Travel & Lifestyle

24 Hours at the Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort (Koh Samui, Thailand)

The island of Koh Samui is a mere 50-minute flight from Thailand’s bustling capital of Bangkok, and a popular tourist haunt among people all over the globe, particularly Aussies. While geographically Koh Samui is fairly small, it offers a little something for everyone. Those that prefer to be in the thick of it head to…

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Hotel Review: Superior Room at Novotel Newcastle Beach (NSW)

A couple of years ago, Californian Andrew Smith was awarded the title of Destination NSW’s “Chief Funster”, a duty that saw him travel around the State for six months, creating digital content that shows off New South Wales in all its splendour. I had the opportunity to join Andrew for two days of his adventure,…

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Touring tips for when you’re on the road from internationally touring Melbourne musician Hamish Anderson

Is drinking the night before a gig a good idea? Is it necessary to bring a pillow while on tour? What kind of food do you eat in Canada? When you’re a musician, sometimes it’s tough making decisions on your own. Doing what you love in a new country can be scary and with it…

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Searching for the best “Poutine” in Quebec, Canada

When one speaks of the cuisine of Quebec, it’s impossible to ignore the simple yet much loved dish “Poutine”. Essentially chips, cheese and gravy – something which is also popular in places like Scotland – it may seem hard to understand without experiencing it for yourself just what makes this stomach pleaser such an anticipated…

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What’s the best way to get to Manhattan from Newark International Airport in New Jersey?

Flying into Newark (EWR) can not only often be a cheaper way to get into New York with some airline carriers, but it can also be an easier way to get into Manhattan on arrival, too. Unlike La Guardia (LGA) and similar to the crowded John F Kennnedy (JFK), Newark has a train station connected…

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Flight Review: Singapore Airlines – Hong Kong to Singapore (SQ861)

In today’s Flight review on AU Abroad, we take you on Singapore Airline‘s A380 service from Hong Kong to Singapore – with an ongoing connection back to Sydney, as well as one of the handiest check in services you’ll find in the world… Airline: Singapore Airlines Route: Hong Kong to Singapore, SQ861 (Virgin Australia codeshare…

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Tigerair announces Valentine’s Day sale for all domestic routes

Budget airline Tigerair are offering a sale from now until midday on Tuesday 16th February to celebrate the month of love, pushing a “Love Your Family” deal that will see 20% off all domestic routes across their Australian network. Selling for travel during April (and the school holiday period), the sale is being offered online,…

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Iconic Hong Kong hotel to showcase new Conrad Shawcrass Exhibition

Iconic Hong Kong hotel The Peninsula has recently announced a new installment in their ‘Love Art At The Peninsular’ arts program. Working in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Arts, the program will launch an exhibition by British sculptor, Conrad Shawcross. Shawcross will become the second major artist to exhibit at the hotel when his…

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SoCal heat things up with a “Cali Tequila Shack” and chilli eating competition (Sydney)

Applejack Hospitality’s popular Neutral Bay small bar SoCal will spice things up in March when they team with Olmeca Altos Tequila to launch an outdoor ‘Cali Tequila Shack’, which will be showcasing a range of the brand’s Tequilas including Plata and Reposado Tequilas, and Avion Espresso throughout the month. The launch of this new feature…

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Five things you have to eat when you’re in Singapore

In our recent article looking at the Hawker centres of Singapore, we outlined a few of the places to get some of the best and cheapest food in the city. But to eat some of the best food in the city, you may have to venture away from these areas… still, none of the items…

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Noma, Bennelong, and more Australian restaurants auction VIP tables to help end world hunger

Launched this past Monday, a website signalling the partnership between The Hunger Project Australia and some of the top restaurants in the country, is auctioning some exclusive deals no food lover in their right mind would want to pass up. It’s all the support The Hunger Project’s worldwide goal, as a non-profit organisation, to end…

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Ananas will bring back their popular Atlantic Lobster and Champagne Brunch Buffet this month (Sydney)

In continuing their fabulous Champagne Brunch sunday series, quintessential French restaurant Ananas Bar & Brasserie in The Rocks will be bringing back their popular Atlantic Lobster and Champagne brunch this month, following an incredible reception when they debuted the theme last year. Not only is it a chance to dig into some Atlantic lobster, which…

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Spotlight on King Street Wharf, Sydney: An early Valentine’s Day food crawl

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and it can be tricky to find something a little special for the day, we’ve already let you know our top set menus in single locations, but there’s also the option to just roam around on a good ol’ fashioned food and drink crawl. Luckily Sydney has many dining…

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Five things you need to do in Sydney this weekend (12th-14th Feb)

Sydney has turned the heat back on just in time for you to enjoy the last two weekends of summer in this beautiful harbor city. Hanging to the beach is a no-brainer or Sydney life, but there’s also a handful of really cool events happening in various corners around the city and surrounds. Here are…

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Meatstock’s Sydney Barbecue Wars are heating up; we ask four competing teams what to expect

Meatstock is finally here! It’s time for Sydney Showground to be transformed into one large, two-day BBQ with some of the best of the best meat-pros heading out to Olympic Park to showcase, compete, and cook. Starting tomorrow, Saturday 13th February, and continuing through the weekend, Meatstock will be a celebration of meats cooked exactly…

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Sydney’s Mardi Gras after party adds Deborah Cox to their live music line up

