23rd Street Distillery has just taken out major international awards for not one, but two of their whiskies. The Australian Whisky and Single Malt have been awarded Gold and Double Gold respectively at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition, meaning they’re so good they might just make you weep gently into your Glencairn.
First up is the Australian Whisky, a golden tribute to Riverland’s sun-drenched brilliance and three years of alchemy involving premium barley, yeast, and sheer determination.
Paul Burnett, head distiller at 23rd Street, says, “The stunning climate of the Riverland allows gradual development and ensures an ideal environment for maturation in carefully selected barrels”.
Matured for a minimum of two years in American oak, this spirit is like an Aussie Road trip in a glass: starting with zesty citrus spice, stopping for roasted nuts and raisins, and finishing strong with vanilla-soaked toffee and a subtle nod to dark chocolate.
There’s even a hint of sweet nostalgia thanks to the seasoned Tawny barrels used in the blend. Drink it on ice with scorched almonds and Grana Padano if you’re feeling fancy. Or just sit back, sip, and smile knowingly at the poor souls still drinking bottom-shelf blends.
Now, let’s talk about the second drop, the Single Malt, because this one’s for the whisky purists and oak nerds. Only the crème de la crème (aka the “purest heart’s fractions”) makes it into the bottle, matured lovingly in a mix of American and French oak barriques, first-fill bourbon barrels, ancient Topaque and 25-year-old Galway Tawny casks. It’s rich. It’s rare. And it’s rocking a 46% ABV, just to keep you on your toes.
Paul says, “A few months prior to bottling, we transfer a few of the Whiskies’ bases into newer, shaved barrels to increase the nuances of vanilla and delicate oak structure”.
So that’s why you can expect layers of barley malt, creamy spice, polished oak, and a lingering vanilla hum that’ll make you forget what you did in the morning every time you take a sip.
Bottled without colouring (because it’s already beautiful, thanks), the Single Malt is a bold expression of everything 23rd Street does best: balance and complexity.
To sum it up, there are two whiskies. One distillery (that won Australian Whiskey Distillery of the year at the same awards, might we add). And zero excuses not to pour yourself a dram right now.
You don’t need snow, skis, or a chalet in the Alps to enjoy an après-ski moment this winter, you just need to find the right door in Melbourne’s CBD.
The Understudy is back, and she’s had a very stylish glow-up. Reborn as The Understudy Ski Lodge, this hidden subterranean cocktail den is now a full-blown alpine fever dream without the altitude sickness.
Slide past the unassuming wood cabin door (yes, there’s a stag knocker) and descend into a world of vintage ski posters, flickering candles, fur throws, and the sweet scent of ‘log cabin’. It’s all the romance of a snowed-in lodge without having to drive to Mt Buller… or go outside.
And the drinks are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. ’Winter’s Orchard’ arrives steaming, spiked with spiced syrup and pink lady cider, while ‘Chalet Noir’ tastes like bourbon met a hot chocolate and never looked back. And if you’re into Biscoff (who isn’t?), ‘The Midnight Slope’ is basically dessert in a glass.
The food is equally extra: baked camembert, halloumi with a Moroccan twist, sliders with truffle chips, and a fondue that could make you cry real chocolatey tears.
Walk-ins only. No bookings, no pretension, just good times in soft lighting. If you’re looking to escape the cold while leaning dramatically into it, The Understudy Ski Lodge is Melbourne’s answer to your winter daydreams.
Ever wanted to play winemaker without having to own a vineyard or wear tweed?
Cupitt’s Estate in NSW is handing you the reins (and a glass) with their Blend & Feast experience, but it’s not your average wine tasting. This event is wine wizardry with a side of some pretty serious feasting.
First, you’ll be guided through a behind-the-scenes wine blending session with the estate’s Head Winemaker (aka the grape whisperer). You’ll swirl, sniff, sip, and mix your way to your custom blend like you’re Willy Wonka, but with grapes.
