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Is there anything better than heading to your local pool on a hot day? No â unless there's also an epic waterslide waiting for you to slip down. From spiralling towers to rides that will make you weightless, there's no shortage of extreme waterslides in and around Melbourne. Here's our list of the best â now all we have to do is wait for Melbourne's unpredictable weather to serve us up a sunny day...
Keen to make a splash? These are the best outdoor pools in Melbourne.Â
Located in the heart of Yarraville the thin strip of grassland and greenery that makes up Cruikshank Park is like an oasis in the suburbs.
The park hosts plenty of trees which provide ample amounts shade to relax under after a day in the sun. The kids can climb, jump and explore their way through the large playground or race around the BMX track. Looking for something a bit more sporty? Then head across to the free tennis courts for a match.
Doggos can also roam free around the park but have to be on leashes from 8-10am and 3-5pm daily.
The park is also available for weddings as well as fitness sessions with your personal trainer. If youâre thinking of holding an event at Cruikshank Park then make sure you head to the Maribyrnong Council website to book a space.
If you wander across the park into McNish Reserve then you might even spot Mimi the Dinosaur amongst the trees.
Since its inception in 1852 the Supreme Court of Victoria has been the state's highest authority of common law and equality.
Throughout its more than 175 year history the court has seen a range of criminals take the stand, everyone from common thieves to bushrangers. Some of the more high profile cases that have been heard within the court include the leaders of the Eureka Stockade rebellion as well as Australiaâs most famous outlaw, Ned Kelly.
The court was also the where the sentencing for Ronald Ryan and Jean Lee took place, the last man and woman, respectively, to be hanged in Victoria.
The court has been housed in its current Williams St location since the late 1800s, after construction started on the building in 1873 and lasted for nearly a decade.
Japanese and Scandinavian are two cuisines that, on paper, you may think would never work together. But the culinary creatives behind Paddingtonâs Sven-San have found a way. A delicious, mouth-watering way.
Step inside and the cottage-like exterior gives way to something closer to a tavern. Itâs warm and cozy, with plenty of tables while never seeming cramped. The exposed beams offer a hint of a Nordic aesthetic that blends well with the stylish but practical minimalist design found elsewhere in the restaurant.
Paddington dining wizard Michael Bengtsson is the mind behind this flavoursome union. The Japanese and Scandinavian influences, recipes and cooking styles come together on the menu, somehow finding a balance with neither dominating the venue.
The meals are playful takes on standards of both cuisines creating a dining experience that is equally as inventive as it is satisfying, with highlights on the menu including the gravlax (thinly sliced of salmon that has been cured in salt) and the âsushi cakeâ, a large disc of rice topped with fresh seafood.
Step through the doors of this corner Paddington restaurant and youâll be greeted by Eat Thaiâs cozy atmosphere, welcoming staff and tempting smells drifting in from the kitchen.
The menu champions authentic Thai flavours and dishes. It is divided into sections including barbecue, stir fry, curry and soups, meaning there is something to satisfy even the fussiest of diners.
Eat Thai also offer catering service for any party big or small. They have sample menus that will suit charity events to weddings and everything in between, and each menu can be altered to suit individual tastes and to best match with your upcoming event. The private function room can be hired out for events, and features a balcony with views across the harbour. It can comfortably seat up to 30 people and has ample space for cocktail parties with up to 70 guests. The space also features big screen projectors as well as sound and lighting equipment and can be decorated to your specifications.
Situated within Harbourside Shopping Centre and with brilliant views of across the water, Sorenzo is a modern Japanese eatery that serves only the freshest, highest quality produce.
The a la carte menu is the most comprehensive, with diners being given the opportunity to pick and choose what they would like from categories such as classics or robata (charcoal grill dishes). Guests can also opt to select their own sushi and sashimi from the Sushi Bar menu or order from the omakase menu, where the kitchen will prepare a selection of fresh delights for you.
