Bumper summer guide: Make the most of your downtime in Tassie
From exploring the regions to keeping the kids busy or doing as little as possible... here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do, see, watch, visit, eat and read in Tasmania in the New Year. SEE OUR FULL GUIDE OF EVENTS + THINGS TO DO >>
Lifestyle
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FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN
Most kids have a mental list of fun things they’d love to do in the school holidays. Whether it’s a pyjama day at home, a trip to the movies, a family bike ride, a bushwalk or a visit to their favourite ice-cream shop, children of all ages love a break from the weekday school routine and summer is the perfect time for families to get outside and explore. Trips interstate and overseas may be limited for now, but there are plenty of fun adventures to be had in our home state.
RUN, JUMP & CLIMB
Kids have boundless energy so explore some of the 100-plus playgrounds across greater Hobart. Our top picks include waterfront parks at Bellerive Beach and Long Beach, the bike track with traffic lights at New Norfolk’s Tynwald Park, the giant blue slide at Sandy Bay’s Parliament St Reserve and the nature-inspired playscape of Legacy Park on Queen’s Domain. Other hotspots include Cornelian Bay, Wentworth Park, West Hobart’s Caldew (Train) Park, Simmons Park, Dru Point, Launceston’s City Park and The Bluff playground at Devonport.
HUNT FOR WATERFALLS
We’re lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Lace up your sneakers and walk, or ride, the many scenic trails around Hobart. Snug Falls is a great child and dog friendly stroll or you can walk to Silver Falls from Fern Tree (and visit the playground afterwards). Find more inspiration on the Waterfalls of Tasmania Facebook page, visit greaterhobarttrails.com.au or download Parks and Wildlife’s free 60 Great Short Walks app.
MEET SOME FURRY FRIENDS
Feed the kangaroos and get up close to wombats, echidnas, devils and other residents at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary or ZooDoo (both open daily from 9am-5pm). Launceston’s Tasmania Zoo is open 10am-4pm. The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo at Taranna has tours at 11am and 2pm and you can also get up close to a variety of farm animals at nearby Rosedale Homestead from 9am-4pm daily.
EXLPORE THE SCULPTURE TRAIL
The scenic Art Farm Birchs Bay sculpture trail is a great family-friendly outing, with a 1.5km bush track through an alfresco gallery of large-scale, contemporary artworks. There are 25 new (temporary) sculptures as part of the 2020 exhibition, in addition to the 24 permanent sculptures that have been acquired in the 16 years since the event began at Five Bob Farm, 40 minutes south of Hobart. The trail is open to the public year-round from 9am-5pm daily, however the 2020 trail officially ends on January 17. Entry is $2 per person, $5 family. Dogs on leads are welcome. 3866 Channel Highway, Birchs Bay. artfarmbirchsbay.org.au
GET COLOURFUL
Get covered in a rainbow of coloured powder at Hobart’s Queens Domain at the Colour Frenzy fun run on Sunday February 21. Walk, run or jog either 2.5km or 5km in the untimed event, which has sessions at 8.30am and 11am. Tickets from $25 adults, $12.50 children (5-12 years), $70 per family (two adults and two children), under 5s are free. The event raises money for Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania. colourfrenzy.com.au
ENTER ANOTHER WORLD
Visit your local library – kids can stock up on books for summer and escape to imaginary worlds through reading and take part in school holiday activities (libraries.tas.gov.au). At the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery visitors can explore Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania and the Americas as part of the new family-friendly Around the World in 80 Objects exhibition. A school holiday program runs from January 18-22. Entry is free but visitors must book (tmag.tas.gov.au). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.
HIT THE BEACH
It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the beach. Stroll along the sandy shores of Seven Mile Beach, Park Beach, Howrah Beach, Clifton Beach or Coningham. Build a sandcastle, collect shells and play in the rockpools. Walk or ride along the scenic path from Bellerive to Tranmere or check out the coastal walk from Seven Mile Beach to Lauderdale.
EAT ICE CREAM
Nothing says summer (or holidays) like ice cream. Visit the Van Diemens Creamery fish punt at Constitution Dock (they also have a shop at Elizabeth Town in the state’s North West) or try a sundae at Mures. Kids will love Valhalla in Moonah as well as Sweets and Treats or Coal Valley Creamery at Richmond. Sweet Envy in North Hobart is home to flavours with names like Darth Vader (chocolate) and Secret Breakfast (Froot Loops) while Berriedale’s Local Pizza produces spectacular sundaes like Choc Mint Monster, Pina Colada, Big Kid and Salty Nuts.
