Your brain knows it as well as your stomach: food tastes a certain way after midnight. And that way is generally "very good". Something happens to your tastebuds (and appreciation for food) post-wines on a weekend. One minute you're happily wandering down George Street on your way to get a train home and the next you're hit with a craving for noodles. Or you're suddenly incapacitated in the middle of Oxford Street with a need for schnitty. Instead of doing a futile (and probably ineffective) search through Google Maps, bookmark this page to come back to. We see you and your late-night salty food cravings — and give you the best late-night eats in Sydney.
Within a couple of hours' drive of Sydney, there are hidden caves for cooling off in, huge sandstone caves for camping (with 50 or so of your closest mates), beachside caves for picnicking, tunnel caves for meeting glow worms in and river caves for swimming. In short, there are a lot of caves, even if you won't run into them when tucked up in town. However, these primeval landmarks are ripe for adventure – and often closer than you'd think. Here are the ten best caves near Sydney we think you should visit. Recommended reads: The Best Swimming Holes in Sydney The Best Hikes in Sydney The Best Coastal Walks in Sydney The Best Rivers for Swimming in Sydney [caption id="attachment_554861" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Robert Montgomery via Flickr[/caption] Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie Caves Beach is no misnomer. This magical shoreline is famous for the labyrinth of caves found at its southern end. They're only explorable at low tide, so be sure to time your visit according to the charts. Whether the sun gets a little hot or the wind picks up, you can find a serene refuge inside these monumental lairs. You'll find Caves Beach 130 kilometres north of Sydney, just south of Swansea Heads, which is where Lake Macquarie joins the sea. Plus, a handful of charming restaurants and cafes are just up the beach. Bring some camping supplies — and a good book — and camp out until the tide starts to change. [caption id="attachment_703034" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dee Kramer for Destination NSW[/caption] Cave Beach, Jervis Bay Not to be confused with the aforementioned Caves Beach, Cave Beach is located on the other side of Sydney in Booderee National Park — about a three-hour drive south of Sydney. As well as its namesake cave at the western end of the beach, it is known for its turquoise waters, primed for snorkelling, surfing and swimming. If planning on spending the night there, you'll find a secluded campsite 300 metres from the beach. While waking up to the sound of the ocean is already idyllic, this break is a choice destination for beginner surfers, thanks to its soft rolling waves. Meanwhile, a friendly kangaroo troupe regularly wanders through to graze on the grass. Pindar Cave, Brisbane Water Contemplating a cave party? Pindar Cave might well be your first choice. It's an enormous overhang made of sandstone that can accommodate as many as 50 explorers at once. And you're perfectly welcome to stay the night, with this vast sheltered space helping to keep you dry and warm if the weather turns south. To reach Pindar, jump on a Central Coast or Newcastle-bound train to Wondabyne Station. From there, the cave is located about two hours on foot. If you're driving up, there are several places to park your car before venturing into the national park. While a little more effort than others on this list, Pindar Cave certainly won't disappoint. [caption id="attachment_790431" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Tran via Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] Glow Worm Tunnel, Wollemi National Park Strictly speaking, this isn't a cave. It's a 400-metre-long, disused train tunnel that used to form part of the Wolgan Valley Railway. Glow Worm Tunnel may be rocky and dark, but there are stacks of glow worms hidden within. So we could hardly be expected to leave it off the list. You'll find it about 30 kilometres northeast of Lithgow. The best way to arrive is via a five-kilometre stroll along what used to be the railway, which you can even work into an overnight hike. But if you're short on time, drive further and reduce the walk to just one kilometre. While you're there, please avoid flashing torches, smoking, lighting fires, making a racket and, most importantly, touching the glow worms — they're fragile creatures and easily killed. And if you want to explore the area over a few days, we recommend staying at this local treehouse accommodation – it offers the ideal base amongst the gum trees when off making bioluminescent discoveries. [caption id="attachment_554836" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Aidan Casey via Flickr[/caption] Palona Cave, Royal National Park Made of limestone, Palona Cave stands out in the mostly sandstone Royal National Park as it comes with exotic furnishings like stalagmites and stalactites. That also means it's a lovely place to cool off, made even more refreshing by a nearby waterfall cascading through the rainforest (to find it, follow the track another 20 metres). Getting to Palona Cave involves walking or cycling a couple of kilometres along the relatively flat Lady Carrington Drive (rom the crossroads with Sir Bertram Stevens Drive), just an hour's drive from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_554843" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Steve via Flickr[/caption] Fig Tree Cave, Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve The Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve's caves are a dazzling series of natural limestone structures. The most visited is Fig Tree Cave, which can be explored via a self-guided tour, and is crowded with all kinds of striking 'cave furniture', from stalagmites and stalactites to helictites and cave coral. Leave yourself enough time to swim in the stunning Wombeyan Gorge, and pay attention to your surroundings, as this part of the world is a haven for endangered creatures. You can always stay the night too, as there's a campground, cabins and private accommodation. The Wombeyan Caves are in the Southern Highlands, about 250 kilometres southwest of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_703039" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Harvey via Flickr [/caption] River Caves Canyon, Newnes Plateau Even though River Caves is a canyon, you don't need abseiling skills to visit. All you have to do is walk in. That said, you can expect to get your knees – and maybe even your thighs – wet, as most of the trail is more of a creek. But chances are you'll be so awed by the towering sandstone walls surrounding you that you'll hardly notice. River Caves Canyon is on the Newnes Plateau in the Gardens of Stone National Park, about 180 kilometres northwest of Sydney. Navigating your way there can be tricky, but there are some helpful instructions over here. Pack a dry change of clothes and some water shoes if you happen to have some handy. [caption id="attachment_554835" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Adam J.W.C. via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Wind Cave, Blue Mountains This extraordinary structure is the creation of wind erosion. As a result, the walls are covered in tiny, intricate formations that have the colour and look of honeycomb. Being far taller than it is deep, it feels a bit like a giant's picnic spot. The views are beautiful, incorporating the Grose Valley and Mount Banks. To reach Wind Cave, head to Blackheath and take Hat Hill Road all the way to the end, before following the signs leading to Anvil Rock. From there, it's only a 200-metre walk from the carpark. If you have the option, timing your visit with sunset means catching the vast landscape as it bursts to life in golden hues. [caption id="attachment_553972" align="alignnone" width="1280"] NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service[/caption] Red Hands Cave, Ku-Ring-Gai National Park The Red Hands Cave is one of Ku-ring-gai National Park's most well-known sites for Indigenous heritage, not to mention one of the best preserved. On the walls, you'll see colourful ochre handprints that were pressed onto the rocky surface as far back as 1,600 years ago. According to local historians, the ancient artists would chew a mixture of ochre and water, then blow it over their resting hand to form a stencil. Red Hands Cave is a short walk from Resolute Picnic Area in Ku-ring-gai's West Head section. For a longer journey, continue along the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, a nearly five-kilometre loop featuring more art, engravings and a historic shelter that culminates with the enchanting Resolute Beach. Note: Red Hands Cave is temporarily closed for works, with no scheduled reopening date confirmed. [caption id="attachment_703035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains Needless to say, we couldn't exclude this classic. In Jenolan Caves, 175 kilometres west of Sydney, you'll discover some of the most ridiculously beautiful rocks on the planet. There are nine caves altogether, filled with limestone formations, pristine underground rivers and secret chambers. The only way to visit is by tour. Choose the cave that most appeals to you — take it easy with a one-hour Imperial Cave Tour or get an adrenaline hit on an abseiling escapade. Either way, impressive lighting and walkways make it easier to get a clear and up-close experience with the cave's millennia-old features. Note: Jenolan Caves are currently closed due to flooding and major road repairs, with a reopening date yet to be confirmed. Top image: Andrew Harvey via Flickr.
Red wine and cheese. Whiskey and chocolate. Every drink has its perfect match. For beer, there's no better friend than the beach. And nowhere in the world offers more opportunities for this glorious partnership to flourish than Sydney, with some of the most beautiful, secluded, harbour and unusual swimming spots in Australia sitting right by some of our favourite watering holes. It makes perfect sense that beachside bars are on point in Sydney. We've one of the longest urban coastlines on the planet and one of the most dedicated brew-guzzling populations. In fact, Australia is the fourth thirstiest nation, gulping down 109.9 litres of beer per capita annually. Help keep our spot by working your way through these ten beachside beauties after a glorious day frolicking at the beach. Most of them are practically on the sand.
Forget everything you thought you knew about a steakhouse, and go and try Chophouse in the Sydney CBD. Described as a tribute to the New York-style steakhouse, Chophouse removes itself from the regular gimmicks of steakhouses and instead exudes a level of class through its service, food and contemporary setting. Inside the Sydney restaurant, the lighting is fairly dim, projecting a calm ambience throughout. Wood is featured throughout the décor, with beautiful wooden tables, high ceilings and faded walls. Chophouse has a capacity of more than 200, with tables and booths spread across two levels, plus a bar area and outdoor seating. To start, the steak tartare with waffle chips was one of the highlights of the evening. The steak collapses under the fork and is a delight with the crunchy chips. There's a casual spin on decadence with the crab toast, served with crème fraîche and lemon, or the exceedingly rich bone marrow with cornichons, pickled eshallot and sourdough. Although there's plenty of variety on the menu, Chophouse prides itself on its 'meat and chops'. It's not so much for meat lovers, but more for those who appreciate quality produce. The MB7+ wagyu striploin is 300g of the finest beef from Rangers Valley, NSW. Chophouse's chefs have treated the cut, five on the marble score, with the upmost respect. If you're hankering for some meat but don't feel like beef, the pan-roasted John Dory filet with spinach and raisin burnt butter is a delicious alternative, while the cheeseburger is more than just a crowd pleaser, with pickles, chutney and mustard. Make it a double if you're feeling brave. With the desserts, give the rhubarb and custard brulee a go or a delicious pineapple fritter with rum caramel and coconut sorbet. Having heard about Chophouse as being a premier steakhouse in Sydney, it's really not just a one-trick pony. Impeccable service, the finest produce and meals you will keep coming back for. You'll never look at a steak the same way again. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Steaks in Sydney
The Mayflower, one of Darlinghurst's favourite cafes, is an opulent affair. Located in a 90s art deco building just down the block from East Village Sydney, it offers great breakfast and lunch options along with a classy range of cocktails designed to light up your afternoon. The venue is by Christian Lee and Kevin Ly (formerly Brewristas), who pay homage to the building's former florist with the greenery-filled, floral-themed cafe. Expect a millennial pink interior that's accented with onyx stone tables, resin pendant lights, abstract murals and lush installations. The food offering at The Mayflower starts with the breakfast menu, with all the hits, including granola with fig jam and berries; eggs on toast with miso butter; smashed avo with coriander and lime and a big breakfast with eggs your way, chorizo, streaky bacon and baked tomato. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find a yellowfin tuna tartare, a croque monsieur with jamon serrano, and a wagyu cheeseburger. For dessert, you can choose between an affogato or mochi ice cream. The Mayflower hits the mark every time a new seasonal menu lands, and the stunning pastel surrounds never fade. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Sydney
In the proper vein of Diagon Alley, Mjølner is the kind of place you would never stumble upon. The discrete entrance, set on a quiet stretch of Cleveland Street, is easy to miss, but later you'll wonder how you could possibly have missed it. Like a mirage, the oversized old-world wooden door suddenly appears and opens down into a deep labyrinth of underground, cave-like rooms. The Speakeasy Group — which operates Eau De Vie and The Roosevelt as well as Boilermaker House in Melbourne — is no stranger to fancy digs. Named for Thor's hammer, the self-described 'Viking luxe' space is part-drinking den, part-fine dining restaurant. It may sound gimmicky, but it works — rather than going too hard on the schtick, Mjølner uses the Viking theme as tasteful inspiration. This is consistent throughout the whole venue; the animal-clad waitstaff and impressive fit-out contrast well with the R&B soundtrack and a modern Nordic menu. While the cocktail offering is a main draw and worth a visit in itself, we recommend grabbing a table in the dining area as the bar (which doesn't offer table service) can get quite overwhelmed. The leather-bound cocktail menu is extensive and a little overwhelming, but, to help, the concoctions are ordered from lightest to booziest. The Smooth Valley Sour ($20) is a good starter and comes garnished with honeycomb, but is more sweet than sour. If you're into boozier cocktails, the Highlander Hammer ($22) is their version of an old-fashioned with the addition of turmeric and honey-laced oloroso, and the Kon Tiki ($19) is a super smoky mezcal concoction — both of which are some of the best cocktails we've had. But drinking is by no means the only reason to visit, with the open kitchen turning out a seriously impressive food menu. As expected, the menu is focused around meat, with bone marrow ($20) and spiced pig's head terrine ($18) making appearances. Both of these are expertly executed, with the bone marrow melting in your mouth and the terrine surprisingly light. The short rib ($35) is also served on a massive bone, but you don't need the custom-made knife you chose from a leather-bound selection presented to you at the start of the meal for this one as the meat falls right off the bone. The sides are classic and hearty, including the particularly tasty garlic and maple-topped roasted celeriac ($15) and seared eggplant ($12). Skip dessert for their espresso martini — the Flight of the Valkyrie ($20) — which combines cold-drip coffee and a fig apertif in a perfect bittersweet balance that is all topped with burnt mead foam. It's fine dining in a pretty chill setting, which is hard to achieve and particularly well done at Mjølner. Be prepared to drop some cash — but for a special occasion (or even just on pay day) this place is fully worth it. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Sydney's new cinema with an old-world air, The Golden Age Cinema and Bar is located inside the heritage-listed Paramount Pictures Building on Commonwealth Street in Surry Hills. It has a revamped screening room and atmospheric small bar that takes advantage of the original art deco fittings from 1940. If some of the best films of the last few years have taught us anything, it's that audiences miss the good ol' days of cinema. Whether it's the splendour and decadence of an opening night in The Artist or Hugo's love song to the early years of film, the movies themselves seem to be filled with a deep longing for an era when films didn't live and die by their opening weekend and the 'megaplex' did not yet exist. The Golden Age Cinema and Bar, from the Brothers Barton and Right Angle Studio, recaptures some of that old-world movie magic, that picture-palace romanticism, right here in Sydney. It features a bar, a fascinating film program and an atmosphere more hearty than Hoytsy. The 60 person-capacity bar is accessible whether you're seeing a film or not, and serves wines, beers, cocktails and food (including film-inspired specials) from interesting producers. It's also the place to get your cinema snacks before heading into a session. Golden Age Cinema and Bar runs Tuesday to Sunday, while the space is available for private hire on Mondays. Images: Cassandra Hannagan Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
Lavender Bay hotspot Loulou offers Sydneysiders a taste of everyday French life. The bistro-bakery-delicatessen hybrid is a local favourite on the lower north shore, with the team providing everything from a morning coffee and smoked ocean trout to a champagne lunch paired with hand-cut steak tartare. Over at the bistro, you'll find grilled spatchcock, Sydney rock oysters and an impressive wine list. Highlights of the French-inspired menu include the melt-in-your-mouth côte de bœuf served sliced with a drizzle of sauce bordelaise. There's classic steak frites with sauce au poivre, as well as lighter hors d'oeuvres including a quiche du jour with salad and a grilled octopus with sauce bouillabaisse. Combining traditional French styling and contemporary aesthetics, the dining space feels warm and luxurious — think warm timber, brass accents and mosaic marble floors. Guests can pull up a seat at the bar or slide into a cushy booth to enjoy an intimate meal with family and friends. With over 150 wines available by the bottle, the highly skilled sommeliers ensure guests can choose from an extensive list of both Australian and French producers. Follow your nose to the boulangerie next door, where you'll be enveloped in the delicious aroma of artisanal baguettes, croissants, mice loaves and pain au chocolats. The team here bake four times a day, seven days a week. This number of bakes in a day is almost unheard of in Australia, ensuring that if you pop by after work, the bread is as fresh as can be — just like in Paris. Over in the traiteur (delicatessen), browse a wide selection of house-made produce and comforting home-style meals. Loulou is your perfect pre-picnic pit stop, from jars of pickles to charcuterie, cheese and whole rotisserie chickens. Over in the cold section, pristine glass cabinets feature a variety of terrines, parfaits and fresh salads — there's nothing better than a summer cassoulet or chilled ratatouille in Sydney's heat. Guests can bring the goodies home or enjoy them outside on the sun-soaked terrace. Our top tip? Fill a basket and take a quick stroll to Wendy's Secret Garden. It's one of Sydney's most beautiful green spaces and is only a stone's throw away. Images: Steven Woodburn Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Sydney