For those who arenât sure where to begin with the long list of options on the a la carte menu they can place their trust in the hands of the skilled chefs and go for the set menu. This option is $80 per person and is a carefully curated meal with balanced flavours, ingredients and dishes from starters to dessert.
Also on offer is the express lunch option. Served in a teishoku (set menu) style, these lunches come in the form of bento boxes. Â
Sorenzoâs drinks menu is so exhaustive it requires its own table of contents. Cocktails, Japanese and Australian beers and sake are all on offer here as well as a detailed wine selection.
This event and collaborative work space is located right in the heart of Surry Hills, and is only a few minutes walk from Oxford Street. The purpose of the venue is to promote creativity and productivity within an engaged and relaxed space.
If you are lucky enough to grab a spot at one of the 20 hot desks then you will find the break area fully stocked with fresh fruits, snacks, tea coffee and juice.
For those who book a work space and donât have time to head out for lunch (or those who remembered they left it in the fridge at home) there is also the option to upgrade to a dining package, meaning you will have access to the daily lunches prepared by an in-house chef. Â
The layout of the venue helps to kick start conversations about projects or ideas and get people thinking laterally. Kitchen Hub is home to the only stand up boardroom in Sydney and also hires out its lounge style meeting room, perfect for team brainstorming sessions and presentations.
Kitchen Hub also houses a dedicated event space that features a rooftop complete with barbecues and stunning views of the city. The venue also plays host to weekly events, cooking and community artisan classes and monthly wine and whiskey tastings. Â
Itâs a common problem- you want to go to a yoga class but you canât bring your dog with you. Solution: Hot Dog Yoga.
This Double Bay yoga studio is located just down the road from the harbour and is open to all, whether youâve got two legs or four.
Upon entry you and your canine companion will be greeted by Pavlova, the venueâs reception dog. Unfortunately the dogs canât join in the yoga sessions, but they can play around in the reception area with their new four-legged friends. Â
Hot Dogsâ yoga mats come from Californian company Manduka, and are completely latex free and non-toxic. These environmentally friendly mats have plenty of cushion support but might feel a little slippery for those not used to them. If thatâs the case you can bring along a towel or rent or buy one once youâre there.
The yoga room itself is heated to allow better stretching and relaxation as you transition from one position to the next. The studio uses Far Infrared Technology to heat the room, a system that produces the same kinds of rays found in sunlight without causing skin damage or sunburn. The heated room also helps the body to detox during the class. Different classes operate with different room temperatures.
Classes are often waitlisted so make sure you get there at least 15 minutes early to ensure youâre place doesnât get given away to someone else.
The menu items are inspired by the titular borough in New York. Take and gander at the bountiful offerings and youâll find fresh takes on deli classics such as the pastrami on rye, the chicken nâ waffles and the Philly cheesesteak pierogi, which isnât strictly from Brooklyn but itâs still plenty tasty.
But the main event here is the handmade burger menu. Brooklyn Depot donât mess around, these are some serious burgers with a capital âBâ. Choose from the Brooklyn Classic, Wisenheimer and the âFuhgeddaboudit!â. There is also a special monthly burger, just ask the staff whatâs cookinâ when you visit. Donât forget the hot dog menu, equally as serious, equally as delicious with options including the reuben, Coney Island and lobster roll.
If youâre somehow still hungry after all this then you can also order up a couple of tempting sides like the twice cooked onion rings, charred corn or the pork belly âthingiesâ, another name for pork belly nuggets served with barbecue sauce. And donât forget the barbecue pork ribs which can be ordered in either half rack or full rack sizes.
In the way of drinks there are thick milkshakes, the perfect pairing to your burger order, as well as a range of American sodas. And of course, to finish, is the dessert menu. Choose from a pie or a brownie as the fitting end to your Brooklyn feast.
Next door to North Sydney train station, and within shouting distance from the Harbour Bridge, Oski Yoga offers a range of classes to help you unwind from the stresses of a Sydney lifestyle.
