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: New Zealand travel guide

Holiday in New Zealand with mini itineraries for your personality dream type

by THE F

Updated: 16/11/2022

During a year full of highs and lows, quarantine-free travel is not the only dream that has infiltrated the minds of Australians. The opening of the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand marks a significant moment in history and a tourism first. New research conducted by Tourism New Zealand has revealed 60% of Australians are dreaming of a trip to New Zealand in the first six months of borders reopening. With 98% in favour of the bubble, pent-up wanderlust is at an all-time high. From having fun (53%) to feeling refreshed (53%), taking a break from stress (40%) and exploring new places (39%) – this is what Australians are looking forward to. Aussies are keen to know the true meaning of their dreams, and how this links to travel to reveal your ‘dream personality’. Dream Therapist Martina Kocian has unpacked the meaning behind how Aussies slumber. If your dream personality manifests in dream themes of adventure, the outdoors, food, luxury, and relaxation, the opening of quarantine-free travel may be the answer to your dreams: THE ADVENTUROUS DREAM PERSONALITY EAT Orbit 360° Dining – Auckland’s only rotating restaurant, atop Sky Tower at Sky City. Soaring high above the city offering sensational views. Te Motu – An exciting restaurant on Waiheke Island, surrounded by vineyards and vegetable gardens. You can enjoy some amazing traditional dishes, full of fresh local produce. STAY Raglan Treehouse in the Woods – With a stunning outdoor bath with views of the ocean, you will really feel disconnected from the real world here. Surrounded… Read More

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: holiday ideas, Holiday in New Zealand with mini itineraries for your personality dream type, How to travel New Zealand, New Zealand travel guide, NZ holiday ideas

Road tripping New Zealand’s South Island

by THE F

Posted: 30/04/2020

Few places are as stunning as New Zealand’s South Island. With its dramatic scenery and relative isolation, there’s nowhere better to hit the road in a camper van. Sure, it would be nicer to roll around in a luxury 6 star RV, but for those of us not lucky enough to win a EuroMillions jackpot, a regular camper van might have to do. That won’t make the trip any less memorable, though. The South Island is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, and with so much to see and do you could spend weeks exploring all it has to offer. Check out our to-do list, exploring the far south of the island, up to the very north. Fiordland National Park Our trip starts at Fiordland, New Zealand’s largest and most well-known national park. Shaped by glaciers over millions of years, and home to the spectacular Milford Sound, Fiordland is a haven for kayakers, campers, bush-walkers (called ‘trampers’ in New Zealand) alpine climbers and fly fishers. Boat tours of Milford and Doubtful Sounds are very popular, and the mirror lakes will give you some of the best scenery you’ll ever set eyes on. Dunedin Dunedin is the South Island’s second biggest city. It’s a university town with proud Scottish roots. On the coast is the beautiful Otago peninsula, where you can take a cruise to see seals lazing and albatrosses in feeding frenzies. ‘The Pride of the South’, the Speights Brewery, can also be found in Dunedin, and is open for tours. The historic Larnach Castle is a… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: New Zealand travel guide, road trip, road trip guide, Road tripping New Zealand’s South Island, Road trips, Sponsored content, sponsored post

ARTS & CULTURE

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic 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

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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