FOOD & DRINK

Discover the home of Australian whisky at Starward’s new distillery and bar precinct

16/04/2024

After winning 24 Double Gold medals in 2 years, Starward goes even bigger with its recent unveiling of a brand-new distillery tour and bar experience.

Adelaide Hills wineries worth a visit

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Renowned for its cool climate, this picturesque locale offers an ideal terroir for producing some of the most exquisite wines known to connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.

A unique fusion of whiskey and art in Sydney

12/04/2024

By James Banham

The ‘Glenfiddich x Jordan Gogos Pop-Up Bar’, is an initiative set to enchant Sydneysiders from 17th April to 8th May, 2024.

Ruben’s Deli does good food in Melbourne’s Armadale

12/04/2024

By James Banham

What really sets this Melbourne gem apart isn’t just its delectable sandwiches; it’s the incredible catering service spearheaded by owner Amanda Ruben, that’s capturing the hearts of food lovers across the city.

Sweet Greek Delights in Melbourne

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Sweet Greek is offering the same beloved seasonal dishes with a fresh new look that promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Tag: ford australia

Ford’s Ranger plug-in hybrid: the future of power and performance

by James Banham

Posted: 06/10/2023

It’s time to supercharge your adventures with Ford’s new Ranger Plug-in Hybrid. This powerhouse of a vehicle is set to redefine the standards of power, performance, and sustainability in the pickup segment. The Ranger Plug-in Hybrid is not just any ordinary vehicle — it’s a mobile power station on wheels! Equipped with Pro Power Onboard, this truck offers the unique ability to power tools and appliances by plugging them into outlets embedded in both the cargo bed and the cabin. Forget about lugging around noisy, bulky generators on your worksite or remote campsite. With the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid, you have on-demand electricity right at your fingertips, freeing up more cargo space for other gear and equipment. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The Ranger Plug-in Hybrid also gives you the flexibility to decide how and when to use the EV battery power, thanks to its EV drive modes. Whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring rugged terrains, the selectable drive modes help optimize performance based on your driving conditions. And, let’s not forget about the proven four-wheel-drive capability that has made Ranger a favourite among off-road enthusiasts. Coupled with advanced driver safety and driver assist features, the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid ensures a safe and confident journey, no matter where the road takes you. “The Ranger Plug-in Hybrid will help our customers move into an electrified future, with the confidence and capability that only Ranger can provide,” says Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia. “Ranger Plug-in Hybrid will join the Ford Australia line-up as… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, CARS

Tags: ford australia, Ford electric, ford Ute

About the game-changing, electrifying Ford Mustang Mach-E

by James Banham

Posted: 06/10/2023

Buckle up, Australia! Brace yourself for an electric revolution on four wheels! Ford is introducing the Mustang Mach-E to its local line-up, a vehicle that doesn’t just promise but delivers an exhilarating drive and the longest range in its class. The Mustang Mach-E is a testament to Ford’s commitment to innovation and electrification, featuring a robust 91kWh battery paired with a single 216kW/430Nm electric motor. This powerful combination provides close to 600km of range-anxiety free driving, allowing you to take on the open road without worrying about your next charging stop. But there’s more where that came from! The Mach-E GT, Ford’s performance-oriented variant, also employs the same high-capacity 91kWh battery. However, it ups the ante with dual electric motors delivering a staggering 358kW/860Nm to all four wheels. This results in an impressive driving range of 490km and an electrifying 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.7 seconds! Yes, you heard it right! Upon its arrival, the Mustang Mach-E GT will be the fastest accelerating vehicle in Ford’s local showrooms. To enhance the GT’s performance, it incorporates MagneRide® suspension and performance brakes, offering a thrilling driving experience. Not to mention, it comes with an exclusive Untame Plus drive mode, designed solely for track use to optimize power delivery and unleash the GT’s true potential. Step inside the Mustang Mach-E, and you’re greeted with an interior that oozes comfort and luxury. The centrepiece is a whopping 15.5-inch infotainment screen equipped with Ford’s compelling SYNC4 operating system. Coupled with a 10.2-inch digital cluster, wireless charging, and a heart-thumping 10-speaker… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, CARS

Tags: ford australia, Ford electric, Ford Mach e, Ford Mustang

A technical look at the new Ford Everest Ambiente car

by James Banham

Updated: 26/05/2023

First things first; I am not a technical car person, BUT, the new release of the Ford Everest Ambiente in Australia is such an approachable drive, it deserved the time. So, without further ado, let’s get under the bonnet (sorry) of what’s actually up with the new Ford Everest Ambiente and discuss the real question: should you buy one? Technical Review of the Ford Everest Ambiente in Australia The Ford Everest Ambiente is a rugged and reliable SUV designed for the Australian market. Here’s our technical review of this impressive vehicle: Engine and Performance The Ford Everest Ambiente comes with either a 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder engine producing 154kW/500Nm or a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 in the Sport and Platinum model grades. The Ambiente also features an advanced Terrain Management System, allowing drivers to choose between several different driving modes to optimize performance on various road surfaces. On top of that, the new Ford Everest Ambiente has a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Safety Features Safety is a top priority for the Ford Everest Ambiente, and it comes with a range of advanced safety features. These include seven airbags, a rearview camera, parking sensors, electronic stability control, and hill descent control. In addition, the Ambiente features Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, which includes an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and voice-activated controls for added convenience and safety. Interior and Comfort The interior of the Ford Everest Ambiente is spacious and comfortable, with seating for up to seven passengers. The seats are upholstered in durable cloth… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, CARS, FEATURES

