Travel & Lifestyle

On the Shelf: “Chocolate” by Kirsten Tibballs

Australian pastry chef Kirsten Tibballs enjoys a sterling reputation across around the globe, no doubt fueled by the title of “Queen of Chocolate” that follows her around wherever she goes. She has won gold medals at international pasty events, judged chocolate competitions in Paris and Japan, and has well and truly become one of Australia’s…

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A Summer’s Weekend in Canada’s Capital – Ottawa, Ontario: The Knowledge

As we enter the second half of the annual Ottawa Bluesfest in Canada (running until 17th July), we’re bringing you the second half of our feature on a summer’s weekend in Canada’s capital city. A couple of weeks ago we filled you in on the places to eat, drink and shop, and now this week…

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Doughnut Time, Gelato Messina, Bourke Street Bakery and more will be at Splendour in the Grass

As if a three-hour set from The Cure and finally witnessing The Avalanches post-Wildflower wasn’t enough, this year’s Splendour in the Grass is promising its biggest food and lifestyle line-up to date. Following the success of having Mary’s up there last year (in the Gold Bar though), Secret Sounds have tapped into some of the…

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Canberra’s annual Truffle Festival brings truffle menus to life at two of the Capital’s best restaurants

Unless you’ve had your head buried deep underground like a subterranean fungus, you’ll know that Canberra’s annual Truffle Festival, held over 12 weeks from June to August, is currently in full swing.  Part of the festival includes a showcase of the nation’s best truffles at participating venues like Hotel Kurrajong Canberra and Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport….

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Piccolo Me brings deep-fried Nutella ice cream balls and super sized hot chocolates to Royal Botanic Garden (Sydney)

As their 200th year anniversary celebration continues, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden have welcomed in a new café from indulgent kings Piccolo Me; yeah, the same Piccolo Me that have perfected the Giant Deep-Fried Nutella Ice Cream Ball, and other lip-smacking treats. Not only have Piccolo Me opened up at the iconic location, but to celebrate…

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Deliveroo are giving away free burgers from Barrio Cellar, Huxtaburger, and more this Friday

Premium food delivery service Deliveroo are prepping to unleash their Deliveroo Treat concept this Friday 15th July, offering to deliver free burgers from some of the best names in each city across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. For three hours, Deliveroo drivers will be riding around their service areas delivering freebies from the likes of Hashtag…

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This Waterloo hotel is now a dedicated PokéPub; offer Pokémon-themed menu (Sydney)

With the immediate area surrounding Waterloo hotspot Abbotts Hotel becoming a hotbed of Pokémon activity, the team behind the pub have officially declared it a dedicated “PokéPub”, temping frenzied Pokémon Go players with special themed offers that will last all this week. It was only a matter of time before venues jumped on this whole…

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Flight Review: Business Class on Air Canada from Calgary to Ottawa (AC118)

This time last year, I flew from the Calgary Stampede to Ottawa Bluesfest (both happening right now!) on board Air Canada‘s regular service between the two cities. Lucky enough to get bumped up to Business Class on the flight, here’s a look back at that journey. Airline: Air Canada Route: Calgary, Alberta to Ottawa, Ontario – AC118 Seat:…

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A Day Well Spent: Eating and drinking my way through the Hunter Valley (NSW, Australia)

On my last trip to the Hunter to cover the famous Hunter Valley food fight, I was lucky enough to sample more Hunter fare. I say Hunter fare here because even though it isn’t too far from Sydney (slightly more than a two hour drive), a lot of the food I tried tasted like an entirely…

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Accommodation Review: Three-Bedroom Townhouse at La Maison (Bathurst, NSW)

Escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney for a change of scenery to explore regional New South Wales. Bathurst is a mere three-hour drive from Sydney, offering a perfectly charming winter getaway. A town alive with history, culture, and a growing food scene, there’s something to see and do for everyone. An overnighter in Bathurst…

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Review: Anason – Barangaroo (Sydney)

Good Turkish cuisine is few and far apart in Sydney, so it came as a surprise when the very first permanent restaurant at the much-discussed Barangaroo development was announced to bring a contemporary take on share-style Ottoman dining to the ongoing precinct. A few months ago, Anason opened to huge expectations, seeing as highly regarded…

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Gelato Messina are opening a Newtown store (Sydney)

Australia’s iconic gelato champions Gelato Messina are finally expanding to include a store in the inner-west, and it’s going to be located right smack bang in the middle of Newtown’s King Street. Taking over the former Gelatomassi store at 262 King Street, Messina will be setting up towards the end of August (exact date not…

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Runya’s Room is Melbourne’s new luxurious champagne and high-tea salon

Melbourne’s newest luxury retail mall St Collins Lane recently opened its doors to Runya’s Room, a brand new champagne and high tea salon.Created by Sam Shagagi, the 70s inspired salon is an elegant tribute to Shagagi’s late wife Runya, who loved the sensory experience of high-tea in Melbourne. Each day, the extravagant salon hosts three sessions of…

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Pauline Hanson Poutine is now a thing in Melbourne

If your shopping trolley has been murdered and your groceries are just gone then the only logical option is to go out for something to eat, right? Melbourne’s super popular Globe Alley haunt Belleville have chalked up another go-to for anyone who has run into said murdered shopping trolley problem, drawing inspiration from classic Canadian…

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Uber is delivering ice cream designed by Australia’s top chefs this Friday!

