Category: LIFESTYLE

2025 Great Australian SpecTAPular is almost here

Get ready to raise a glass, folks—Australia’s most anticipated beer event, the Great Australian SpecTAPular (GABS), is set to return in 2025. Known as one of the best beer festivals in the world and the largest in the country, GABS is a utopia for craft beer enthusiasts and curiosity drinkers alike. This liquid wonderland is back with a bang, boasting a three-city tour across Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. Save the Date! Mark your calendars and get in quick—tickets go on sale December 12, 2024. Here’s where and when you can join the boozy festivities: This experience promises two days of pure magic at each location, giving you plenty of time to sample, sip, snack, and soak up the fun. GABS Festival Brews – Expect the Unexpected What sets GABS apart? It’s the Festival Brews, of course—a showcase of beer creativity that truly defies expectations. Each year, breweries are invited to dream up eccentric concoctions specifically for the event, and only the most daring and delicious make the cut. Think sushi beer, cookie stouts, or even lollipop sours. It’s like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, but for beer lovers. Over the years, these Festival Brews have propelled breweries into stardom, with standout creations like Hop Nation’s Jedi Juice and Deeds Brewing’s Juice Train NEIPA becoming cult favourites. You’ll have access to 120 Festival Brews spread across Australia’s longest bar, equipped with 120 taps all in a single line—100 pouring exclusive beers and 20 pouring cocktails, spirits, and other fabulous drinks. Unmissable, right? Global Breweries Joining the Party… Read More

Interior styling in 2025: the do-nots

Ah, interior styling—it’s like the age-old quest for the holy grail, except instead of eternal life, you’re chasing that perfect blend of “wow, this place looks amazing!” and “yes, I actually live here.” With 2025 just around the corner, it’s time to ditch the uninspired trends of yesteryears and step into a world where your home isn’t just a space—it’s the space. From the colours that scream sophistication to those sneaky design hacks that’ll leave your guests wondering if you hired a professional, we’ve got the top five tips to help you stay ahead of the curve. Because being stylish isn’t just a vibe—it’s a lifestyle. For more styling, or if you don’t know how to put into practice what Justine has preached, consider Vault Interiors. Founded by award-winning stylist Justine Wilson, is a leading property styling andinterior design company in Australia. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating stunningspaces, Vault Interiors specialises in helping clients maximise their property’s potential. Visitvaultinteriors.com.au for more information.

Titanic VR Experience Set to Make Waves in 2025

Well, here’s a reason to clear your calendar for early April 2025 — Fever, the entertainment discovery platform that’s apparently always one step ahead, is rolling out the red carpet for a global first. Say hello to Titanic: A Voyage Through Time, a jaw-dropping virtual reality extravaganza docking at 206 Bourke Street. Oh, and if you’re already scrambling for tickets, don’t worry — the waitlist is LIVE. This isn’t your average “watch a documentary and call it a day” kind of deal. Oh no, Fever’s gone all in. They’re giving you a golden ticket aboard the Titanic herself — minus the sinking part (don’t panic). Experience the grandeur, the drama, and the tragic story in a way that TikToks about ship history simply can’t match. You’ll promenade down the decks, marvel at the ship’s swanky interiors, and pretend you’re the Edwardian elite — all thanks to virtual reality tech that’s just chef’s kiss. But wait, there’s more. This isn’t just VR eye candy; it’s a full-blown trip back to 1912. You can rub elbows with historical figures, uncover untold stories, and live out those “what was Titanic really like?” daydreams you’ve totally never had. And get this — for the first time in forever, you’ll be able to ditch the submarine documentaries and actually explore the Titanic wreck. That’s right, you’ll descend an impressive 4,000 meters below the Atlantic via VR without even needing a wetsuit. Why You Should Be Excited Here’s just a taste of what this mind-blowing experience promises to deliver (spoiler alert:… Read More

