Travel & Lifestyle

South Coast surf rockers Hockey Dad have released the video for their new single ‘So Tired’, along with some exciting international tour news. 2016 has already been a big year for the duo, from playing SXSW, signing to Brooklyn based record label Kanine Records and announcing their debut album Boronia, it is about to get even…

Tonight SBS premieres noma australia, documenting René Redzepi’s journey of relocating noma, one of the world’s best restaurants, from Copenhagen to Sydney. The series uncovers how the Australian landscape informed menu ideas, especially foraged native ingredients. We got in touch with René to find out more about his experiences with the celebrated pop-up, how indigenous produce influenced his approach, his future plans, and…

We all know Broadway in Sydney has needed to refresh it’s food lineup for a while now, and it seems 2016 is the year the central shopping centre will undertake some huge changes. Already, the famous Salts Meat Cheese has beefed up the food offerings in the area with a store opposite the centre, and…

Now that the very in-demand Burgers by Josh pop-up at The Annandale Hotel has come to an end, the inner-west institution is looking to further their string of temporary culinary expansions with a weekend food festival featuring beats, burgers, and booze. The inaugural event will be taking place this coming weekend on Saturday and Sunday…

When you’ve made a conscious decision to travel without a car, the idea of the “day trip” can be a fairly laborious task. But once you book the journey, it’s certainly worth the effort. The day before Jazz Fest began in New Orleans, my partner and I boarded a 10am Greyhound to Baton Rouge. It’s…

Adelaide-based rock band, BAD//DREEMS share an exclusive tour diary with the AU review on their exciting international adventure at The Great Escape from last year. Taking us along for the ride from Leeds to Derbyshire and from Birmingham to London, the band give us the lowdown on their life on the road. Live at Leeds…

Food has evolved into more and more of a true art form, an expression of creativity, a joyful at times theatrical experience depending on where you go or whom you talk to. Carraigeworks are planning on taking dining out further into the realm of an all encompassing series of events dubbed Sydney Table, teaming up…

Get ready folks, St Kilda’s newest craft beer haven has just opened, and it has 13 rotating craft beers on tap, New York style deli food, a jukebox, and a hunting lodge/American diner atmosphere to boot. Freddie Wimpoles takes over the former George Hotel in St Kilda, and takes its name from beer aficionado and businessman (and mayor…

Each year Vivid Sydney takes some giant steps forward, cementing the now world renowned festival as one of the very best events on the city’s calendar. This year will be no exception as the organisers continue to grow the pillars of light, music, and ideas, but also throw in a few other sizable changes, including…

Following their recent move to Urban Purveyor Group, renowned Italian restaurant group Fratelli Fresh will make a very welcome expansion to Melbourne later this year, opening a restaurant on the ground floor of The Alfred precinct when it is unveiled next month. Fratelli @ The Alfred will mark the first interstate jump for the celebrated…

I now understand why the Hotel Pullman in the inner south Melbourne suburb of Albert Park would be highly desirable around Grand Prix time. Situated on Queens Road, the hotel overlooks the famed race track (as well as the Albert Park Lake) perfectly. If you’re a traveller making your way to the Hotel Pullman via…

In today’s flight review on AU Abroad, we take you on board Qantas Airways‘ 737-800 service on the most popular route in Australia – from Melbourne to Sydney. This was not your usual standalone flight, however, as I boarded the flight as a connection from an Emirates flight, which had come in from Singapore… Read on…

Soul-Funk-Pop singer/songwriter Dru Chen has had an interesting upbringing. Having spent half his life in Melbourne and half in Singapore, it made sense for him to perform at Music Matters where he had previously performed as a guitarist for Brisbane singer Bec Laughton. Here, Dru takes us on a trip around his second home, sunny…

For anybody looking for a quick winter getaway interstate, matched with local tipple to boot, a trip to either Bendigo, VIC or Adelaide SA might just be the trick. The Art Series Hotel Group is offering a great promotional winter rate at their boutique hotels in these regions. The Gather and Indulge package at The…

Australian afro-electronic band True Vibenation will kick off their first ever European tour next month with one the biggest shows of their career. After making waves in the Australian music scene with their own brand of horn-focused hip hop, True Vibenation will take their high energy live show to the Silver Hayes stage at the iconic Glastonbury Festival…

