Travel & Lifestyle

Hotel snobs may turn their nose at the bare-bones basicness of Accor’s least expensive brand, ibis budget, but they’d be missed the point entirely. The typically well-located hotels have always served as reliable and ultra-convenient bases for those wanting to save more money on exploring than staying. So it’s a surprise to see them cut…

Given they have some of the best hotel restaurants in Australia – shout out to Gowings & Parlour Cucina in Sydney and Santini Grill in Perth – QT Hotels and Resorts are doubling down on their at-home dining concept which was introduced late last year. QT’s best chefs from across Australia – representing awarded restaurants…

Sydney CBD’s Banksia Bakehouse has been making quite the name for itself with inventive creations that keep pumping across social media. And it seems the formidable kitchen isn’t slowing down anytime soon, nodding towards Easter with the creation of the Hot Cross Croissant. Keep in mind this was a bakery that just last week revealed…

The mountainous terrain of Japan means nature lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to trekking. Simply embark on a short one hour train, nature-bound and watch the transformation of metropolitan Tokyo to scenic and serene inaka (Japanese for rural countryside). Even if you’re only traveller passing through, I encourage you to block out…

Once quarantine-free travel is up and running, Air New Zealand will introduce a non-stop service between Auckland and Hobart as its tenth Australian destination. The route will provide a much-needed economic boost to both cities and their respective tourism industries, as well as open Kiwi’s up to the absolute wonder of one of Australia’s best…

It’s one of Sydney’s most sought after dining spots, given it sides right up to Sydney Harbour, and now Opera Kitchen has reopened with a fresh new approach to dining. The venue is now a multi-cuisine food hall, giving Opera Bar more than a few new neighbours for anyone keen to mix-and-match their dining experience….

Two-day gin superfest Junipalooza is eyeing an August 2021 debut for its Sydney iteration, following five successful years staging its Melbourne festival. The homage to all things gin will be taking over Carriageworks on 28th and 29th August, rounding up dozens of distillers under the one roof. Given the way the festival works and its…

Now that it’s coming into spring in Japan, the days are getting longer, the sun is somehow shining a little brighter, and the cherry blossoms are about to bloom; in short, it’s the best time of year to be in Japan. Unfortunately, because of ‘you know what’ popping over to Japan for a cheeky visit…

New Zealand brand Icebreaker may be best known for travel apparel that you’d wear far outside of any dense concrete settings, but their still-fresh City label plays by a different set of rules. Although timing may have been a bit off, Icebreaker’s tightly curated City capsule launched early last year and has instantly become an…

Indie outfit Pinkish Blu are officially coming in not pink, not blue, but red hot, with a new single and a list of live shows. Previously supporting the likes of The Rubens and Trophy Eyes, the Adelaide band is quickly becoming one of South Australia’s most promising acts, with their new track “Backward” being all your…

To celebrate the fact that online platform The Burger Collective is now doing delivery – TBC Delivery (it’s like your favourite delivery service, but only with burgers) – celeb chef Alvin Cailan has decided to open a new Potts Point pop-up called Iconic Burger. Kicking off on the 17th March for 3 weeks only, the…

Given that they are some of the most popular Easter treats its year, it’s no surprise to see Black Star Pastry bring back their famous translation of the classic Hot Cross Buns. Available now until Monday 5th April, Sydney’s most beloved bakery will be dolling out these dense, cushiony, sticky, spicy, sweet, 100% vegan buns…

Live music was hard to come by all throughout last year in Sydney, for obvious reasons, but now a swift return to in-the-flesh sounds of all kinds is back on the cards. We’ve already seen Sydney come to life with a new outdoor concert series, and now one of the city’s best new Mexican restaurants…

Even a glimpse of international travel, and what it will look like post-COVID, is still awhile away, but as with 2020, dreaming is still important. The problem is then sorting through the deluge of travel talks and videos to find what’s going to inspire you. The answer: well, anything. You can never know what’s going…

Aussie brew fiends will soon be able to stay in the country’s very first craft beer hotel once BrewDog Australia open the ambitious property in Brisbane. The eco-friendly, dog-friendly, will be simply dubbed The DogHouse, bringing the concept over from the states following the success of the brand in Ohio – a property TIME Magazine…

As far as Australian whisky goes, is there any distillery as prolific as Lark right now? They’ve been bang on with the releases lately, and that success doesn’t look to be slowing down any soon with the highly anticipated release of the Lark Muscat Cask Finish single malt. It’s one of Lark’s highest achieving whiskies…

“Can I get a late check-out please?”. Perhaps the most common request when checking into a staycation, and one that’s entirely understandable. The folks at IHG Group hotels have obviously heard this one too many times, so to celebrate World Sleep Day they are using their ubiquitous Crowne Plaza brand to offer Australia’s latest check-out….