From Sydney Brewery to Young Henrys and all the little guys in between, it seems like Sydney is welcoming new breweries every day. But where can you actually buy the handcrafted stuff to take home? Lucky for all you enthusiasts out there, the craft beer scene isn’t restricted to brew houses and taps. These ten bottle shops have it all: from the American to European, the Aussie favourites, Kiwi's best and the most bizarre on the market. Cutty Cellars Quite possibly one of the only good reasons to trek out to Crow's Nest, this once generic bottle shop has been recently transformed by new ownership into a beer lover's haven. For its size, the shop is unusually easy to navigate, especially thanks to the knowledgeable, friendly staff that love to talk beer (ask for Youk). Aussie mainstays like Holgate and James Squire have found a home on these shelves, plus some more obscure picks like the Montana natives at Big Sky Brewing and the industry famous Nail Brewery’s Clout Stout ($79.99). The mix-and-match six-packs deal at 20 percent off is the best introduction to the big bad world of craft beer. 342 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest; Mon – Sat 9am – 9pm; Sun 10am – 9pm; cutty.myshopify.com/; (02) 9436 4955 Bondi Beach Cellars This family-owned operation has been a Bondi institution for 27 years. The Chappell brothers now run the show — Nick is a clear craft beer enthusiast whose emphasis on supporting the small guys in brewing nods to his 'mom and pop shop' roots. He's focused on seasonal and limited releases and eager to talk about his favourite brews going, like Moa Large Breakfast Stout and Riverside Brewing Company 777. Whether you're a tourist or Bondi beach bum, a mixed six-pack from Nick should be your last stop before hitting the beach. Tastings Friday – Saturday 6pm-8pm. 50 Hall Street, Bondi; Mon – Fri 9.30am – 10pm; Sat 9am – 10pm; Sun 10am – 10am; (02) 9365 3889; bondibeachcellars@bigpond.com Camperdown Cellars Endless fridges stocked with 650+ craft/international beers. A knowledgeable and (actually) helpful staff. It's no surprise that this once 1940s local bottle shop has spread across the CBD and just won ALIA’s Liquor Store of the Year award. Still, 2050 claims it as their own, as there is nothing chain about the service or selection you get here. Jackson Davey and Liam Pereira stock brews you won't find anywhere else, like Garage Project's Wabi-Sabi Sour made with yuzu and honeydew, and the Tassie favourite Moo Brew Vintage Stout ($22.99). With a constantly expanding beer choice and a huge international selection, this craft beer originator will continue to be a Sydney favourite. 140-144 Parramatta Road, Camperdown; Mon – Thurs 10am – 9pm; Fri – Sat 10am – 9:45pm; Sun 10am – 8pm; (02) 9517 2000; www.camperdowncellars.com.au Lord Raglan Ever wanted beer for your beard? What about beard for your beer? At Lord Raglan, bearded beer guy Johnathan Hepner will give you both. He's turned the Rocks Brewing Company tap house into a zany bottle shop on the side. Johnathan is always looking for something new or out there. Whether excitedly telling the story of Rogue Beard Beer ($12.50) or the sadness that inevitably comes after finishing a bottle of Shenanigans' Red Sky ($12.50), he sets the beer lover's vibe that makes 'locals' come from five suburbs away to see what he has brewing next. 12 Henderson Road, Redfern; Mon – Thurs 11am – 10pm; Fri – Sat 12pm – 10pm; Sun 11am – 10pm; lordraglan.com.au(02) 9699 4767 Oak Barrel While this CBD cellar is no trendy east/west suburb shop, Oak Barrel has an undeniably impressive stock. The craft beer corridor that will seal your inevitable doom could take days to navigate and can make even the biggest beer snob's jaw drop. You'll need beer buyer Ian Chainey in house to make an educated pick, as the staff is split into booze-specific roles. For a safe bet, don't miss the impressive growler taps which rotate on two kegs and are refillable at no extra charge. 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney; Mon – Fri 11am-8.30pm; Sat 11am – 8pm; (02) 9264 3022; www.oakbarrel.com.au President Cellars The price is right at this bottle shop where owner Chris Austin and his beer-adoring staff are rocking the 'burbs craft beer scene. The first-class selection includes basically every style of James Squire, as well as brews you won't find anywhere else, like the range of McLaren Vale ($4.99 single, $14.99 six-pack) and Dad & Dave's #1 Pale Ale ($3.99 single, $17.99 six-pack). As with any stock this size, there are bound to be some duds, but Chris is no beer baron trying to push his experimental finds on the unwitting buyer. His trustworthy nature, industry acumen and customer first attitude makes any patron confident they're walking out with a brew they'll love. Don’t believe us? Catch their backyard tastings every Friday from 4pm – 7pm. 49 President Avenue, Kogarah; Mon – Sat 10am - 8pm; Sun 12pm – 7pm; (02) 8021 1860; www.presidentcellars.com Lord Nelson Brewery History speaks for itself: Sydney’s oldest pub brewery is still bottling one of the best craft beers in town. While Sydney's now booming craft beer scene may have been some 173 years in the making, Lord Nelson's sat patiently and waited. Though you can now get crowd favourites Three Sheets and Old Admiral in bars and bottle-os across the city, the brewery remains the local go-to, as every beer served from the pub, bottled or kegged, is made in-house. 19 Kent Street, The Rocks; Mon – Sat 11am – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10pm; (02) 9251 4044; www.lordnelsonbrewery.com Barny’s Fine Wines and Ales A maze of craft beer, this well-known shop could easily compete with the best of Doomsday Preppers. Find yourself up close and personal with the likes of Happy Goblin and Mikkeller — just a few of the uncommon brewers you'll find in this stack. While it's overwhelming to the untrained eye, the well-versed staff can talk shop with the best of them. Though a stock of the best craft beers Oz has to offer may not save you in the apocalypse, we suggest you head here when the zombies finally attack. 252/741 Botany Road, Rosebery; Mon – Wed 10am – 8.30pm; Thurs 10am – 9pm; Fri – Sat 10am – 9.30pm; Sun 10am – 8pm; (02) 9699 2213; www.barnys.com.au Bottle-O The disco balls and pimp hats hanging from the ceiling shouldn't distract from what a piece of craft this joint is. As you choose your mixed four pack (10 percent off), focus on the row of 'esoteric' finds like the Norwegian Lervig Rye IPA ($7.50 per bottle) or Bridge Road Brewers' Aurora Borealis, a Norwegian collaboration brew ($15 for 530ml). The dance parties are a great retro addition, and the smell of freshly baked goods from Christopher’s Cake Shop next door doesn't hurt this beer buying experience either. 407 Bourke Street, Surry Hills; Mon – Tues 11am – 9pm; Wed 11am – 9.30pm; Thurs – Sat 11am – 10pm; Sun 12pm – 9pm; (02) 9331 7700 Beer Cartel No craft beer list can be complete without this online-turned-megastore beer extravaganza, boasting Sydney’s largest selection with 1100+ bottle. It’s best to go here with a game plan. Feeling bogged down among the choices? Buyer Richard Kelsey smartly recommends the most unique among the best. For something intense, go BrewDog's 34 percent Tactical Nuclear Penguin or 42 percent Sink the Bismarck, dubbed the world’s strongest beers. For a bit of the strange, check out Cantillon Brewery, the sour beer connoisseurs from Brussels. Tastings Saturdays 12.30pm-3.30pm. 9/87 Reserve Road, Artarmon; Mon – Wed 10am – 6pm; Thurs 10am – 6.30pm; Fri 10am – 6pm; Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm; 1300 808 254; www.beercartel.com.au
Land of leafy streets, flowery parks and sparkling Harbour coves, the lower north shore could fool you into thinking that it's too quiet for any sort of nightlife. But among the greenery and gated manors, there are pubs and small bars aplenty. From Kirribilli to Cremorne, North Sydney to Neutral Bay, there's a drinking hole for whatever mood you're in, whether that's sampling fine wine and share plates in calm surrounds, or lingering over a Melbourne Bitter to a rock 'n' roll soundtrack. THE GREENS, NORTH SYDNEY The Greens isn't just a bar. It's also a lawn bowls hub and, depending on the day, a petting zoo, live music venue and outdoor yoga studio. Get as active as you like or kick back, do nothing and take in the Harbour views. On the drink side of things, you can settle in with a drink for one or grab one of the venue's share cocktails (which are designed for four people). The Watermelon Kegger (with vodka, watermelon and lychee juice) is always a hit, as is the Belvedere Spritz if you're looking for something bubbly SOCAL, NEUTRAL BAY You might not associate the lower north shore with California, but swing by SoCal and you may change your mind. SoCal is the brainchild of mates Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts, who travelled around the state together and fell for it hard. Upon returning, they decided to set up their own slice of Cali in Sydney. Settle into a burnt orange seat beneath colourful bunting, and order an cocktail smoked in-house, like the Hey Ron! with a smokey mezcal, Campari and sweet vermouth concoction. There are also a stack of Mexican-influenced snacks and feasts to match. FIREFLY, NEUTRAL BAY Firefly gets its name from Lucetta Sernia, an Italian rebel who dropped out of school as a teen to join a travelling cabaret. Years later, she swapped performing for running a small bar, which she never named to skip paying licensing fees. Locals came to call it 'La Lucetta/La Lucciola', meaning Little Light/The Firefly. Sydney's own Firefly is a sweet, laidback spot for sharing good bottles of wine and plates of sous vide hanger steak, wagyu cheeseburger sliders and Moroccan spiced chicken breast. THE BOTANIST, KIRRIBILLI The Botanist is a paean to Gerard Fothergill, the explorer and, well, botanist who studied plants and spices and their medicinal qualities. Born in England, he journeyed through India, Africa and the Middle East before spending his final years in Kirribilli. Herbs, spices and adventure are all part of The Botanist experience. Take the signature cocktail menu, for example, Purple Haze which features blueberry-infused Maker's Mark, peach liqueur and orange bitters, and the Birds of Paradise with spiced rum, Campari, mango and absinthe mist. THE OAKS, NEUTRAL BAY The Oaks has kept lower north shore drinkers fed, hydrated and merry since 1885. This Neutral Bay institution gives you a choice of five drinking dens. Nineteenthirtysix is a throwback to the 1940s with its zinc bar and leather couches, while the indoor-outdoor Garden Pavilion is all light, air and rambling vines. For pool, cards and chairs covered in blue flamingoes, check out the Cue and Cushion, and for drinks beneath their namesake oak tree wrapped in fairy lights, look to The Garden Bar. If you're hanging out in a group, get stuck into The Oaks' carafes, one being the Fijian Punch with spiced rum, lychees, mint, orange, lime and ginger. STUFFED BEAVER, CROWS NEST Complete with poutine fries, burgers, chicken wings and bric-a-brac, the second iteration of Bondi's much-loved Stuffed Beaver has opened in Crows Nest. Plus, there are new arcade games. We're talking stuff-of-gamer's-dreams machines that let you play every game created during the halcyon days of the 80s and 90s — from Double Dragon and Street Fighter to Golden Axe. Or grab a Philter brew fro Marrickville and settle in front of the enormous 120-inch screen, which will be screening a steady stream of local and international sport. On the menu you'll find the venue's much-lusted-after chicken wings, poutine fries, hot dogs, nachos and burgers — from the classic cheeseburger and the Beaver Fried Chicken Burger to the Make 'Americana' Great Again. Vegetarians are looked after, too, with a range of salads and a mushroom burger. THE CHEESE AND WINE CO, NEUTRAL BAY This aptly named cheese and wine bar sits on Grosvenor Lane, just around the corner from the institution that is The Oaks. The 50-strong wine list rotates every three months and spans from easy-to-drink vino to wines geared for a more complex palate, so both novice oenophiles and budding sommelier types can feel at home here. If you find a wine you really like, you'll eventually be able to take it home with you — all of the wines will make their way onto the online shop once they're rotated off the bar list. On the cheese side of things, the bar has 13 different types to choose from at the moment, with specialties like deep fried camembert and baked brie also making the menu. And like the wine, this list will change regularly as well. Cheese boards are served as share platters alongside charcuterie, salumi and other antipasti, so eating with your hands is encouraged. THE HAYBERRY, CROWS NEST If you like your bevs with a dose of good ol' blues, rock 'n' roll and photos of Ned Kelly, then get 'em at The Hayberry. The drinks list starts with the classics like XXXX Gold and Melbourne Bitter, swings by a bunch of bottled crafties from all over Australia and the US, and finishes up with some traditional cocktails. On tap, you'll find more craft beers, rotated seasonally and served by the pint. And make sure to match your drink choice with some beer-friendly fare, be it popcorn chicken or a Big Stack burger with waffle fries. And if you're there Thursday, don't miss the $1 wings. [caption id="attachment_666653" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Zoe May[/caption] THE FOXTROT, CROWS NEST Walking into The Foxtrot feels a bit like dropping by someone's lounge room — were that someone a bit obsessed with all things Gothic (and whiskey). Think dim lighting, cosy couches and an AstroTurf courtyard. DJs add to the atmosphere on Friday and Saturday nights, too. The drinks list specialises in refreshing seasonal concoctions, with autumn's list including the Disco Punch — with pisco, pineapple syrup and candied pineapple — and the Bison Grass Cooler with vodka, apple and lemongrass. Come Tuesday and Wednesday for $10 pizzas or Thursday for a $10 Jameson and apple juice. TONIC LANE, NEUTRAL BAY Since June 2016, Tonic Lane has been upping the spirits game on the lower north shore. By day, the venue is a cafe, but come 4pm, a bell rings and the mighty gin and tonic takes over, turning the venue into a full fledged 'ginoteria'. Holding one of Sydney's largest collection of Australian gins under one roof, the bar has over 100 Aussie gins in its arsenal, including locals such as Archie Rose, Poor Toms and Young Henrys Noble Cut, and from further afield, Four Pillars (Victoria) and Hobart No 4 (Tassie). On the cocktail list you'll find gin-based originals including the Papa Smurf — made with gin, mandarin liqueur, mint and lemon — or you can build-your-own custom cocktail. Top image: The Oaks
For eight years, Pilu Kiosk — the cafe-shack at Freshwater attached to the eponymous double-hatted restaurant — was a Northern Beaches go-to for coffee and paninis. After closing down and being revamped, it reopened in March 2017 as Pilu Baretto. For avid food connoisseurs, this means Italian wines, cocktails and fresh Sardinian dishes within view of beautiful Freshwater Beach. Design-wise, the team kept the space's beach shack look and feel, with the addition of a copper-topped bar, timber surfaces, greenery and seating along the existent hedge overlooking the water. During the day, beach-goers can expect traditional cafe fare including muffins, toasties and paninis. As the sun goes down, Pilu Baretto's menu shifts to a sophisticated selection of Italian dishes — think cured meats, slow roasted pig with pumpkin, quince and buffalo fru, scallops with chickpea cream, chestnut mushrooms and Pilu bottarga, or squid ink spaghetti with mussels, cuttlefish, tomato and friarielli. Match your choices with Italian wines by the glass, craft beers and creative takes on classic cocktails. Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
You've got two days off and the weather is set to be stunning — clearly, the travel gods are calling you away for an epic day trip from Sydney. And when your starting location is Sydney, you've got a wealth of places to visit within a few hours' drive. Whether you fancy lounging the afternoon away at a pool, working up an appetite on a countryside cycle trail or seeking out the freshest seafood on the coast, there are plenty of spots calling out. It's time to load up the car, book a GoGet or hop on the train and escape the big city. Read on to find ten of the best outposts that deliver everything you want from a day trip out of Sydney. Recommended reads: The Best Out-of-Town Ocean Pools Near Sydney The Best Glamping Spots in NSW The Best Places to Stay on the Central Coast A Weekender's Guide to Jervis Bay [caption id="attachment_695928" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ANZAC Memorial Walk, Destination NSW[/caption] FOR ART AND SURFING: NEWCASTLE Downtown Newcastle is brimming with culture and it's only a stone's throw from the sea. The CBD has independent retailers, small bars and restaurants that rival the likes of most Australian capital cities. If you arrive early, settle among the bright tiles, artworks and plants of Ground Up Espresso in Carrington, a waterfront suburb on Newcastle Harbour's north shore — or save yourself for a five-course meal at hatted restaurant Subo. Booze your afternoon away at Newie's local brewery, The Foghorn, or soak up some sun at one of the beachside pubs, like Mereweather Surfhouse. Or if you want to experience spectacular locally sourced produce with an unbeatable view over Newcastle, try the Roundhouse. Wherever you end up during your day trip, the waterfront is never more than a nip away, with the tranquil stillness of Newcastle Harbour on one side and surf beaches on the other. Go for a dip at the famed Newcastle Ocean Baths and, if you're able to hang around until sunset, finish your day with a stroll along the spectacular ANZAC Memorial Walk. Newcastle is two hours drive or three hours by train north of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_677929" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] FOR SEAFOOD AND SWIMS: WOY WOY When you want to get out of Sydney for a coastal day trip — but don't want to drive too far — the Central Coast is your best bet. And, just 75 minutes in a car or the train will get you to the quaint seaside town of Woy Woy. Here, you can have a seaside feast at Woy Woy Fisherman's Wharf then head over to Frankie's Rooftop for a spritz. Or, if you're more into pasta than seafood, you can head to Young Barons for lunch — it's an absolute win. If you've got a car, make a detour to the nearby Bouddi Coastal Trail — the eight-kilometre hike winds past plenty of lookouts and beaches. Pack your snorkelling gear, too — we recommend heading to the sheltered Lobster Beach, keeping an eye out for dolphins. Woy Woy is a 75-minute drive or 80-minute train ride from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_692016" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bannisters Port Stephens[/caption] FOR POOLSIDE RELAXING: PORT STEPHENS Port Stephens lucked out when Bannisters arrived back in 2018, bringing a luxurious hotel and, most importantly, a Rick Stein restaurant. And what better way to shake off the big smoke than by sitting in a breezy space, overlooking still water, and working your way through Coffs Harbour prawns, or Singapore chilli blue swimmer crab? Beyond that, Port Stephens offers plenty of outdoor escapades, from its 26 beaches to camel riding and sandboarding down the Southern Hemisphere's biggest sand dunes. We also highly recommend a stay at the Hampton-style boutique hotel, Anchorage Port Stephens, where waterfront decadence is the name of the game. Port Stephens is a three-hour drive north of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_774139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Yurasek/DPIE[/caption] FOR BOATING AND BUSHWALKING: BEROWRA The stunning hamlet of Berowra is literally encircled by natural beauty — it's within Berowra Valley National Park, with Cowan Creek and Berowra Creek running either side of the suburb. If you're driving, get your bearings with a stop at Barnetts Lookout. After a wander around Berowra Village, head to Berowra Waters for ferry rides, a spot of kayaking, nature walks and some lazy riverside reading. If you're looking to add a dose of luxury to your stay, make a booking for a hatted feast at Berowra Waters Inn. Berowra is a 45-minute drive or an hour-long train journey from Sydney CBD. [caption id="attachment_697582" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Boathouse Hotel Patonga[/caption] FOR HIKES AND BRUNCH: PEARL BEACH AND PATONGA Unlike so many coastal areas, Pearl Beach is fiercely protected from development. Just 500 or so residents live here and, because the village is National Trust-listed, further construction is banned. It truly is a world of its own, perched on a picturesque beach and surrounded by bushland. You can spend your days dissolving into sand and sea, or, if you want a work out, take on the Pearl Beach to Patonga walk. At the other end, you'll find the Boathouse Hotel, where you can tuck into seafood plates, crumbed dory burgers and buckets of prawns (and even stay the night if you don't feel like driving home after all that). Meanwhile, back in Pearl Beach, there's hatted restaurant Pearls on the Beach and, for more casual fare, the Pearl Beach Cafe and General Store. Pearl Beach is a 90-minute drive north of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_743309" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Forster[/caption] FOR CASCADES AND BLOSSOMS: LEURA AND KATOOMBA If Katoomba is the busiest village in the Blue Mountains, Leura is the prettiest — making the neighbouring towns the perfect places to visit on a day trip out of Sydney. For great coffee, head to Frankly My Dear on Katoomba's main drag. A little later on, you can treat yourself at 8 Things — a small restaurant with a capacity of just 10 people and just eight dishes on the menu, each one representing a different country. You've got to see the sights, too — the fairy-like Leura Cascades are lovely for cooling off on a warm day, and be sure to take a final peek of the Three Sisters at sunset. Leura is a 90-minute drive or two-hour train ride from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_770408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FOR A COOL COUNTRY CHANGE: BOWRAL When you fancy a cooler climate, jump on the highway to Bowral. Found in the Southern Highlands — 600 metres above sea level — this pretty country town is usually a few degrees cooler than Sydney. Over the past few years, several new eateries have opened up, including The Mill Cafe, set inside an 1885 building shared with start-ups and small businesses; and Harry's on Green Lane, a welcoming bar, where you can sit in a citrus grove, while sipping on local cool-climate wines and sharing fancy plates. Another culinary highlight of the town is idyllic cafe The Press Shop, which is located right next to the mega antique store Dirty Janes. This expansive warehouse is an emporium of vintage fashion, homewares and collectables. You'll discover something new-to-you on every visit. Bowral is a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney. FOR LOOKOUTS AND CYCLING: WOLLONGONG If diverse, sandy adventures are crucial to your day-tripping joy, Wollongong's your destination. No fewer than 17 beaches line the coast. To get some invigorating perspective, visit one or all of the six local lookouts. If you're keen to work up a sweat, the waterfront Thirroul to Port Kembla cycle path will keep you busy (and you can have a swim at the end), or take on the Mount Kembla hike. When you're ready to eat and drink, head to the North Wollongong Hotel's leafy beer garden or Five Barrel Brewing for a cold one, Babyface Kitchen for a fancy feed and finish your night at one of the city's many live music venues like La La La's. Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is a great place to stay, too. Wollongong is a 90-minute drive or a two-hour train ride directly south of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_749647" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FOR BLOWHOLES AND ROCK POOLS: KIAMA When the southeast wind is blowing strong, Kiama's blowhole is at its most powerful. The wind sends waves into the rock aperture, compressing air and sending a spectacular spout into the air. Few people know there's a second, albeit smaller, blowhole found a few minutes drive south, in Tingira Crescent, aptly named Little Blowhole. Swimmers and surfers, you have your decision-making cut out for you, from one of Kiama's ocean pools or pick a spot along the long, wild stretch of Bombo Beach. Kiama's main street is laden with cafes, ice creameries and restaurants and, if you have enough time, side trips to the satellite villages of Gerringong (to the south) and Jamberoo (inland) are worthwhile. Kiama is clearly one of our favourite day trip destinations out of Sydney, but we recommend you stay longer — if you can get the time off. Kiama is a two-hour drive or a nearly three hour train ride from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_772899" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tinkler Wines by Destination NSW[/caption] FOR WINE AND RIVERSIDE PICNICS: POKOLBIN For a day trip that involves wine tasting, rolling paddocks and maybe some cycling, make tracks to Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. The locality is dotted with cellar doors, vineyards and restaurants. If you're keen to get on two wheels as soon as possible, hire an e-bike from Sutton Estate and conquer the Hunter Valley Cycleway, which tours a dozen wineries and a microbrewery. Alternatively, just settle in for a long lunch at the wine lover's playground, Brokenwood Wines, or linger over a salumi and cheese platter in a converted church at Usher Tinkler Wines. Pokolbin is a two-hour drive northwest of Sydney. Next time you're looking to head out of Sydney, 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: Patonga Boathouse.