Tags: ford australia, Ford Everest, ford review, Ford SUV

A 16,000km test drive of the Next-Generation Ranger by Ford Australia

by James Banham

Posted: 11/12/2022

A team of 16 drivers came face-to-face with 1,000km each, putting the Next Generation Ranger by Ford Australia through its paces. From Melbourne to Sydney, to the top of Queensland, through to the Northern Territory, down the West Coast and back across the Nullarbor. Unfolding in a single Ranger, the Unlimited Test Drive saw 16 Aussies test the vehicle’s capability and versatility in every possible environment for work, family and play. Amongst the 16 Australians is Mitch Morrison from Yaroomba, Queensland. A Leaf Gatherer, collecting the best vegetation to feed Australian wildlife. Alongside these stories, the campaign incorporates content that tells Ford’s ownership story and showcases the product and design features that make the Next-Gen Ranger is the most customer-centric Ranger ever. The test drive has made a content series that Ford will release over the course of 2022-2023, giving us unprecedented insight into the car, how it drives and what you can do with it. Alongside these stories, the campaign incorporates content that tells Ford’s ownership story and showcases the product and design features that make the Next-Generation Ford Ranger worthy of anyone with a life they out through its paces. See more about the car at the Unlimited Experiences website, where Ford’s team of ‘Ranger Experts’ are on hand to help you get the most out of your Ranger.

Category: LIFESTYLE, CARS, TRAVEL

Tags: A 16, car test drive, ford, ford australia, ford ranger, ford ranger test drive, Next Generation Ford Ranger

ARTS & CULTURE

4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells

11/04/2024

By James Banham

This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

05/04/2024

By James Banham

Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art. Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions. Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life. The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

05/04/2024

By James Banham

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

Carlos Acostas Carmen Cristina Lanandez 5

Carmen is coming to Sadler’s Wells in London

04/04/2024

By James Banham

In an event that harmoniously blends tradition with contemporary flair, Sadler’s Wells Theatre unfolds its red carpet for Acosta Danza, as they present the UK premiere of Carlos Acosta’s version of Carmen from the 2nd to the 6th of July, 2024. This adaptation by the dance legend Carlos Acosta gives a new lease of life to Georges Bizet’s opera, stirring the soul nearly two centuries after Prosper Mérimée penned the original story. Carlos Acosta himself steps onto the stage, not just as a creator but as a performer, embodying ‘The Bull’ – a symbol of fate and destiny. This role, specially crafted by Acosta, emerges from his deep-seated desire to encapsulate the essence of the narrative while marking his departure from the Royal Ballet. His rendition of Carmen holds onto the timeless and universal appeal of the tale yet introduces a fresh perspective by minimising the setting to its core elements. Joining forces with Acosta Danza are Principal dancers Laura Rodriguez, Enrique Corrales, and Alejandro Silva, alongside guest stars from the Birmingham Royal Ballet – Yaoqian Shang, Javier Rojas, and Lachlan Monaghan, who will portray Carmen, Don José, and Escamillo, respectively. This cast embodies the spirit of the characters they portray, bringing to life the tragic tale of love, passion, and jealousy. Carmen’s story has always captivated the imagination of many, attracting a variety of choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Roland Petit to its fiery core. The opera’s enchanting melodies like the ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Habanera’ continue to resonate, underscoring the opera’s enduring popularity… Read More

Sydney’s 71st annual film festival is back

04/04/2024

By James Banham

The 71st Sydney Film Festival, set for 5-16 June 2024, has unveiled an exciting preview of 17 new films and events, offering a tantalising glimpse ahead of the complete program reveal on Wednesday, 8 May. Festival Director Nashen Moodley highlighted that this year’s lineup explores a rich tapestry of human experience, ranging from gripping true stories to innovative fictional narratives and hybrid films that blur the lines between reality and imagination. With resilience emerging as a central theme, the Festival promises a diverse array of films that promise to engage, challenge, and inspire audiences. Among the initial selection are two Australian world premieres that are generating significant buzz. In Vitro marks a highly anticipated sci-fi mystery thriller directed by Will Howarth and Tom McKeith, featuring Ashley Zukerman in a futuristic tale set on a remote cattle farm. In The Pool, directed by Ian Darling, offers a poignant cinematic exploration of a year at the iconic Bondi Icebergs, capturing the essence of this beloved location and its community. Notably, directors Howarth, McKeith, and Darling will be present at the Festival to introduce their films. From across the Tasman, Rachel House makes her directorial debut with The Mountain, a poignant tale of adventure and friendship amidst New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, executive produced by Taika Waititi. This film, eligible for the prestigious First Nations Award, promises to be a highlight of the Festival. The international selection includes notable festival prize-winners like The Rye Horn, Green Border by legendary filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, and Pepe, a unique narrative featuring a… Read More