Fan-boys-and-girls unite: The Australian Movie and Comic Expo is coming to Melbourne this October! The unique event is a must-attend for all self-confessed ‘movie-geeks’ and pop culture aficionados. An expo for the whole family, the event will encompass everything from live events to unforgettable exhibitions.

Every year, a roster of international and local entertainment figures take part in a movie and comic expo like no other. Formerly known as the Armageddon Expo, the organisers have always done their utmost to ensure proceedings are engaging and entertaining. And this year looks set to be one of the best yet.

Expo organisers will be honouring the ‘Back to the Future’ film trilogy, cult 60’s TV series ‘Get Smart’ and comic icon ‘The Flash’ with a series of guest appearances and Q&A events. Guests will gather to discuss the social impacts of these important pop-cultural milestones, as well as in-depth investigations on the art and methods behind creation.

So far, several high profile guests have been announced. These include voice-over couple Hal Rayle and Maggie Roswell (known for their work on The Simpsons), local comic book artist Tristan Jones (who recently completed a Mad Max: Fury Road adaptation) and comic legend Dean Rankine. Also in attendance: 80’s screen heartthrob and Stargate actor Lou Diamond Phillips and Marty McFly’s original girlfriend, the actress Claudia Wells.

In addition to these standout events, organisers have also sought to provide a diverse array of entertainment options. The Back To The Future DeLorean and the 1966 Batmobile will be on display, and guests are encouraged to enjoy live demonstrations, cosplay competitions, a unique ‘Lazer Tag’ arena and a LEGO Brickvention designed for the event.

In this new Golden Age of comic-book heroes and villains, there are plenty of good reasons to re-fuel the flux capacitor and head out to the Australian Movie and Comic Expo!

What: The Australian Movie and Comic Expo 2015
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds, 276-318 Epsom Road, Flemington VIC 3032
When: 17/10/2015 to 18/10/2015
For booking and more information visit: www.ticketek.com.au

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A genuine natural landmark…

Victoria’s iconic Twelve Apostles attracts massive tourist crowds, offering guests the chance to see some of the most unique and celebrated natural formations in the world. But recent criticisms of the site have centred on one critical problem: too much wastewater was being discharged into the waters surrounding the rocky attractions.

Recently, a sewage leak caught the attention of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). According to local authorities, the leak was due in part to excess strain being placed on the parkland’s existing public toilets. With around 25 restrooms in the area, droves of visitors have become accustomed to a long wait and smelly restrooms, but the resulting leak was truly unexpected.

Corangamite Mayor Chris O’Connor told the ABC that the problem was serious and potentially game-changing. “We’re not even in peak time and certainly last year, with the speed of numbers, we were just at absolute full capacity,” he explained. “They’ve got portables in there. The place often smells pretty badly when you get out of your car, and just the capacity is not coping.”

Locals are also concerned about the ‘flow-on’ effects of the toilet shortage. “The likes of Port Campbell wouldn’t have the capacity to cope. We would be in real trouble,” Mayor O’Connor added. “Who knows what would happen but it would be highly embarrassing and it’d be obviously a major shock to our local economy.”

“People come in their thousands; they come in buses, they come in cars. If you don’t have facilities, I suppose you can only imagine what would happen around the site,” he explained. “Humans have got needs, and I guess when you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go.”

But some have advocated for a visitor’s fee to be imposed on the site. The added revenue could help more adequately manage the area. Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board spokesperson Wayne Kayler-Thomson said a $10 fee could address the imbalance. “If you go to other natural attractions around the world, you’ll find it’s common practice to pay a fee to access those facilities and that helps to maintain the facility,” he told the ABC. “So we need to investigate ways and opportunities of doing that as part of the long term sustainability of the site.”

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Sydney, with its culinary cultural enclaves and easy-to-navigate public transport system, affords locals the perfect opportunity to indulge in a day of sampling some of the finest cuisines on offer. From an indulgent breakfast of flaky pastries and award winning caffeine hits to ending the night on a sweet note of sticky Turkish ice cream (and everything in between), this is the ultimate in do-it-yourself food tours. We’l take full credit for introducing you to your new favourite hangs, but be warned: you’re on your own when it comes to the inevitable food comas!

