls and a fun drinks menu featuring sake and umeshu. Western Legend BBQ specialises in northern Chinese barbecue. Now with three restaurants open in Sydney, the eatery offers barbecued wagyu beef, cumin lamb, garlic seafood, kidneys and testicles. [caption id="attachment_845788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna-Kucera[/caption] Other options you'll find at Unity include two more Chinese food options including a to-go takeaway eatery, a contemporary Thai restaurant and a cafe. As for the cafe, Sugarbaby Espresso Cafe is serving up Campos coffee and Tuga pastries daily. The two retail facilities that have opened alongside this array of food and drink tenants is a GQ Men's Style barbershop and a Love Wash laundry mat. These nine new outlets join the neighbouring Woolworths, medical centre, speciality stores and restaurants that call Meriton's Mascot Central home. [caption id="attachment_845785" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] Unity Mascot is now open 256 Coward St, Mascot. It's open 9am–10pm, seven days a week. All images: Anna Kucera and Cassandra Hannagan
Situated on the ground floor of Western Sydney University, relaxed eatery Mikazuki is popular for its extensive menu of Japanese favourites, ranging from udon and ramen to sushi and tempura. When all other mid-study lunch options fail to inspire, you can always find a certified winner here. For a quick lunch between meetings or classes, opt for a yuzu avocado salad topped with sliced salmon sashimi; the rainbow roll with salmon, kingfish, tuna, ebi, avocado and crab mix; the chicken katsu curry; or a poke bowl. If you're after something more substantial, Mikazuki's specialty dishes include a wagyu beef bowl with crispy onion, salmon roe and an onsen egg; baked scallop and rice in a creamy, spicy sauce; the fiery volcano ramen; and the chef's omakase sushi and sashimi platters to split among your crew (or just attack solo, if you're so inclined). The venue serves lunch between 11.30am and 3pm every day and reopens for dinner at 5pm or 5.30pm on Saturdays. With outposts in Eastwood, Chatswood, Strathfield, Riverside, Parramatta and Haymarket, Mikazuki has really stretched its presence across Sydney, serving up casual Japanese fare to all and sundry.
A drive to the airport in a rideshare is one of life's mundane experiences, whether or not you're en route to a wedding, and also regardless of if you're meant to be collecting your partner and their dry-cleaned suit along the way. In Fake, this routine journey on an average Melbourne day is a masterclass in tension, a portrait of an unravelling and an unwanted realisation unfurling with no escape. With journalist Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) sitting in the backseat as much that she's trusted melts down, it's a stunning episode of television, arriving five instalments into this eight-part Australian thriller that brings its page-to-screen and reality-to-fiction tale to Paramount+ in full from Thursday, July 4. Viewers spend the preceding four episodes of Fake waiting for a moment like this. For those who haven't read Stephanie Wood's memoir of the same name, charting her time dating a former architect-turned-grazier who pairs his grand romantic gestures with erratic behaviour, there's still no doubt that it's coming. It has to, and not just because series creator Anya Beyersdorf (The Twelve) and her co-scribes Jessica Tuckwell (Year Of) and Hyun Lee (Born to Spy) have Birdie's beau Joe Burt (David Wenham, Elvis) note in voiceover that she was onto him from the get-go. While Fake is a love- and lies-fuelled saga, it's also about how someone gets taken in not by the kind of tales that Joe spins but by the emotions that they prey upon, even when their intuition tingles at the outset — and how deceptions like this, from someone manipulating others and someone fooling themselves alike, always shatter. The words "Joe, 51, grazier" on a dating app introduce the ex-property big shot to Birdie; however, everything that he utters on their first date almost halts their romance there. When the pair meet at a sleek bar, he has a business acquaintance (Yuchen Wang, White Fever) in tow and talks only of himself, grandstanding with the recognisable arrogance of someone who refuses to believe (or simply hasn't stopped once to consider) that they aren't the most-interesting person in the room. She cuts and leaves quickly, despite his insistence to the waitstaff that they'll share more wine. Then she ignores his persistent follow-ups afterwards, until she doesn't. Stylistically, Beyersdorf, her co-writers, and also directors Jennifer Leacey (Prosper), Emma Freeman (The Newsreader) and Taylor Ferguson (Fires) adopt two approaches to bringing both Joe's flurry of messages and Birdie's inner questioning to audiences. The contents of texts and emails are written across the screen, overlaid upon the scene's ordinary background — train windows feature heavily — and also spoken aloud, as worries about being almost 50, single and heartbroken from a failed IVF experience are similarly given voice through repeated snippets of conversation. Sometimes, Birdie's own words haunt her. Sometimes, Joe's do. Sometimes, the judgement of her sniping mother Margeaux (Heather Mitchell, Ricky Stanicky) echoes. Combined, the impact is inescapable: when his indefatigable pursuit joins her lifetime of doubts, especially that she's being too fussy and will always be alone, relenting to his overtures and investing in his narrative is the inevitable outcome. Fake relays its story within this psychological space — a place where it's clear to everyone, including to Birdie, that little is right — to explore how a person who investigates for a living succumbs to fantasy over fact. Joe gleefully spins dreams, beginning with his quiet farm life, then escalating into bigger and bolder promises. He also ticks the basics, such as showing interest, sticking