After a year full of lockdowns and restrictions, travelling around Australia is finally possible again. Now, the bumper-to-bumper summer season of the country's top galleries is within reach to out-of-town art lovers too. We've pulled together a taster of major exhibitions that span both new and recognisable art and will encourage reflection on this crazy year. Each state is offering something unique, from an expansive all-women artist exhibition in Canberra to shows revealing the diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from across the country. Join us in celebrating culture and open borders with an Australian summer full of art, performance, community talks and tours.
Parts of a Lady, Gronk, Day Planner and Ali G Goes to Chicago aren't going to win any shiny trophies this year, because none of them exist. But, after getting a shoutout in Amy Poehler and Tina Fey's very amusing opening monologue at the 2021 Golden Globes, you'll wish these fictional flicks were either showing at a cinema near you or streaming on your platform of choice. They might be an improvement on some of the movies and TV shows that were nominated this year, after all. Poehler and Fey noted that "a lot of flashy garbage" was vying for a gong and, well, they're not wrong. It's always best to remember two things whenever entertainment awards roll around. Firstly, great movies and television shows, and the talents behind them, always remain that way whether they have the silverware to go with it or not. Secondly, finally valuing the exceptional work of women and people of colour in the entertainment industry after so long spent focusing on white men will always remain important. And, while the Golden Globes ceremony this year looked a little different to usual — it was held across both Los Angeles and New York, with Poehler and Fey split across the two cities; nominees called in via video from home in all their finery, rather than attending in person; and winners didn't physically put their hands on a statuette — it did give a heap of recognition to some very deserving folks. Seeing three women contending for Best Director, with Chloe Zhao emerging victorious for Nomadland, really was something special. So was the fact that the first two gongs of the night went to Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega, two of the best actors working today. Chadwick Boseman's posthumous award was always going to be an emotional moment and, winning special accolades, both Norman Lear and Jane Fonda made moving speeches about their careers and the current state of the industry. Plenty of top-notch talents missed out as well, though, because that's the way these congratulatory proceedings always go — but from everything that emerged victorious, we've picked 12 films and TV shows for you to feast your eyes on as soon as possible. MOVIE MUST-SEES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSFpK34lfv0&feature=youtu.be NOMADLAND Frances McDormand is a gift of an actor. Point a camera her way, and a performance so rich that it feels not just believable but tangible floats across the screen. That's the case in Nomadland, which will earn her another Oscar nomination and could even see her win a third shiny statuette just three years after she nabbed her last for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Here, leading a cast that also includes real people experiencing the existence that's fictionalised within the narrative, she plays the widowed, van-dwelling Fern — a woman who takes to the road, and to the nomad life, after the small middle-America spot she spent her married life in turns into a ghost town when the local mine is shuttered due to the global financial crisis. Following her travels over the course of more than a year, this humanist drama serves up an observational portrait of those that society happily overlooks. It's both deeply intimate and almost disarmingly empathetic in the process, as every movie made by Chloe Zhao is. This is only the writer/director's third, slotting in after 2015's Songs My Brothers Taught Me and 2017's The Rider but before 2021's Marvel flick Eternals, but it's a feature of contemplative and authentic insights into the concepts of home, identity and community. Meticulously crafted, shot and performed, it's also Zhao's best work yet, and the best film of 2020 as well. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Drama, Best Director — Motion Picture (Chloe Zhao) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama (Frances McDormand), Best Screenplay — Motion Picture (Chloe Zhao) Nomadland returns to cinemas from March 4, after a sneak preview season in late December and early January. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbE96sCJEjo MINARI Remember the name Lee Isaac Chung. Minari isn't the writer/director's first feature — with 2007's Munyurangabo, 2010's Lucky Life and 2012's Abigail Harm already on his resume — but it's the kind of intimate, heartfelt and resonant movie that cements its filmmaker as a top cinematic talent to watch. Remember the name Alan S Kim, too. The child actor makes his film debut here, but he steals every scene he's in. Considering that he's acting opposite Steven Yeun (Burning), who turns in his latest excellent performance and will hopefully nab an Oscar nomination for his efforts, that's no minor feat. Remembering Minari in general is a given, actually. It's so detailed, vivid and honest, and yet also so universal at the same time. Based on Chung's own upbringing, this tender drama follows the Yi family (which also includes My Unfamiliar Family's Yeri Han and first-timer Noel Cho) as they move to Arkansas to start their own farm. It's a movie about chasing the American Dream, but don't go thinking that you've seen this tale before, or seen any similar story told with such feeling either. The film's overall story can be summarised neatly, but Minari's many deep and thoughtful charms and triumphs aren't ever simplistic. Indeed, as features influenced by personal real-life tales can be at their best, this is a gorgeously and thoughtfully detailed picture, with Chung realising that trading in specific minutiae is far more compelling and relatable than opting for sweeping generalisations. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Foreign Language Minari is currently screening in cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjtGqRXQ9Y JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH The last time that Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield appeared in the same film, Get Out was the end result. Their shared scene in Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning horror movie isn't easily forgotten — if you've seen the feature, it will have instantly popped into your head while you're reading this — and neither is Judas and the Black Messiah, their next collaboration. With Kaluuya starring as the Black Panther Party's Illinois Chairman Fred Hampton and Stanfield playing William O'Neal, the man who infiltrated his inner circle as an informer for the FBI, the pair is still tackling race relations. Here, though, the duo does so in a ferocious historical drama set in the late 60s. The fact that O'Neal betrays Hampton definitely isn't a spoiler here; it's a matter of fact, and the lens through which writer/director Shaka King (Newlyweeds) and his co-scribes Kenneth Lucas, Keith Lucas (actors on Lady Dynamite) and Will Berson (Scrubs) view the last period of Hampton's life. Anchored by two fierce performances that stand out in their own ways — with Kaluuya commanding the screen during every single one of his real-life character's speeches, and Stanfield playing conflicted with a raw, nervy air — Judas and the Black Messiah does what only the best movies that look back at the past and its many problems manage. It roves its eyes over events gone by, shines a spotlight the rampant oppression and the struggle against it, and condenses a wealth of information into a gripping feature. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Daniel Kaluuya) Nominated: Best Original Song — Motion Picture (Tiara Thomas, HER and D'Mile, 'Fight for You') Judas and the Black Messiah opens in cinemas on March 11 — check back for our full review then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Chadwick Boseman, Oscar-winner. That combination of words is very likely to become a posthumous reality for the late, great actor, thanks to his last screen role. Boseman is just that phenomenal in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. He has earned that term before in Get on Up, Black Panther and Da 5 Bloods, but his performance in this stage-to-screen production is such a powerhouse effort that it's like watching a cascading waterfall drown out almost everything around it. He plays trumpeter Levee Green, who is part of the eponymous Ma Rainey's (Viola Davis, Widows) band. On a 1920s day, the always-nattering, big-dreaming musician joins Ma — who isn't just a fictional character, and was known as the Mother of Blues — and the rest of his colleagues for a recording session. Temperatures and tempers rise in tandem in the Chicago studio, with Levee and Ma rarely seeing eye to eye on any topic. Davis is in thundering, hot-blooded form, while Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Glynn Turman (Fargo) also leave a firm impression. It's impossible take your eyes off of the slinkily magnetic Boseman though, as would prove the case even if he was still alive to see the film's release. Adapting the play of the same name by August Wilson (Fences), director George C Wolfe (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) lets Boseman farewell the screen with one helluva bang. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama (Chadwick Boseman) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama (Viola Davis) Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs--6c7Hn_A SOUL Released early in 2020, Onward definitely wasn't Pixar's best film — but Soul, its straight-to-streaming latest movie that capped off the past year, instantly contends for the title. The beloved animation studio has always excelled when it takes big leaps. Especially now, a quarter-century into its filmmaking tenure, its features prove particularly enchanting when they're filled with surprises (viewers have become accustomed to seeing toys, fish, rats and robots have feelings, after all). On paper, Soul initially seems similar to Inside Out, but switching in souls for emotions. It swaps in voice work by Tina Fey for Amy Poehler, too, and both movies are helmed by director Peter Docter, so there's more than one reason for the comparison. But to the delight of viewers of all ages, Soul is a smart, tender and contemplative piece of stunning filmmaking all on its own terms. It's Pixar at its most existential, and with a strikingly percussive score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to further help it stand out. At its centre sits aspiring jazz musician-turned-music teacher Joe (Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy). Just as he's about to get his big break, he falls down a manhole, his soul leaves his body, and he's desperate to get back to chase his dreams. Alas, that's not how things work, and he's saddled with mentoring apathetic and cynical soul 22 (the always hilarious Fey) in his quest to reclaim his life. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Animated, Best Original Score — Motion Picture (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste) Soul is available to stream via Disney+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lkCCo63nhM I CARE A LOT Last month, we said that Rosamund Pike may not end up with many shiny statuettes for her efforts in I Care a Lot. We also said that her Golden Globe nomination was thoroughly well-deserved. The Radioactive and Gone Girl star is stellar in a tricky part in a thorny film — because this dark comic-thriller isn't here to play nice. Pike plays Marla Grayson, a legal guardian to as many elderly Americans as she can convince the courts to send her way. She's more interested in the cash that comes with the job, however, rather than actually looking after her charges. Indeed, with her girlfriend and business partner Fran (Eiza González, Bloodshot), plus an unscrupulous doctor on her payroll, she specifically targets wealthy senior citizens with no family, gets them committed to her care, packs them off to retirement facilities and plunders their bank accounts. Then one such ploy catches the attention of gangster Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones), who dispatches his minions to nudge Marla in a different direction. She isn't willing to acquiesce, though, sparking both a game of cat and mouse and a showdown. Dinklage makes the most of his role, too, but I Care a Lot is always the icy Pike's movie. Well, hers and writer/director J Blakeson's (The Disappearance of Alice Creed), with the latter crafting a takedown of capitalism that's savagely blunt but also viciously entertaining. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Rosamund Pike) I Care a Lot is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsa4U8mqkw BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM Of all the twists and turns that 2020 delivered, the arrival of a new Borat movie ranked among the most unexpected. Watching Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, however, it's obvious why the famed fictional Kazakh journalist made a comeback at that very moment — that is, just before the US election. Once again, Borat travels to America. Once again, he traverses the country, interviewing everyday people and exposing the abhorrent views that have become engrained in US society. Where its 2006 predecessor had everyone laughing along with it, though, there's also an uneasy and even angry undercurrent to Borat Subsequent Moviefilm that's reflective of these especially polarised times. It's worth noting that Sacha Baron Cohen's last project, 2018 TV series Who Is America?, also used the comedian's usual interview technique to paint a picture of the US today, and the results were as astute as they were horrifying. There are plenty of jokes in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which bases its narrative around Borat's attempt to gift his 15-year-old daughter (instant scene-stealer Maria Bakalova) to Vice President Mike Pence and then ex-New York mayor Rudy Giuliani to help get Kazakhstan's own leader into President Donald Trump's good graces, but this is the unflinching work of a star passionate about making a statement. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Sacha Baron Cohen) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Maria Bakalova) Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is available to stream now via Amazon Prime Video. SMALL SCREEN BINGES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcqItifbNUA SMALL AXE British filmmaker Steve McQueen hasn't directed a bad movie — and, even after dropping five new features as part of the Small Axe anthology, that hasn't changed. The director of Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave and Widows gifts viewers a quintet of films that are as exceptional as anything he's ever made, with every entry in this new series taking place in England, in the 60s, 70s and 80s, with London's West Indian community at its centre. The first, Mangrove, tells an infuriating true tale about a police campaign to target a Caribbean restaurant in Notting Hill. From there, Lovers Rock spends time at a house party as two attendees dance into each other's orbits, and Red, White and Blue follows a young forensic scientist who decides to join the force to change from the inside. Next, Alex Wheatle explores the life of the award-winning writer of the same name, while Education unpacks unofficial moves to segregate children of colour in schools. There's no weak link here — only stunning, stirring, standout cinema that tells blistering tales about Black London residents doing everything it takes to resist their racist treatment. Every film is sumptuously shot, too, thanks to cinematographer Shabier Kirchner (Bull), and the cast spans everyone from Lost in Space's Shaun Parkes and Black Panther's Letitia Wright to Star Wars' John Boyega. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role (John Boyega) Nominated: Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television All five Small Axe films are available to stream via Binge. It's streaming soon in NZ. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u7EIiohs6U TED LASSO What do Parks and Recreation, Wellington Paranormal and Ted Lasso all have in common? They're all stellar examples of kind-hearted TV sitcoms that are an absolute delight to watch. By now, the first two aforementioned shows have already established a legion of fans, but the third series listed above — a 2020 newcomer — definitely belongs in the same company even just based on its ten episodes so far. Starring a gloriously optimistic Jason Sudeikis as the titular character, the comedy follows its main figure during a period of transition. A college-level American football coach, he's just been hired by struggling English Premier League team AFC Richmond, despite having zero knowledge of soccer. He's actually been recruited for the role by the club's new owner, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham, Game of Thrones), who received the organisation as part of her divorce settlement and is determined to tank it to spite her slimy ex (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head). For much of his career, Sudeikis has excelled at playing thorny, jerkish characters (see: the terrific Colossal) who initially seem likeable. And yet, he's pitch-perfect here, and Ted Lasso as a whole proves just as spot-on. Also featuring excellent work from Brett Goldstein (Doctor Who) and Juno Temple (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) as an ageing player and a young hotshot's girlfriend, this is a smart, funny and warm gem. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy (Jason Sudeikis) Nominated: Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Ted Lasso is available to stream via Apple TV+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0uWS6CnC2o SCHITT'S CREEK The idea behind Schitt's Creek is immensely straightforward, and also incredibly obvious. If one of the obscenely wealthy families that monopolises all those trashy reality TV shows was suddenly forced to live without their money, like the rest of us, how would they cope? If you're thinking "not well", you're right. If you're certain that seeing the results would be amusing, you're on the money again. As envisaged by father-son duo — and the program's stars — Eugene and Daniel Levy, that's the scenario the Rose crew finds itself in, including moving to the titular town that it happens to own as a last resort. Yes, as the name gives away, they're in a sticky situation. The adjustment process isn't easy, but it is very, very funny, and remained that way for the show's entire six-season run before wrapping up in 2020. And, although plenty of other credits on her resume have made this plain (such as Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman and For Your Consideration, all also with Eugene Levy), the great Catherine O'Hara is an absolute comedy powerhouse as the Rose family matriarch. She now has both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance here, too. GLOBES Won: Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy (Catherine O'Hara) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy (Eugene Levy), Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role (Dan Levy), Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role (Annie Murphy) Schitt's Creek is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiXEpminPms THE CROWN When we say that fans of The Crown had been particularly looking forward to the show's fourth season, that isn't meant as a criticism of anything that preceded it. No disrespect is directed towards the regal drama's previous episodes, or to the past cast that took on the program's main roles before an age-appropriate switch was made at the beginning of season three. But, now more than halfway through the program's planned six-season run, this latest chapter focuses on two big showdowns that changed the shape of the royal family in the 80s. Firstly, Queen Elizabeth II (Oscar-winner Olivia Colman) and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (The X-Files icon Gillian Anderson) don't quite see eye to eye, to put it mildly. Also, with Prince Charles' (God's Own Country's Josh O'Connor) marriage to Lady Diana Spencer (Pennyworth's Emma Corrin) a big plot point, the latter clashes with the entire royal establishment. Among a cast that also includes Helena Bonham Carter (Enola Holmes) and Tobias Menzies (Outlander), Colman, Anderson, O'Connor and Corrin are all exceptional — and in a show that's always been buoyed by its performances, that's saying something. GLOBES Won: Best Television Series — Drama, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama (Emma Corrin), Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama (Josh O'Connor), Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role (Gillian Anderson) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama (Olivia Colman), Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role (Helena Bonham Carter) The Crown is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDrieqwSdgI THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT In much of The Queen's Gambit, Beth Harmon sits at a chessboard. As a child (Isla Johnston), she demands that orphanage janitor Mr Shaibel (Bill Camp, The Outsider) teach her the game. As a teenager (Anya Taylor-Joy, Radioactive), she earns a reputation as a chess prodigy. As her confidence and fame grows, she demonstrates her prowess at tournaments around America and the globe, while also spending her spare time hunched over knights, rooks, bishops and pawns studying moves and tactics. None of the above sounds like innately thrilling television unless you're a chess grandmaster, but this seven-part miniseries proves that you should never judge a show by its brief description. Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, written and directed by Oscar-nominee Scott Frank (Out of Sight, Logan), and dripping with lavish 50s and 60s decor and costuming to reflect its period setting, The Queen's Gambit doesn't expect that all its viewers will be chess aficionados; however, it's made with a canny awareness that anything can be tense, suspenseful and involving — and that every different type of game there is says much about its players and devotees. The series doesn't lack in creative and inventive ways to depict chess on-screen. It knows when to hang on every single move of a pivotal game, and when to focus on the bigger story surrounding a particular match or Beth path through the chess world in general. And it's especially astute at illustrating how a pastime based on precision and strategy offers an orphaned girl a way to control one lone aspect of her tumultuous and constantly changing life. GLOBES Won: Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Anya Taylor-Joy) The Queen's Gambit is available to stream via Netflix. Read our full review.