FISH & CHIPS
Grab takeaway fish and chips and find a sunny picnic spot to enjoy them. Few places do fish better than Fishy Frenzy on Hobart’s Waterfront where crispy fillets of battered flathead, flake or blue-eye are served in cardboard cones with perfectly cooked chips. The nearby fish punts are popular during summer as well as Mures. Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods at Cambridge attracts rave reviews, as does Sandy Bay’s Maning Reef Cafe and the Dunalley Fish Market. Launceston’s Fraggle’s Fish and Chips is another award winner, along with The Fish Van at Triabunna.
HUNT FOR ROCKS
This crafty little hobby has really taken off in Tasmania in the past year or so and is perfect for summertime fun. The idea is simple: paint some rocks with a fun design then hide them somewhere for people to find. Visit Facebook groups – like Tas Rocks and Tazzy Rockz – for more info.
STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a great place to spend a couple of hours with kids – visit the ducks, walk through the conservatory, experience the chill of the sub-Antarctic plant house, see what’s in season in the vegetable patch and check the time on the floral clock. Open daily from 8am-5pm, entry is free.
— LINDA SMITH AND TIM MARTAIN
IN THE REGIONS
ump in your car, fill it with fuel, grab snacks, crank some tunes and you’re ready to embark on a summer road trip. You just need to decide which direction to head in. Consider a day trip to Russell Falls, Richmond, Port Arthur, Geeveston or Bruny Island. If you’ve got more time head to the state’s North or North-West or explore the beauty of Tasmania’s world-famous East Coast beaches.
THE DERWENT VALLEY
About an hour from Hobart, Mt Field is a worthy day-trip destination. Summer means the ground is drier, making the walk to scenic Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls less soggy. You’re also more likely to complete the drive to Mt Dobson without the need for snow chains. Once you’ve toured Tasmania’s oldest national park, explore more of the Derwent Valley – feed the fish and see the resident platypus at the Salmon Ponds at Plenty (where pancakes are a popular cafe treat), sip a refreshing ale at Two Metre Tall Brewery at Hayes, book a class at the Agrarian Kitchen or Sally Wise Cooking School and browse antique stores at New Norfolk.
BRUNY ISLAND
Nothing says “summer holidays” like a day trip that involves a boat ride to an island paradise. And it doesn’t take long to get there — only a 30-minute drive from Hobart to Kettering then 15 minutes on the car ferry and you’re ready to start exploring the 100km-long island full of amazing beaches, wildlife and delicious local produce. It’s easy to fill a day on Bruny, starting with a drive to Cape Bruny Lighthouse (via The Neck’s recently upgraded lookout) and on to Cloudy Bay and Adventure Bay. You won’t go hungry – there’s Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co, Get Shucked Oysters, The Honey Pot, Bruny Island Premium Wines, Bruny Island House of Whisky and the Bruny Island Cruises seafood restaurant, just to name a few. After exploring the entire island you’ll still have time to catch the ferry back to Kettering before dark.
RICHMOND
It’s only 26km from Hobart to the historic town of Richmond, but there are many places to stop along the way. Coal River Farm, Frogmore Creek, Riversdale Estate and Puddleduck Vineyard are among the attractions. Pick strawberries at Littlewood Berry Farm, enjoy cheese tasting at The Wicked Cheese Co or visit Zoo Doo Zoo. Once you reach the Richmond township watch the ducks swim beneath the sandstone arches of the convict-built bridge. Grab ice-cream at Coal Valley Creamery, get a bag of old-fashioned lollies at Sweets and Treats, pick up some Richmond Bakery bread, tour the Richmond Gaol and peek inside gift shops lining the main street.
TASMAN PENINSULA
The Port Arthur Historic Site is an obvious destination but there are loads of other sights to see on the Tasman Peninsula. From natural wonders like the Tessellated Pavement and Tasman Arch to Lime Bay and the man-made Coal Mines Historic Site, you’ll find yourself wanting to stop regularly and explore. If you haven’t hiked to Crescent Bay yet, summer is the time to go. It’s a 40-minute walk from the Remarkable Cave carpark at Port Arthur and it’s worth the effort – a stunning beach faces Tasman Island and is cradled by towering dunes at least 70m high. The Cape Hauy Track is another must-do experience – 4.4km each way, the track leads to the rugged cliffs featuring dolerite pillars known as the Candlestick and the Totem Pole, which are popular with rockclimbers and abseilers. Allow four hours for the round trip. Or enjoy coastal views from the comfort of your car — grab a coffee from Cubed Espresso Bar food van at Pirates Bay Lookout. Dine on fish and chips at the Doo-Lishus food van at The Blowhole. Try a lavender tea or scones at Port Arthur Lavender. Indulge in wine and cheese at Bangor Vineyard Shed near Dunalley. Eaglehawk Neck is a surfing hotspot while Stewarts Bay, near Port Arthur, is a safe, sheltered beach popular with families.