BREAKFAST

Le Petit Creme (116 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst)

Our first stop is in so-trendy-it-hurts Darlinghurst. Make like a Parisian and don’t even think of walking through the door of this tiny cafe before 9am. Swan on in for a gruyere-laden omelette and a ‘le bol’, quite literally a bowl of coffee or hot chocolate. Indulgent? Yes. Will you need a nap afterwards? Most likely.

LUNCH

Shanghai Night (275 Liverpool St, Ashfield)

Undoubtedly, the tendency to head to Chinatown is a no-brainer. It is a hot spot for authentic Chinese food. But hop on a train to nearby Ashfield and you’ll be treated to some of the city’s most delectable dumplings, minus the tourists and tourist prices. Regulars here swear by the fried pork and crab buns.

AFTERNOON TEA

Sweet Belem (35B New Canterbury Rd, Petersham)

It seems almost sacrilegious to say we’re ‘uncovering’ this little gem; it is indeed an institution in ‘Little Portugal’. Profiled countless times on television and in food magazines, this Inner West cake boutique sells the best Portuguese tarts you will ever taste. Flaky pastry, a dense custard filling and just the right amount of caramelisation on top will have you wanting more than one. Our tip: bundle up a four pack for a midnight snack.

DINNER

Al Aseel (189 Missenden Rd, Newtown)
There’s no denying it, the Lebanese know how to do a feast. This establishment is worshipped by uni students, families and city-slicker-corporate-types alike for the simple fact that their food is out of this world. Nibble on the complimentary flatbread and pickles before ordering a smorgasbord of share plates designed to make your taste buds tingle and your pants just that little bit tighter.

DESSERT

Hakiki Turkish Ice Cream (63-71 Enmore Rd, Newtown)

For our last stop, its an easy stroll (or should that be, roll?) down King Street and onto Enmore Road to a place where dessert is an art form. The ice cream is sticky, chewy and comparable to nougat, in other words, it is delectable. The flavours are typically Mediterranean and come with a sprinkling of pistachio. For those with a penchant for pastry, the baklava is second to none.

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Bondi Beach Markets

Bondi Beach is one of Sydney’s main attractions, so if you’re there on a Sunday, why not drop by the Bondi Beach Markets? You can find almost anything at these  stalls, from pre-loved clothing and toys to designer leather bags. There’s definitely something for everyone. The school’s canteen operates on Market Day, raising funds for the school and other local community groups.  It offers light meals and cold drinks to market visitors and, of course, the great weekend tradition of the sausage sizzle. If you’re a fan of jewellery such as necklaces and charm bracelets  you’ll want to visit the shop towards the back of the markets,  which offers a wide range of these accessories  and all  at an affordable price.

Address: Bondi Beach Public School, Campbell Parade, Bondi NSW 2006

Opening Hours: Sundays, 10am to 4pm

Kirribilli Markets

Located next to the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Kirribilli Markets offer  shining views of the harbour. The venue is located right outside Milsons Point Station and just a  five-minute walk  from Luna Park. The markets give you  an eclectic mix of stalls that touch on both contemporary and vintage products. Live entertainment adds to the vibrant atmosphere  of the markets, giving off a vibe reminiscent of a Spanish festival. A wide array of food stalls offers different cuisines ranging from Japanese fusion wraps to classic Turkish gozlemes. Your taste buds can truly travel around the world. If you like Asian food,  keep an eye out for the banh mi or Vietnamese bread rolls.  At $6 a roll, this is probably the most reasonably priced food item at the markets.