Think now that summer is over Sydney goes into hibernation? Think again. With the exception of last year, moving into autumn is often a time when the city’s dynamic cultural scene comes alive, and 2021 will be no exception, with some of the best things to do in Sydney. Particularly after the year that was,…

Fancy your HIIT with a side of scrummy Thai food? I’m not talking overly-sauced takeaway pad see ew after you’ve just flurried your way through sprints and burpees either. The team behind global fitness favourite Barry’s Bootcamp has teamed up with pink-hued contemporary Thai restaurant Chin Chin for just that. HIIT with a side of…

Ever-busy Tasmanian whisky heroes Lark Distillery have just released a sub-$2,000 19-year old whisky as two casks. The inaugural “Legacy” and its expressions, HHF582B (AKA “Topaz”) and HHF585A (AKA “Rich Toffee), boast the distinction of having been distilled by Bill Lark himself, during his tenure as Head Distiller, which has since been a role filled…

Contemporary Korean restaurant, Jung Sung, has opened its doors and is taking up residence in Chippendale. Set on the third floor of the Old Rum Store on Kensington Street, the restaurant captures a modern industrial interior with dark metal, stone and copper accents. On the menu, head chef Insup Kim, takes inspiration from traditional Korean…

We’re lucky to live in Australia. That phrase – as common as it is – has never been more accurate. We haven’t beaten this ongoing global pandemic by a long shot, and it would be foolish to be complacent about something that could very well rear its ugly head at the drop of a hat….

Koala may be best known for their ridiculously popular mattresses in-a-box, but the environmentally conscious furniture brand has just made a big, sustainable statement outside of the bedroom. Sourcing cork from regenerative cork oak trees in the Mediterranean basin, they have managed to produce Australia’s first ever soda made entirely from cork. Yes, cork. Cork…

Put down that bottle of Jameson. You can pick it up later – Jameson is fine. But there is much more to Irish whisky than one or two brands. Don’t believe me? Hit up Whisky Loot and they’ll tell you – actually, they’ll show you. The Australian online whisky subscription service has decided to turn…

Domestic travel is in full-swing, which means Sydneysiders should be swapping turns hopping between some of the state’s greatest spots. They all have their moments, but one of the most consistent in terms of both popularity and value has been, is, and will always be Orange. The pocket of serenity, wine, and some of the…

The patchwork approach New Balance have taken to one of their latest silhouettes, the 237, is outstanding. Two colourways, both equally head-turning, are available for this recent drop, which is somewhat of an homage to the classic 327 and the aesthetic bent of the 1970s. A stitched and oversized N logo is an unquestionable presence…

It was a year like no other, with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade relocating to the Sydney Cricket Ground for a COVID-Safe event. 36,000 spectators filled the SCG for a bright and vivid celebration by the LGBTQI+ community. The theme this year was “RISE”, a call to rise together through love, compassion,…

Grill’d isn’t widely known for experimentation. Sure, they’ve always been consistent in rolling out new, health-focused combinations, but they’ve never truly gone left-field with their inoffensive menu. That changes this weekend, as the burger chain partners with streaming service Binge to introduce a lamb brain burger. Yes, a lamb brain burger. And you don’t get…

Japan is a nation well known for its far-reaching history and passion for keeping culture and traditions alive. From the ancient tea houses of Kyoto to the quaint building styles of Gifu’s Shirakawago, you can practically read the history of the nation through its architecture and city design. One of the more elusive forms of…

Sydney’s hotel restaurants are boring. Maybe that was a bit too definitive. Let’s just say, Sydney hotel restaurants are, for the most part, unmemorable. At least when compared to standard-pushing cities like Tokyo and New York City. Although, I’ve never eaten at a Chicago, San Fran or L.A. hotel restaurant that inspired much enthusiasm either….