around, declaring his love and making Birdie feel like romance hasn't passed her by. But Joe equally has a tale for everything that always seems tall. He misses as many dates as he makes, his excuses mushrooming as well. His ex-wife receives ample blame, frequently with the smack of convenience. He's cagey about specifics, too, and vague and defensive when questioned. When Leacey, Freeman and Ferguson, plus cinematographer Sky Davies (House of Gods), devote Fake's frames to staring Birdie's way, they push Keddie's excellent performance to the fore — and it is exceptional. She's the lead in a yell-at-the-TV type of show, where viewers can't help but say aloud that Birdie is making the wrong choice again and again, and grounding those ill-fated decisions in relatable emotions isn't a simple task. The more that Fake peers, the more that it also turns the sight of its protagonist hoping yet fraying into a mirror. One of Birdie's potential articles at work is about homelessness, a situation that's never as far away as most would like to think — and one of Fake's throughlines is that being Birdie with Joe isn't beyond anyone's realm of possibility. Wenham, no stranger to on-screen shadiness and slipperiness but with memories of SeaChange's Diver Dan still imprinted in Australia's pop-cultural memory, is equally first-rate. His remit isn't straightforward, either, selling the charm that still wins Birdie over in tandem with the sketchiness that's lurking beneath Joe's striving facade — and the character is almost ceaselessly striving — which is a gig on par with both Joshua Jackson (Fatal Attraction) and Edgar Ramirez's (Wolf Like Me) efforts in season one and two of medical-meets-romance scam series Dr Death. Indeed, Wenham does such an unshakeable job as Joe that by the time that Fake spends the aforementioned fifth episode in a car with Birdie, his presence doesn't stop cutting deep, nor showing the scars that it's carving, even just over the phone. It's hardly astonishing, then, that Fake is impossible to stop binge-watching once its first instalment puts its pieces in place: that warning-sign initial date, Birdie's loneliness trumping her niggling uncertainty, society's conditioning that to be a woman of a certain age without a partner and kids is to be a failure, the disappointment that we can all direct at ourselves if we haven't met our own expectations and, of course, the clash of Joe's dubiousness and his magnetism, for starters. It's also far from surprising that when the route to the airport beckons, and one of 2024's best episodes of TV with it, Fake's audience is right there in the Uber with Birdie, riding and feeling the same bumps. Check out the trailer for Fake below: Fake streams via Paramount+ from Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Slumbering surrounded by red kangaroos, emus, echidnas and koalas just got cosier, and more targeted to couples keen on an animal-filled getaway without their mates in tow. Up at Australia Zoo, the Queensland tourist attraction has been welcoming overnight guests to Beerwah since 2022, launching The Crocodile Hunter Lodge with two-bedroom cabins. Now, it's expanded its accommodation options to include one-bedroom spaces, adding four new rustic lodges. If you're keeping count, that gives Australia Zoo 12 cabins in total now, all tailored for memorable and unique holidays. Here, patrons can visit the zoo, check out all creatures great and small, then stay the evening. There's even a wild group of eastern grey kangaroos that are seen hopping around the place each day. The four new one-bedroom 'Red Kangaroo' cabins come complete with wraparound decks that peer out over the site's bushland surroundings, as well as the wildlife within it. Expect to spy microbats, owls, kookaburras, possums and parrots, too, with nest boxes placed around the lodges to create homes for each. Also included: king-size beds, kitchens in each cabin, heated floors, smart TVs in the lounge, private carports and stone bathtubs for post-zoo soaks. Plus, guests all get access to The Billabong, the Crocodile Hunter Lodge's 25-metre infinity pool, which also looks out over the native wildlife. "We're delighted to introduce four wonderful one-bedroom cabins for guests, which will help us cater to groups of different sizes," said Terri Irwin. "The Lodge offers a unique and immersive experience that not only reflects on our conservation work, but honours Steve's important dream to connect people with wildlife and encourage them to become true conservationists." Whichever size cabin you stay in, your visit comes with unlimited Australia Zoo entry, where more than 1200 animals await — and a peek inside the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Getaways here still don't come cheap, though, with prices starting at around $949 for an overnight visit for two adults. For larger groups planning a visit, three-bedroom cabins will also join the site in 2023, with an exact opening date yet to be revealed. When it first opened its doors, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge launched alongside the zoo's Warrior Restaurant & Bar, if you're looking for somewhere to grab a bite during your trip. Boasting a focus on Aussie cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, and paying homage to Indigenous Australians and the plants that have long been part of First Nations diets, it welcomes in lodge guests and general punters for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and also for group bookings in its private dining room. The Crocodile Hunter Lodge's grounds also spans more than 3000 native trees and shrubs, including greenery that provides food for species such as the endangered glossy black cockatoo, with sustainability and conservation is a big focus. Find The Crocodile Hunter Lodge at 88 Irwin Road, Beerwah, Queensland. For further information, or to make a booking, visit the venue's website.