Virgin Australia has announced plans to launch a new class upgrade, Economy Space +, this August. The news comes alongside the launch of their refurbished Premium and Business Class cabins, which we reported on yesterday. The enhancement – which is reminiscent of services offered by other airlines, like United Airlines’ Economy Plus – is designed to improve comfort and…

In what will be huge news for people planning on a visit to LA in the coming months, as well as LA locals – Los Angeles Metro’s Expo Line to Santa Monica will officially open this Friday 20th May, connecting Downtown LA to the beachside destination for the first time by rail. Passengers will be able…

As impressive as Tokyo Tower might be, if you’ve been to Tokyo a couple of times you would concede that even the majestic Meiji Jingu can get a bit passe. The fact is, the mecca wonderland of Japan certainly has more to offer than meets the eye. I encourage you to jump in at the…

Following on from the amazing fares offered earlier in the month by Zuji, STA Travel have followed suit and have fares that will take you to the USA via Vancouver with Air Canada for $649 return. The only catch? You need to be a teacher, a student or under 26 to qualify. Flights are with…

IconPark’s revolving restaurant concept has moved out of the space at 78 Stanley Street in Darlinghurst, making way for Head Chef Zachary Tan and his business partner Derek Puah, both of whom have turned the venue into a new restaurant-bar called Lazy Suzie*. Tan needs no introduction to food lovers around Sydney, being the Chef…

2016 has been kind of Sydney’s dining scene as of late with venues such as Hubert opening up in the city. Now, one of the city’s best-loved (and most pined for) Chefs Mike McEnearney has made a big comeback with the launch of his new restaurant No.1 Bent St, located right next the The Wintergarden…

A dazzling, light-filled open warehouse space fitted out with bright colours, hanging greens, and a playful mish-mash of tables, booths, and stools lined up to look out over Bourke Street: Barista and Cook couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for Waterloo, an area buzzing with new apartments. Opening earlier this year, the new…

The DoubleTree Hotel & Suites in Houston, Texas, is part concept hotel, part apartment building – with the newly renovated Houston location serving its guests every bit the comfortable experience they would expect from a Hilton hotel, with just that little bit extra you wouldn’t expect. I was greeted with a fast check in, complete with a…

Josef Salvat takes the AU review along on his tour of England for The Great Escape last year. Salvat brings us quirky photos of his trip including his visit to Brighton, chill days at the beach, seeing live bands like Slaves and stumbling upon a pigeon that oddly enough, gives him a new perspective on…

Virgin Australia has begun rolling out the first major refitting of their international 777 aircraft since the airline re-branded from V Australia in 2011. The changes, at this stage, are exclusive to their premium cabins, with the airline rolling out their flagship Business Class product ‘The Business’ as well as a refreshed Premium Economy cabin, simply named…

To celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday weekend, Australian online rental website Stayz are flying in a legit former butler to the British Royal Family for a promotion they are fashioning as “The Royal Stayzcation”. Available to book for $1 from Wednesday 18th May at 12pm, the getaway package will see one lucky bidder and their…

The newly opened La Cantina at St Leonards is likely to become a firm favourite for locals, with light and airy interiors, excellent coffee, and a varied lunch and breakfast menu uniformed across three venues in Sydney. With three other cafes across the CBD and North Sydney, owner Richard Saliba knows exactly what he’s doing….

The team at nel. restaurant have announced their collaboration with Champagne Piper-Heidsieck to host an exclusive dining experience with the renowned Cellar Master, Regis Camus on Tuesday 17th May at 7pm. As the only consumer event of its kind on Regis’ tour, this event focuses on the culinary journey of a delectable 6-course dinner crafted…

Last week Merivale venue Beresford Hotel hosted a mysterious, spectacularly macabre scene as part of Campari Australia’s launch of a new brand of spiced rum named after Haitian/Lousiana voodoo spirit of death Baron Samedi. Campari Australia teamed up with Nova Entertainment putting together an immersive musical and theatrical experience available exclusively for competition winners and…

When you think of style and poise in Australian fashion, leading designer Leona Edmiston springs to mind.  It’s no wonder, then, that The Langham in Sydney, a hotel equally as stylish, has partnered with the celebrated designer to hold a series of glamourous afternoon tea sittings throughout the month of May. Held in the hotel’s chic Palm Court tea…