THE CHANNEL
Cool off with a dip at Snug Falls, a cascading waterfall framed by forest and fallen logs. The walking track descends in to a fern-lined gully — allow an hour for the return trip which is kid and dog friendly. Kids will love the playground at Margate’s Dru Point plus a stop at the Margate Train. Peppermint Bay provides a scenic outdoor spot to eat lunch, while further down the road is Grandvewe Cheese and the Art Farm Birchs Bay sculpture trail.
THE HUON VALLEY
Drive to the Huon Valley and book a tour at Hastings Caves. Guided tours of Newdegate Cave are run by the Parks and Wildlife Service a few times a day and can be booked through the Hastings Visitor Centre. Cost is $24 adults, $12 children (4-17 years), under 4s free or $60 for a family of two adults and up to three kids. Tahune Airwalk, also near Geeveston, is another spot to enjoy the wilderness. Famed eatery Masaaki`s Sushi attracts a steady crowd in Geeveston and is expected to reopen in mid-January. You can also indulge in impressive sweet treats at The Old Bank of Geeveston. On the way home stop at Ranelagh’s Summer Kitchen Bakery where you can sit in the sunny courtyard and demolish a delectable pie or caramel doughnut. Other tasty stops include The Cat’s Tongue Chocolatiers at Huonville, Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge and The Port Cygnet Cannery and Willie Smith’s Apple Shed at Grove. And don’t forget Hartz Mountains National Park which has plenty of short walks plus a longer hike to Hartz Peak. parks.tas.gov.au
EAST COAST
Lazing on the lawn, munching on gourmet pizza with a glass of wine in hand while admiring a view of the Hazards mountain range in the distance. Does that sound like a pretty decent road-trip destination? Devils Corner cellar door and cafe is just north of Swansea and is an ideal spot to enjoy some summer sun. Swansea is about two hours from Hobart, with plenty to see and do along the way. Swim at Orford’s Spring Beach, look out for the unusual, convict-built Spiky Bridge and stop at Kate’s Berry Farm for delicious fruity ice cream. If you’ve got more time head north to the beautiful Bay of Fires or consider a trip to Maria Island where you can walk to the painted cliffs, swim at pristine beaches, tour historic buildings and meet the resident wombats – the ferry leaves from Triabunna.
BRIDESTOWE- NORTH EAST
London perfumer CK Denny migrated to Tasmania with his family in 1921, holding a packet of lavender seeds sourced from the southern French Alps – the home of true French lavender – and his family started Bridestowe Estate. Summer is the perfect time to wander the stunning sea of purple on the farm at Nabowla in the state’s North East. Open daily from 9am-5pm (closed Christmas Day). Entry is $20 per person (children under 16 are free). 296 Gillespies Rd, Nabowla. bridestowelavender.com.au
TASTING TRAILS - STATEWIDE
Don’t have a firm destination in mind but have a definite love of beer, wine or fine food? Check out some of the dedicated trails designed to capture the hearts of Tasmanian foodies. The Tasmanian Beer Trail (tasbeertrail.com) offers a round-up of the state’s best breweries, while Tasmania’s Wine Trails (winetasmania.com.au/wine_trails) include four self-drive routes statewide. There’s also a Tasmanian Whisky Trail (taswhiskytrail.com), Tasmanian Cider Trail (tascidertrail.com) and The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail in the state’s north west (cradletocoasttastingtrail.com.au). Visit discovertasmania.com.au for more self-drive itineraries.
— LINDA SMITH & TIM MARTAIN
SUMMER EVENTS IN TASSIE
The coronavirus pandemic has given us all a new appreciation for public events. As restrictions ease, lots of cancelled events are making a comeback, while many new events are popping up on the calendar too. From small-scale theatre productions to larger outdoor markets, sporting events and music festivals, summer is the perfect time to get out and have some fun.
