Month: February 2016

Video Games Review: XCOM 2 (Windows PC, 2016)

Ask any fan of XCOM for their opinion on the franchise and their stories will all be variations on a theme – wonderful games marred by wild RNG and, in the case of 2012’s XCOM: Enemy Unknown at least, some of the most infuriating, game-breaking bugs this side of an Elder Srolls title. Neither of those criticisms have really changed in XCOM 2,…

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Eight things you probably never knew about Ridley Scott’s classic Alien

This Friday, the Event Cinemas on George Street in Sydney will be screening the classic film Alien on the big screen in VMAX. To celebrate, we’re looking back at the film and bringing you ten things about the film you may have never known about it… Enjoy this list below! Oh and the screening comes…

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United Airlines celebrates 30 years of service to Australia; becomes an “all-Dreamliner” carrier

As United Airlines celebrate 30 years of serving the Australia market without interruption, the airline is planning big changes. These plans include making Australia United’s very first all-Dreamliner market, switching to Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airliners for all trans-pacific routes, a follow up to the success of the Melbourne-Los Angeles nonstop service where passenger have already been…

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Five places you have to eat in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is a city well known for its music – but it’s also filled with some of the best examples of American cuisine, from breakfasts that are loved by Taylor Swift, to the superb Tennessee BBQ scene and some of the most impressive burgers you’ll ever have the pleasure of putting your lips around. Here…

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Flight Review: Air Canada – Toronto to Los Angeles (AC795)

On AU Abroad, we bring you a birds eye view of the world of travel. In this article series, we let you in on the best airlines to fly with. We continue things in North America with Air Canada’s direct route from Toronto to Los Angeles, which we took as part of our long journey home…

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Hotel Review: One Bedroom Apartment at the Park Regis, North Quay (Brisbane, QLD)

A towering monument on the Brisbane River, the Park Regis North Quay has become a go-to destination for Brisbane bound travellers (be it for business or tourism) since the 24 floor hotel opened in 1998. We stayed for two nights in a 1 bedroom apartment overlooking the beautiful Brisbane River – blessed with similarly kind…

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Five of Bangkok’s best shopping destinations – and where to stay to be in the thick of it

Bangkok has earned itself a reputation as a consumer’s paradise, particularly when it comes to clothing, accessories and electronics. If you intend on shopping up a storm during your stay in the Thai capital, The Hansar Hotel is the place to be – it is situated within walking distance of five of the city’s most…

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We ride the world’s first Puss in Boots family coaster at Universal Studios Singapore

The world’s newest Universal Studios Theme Park – Universal Studios Singapore – turned five years old last year, and there have been a few new additions to the park to celebrate. Towards the end of 2014, a new Puss in Boots themed show “The Dance for the Magic Beans” launched that preceded “Puss in Boots’…

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Art Series Hotel Group to expand into Brisbane with The Johnson

With their first ever Queensland expansion for Art Series Hotel Group, Brisbane will be getting a new five-star hotel in June 2016, The Johnson. Master colourist Michael Johnson will be the inspiration and focus of the hotel, coming on board with his work to illustrate the property with his original paintings and giclee prints. Located…

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Tigerair launches direct flights between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour

Tigerair recently announced a new schedule of flights direct between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales north coast. The newly added service is providing three return flights per week. Tigerair have said that this will offer a total of 56,000 seats annually between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour, and that they are now…

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Hawaiian Airlines broke customer records in 2015

Records have been broken for Hawaiian Airlines, revealing that it has welcomed a record of 10,672,667 customers in 2015, seeing a 4.7 percent increase over the previous year. The record comes after the announcement of new enhancements including the planned launch of a redesigned premium cabin with lie-flat seating and non-stop service to Narita International Airport. The…

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The joy of experiencing Sleep No More in New York City for the first time

The idea of the interactive theatre experience is nothing new. From “whodunit” dinner parties to whatever it is people get up to at those Rocky Horror screenings, there’s always been a market for those of us who want to feel a part of the action. Even sitting front row at a comedy show brings out…

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Flight Review: Porter Airlines – Toronto City Airport to Newark, New Jersey / New York (PD147)

Getting in and out of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport can be a bit of a pain. Though a new express train service installed for the Pan Am Games in June has made the process of getting in and out a slightly less tiresome affair, it remains an expensive one. Luckily, for some routes, another airport lays…

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Theatre Review: Arcadia – Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House (performances to 2nd April)

Tom Stoppard’s plays are just so damn entertaining and clever. They always give off such a vibe of established sophistication that he easily fits into the most respected playwrights of history, but his writing remains relevant and modern. And when one gets to experience his plays in such a production as Sydney Theatre Company’s latest…

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Arts Review: Mayhem Kings Cross 1945 – Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney (15.02.16)

Inspired by events in and around Kings Cross at the end of the Second World War, Mayhem Kings Cross 1945 at the opulent Elizabeth Bay House was a celebration of the end of the war and a way to bid farewell to American GI’s returning home. A coloration between Sydney Living Museums and The Festivalists,…

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Theatre Review: Sky-hi & So-lo – The Stables, Fringe World Perth (performances until Feb 21st)

Sky-hi & So-lo is the first one-man show from Viktor Griffioen, formerly of music theatre group The Sadists. It’s been 24 hours and quite frankly I’m still not entirely sure what to make of it. It’s chaotic, wilfully absurd – but utterly entertaining and hilarious (if you don’t mind your humour a bit dark and…

