Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.
If you’ve ever visited the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, you’ll know it sits as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Around the iconic falls, there is an eclectic array of experiences to enjoy, from ferris wheels and haunted houses, to tunnels behind the falls themselves. But with a myriad of…
Located a little more than an hour out of Amsterdam, Walibi Holland has been welcoming visitors since 1971. A park with a focus on roller coasters, it’s not only similar to the Six Flags theme parks of North America, it briefly was one, being run as Six Flags Holland between 2000 and 2005. And keen…
Ahead of the release of her new EP CA$HED UP tomorrow – featuring the single of the same name – we caught up with NYC-based, Australian electronic DJ and producer BRUX. We spoke about the influence that New York City played on the record, working with UK Label LUCKYME and artist Surya Sen, and we…
It was revealed today that Disney Parks and Resorts have secured a deal to launch a Disneyland Theme Park in their 5th international location. Sadly, while it’s not Australia, there are direct flights from Australia to the new destination. The location will be on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, which is serviced…
Located just two hours south of Toronto, Canada, where the Buffalo River meets Lake Erie, Buffalo, New York is a city with one of the most fascinating histories in North America. It’s a place that has seen its share of turbulence. In the early 1900s, it was the 9th most populous city in the USA….
Disney may have chosen France over the United Kingdom all those years ago, but now the UK has won the latest Theme Park battle: getting the European continent’s first Universal Studios Theme Park. According to the BBC, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the long rumoured plans, hosting a press conference earlier today with…
While we’re all still reeling from The White Lotus finale in Thailand, I wanted to take us back to those beautiful vibes in Hawaii from season one. But we won’t be travelling to the same island where they filmed (Maui), rather to the fourth largest island in Hawaii, also known as “The Garden Isle”. At…
In 2004, actor Zach Braff, best known for fronting the TV sitcom Scrubs, released his debut feature film Garden State to critical acclaim. The film – co-starring Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, the late great Ian Holm, and many others – was praised for its smart script (penned by Braff), clever editing, endearing performances and an…
Because they don’t appear on most travel comparison sites*, a lot of people don’t realise Southwest Airlines offer Island Hopper flights in Hawaii. Nonetheless, having introduced routes across five Hawaiian airports back in 2019, the Dallas based airline provide an competitive alternative to Hawaiian Airlines’ long dominance in the market. Prices are generally comparable to…
It’s recently been announced that Epic Universe will open its portals in Orlando, Florida on 22nd May 2025! And today we have received the first on site photos from the highly anticipated theme park. The first round of tickets sales – with the 2025 Explorer Ticket that’s inclusive of a single day of Epic Universe…
When it comes to air travel, one of the few markets that would be comparable to Australia would be Canada. They have one national carrier (“Air Canada” being their “Qantas”), who are the only Canadian carrier to travel to and from Australia, with two main domestic airlines for competition. There’s Porter, who followed a similar…
With direct flights into Hawaii – at least from Australia – only taking you to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, many guests to the closest American State to our country don’t take the opportunity to explore the surrounding islands. Or at least don’t go further than Maui. In fact, it took me more than…
It was revealed today at SXSW that the creators of some of the world’s best immersive art experiences, Meow Wolf, are readying their seventh permanent location in the USA – New York City. The news comes less than a year after they revealed that a Los Angeles location would open in a movie theatre in…
Even when we don’t consider the frustrating AUD to USD exchange rate, New York City ain’t cheap. But when Qantas’ direct flight from Sydney to New York set to launch next year, the city will have never been more accessible for Australian tourists. So you’re going to have even more reason to make the trip…
Every year, Universal Studios theme parks in the US, Japan and Singapore celebrate the Halloween season with Halloween Horror Nights. Across these nights, guests explore specially themed haunted houses – often around particular Universal IP – and get to stay in the park up late, with additional horror theming across its existing attractions. With the haunted…