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 19
TASMANIAN PRODUCE MARKET
KANGAROO BAY FORESHORE
This new Eastern Shore market, from the creators of Hobart Twilight Market, runs today from 9am-1pm and again on January 16, 23 and 30 and then weekly from February. The Hobart Twilight Market is also running during summer at Long Beach and Brooke St Pier. facebook.com/tasmanianproducemarket and facebook.com/hobarttwilightmarket
DECEMBER 19
BIG BASH CRICKET
BLUNDSTONE ARENA
See the Hobart Hurricanes in action – today’s match against the Melbourne Renegades starts at 11.10am. The Hurricanes also play in Hobart on January 2 and 4. hobarthurricanes.com.au
DECEMBER 26
BOXING DAY PARTY AT THE GARDENS
ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS
Spend Boxing Day enjoying music from A. Swayze and the Ghosts, Slag Queen, Chase City, Kudu Joy, The Tinderboxes and more. 18+ event. From 12.30pm. Tickets are $23.50. oztix.com.au
DECEMBER 26-30
TASMANIAN SUMMER BARBECUE
IN THE HANGING GARDEN
A five-day summer barbecue in Hobart’s biggest backyard, featuring a rotating mix of local chefs and producers who will deliver their spin on the summertime tradition. Plus live music from 11.30am. 11am until late. $10 entry (free for under 16s). 112 Murray St Hobart. inthehanginggarden.com.au
DECEMBER 30
THE VERONICAS
THE GOODS SHED
Chart-topping twins Jessica and Lisa Origliasso have had a string of Top 10 hits since launching into the pop scene in 2004 and their music has been streamed more than 500 million times. Show starts at 6.30pm. Tickets are $71.20. 18+ event. moshtix.com.au
DECEMBER 31
THE JUNGLE GIANTS
THE GOODS SHED
Celebrate the end of 2020 with music from The Jungle Giants, Yacht Club DJs and local support acts Chase City, Modern Opera and Lazer Baby from 6pm. Tickets from $79 (plus booking fee). tickets.oztix.com.au
JANUARY
JANUARY 8
STREET EATS @ FRANKO
FRANKLIN SQUARE, HOBART
The first Franko food market for 2021 and the final event for the summer season. 4pm-9pm. Bookings are required – tickets are $5.50 for adults (kids under 16 are free). streeteatsfranko.com.au
JANUARY 9-10
GIN-UARY
THE GOODS SHED
This annual gin festival features spirits from more than 20 Tasmanian distillers. Sessions from 11am-3pm and 4-8pm on the Saturday and noon-4pm on the Sunday. Tickets from $65. 18+ event. ginuaryhobart.com.au
JANUARY 15-17 – LAUNCESTON
JANUARY 22-24 – HOBART
MONA FOMA
Mona’s summer festival presents a string of free and ticketed events at various venues in the north and the south of the state.mofo.net.au
FEBURARY
FEBRUARY 5-7
INDULGE – PRESENTED BY FESTIVALE
LAUNCESTON’S UTAS STADIUM
Traditionally held at City Park, this outdoor food, wine and music festival has switched venues this year and will run in a different format to meet COVID requirements. Sessions on Friday from 6pm, on Saturday from 11am-4pm and 6pm-10pm and on Sunday from 11am-4pm. Tickets are $90 for a table of six or $150 for a table of 10. indulgebyfestivale.com.au
FEBRUARY 6-8
ROYAL HOBART REGATTA
QUEENS DOMAIN
Three days of land and sea activities. People’s Day is Sunday February 7 and there will be a fireworks display in the evening. Free entry. royalhobartregatta.com
FEBRUARY 7
WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL PARADE OF SAIL
RIVER DERWENT
Choose a vantage point along the shores of the river – Alexander Battery Park, Long Beach at Sandy Bay and Wrest Point are good options – and watch a throng of wooden boats sail by. If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, register your interest and join the fun. australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au
FEBRUARY 7
HOBART CUP
ELWICK RACECOURSE
Summer racing action from 11am. Tickets start from $35 adults and $20 concession. trchobart.com.au
FEBRUARY 19
SUMMERSALT
ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Cat Empire, The Teskey Brothers, John Butler and Boy and Bear team up to bring an evening of summer music to the gardens from 4pm. Tickets from $119.90 for adults and $69.90 for kids. summersaltmusic.com.au
FEBRUARY 22-28
VIBRANCE FESTIVAL
ELIZABETH ST, HOBART
Enjoy seven days of street art as the walls of Hobart come alive with colour. vibrancefestival.com.au
MARCH
MARCH 5-8 – WEST & NORTH-WEST
MARCH 12-14 – NORTH & NORTH EAST
MARCH 19-21 – SOUTH
TEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND
VARIOUS VENUES
Over the past two decades this popular arts festival has presented more than 1200 individual events in over 140 locations engaging 1.5 million Tasmanians. Full program will be announced on January 28.