But wait, there’s more. Once you’ve unleashed your inner sommelier, you’ll tuck into a three-course long lunch with all the trimmings. Think seasonal, estate-grown produce, expertly paired with Cupitt’s handcrafted wines.
It’s the perfect blend (see what we did there?) of indulgence, education, and just the right amount of day drinking (without going overboard). Whether you’re a wine snob, a foodie, or just here for the vibes, Blend & Feast is your chance to eat, drink, and ferment merrily.
Bookings are essential, though, and loose lips and red wine-stained teeth are highly likely, so be prepared.
If you’re clocking more air miles than a migrating bird and your skin’s starting to resemble airline-issued crackers (you know the ones), it’s time to get acquainted with Calmerceuticals Enhanced Marine Collagen.
This isn’t your average sad scoop of powdered who-knows-what. Oh no. This is a tasty, travel-sized liquid miracle packed with clinically backed VERISOL® collagen peptides, vitamin C, zinc, biotin and hyaluronic acid – aka the dream team of skin hydration and glow restoration.
Let’s be real. Between airport air, tiny hotel shampoos and that third rosé at 30,000 feet, travelling takes a toll. But one quick daily swig of either the mixed berry or mango & mandarin elixir (yep, there are two flavours to choose from) and you’re feeding your skin the good stuff from the inside out. It’s like giving your face a first-class upgrade, even if you’re stuck in 42B next to a guy who just took his shoes off.
And the best part is, it actually works. Studies show it improves skin elasticity, reduces fine lines, and supports stronger hair and nails (perfect for when your far-too-heavy suitcase wants to test out the strength of your new manicure). It’s also easy on the tummy and totally free from dairy, gluten and artificial nasties.
So, toss a few sachets in your toiletries bag, look smug at passport control, and glow your way across time zones. Because who said frequent flying has to mean frequent wrinkling? C’mon, your skin deserves a holiday too.
Staycation. It’s a word that usually makes me cringe, mostly because it’s about as exciting as binge-watching reruns of Dr Who with your agoraphobic cousin. After all, travel is about exploring new ‘hoods, finding new bars, meeting new people. But here I am, deliberately stranded in my own backyard of Melbourne, attempting the unthinkable: reframing my brain to look at this city like a tourist.
Step one, get out of the damn house. I check myself into the Adina Apartment Hotel on Flinders, specifically one of their loft apartments nestled in Malthouse Lane. If Melbourne had an illicit love child with New York City, this loft would be it. Exposed brick walls, industrial chic fittings, soaring ceilings, and mood lighting that practically demands I pour myself something strong. It feels like I’ve stumbled into a secret, grungy-chic Brooklyn hideaway. Only, thankfully, without Brooklyn’s enormous rats.
After making myself unreasonably comfortable (read: sprawled like Andy Warhol in Studio 54), I head out into the streets as dusk settles. It’s time to actually see my hometown properly. Not as the jaded local who complains about trams and footy crowds, but as the guy who flew halfway across the world to see something cool.
First stop: RISING. Melbourne’s ambitious, slightly chaotic winter festival of art, music, and sensory overload. Think Burning Man meets MoMA but with significantly more coats and scarves. Wandering installations, neon-soaked laneways, and avant-garde performances quickly turn the city I thought I knew into a psychedelic dreamscape. I’m part tourist, part Alice in Wonderland, completely blown away. The streets literally pulse with creativity.
Art absorbed, it’s time to let my stomach do the navigating. I find myself tucked into Pastuso, a hip Peruvian spot hidden away in AC/DC Lane (shaking me all night long), where the smell of ceviche is as intoxicating as the pisco sours they sling. It’s a bustling den of South American exuberance smack in the middle of Melbourne’s now famous graffiti-tagged laneways. Eating here feels like an illicit culinary tryst, clandestine yet thrillingly public. Every bite of kingfish ceviche and grilled wagyu rump skewer is a reminder that this city’s palate is wilder than any Uber Eats menu could dream.