Address: Burton Street Tunnel & Bradfield Park Bowling Green, Milsons Point NSW 2061

Opening Hours: (1) Art & Design & Fashion Markets – Second Sunday of each month, 9am to 3pm. (2) General Markets – Fourth Saturday of each month, 7am to 3pm

Glebe Markets

This is the top vintage market in Sydney and is popular amongst all ages  because it offers a huge variety of stalls selling fashion, food and crafts, as well as quirky items that are hard to find anywhere else. The atmosphere at the Glebe Markets is always bustling with chatter, live music, and the smell of tandoori chicken kebabs rising off the grills. A large lawn allows visitors to relax, devour their food, bask in the sun and listen to live music that will entice you to stay longer!  Among the various aromas, be sure to follow your nose to the scented candles (especially the heavenly-smelling soy candles), tandoori chicken wraps (fresh off the grill and warm in your tummy) and the pho noodles in a tasty broth all served in a tall paper cup. Be careful though, it’s piping off!

Address: Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037 (Glebe Public School)

Opening Hours: Saturdays, 10am to 4pm

Whales Ahoy

We booked with Dolphin Cruises:  tickets start at $65 per person for a 2 hour whale watching experience.
Unfortunately, our cruise is about 45 minutes late, so we kill time waiting down at the dock – thankfully someone has had the foresight to install some benches so we’re not too uncomfortable. Soon enough, the jet boat arrives, and our party climbs aboard, along with many other groups of families. The boat speeds off towards the head of Jervis Bay and immediately the wind is high and biting cold. We’re offered complimentary wind jackets by the crew, and everyone pulls them on gratefully and hunkers down.

It takes about half and hour to make it out of the heads of Jervis Bay. Once there, the crew invites us all to spot the whales. The trick is to look for the small plumes of sea water expelled by humpbacks as they breathe. After a tense 15 minutes one of the crew spot two humpbacks next to the north head some 20 kilometres away. We rush towards them, and then wait with anticipation until 15 minutes later we are rewarded with two humpbacks surfacing, just 3 metres away from the side of the boat. It is a truly magical experience to watch the awe-inspiring humpbacks dive and resurface above the water. After about 20 minutes or so, it’s time to head back in for lunch.

Later that afternoon we head to Huskisson Pictures – the tiny 1 room theatre which hosts the current big and small movies for only $10 per ticket. The place is small but quaint. It has the intimate small movie setting but with all the snacks and trimmings you would find at a larger cinema; choc top anyone?

For dinner we head to the Huskisson Pub for the bistro.  This pub is warm and welcoming and boasted some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever tasted. The service was high quality, with friendly staff and a relaxing atmosphere.

I order the fish of the day: a grilled barramundi with potato and broccoli. My companions opt for tempura prawns with salad and a dish called Earth n Sea – beef with king prawns.

The barramundi is incredibly fresh, tender and perfectly cooked. The skin is crunchy and just the right amount of salt, whilst the flesh of the fish is melt-in-your-mouth perfectly cooked. The potato’s are simple but delicious, roasted on a bed of poached broccoli stems. This is combined with a lime and saffron sauce, that provides a tangy counter point to the soft umami flavour of the barramundi.

My dining companions report their meals to be equally satisfying, and a taste of each confirms, soft fresh prawn wrapped in a perfectly crunchy tempura, and tender beef. I would highly recommend any of these meals at the Huskisson Pub.

Overall, Huskisson is beautiful town and well worth a visit.

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The famous town plaque…

The idyllic Queensland city of Toowoomba is once again preparing for its nationally famous Carnival of Flowers. For locals and visitors from abroad, the festival is one of the highlights of the year. With private and public garden exhibits, floricultural workshops and the Grand Central Floral Parade, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is an event like no other!

From Friday the 18th to Sunday the 27th of September, Toowoomba comes alive as thousands of tourists flock to the quaint city. Located just outside of Brisbane, Toowoomba is a short trip by car or by bus. For 66 years, the festival has attracted lovers of gardening and floriculture, as well as other locals and tourists who happen to be in the region. Each year, more than 50,000 participants line Toowoomba’s streets to see the famous parade march through the downtown area. This year, celebrations are expected to be bigger and better than ever.

At this year’s Australian Tourism Awards, the festival was awarded the Gold medal for the Festivals & Events category. For those who’ve been, it’s easy to understand why: the city comes alive with hundreds of parks and thousands of blooms coming into season, colouring the small city in an inimitable way. Visiting the famous Ergon Energy Flower, or ambling through the crowds at the Food & Wine Festival, one gets a sense for old-world Australia and its many serene charms.