MARCH 13 – LAUNCESTON’S COUNTRY CLUB CASINO
MARCH 14 – HOBART’S ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL
GARDENS
RED HOT SUMMER TOUR
Jimmy Barnes, Hoodoo Gurus, Jon Stevens, Vika and Linda, Diesel and Chris Cheney perform two Tasmanian shows from 1pm. Tickets from $128.90. redhotsummertour.com.au
MARCH 20
DAY ON THE LAWN
ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS
Music from Grinspoon, Ocean Alley, Angie McMahon, Kota banks, Coolio, Bootleg Rascal and more. 2pm. Tickets from $96.90. oztix.com.au
— LINDA SMITH
FOOD
Throughout history some of the most celebrated pieces of art and music have been created following periods of hardship and adversity. After a rough year, Tasmania’s food and hospitality industry is positively brimming with creativity, with a number of exciting developments in the works for the summer season and in to 2021.
Chef Lilly Trewartha’s new pop-up concept, Izakaya TEMPorary launched at the beginning of month, inspired by her time at Peg London, the restaurant she was working at prior to returning home at the beginning of the pandemic. Presented together with chef Luke Burgess, you’ll find the Japanese Izakaya-style setup at Templo on Tuesday and Wednesday nights throughout December. Though tickets are now mostly sold out, there are rumblings that Lilly may do more pop-ups like this in 2021 – an experience not to be missed.
In The Hanging Garden’s recently announced Tasmanian Summer Barbecue program is running over five days from the 26th to the 30th of December. The epic culinary line-up includes Adam James, Megan Quill, Luke Burgess, Thea Webb and Nick Cummins set alongside an equally epic live music program – think blues, roots, groove and more.
Rolling through to January, Ginuary is going ahead on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th at The Goods Shed, showcasing some of Tassie’s best distillers (I think we can all agree that a stiff gin is in order after 2020). Continuing with the booze theme, The Southern Open Vineyards Weekend is happening on the 19th, 20th and 21st of February. Over 40 winemakers across the Huon Valley, Derwent Valley and Coal River Valley will open their doors to the public over the three-days offering a unique opportunity to meet the masterminds behind some of the state’s most celebrated wine labels.
evolved in to a community events space during the pandemic with a number of workshops, pizza nights, panel discussions and live music events scheduled for 2020 (full program available on their website).
Restaurant-wise, chef Analiese Gregory is set to open a 10-seater restaurant at her Huonville home in mid-late 2021. I have looked forward to her Friday lunch offerings at Lucinda over the past few months and can’t wait to see her new project take shape. Massimo Mele’s yet-to-be-named Italian restaurant is also set to open in 2021 as part of The Tasman, a luxury 152-room hotel that will be located at the historic Parliament Square.
One to watch is also the newly established enterprise ‘Future Feeders’, formed during the pandemic by hospitality entrepreneur Chloe Proud and designer, Michelle Boyd. Their aim is to re-establish and tighten local food supply chains and create re-employment opportunities for the industry. They offer locally made dinner packs and host events and workshops showcasing exciting things happening in the Tassie food scene.
Finally, with Christmas fast approaching one of the best ways to support our hospitality community at this time of year is to purchase gift vouchers from local venues. Often available to purchase online, it’s the ideal last minute gift solution sure to be appreciated and enjoyed by loved ones.
https://www.portcygnetcannery.com
https://www.openvineyards.wine
— AMANDA VALLIS
MOVIES
Social distancing requirements and general reluctance among patrons to sit inside confined spaces with other people forced cinemas to close their doors very early in to the COVID-19 crisis.
And with cinemas closed, the entire traditional film distribution model collapsed.
Within a month of the outbreak starting, major Hollywood films were being shelved left, right and centre, including some of the tentpole blockbusters.
Many films due for release this year were eventually released online through streaming services, which at least guaranteed them an audience and a return, although with considerably less fanfare.
But the good news is that there is a glut of big films still sitting in storage, waiting to hit the big screen now that cinemas are open again.
Nothing like building a little anticipation, right? Here are some of the biggest ones...
