Travel & Lifestyle

The Wizard’s Cauldron challenges you to test your magical mettle brewing potions

There’s a brand new pop-up in Surry Hills, Sydney that is giving you an opportunity to test your magical mettle and see if you really are a witch or wizard at heart, without having to sit under an oversized floppy pointy hat. 

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This speyside distillery is coming to Sydney to give 51 year old whisky away for free

Speyside distillery Craigllachie, known as “The Bad Boy of Speyside” for their famously rebellious nature, is about to make whisky history by doing something no distillery has done before. In short, they’re about to give away a recently uncovered, long forgotten 51 year old whisky (that’d be worth a fortune) for free. Specifically, the traditional…

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Aussies Abroad: Courtney Barnett announces first ever solo tour of the US with Melbourne’s Hachiku

Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett is hitting the road again in the USA in January 2020, in what will be her first ever solo tour of the country. She’ll be taking in intimate and iconic venues around the countries, accompanied at almost every show with Melbourne-via-Germany artist Hachiku. Hachiku (Anika Ostendorf to her friends) releases music through…

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The ultimate guide to Bangkok’s world famous street food

There are many reasons why Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in Asia, but first and foremost would be the city’s spectacular street food culture. The bustling Thai city is often seen as a reference point for diverse and delicious street food, maintaining a reputation for no fuss curb-side dining that has endeared…

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Young Henrys and Hartsyard are doing bottomless lunches in Newtown this month

Contemporary comfort food mecca Hartsyard and Newtown brewing legends Young Henrys are collaborating! That’s not really surprising though, seeing as Newtown’s many, many amazing businesses are known to cross roads regularly. What is surprising is that it’s resulted in the two forces coming together to host bottomless lunches. Every Saturday of this month, there will…

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Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney to host steak dinners of rare and exclusive cuts

Sydney’s acclaimed Rockpool Bar & Grill is about to launch what is being described as Australia’s most exclusive steak tasting dinner and masterclass series. Set for the last Tuesday of every month in the restaurant’s elegant private dining room, Head Chef Corey Costelloe will lead a session of rare and exclusive cuts of beef, none…

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Six things to do in Sydney over the next few weeks: September-October 2019

A bit of Santa Monica at one of Sydney’s best hotels, a brand new luxury buffet, a vintage Paris-inspired wine bar and an immersive dessert wonderland. These are just a few of things locals and visitors can expect in Sydney over the next few weeks, popping up as the weather (hopefully) warms up for spring….

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Cheateau Victoria Review: Supremely convenient for British Columbia’s stunning capital

Quaint, friendly and absolutely delicious. There are many ways to describe the historic British Columbian capital of Victoria, a small city with a very big heart. It’s often referred to as the highlight on any Canadian itinerary – it’s certainly one of mine – and anyone would surely agree once they walk the serene Ogden…

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Interview: Chef Xerxes Bodhanwala on authentic Peruvian food in Perth

Perth’s dining scene is full of surprises, especially when it comes to the city’s forever-booming scene of premium hotels popping up between all that increasingly present street art, old school nightclubs and refined cocktail bars. One such surprise is UMA Restaurant at Pan Pacific Perth. It’s Peruvian food making use of local produce and sustainably…

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The Johnson Review: Art Series’ first Brisbane property plays it safe

Though The Fantauzzo may be one of Brisbane’s hottest hotel openings of 2019, it’s not Art Series Hotels’ first property for the city. That honour belongs to The Johnson, which made its debut back in 2016, making an impact as a clean-cut tribute to the lasting legacy of master abstract artist Michael Johnson. Part of…

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Manta, Woolloomooloo Review: A legend by every measure

It would require no stretch or exaggeration to proclaim Manta a legend in Sydney’s dining scene. The high-end fixture of Woolloomooloo’s illustrious finger wharf has for 9 years now been the first port of call for schmoozy seafood-centric lunches and luscious business dinners thanks to its uncompromising worship of the highest quality produce. Nothing has…

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KFC have brought back their ungodly Zinger Pie

KFC have brought back their fan-favourite special Zinger Pie to all Australian stores nationwide, resurrecting a limited edition classic that the country hasn’t seen since 2013. Once again, the 100% ‘Straya creation will be available at all of KFC’s Australian locations for a very limited time, allowing people to get their mouths around the golden,…

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Three new drinks that will dominate Father’s Day this year

If the way to dad’s heart is through premium alcohol, you’ve got your job all set out for you this year as Father’s Day fast approaches. Three of the most widely recognised and super premium brands have either released new expressions, or are doing something different for Dad Day, in 2019. And they are well…

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Aussies Abroad: SKEGSS plot massive American tour as My Own Mess gets a physical US release

You would have seen them just announced as part of the Good Things lineup here in Australia for December, but just before they play those dates, they’ll be touring around America in support of their record My Own Mess – which is finally getting an official US release on vinyl on 6th September 2019. The…

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W Brisbane Review: No shortage of excitement at this luxury hotel

W Hotels are about to stage a massive comeback in the Australian market, returning down under with three properties, one for each major city across the east coast. While Melbourne and Sydney openings are on the horizon, Brisbane was the first to receive the luxury Marriott brand’s renewed energy when W Brisbane cut the ribbon…