From “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” and “Sentimental” to “Absolutely Not”, 90’s R&B star Deborah Cox has grown from a dominating force in R&B and pop to an icon for clubs around the world, having seen her music embraced so widely and passionately; so her being added to the official Mardi Gras after party comes…

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New York speakeasy Attaboy will pop up in Surry Hills for one night only (Sydney)

Just last year, famous New York speakeasy Please Don’t Tell staged a pop-up takeover at Black Pearl’s The Attic in Melbourne, and now it seems a NYC-to-Australia connection has been sparked because another Big Apple favourite, Attaboy, has settled into The Everleigh’s Elk Room in Fitzroy this week, before moving to Sydney’s Dead Ringer next…

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These Australian stores will be restocking the Yeezy Boost 350 (Pirate Black) this month

Haven’t got your hands on a pair of low-top Yeezy Boost 350 in “pirate black” yet? Luckily you won’t have to go far to get another chance this month as Adidas have confirmed that their popular collaboration with Chicago rapper Kanye West will be restocked at various Australian stores on Friday 19th February. The date…

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Interview: Sam Egerton (Palmer & Co.) talks Guilty Pleasures, March Into Merivale, The Paddington, and more

Merivale’s huge March Into Merivale kicks off this week with a big launch party on Wednesday 10th February, where the many talents which make up the juggernaut hospitality group will be able to showcase their eats and drinks throughout the luscious ivy. Ahead of the big day, we caught up with Palmer & Co. stalwart…

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First Look: Cuckoo Callay’s Bacon Festival 2016 – Newtown (Sydney)

Last year imaginative Newtown cafe Cuckoo Callay staged their very first bacon festival, with a temporary menu lasting several weeks offering nothing but inspired bacon-centric dishes, leading to a whopping two tonnes being sold throughout the event and an even bigger dedicated following since. At the end of this month, the Bacon Festival will return,…

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Sydney staycation festival Summer Land sells out first two releases; third release tickets available now

Have You Heard events have really been making full use of Sydney and it’s surrounds to throw regular, unique secret parties, whether it be doubled up with staycations outside of the city or bringing together a school of ferry’s for a good ol’ harbour party. The event-throwing crew have been bringing imagination back in a…

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The best of Valentine’s Day in Sydney 2016

All you lovers in Sydney should be prepared because there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, diners, and bars around putting on their best for the most romantic day of the year. Whether it’s your significant other or a group of loves ones you’re planning to hang with on February 14th, keep these events in mind,…

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Wolfgang Puck to open a restaurant at Sydney International Airport; Kitchen by Mike to follow

Famed Chef Wolfgang Puck, he who has catered the Oscars for the past 21 years, will be opening his very first Sydney restaurant, and it won’t be in the CBD or the inner-west, it will be part of the new City View precinct at Sydney International Airport. Titled The Bistro, the premium dining destination will…

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The Bentley Restaurant team will replace Noma Australia with a seafood restaurant (Sydney)

René Redzepi’s gloriously innovative – by all accounts – Noma Australia has been stretching into it’s location at Barangaroo for some weeks now, heading towards that inevitably sad moment when the pop up restaurant has to pack up and make way for something else. That something else has now been confirmed to be a new…

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The team behind Bar Luca are opening a burger restaurant on Oxford Street next month (Sydney)

If you’re one of the 40,000+ members of The Fatties Burger Appreciation Society on Facebook then you may be all too familiar with the name Bar Luca. The near-Circular-Quay pub has become famous for their burgers, particularly the poutine-packed Blame Canada, which was voted by said Facebook group as the best burger in Sydney; anyone…

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Merivale chefs name their top picks for this year’s ‘March Into Merivale’ festival

It’s not long now until the big launch of March Into Merivale, the renowned hospitality group’s annual festival which gives them a chance to celebrate their acclaimed team of chefs and bartenders through a series of food and drink events, catering for a massive range of tastes. This year also marks one of the biggest…

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Review: Indu – CBD (Sydney)

Indian food isn’t hard to come across in Sydney, but whether or not that Indian food is good, unique, and worthwhile is a different story. Amidst all the excessively creamy take-a-way butter chickens and greasy cheese naans (always a guilty pleasure), there are some truly fascinating dishes to be had in Indian restaurants from Woolloomooloo…

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Review: The Ternary – Pyrmont (Sydney) (revisited February 2016)

Both Sydneysiders and visitors to this great city may know the large, salmon-coloured Novotel building in Darling Harbour. What they may not realise is that this hotel also houses a great restaurant called The Ternary. This is the brain-child of Executive chef, Anthony Flowers and the perfect place to experience a memorable dining experience, which…

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Review: 400 Gradi – Brunswick (Melbourne) (revisited February 2016)

Italian restaurant 400 Gradi in East Brunswick is synonymous with delectable cuisine, impeccable service, and an atmosphere that always seems to be buzzing. Having previously visited esteemed chef Johnny Di Francesco’s restaurants twice before, I was sure that third time would certainly be just as charming, with even more to try. Dim lighting greeted us…

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Review: Glass Brasserie’s Chinese New Year Menu 2016 – CBD (Sydney)

Luke Mangan’s grand Glass Brasserie is still one of the most reputable in the area, attached to the lush Hilton Sydney with it’s thousand-deep list of wines and award-winning food. A dining experience here has a premium feel but unlike many other restaurants of a similar ilk, there’s still something charmingly casual and easy-going in…

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