Forming a cornerstone of the Vivid Sydney cultural program, the return of Vivid LIVE in 2026 once again brings the Sydney Opera House's various spaces to life with loud, deep, and sublime music and visual treats. For the latest instalment, more than 50 cutting-edge Australian and international artists are on the lineup, spanning global icons, local trailblazers and emerging voices ready to take over one of the country's most significant stages. Running from Friday, May 22–Saturday, June 13, the program brings together exclusive performances, one-off collaborations and even a curated cinema program. Of course, the Concert Hall hosts many of Vivid LIVE's attention-grabbing events, including the already-announced, long-awaited return of Mitski. While this special show is currently sold out, this space also features The National frontman Matt Berninger in an intimate performance dedicated to his second solo album, Get Sunk. Legendary Glaswegian post-rockers Mogwai will ring in the band's 30th anniversary, delving deep into their 11-album discography. Then, there's a heartfelt tribute to legendary jazz poet and rap pioneer Gil Scott-Heron, led by his longtime collaborator and keyboardist Brian Jackson and featuring acclaimed rapper and singer Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def). Meanwhile, two of rap's most insightful minds, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE, serve up a joint performance that speaks to memory and kinship. Over at the John Sutherland Theatre, Danish minimalist pop innovator Erika de Casier combines her velvety-soft R&B sound with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for an exclusive commissioned debut. You'll also experience influential pop-rock band Sparks, LA-born musical visionary and Brainfeeder label head Flying Lotus, Grammy-winning London art-rockers Dry Cleaning (with support from post-punk supergroup Station Model Violence), and Welsh art-pop star Cate Le Bon in a special back-to-back performance with American folk-rock master Cass McCombs. The highlights keep coming, with Jeff Mills also appearing at Vivid LIVE for an Australian-exclusive performance. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mills' 1995 Tokyo Liquid Room set, this trailblazing three-hour performance is often considered one of the best DJ mixes ever released, redefining what it meant to take control of the dance floor. For more pulsating tunes, witness Rochelle Jordan's 90s-inspired take on R&B and UK garage, while Sydney tastemakers Astral People celebrate their 15th birthday with TOKiMONSTA and ONEMAN. Beyond its impressive music lineup, Vivid LIVE also features Playhouse Cinema from Thursday, May 28–Sunday, May 31, featuring 12 daily screenings of music films, such as The KLF: 23 Seconds to Eternity, a 20th anniversary screening of Daft Punk's Electroma, and 24 Hour Party People, starring Steve Coogan in an idiosyncratic look at Manchester's musical history and club scene. Lastly, inner-west dive bar The Midnight Special is reborn, serving up harbourside DJs, bites and drinks in the Opera House's Northern Foyer. Vivid LIVE 2026 takes place at Sydney Opera House from Friday, May 22–Saturday, June 13. Head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
One of Sydney's oldest pubs, the Hero lets you time travel and sip a cold beer at the same time. Within these sandstone walls, listening to the lilting tones of the Irish bar staff, it doesn't feel difficult to reach out to your own, or someone else's, colonial ancestor. That said, there's more than that to stimulate the imagination. Ask around about the ghost of Anne Kirkman, join in a Saturday night sing-a-long held around the old piano or sneak a look at the tunnel that runs from the hotel's maze of cellars to the harbour, safe as you are from any shanghaiing techniques. If you'd rather live in the present, perhaps you should pay a visit to the restaurant. The Lamb Shanks are hard to beat, with sautéed onion potato mash, green beans, and port wine, garlic and rosemary jus. Otherwise opt for the Bangers and Mash, with roasted onion, sautéed cabbage and red wine jus. Prices are reasonable, considering your proximity to the harbour, and the food is well worth it. Drinks are standard pub fare. Choose from a range of beers on tap, ours was a James Squire ($6.80). Wines are also on offer from $7 a glass. That said, the real attraction here is not the fancy drinks but the atmosphere: kick back with a schooner and soak it up. [nggallery id=101]
Anita Gelato is continuing its stealthy takeover of Sydney's ice cream scene with the opening of its seventh store in the city. For its newest store, the Mediterranean-born dessert chain has brought its creamy, jam-based gelati to a sleek, airy site in Barangaroo, marking the brand's first CBD outpost. As with its other stores, Anita's Barangaroo site will feature a regularly rotating menu of over 150 flavours, with classic flavours sharing the display with less traditional scoops like white chocolate and pistachio cream, strawberry mascarpone and ricotta and a rum-flavoured black forest with caramelised hazelnuts. You can top your scoop with your choice of unlimited toppings, including fresh fruit, syrups and chocolate. Those with dietary limitations will be taken care of, too — beyond the creamy, richly flavoured scoops, Anita also serves dessert cups, frozen yoghurt, vegan sorbets, and gluten-, nut- and sugar-free options. Anita began life in 1998, when its namesake and her youngest son, Nir, started making frozen desserts for their community. Nir began selling their ice creams, which were flavoured with Anita's homemade jams, at local markets. A first bricks-and-mortar store opened in 2002, and now the brand boasts over 160 sites around the world. Nearly 30 years on, those jams remain a feature of the brand. For its newest site, Anita has taken up a prime spot in The Streets of Barangaroo. Overlooking Hickson Park, the breezy, high-ceilinged spot features plenty of natural light, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Plus, it's open seven days a week until 11pm. "We're so excited to welcome everyone to our Barangaroo store," says Gisele Dussault, the brand's marketing manager. "This location brings together everything Anita is about — exceptional gelato, a welcoming atmosphere, and a space where people can connect and enjoy. Whether you're stopping by for a quick treat or settling in for a relaxed afternoon by the park, we can't wait to serve you." You can find Anita Gelato at Shop R2.01, 2 Watermans Quay, Barangaroo. For more information, visit the website. Images: Onecut Studios.
Serving a notch above traditional cafe fare, Next Door has been a local favourite since opening its doors in 2016. The beachside venue has become so popular that the establishment had no choice but to launch a dinner menu for its many fans. Head Chef Luke Arnull cooks with the philosophy that you should only serve what you love to make to your friends, and his menu lives up to this mantra. Expect truffle and parmesan arancini with truffle mayo ($12), lamb ribs with pepperberry and chimichurri ($16) and some of the best sweet potato fries around ($9). Next Door has also launched a Sunday Session menu to help wrap your week up right. It features a range share plates, priced at just $12 a pop from 4–7pm, which you can enjoy alongside next-level views with a drink in hand. Images: Chris Jamieson.
Usually, heading to Bondi Beach means keeping your kit on. Visitors can expect to see swimwear as far as the eye can see, but no stark-naked bodies. The morning of Saturday, November 26 wasn't a usual morning at the famous Sydney spot, however, with more than 2500 folks baring all — for art, and for an excellent cause. Back in October, acclaimed New York artist and photographer Spencer Tunick announced that he'd be staging another of his mass nude shoots in Australia, this time heading to a Harbour City beach. That destination: Bondi, which has welcomed everything from a Stranger Things rift to a WorldPride rainbow already this year, and now went naked ever so fleetingly. Kicking off before sunrise and snapping to capture the early-morning light, the art installation marked the first and only time that Bondi has become a nude beach. That said, getting starkers was only permitted for the shoot. Dubbed Strip Off for Skin Cancer, Tunick's latest work was timed to coincide with National Skin Cancer Action Week, which started on Monday, November 21 and runs till Sunday, November 27. More than making history, raising awareness about — and funds for — fighting the disease was the main aim. "Skin unites us and protects us. It's an honour to be a part of an art mission to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks. I use the amazing array of body types and skin tones to create my work, so it feels perfectly appropriate to take part in this effort in that my medium is the nude human form," said Tunick back in October, when the installation was announced. "It is only fitting that I use my platform to urge people to get regular check-ups to prevent skin cancer. I have not had a skin check in ten years, so I am one of the many who have wrongly ignored getting them regularly. One can say I am traveling all the way to Australia to get one!", Tunick continued at the time. For more than two decades, Tunick has been staging mass nude photographs in Australia. In fact, it's been 21 years since the country's first taste of the internationally famed talent's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square in Melbourne as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Tunick then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, headed back to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths, and went to the Whitsundays with almost 100 Aussies in 2019. Elsewhere, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. The list goes on. Wondering why Tunick amassed at least 2500 volunteers this time? That exact number of participants reflects the 2500-plus Aussies who pass away each year due to skin cancer. "With Australia recording the highest number of deadly skin cancers in the world every year, it made sense to host this monumental public awareness campaign in a city that has so many people at risk," said Scott Maggs, CEO and founder of Skin Check Champions. "Beach life is synonymous with Australian culture, but it's also where a lot of skin cancers can start... We need to send a clear message that skin cancer is real, and it can be stopped in its tracks if more people get their skin checked." Strip Off for Skin Cancer took place on Saturday, November 26 at Bondi Beach. Head to the installation's website for further information. Images: Drew Lambert.
Recycling is tricky business. Distinguishing what can and can't be recycled can feel like deciphering the Da Vinci code and, even when you do figure it out, a lot of recyclable material can't actually go in the yellow bin. According to a report by the Australian Government, only 9.4 percent of of the 3.4 million tonnes of plastic consumed in Australia from 2017–18 was recycled. But there's some good news: a new Sydney startup is here to help solve some of our recycling woes. Recycle Smart is looking to make recycling efficient and easy through its new app. The idea is simple: app users can leave their tricky recyclables outside and request a pickup from one of the drivers, who will then ensure all items are recycled properly. And it's free to sign up. Each bag of waste you have collected costs just $2, plus for each bag collected Recycle Smart will plant a tree, which means you're helping the planet in more ways than one. The list of items Recycle Smart pics up is extensive, but it's broken down into four simple categories: soft plastics, e-waste, clothes and problem waste. Light bulbs, cling wrap, charger cords, phones, toasters, CDs, shoes and books are all items you leave to RecycleSmart to ensure they're disposed of in a sustainable way. The service is currently available to over 700,000 Sydneysiders, including those in the Randwick, Mosman, Waverley and Sutherland Shire councils, the City of Sydney and the City of Canada Bay. When you sign up, you'll get a free Recycling Starter Kit, too. Head to the Recycle Smart website to find out more information and sign up to see if the service is available in your area. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Talk about going out on top: Sky Safari, a mainstay of Sydney's Taronga Zoo since 1987, is saying farewell. The sky-high cable car — the Harbour City's only cable car, in fact — has been a beloved part of a trip to the animal-filled tourist attraction for a huge 35 years. But, once February 2023 arrives, it's retiring in its current guise. That means that Sydney locals and visitors alike have until Tuesday, January 31 to go for a last spin, which includes views of the Sydney Harbour, peering down at Taronga's Asian elephants as they play and attempting to see squirrel monkeys. But, hopefully, this is just a goodbye-for-now situation, with an upgrade already planned — pending final approval. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) "The current Sky Safari is an ageing asset and has reached the end of its workable life with Taronga," explained the zoo's team announcing the news. "Plans are underway for an exciting new experience. While we are in early stages of planning, the revitalised Sky Safari will feature additional larger and accessible gondolas, extend along an expanded route, and provide greater access to the zoo for guests of all ages and abilities," the statement continues. [caption id="attachment_830238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Last upgraded in 2000, and even carrying the Olympic Torch for the Sydney Olympics that same year, the Sky Safari has carried more than 20 million passengers over its lifetime, helping ferry zoo-goers around the 28-hectare site. In its absence, there'll be extra buses in holiday and peak periods to move patrons to Taronga's top entrance. When 2025 hits, that's when the new Sky Safari is aiming to start operating, as part of a major investment by the New South Wales Government that'll also help future-proof it as much as possible — and Taronga itself. Announced back in April 2022, Sky Safari 2.0 is set to gain more gondolas than the 21 currently used, and larger and more accessible ones at that. At the moment, it can't accommodate guests in bigger wheelchairs, which is something that's set to be addressed The revamped Sky Safari will also head along an expanded route, complete with new terminals. That'll connect to fellow upgrades that are in the works at the Taronga Zoo Wharf — and, thanks to those extra gondolas, increase Sky Safari's daily capacity. And, Taronga visitors will also gain additional ways to view the venue's inhabitants from a lofty perch. At the time of writing, the makeover proposal is still in the planning stage, and accepting community feedback. Ideally, a development application will be lodged in 2023, with construction starting before the year is out. Taronga Zoo's Sky Safari will take its last ride in its current form on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Head to the zoo's website for further details, and for bookings before the end of the month.
Name an annual celebration, and there's a good chance Scoot is holding a sale to match. This time around, the low-cost airline is encouraging travellers to reward mum with a well-deserved getaway for Mother's Day. Not only will you be the talk of the town when she next catches up with her besties, but you'll also get to indulge in a temperate retreat during the cold months. Sure, a fancy hand cream or fragrant flowers will probably do the job, though this chic gift guide will give you plenty more thoughtful ideas. But an overseas adventure to Vietnam, Taipei or Thailand will really show mum how much you appreciate her. And there's no shame in you finding the perfect excuse for another holiday, right? If it's time to lock in your next vacation, Scoot has a host of stellar deals for this Mother's Day, featuring several unmissable destinations. With travel dates available from Monday, July 13–Thursday, September 17 and Monday, October 5–Saturday, October 31, there's loads of time to plan the ideal escape to somewhere warm. If you're keen to explore Thailand, you can fly one-way to Bangkok via Singapore, departing from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, for $270, $280 and $195, respectively. Meanwhile, you can head straight for the Gulf, with flights heading to Koh Samui via Singapore for $340 from Sydney, $330 from Melbourne and $260 from Perth. Vietnam is another heavenly option, with Scoot offering flights to Ho Chi Minh City via Singapore departing Sydney, Melbourne and Perth from $230, $240 and $195, respectively. Alternatively, skip the big city for Vietnam's beachy haven of Nha Trang, with flights available via Singapore for $270 from Sydney, $260 from Melbourne and $210 from Perth. And if you (and mum) still have Taipei to tick off your travel list, you can depart Sydney and Melbourne for the dazzling capital of Taiwan from $290, or Perth from $215. Just know, the sale is a short one, ending at 11.59pm on Thursday, April 30. So, dive into the destinations up for grabs and surprise mum with an unforgettable journey. Scoot's sale is now live, ending at 11.59pm on Thursday, April 30. Head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox. Images: Supplied.
After what feels like decades of being stuck within the four-wall confines of our homes during lockdowns, domestic flights and holidays seem firmly back on the cards. So, it's no wonder we're all craving a little something extra to scratch the travel itch. When it comes to your next big vacay, consider adding Central Australia to the mix. This desert paradise has spectacular experiences on offer — things that are worlds away from your everyday life. We're talking red desert dance floors under sparkling stars, helicopter tours of Uluru and festivals that rival Burning Man. We've teamed up with Tourism Central Australia to showcase some of the more unexpected experiences the Red Centre has to offer. Want to plan your very own adventure to the Red Centre? Take a look at our handy trip builder to start building your custom itinerary now.