Yoga classes are held in rooms heated to a maximum of 26 degrees with a Far Infrared Ray, a piece of technology commonly found in yoga studios. The heat allows the body to stretch and move without causing it any strain or discomfort. Oski offer different classes each with different room temperatures. They also allow bookings for corporate groups and private tuition.
Barre, a combination of vinyasa yoga, pilates and ballet is a practice that builds, strengthens and tones muscles over the entire body. Oskiâs barre program is divided into three sections, Barre Play, Barre Sculpt and Barre Bums.
Pilates classes are perfect for those looking to sharpen their minds as well as their bodies. Grippy socks must be worn for all of Oskiâs pilates classes and can be purchased at the studio. For those seeking a more relaxed rejuvenation, Oski also offers meditation classes which promote stress relief and mindfulness.
Classes can be booked online or via the Oski Yoga app.
Weâve all been there. Itâs late at night and youâre crawling through your neighbourâs garden, trying to snag a piece of that one glorious succulent thatâs about as big as your ever-present uni debt. Youâll inevitably return with one sad little leaf that you will probably kill because the laws of horticulture are a cruel and unusual mistress. Thankfully some super-cool people with some super-green thumbs are here to help.
Little Succers is a succulent delivery service for those of us who need some nature in our lives but are too incompetent to look after anything more than a plant designed to survive in the desert.
Bored in iso? Little Succers has plenty of plant-based projects, from pots you can colour in to build-your-own terrarium kits. Delivery is free Australia-wide. The terrarium kits come with the container itself, soil, sand, charcoal, coloured sand and pebbles, decorations and miniatures (like an adorable tiny toy flamingo), mini gardening equipment, instructions and of course, succulents.
Your delivery comes potted in a special, succulent-loving soil, meaning youâd have to really go out of your way to kill them. We recommend hitting up their website for tips to care for your new green friend as you begin to move on from your dark, checkered past of plant ownership.
You can order succulents for yourself, and they also make great gifts. The plants come with cute, raunchy gift cards, like "Happy succing birthday" and "Life would succ without you".Â
Want more green? Here
Fun fact: kittens are usually born from September through to April, which means weâre currently smack bang in the middle of kitten season. Cats can give birth to up to 18 kittens at this time, meaning that there are currently a lot of lonely little felines out there. The Cat Protection Society of Victoria is hoping to change that.
These cat loving heroes have been fighting the good fight for over 70 years, taking in cats and kittens alike and helping them find that special someone to love them. Each year they aim to get 90 percent of all cats in their care adopted, that means a goal of about 900 four-pawed pals finding new homes. This is where you come in.Â
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SO FESTIVE AND CUTE!
Photograph: Supplied
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You can help give these poor cuddly souls a new home. Kittens are $170 to adopt and the price drops the older the cat is, with cats older than seven being the cheapest at only $60. The cost of each adoption also covers desexing, microchipping, vaccinations, parasite treatments, a thorough vet check and two weeks of health cover to ensure that your new feline friend settles into their new home purr-fectly.
If you want to support the Cat Protection Society directly, tax deductible donations are also a great idea. For only $5, you can help keep a cat fed for a week which would make all the difference to the lives of these cats.Â
So come and visit their centre in Greensborough, find a new furry friend and support an organisation that wonât rest until every cat has someone to cud
There are few things better in life than finishing a plate of ribs and licking sweet, sticky sauce off your fingers. Chicago favourite Lillie's Q knows this better than most. They're legends in the American barbecue game and they make the good stuff. We're talking the kind of good youâd sell an organ for so you could head back stateside for another hit.
Luckily Lillie's Q chef Charlie McKenna is in Australia so we can get our fix with all our organs intact. McKenna has set up his grill at Fancy Hank's from March 13 to 15 for three days of char gillinâ, meat cookinâ, lip smackinâ goodness. And since heâs a two-time Pork Shoulder World Champion you know itâs going to be worth the queues that will inevitably form. You get a second bite at the pulled pork plate when he makes an appearance at carnivorous carnival Meatstock from March 17-18.