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Theatre Review: Ludwig – The Shambles, Perth Fringe World (performances until 21st Feb)

Did you know? Ludwig II of Bavaria was known as the Swan King or the Fairy Tale King? No? How about that Ludwig II was a massive fan of Wagner and decked out his palaces in homage to Wagner’s operas? Me neither. That was until I saw Ludwig – a one-man operetta – presented by…

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Pilgrim Bar launches ‘Taste + Talk’ series with Four Pillars Gin (Melbourne)

Melbourne’s popular riverside haunt Pilgrim Bar have introduced a new series aimed at connecting food and drink aficionados to local producers from around Australia. Titled ‘Taste + Talk’, the string of events will begin this week on Thursday 18th February, bringing in on of Australia’s most loved Gin distilleries, Four Pillars for an hour-long event…

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Sydney now has a Breaking Bad themed burger joint serving Heisenburgers and blasting hip-hop

Burgers Anonymous just popped out of nowhere on Sydney’s Oxford Street, fashioning itself after hit TV series Breaking Bad and pumping out classic American style burgers, focused on simple done good. The new burger joint only just opened and has already been selling out of burgers, unsurprisingly. As reported by Broadsheet, co-owner David Tang describes…

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Merivale previews new venues and dishes at extravagant launch party for March Into Merivale

Last week, Merivale celebrated the start of their one-month March Into Merivale festival with it’s traditional launch party throughout their famed ivy, presenting stalls from all Merivale venues new and old, with all chefs on hand to offer some of their latest creations, some old favourites, and future staples. AU’s Head Photographer Johnny Au was…

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Potts Point’s Yellow shifts focus towards all-vegetarian menu (Sydney)

Award-winning team Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt are making some big changes to their acclaimed Potts Point restaurant Yellow, today announcing that as of this Wednesday 17th February, the kitchen will be shifting their focus towards vegetables. This means that the entire dinner menu will become all-vegetarian, with dishes designed to share. “I’ve always loved…

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Rising star Clinton McIver opens Amaru on Armadale’s High Street (Melbourne)

Clinton McIver,  of Clayton Bowls Club fame, has launched Amaru, the name being a hyrbid of an Aboriginal term “Amaroo” meaning “beautiful place” and the Portuguese word “Amar”, which means “to love. Roughly translated to “a beautiful place to love”, it’s the ideal way to describe a luxurious, intimate, tasting-menu-only space, located on High Street in Armadale. “One of my…

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Aziz Ansari’s Master of None renewed for a second season

Comedian Aziz Ansari’s has confirmed that a second season of his Netflix comedy Master of None is on the way. Netflix hasn’t spoken up about the length or when audiences can expect to see the series return yet but Aziz took to Twitter to share the news. Master of None Season 2 coming 2017. Thanks for…

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Winter is coming in the trailer for The Huntsman: Winter’s War

There’s a new trailer for The Huntsman: Winter’s War, starring Chris Hemsworth, Emily Blunt, Charlize Theron and Jessica Chastain. The sequel to 2012’s Snow White and The Huntsman will see Hemsworth and Chastain’s characters caught up in a war for domination between two queens. Check out the trailer below: The Huntsman: Winter’s War releases in Australian cinemas on…

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Iconic Hong Kong hotel to showcase new Conrad Shawcrass Exhibition

Iconic Hong Kong hotel The Peninsula has recently announced a new installment in their ‘Love Art At The Peninsular’ arts program. Working in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Arts, the program will launch an exhibition by British sculptor, Conrad Shawcross. Shawcross will become the second major artist to exhibit at the hotel when his…

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Tigerair announces Valentine’s Day sale for all domestic routes

Budget airline Tigerair are offering a sale from now until midday on Tuesday 16th February to celebrate the month of love, pushing a “Love Your Family” deal that will see 20% off all domestic routes across their Australian network. Selling for travel during April (and the school holiday period), the sale is being offered online,…

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Flight Review: Singapore Airlines – Hong Kong to Singapore (SQ861)

In today’s Flight review on AU Abroad, we take you on Singapore Airline‘s A380 service from Hong Kong to Singapore – with an ongoing connection back to Sydney, as well as one of the handiest check in services you’ll find in the world… Airline: Singapore Airlines Route: Hong Kong to Singapore, SQ861 (Virgin Australia codeshare…

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What’s the best way to get to Manhattan from Newark International Airport in New Jersey?

Flying into Newark (EWR) can not only often be a cheaper way to get into New York with some airline carriers, but it can also be an easier way to get into Manhattan on arrival, too. Unlike La Guardia (LGA) and similar to the crowded John F Kennnedy (JFK), Newark has a train station connected…

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Searching for the best “Poutine” in Quebec, Canada

When one speaks of the cuisine of Quebec, it’s impossible to ignore the simple yet much loved dish “Poutine”. Essentially chips, cheese and gravy – something which is also popular in places like Scotland – it may seem hard to understand without experiencing it for yourself just what makes this stomach pleaser such an anticipated…

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Touring tips for when you’re on the road from internationally touring Melbourne musician Hamish Anderson

Is drinking the night before a gig a good idea? Is it necessary to bring a pillow while on tour? What kind of food do you eat in Canada? When you’re a musician, sometimes it’s tough making decisions on your own. Doing what you love in a new country can be scary and with it…

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