If the idea of breathtaking coastal views, unique wildlife and farm-to-table food experiences sounds like the ultimate road trip for you, it might be time to add Phillip Island to the top of your list. This underrated holiday spot, just a short drive from Melbourne's CBD, is abundant in things to see, do and, most importantly, eat. From artisan cheese shops and indigenous food trails to waterside dining and more, Phillip Island is the ideal place for a nature-filled holiday that combines idyllic landscapes with culinary excellence. To take the guesswork out of planning, we've compiled a list of our favourite dining destinations on the island. Proceed with an empty stomach. ENJOY BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND LOCAL PRODUCE AT A LOCAL WINERY Best known as a wedding destination and for its stunning views, Phillip Island Winery is a haven for anyone looking to experience the area via eating and drinking. Sprawled across 14 acres of vineyards, the winery boasts rolling rural views and glimpses of the Bass Strait — the perfect backdrop for wine sampling at the boutique cellar door. If you're peckish, try a grazing board or lunch special from the kitchen, or stick around for a top-tier dinner experience. The seasonally changing menu here champions local produce, so expect things like locally foraged mushrooms, native greens or a local catch of the day to be on offer. Plus, the winery is only a few moments from the Phillip Island Penguin Parade — a must-see experience when visiting the region. NAB LOCAL BREWS AND BITES AT THIS TAPHOUSE As the name suggests, Ocean Reach Taphouse is located just a stone's throw from the big blue. The independent brewery is located in the charming beachside village of Cowes, the main town on Phillip Island. With all of its beer proudly brewed and poured on site, you can choose from an IPA, pale ale, lager or porter to sample. Feeling adventurous? Try one of the taphouse's experimental seasonal flavours like its chocolate fudge stout. While you're there, you can also fill up on a bite from the resident food van which slings wings, burgers and other tasty snacks to satisfy all appetites. Make a beeline to this spot if you love brews, burgers and the beach. CHECK OUT A BEACH SHACK WITH CHARMING FARE Serving up everything from breakfast bagels to birria queso tacos, Kelp is the perfect pit stop for your travels through Phillip Island. Located right by the bridge connecting Newhaven and San Remo, the charming venue features an interior inspired by the surrounding seaside with a rustic fit out. Stop by to try out one of the venue's beloved margaritas and mingle with locals as the sun sets over San Remo. Or, pop in for a coffee fix to fuel an action-packed day of adventuring around the island. SAMPLE A SELECTION OF FRESHLY CAUGHT SEAFOOD Being situated on the coast has its advantages. Perhaps the best of them all? Fresh seafood at your front door. Bass Strait Direct offers a huge selection of fresh, locally sourced seafood that is transported straight from boat to the shop. Flathead, gummy flake, scallops and squid are just some of the regular offerings you'll find here, with friendly staff to help you with choosing the best catch of the day. Bring home a taste of the region at the end of your trip, or set yourself up for a hearty seaside barbecue in a nearby group-friendly park or reserve. DINE ON A JETTY WITH PICTURESQUE VIEWS Situated right on the shoreline, Saltwater is a light-filled restaurant and bar that boasts impressive 270-degree views of the Phillip Island Bridge and Western Port Bay. Its sleek interior is framed by the surrounding jetties, offering a relaxed yet elevated dining experience for visitors and locals alike. Watch the boats sail by while you fill up on a woodfired pizza or take your pick from some of the fresh seafood on offer. The ceiling-to-floor windows allow you to marvel at the views of the water well into the night, making it a picturesque place to spend the evening and enjoy a cocktail or two, too. A DAY-TO-NIGHT PUB WITH TOP-NOTCH FOOD AND LIVE MUSIC Located along the central Esplanade in Cowes is Hotel Phillip Island, famed for its food scene by day and party scene by night. Overlooking the island's historic jetty, the hotel allows you to soak up views of Western Port, French Island and the Mornington Peninsula while enjoying classic pub fare. Snacks like spicy Korean chicken and handmade spring rolls are also up for grabs and are best paired with one of the pub's experimental signature cocktails — Gingerbread Martini or Wizz Fizz Sour, anyone? SAMPLE NATIVE FLAVOURS ON AN INCREDIBLE FOOD TRAIL Wild Food Farm is a farm, homestead, cafe and retail boutique showcasing some of Australia's incredible variety of native herbs, spices, fruits and berries. Join a tour or explore the property — sprawled over acres of parkland, ponds and plantations all connected by a native food trail — at your own pace. While you're there, be sure to pick up some treats from the shop to take home — there's everything from tea, muesli, curries, bush rubs, special jams, relishes and sauces, all made on site. Locals and tourists are encouraged to meet here to learn more about the Indigenous ingredients on offer and to sample the delicious food from the on-site cafe. Our picks from the menu are the wattle-seed scones and pepper-berry beef pies. AN AWARD-WINNING CHEESE SHOP BELOVED BY CURD NERDS Indulge in a stop at Bassine Cheese, an award-winning artisan cheese shop and cafe selling gourmet toasties, milkshakes and other dairy delights. This boutique is situated on a family-run farm that lovingly produces cheese three days a week in small batches from cows living on the property. And, you can sample the goods via free tastings at the shop. There's a wide range of cheeses to choose from including brie, camembert, haloumi, ricotta or parmesan to name a few. The Bassine feta, marinated in various oils and spices including lemon myrtle, peppercorn, tuscan herbs and chilli, is a crowd favourite. Got a sweet tooth? Order one of the cafe's freshly baked scones with cream and local jam, best paired with a coffee or tea finished with the farm's own milk. TAKE YOURSELF ON A CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN-ADVENTURE TASTING TRAIL Phillip Island's cooler climate offers favourable conditions for produce, resulting in an abundance of incredible ingredients grown on the island. Discover it with the The Phillip Island and Bass Coast Tasting Trail, a downloadable map developed to help you choose your own adventure across the island. Explore gin distilleries, spice farms, fresh food markets, decadent chocolate factories, brasseries and bars while traipsing across the island. The map not only celebrates and showcases local producers and businesses, but it also helps you find just about anything you could have a craving for on your travels. Keen to see (and taste) Phillip Island for yourself? For more information and to start planning your trip, visit the website.
Sydney's clubbing scene farewelled a bona fide giant in March when ARQ, the longstanding LGBTQIA+ nightclub that anchored the Oxford Street nightlife landscape, closed its doors for the final time. For 26 years, the Darlinghurst darling was at the forefront of Sydney's queer nightlife scene, with DJs and performers from around the world taking to the stage over its lifetime, including a still-talked-about surprise gig by Lady Gaga in 2011. But this June, the Flinders Street spot will be reborn as AURA, an inclusive, multi-genre, multi-room nightlife destination that promises a stacked lineup of local and international DJs, immersive productions and themed events several nights a week. It's being brought to life by a team of Sydney nightlife heavyweights, including Dave Auld (SEADECK Sydney), brothers Ricardo and Umberto Monfardini (Movement), Bryan Ro (Puzzles Records) and Justin Muscat (ALLFRIENDS), who are promising to "honour the past, celebrate the present and set a new standard for Sydney nightlife". Regular visitors might notice some significant cosmetic changes in the new space. AURA will feature new-look decor, upgraded lighting systems and more seating than ARQ, to encourage comfort and connection. One key element that the new owners are keen to maintain, though, is ARQ's management team, to provide a sense of continuity for both patrons and promoters alike. "We're not here to wipe the slate clean," says Auld. "We're here to build on a foundation of loyalty, passion, and culture, evolving it for a new generation, while honouring the community that made this place iconic." [caption id="attachment_681185" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katje Ford[/caption] A huge part of what made ARQ "iconic" was, of course, the music, and AURA will be coming in hot with a huge weekly, multi-night program of performers and events. It kicks off with the colourful Carnivàle Thursdays, where you can expect Latin-inspired music and performances. Friday nights will be reserved for a rotating mix of events by a range of promoters, while Saturdays will see the venue make full use of its two floors, with upstairs pumping out melodic, afro and commercial house, while the notorious basement will host DJs playing deep house and minimal tech, backed by a new state-of-the-art lighting rig. And if you're looking for somewhere to take a time out, you don't need to default to the smokers' — AURA will also boast a secluded sensory retreat space, inspired by legendary Ibiza lounge Café del Mar. "ARQ has always been an impressive venue, it's a purpose-built nightclub that's lasted the test of time," says Auld. "Twenty-six years is an incredible run and we acknowledge that legacy with great respect. But like most things, it's time for evolution. AURA is our next chapter, one that celebrates the heritage while pushing the boundaries of what a modern nightclub can be." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aura Nightclub (@aura.club.sydney) AURA is slated to open in June 2025 at 16 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst. For more information, head to the venue's website. Top image: Katje Ford.
A 275-square-metre hotel suite is bigger than the average new Australian home — and Australia builds larger-than-average new homes — let alone a standard apartment. Splash some cash to stay on the Gold Coast from 2026 onwards, and that massive space could be yours for a night or several. Its home: the Glitter Strip's just-announced new Ritz-Carlton hotel, which will join a $480-million waterfront development at Mariner's Cove in Main Beach. If that expansive — and clearly pricey — suite won't fit your budget, the swanky spot will feature 149 other rooms, plus a range of eating, drinking and hangout options. Expect to still treat yo'self cost-wise, however. A signature restaurant will serve bites to eat, as will a cafe, while there'll be three bars: a lobby lounge, a destination bar and a poolside bar. Speaking of swims, the Gold Coast's Ritz-Carlton will boast an outdoor rooftop pool, too, so just think of the views while you're taking a dip. Boasting the signature Ritz-Carlton Spa for pampering sessions, too, plus a 512-square-metre ballroom for functions and parties, the Mariner's Cove site will mark the hotel chain's third in Australian when it opens. At present, it operates in Perth, and will also open an outpost in Melbourne in 2023. Next stop from there: the Goldie. While the Sunshine State tourist spot doesn't lack in hotels near the ocean, the Ritz-Carlton's waterfront location is still set to be a huge drawcard — alongside the luxury the brand is known for. Given the spot, it'll also be in close vicinity to a heap of waterfront restaurants and bars, the Broadwater and beaches. "Once opened, the resort expects to set a new benchmark for luxury on Australia's Gold Coast with the property's enviable waterfront location," said Richard Crawford, Vice President of Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International, which owns the Ritz-Carlton. It's a booming time for big-name hotels either heading to or spreading through Australia, with The Langham launching on the Gold Coast earlier in 2022, Ace Hotels launching its first Down Under site this year and The Waldorf Astoria on its way to Sydney in 2025. You can never have too many staycation/vacation options, though. The Ritz-Carlton is set to open in 2026 in Mariner's Cove, 60–70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. We'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced. 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.
Dan Hong, one of Sydney's renowned chefs, restaurateurs and television hosts, opens the doors to his no-frills and fuss-free Chinese diner, Good Luck Eating House, on Wednesday, November 12. Under the Merivale umbrella, the former Good Luck Restaurant Lounge has evolved into this latest iteration, serving casual, inviting food infused with Hong's signature flair. Hong is synonymous with contemporary, high-energy dining across restaurants such as Mr Wong, The Press, Sushi e and Establishment Bar. He says that Good Luck Eating House "is the casual and more approachable little sibling of Mr Wong." Think generous plates of stir-fries, noodles and dumplings, perfect for rowdy evenings out with a group, sitting alongside Aussie-Chinese classics like salt and pepper calamari and sweet and sour pork. "The inspiration is rustic regional Chinese fare, bringing it back to basics. It's the kind of place where anyone can drop in for a quick bowl of noodles or a plate of dumplings, but also come down for a big feast with friends. The menu includes traditional cold appetisers, potsticker dumplings, chilli oil wontons, scallion pancakes, cumin lamb skewers, simple noodle dishes and stir-fries. Highlights will be the dumplings, cumin lamb skewers cooked over charcoal, along with the rustic stir-fries inspired by the Hunan and Sichuan provinces." A range of cocktails, including the Strawberry Matcha Sour, Mango Spritz, Yuzu Paloma, and the Good Luck Dirty Martini, with the inviting addition of ginger and yuzu, are a welcome addition to the flavour-packed menu. Good Luck Eating House is fast and fresh, fun and full of energy, and sure to be a good time. Head in for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday, with late-night seatings available from Thursdays to Saturday. Images: Alana Dimou.
Redfern hotel Woolpack Hotel is a local favourite for its craft brews and creative pub fare. On its taps, you'll find top-notch Aussie craft beers from the likes of Moon Dog, Colonial, Akasha and Moo Brew. For eats, there's plenty of classic pub grub like fish 'n' chips, schnitties and parmas, plus osso bucco, jalapeño chicken burgers and sticky date pudding. Every Tuesday, Woolpack's chefs whip up homestyle feasts for $26, With it, you'll get you a house wine or craft beer and a meal — think jerk chicken maryland with slaw, roast potatoes and grilled corn, or vegan eggplant pepperonata with cauliflower bechamel and couscous. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
If you’re a ginthusiast, here’s something that will put you in good spirits: the renovated five-star InterContinental Hotel in Double Bay has opened a lavish gin palace, where over 60 local and imported, rare and vintage gins can be sampled. The Stillery bar occupies the first floor of the newly refurbished hotel, where gold literally drips from the ceiling by way of a 160 kilogram chandelier on the stairwell. A stunning 7 metre-long, Italianate marble-clad bar takes pride of place in this light and ambient, contemporary-styled room, and everything has been designed with your comfort in mind. Each of the 20 cocktails on the menu feature a different gin paired with botanical ingredients that complement. Combinations such as blackberry and thyme, pink grapefruit and sage, or strawberry, basil oil and lemon create refreshing and well-balanced medleys. Alternatively, you can sample your way through the gins straight. The menu comes with comprehensive tasting notes, so if you prefer your gin with notes of cardamom and sarsaparilla, try the Aviation ($11), or for more saffron, tangerine and honey characteristics, best to go with the Boudier Saffron Gin ($13). While ordering a gin and tonic may seem like the easy way out, you’ll need to decide between 63 gins and 12 tonic waters, making 756 possible combinations, or maybe just ask the bar manager Aaron Gaulke for his recommendations. When reviewing the bar food menu, don’t be deterred by the grilled marrow bones ($14); there’s no sucking or gnawing required. Served with fingers of crostini, salsa verde and truffle salt, garnished with micro leaves and edible flowers, it’s both utterly delicious and entirely civilised. Other menu highlights include a ham bar where you can snack on acorn-fed iberico jamon ($21 per 100g) served with pickles, Pepe Saya butter and bread, or splash out for the dry meat board ($28) which beefs up your selection to include cacciatorini salami, Wagyu bresaola and San Daniele prosciutto served with tapenade, grissini and focaccia. If you end up sampling too many of those 63 gins, or over-indulgence has made you sleepy, never mind – just book the $5,000 Royal Suite for the night. Or not.
Sydney has lit up once again with its annual festival of lights, music and ideas. Even with the sudden cold, Vivid Sydney has got us getting out from under the doona and exploring our city. The CBD's three-kilometre Vivid Light Walk, spanning precincts at Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Luna Park and Circular Quay (including an interactive playground for kidults), has a total of 50 large-scale projections. Plus, there are additional happenings taking place at Taronga Zoo and Chatswood and 15 light installations within the Royal Botanic Garden, including an immersive field of 500 fireflies. Yep, it's the biggest Vivid yet. And while it's a must-do every year for locals and tourists alike, battling through the crowds, unfortunately, comes as part of the package. If the hubbub is a bit too much, but you still want to enjoy the sights, American Express has got the spot. You can find the American Express rooftop lounge atop the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay. Once there, you can lounge about, drink in hand, and take in all the surrounding lights, without elbowing your way through the masses. Located on Cruise Bar's rooftop, the exclusive lounge is aglow with blue lights and starry night projections, immersing you in a neon cosmos. Along with feeling as if you're part of a light installation, with the bright blue wash over the entire space, the lounge has some of the best Vivid views, including spectator-favourite the Sydney Opera House's sails and the glittering harbour beyond. The interior has ceiling-to-floor glass for uninterrupted views, with a selection of barstools, higher tables and lower, cosier seating. Meanwhile, outside, you'll find chairs aligned with Vivid vistas. The bar has drinks galore — bubbly, wine, beer, a couple of cocktails and a range of spirits. So, grab a drink and nab a spot next to a heater on the balcony or get cosy on one of the many comfy chairs inside the luminous lounge — Vivid views don't get much better than this. From here, you'll see LA-based Chinese American artist and filmmaker Andrew Thomas Huang's Austral Flora Ballet dancing across the Opera House sails; the 'symphony of beams that play across the city skyline' that is City Sparkle; the MCA's facade lit up by Claudia Nicholson's Let Me Down; an underwater wonderland at Customs House; and, of course, a neon Sydney Harbour Bridge. Plus, as you ride the escalator up to the lounge, you'll get an up-close look at Celestial Pancake — a fibre-optic suspended light installation simulating the night sky. These exclusive, high-up views are free for American Express cardholders. Plus, you can also get $5 back when you spend $30 or more at the bar — just save the offer to your Amex card in the lounge's 'tap and save kiosk'. But perhaps best of all, you don't even need an American Express card to get in. Non-cardholders can register here to gain complimentary access to the lounge from 8pm onwards — simply show your confirmation email at the door. Whether you're kicking off your night here or dropping in midway through your Vivid tour for some relief from the cold (and crowds), the American Express lounge is your haven in the centre of all things Vivid. Gaze upon uninterrupted, panoramic views while sipping on a glass of vino and snacking on oysters, cheeses and charcuterie, Lebanese chicken wings and flatbreads with dip. Plus, DJs will also be playing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The Amex Vivid Lounge will be open every night of Vivid — from Friday, May 24 to Saturday, June 15 — between 5.30–10.30pm. To get your name on the list, head over here. When you need a break from the crowds but not the lights this Vivid season, American Express has your back. Gain access to the American Express Vivid Lounge for free — even if you don't yet have an American Express card. All you have to do is sign-up here. Images: Kimberley Low.