At the pop-up you can also purchase a range of Lillie's Q signature sauces and rubs. They're the flavours of America built on three generations of experience and barbecue know-how and their products are 100 per cent natural and gluten-free, meaning you can chuck them on just about anything.
Book a table via Fancy Hankâs website, with food available from 5-11pm across the three days.
Not enough pork on your fork? Melbourne has a range of American style barbecue joints.
Fancy putting on the chef's hat yourself? Melbourne's best public barbecue spots are the perfect place for you this summer.
London-based artist Pamm Hong is trying to change the way people talk about data. Actually, sheâs just trying to get people to talk about data at all. The designer and artist is coming to town for the Sydney Design Festival. Her work, the âWatermelon Sugar Wellness Labâ is featured as part of the Common Good group exhibition, sheâll also present a talk explaining the concept and themes of her work. Time Out chatted with the artist to get her insights on connectivity, privacy and the importance of remembering the internet is a millennial.
âWe forget that the internet is 27 now, the smartphone is even younger, and social networks even more. Itâs so much a part of our lives I just think that we forget how we got here in the first place⊠Weâre connected even if we donât think we are and essentially I just wanted to shine a light on how data visualisation can help us understand ourselvesâ.
Â
Pamm Hong, 'Watermelon Sugar'
Photograph: Supplied
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The âWellness Labâ, a simplified version of the original âWatermelon Sugarâ concept, allows people to see their data actualised in the form of an avatar. The goal isnât to judge people on their online habits, itâs to spark a conversation about a technology and the reality weâve fooled ourselves into thinking we control. âI think awareness is a big part, but also itâs just peaking curiosity, and inspiring different ways to look at something that is very seriousâ.
The name of the artwork comes from Richard Brautiganâs book In Watermelon Sug
Mobile phones: That thing your grandmother has but doesnât fully understand how to use. It seems that thereâs a new must-have phone hitting the shelves every few days. We camp out in line to get our hands on one, casually tossing aside the older, seemingly out-of-date models. This can add up to a lot of waste and it's estimated that there are close to 5 million unused phones in Sydney alone.
Hereâs the deal: Recycling phones is way better than throwing them out. About 99 per cent of the bits and pieces in mobile phones can be reused, but 40 million tonnes of electric still end up in landfill, which equates to a loss of about $68 billion in resources, which is no bueno. This is where you come in. Â
This summer not-for-profit legends MobileMuster and OzHarvest have teamed up to try and combat both of the problem of mobile phone waste and the 3.6 million people who experience food insecurity every year though their campaign called Mobile for a Meal.
Instead of just ditching your old Nokia brick or Motorola flip phone (remember those?), look up where the nearest recycling location is on the website (there are 3,500 sites nationwide), then drop off your old phone along with its charger and accessories. Itâs that easy. You can even send it through the post if you canât make it in person. For every phone that MobileMuster receives OzHarvest will provide a meal to someone going hungry or struggling to put food on the table.
Their goal is to recycle 70,000 phones, meaning 70,000 meal
If you look up into the sky tonight you might notice something a little different. The Super Blood Blue Moon will be traversing the stars in a rare combination of three different lunar events. Â
But what is it exactly? A sign of the forthcoming apocalypse? We hope not. Weâve put together helpful little breakdown of the different elements of tonight's lunar spectacular:
Supermoon: Whatâs that in the sky? Itâs a bird? A plane? No, itâs Supermoon! This comes about when the moon is full and also in its closest orbit to Earth, known as being at perigee, which is a fancy science word we didnât know before today.
Blue Moon: This is what happens when thereâs two full moons in one calendar month. Technically Sydney wonât see a blue moon this time around since the moon wonât be full until after midnight, meaning that it will be February, and for those playing along at home thatâs a different month to January (but donât worry, thereâll be one in March for NSW folks to enjoy).
Blood Moon: Not as macabre as it sounds. This occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, called a full lunar eclipse. The moon is then illuminated by scattered light from the Earthâs atmosphere, giving our closest cosmic neighbour that distinctive red shade.