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OPPO have launched the world’s first 5G-powered hotel in Australia

Following the launch of their OPPO Reno 5G smartphone, OPPO have dived into the pop-up hotel game with a world’s first. That’s the world’s first travelling 5G powered smart hotel, mind you, and it’s currently sitting in one of the coolest spots in the Gold Coast, making use of a shipping container to fully highlight…

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Marriott announce new luxury Autograph Collection hotel for Tokyo

Marriott International are about to welcome a second Japanese property into their coveted Autograph Collection, announcing the signing of mesm Tokyo. Located at the exciting Takeshiba Waterfront Development Project, the hotel will occupy 10 floors of the multipurpose WATERS takeshiba building, offering guests a highly personal, individualised experience befitting the storied collection of unique hotels…

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You can now glamp in a luxury yurt in Iceland’s Golden Circle

Located in the heart of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle, adventure travel operator Explore has unveiled a collection of bespoke yurts as a new accommodation concept. Collectively titled Náttúra Yurtel, the gorgeous luxury tents will feature in a new three night, four day trip that officially kicks off at the start of April 2020. Appropriately dubbed…

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QT Hotels are planning the “Father of All Tea Parties” for dad day

Every Father’s Day it seems there’s at least one spot doing a dad twist on traditional high tea, with a love of dude food replacing the typical scones and tea for pork belly and beer/whisky. This year that spot happens to be every QT Hotel property across Australia and New Zealand, and given the hotel’s…

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The World’s Best Street Food: Chicken Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

I’ve always been a fan of Anthony Bourdain, and every once in a while I find his authoritative, yet curious tone narrating experiences in my life that feel distinctly, well, Bourdainian. These once in a blue moon culinary delights that you know somehow comes to represent a community of people, while giving you one of…

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These 17 Aussies acts are set to play Reeperbahn Festival in Germany next month

With Australia as the focus country for the renowned Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany, next month, the event has revealed the 17 Aussie artists who will be making the trip over to showcase at the event. Taking place shortly after BIGSOUND, the event kicks off on Wednesday September 18th with “Doors Open”, a special event…

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Hang out with dogs (and a pig?) at the new Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport

It’s always welcome news when airports announce they’re improving their facilities, or opening a new terminal. In general, airports across the world have spent so much of the last 18 years improving upon customs and security, trying to keep up with new security risks that exist in a post 9/11 world, that taking time to…

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Hotel Review: Kimpton Carlyle Hotel Dupont Circle hides away amongst a residential Washington DC

Set in a residential area and surrounded by quite a few Embassies, the Kimpton Carlyle Hotel Dupont Circle sits in an old 8 story building, with the sort of entryway that feels as much as “Old New York” as it does blend into its surrounds. The architectural influence of cities like New York and Philadelphia…

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Three Blue Ducks are finally opening a restaurant in Melbourne

Sydney-born Three Blue Ducks are about to make their debut in Melbourne with the imminent arrival of their fifth restaurant at the new URBNSURF – Australia’s first surf park, and the first of its kind in the world. The park, which will be built around a crystal-clear, two hectare surfing lagoon with high-quality waves, will…

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48 Hours in Santa Barbara: 7 Things You Have To Do In The Californian Coastal City

I recently travelled the Californian Coast on board the new West Coast Hop-on Hop-off service from Busabout, a travel company particularly popular in Europe, who this year made their debut into the US market. The service gives you unique flexibility to travel the West Coast without a car, with services across eight destinations running every other…

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AirAsia

Flight Review: Flying the world’s first international service to Can Tho with AirAsia

Say what you want about AirAsia, but it’d be hard – and downright foolish – to deny the low-cost carrier’s ambitious and ever-growing network. Some surprising new routes seem to be opening up every year for the busy airline, and for 2019 the most exciting would definitely have to be the service between Kuala Lumpur…

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Aussies Abroad: Melbourne’s Press Club set to dominate the UK and Europe with another massive tour

With their new album Wasted Energy due out on Friday, Melbourne’s Press Club are hitting the road for their biggest ever tour of the UK and Europe. And the latest single from the anticipated record also just hit the airwaves – the fantastic “New Years Eve”. Wasted Energy is the follow up to the band’s…

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Lollapalooza lands in Berlin next month with a wicked lineup – including these three Aussie acts!

The world-famous music festival Lollapalooza will be in German shores for the 5th year early next month, September 7th and 8th. While this year’s lineup is largely pop-leaning, you’ll find that the festival still offers little bites for everyone and Australia joins in on the fun, giving Germany a taste of Aus, with Byron Bay’s…

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8 new restaurants to check out at Sydney’s epic Darling Square precinct

Now pushing forth as one of the largest and more comprehensive lifestyle precincts in Sydney, Darling Square has revealed a few more layers to it’s ongoing development. And this new wave features some incredible new dining and retail concepts, filling the spaces between Darling Harbour and Haymarket with some of the city’s best new openings….

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Shadowplay by Peppers Review: a dark twist on luxury living

The shimmering silver, reflective ripple-like façade of Shadowplay by Peppers looks awkwardly out of place in overdeveloped Southbank. Melbourne’s major entertainment district is no stranger to impressive buildings, but this new apartment hotel really is something else. It’s as if the building has been ripped from the pages of a futuristic graphic novel, standing at…

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