Post-feast, my internal compass guides me toward Russell Street’s Heartbreaker. This bar is Melbourne’s unapologetic answer to dive-bar perfection: dim lights, loud music, strong drinks, and zero pretension. It’s the kind of joint Anthony Bourdain would have felt at home in, downing whiskey while ranting poetically about the virtues of Led Zeppelin. As Robert Plant belts out from the jukebox, I nurse a hazy IPA potent enough to make tomorrow morning’s regrets almost certain. I trade stories with bartenders, drinkers, and a few characters who might just have stepped straight out of a Tom Waits lyric. For an hour or so I could be in the West Village of Manhattan.
Feeling a mix of adventure and sophistication I stumble into Eau De Vie, a cocktail bar hidden like a speakeasy behind an unassuming façade and thankfully just a stone’s throw from my “NYC” loft. The bartender, a wizard in a waistcoat, shakes up a Blood and Sand cocktail, blending whisky, sweet vermouth, cherry brandy, and orange juice with the flair of a magician performing his best trick. It’s the nightcap I didn’t know I needed, sophisticated enough to make even my boozy exploits feel classy.
Hours later, climbing the stairs back to my loft feels like summiting Everest. Inside, Melbourne’s skyline flickers through oversized windows, a private show of glittering lights and endless possibilities. Reclining on the oversized couch, booze still buzzing through my veins, I reflect: being a tourist in this town called Melbourne is pretty bloody good.
As I drift into a hazy, contented slumber, I realize Melbourne has tricked me. It’s flipped my perceptions upside down. The place I’ve casually called home suddenly feels raw, adventurous, even a bit reckless. Who knew a staycation, once the dullest concept ever invented, could make a city you thought you knew feel gloriously unknown again?
Turns out, sometimes all it takes is a reframed brain and maybe one too many hazy IPAs to rediscover the place you never realized you loved.
Forget awkward brunches and passive-aggressive text chains, Gwinganna is giving the classic mother-daughter bonding session a full-blown glow-up.
This spring, the luxe lifestyle retreat in Queensland is launching its first-ever Mother Daughter Retreat, and let’s just say, it’s not your average spa weekend with Mum.
Running from 28 September to 2 October, the four-night escape is like therapy, yoga, a nature walk and a group hug all rolled into one leafy, luxe hinterland experience. Open to daughters aged 14 and up, it’s the perfect excuse to disconnect from screens, ditch the drama, and actually talk to each other (without emojis).
Expect expert-led chats on hormones, nutrients and other magical biological things you both pretend to understand, hosted by superstar health humans like Dr Libby and Dr Karen Coates. There’s also sound healing, mountain bathing (yep, that’s a thing), dance, cooking demos, and a Circle of Light fire ceremony that’s deeply Instagrammable.
Oh, and did we mention the massages, organic food, and wellness credits? Gwinganna knows how to lure us in…with snacks, serenity, and soul work.
So, whether your mother-daughter dynamic is more Gilmore Girls or Game of Thrones, this is your chance to hit pause, breathe deeply, and maybe even hug it out in a place with no Wi-Fi and zero judgement.
But there are limited spots available, so book now before someone else nabs the last massage and your mum finds out you still haven’t returned her tupperware.
Melbourne, get ready to check in, freak out, and forget everything you thought a hotel should be. Hijinx Hotel is crash-landing into QV on August 1 and spoiler alert: there are zero beds, but approximately one million reasons to absolutely lose your mind.
This place is immersive game park, a recurring fever dream and a cheeky escape from reality all rolled into one; packing 10 “rooms” of chaos, cocktails and colour-drenched mayhem. Think ball pits, brain teasers, light-up floors, and a rogue art heist challenge that’ll turn you into Danny Ocean with a disco twist.
And because one dose of ridiculousness is never enough, they’ve also thrown in Archie Brothers right next door. It’s a circus-themed arcade and cocktail bar where you can blast through VR adventures, smash claw machines, and sip cocktails out of unicorn bowls and disco balls. Because of course you can.
The whole shebang spans a whopping 1,600sqm of pure unfiltered fun and can fit up to 400 revellers. Whether you’re planning a wild date night, boozy birthday bash or just need an excuse to unleash your inner maniac, this two-in-one fun palace has your chaos cravings covered.
