Australia Destinations
Artichoke Gallery Cafe, Manly NSW
The Artichoke Gallery Cafe, is not only a cafe but also Sangria Bar and Local live music venue. This cozy little eatery is one of the best and most friendly venues for local musicians to get heard and make a little money. The restaurant itself is in a Federation Style Terrace house in Manly- tiny little tables provide big atmosphere as they are squeezed into the antique space. Works from local artists line the walls, board games and literature are available and the setting is as they say …
Date: October 29th, 2006 | No Comments
Sydney- Crown Street in Surry Hills
Surry Hills is one of those challenging areas of a big city. Fun shops- bohemian cafes well kept areas… right next to the areas you shouldn’t go alone late at night. The neighborhood is developing an arty feel and emerging from it’s seedy reputation…. slowly.
Crown street- is an area worth an afternoon wander. Benzin Thai- featured earlier, is located on Crown. Fun second hand stores, café’s, ethnic eateries, boutique shops and a few old buildings of historic significance line the sidewalks.
Date: October 23rd, 2006 | No Comments
Art & About in Sydney!
October also hosts the Art & About Exhibit in Sydney. During this month several exhibits of sculpture and installations, floral displays, The Face of Sydney, and several other types of exhibits grace Sydney with their statements, colour, and vitality.
One of the boldest statements the Face of Sydney was created by three Sydney Photographers who took over 1400 portraits of Sydney residents in the many different suburbs. From the Portraits, They have created composites of what the Average Sydneysider looks like to create a collective face of the city. To make the exhibit even more ethereal as the makers say, the exhibit is being projected in a massive scale on the side of the AMP building at Circular Quay. This exhibit is only part of a national photographic portrait project that aims to create composite photographs of all regional areas of the nation. Projected to finish in 2008, the full exhibit will be called Facing Australia.
Date: October 16th, 2006 | 3 comments
Eat Drink and Cure AIDS!
Sydney Food and Wine fair come dine and cure AIDS! - October 28th from 12-5:00.
Over 100 of Sydney’s best restaurants and the countries best winemakers converge in rows and rows of white tents to set up shop for the day. For about $2.50 per item- chefs sell their signature dishes to help raise money for AIDS research. The funds raised go to help support the AIDS Trust of Australia which provides funding for research, education, care and support for people affected with HIV/AIDS.
The food booths are open …
Date: October 16th, 2006 | No Comments
Aussie Art Films! Watch Out!
The Last Train To Freo
About a Suburb of Perth- Fremantle- lovingly known as Freo, the Critics loved this movie- It is an Australian film produced in Australia by Australians.
The Synopsis:
“At midnight, on a hot summers night, two ex cons board the last train to Fremantle. Bored, restless and looking for trouble, they start to poke fun at their mind numbing existence. Until a beautiful young law student, steps into the carriage, alone, and seemingly unaware that the guards are on strike.
But there’s more to this young woman than meets the eye. And when two other passengers join the train further down the line, the balance of power takes an unexpected twist.
Date: October 4th, 2006 | No Comments
Australia Forum Threads for the week of October 23, 2006
Check out these topics currently being discussed on the Australasia forum at BootsnAll:
Boo70007 has been traveling around Australia, and now that she’s back in Sydney, she wants to know - why is the Melbourne Cup such a big deal? And where’s the best spot to watch it in Sydney?
ChristineHind is looking for advice on the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2007 - how much tickets cost, how far in advance you have to book, etc. - from folks who have actually been before.
Please contribute your thoughts and comments to these threads! And if you’re not already a
…
Date: October 27th, 2006 | No Comments
Save Graythwaite! A few off the beaten path ideas to enhance your travel experience: North Sydney
Go to www.graythwaite.org.au and add your support! The only green space near the commercial high-rise center of North Sydney is under threat of development. North Sydney community Center is waging a battle to save the parkland. It gives the thousands of people who commute in everyday an area to get away from the noise and traffic that converges on the CBD. Add your voice! Save Green Space!
One of the things the North Sydney Council provides are community education programs. If you are travelling through Australia- these free lecture series are a great way to get to know a little bit more about the local flora and fauna that you are seeing. Two such nights are coming up. 24, October from 7-9 pm at the Lane Cove Council Civic Center – staff will tell how a community plant nursery and eco garden got started and how it is progressing. They will give ideas on how to make your own garden space eco friendly. (RSVP and info- 02 9911 3579)
7 November at the Hunters Hill Community center 7-9pm, Arthur White will be giving a presentation on what frog species are found in the lower northern Sydney area. He’ll have a few live frogs along to have a look at and will give information on identifying the little hoppers for yourself. (RSVP and info- 02 9879 9439)
The Seven Bridges Walk: October 29th for more information click here
Date: October 18th, 2006 | No Comments
Learn to Cook! Classes for the Masses!
As part of Good Food Month- many of the premier restaurants offer cooking classes to the public. They keep the classes small –around 10 people and give an in depth look and… most coveted- the recipies for favourite dishes. I took the Class at Benzin Thai located on Crown street in Surry Hills. The class on offer was to learn how to make their extremely popular Green Papaya Spicy Salad. The class was an absolute ball.
We were provided the tools and the opportunity to use a professional kitchen- with one on one tutorage from the owner and Chef. Not just a watch and learn experience- the Chef actually had us work hands on- critiquing and helping our crushing and grinding skills along with analyzing the flavor of the dish we each put out. After the class was complete, we were provided a fabulous meal which featured our salads, chicken and two types of rice so that we could compare the interaction of the flavours in the salad with other dishes. For only $35- these classes are a great value for money and something completely different to add to your travel experience.
Date: October 16th, 2006 | 2 comments
Sydney- Belgian Beer Cafe
Epoch- Moooosels from Bruussellls!
There are 2 Belgian Beer Cafe’s in Sydney- One in Cammeray- (which was said by Australian Cosmo to have the most attractive eligible bachelors in all of Sydney) and one in The Rocks. They have beer bigger than your head and pots of mussels that just won’t stop. Please note…the Belgian Beer Cafe’s are not to be confused with the two Bavarian Beer Cafe’s also in Sydney… but they are a story for a different day.
I’ve got to say- I have never been a …
Date: October 9th, 2006 | 1 comment
Sydney- Northern Beaches- The Arms
The Newport Arms is a Northern Beaches institution. A massive rambling “Hotel” or huge pub/bistro. ‘The Arms’ also has accommodation and overlooks Pittwater Bay on the west side of the Northern Beaches Penninsula. An ideal spot for Sunday Afternoon drinks, the outdoor area is enjoyable.
Date: September 27th, 2006 | 1 comment