Since 1973, iconic Hollywood studio Warner Bros. have been offering some form of a backlot tour to the general public. When it launched, tickets cost $3, and education about film and life on the set was the name of the game; a point of difference from the “ride the movies” approach of the iconic Universal…
Towards the end of last year, I had the privilege of staying at the much lauded TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in Queens, New York City. Opening in May 2019 (in fact, I was there for that!), the hotel brings together a 1960s aesthetic with modern comforts and charm. Within its walls they have engineered…
Last night in Toronto, Canada, Phantogram returned four months after they last touched down for their tour in support of Kings of Leon. Between tours, the duo dropped a new album, the brilliant Memory of a Day, and are now just over half way through a massive run of dates across North America. The show…
Set to open up in Orlando on 22nd May 2025, Epic Universe is the most hotly anticipated new theme park in decades. The third gate for the Universal Orlando Resort will be themed around a number of IPs, including Nintendo, Harry Potter and How To Train Your Dragon. And today we got out first look…
It was announced this morning that the Disney Theatrical Group are bringing Disney’s The Lion King back to Sydney for a third time. The announcement comes some ten years after curtains last shuttered on the iconic musical in Australia. Across its two runs in the country, The Lion King was seen by nearly four million…
With LA 2028, the Los Angeles Olympics, just over three years away, the city is busy preparing for the influx of tourists with new infrastructure and entertainment options for visitors and residents alike. This is happening in tandem to clean up efforts, following the devastation of the wildfires last month. So we firstly want to…
Last week, we sat down with Cirque performer Anna Ivaseva, who detailed the experience of bringing her Water Bowl act to Hawaii for the new Cirque du Soleil production ‘Auana. Today we are sitting down with the show’s Director, Neil Dorward. Neil is no stranger to Australian shores, having directed a number of shows that…
Over the weekend it was revealed that Delta Air Lines is set to become the third airline to service the Melbourne to Los Angeles route. Starting 3rd December 2025, the carrier will see Melbourne become its third non-stop destination in the country, following Sydney and Brisbane. Melbourne will also be the fifth direct destination for…
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of seeing the incredible new Cirque du Soleil production ‘Auana. Before I was able to sit in the Honolulu theatre and experience the city’s first ever Cirque residency, I sat down with one of the show’s performers, Anna Ivaseva. Ivaseva brings her skills in the water bowl to…
Over the course of a few weeks this Summer, I flew domestically on a mix of Virgin Australia 737-800 aircraft, some with updated seats, others still with the original layout. So what is the Virgin Australia economy experience like in 2025? And how about those lounges!? Read on to find out how their airline ranks…
After sadly having to cancel their Australian run of dates due to illness, Sum 41 are wrapping up their final world tour as scheduled this week in their hometown of Toronto*. While Thursday marks the actual “final” concert for the Ontario band, tonight was the first of two packed shows celebrating “The Setting Sum” in…
Earlier this month, I flew Delta Air Lines‘ service from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Before the flight, I tried to Google whether or not Delta offered complimentary meals and drinks on their flights between Hawaii and the mainland. Since my search didn’t reveal a clear answer, I want to start this review by helping…
In my life, I’m constantly looking for experiences that surprise me. Montreal’s Cirque du Soleil is one such company that helps me regularly tick that box, with their breathtaking touring and residency productions all over the world. And their new production ‘Auana in Honolulu, Hawaii, is no exception. Years in the making, ‘Auana debuted at…
The 16th annual AU review countdown of the 40 best albums of the year has arrived. This year, as always, our contributors bring together a mix of artists from Australia and around the world. Hopefully your favourite album(s) made the cut – and maybe you’ll discover a few new ones along the way, too. Read…
“There are 200 million sandwiches eaten a day in America”, according to Australia’s Ben Gollan. One might say he’s a sandwich aficionado, and he’s not shy to admit it, remarking on a beautiful New York autumn afternoon, “the Sandwich is a global dish that beings people together, which is why I do this tour and…