There will be plenty of family-friendly events, free live music, organised tours and delectable eating options, along with street artists, live theatrical performances and community events designed to engage with the locals. All in all, it’s a wonderful event brimming with life and Australian character – so be sure not to miss out!

What: The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
When: Friday the 18th to Sunday the 27th of September, 2015.
Where: Toowoomba, 125km west of Brisbane, Queensland.

For more information visit http://www.tcof.com.au. There you’ll find detailed maps, visitor’s guides and a program of the major events on offer.

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The unique Alice Desert Festival

Australia is a culturally diverse country, brimming with an array of wondrous sights and activities. But there’s no better way to get a unique insight into Australian culture than to attend one of our many fascinating festivals. Boasting everything from scrumptious delicacies to unique musical offerings, here are four favourite festivals for the second half of 2015!

The Margaret River Gourmet Escape
When: 20th to 22nd November, 2015
Where: Margaret River, WA

The Margaret River Wine Region is world renowned for its much loved wine varieties and fine food experiences. As such, the Gourmet Escape Festival is a food and wine lover’s paradise. With events planned across the three days, visitors and guests are treated to a roster of food talent from places as diverse as Russia, Chile, Thailand and elsewhere. With food-based events, free entertainment and plenty of wonderful food stalls, the Margaret River Gourmet Escape Festival is a must-attend culinary delight!

The Taste of Tasmania Festival
When: 28th December, 2015 to 3rd January,  2016
Where: Hobart, TAS

With news of Tasmania’s world-conquering produce industry hitting the headlines, the Taste of Tasmania Festival 2015 is sure to be one of the year’s best food events! Held across a series of venues in the historic Hobart waterfront area, the festival promotes the quality of Tasmanian produce and highlights the very best in fresh food and other goods. With numbers of visitors reaching well into the hundreds of thousands, the festival takes advantage of the end of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. So consider it the perfect addition to a refreshing end-of-year holiday!

The Brisbane Festival
When: 5th to 26th September,  2015
Where: Brisbane, QLD

A major international arts festival, The Brisbane Festival is undeniably one of the state’s premier arts events. The September event is a family friendly and truly refreshing festival of all things artistic, bringing together the best in music, dance and circus ! Since 2009, the Brisbane Festival has enlivened the world-famous city with its eclectic mix of the uplifting and the challenging- so be sure not to miss out on this year’s fun!

The Alice Desert Festival
When: 27th August to 6th September,  2015
Where: Alice Springs, NT

A characteristic and charming Aussie festival, the Alice Desert Festival is the best way to acquaint yourself with the nation’s exotic, desert-based cultures. Boasting a line-up of local and international artists, the festival also offers many community based events and opportunities for family outings.

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The gorgeous Leura Gardens…

The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, with millions of visitors flocking to see the region’s many natural attractions and old-world town settings. For visitors, the Leura Gardens Festival offers an unparalleled insight into mountain garden culture and local traditions.

Each year, local gardens in Leura are opened to the general public. The distinctive gardens are often diverse in their presentations of local and foreign flora, with many different native and exotic flowers on display. The cool mountain climate allows for the growth of several specialty plants including rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and even hellebores. For fans of floriculture, it’s a truly must attend event!

From Saturday the 3rd of October to Sunday the 11th of October, the town of Leura will come alive as thousands of visitors swarm to the unique regional celebration. This year, as in the past, proceeds will go towards funding the Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital. Last year, an impressive $15,000 was raised.

Just 100 kilometres west of Sydney, Leura is famous for its idyllic setting, unmatched views of the surrounding national parks and distinctively green ambience. This year, large and small scale gardens will no doubt impress those with a penchant for outdoor living.

Guests can also expect top quality food stalls, live music from local bands and plenty more. Tickets for the gardens are relatively inexpensive ($25 per person allows access to all gardens for the duration of the festival, or single tickets can be purchased for $5) and a shuttle service connects each of the unique sites.

