Travel & Lifestyle

LA nightlife brand, Hyde, launches new bar & dining concept in Sydney

Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar + Lounge is Sydney’s answer to a hybrid dinner, drinks and dancing venue. The South American-inspired vista bar is opening its third Australian location, in the former Hacienda venue within Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. It’s an exciting new iteration for one of Sydney’s most iconic harbourfront bars. While the brand…

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11 of the most incredible things to see in the Canadian Rockies

Want to experience something truly surreal? We’re talking genuinely life-affirming, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping sights that will forever be etched into your memory. See everything you possibly can in the Canadian Rockies. Hike it, drive it, sit on a solitary pier tearing up at the profound beauty of it all; fear this immense pocket of untamed nature…

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A usable 1920’s rotary phone with unlimited minutes has popped up in Sydney

Novelty things are happening around Sydney all the time, as restaurants – the creative ones at least – strive to compete in a fickle scene. Take, the recently launched Parlour Cucina for example. When they first opened, the team behind it made the wise choice to let nonnas eat for free – it’s obviously an…

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Finally: Merivale’s ambitious plans for Coogee Pavilion’s Middle Floor

Merivale’s Coogee Pavilion has been a tremendous success over the past few years, but there’s always been one giant chunk of the beachside venue missing. The middle floor of this multifaceted venue always felt like a lull when making the short climb to that gorgeous rooftop – no more. No stranger to ambition, Justin Hemmes…

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Nike are releasing the Dunk Low Pro B Viotech in Australia this week

This week, Australians will be able to get their hands on what was originally an exclusive Japan release all the way back in 2002. Perhaps better known for its 2013 reissue, the Nike Dunk Low Pro B Viotech silhouette will be making its triumphant return. The vibrant tonal variation and rich materials used in this…

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An entire year of Scottish music and arts is coming to Australia for 2020

They might not be bringing the wild landscapes and unparalleled whiskies (although there will be some of that) with them, but the great country of Scotland will be sending some of their best musicians and creatives over to Australia for “The Year of Scotland”. Charmingly abbreviated to (#)YOSA2020, the year-long 2020 program will build a…

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Qantas has a new frequent flyer partnership with KLM and Air France

There’s some big news for Qantas Frequent Flyers as the Australian airline has been announced as the latest partner of Flying Blue, the loyalty program of KLM and Air France. This of course means that passengers can and spend QFF points and receive tier benefits on both major airlines. The announcement builds upon a previous…

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Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour Review: Upping the city’s standards

The ongoing redevelopment of Darling Harbour hit full speed in 2017, with the opening of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour reinvigorating the city’s exhausted luxury lodging landscape and immediately gathering acclaim. A gleaming glass tower of 35 storeys, high above the sparkling harbour and its myriad of neighbouring buildings, the high-end property exudes a modern opulence…

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What it’s like seeing a concert in Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Honestly, is there any live music experience as prized in the U.S as seeing a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the first time? Sure, there’s South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, Billy Bob’s, the jazz of New Orleans, and the blues of Memphis, but none quite compare to the myth and majesty of this…

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20 gift ideas if you really want to sleigh Christmas this year

What makes the perfect Christmas gift? Something that tugs the receiver’s heart strings? something the receiver has already asked for? or something the receiver didn’t know they even needed in the first place? It of course depends on the individual (and the gift-giver), and that should be your first consideration when trying to find the…

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Australians can now stay inside of a giant jar of Vegemite

A four-metre-high, two-metre-wide Vegemite jar has popped up in the NSW countryside, with a two-person villa inside. Available for two-night stays, the Vegemite Villa is the latest pop-up lodging from Booking.com, giving a lucky few the chance to live inside a giant tub of the country’s signature spread. Three builders, two sculptors, one scenic artists…

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Tour Diary: Jaguar Jonze takes us on her Australian tour and Like A Version with Hermitude

Meeting the Hermitude boys for the first time, and rehearsing for Triple J’s Like A Version. “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana for Triple J’s Like A Version done and dusted. Last-minute painting of a mural in the middle of tour is not something I want to do again haha, but glad I got it done in…

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Ben & Jerry’s turn 10 in Australia, launch Birthday Cake flavour to celebrate

Ben & Jerry’s have been in Australia for 10 very delicious years, and are celebrating the milestone the best way they know how: “Birthday Cake”. Introducing a new Birthday Cake flavour today, the ubiquitous ice cream makers are opening us up to a celebratory profile of vanilla cake batter, heavenly pink frosting, strawberry swirls, and…

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Archie Rose launch pop-up cocktail bar in Sydney Airport

The ever-busy crew at Archie Rose have officially launched a sixteen-seat temporary cocktail bar in Sydney Airport’s International Terminal. Open for the next four months, the Archie Rose Cocktail Bar will be serving up classics and signatures to help frantic passengers de-stress pre-boarding. Expect a menu of martinis, manhattans, and a few Archie Rose signatures…

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Four Black Friday travel deals for Aussie bargain-hunters

Black Friday – roughly translated to “save a lot of money on things that are otherwise pretty damn expensive” – is here for 2019. Since Aussies love to plan their 2020 trips around these dates, you can be sure that there’s some pretty sweet savings floating around to help take the edge off all that…

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Sydney icon Icebergs transforms its terrace into a Coastal Summer Garden