Since 2019, IKEA shoppers have been able to offload their no-longer-needed furniture and do the environment a solid, all thanks to the Swedish retailer's buy-back service. And, if you've been keen to add some pre-loved wares to your home in return, you've been able to purchase other folks' unwanted goods in-person at the chain's As-Is sections. Been spending too much of the last couple of years at home, browsing online for new pieces to deck out your digs — because we've all filled plenty of time in our houses, staring at our same-old couches and rugs, during the pandemic? Still keen to opt for secondhand furniture, rather than new? From Monday, July 11, IKEA has launched its new As-Is Online Australian marketplace, letting you buy its discontinued, ex-display and pre-loved items from home. The platform has been trialled in Queensland since April, and now reaches stores nationwide. And yes, it's still linked to individual IKEA outposts, because that's where you'll need to head to collect whichever secondhand pieces you decide to buy. Here's how it works: shoppers hit up the As-Is Online platform, then scroll their way through the list of discontinued items, used wares, ex-showroom displays and products returned via IKEA's buy-back service. Once you've found something you like at a reduced amount — between 20–75 percent off the original product price — you can reserve it with a few clicks. After that, you just need to head to your selected store to complete the purchase, including picking up your new-to-you items from the brand's As-Is area. That's located just before the checkouts, which probably does mean you'll still wander the length of IKEA anyway — but at least the things you've made the trip for already have your name on them. IKEA is promoting the service as a way to save cash — which is rather handy right now thanks to inflation — and also as part of its efforts to become climate positive by 2030. Back when the buy-back regime was implemented, it was initially inspired by IKEA's findings that Aussies threw away up to 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused or repaired. To check out IKEA's new As-Is Online marketplace from Monday, July 11, head to the chain's website.
A former Bourke Street Bakery chef has opened a late-night New York-style pizza shop on Oxford Street, promising 'no flop' pie by the slice. Continuing the long and slightly dubious tradition of late-night pizza-by-the-slice joints on the party mile, Paulie's Pizza is a far cry from the usual greased-up post-party slices, groaning under the weight of cabanossi and barbecue sauce (not that there's anything wrong with that). Instead, after eating his way through "thousands" of NYC slices, chef Paul Allam has crafted pizza built around 24-hour fermented dough and a crisp base, making a proper foldable slice. "If it flops, it's not it. It's got to hold. Hot, crispy, foldable every single time," says Allam. The menu consists of a short, sharp list of 18-inch pizzas (sold by the slice, or whole), ranging from margherita, pepperoni, mushroom with stracciatella, spicy vodka, and the Grandma Special of pork and fennel sausage with pickled peppers. Choose your own adventure with a choice of sauces — we're thinking Paulie's Fire Sauce though we could be tempted with the Green Goddess after a schooner or two. Speaking of booze, the liquor license is on its way so keep your eyes peeled for beers and wine landing soon. In the meantime, you'll have to be quite content with an early morning coffee to wash down the breakfast list, grab-and-go small-batch pastries, baked fresh in-house. We're talking custard tarts, cinnamon and cardamom buns, shakshuka flatbread, matcha or chocolate and hazelnut croissants, or an egg and bacon flatbread from 7am. Don't feel like cooking tonight? Outstanding news; red-sauce classics like meatballs, mac and cheese, and eggplant parmigiana are in Paulie's very own frozen food section, ready for the oven. The space itself brings a blend of vintage New York pizza parlour with a very Sydney lilt, with a mix of standing and banquet seating, marble countertops, and burnt-orange checkered tiles throughout. Keep your ears open for classic East Coast hip-hop in the air mingled with the chatter of guests and the scraping of the pizza paddles as hot fresh discs crank out of the kitchen. Currently in its soft-launch era, Paulie's Pizza is open Mon-Wed 7am-10pm and Thurs-Sat 7am-1am. This is one for the (almost) 24-hour party people, and a cracking sign of an infamous revelry zone waking up. Imagery: Alan Benson
Picture this: you're eating something delicious and your adorable doggo wants some, but it's just not good for them. Everyone who shares their life with a barking four-legged best friend has experienced this scenario — sadly, while cute pooches love the sight and smell of plenty of human treats, they just can't stomach some foodstuffs. Chocolate is a culprit, as everyone remembers come Easter. Thanks to its milk and sugar content, ice cream is another. If your pet pooch goes yapping mad over heaped ice cream cones, here's the good news: Gelatissimo is releasing a new limited-edition flavour that's both human and dog-friendly. We're not saying that you and your fluffball should share the same cone of the frosty dessert, but you definitely could. Made fresh in-store, the new scoop is called Pawesome Peanut Butter. As the name suggests, it's a peanut butter gelato — and to make it suitable for dogs, it's made from soy, so it's also vegan. Obviously, if you're a human or canine that's allergic to nuts or soy, this isn't for you. Puppers with a history of pancreatitis also need to steer clear. Those who can tuck into a tub will find it at Gelatissimo outlets around the country from Friday, May 3. And if you're in Sydney on Saturday, May 18, you can also to Cook & Philip Park between 9.30–11.30am. The gelato chain is hosting a dog brunch with vegan yum cha, vegan dog treats and Pawesome Peanut Butter gelato to finish, with tickets costing $60 (which includes food for one human and one dog). Pawesome Peanut Butter gelato is available at all 46 Australian Gelatissimo stores for a limited time from Friday, May 3. For more information and to find your nearest store, visit Gelatissimo's website.
Whether you love it or hate it, have flung cutlery at it or only first heard about it thanks to The Disaster Artist, The Room will always retain a unique spot in popular culture. Writer, director, producer, star and all-round enigma Tommy Wiseau might have other projects on his resume — including this year's Best F(r)iends: Volume One with The Room's Greg Sestero — but there's truly nothing like his debut movie. Telling the tale of a banker called Johnny (Wiseau), his fiancée Lisa (Juliette Danielle) and his best friend Mark (Sestero), the film refuses to adhere to any filmmaking rules, conventions or just general common sense, with random images of spoons, men playing football in tuxedos and unnecessary sex scenes all part of the package. And, for reasons only known to Wiseau, it's now available in 1080p high-definition — and for free — on YouTube thanks to the man himself. Wiseau has uploaded the movie to his own YouTube channel, and it's all there — the "oh hi, doggy" moment, the cancer subplot that's brought up out out the blue and dropped just as suddenly, and Wiseau screaming "you're tearing me apart, Lisa!" all included. That's your viewing sorted, well, forever — but don't go throwing spoons at your own screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-htzzL-JOUg&feature=youtu.be
UPDATE: MAY 24, 2019 — To celebrate the launch of one of the country's biggest transport projects, the Metro North West, all travel on its first day will be free. No Opal Cards required, folks. The railway line's 13 station doors will open to the public for the first time at 11am on Sunday, May 26, with the last train leaving Rouse Hill for Chatswood at 9.35pm. That means you could spend 635 minutes of your weekend riding Sydney's sparkly new driverless trains. Or, not. Anyway, the option is there. For more info, head to the NSW Government website. One of Australia's biggest transport projects is almost complete. While it's not the never-ending southeast light rail project, it's almost as exciting. It's Sydney's new $8.3 billion Metro North West railway line, a 36-kilometre journey linking Rouse Hill and Chatswood — and it's set to be a a major win for commuters in the area. The new railway line — and its sparkly new driverless trains — is officially launching on Sunday, May 26, and the government is promising turn-up-and-go services every four minutes (in each direction) during peak times. No timetable necessary. According to the ABC, trains from Chatswood to the city will run every three minutes to cope with the increased commuter traffic, with the number of trains during the morning peak increasing from 120 an hour to 200. The Metro North West is just one part of the government's overall Sydney Metro project, which will, along with Metro City and Metro Southwest, see a new railway linking Rouse Hill to Chatswood, travelling under the Sydney Harbour to the city, then down to Bankstown. Sydney Metro West will link the city to Parramatta. Running on all lines will be the new driverless trains. At this point; however, the final stages of the billion-dollar project — Metro Southwest and West, specifically — are not expected to be completed until 2024. [caption id="attachment_705425" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A map of Sydney Metro North West, City and South West.[/caption] The Metro North West line has had a swag of major rail upgrades, including 13 fully accessible revamped train stations, 4000 new carparks and platform screen doors installed at all Sydney Metro stations. The government has made it easier to get to the new stations, too, with 1500 additional weekly services and modified routes introduced to the existing bus network. To check if your bus has been impacted, head to the Transport for NSW website. During the new railway line's first six weeks, it will build to max capacity, with trains initially running every five minutes during peak hours and some supplementary late-night buses running after 9.30pm from Sunday through Wednesday. The Metro North West will officially launch on Sunday, May 26. You can read more information about the Sydney Metro project at sydneymetro.info.
One Playground Merrylands is the Sydney wellness brand's first foray into the city's mighty west — and its largest and most ambitious studio to date. Spanning 3000 square metres across two levels of Merryland's Mason & Main mixed-use precinct, this expansive health hub brings together high-performance training, boutique group classes and luxe recovery facilities, all under one beautifully designed roof. The gym floor alone covers 1500 square metres and features over 100 top-tier machines, including Technogym cardio equipment, custom Gym80 strength rigs and stainless steel Watson dumbbells. There's also a dedicated Comfort Zone for quieter, more mindful strength training, perfect for beginners or anyone after a more relaxed session. Members also have access to a weekly schedule of over 300 classes, which take place across the gym's six purpose-built studios. There's something for every fitness personality, from high-intensity boxing and interval training to grounding yoga and pilates in the calming Space studio. Semi-private coaching and reformer pilates are also on offer — as is a resort-style recovery area fitted with infrared and traditional saunas. One Playground locations showcase both form and function, and its Merrylands studio is no different. Inspired by the luxury of Dubai and Morocco, One Playground Merrylands swaps harsh gym lighting for terracotta-rendered walls, micro-cement floors and arched windows that frame the 5.5-metre-high ceilings.
Once the realm of social seniors in Napisan-clean whites, lawn bowls has been adopted by a younger, bare-footed, beer-sinking generation. Now that Sydney's days are growing longer and warmer, you'll find them taking over greens everywhere. While some get pretty serious about showing off their skills, for others, the bowling bit is just an excuse for getting together with mates, spending a lazy afternoon in the sun and soaking up the views offered by the city's many beautifully situated clubs. Here are our favourite Sydney spots for bowling, beer and barefootedness. THE GREENS, NORTH SYDNEY Previously known as Norths Bowlo and founded in 1888, this is the second oldest bowling club in New South Wales. In 2014, the site was snapped up by ex-Grounds of Alexandria couple Lilly and Nathan Fasan, transformed and renamed The Greens. They kept the bowling green, which is back dropped by extraordinary harbour views, and added a casual eatery, bar, cafe and garden. BONDI BOWLING CLUB On Boxing Day 2015, this backstreet beauty celebrated her 80th birthday. You'll find her hidden away from Sydney's busiest strip of sand, next to Barracluff Park, in North Bondi. That said, it's the laid back, beachy atmosphere that gives Bondi Bowlo its appeal. Sessions are booked in two-hour blocks and, if you're travelling with 12 or more mates, give at least 48 hours notice. [caption id="attachment_593808" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] CLOVELLY BOWLING CLUB Another Eastern Suburbs favourite, Clovelly Bowling Club is the most spectacularly positioned club on the list, being perched right on the edge of Clovelly's sheer cliffs. Get a stroll in beforehand, by travelling by the Bondi Beach to Coogee coastal walk. Barefoot bowls are just 15 per person, including a beginner's lesson. Plus, you're welcome to take your own meaty treats and use the club's free barbecue. MANLY BOWLING CLUB Add a ferry ride and maybe a dip in the surf to your bowling experience at Manly Bowling Club. For non-hardcore bowlers, the best time to swing by is when Rock 'n' Bowl takes over. This phenomenon was started by ex-Wallaby and all-round entertainer Bruce Malouf. Every session includes all gear, bowling lessons, games officers, music, flood lighting and heating. MARRICKVILLE BOWLING CLUB Another inner west institution combining bowling with live music is Marrickville Bowlo. Barefoot Bowls is a super-casual affair here, costing just $10 a go, with instruction thrown in. Should your sweet, sweet victories make you hungry, pop into Danny's Bistro for a $10 special. The gig guide features a stack of varying music, from singer-songwriters to jazz bands to DJs. [caption id="attachment_593816" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @thepbc[/caption] PETERSHAM BOWLING CLUB One of the inner west's most fun bowling facilities is Petersham Bowlo. Sessions are 10 bucks a go and are on offer anytime during club hours. There's night bowling, too, which goes on between 5pm and 9pm. Inside, there's a busy live music schedule, featuring independent acts, so once you've conquered the green, you may as well hang around for a tune or two. [caption id="attachment_593806" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @charlottejonesyy[/caption] WAVERTON NORTH SYDNEY CLUB Another north shore bowlo with water views to inspire your best game is Waverton North Sydney. Just $12 will buy you two hours of time on the green, gear included, and if you're a newbie, an extra $3 will get you a quick starter lesson from an expert staff member. Should you work up an appetite, step into Berry's Bar Brasserie for brekkie or dinner. THE DIDDY (LONGUEVILLE SPORTING CLUB) Formerly called the Lane Cove Bowling Club, this institution has been hosting matches since 1938. No one really knows where the nickname 'The Diddy' came from, but one SMH journalist wrote, "The club came to be known as the Diddy-die-Diddy because, supposedly, if an old member hadn't been seen around for some time, other old members would be heard to ask: 'Did he die, did he?'" For 10 smackaroos, you can bowl for as long as you like. [caption id="attachment_593817" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @concordbowlo[/caption] CONCORD BOWLING CLUB Head further west for a mellow arvo in the sun at Concord Bowlo. Surrounded by bushland, this place feels like it's miles away from the city and has a friendly atmosphere to match. Barefoot bowls are priced at $10 for up to four hours, with gear and a lesson chucked in. Head inside for affordable yet generous food specials. GYMEA BOWLING CLUB Ruling the southern suburbs' casual bowling scene is Gymea Bowlo. It's one of the biggest clubs in the Sutherland Shire and there are three state-of-the-art greens, surrounded by leafy gardens. Barefoot bowls sessions are $12 per person, but don't happen every day, so call up before heading along. For a hearty feed, dig into a mega protein hit at the onsite Gymea Grill.
Just when we thought we'd done all the swimming there is to do in Sydney, we make new discoveries. After paddling under waterfalls, throwing ourselves into extraordinary swimming holes and plunging into ocean pools by the moonlight, we're now exploring rivers. It turns out that some of the best national parks near Sydney are also home to many of New South Wales' top-notch swimming spots. Think turquoise swimming holes, cascading waterfalls, calm creeks and rapid rivers — with plenty of hidden gems thrown in there. With summertime just around the corner, make like Huckleberry Finn and get yourself to one of these meandering beauties. Recommended reads: The Best Ocean Pools in Sydney The Best Beaches in Sydney The Best Natural Hot Springs in NSW BEROWRA CREEK, HAWKESBURY Berowra Creek starts around Pennant Hills and flows northwards, until it joins forces with the Hawkesbury. It's not actually a creek in the strict sense of the word, but a drowned river valley estuary. So, at many points, it runs through steep, majestic gorges. For a dip, make your way to Crosslands Reserve. If you want to stay the night, take a tent and pre-book a camping spot there. The grounds also offer free barbecue facilities, bookable picnic shelters and is an access point to the The Great North Walk via the Benowie Walking Track. [caption id="attachment_702931" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aidan Casey via Flickr[/caption] KANGAROO CREEK, ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Just south of the Audley Boatshed in the Royal National Park (a brilliant spot for kayaking, by the way), a tributary runs into the Hacking River. Known as Kangaroo Creek, it begins in the park. To reach the best swimming spots, take the Karloo Walking Track, a five-kilometre walk which starts at Heathcote Station. Karloo Pool is the most popular — the round swimming hole offers pristine, turquoise waters fed by the cascading waterfall above. If it's busy, make tracks downstream, where you'll find more pools to explore. You can enjoy a picnic here, or mosey onward to Uloola Falls. If you have the time, continue on through the Uloola Walking Track, which finishes at Waterfall Station. MCCARRS CREEK, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK Stretching from Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park's southeastern corner and flowing into Pittwater near Church Point, McCarrs Creek has quite a few enviable spots to go for a swim. A road follows it much of the way, making it easily accessible by car. But for safe, shallow waters, head to McCarrs Creek Reserve, where a series of fun swimming options await you at The Duck Holes. Surrounded by bush, this secluded destination is located just off of West Head Road along the trail to the lookout. If you're keen to splash about under a waterfall while you're in the area, don't miss the nearby Upper Gledhill Falls. [caption id="attachment_702939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] NEPEAN RIVER, BLUE MOUNTAINS This is not just a river — it's a river with rapids. To get in on the action, start off along the Nepean River Walking Track. The 1.8-kilometre loop begins in Glenbrook and takes you through rainforest, narrow canyons and steep descents before arriving down at Fairlight Gorge. After your swim, relax over a picnic, soaking in the views of the spectacular escarpment. But be sure to bring along a hearty lunch before the steep climb back out. Afterwards, continue on to the Bennets Ridge walking track or camp overnight at the Euroka campground. We like this gorge so much, we included it on our list of Sydney's ten most unusual swimming holes. [caption id="attachment_702930" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nina Matthews via Flickr[/caption] GLENBROOK CREEK, BLUE MOUNTAINS Glenbrook Creek's 17 kilometres begin in the Blue Mountains National Park — five-kilometres southwest of Linden — and end where the creek runs into the Nepean River. Head to the lower reaches to find Glenbrook Gorge, where there are two cracking swimming holes: Blue Pool and Jellybean Pool. To reach these, you can choose your own adventure (and difficulty level). The vigorous, rock-hopping gorge track spans three kilometres and is the most difficult among the three. Then there's the challenging-yet-quick Blue Pool track (only half a kilometre) or the cruisy Jellybean track, which is an easy one-kilometre return. [caption id="attachment_702963" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robyn Jay via Flickr[/caption] KOWMUNG RIVER, BLUE MOUNTAINS The epic 74-kilometre Kowmung River runs through both the Blue Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd National Parks, passing some of the most rugged scenery in New South Wales. It's one of only six waterways in the state to be officially known as a 'wild river', which means that it's still in near-perfect condition. It also means that you'll need to make your way to it on foot (the lack of cars has played a major role in keeping the Kowmung clean). The good news is you can expect to meet brush-tailed rock wallabies, stuttering frogs and south-eastern petal tails along the way. And of course, finish up with one of the most pristine swims our state has to offer. [caption id="attachment_702988" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sardaka via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WORONORA RIVER, SUTHERLAND SHIRE For a river that runs through residential areas, the Woronora is surprisingly clean. It's ideal not just for swimming but also for boating, canoeing, fishing and heaps of other water sports. To explore thoroughly, hire a kayak from the Woronora Boatshed. Otherwise, you can walk or drive in at various points, including Prince Edward Park, which is about 30 minutes on foot from Sutherland Station. Another great spot is The Needles, a freshwater swimming hole above the Woronora. To get there, drive to the northern end of Woronora Road, where a gate down to the water is waiting. [caption id="attachment_702978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trewkat via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] HACKING RIVER, ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Set at the start of the Royal National Park, the mighty Hacking River runs between Sydney's southernmost suburbs and Bundeena. One of the loveliest places to swim along it is off Swallow Rock Reserve, at the end of Swallow Rock Drive in Grays Point. Don't forget to pack some eats to chuck on the free barbies for a post-dip feast. East of Grays Point, the river officially turns into Port Hacking, where heaps more swimming is on the docket — including netted pools at Gymea Bay Baths Reserve and Lilli Pilli Baths, as well as four beaches at Bundeena. NAYOOK CREEK, BLUE MOUNTAINS Nayook Creek's most famous — and most swimmable — stretch is Deep Pass Canyon. Found at Newnes Plateau, right on the brink of the Wollemi National Park, it's home to several deep pools which are dotted with fairy-like ferns and cascades — they look like scenes straight out of the Lord of Rings. They're also right near some of New South Wales' most beautiful campsites. The hike in and out is around a two-kilometre circuit and the water is on the cool side, so prepare for a refreshing plunge.