It really is the best way to ring in the springtime and immerse yourself in the melange of vibrant colours that coincide with the change of season, so be sure to add the Leura Gardens Festival to your calendar!

What: The Leura Gardens Festival.
When: Saturday the 3rd of October to Sunday the 11th of October, 2015.
Where: Leura, Blue Mountains, 100km west of Sydney along the ‘M4′ and the ‘A32′.
For more information visit: http://www.leuragardensfestival.com.au/

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The iconic interior of Sydney’s Town Hall…

Over the next three months, Sydney’s iconic Town Hall will offer locals and visitors the chance to get up-close-and-personal with one of the city’s most famous attractions. Inside the majestic Town Hall building, visitors will find the Grand Organ. Over a series of free lunch-time concerts, the Town Hall Organ recital program will allow guests to hear a unique instrument in all its true glory.

An integral feature of the Town Hall since 1890, the Grand Organ was once the centrepiece of a stately, world-class town hall building. When it was first commissioned, the instrument was hailed as the finest in the world. Hundreds of years later, replacing the organ would now cost an estimated $20 million. Today, it continues to inspire music lovers the world over.

The entrancing instrument has 26 speaking stops, nearly 9,000 pipes and a unique 64 foot pedal stop. It remains the largest organ ever constructed with tubular pneumatic playing action.

According to the City of Sydney, the organ has significant cultural and musical value. “Built by William Hill and Son of London, the organ was also the biggest in the world at the time, with 126 speaking stops, nearly 9,000 pipes and a unique 64 foot pedal stop. It is still the largest organ ever constructed with tubular pneumatic playing action,” declared the City of Sydney website. For lovers of all kinds of music, these are must-attend events.

Over the last few years, the City of Sydney has had the Grand Organ restored by local specialists. But they’ve also been busy putting together specialist recitals so as to take advantage of the world-famous instrument. For those regularly in the CBD area, it might make for an extra special mid-day delight!

For more information visit https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/sydney-town-hall-organ-recitals. For a brief program, see below:

Monday 10 August
University to Town Hall
Amy Johansen (Sydney University)

Monday 28 September
Fanfares & Fantasias
Robert Ampt

Monday 2 November
Organ & Bagpipes
Robert Ampt with Richard McGregor and Donald McKay (Bagpipes)

Wednesday 30 December
Young Organist’s Day
Featuring the talented young prize winners from the 2015 Sydney Organ Competition.

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Take part in your local NAIDOC Week celebrations…

NAIDOC Week 2015 is nearly here, with people all across the country preparing themselves for a week of Indigenous themed festivities and cultural events. No matter where you are in Australia, NAIDOC Week is a unique celebration worth exploring and enjoying. There’s plenty to see and do, and also a lot to learn.

This year’s festival revolves around a riveting central theme: We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate. The central concept relates to the centrality of the land and the sea across the spectrum of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Correlating with this theme, NAIDOC Week’s organisers have attempted to bring together those artists and activists who honour the land and seas through their efforts. Additionally, the celebration will discuss the importance of culturally significant places within Australia’s indigenous communities.

NAIDOC (or the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) has been in existence since the 1920’s, and today its raison d’être remains the same: to increase awareness of the wider Indigenous community and to boost Indigenous peoples’ status within modern Australia.

Traditionally held in the first week of July, several major Australian cities host unique cultural and social events that involve the wider Australian community in a discussion with modern indigenous Australians. The end result is a week long festival of all things Australian, whilst also enabling a broader consideration of the challenges and difficulties facing many of Australia’s first peoples.

In Sydney, events cater to a range of different guests ranging form the young to the old. The annual showcase event ‘NAIDOC in the city’ is a popular drawcard, as is the NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony. Other arts based events are informative and entertaining, so check online for more details.

If you’re a visitor or a local, NAIDOC Week is a truly Australian celebration of one of the world’s oldest and most storied cultures. So be sure to make it along!

What: NAIDOC Week 2015
Where: Locations across Australia.
When: 5-12 July, 2015
More information: http://www.naidoc.org.au

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