Summer is nearing and what better way to welcome the warmer days than soaking up panoramic views over Bondi Beach while sipping botanical cocktails? Icebergs, one of Bondi’s most iconic dining destinations has transformed its intimate terrace into an elegant summer garden. They’ve collaborated with Ketel One Botanical to offer a curated list of unique…

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This New York to Sydney route is perfect if you can’t sleep on planes and want to avoid jet lag

With all this talk about the new NYC to Sydney direct route that Qantas are proposing to launch in the coming years – and the Air New Zealand direct NYC to Auckland route that’s going to get us one step closer in October 2020 – I can’t help but wonder if there is a better…

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Why David Byrne’s American Utopia is unlike anything Broadway has ever seen

I’ve always loved the theatricality of music; that indescribable feeling it can provided when presented with a bit of bombastic flair. But I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a production bring so much life to its soundtrack, as David Byrne has achieved  with his American Utopia show – which is currently enjoying a 16…

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I Maccheroni, Woollahra Review: The essence of Emilia-Romagna

Rose Bay favourite I Maccheroni has relocated to Woollahra, squeezed into a site that comes with its own lofty culinary standards. Standing on Jersey Road, the slim two-storey Victorian-era building that now hosts this fantastic Italian eatery glows with the reputation of having previously housed both Pinbone and Buzo. Now, the location is once again…

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The Table Bay Review: A legendary Cape Town hotel

With a history tracking more than two decades, The Table Bay still shines like the brightest, most vigorous star on Cape Town’s impressively eclectic Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Gorgeously dressed in an impeccable façade of yellow, blue and white, its an immense feature of the waterfront’s colourful scene, screaming luxury from across the bay and…

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Sydney Airport will open Australia’s very first in-terminal hotel in 2020

Plaza Premium Group have announced that they will be adding not one, but two Sydney Airport openings to their extensive network in 2020. In the first quarter, the 70-passenger capacity Plaza Premium Lounge Sydney, and in the third quarter, the Australian-first Aerotel Sydney hotel. These openings are part of a US$55 million global expansion plan,…

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Tour Diary: Rackett takes the Machinations Tour to Tokyo, Japan

One of the absolute highlights of the live music scene in Australia in 2018 was catching Rackett. Their high-energy glam punk rock was incredibly great fun. It was always a night of immense passion, great musicianship, and total commitment. At the core was their lead singer Bec Callender, the driving force behind the band. A…

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New Caledonia’s Aircalin is the first to fly the new A330neo in Asia-Pacific

New Caledonia’s flagship carrier Aircalin is now the first airline in the Asia-Pacific to fly the new Airbus A330neo. Operating on flights between Sydney and New Caledonia’s capital of Noumea, the new aircraft is defined by its innovations, said to vastly improve performance and comfort. A330neo’s centrepiece is new generation Trent 7000 Rolls Royce engines,…

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Chuuka, Pyrmont Review: The Star’s Japanese-Chinese experiment pays off

Replacing the spectacular Flying Fish at the apex of Jones Bay Wharf is an ambitious meeting of two accomplished culinary champions, ambitiously clashing Japanese and Chinese flavours at the behest of The Star Sydney, debuting their very first off-site restaurant. Chase Kojima (best known for Sokyo) and Victor Liong (best known for Lee Ho Fook)…

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The best live music venues in Washington D.C.

They may have just been crowned champions of Major League Baseball, but the city of Washington D.C. has plenty to celebrate year round, given they’re one of America’s finest hubs for live music – boasting some of the country’s best live music venues, in a thriving scene. It may not at all be what you’d…

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L.A’s renowned Hyde Kitchen makes its debut in Perth

Perth’s newest hotspot brings the famous HYDE brand from buzzing locations in L.A and Miami down to the world’s most isolated city. A collaboration between Accor and sbe Entertainment Group, Hyde Perth Kitchen & Cocktails, located in the shiny new Art Series Hotel The Adnate, aligns with the brand’s playful, party-minded “casual by day, classy…

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Aussies Abroad: Divide and Dissolve embark on massive North American tour as they drop “Prove It”

Aussie duo Divide and Dissolve (Takiaya Reed & Sylvie Nehill) have been making impressive moves overseas, and tomorrow they’re set to embark on an absolutely massive tour of North America – as well as throw in a couple of support slots with Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The shows come as the “Ambient drone duo” release the first single…

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Are Budget Flights in Europe Really That Bad? We fly easyJet from Amsterdam (AMS) to Berlin Schoenefeld (SXF)

Back in September, I flew with the Luton based budget airline easyJet from Amsterdam to Berlin’s budget terminal, Schoenefeld. It’s putting it mildly to say that budget airlines in Europe get a bad rap – but unlike a lot of other places on the planet – I’m looking at you North America – the price difference…

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Gin Palooza, the festival celebrating all things gin, returns to Sydney this November

For those of you who are passionate connoisseurs, growing gin-thusiasts or just looking to learn more about the botanical spirit, Gin Palooza is this month’s event worthy of your attendance. After a successful first event earlier this year, the Australian Gin Distillers Association is returning the celebration of gin to Paddington Town Hall from 23 to 24 November….

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Tia Gostelow & Noah Dillon among acts announced for The New Colossus Festival in NYC 2020

Earlier this year we had the pleasure of attending the first ever New Colossus Festival in New York City, a boutique showcase festival sitting in the city’s Lower East side in the days before SXSW. It gives travelling bands from Australia, Canada and around the world the opportunity for an extra showcase on their trip…

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