WONDER WOMAN 1984
Releases: Boxing Day
First cab off the rank is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2017 smash hit Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Amazon superhero was arguably the best thing to emerge from the DC cinematic universe so far but the sequel, originally slated for release in June, was pushed back to October, and then again to December 26. Finally we get to see Wonder Woman face Cheetah (Kristen Wiig), with Patty Jenkins again directing.
THE DRY
Releases: January 1
The Australian film industry has taken a pounding thanks to the COVID shutdowns, but hopefully this homegrown thriller shot in the Mallee and Wimmera can kick things off with a bang on New Year’s Day. Eric Bana — in his first Aussie film lead role in 13 years — plays a cop who returns to his struggling farming community after years away, and becomes embroiled in a murder-suicide mystery. Adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name, by ex-Herald Sun journalist Jane Harper.
NO TIME TO DIE
Releases: April 1
Already delayed thanks to a change of director and one of the first films to abandon its release date, Daniel Craig’s last hurrah as 007 should finally land nearly a year after first planned. But if anything, that’s just ramped up audience expectations to fever pitch, particularly after a killer trailer dropped, and the promise of a kick-ass band of women including Lashana Lynch’s new 00 agent, and Ana de Armas as a CIA agent.
BLACK WIDOW
Releases: April 29
This year marks the first year since 2009 that there were no new entries in the all-conquering Marvel Cinematic Universe. After 23 movies in 12 years, some might be breathing a sigh of relief but the superheroes will be back with a vengeance in 2021, first with Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo Black Widow movie, then with the first Asian lead in the Sydney-shot Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Seven Rings (July 8), followed by the star-studded Eternals (November 4). Throw in a Venom sequel, Let There Be Carnage (June 23) and Spider-Man spin-off Morbius (March 18) and it looks like there’s no sign of so-called superhero fatigue setting in any time soon.
GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE
Release date: June 10
The all-female reboot might have been unfairly savaged, but there’s life in the much-loved spooky franchise yet. Jason Reitman (Juno, Up In the Air) has stepped into his father Ivan’s shoes as director of what is touted as a direct sequel set 30 years after the second film. Surviving Proton Pack protagonists Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson (RIP Harold Ramis) will be back, as will Sigourney Weaver, joined by Paul Rudd, Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard and rising star Mckenna Grace. Who ya gonna call?
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Releases: July 2
Originally set to release on December 23, this sequel to the 1986 original was pushed back to mid-2021. Considering the 25-year gap since the first movie, what’s another six months, right? Tom Cruise reprises his famous role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, no longer a combat pilot but a test pilot pushing the envelope in new ways. With Val Kilmer returning as Iceman as well, it should be a nice hit of nostalgia and action. I feel the need …
DUNE
Releases: September 30
The legions of fans of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi classic Dune were devastated when this eagerly anticipated film version was pushed back from this Christmas to late next year. After David Lynch’s bonkers, butchered 1984 effort and an underwhelming 2000 miniseries, director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Bladerunner: 2049) looks like the man for the job and has assembled a spot-on cast including Timothee Chalomet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac and the so-hot-right-now Zendaya.
— JAMES WIGNEY AND TIM MARTAIN
TELEVISION
Just in case you’re not sick to death of watching far too much TV after a year of lockdowns and social distancing, there’s still some pretty great stuff set to hit the small screen in the new year.
VIKINGS (FINAL SEASON)
SBS and SBS On Demand
Created by Michael Hirst (The Tudors), the final season of epic saga Vikings will premiere with a double episode on SBS and SBS On Demand at 8.30pm on Wednesday, January 6. First premiering in 2013 and inspired by the tales of the Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia, Vikings fans have been waiting over a year to find out how this iconic series concludes. The final instalment begins as Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith, Lovecraft Country, Neighbours) learns the truth about Kjetill. Meanwhile, back in Norway, the battle against the Rus has had grave consequences. Reinforcements are on the horizon, and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig, The Hunger Games) has an idea that may yet turn the tide.
GOLD
Stan
Currently filming in South Australia, this Stan original film stars Hollywood heart-throb Zac Efron and is expected to stream some time in 2021. AACTA Award-winning actor and filmmaker Anthony Hayes (Animal Kingdom, The Light Between Oceans, War Machine) directs and co-stars alongside Efron and award-winning actor Susie Porter (Ladies in Black, The Second). Gold is a taut thriller about greed and the lengths people will go to secure themselves a fortune. When two drifters travelling through the outback stumble across the biggest gold nugget ever found, the dream of immense wealth and greed takes hold. They hatch a plan to protect and excavate their bounty with one man leaving to secure the necessary equipment. The other man remains and must endure the harsh desert climate, preying wolves and intruders, while battling the creeping doubt that he has been abandoned to his own fate.