If there's one place that trumps Australia in the brunch stakes, it's good ol' NYC. For the uninitiated, the city's take on the famed hybrid meal is, quite simply, on another level. It's decadent, lengthy and perhaps (note: definitely) a little boozy. As a self-confessed 'New York tragic', it's little surprise that Charles Cameron lists the city as a source of inspiration for his venture Matinee Coffee. This Marrickville eatery takes cues from NYC in a number of ways: it's open all-day, it serves booze — including neighbouring brew Grifter on tap — and it has an unabashedly bold fit-out. Noting that he feels both Scandi and industrial styles have been serviced in the cafe scene — and he would know as a former owner of industrial haven Brewtown — Cameron had very different intentions for Matinee. To create the space, he teamed up with interior masters Luchetti Krelle. A jewel-toned colour palette tracks through orange table-tops, a crimson-tiled communal table, green velvet chairs and a mural on the back wall. There are references to old-school milk bars in the blue marmoleum flooring and a neon-lit menu above the coffee machine. The venue takes full advantage of its corner location on Addison Road. An L-shaped counter provides Cameron a panoramic view of his domain, from the kitchen and timber banquette stage right to the large communal table and outdoor seating stage left. The theatre-speak is intentional: the eatery's moniker is one of several nods to show business, such as the red velvet-roped entrance and fringe chandeliers above the communal table. But it's not gaudy, it's considered — as is most of Matinee's make-up. There are two menus, one for drinks and treats, plus one for eats, to explore. For drinks, coffee is a custom in-house blend — which is available to purchase, plus there are vegan shakes and the aforementioned alcohol. The majority of sweets — including a delectable passionfruit tart and caramel slice — are vegan and gluten-free. In fact, tell-tale symbols for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free appear all over the menu, again signalling a well-thought out approach, rather than a tokenistic one. For the most part, the kitchen has avoided fads (à la cronuts) and instead does fresh takes on well-worn cafe favourites. The karaage chicken burger with shoestring fries is flavoursome and the sweet potato fritters are a winner, particularly when hacked with haloumi. As a bacon fiend, the menu staple thick cut bourbon bacon is a welcome addition to both dishes. On the sweeter side, you've got a perfectly balanced buckweet brekkie trifle with passionfruit curd and coconut yoghurt and the tiramisu waffle. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also ask for the current specials. All of these menu items, and more, are available all day. Modern attention spans mean that Sydney folk often get bored quickly with new cafes. Let's hope the curtain stays risen on Matinee. Images: Letícia Almeida Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney The Best Cafes for Working or Studying in Sydney
After a year spent behind locked doors, Neptunes — a much-loved restaurant in Brighton Le Sands that's been a local hub since 1993 — has reopened. Thanks to a multimillion dollar revamp, the eatery (formerly known as Cafe Neptune) has transformed into a light-filled space that makes the most of its waterfront position. The Neptunes team — headed by owner John Kazzi — enlisted the help of DS-17 agency, whose portfolio includes Nour, Bel & Brio and Planar. Expansive windows look over Botany Bay, foregrounded by towering pine trees, while dramatic hanging plants bring the outside world in. Mirrors, bright tiles, wicker lighting and olive green booths add to the fresh, yet sleek, feel. The menu mixes traditional Mediterranean dishes with touches of modern Australian – across share plates, pizzas and pastas. Start with buttermilk chicken bites with parmesan aioli or Black Angus meatballs with tomato sugo, basil and pecorino, then move onto a pizza, woodfired in Neptunes' new oven, or a house-made pasta. Mains include a Southern fried chicken burger with slaw and chips, and salmon with smoked baby capers, quinoa, kale, fatoush salad and sumac vinaigrette.
Despite what Melburnians might say, Sydney has culture. Heaps of it. But being a culture vulture in our city ain't always cheap — especially when it comes to stage performances. With so many top-notch theatre productions coming to Sydney shores this year, it's hard to imagine how our wallets will handle them all. And while discount ticket outlets like Lasttix and Today Tix are useful, they don't necessarily get you regular access to a wide range of productions. Lucky for us, Sydney's top theatre companies offer highly discounted tickets throughout the year. From independent and experimental productions right up to the latest Broadway hits, you can get in on the cheap. Here's how. [caption id="attachment_798378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Home, I'm Darling by Rene Vaile[/caption] $49 TICKETS FROM SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY Sydney Theatre Company doesn't just offer discounted tickets to one-off performances. If you're under 30, you can nab cheap seats to performances on Monday–Friday and Saturday matinees, with tickets priced at just $49. If you've passed the 30 mark, you can still catch every show for $49 by attending on preview nights (the first three nights the performance opens). And 2021 is an especially good time to take advantage of these deals. Coming up in March and April is the Olivier Award-winning play Home, I'm Darling and Appropriate by Pulitzer Prize nominee Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. [caption id="attachment_720225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] $20 TICKETS AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE Sydney's best known (and most attractive) theatre venue also offers some seriously enticing discounts. For starters, you can score $20 front-row-seats to the opera by signing up to the Opera Australia ballot. It's free to enter and offers a nice surprise in your inbox when you're selected. And it's never been a better time to sign up — this year, the Opera House is putting on two must-see shows: Tosca and Bluebeard's Castle. For Opera House shows other than, well, the opera, all you have to do is head to the venue's website at noon each day to nab $21 tickets. This new deal is available through the end of March, giving you the chance to catch Rent, Circa's Peepshow and The Choir of Man. It's first in, best dressed, but you can grab four in one transaction and there are no booking fees at all. [caption id="attachment_781075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A Room of One's Own by Brett Boardman[/caption] 30 AND UNDER DISCOUNTS AT BELVOIR STREET THEATRE At Belvoir Street Theatre, the team is offering discounts to heaps of shows for those 30 and under. The discounted prices are available for previews, weekday matinees, Tuesday through Friday evenings and even Saturday matinees. The price ranges from $46–61, with full details over here. Student discounts are also available from $33, and preview tickets are on offer for one and all, starting from $51. Coming up in 2021 is the new play Stop Girl (which won the Blake-Beckett Trust Award) and the final dates for Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. For those experiencing tough times, the theatre also offers unwaged performances. Each season, Belvoir releases a program of free-of-charge matinee performances to the Upstairs productions. You can claim tickets to these performances by presenting an eligible Pensioner, Health Care or Veterans' Affairs Card. The full schedule of unwaged performances can be viewed here. [caption id="attachment_798377" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Orange Thrower by Brett Boardman[/caption] $40 AND UNDER TICKETS AT DARLINGHURST'S GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY Darlinghurst's Griffin Theatre Company gives Sydneysiders the chance to see some of the most cutting edge emerging talent that Sydney's theatre scene has to offer — and you can often do so on the cheap. Heaps of its performances are priced at just $40, including the upcoming Jali and Is There Something Wrong With That Lady? If you're under 35, you can nab $38 tickets to the pricier shows like Prima Facie and Green Park. Or go for a subscription and grab a two-to-five play pass for $70–$170 (under 35s) or preview passes starting at $96 for two plays. You'll want to make sure you catch Orange Thrower, which is only available with a subscription. $20 TICKETS AT NEWTOWN'S NEW THEATRE The New Theatre in Newtown is a favourite for emerging art, and it's also committed to keeping theatre as accessible as possible. Tickets to its upcoming performances Beautiful Thing and Glengarry Glen Ross are set at just $35 full price, with the previews costing just $20 and all Thursday showings — dubbed Thrifty Thursdays — set at $22. A yearly membership costs just $30, too — this gets you $22 tickets to all shows, plus heaps of other benefits. For the full 2021 upcoming season and for tickets, head here. [caption id="attachment_789711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hamilton by Joan Marcus via Destination NSW[/caption] FREE MEMBERSHIP TO CAPITOL AND SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRES Partner venues Capitol Theatre in Haymarket and the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont both offer a membership program, and it's absolutely free to sign up. It's one of the best ways to see this year's blockbuster Broadway hits on the cheap. With it, you'll get members only pre-sale, access to the best seats in the house and special offers aplenty. At Sydney Lyric Theatre, you finally catch the highly anticipated arrival of Hamilton in mid-March. Over at Capitol, the hit Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away will take the stage from June. You can sign up for membership over here. [caption id="attachment_728891" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Catto[/caption] $27 CABARET NIGHTS AT DARLINGHURST THEATRE COMPANY Darlinghurst Theatre Company is changing things up this year by focusing on cabaret and jazz club vibes for the start of 2021. Stop by each week for Thirsty Thursdays, where you can enjoy cabaret and musical theatre performances for just $27. A different performer will take the stage each week, with cast members from Merry Widow, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Kinky Boots all on the docket recently. Grab a bottle of wine and enjoy drinks and dinner alongside the show tunes — with audience members encouraged to get involved, too. For everything that's happening at the theatre this year, head to the venue's website. [caption id="attachment_798329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Apologists[/caption] $40 AND UNDER TICKETS AT THE OLD 505 THEATRE The Old 505 Theatre in Newtown may be a small operation, but it turns out some of the most impressive emerging theatre productions in the city. Tucked away on Eliza Street (just off King), the theatre offers a chance to see local indie productions without breaking the bank. This season, the tickets max out at $40 and all tickets include a $10 bar tab or a complimentary drink. You still have a few days left to catch The Cope Street Parade for just $30. Otherwise, February is packed with musical performances, with tickets starting from just $25. For the full program and all ticket details, head over here. $38 TICKETS AT ENSEMBLE THEATRE IN KIRRIBILLI Founded in 1958 and set on Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli's Ensemble Theatre is the longest continuously run professional theatre group in Australia. And it's committed to providing top-notch productions to young audiences for affordable prices. With its 30 and under program, tickets start at just $38 for previews and $43 for all other performances. The theatre company offers heaps of must-see shows, too. Coming up in 2021 are the world premieres of new Australian productions Kenny and Outdated, as well as the modern Australian thriller Honour. Top image: Hamilton by Destination NSW
New year, new adventures. It's time to start planning trips to hidden beaches while summer's still kicking, city breaks during quieter months of the year, and regional desert getaways when the temperature drops down south. And we get the "I'll put off travelling around Australia till I'm older" mentality. But enough of that. There's so much greatness in our own backyard that we shouldn't keep pushing local trips further down the line of must-visit places. So, read on to find a few Aussie destinations that should be added to your 2023 travel bucket list. Then go ahead and book a few trips before the opportunity passes. TASMANIA [caption id="attachment_883574" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zachary Ferguson (Unsplash)[/caption] BRUNY ISLAND Tassie's Bruny Island feels totally remote but it's a short ferry ride from the coast and, including driving time, is just 50-minutes from Hobart. The beauty of this proximity to the city is that, despite all the rugged wilderness, you can still find luxury accommodation, amazing food and all kinds of local produce (think fine cheese and whisky). But consider Bruny Island a destination for when nature is calling. You'll find white wallabies at Inala Nature Reserve, windswept headlands at Cape Bruny Lighthouse and head-clearing watery views at Cloudy Bay. A trip to Bruny Island should be an essential addition to any Tasmanian vacation along the state's south-eastern coast. If you're a serious gourmand, you can experience all the island's finest delights in style with a gourmet tasting and sightseeing day trip from Hobart which includes award-winning cheeses, premium wines and beer, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge and mead, local honey and a lunch at Pennicott's beachside restaurant with sweeping views of Adventure Bay. Book it now at Concrete Playground Trips. [caption id="attachment_728931" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Kuilenburg, Tourism Tasmania[/caption] BAY OF FIRES This region is ripe for exploring and one of the most photogenic regions in Tassie. There are hiking trails through bushland full of native Australian wildlife as well as pristine white sand beaches with orange-hued granite boulders that the Bay of Fires is renowned for. Come any time of year to enjoy the area, staying for a few days at one of our favourite glamping sites in Australia or simply pass through while road tripping around Tasmania's North East region. [caption id="attachment_718786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia and Graham Freeman[/caption] HOBART Hobart is booming. Increasingly, Australian travellers and international folk are taking the trip down south to Tasmania's seaside city. The city's brilliant food scene (which has totally transformed in the past ten years) draws visitors, as well as the city's singular cultural institution MONA. This museum is home to world-class art and installations from owner/mastermind David Walsh's private collection of works that are anything but stuffy. The art is served alongside a fabulous selection of locally-focused food and wine. And then there is the Mona Foma music and arts festival. The dates of this year's festival are Friday, February 17–Sunday, February 19, 2023 in Launceston, then the weekend of Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26, 2023 in Hobart, and both weekends boast cracking lineups. If you haven't secured your tickets, you can still book one of our exclusive Mona Foma travel packages which includes Posh Pit ferry pass to the museum, tickets to see Peaches return to the Mona stage on Friday, 24 February, plus two nights in a luxe hotel. VICTORIA [caption id="attachment_883577" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Weyne Yew (Unsplash)[/caption] THE WYE RIVER Victoria's Great Ocean Road is always worth travelling down — but finding places to stop for a few nights can be a much harder task. The classics of Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay are always great options, but we prefer the sleepier town of Wye River. The small regional town has its own beachside caravan park, an absolute stunner of a general store as well as plenty of beaches for surfing and swimming. Get away from the crowds down here. If you're keen to explore this area in style, book our Great Ocean Road road-tripping holiday here (which includes car rental and accommodation so all you need to do is get behind the wheel and enjoy the iconic views). [caption id="attachment_755967" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson and Visit Victoria[/caption] WILSON'S PROMONTORY No matter how popular Wilson's Prom gets, you can always find your own private cove or headland. Either stay at a nearby town and then drive to a beach or hiking trail or get even further off the beaten path by camping, taking your time to go on long treks that'll distance you from the hustle of metropolitan civilisation. It's hard to find more stunning surrounds in Victoria, let alone Australia. You have tree-covered mountains that roll down to small coastal inlets where you can truly escape the outside world. [caption id="attachment_831273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] BALLARAT This regional Victorian city was booming back in the Gold Rush era and has recently had another renaissance of sorts — brilliant restaurants, bars, galleries and hotels are the new gold. These treasures, paired with its proximity to Melbourne (it's about an hour and a half drive or train ride away), help make Ballarat an even greater travel destination for 2023. QUEENSLAND [caption id="attachment_874908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Guillaume Marques (Unsplash)[/caption] THE WHITSUNDAYS This may just be Australia's most up-market national park in the country. Luxury adult's only resorts and eco retreats are scattered all over the Whitsunday islands. This tropical paradise is where the rich and famous go to treat themselves to exclusive trips around the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. But you don't have to break the bank to enjoy these waters and beaches — so much of the area is considered a national park so you can go camping right up on many of the shorelines. Whitsunday Island, Hook Island and Henning Island all have campsites for those who want to properly get in touch with nature. Just make sure you book your campsite ahead of time because numbers are capped. If you are into a more luxurious stay, you can currently get 20% off the ultimate Whitsundays experience (think sunset sailing, scenic flights and a luxury resort stay) on this exclusive trip which you can book now. [caption id="attachment_876264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Maisch (Unsplash)[/caption] MUNGA THIRRI NATIONAL PARK Now off to somewhere entirely more remote. Munga Thirri is country that belongs to the Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi people, formerly known as the Simpson Desert National Park. It is the largest national park in Queensland and is also one of the toughest to explore. This is proper Australian outback territory. You'll see sand dunes stretching for kilometres (rising as high as 90 metres) and experience some of the best stargazing in your life. But, if you're not an experienced outback traveller without a decent haul of gear it can be a challenging area for camping. So, in light of that, if you lack the more hardcore camping chops it's best to book stay somewhere like The Birdsville Hotel which will organise tours into the desert. They'll take you on scenic flights, show you epic 4WD tracks and help you organise other local adventures. Just be aware that Munga Thirri is closed for a decent chunk of time in summer due to extreme heat — so be sure to check out the park's opening times on the Queensland national parks website. NEW SOUTH WALES [caption id="attachment_771536" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] NEWCASTLE Newcastle has undergone a huge cultural transformation in the past 15 years. Sydney's sister city hasn't always been a getaway destination, but we have been won over by its newfound charm. It has terrific beaches, an impressive street art scene that rivals Melbourne (well, don't say this around Melburnians), microbreweries, galleries, small bars, cafes aplenty and several good boutique hotels including a flashy new QT that opened in mid-2022. It really deserves to be added to your 2023 Australia travel bucket list. [caption id="attachment_773788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Archer, Destination NSW[/caption] LORD HOWE ISLAND Just 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Lord Howe, is fully explorable within a few days. And thanks to visitor limits (only 400 people are permitted at any one time), it's one of Australia's best islands to visit when you want to get off the mainland. Prepare to have these long beaches, idyllic diving sites and rugged terrain all to yourselves. It's also just a short two-hour flight east of Sydney or, if you have the means, you can access the island by your personal yacht. [caption id="attachment_882177" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Novotel Wollongong Northbeach[/caption] WOLLONGONG You'll find some of the most stunning beaches along this part of the south coast including Bulli and Austinmer. But this isn't your average sleepy beach town. The city of Wollongong has undergone its own transformation over the past few years, becoming a hub for great food and drink and cultural activities. After a day of swimming or hiking, either hit up the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre or the Wollongong Art Gallery before dining at some of the excellent restaurants in the area. This little city has a lot going for it. This year, Wollongong will also host the For The Love music festival on Sunday, February 24 with headliners Charli XCX and Duke Dumont. Concrete Playground has teamed up For The Love on curated one-of-a-kind VIP packages for those wanting the ultimate experience. Book your package here — it includes two VIP festival tickets, two nights stay at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, a Grey Goose gift pack in your hotel room and late check-out so you can sleep in after the party. [caption id="attachment_883578" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jake Charles (Unsplash)[/caption] BYRON BAY Byron Bay is a classic Australian travel destination, much loved for its bohemian beach culture and world class yoga and wellness retreats scattered about the region. Nature lovers can also go sea kayaking around some of the most breathtaking beaches or hike within the national parks. And the foodies must experience Byron Bay's diverse grassroots drinking and dining scene that is growing impressively every year. And who knows, you might just run into one of the Hemsworth brothers while you're there. Book a four-day wellness holiday for under $400 through Concrete Playground Trips here (including accommodation, yoga classes and two seperate sea kayaking and snorkelling tours). WESTERN AUSTRALIA [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] ROTTNEST ISLAND If you want to take a selfie with a quokka then Rottnest Island is the only place to do it. These amusing little mounds of joy wander all over the island, ready for locals to respectfully stop for a snap. But that's not the only reason to visit this Australian island, located just a short 90-minute ferry ride from Perth. Come to these parts for pristinely kept beaches, shallow shores that are perfect for snorkelling in and plenty of great places to stay for a range of budgets (from high-end hotels to well-appointed campsites). A trip to Rottnest Island is a must for anyone making their way to Perth for a few days. If you're wanting to get the most out of your next jaunt to Perth, book our five-day Perth holiday here (including your accommodation, a day trip to Rottnest Island and visit to the Pinnacles). [caption id="attachment_883580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isabelle Truong (Unsplash)[/caption] THE KIMBERLEY This remote region in Western Australia is one of Australia's most impressive natural landscapes. It's known for its abundance of local wildlife that roams the rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges with hidden swimming holes and the semi-arid desert planes. It's a Tourism Australia ad everywhere you go. It's also one of the best places to visit when you want to keep the summer dream alive — boasting wonderfully warm weather throughout the colder months of the year. [caption id="attachment_807814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sal Salis, Tourism Western Australia[/caption] NINGALOO REEF Fun fact: Ningaloo Reef is the only large reef in the world that you can access right off the shore. