Other entertainment in Australia
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Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Averaging 130 performances a year, the MSO has a loyal following. Their reach is broad: while not afraid to be populist (they’ve done sell-out performances with Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka and the Whitlams), they can also do edgy. The Metropolis series premieres new Australian composition and challenging works from international contemporary composers. The well-regarded Melbourne Chorale has joined forces with the orchestra and is now known as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus. The MSO performs regularly at Hamer Hall, but also at other venues around the city, including the Malthouse and St Paul’s Cathedral.
reviewed
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Suncorp Stadium
One of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport is the State of Origin rugby league match held at least once a year at the ‘cauldron’, Suncorp Stadium, between the mighty maroons (Queensland) and the blues (NSW). The local rugby league team, the Brisbane Broncos, play home games at Suncorp Stadium and it also hosts international tests.
reviewed
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Terrace Cinema
Near Wingham, Tinonee is a tiny heritage town. It features the usual Sunday drive crafts-and-souvenir shop, a museum and the highlight – the 22-seat Terrace Cinema. This little gem is the world’s second-smallest cinema, set in a charming 1860s weatherboard house. Unfortunately it’s only available for group bookings.
reviewed
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Australian Outback Spectacular
This is a 1½-hour dinner and show in a 1000-seat arena. The venue captures the spirit of the Australian outback with displays of brilliant horsemanship, stampeding cattle and even a little boot scootin’ to music written by Australian country singer Lee Kernaghan. You’re given a stockman’s hat to keep; dinner is three courses of outback tucker.
reviewed
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Blue Sky Brewery
Here’s a sparkling new drinking hall and brewery that caters for foodies and beer-lovers. A ‘snow rail’ keeps the average barflys’ beer cool, and you can try all seven premises-made brews on a taster-tray for $16. Foodwise, the malt from the brewery goes to the tablelands cattle, which end up in the kitchen. True-blue beery beef.
reviewed
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Top End Hotel
Popular with locals, this busy little entertainment enclave has several clubs and bars, including Lizards Outdoor Bar & Grill, with its lush tropical beer garden; the Rock ’n’ Country Bar, with pool tables on the deck and Elvis posters and guitars stuck to the roof (Darwin’s version of the Hard Rock Cafe!); and the Beehive Nightclub.
reviewed
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Matso’s Broome Brewery
There’s no better spot in Broome to kick back with a beer than Matso’s wide verandahs overlooking Roebuck Bay. The wonderful award-winning beers are brewed on site – the Monsoonal Blonde is sensational – and there’s live music on Sundays in the courtyard from 4pm to 7pm, and occasional DJs and bands on weekend nights.
reviewed
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Canberra Stadium
The Canberra Raiders are the home-town rugby league side and during the season (from March to September) they play regularly at Canberra Stadium. Also laying tackles at Canberra Stadium are the ACT Brumbies rugby union team, who play in the international Super 14 competition (February to May).
reviewed
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Harvey Dickson's Country Music Centre
The fantastically over-the-top Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre comes complete with a life-sized Elvis, an Elvis room and three 13.5m-tall guitar-playing men. It hosts regular rodeos and big-name country music events, as well as the WA Country Music Festival in February.
reviewed
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Hotel Warrnambool
This hotel, dating to 1894, is the most welcoming pub in town – an earthy, cavernous place with exposed mud bricks and railway sleepers, slouchy lounges, a billiard table, a cool corner beer garden and live music on Thursday nights and Sunday. There are 11 beers available on tap and the pub grub is good.
reviewed
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Electric Ladyland
Practise your best pick-up lines and take a heavy wallet: Electric Ladyland is packed to the rafters with eager young things looking to hook up and be seen on Saturday nights. If the sceney-scene is your thing you’ll love it. It’s open nightly though and the ambience is far more subtle during the week.
reviewed
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Distill
Super-sassy Rundle St bar with a tight dress code (to the nines) and a kickin’ organic cocktail list. Sustainable snacks (sourced within 100 miles) are creatively paired with wines: Limestone Coast cloth cheddar with juicy, ‘wet dog Shiraz’; organic basil pesto with ‘herbaceous, greasy Riesling’.
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Elephant & Wheelbarrow
A popular Official Neighbours Trivia Night is held every Monday night, where you can meet and have photos taken with your favourite Neighbours actors. It’s held at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow and includes a one-hour concert by the band, Waiting Room.
reviewed
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Isle of Wight Hotel
This Cowes icon is a classic rambling pub and a great place for a beer or simple pub meal. The hotel has planning approval for a huge redevelopment that will replace the existing building with a five-star hotel and convention centre. Drink a toast to the old girl before they ’doze her!
reviewed
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Victorian Opera
This relatively new company is dedicated to innovation and to accessibility, with B reserve tickets under $60 and a subscriber’s ‘balcony club’ that has seats for $25. Their program pleasingly doesn’t always play it safe. They also tour to regional cities.
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Quarry
This slick Salamanca renovation teems with sassy young Hobart starlets. The dim lighting is kind to the receding hairlines of aging musos and businessmen out too late. There’s a great Mod Oz menu too (pan-fried haloumi salad or mussel linguini with tomato, fresh basil and chives).
reviewed
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Hyde Park Hotel
The Hydie does indie and rock bands some evenings, comedy on others. The Perth Jazz Society (www.perthjazzsociety.com) meets here every Monday night to play swing and modern jazz. The Jazz Club of WA, which plays traditional jazz and Dixieland, meets here on Tuesday nights.
reviewed
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Prudence
More local watering hole than inner-city chic, gorgeous Prudence lays out a snug and delicious spread of tables, bar stools, upstairs drinking rooms and a downstairs courtyard. Groups ham it up by the open fireplace and bohemian locals concentrate on chess by the window.
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Mojo West
A relaxed club around town (dress code and atmosphere), Mojo West has freaky blue light emanating from under the pool table cushions and quasi–Easter Island graffiti art – it certainly looks the part! Thursday university nights attract pretty young things to the lights.
reviewed
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London
Among the designer boutique shops of William St, the London draws a fashionable crowd that heads upstairs to kick back in the intimate lounge area. Downstairs punters vie for a stool at one of the circular tables and watch – or try to ignore – sport on the big screen.
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Paddington Inn
This 1850s pub hasn’t changed much outside, but the interiors have been revamped and restyled with curvy banquettes, cherry red walls and vaguely dangerous-looking light fixtures. Popular with locals, it’s a place where girls wear hair product and the guys even more.
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Bayswater Brasserie
Order the most obscure cocktail you know, but it’s unlikely you’ll flummox the bartenders at the award-winning Bays – these guys know how to fix drinks. The cool art deco space buzzes with trendy types on weekends; mid-week it’s perfect for a relaxed martini or two.
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Maori Chief
Eclectic and quirky are rare finds in this refined suburb, but the Maori Chief puts pure kitsch South Pacific beauties in frames on the walls, retro formica in the dining room and Monteiths ale on tap. It’s one honest local with honest nosh at genuine pub prices.
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Zoo
A long-standing supporter of independent music: most touring Australian bands have earned their stripes playing the Zoo at some stage in their career. A mid-sized venue with a well-raised stage, acts range from hip hop, rock and dub to acoustic, folk and reggae.
reviewed