BUMP
Stan
All episodes of season one of this new 10-part series go live on New Year’s Day. The series centres around Oly (Nathalie Morris), an ambitious and high-achieving teenage girl who has a surprise baby, and the complications that ensue for two families. Set in and around a high school in contemporary inner Sydney and following the main characters home, Bump explores unexpected motherhood, unwelcome new relatives, and unintended consequences with humour and emotional honesty. The drama series stars Claudia Karvan (The Other Guy) as Oly’s mother and also a producer of the series. Claudia is joined by Angus Sampson (Fargo), along with Carlos Sanson Jnr, Catalina Palma, Safia Arain, Paula Garcia, Ioane Saula, Peter Thurnwald and Ricardo Scheihing Vasquez.
WENTWORTH: REDEMPTION
Foxtel Showcase
While Melbourne was in lockdown, the Wentworth cast and crew became one of the first dramas to get back to work. They managed to film what will be the final 10 episodes ever, with fans keen to know if Allie survives and if there’s resolution to the story involving The Freak returning to jail.
THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA
Netflix
Season four of this darker reimagining of Sabrine the Teenage Witch premieres on December 31. Sabrina’s (Kiernan Shipka) new normal quickly dissolves as menacing spirits set their sights on Greendale. In a battle of supernatural wits, who will be left standing?
THE NEWSREADER
ABC
Production is currently under way in Melbourne on The Newsreader, a six-part drama set in a commercial TV newsroom in 1986. Anna Torv (Secret City) plays a difficult host seeking credibility and Sam Reid (Lambs of God) an eager reporter covering events from the Challenger explosion to Chernobyl. It’s created by Michael Lucas (Five Bedrooms, Offspring).
FISK
ABC
Also being shot now in Melbourne, Kitty Flanagan wrote and stars in Fisk. She plays Helen Tudor-Fish, a contract lawyer slumming it at a rundown suburban law firm who deals in wills, inheritances and fighting families. It also stars Julia Zemiro, Aaron Chen and Glenn Butcher.
JACK IRISH
ABC
Guy Pearce is back home in Melbourne filming the final season of Jack Irish. This series delves into his past and sees Jack run into his toughest challenges yet. “I’m very much looking forward to Jack’s final hurrah but also feeling a deep sense of melancholy knowing it will be our last,” Pearce said. Also in the cast — Marta Dusseldorp, Aaron Pedersen, Shane Jacobson, Roy Billing, Gary Sweet and Alison Whyte.
— CAMERON ADAMS AND TIM MARTAIN
FASHION
COLOUR
Grey and sunshine yellow will dominate fashion trends in 2021. The newly-announced Pantone Colours of the Year are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating – two independent colours which colour experts say will “come together to create an aspirational colour pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine-filled day. Meanwhile trend forecasting company WGSN predicts aqua will also be a standout for 2021. Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson says it is the strong hue and the bold statement we all need after this year. “I think aqua is such a fresh and yet traditional colour, making it popular due to its simplicity and statement-making potential,” she says.
BOLD EYE MAKE-UP
Dramatic eyes and bold brows will be the focus for 2021 as mask wearing continues to be a way of life in many places. Revlon marketing manager Amy Kingon Smith says high impact eye make-up has been on the rise throughout 2020, and we will see a continuation of the sleek metallic eye look with voluminous lashes and shimmery eyeliner into next year.
MODERN BRIDES
An increasing number of brides are opting for less conventional wedding celebrations and more unique dresses and accessories following the uncertainty of nuptials this year. Bridal designer Jessica Andreatta says with an emphasis on unconventional bridalwear, it’s all about playing with new and fresh fabrications such as feathers, veils and less traditional silhouettes. “To complement a classic and minimal elopement dress, brides are focusing on long floating veils or embellished/beaded face masks in gorgeous lace fabrications to elevate the look,” Andreatta says. House of A Event Management owner Amy Groves-Bosworth, who plans weddings across Hobart, says many Tasmanian couples have been rethinking their wedding ideals and “taking a more intimate approach to weddings’’. “Many couples have decided 2021 will be a perfect year to get married – a new year and a new start,’’ she says.
SOPHISTICATED COMFORT
Moving the active and leisure wear trends of recent times forward, we can expect to see a more sophisticated comfort trend emerging in 2021. While there will be a desire to dress up post-COVID, for many people it will be in a more pared back way. Bridget Veals, David Jones general manager of womenswear, says with most Australians experiencing significant lifestyle changes they are seeing customers increasingly buying into the “sophisticated comfort” trend, filling the gaps in their wardrobes with a cross between athleisure and everyday apparel.