Word of warning: don’t bring a toothbrush. Or pyjamas. This is one hotel where the only thing getting tucked in is your dignity, right behind a shot of rum and a watermelon-scented bubble.
Bookings are open now, Melbourne. Go forth and play like no one’s watching, even though everyone definitely is.
Nestled deep in the lush jungle heart of Six Senses Fiji’s spa village on Malolo Island, the new Alchemy Bar is like your quirky, plant-obsessed best friend who also happens to be a skincare genius.
Forget grabbing off-the-shelf lotions; here, you get to channel your inner mad scientist by handcrafting your own body scrubs, face masks, or aloe vera gels with fresh, local ingredients harvested straight from the resort’s garden.
Think aloe, neem, papaya, hibiscus, and even Fijian medicinal herbs that sound like a spell from a fantasy novel (hello, vevedu and vau). Guided by expert therapists, you’ll embark on a sensorial adventure through TeiTei Gardens, blending nature’s finest goodies tailored to your skin’s every whim.
But the Alchemy Bar is less about vanity and more about hitting pause, bonding with nature, and embracing a deliciously messy kind of self-care.
Surrounded by tropical vibes and shelves lined with quirky jars of essential oils, upcycled coffee grounds, and honey from the resident bees, it’s the ultimate island wellness playground.
Whether you’re flying solo or scheming with your travel crew, expect to leave feeling refreshed, radiant, and just a little bit magical. Cheers to skincare with a side of island soul.
If Palm Springs and a dreamy Pinterest board had a baby, it would be The Shores Miami. Smack bang on the Gold Coast, just a thong’s throw from the beach, this boutique bolthole is the kind of place your inner maximalist and outer minimalist will both approve of.
Designed by interiors wizard Jason Grant, the vibe is coastal cool with a twist of nostalgic fabulous. Think pastel tones, playful patterns, and all the modern conveniences your influencer heart desires (yes, the lighting is that good). Want to blast your poolside playlist while sipping a Hard Fizz? Sorted. Prefer to let AI Sheila handle your check-in? She’s on it; Australia’s first-ever AI concierge and your new favourite virtual mate.
Inside, it’s mindful, minimal and very millennial right down to the makeup-friendly mirrors and sneaky charging stations. Outside, it’s an Instagram dream, complete with curated collabs, surround sound vibes and the same motel that once starred in a Sneaky Sound System music video. (Yep, that “UFO” clip. We just saved you a ton of Googling.)
Whether you’re escaping for a girls’ weekend, a solo scroll detox, or a midweek retreat with your situationship, The Shores Miami is the place where tan lines fade, but the stories (and selfies) stick. This place is simply aesthetic to the max.
Tired of your job not involving enough golden hour, white sand, and semi-aquatic chill? Same. That’s why Employment Hero, the Aussie tech unicorn shaking up the job market, has teamed up with Fitzroy Island Resort to launch what may be the most envy-inducing gig of all time: Sunset Supervisor.
Uh, translation please? Sit on the beach and make sure the sun goes down properly. Maybe snap a pic. Repeat for three days.
This dreamy job listing has officially dropped via EH Jobs – the shiny new app that matches you with over 1.5 million roles without requiring you to awkwardly loiter in a café clutching your resumé.
But there’s brains behind the beauty. Gen Z is clocking in more hours than ever (2.3% more, in fact), and Employment Hero is here to prove that work doesn’t have to be a soul-sapping grind (we feel that).
With hiring and wages on the rise, especially in sunny QLD, the Sunset Supervisor role is both a cheeky PR stunt and a serious reminder that the future of work should include more… well, paradise.
Flights? Covered. Accom? Luxe. Value? Over AU$4,000. All you need to do is show up, look at the sky, and let Fitzroy Island do the rest.
It’s time to embrace island time, powered by Employment Hero. Now, excuse us while we try to apply for this role using one hand while a piña coladas in the other.
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