These events arenât all that rare on their own, with each happening every few years or so. But together, these astronomical wonders falling on the same night is something special indeed and the best part is it's completely safe to look at.Â
But w
Doff your hats, sound the trumpets and practice your curtsey because something royal is coming to Pyrmont this weekend.Â
In the lead up to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games the baton (the Gamesâ version of the Olympic torch) will arrive this Saturday February 3. Everyone is encouraged to come out and line the streets to see the baton continue its journey that has taken it through more than 70 Commonwealth nations.
The baton has been on the road for nearly 388 days since the relay was started by the Queen herself in March 2017. It is made with wood from native macadamia trees with macadamia nuts being planted along the batonâs long journey. The front edge of the baton is made from reclaimed plastic collected from waterways around the Gold Coast.
The last piece of the body is made up of a stainless steel stringer which separates the wood and plastic. The steel is engraved with three letter alpha codes for each of the Commonwealth countries and will reflect each distinct landscape its carried through.
The baton also carries a message from the Queen, printed on paper made from local spinifex and contains an interior that changes colour to reflect the vibrant beachside home of this yearâs Games. Sadly, she's not delivering it herself.Â
Keep calm and carry (the baton) on.
Ring in the Year of the Dog with these Chinese New Year celebrations across Sydney.
Melburnians love a good picnic, almost as much as they love dressing for both summer sun and winter blizzards within a 24-hour span. But more often than not by the time you get to your favourite picnic spot the beer is warm, the foodâs cold and you realise you forgot the rug.
Now the good folks at The Recreation have taken the picnic game to a whole new level. They've put together a couple of tasty, take-away hampers perfect for your next outing down the park. Best of all? The Recreation is only a stoneâs throw from Edinburgh Gardens, meaning you donât have to go far to find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy your lunch.
Each of the hampers feature tasty summer meals with one catering to vegetarian picnickers. You can either collect one of the pre-made hampers, or sit down with a couple of aperitifs while you wait for them to whip one up for you. Head into the bottle shop on the weekends to make your order and pick up a few bottles of the good stuff for picnic promenade through the park. Each hamper is $65 and will soon be available through Uber Eats.
This is the perfect idea if you like to enjoy your fine dining under a shady tree, or on the beach. Now all you have to remember to pack is the picnic rug. Â
The two hampers on offer are:Â
First optionÂ
Bread and butterPork and pistachio terrine, chicken liver parfait, piccalilli, cornichonsBarbecue free-range Milawa chicken Potato saladMixed leaf saladTomme d'abondance and croutonsSticky date pudding, chantilly
Second OptionÂ
Fair employment crusaders Scarf are bringing back their campaign Do More Than Drink for a third year.
Scarf help people who have faced hardships in their past, including individuals from refugee and migrant backgrounds, get started on new career pathways with training to help them enter the hospitality industry. People are referred from such organisations as the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence, the Red Cross and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
Ambassadors include food critic and cravat-connoisseur Matt Preston and mentors are sourced from the best bars and eateries in the city, including Cumulus Inc and Garden State Hotel. So far theyâve offered training to 174 individuals, with 70 per cent of all their graduates finding employment within the industry.
Through their Do More Than Drink campaign, youâll be able to donate at your favourite Melbourne watering hole.
From December 3 to 10, there'll be donation jars set up in 46 participating bars including Geraldâs Bar, Los Hermanos, and our 2017 Pub of the Year, the Lincoln. On the last weekend of the campaign, one dollar from every drink sold will be automatically donated, with the 46 bars splitting duties from December 8 to 10. See the list below to find out who's donating when.Â
Sunday December 3:The B.East
Friday December 8: New Gold MountainDouble HappinessLucky CoqCarwyn CellarsThe Rum Diary BarThe Rooks ReturnBellevilleStomping Ground Brewing CoGerald's BarNeighbourhood WineJoe TaylorBack Alley Sally'sThe Local Taphouse