SHOP LOCAL
The words “Made in Tasmania” are holding greater significance as shoppers increasingly look to support local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. While some businesses are struggling in the wake of coronavirus restrictions, others are busier than ever as buyers fundamentally change the way they shop. Local makers have reported a surge in demand as discerning shoppers turn away from mass-produced items from overseas, instead seeking Tasmanian alternatives. And retailers say many shoppers have been pleasantly surprised, discovering that it’s possible to dress head-to-toe in Tasmanian-made clothing without the hefty price-tag many people might expect.
The Spotted Quoll Studio owner Tamika Bannister says her Liverpool St shop, which sells locally-made clothing and homewares, has never been busier. Her top picks for 2021 are calming colours, anything that brings an essence of the wild into the home or workspace and houseplants – she says you can never have too many houseplants. “It’s been an emotionally-draining year for people,’’ Bannister says. “So people are really turning to what’s going to create serenity within their homes and office spaces.’’
– LINDA SMITH AND KIM WILSON
BOOKS
WHEN THE APRICOTS BLOOM, GINA WILKINSON
Hachette, January
What would you do if the secret police demanded you spy on a friend in order to protect your family? Three women confront the complexities of trust, friendship and motherhood under the rule of a dictator in this debut inspired by the Melbourne author’s own experiences in Iraq.
THE RUBY PRINCESS, DUNCAN McNAB
Macmillan Australia, February
In this account of one of the most infamous moments in the recent history of the pandemic, McNab explores the causes of the spectacular COVID-19 quarantine failure, the cruise industry, the lives of the victims and their families, and the turbulent politics of blame.
TWO STEPS ONWARD, GRAEME SIMSION & ANNE BUIST
Text, March
The husband and wife team return with the wise, witty and wine-filled follow-up to
Two Steps Forward. It’s about helping the people you love, figuring out what you really want in life and seizing your second chance, before it’s too late.
THE FAMILY DOCTOR, DEBRA OSWALD
Allen & Unwin, March
Paula, a suburban GP, comes home one evening to the house she is sharing with her lifelong friend and her two children to discover a scene from hell: they are all lying dead in pools of blood with horrendous gunshot wounds.
THE BELIEVER, SARAH KRASNOSTEIN
Text, March
The author of The Trauma Cleaner has spent four years here and in the US talking to
ghost-hunters, Ufologists, adherents to different shades of fundamentalist religion and those living and working at the extremes of life, death and adversity.
FROM WHERE I FELL, SUSAN JOHNSON
Allen & Unwin, March
An email from Pamela in Australia to her ex in London accidentally ends up in the inbox of a New York State teacher, who is sympathetic to Pamela’s laments. They start sharing the stories of their lives, and eventually each other’s secrets.
THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE, SHARON STONE
Allen & Unwin, April
Actor, human rights activist, artist and mother Sharon Stone tells her own story, what she describes as a journey of healing, love and purpose.
THE PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTER, JAMES PATTERSON & BILL CLINTON
Penguin Random House, June
From the authors (yes, it’s that former president) of the No. 1 bestseller The President is Missing comes this explosive new thriller about a former president and Navy SEAL who must deal with an imminent threat against his daughter.
CATCH US THE FOXES, NICOLA WEST
Simon & Schuster Australia, July
This dark, clever and twisted thriller in an unsettling Australian setting is the highly anticipated debut of a young writer whose work has been described as Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects meets David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.
WHEN YOU ARE MINE, MICHAEL ROBOTHAM
Hachette, July
Robotham’s first stand-alone thriller since The Secrets She Keeps, the adaptation of which became a ratings hit on TV. When You Are Mine is complete with toxic friendships, hidden agendas and deadly secrets.
THE ENEMY WITHIN, TIM AYLIFFE
Simon & Schuster Australia, August
The third and last in a series featuring John Bailey, the deeply flawed former foreign correspondent who will risk everything to get to the truth, often with a little help from with the ruthless CIA agent who helped him escape his captors in Afghanistan.
PAUL HUNTER
Surprising way to guarantee magpies won’t swoop you
There’s one almost sure-fire way to stop magpies swooping, but if that fails, there are always metal buckets, writes Frances Whiting.
We may have just found the worst parking fail ever
Is this the worst parking fail ever? One driver sure gave it a crack.