See The National Gallery’s The Petit Bras by Monet from 2025-27

Who says you have to travel to Paris to soak up some Monet? Thanks to the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour 2025–27, you can experience genius-level Impressionism without even needing your passport. Monet’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) is packing its bags—well, metaphorically—and hitting the road for a once-in-two-decades adventure across the UK. It’s the equivalent of an A-list celebrity making a rare appearance in your local gallery. Don’t miss the chance to say, “I saw it here first” when it rolls into Norwich, South Shields, Blackpool, and Hull. This is serious art with some fabulous side quests. The painting, which depicts Monet’s tranquil moment by a wintery riverside, will pop up in four unique galleries, each adding its own creative spin. From trauma-informed cafés designed to foster community healing at the Sainsbury Centre to multi-sensory, accessible installations at the Ferens Art Gallery, the exhibitions aim to make sure art for everyone isn’t just a catchy slogan. And let’s not forget the annual schools’ responses, artistic collaborations, and even the chance to see the work exhibited alongside cutting-edge contemporary art. The National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour has been impressing art fans far and wide for over a decade—over a million visitors and counting, in fact! Sir Gabriele Finaldi, National Gallery Director (and clearly a fan of bringing the art to the people), puts it best when he says it’s about connecting art to the entire cultural ecosystem of the UK. Monet might’ve painted calm rivers and whispering trees, but the buzz of excitement… Read More

Australian Museum announces Machu Pichhu exhibition extension

The Australian Museum (AM) has cracked open the good news today by announcing the extension of its blockbuster summer exhibition, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, until Sunday 11 May 2025. Because, why not give you more time to soak up the wonders of the Andes without the hassle of leaving Sydney? To really crank up the South American vibes, the AM is hosting Fiesta de Perú, a two-day festival bursting with music, dance, food, and all things cultural. Running from Saturday 22 February to Sunday 23 February 2025, it’s a Peruvian extravaganza you really don’t want to miss (unless you’re allergic to fun, of course). With a mix of free and ticketed events, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, a history nerd, or just someone looking for the perfect Instagram post. Oh, and just in case you needed another reason to check it out, the extended exhibition isn’t just showing off its 134 jaw-dropping artefacts; it’s also got an award-winning virtual reality tour of Machu Picchu. Basically, it’s a history lesson that’s way cooler than what you had to sit through in high school. Highlights of Fiesta de Perú And here’s the cherry on top—visitors have exclusive chances to win prizes, including a 10-day, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru (thanks, Adventure World and LATAM Airlines). Plus, each exhibition-related booking to Peru during this time sends 10% of the proceeds to the Australian Museum Foundation. Win-win, right? Plan Your Visit Don’t dawdle! Head to australian.museum to snag your tickets… Read More

What’s on for Mardi Gras this Sydney

With over 150 artists lined up across its signature events, from the legendary Mardi Gras Party to the fabulous return of Fair Day, it’s shaping up to be unforgettable. Oh, and did we mention there’s a brand-new addition this year? Say hello to Club Gras Presented by Absolut X, taking over ivy in Sydney’s CBD for the ultimate dance party vibes.

Test driving the Chery Tiggo 8 Promax SUV

From the country to the coast, this is an affordable range SUV for families or singles – with a lot of stuff! – that you can’t go past. For three weeks, we test drove the latest model Chery Tiggo 8 Promax from the urban centres of Melbourne to the coastal reaches of Philip Island and the Mornington Peninsula, up to the winding country roads of the Victorian highlands, and there was one verdict than ran the gamut: this was one comfy ride. It’s a quality crossover SUV that’s here to prove that “budget-friendly” doesn’t mean “boring”. Chery, the Chinese carmaker making a name for itself in Australia, has loaded this beast with gadgets and gizmos that will make you think, “Wait, is this a luxury SUV or just really good at faking it?” Design & Interior First impressions? It’s shiny. The Tiggo 8 Pro Max brings a bold grille that screams “look at me,” and a sleek, modern body that’s undeniably eye-catching. Does it compete with its European rivals in that regard? Well, maybe not quite and it could run the risk of erring on the side of ‘too boxy’, but for what it is, the size you get and the driving perks, it’s OK to overlook that. Inside, things get more high-tech than a teenager’s gaming setup. Dual 12.3-inch screens dominate the dash because apparently, one screen just isn’t enough these days. The cabin is wrapped in faux leather (or as we like to say, vegan-friendly luxury) and comes with ambient lighting to make… Read More