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, you don't need to book a spot on a large boat that takes you out to the reef with a bunch of other tourists. Here, you simply park by the beach and get straight to snorkelling around vibrant coral gardens, dolphins, turtles and manta rays. You'll find the UNESCO heritage-listed wonder 1,200 kilometres north of Perth, from where it runs north along the coast for 260 kilometres, between North West Cape and Red Bluff. Pick a point to explore on your own or hit up local guides who will show you the best parts. SOUTH AUSTRALIA [caption id="attachment_664008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Kruger[/caption] ADELAIDE HILLS South Australia is famous for its many wine regions that pump out case after case of spectacular vino. You've got McLaren Vale, the Barossa and Clare Valley, but we are all about the Adelaide Hills in 2023. First off, this is one of the easiest wine regions to reach — located just a 30-minute drive away from the centre of Adelaide. It's also home to some of our favourite cellar doors. We suggest you start in Woodside, where you'll find stunning cellar doors from Bird in Hand, Petaluma, Barristers Block and Golding Wines. And while you're there, don't miss Lost in a Forest which serves up woodfired pizzas and natural wine from local label Ochota Barrels in a 130-year-old church. Get the most out of your trip to this region by booking our Adelaide Hills escape here including two nights' accommodation, transport around local wineries, daily yoga classes and most of your meals. [caption id="attachment_883581" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Skopal (Unsplash)[/caption] WILPENA POUND Wilpena Pound is the holy grail of the Flinders Ranges National Park, characterised by its dramatic rocky mountains. The entire region is vast and truly remote, located about a five-hour drive from Adelaide. But don't let the distance scare you off. There's much to see and do here. Go on 4WD treks through the bush, take scenic flights over the mountain ranges and go on guided hikes to see some of the best-preserved Aboriginal rock art while learning of the local Adnyamathanha people's rich history. [caption id="attachment_883583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Denu (Unsplash)[/caption] EYRE PENINSULA This coastal region in South Australia is foolishly overlooked by both Aussies and international travellers. It is the state's own version of Victoria's Great Ocean Road, and it might just give that famous stretch of coast a run for its money. Head to Eyre Peninsula to swim with dolphins and sea lions or simply relax on long sand beaches backed by rugged cliffs as you look out for passing whales. Dreamy stuff. Then you can hit up any of the local townships to try Eyre Peninsula's legendary oysters and freshly caught seafood or head inland to do some winery hopping. You'll quickly discover why it's one of our favourite stretches of coast in Australia. NORTHERN TERRITORY [caption id="attachment_826027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT[/caption] KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Kakadu is an unmissable Australian travel destination, but its perceived remoteness seems to put a lot of travellers off. Don't let it. Kakadu is only a three-hour drive from Darwin and it's well and truly worth the journey. Once you're there, you have an enormous natural playground to explore and some genuinely life-changing scenery and experiences ahead of you. We recommend hiring a 4WD with a pop-top tent or camper for the week and see where the road takes you. Organise an itinerary to hidden swimming holes and incredible rainwater waterfalls, epic mountain ranges or local wildlife sanctuaries and cultural experiences with the local Indigenous people to learn the ancient history and dreaming stories of the area. [caption id="attachment_883588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Banubanu, Tourism Australia[/caption] BREMER ISLAND Run away to the Northern Territory's fairly unknown Bremer Island for a super chill tropical island holiday. It's well and truly off the beaten path, so you'll be away from the crowds, surrounded only by well-preserved wilderness. There aren't many places to stay on the island, but we are big fans of Banubanu Beach Retreat — a glamping site located right on the water. Spend your days kayaking along the coast or snorkelling in the warm waters before eating some fresh-caught seafood. It's a really laid-back place to visit, away from the crowds and influencers. 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 images: Sal Salis on Ningaloo Reef
While there will always be a place for the milestone event restaurant — those peerless (and pricey) palaces of sliver service where the stratospheric calibre of the cuisine is matched only by the equally sky-high bill — the humble neighbourhood diner has come into its own in recent times. These comforting, casual eateries, tucked away in suburban enclaves, offer quality meals at an affordable price point, and in the current economic climate, that's good news for cash-strapped Sydneysiders. Table Manners, on the other hand, is one of a new breed of neighbourhood restaurant offering a middle way. It delivers stellar service and impressive fare that feels elevated while remaining, if not necessarily cheap, at least not bank-breaking. After all, Head Chef Luke Churchill was formerly on the pots at the eye-wateringly expensive Oncore by Clare Smyth, and a comparable meal at this Bronte newcomer will set you back significantly less. [caption id="attachment_972304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (L–R) Alex Cameron, John Breen and Luke Churchill[/caption] Budgets aside, there's much to love about this Euro-leaning bistro from Alex Cameron, the former manager of Inner East darlings Parla, Franca and Armorica. While the name might suggest a requirement for etiquette — and indeed, there are white linen tablecloths, silver ice buckets and the gentle flicker of candlelight setting the scene — there's also a wink of informality. This high-low, double-hinged personality is perhaps best captured by the livery stamped on all the flatware, featuring a doodle of some greedy-guts customer licking their plate clean, as well as in the playful murals that fill the dining room, irreverently scrawled over the ornate, corniced walls — a wonderfully elegant riot of refinement and rebellion. While the interiors, conceived by Sydney-based designer Blainey North, resist the low-hanging fruit of seaside tropes found in many coastal eateries, Cameron isn't shunning the chilled-out beach vibes of the area he also calls home. "You can't have a neighbourhood restaurant in Bronte that feels too flash. People come here mostly for the beach and a coffee and a swim. We wanted Table Manners to be something that matched that relaxed ideal of the perfect Sydney beachside life," Cameron explains. "The dining rooms I like to go back to are comfortable — so we wanted it feel like somewhere you would want to dine with friends, but also something a bit special, like your rich Aunt's house or some Provençale estate while you're on holiday; the decor reads lux, but it's still super relaxed." Much like the interiors, the menu channels a similar laidback luxury. A TikTok-famous spaghetti all-assassina — with the pasta part blanched, part fried for a curiously crunchy finish — takes the social media trend and lifts it with the addition of three juicy, chargrilled king prawns laying atop the garlic and chilli oil-drizzled nest of pasta strands. The brilliantly named bug club, takes the classic three-layered sandwich and swaps out the usual slices of deli meat for a sweet and tender Moreton Bay bug tail, diced and dressed with mayo, tomato and crisp salad greens. The house martini is served Gidley style: with two servings per order — because one is never enough — and a little side serving of various garnishes so you can pimp your drink to your preferred taste. It's seriously executed dining that simultaneously doesn't take itself too seriously. The tone of the service follows suit. It's swift and efficient, but also warm and disarming, letting you know you're welcome and in good hands. There's an effortlessness to the experience and this is perhaps the most impressive feat of Table Manners — the confidence with which it has prototyped this new mode of mid-tier, high-low, easy going neighbourhood dining. Sydney's culinary scene is easily transfixed by the new shiny thing, which is great for venues when they open, but less so when the sheen fades and attentions drift elsewhere. But with its singular blend of polish and scruff, Table Manners somehow manages to leapfrog the fad-ness of it all — an instant classic rather than merely the new hotness. Images: Jennifer Snoo
For decades, the corner of Liverpool and Yurong streets in Darlinghurst has been home to some of Sydney's most beloved Italian restaurants. In the 1980s, eastern suburbs glitterati rubbed elbows at Tre Scalini, which spearheaded the recession-era move to pared-back trattoria-style dining. In 2019, the space became Bar Vincent, a cosy but polished neighbourhood Italian that shuttered in June 2025. And for its third act, 174 Liverpool Street has been reborn as Vin-Cenzo's, the latest opening from The Goodies Hospitality (Bar Copains, Bessie's, Alma's). This next chapter keeps the Italian spirit alive while adding a late-night twist, with the restaurant open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, and transforming into a weekend supper club that runs until 2am. In the kitchen, Nathan Sasi (ex-Nomad, Mercado, Adelaide's Leigh Street Wine Room) takes a produce-driven approach that adds clever Euro spins to Italian classics. Start with the likes of flame-licked scampi dressed simply in chilli, garlic and Sicilian oregano, a selection of salumi served alongside giardiniera and grissini or an umami-laden bite of zucchini flower with five cheeses that's topped with an anchovy. Mains include handmade pastas like a roast chicken- and mortadella-packed agnolotti in an aromatic brodo, while mains are hearty and homely — think veal t-bone with shimeji mushroom and marsala and a house-made pork belly sausage with lentils and quince mustard. Desserts lean nostalgic but bold, with burnt lemon tart, pig fat cannolo packed with ricotta and Sicilian almonds, as well as traditional Italian biscuits served in vintage tins, inspired by recipes from Sasi's Sicilian godmother. [caption id="attachment_1018054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] On the drinks side, group sommelier Ishan Kaplish (ex-Mimi's, Tetsuya's) has assembled a list rich in Italian, French and Australian drops, interspersed with rare vintages from Co-Owner Morgan McGlone's personal cellar. Cocktails are classic and Italian-leaning, with bottled negronis and sgroppinos with house-made sorbet among the signatures. Fans of Bar Vincent's pared-back neighbourhood vibe should like what Studio Gram has done with the place, reimagining the interiors to suit the late-night vibe but keeping the same feeling of low-lit intimacy. There's a nod to New York's red-sauce dining rooms, with tiled floors, warm wall sconces and hand-painted wall art paired against burgundy leather banquettes and walnut timber finishes. Perhaps the most dramatic change is the increase in seating capacity, which has jumped from 36 to 68 pax, thanks to the addition of a leafy new al fresco area on Liverpool Street set aside for walk-ins. Top images: Jason Loucas.
2024 was a year of heartbreaking cancellations in the Australian music scene. Not every festival that took some time out has returned a year later, but 2025 has thankfully seen more than a few comebacks. Here's the latest: Harvest Rock, the Adelaide event that cemented itself as a fest worth travelling to in its 2022 debut and 2023's second spin, has locked in a two-day 2025 instalment in October. It was in August 2024 that Harvest Rock revealed that just two years after initially popping up, the decision had been made to postpone that year's event. The news came after Splendour in the Grass announced its 2024 dates and lineup, then ditched its plans — and following Groovin the Moo going through the same cycle of reveals and cancellations. Spilt Milk, Summergrounds Music Festival and Dark Mofo also sat the year out or said goodbye permanently. Dark Mofo returned for 2025, as is Spilt Milk — and now Harvest Rock is joining them. Only Teenage Joans have been named on the lineup for this year's stint at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina so far, but you can pop Tuesday, August 12 in your diary, as that's when the full roster of acts that'll be taking to the stage will be unveiled. Also crucial, dates-wise: Saturday, October 25–Sunday, October 26, when the festival is taking place. When Harvest Rock was first born, hailing from the Secret Sounds crew — who were also behind Splendour in the Grass — it aimed to get everyone dancing in a park in Adelaide each spring, including interstaters heading to South Australia to enjoy the fest's visitworthy lineups. The first year welcomed Jack White, Groove Armada, The Avalanches, Crowded House and Courtney Barnett, for starters. 2023 backed that up with Jamiroquai and Beck doing Australian-exclusive shows, plus everyone from Sparks and Nile Rogers & Chic to Bright Eyes and Paul Kelly. A two-day blend of music, food and wine — well, it is in SA — Harvest Rock also spans Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up dishes, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings. 2025's iteration will include Wildwoods & Cellar Door by Duncan Welgemoed and Nick Stock, for starters. "We're thrilled to see Harvest Rock return to its Adelaide home to deliver a festival that brings global stadium-sized artists to South Australia, while also championing the region's world-class food, wine and culture for interstate guests. Harvest Rock not only drives tourism and benefits local businesses, but offers a unique festival experience for all ages across the local community and beyond," advised Festival Director of Harvest Rock Ryan Sabet. "Music to the ears of festival lovers and our hospitality and tourism operators, Harvest Rock will return to Adelaide this October. The beauty of this festival is that it combines what we do best in South Australia — offering premium food and beverages and delivering memorable events," said SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison about Harvest Rock's comeback. "Held in 2022 and 2023, Harvest Rock has contributed a combined $34.5 million to the state's economy. We continue to see the impact major events like this deliver to our economy, while reinforcing our state's reputation as the ultimate destination for bucket-list events — whether you are a sports fan, art lover, foodie or just enjoy a good festival." Harvest Rock 2025 is set to take place across Saturday, October 25–Sunday, October 26 at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide. Head to the festival's website for further details — with presale tickets available from Tuesday, August 19 and general sales from Wednesday, August 20. And check back here on Tuesday, August 12 for the lineup. Image: Ian Laidlaw / Mitch Lowe / Zennieshia Butts.
Josh Niland's list of accomplishments is too long to rattle off — from radically changing Sydney's perception of seafood through to best-selling books, and acclaimed restaurants including being named in the world's top 100 best chefs in 2022. Josh and his partner in crime Julie Niland have blazed a singular trail — and the wins just keep rolling in with more new restaurants opening and on their way. Up until 2023, you would have had to travel over to Sydney's east to taste the Nilands' boundary-pushing no-waste seafood at spots like Saint Peter (our pick for the best restaurant in Sydney) and Charcoal Fish. But now, you'll find it across the bridge in St Leonards. Petermen brings the typical Niland passion and inventiveness to the North Shore in the form of a 60-seat restaurant and bar. The name is a nod to the Saint Peter ecosystem. The original Niland restaurant gets its moniker from the patron saint and former fisherman Saint Peter. This holy seafood enthusiast was the inspiration behind fellow fishers being called Petermen in the 1400s. [caption id="attachment_878784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob Palmer[/caption] As expected, the ever-changing menu leans heavily on the fruits of the sea. Start your night by ordering from the shared dishes heroing raw fish — such as South West Rocks line-caught bonito, Corner Inlet snapper with stag seaweed and Mooloolaba yellowfin tuna with capers. And, from the preserved lineup, highlights include Port Lincoln berrima octopus and Espelette pepper, Flinders Island scallops and Jervis Bay mussels. For bigger bites, options span Manjimup marron with curry butter, Coorong pipis with garlic and chilli, Flinders Island southern calamari, and sweet and sour Ulladulla blue mackerel — all from the charcoal grill. There's also plenty of hearty veggie dishes and some well-loved Niland favourites to discover on the menu. The St. Helens long-spine sea urchin crumpet is one of the chef's classics and an absolute must-try. Petermen brings the Saint Peter experience to a wider audience, bringing this one-of-a-kind seafood dining further northwest. With more seats than the tiny Paddington original and longer opening hours (including lunch on weekends), there are more opportunities for you to nab a spot and experience the wild sustainable seafood creations emerging from Josh Niland's mind.
The best Indian restaurants in Sydney come in many forms. You've got local neighbourhood diners with BYO licenses and super-friendly staff who know their regulars all too well. Then there are the more up-market and contemporary Indian diners that aim to reinvent the cuisine, playing with classic recipes to create new and exciting dishes. A handful of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney are also totally vegetarian or, at the very least, have a huge selection of plant-based options. These are the kinds of Sydney eateries where everyone can find something on the menu — be it the simple butter chicken with a pile of garlic naan on the side or a lesser-known regional dish that's packed with spice and flavour. Here is our pick of the best Indian fare in the Harbour City. Recommended reads: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney The Best French Restaurants in Sydney The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney The Best Mexican Restaurants in Sydney