Uber have partnered up with the team at OzHarvest to kick start a global event this Friday, bringing Australia the much loved “Uber Ice Cream” delivery service nation-wide, and this time some of the country’s top chefs are getting involved. People across Australia will be able to order in exclusive gourmet ice cream flavours designed…

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Travel Diary: True Vibenation take us to UK’s iconic Glastonbury Festival

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Sydney based production trio True Vibenation. Upon landing in the UK ahead of their appearance at Glastonbury Festival and debut Europe Tour, their new song ‘The World Is Ours’ started gathering some serious steam, peaking at #1 on Spotify’s Viral chart for the UK and #4 globally. The stage…

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The Morrison’s month-long Oyster Festival is back this August (Sydney)

Earlier this year, Sydney’s The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room was full of full crabs and claws for the annual Crab Carnival, but August will be bringing something much different to the CBD venue. For the fourth year, the team will be welcoming the popular Oyster Festival for a month-long celebration of shucked goodness across…

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8Bit and Up in Smoke are bringing an exclusive pop up to Flinders Lane (Melbourne)

It’s widely known that 8Bit have some of the best burgers in all of Australia, regularly attracting queues to their O.G Footscray and now Swanston Street venues. Just the very mention of their expertly designed burgers is enough to elicit copious amounts of drool, so think of how wet the typical Melburnian appetite will be…

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My Big Fat Greek Lunch: Dining with George Calombaris at The Press Club (Melbourne)

As torrential rain fell heavily on the streets of Melbourne, and people sought cover from the wild weather, the inviting warmth and vibrancy of The Press Club was a very welcome sight. In celebration of the DVD launch of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 I was invited to enjoy a Greek style menu prepared by…

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The Streets of Barangaroo plan final days of Wulugul Pop Up (Sydney)

Since it began last year, temporary precinct Wulugul Pop Up along The Streets of Barangaroo has been a regular go-to spot for hungry, thirsty Sydneysiders craving the likes of Belle’s Hot Chicken, Gin & It, and Chaco Bar in an open-air harbourside experience. The end of July sadly brings the close of this pop-up, as…

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How to celebrate Bastille Day 2016 in Sydney

Thursday 14th July is Bastille Day, France’s national day which always brings an excuse to indulge in the rich culture and cuisine of the famous country. Being that some of the country’s best French restaurants are located in Sydney, Bastille Day in this fine harbour city is always a must, even more so with special…

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Zeus Street Greek are opening up in Westfield Sydney’s food court

As they continue to grow, the ever-popular Zeus Street Greek have announced that their latest expansion will include a store in Westfield Sydney’s curated food court. The new store will be a small format offering from the Greek street food purveyors, featuring a concise menu that serves up their most popular eats and drinks, designed…

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Vegetarian burgers and jaffa sundaes feature on Huxtaburgers new menu (Melbourne)

The team at Melbourne’s famed Huxtaburger have been busy putting the finishing touches on a new menu expansion that rolling out across their multiple locations last week. There’s a strong focus on widening the range of vegetarian options (seriously, how many burger joints have only one vego-option and expect that to be enough?) as well…

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Krispy Kreme expand range with “Around the World” collection

The Australian leg of ubiquitous doughnut chain Krispy Kreme have lately been looking abroad to get some inspiration for their new flavours. Curated into what they are calling their “Around the World” range, the long-standing brand have designed new tastes inspired by Italy, Argentina, Mexico, and England, resulting in new ones from Chilli Chocolate to…

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On the Shelf: Mr Black x Campos Panama Geisha Coffee Liqueur

Now that they’re very well established and have a high repute behind them, awarded Australian coffee liqueur Mr Black have once again teaming up with the legendary Campos Speciality Roasters for a special collaboration brew, their second in less than a year. In December of last year we took a look at the first collaboration…

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Five things you have to do while in Calgary other than the Stampede (Alberta, Canada)

The city of Calgary in Alberta is a bustling and vibrant place, no more so than during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede; the iconic event which is happening right now, through to July 17th. But with the city a short drive away from the Rocky Mountains, and full of amazing activities to enjoy…

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Three must visit attractions in Houston, Texas for fans of Baseball, Arts and Science

Johnny Au headed to Houston, Texas and brings us three must visit attractions for fans of baseball, science and the arts! Houston History of Natural Sciences One of the biggest natural science museums in Texas is the Houston History of Natural Sciences. One of the most impressive permanent exhibitions is the Morian Hall of Paleontology,…

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P&O’s Pacific Explorer will launch with a mother flipping waterpark on board

P&O Cruises have announced the details they have planned for the multi-million dollar upgrades set to be made on the Princess Cruises’ liner Dawn Princess, when they transform it into their newest ship Pacific Explorer next June. Among the most exciting inclusions are a chilled barefoot bowls green, a new supper club with cabaret-style entertainment and P&O’s…

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On the Shelf: Doritos x Pizza Hut BBQ Meatlovers Corn Chips

Two years ago Doritos and Pizza Hut partnered up to offer Australians a limited edition Doritos Crunch Crust Pizza, a relatively well-received shot at collaborative junk food that was successful enough to warrant another team-up between the brands, even if it was divisive in taste – a corn and pepperoni aftertaste? no thanks. This time…

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On the Shelf: Auchentoshan American Oak Scotch Whisky

Making its presence on the Australian scene known with the recent launch of what Beam Suntory and CCA are calling the “Distilled Different” campaign, Lowlands single malt Scotch whisky Auchentoshan American Oak is here to make a case for the distillery’s distinctive commitment to triple distilling every single drop. Whisky in Australia is only getting…

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