Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.
I’m staring up at the 67-metre tall Al Wasl Plaza as elaborate video works slide across the steelwork panels; a call to Prayer echoes through the air. The structure, which designers Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture revealed for Expo 2020 Dubai, is the perfect centrepiece for Dhabi Dubai. This small-scale light and arts festival…
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We live in a world where cynicism is constantly mistaken for wisdom or rationality. No one really cares when you tell your own story, unless they can see themselves in it. The best storytellers know this, which is why they’re adept at creating art that is relentlessly human. This is what separates a truly great…
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Since 1990, G Adventures has been leading people around the world as one of the biggest tour operators in the travel industry. From National Geographic itineraries across the Galapagos Islands, to wildlife tours in Madagascar, this company has kept an adventurous spirit for decades. And continues to find new ways to open up the world,…
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Welcome to AU Favourites, a new monthly column where our writers highlight 5 things they’ve been loving lately. Whether it’s a good read, new tech product, or even a piece of furniture. We’re lucky enough to go hands on with a lot of things across the many areas that we cover on this website. We…
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A new design-forward hotel brand is set for Australia and New Zealand, initially opening properties in Christchurch and Byron Bay. Drifter, a unique hybrid hotel concept, will add a unique lifestyle brand to these frequently visited locales, with plans to grow steadily with two more properties earmarked for 2025. Drifter Byron Bay and Drifter Christchurch…
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When it comes flight prices, it’s all about competition. The more airlines flying in and out of a country, the better it is – for your budget at least. It’s a big deal when a major airline makes its debut in any market for the first time, and so one of the biggest news stories…
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I just don’t think I’m an island person. Throw me into a warehouse rave in New York City and I’ll thrive. Take me driving through the dizzying hills of Tuscany and I’m good. Tell me about “island time,” however, and I’ll let out an audible groan. I’m not a patient person when I’m travelling. So…
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There’s no point throughout Sampha’s generously paced, highly detailed performance at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion where it feels like the UK singer has made any sort of mistake or taken a wrong turn. From the smart lighting to the composition of his achingly vulnerable songs, the man demonstrated exactly why he has emerged as one of…
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Scheduled for the tail-end of March, Souled Out by Whatslively will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Perth with a solid line-up of on-trend R&B acts. I’ve typed similar sentences many times over the past decade, and I’ve watched sadly as R&B-flavoured festivals folded. Soulfest is the most obvious one, and slow ticket sales in…
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You knew it was coming. And yes, megastar DJ and not-Taylor-Swift Fred Again didn’t just fly to Sydney to play one show. Last night Fred again.. made history at the Sydney Opera House – becoming the first-ever artist to announce, sell out, and perform at the iconic venue, all within 24 hours. Announced on Instagram…
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After seven mammoth nights in Australia – three in Melbourne, followed by four in Sydney – Taylor Swift has officially ended her the down under leg of her Eras Tour. And with it, she’s debuted a whole lot of exclusive mashups that have been the envy of fans worldwide. While Aussies usually draw the short…
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Chug, Chug, Chug! The prevailing chant of The Eric Andre Show Live as the famed absurdist comic brought his touring live show to Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion this past weekend. Andre is right. Aussies love chugging things. And so each and every guest – singer Donny Benet, comedian Nikki Osbourne, and a few audience members –…
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Ergonomics still counts for a lot when it comes to working. Your desk is your sanctuary when you’re working, and decluttering is one of the top productivity hacks that is consistent throughout contexts. A messy desk is a chaotic mind, and a chaotic mind is one with endless distractions. That’s why it always pays to…
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In some of the world’s greatest cities, such as New York and Tokyo, locals heading to hotels to eat and drink well is a thing. It’s a big thing. From Dowling’s in The Carlyle (NYC) to Nadaman in Shangri-La (Tokyo), some of the best meals I’ve had overseas have been in hotels. Sydney has always…
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It’s not weak to admit that you lack motivation right now. Yes, sure, social media and toxic positivity have made it so we feel instantly ashamed and overwhelmed when we aren’t operating at our peak. But that’s largely bullshit. Identifying that you need a push, and then seeking that push – even if it takes…
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Sydneysiders, I know what’s on your mind when you book into The Gidley’s moody bar area. You want that superlative signature burger. You know, the one with such a strong cult following that the popular steakhouse sells around 500 of them each week. That winning combination hasn’t changed over the years. A classic bun with…
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Qantas has launched its popular double status credits offer today so you can each elite status much quicker in 2024. The promotion is the airline’s most popular year-on-year with many Qantas Frequent Flyers waiting patiently for the airline to launch the generous offer before they start planning their travel. It’s a smart way to fly…
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While Koala are still renowned for being the mattress-in-a-box brand in Australia, many still forget that the business is steadily growing into a bit of a one-stop-shop for simple, neutral furniture that straddles the line between affordability and quality. Much has been said about Koala’s exceptional service, transparent delivery and quality builds. And since we’ve…
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Remember when Devon Cafe and Three William Street were helping Sydney compete quite fiercely with Melbourne’s famously progressive cafe scene? All of the sudden laneway bars started to pop up over the city to take care of the night owls (at least until the lockout-law-mandated-cessation-of-service). But by day, these increasingly creative cities were taken good…
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Hobart is the most underrated capital city in Australia. There’s no question. Direct access to some of the country’s finest produce has given the city’s dining scene a standard to rival the world’s greatest food cities. It’s small, walkable and incredibly relaxing. And Hobart also plays host to some of the most interesting and exciting…
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February 14th is steaming towards you and you only have a few days to buy a gift for your loved one. And while we’re not pressuring anyone into celebrating one of the most commercialised days of the year, it’s still a nice gesture to acknowledge your partner on a day someone somewhere once decided was…
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Etihad Airways has been going hard on sales and promotions lately. At the start of the year, the Gulf carrier started a big sale with very affordable international fares. Then the airline announced a Status Match program for Gold and Silver tiers. Now, Etihad has decided to throw a bit of bone to point-end travellers…
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Every now and again, a major airline loyalty programs will announce a status match. This basically means that frequent flyers with elite status on any rival programs are able to gain complimentary (and instant) elite status with the airline offering the status match. Basically, it’s a play for loyalty. And it seems Etihad Airways have…
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I remember a few years ago going hands-on with the Philips XXL Air Fryer and instantly warming up to the trend. It was during lockdown, when people really started to look at things like airfryers not only as healthier and faster ways to cook, but ways to distract themselves. The Philips 7000 Series Combi XXXL…
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Another year, another bonkers Coachella lineup. And for 2024, the USA’s most famous music festival is most certainly bringing the goods. The headline is that legendary ska-pop band No Doubt will be the special guests across Coachella’s two weekends in April, boosting a lineup that already includes headliners Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator and…
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Across eight days in April and May, the historic New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will pull off what is perhaps one of the greatest line-ups I’ve seen in…ever. The 2024 leg of the massive music festival, which turns New Orleans into an even bigger party than it already is, will be headlined by The…
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Is 2024 your year of travel? Well, some of the world’s best airlines are certainly helping you navigate your goals despite the rising cost of living. We’ve already seen very tempting sales from Virgin Australia and Etihad; now it’s time to turn our attention towards Fiji Airways. The highly-rated airline has announced an exclusive flight…
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One of Australia’s foremost luxury hotel brands, QT Hotels & Resorts, has built quite the reputation for doing things differently. And this is one of their most out-there offerings to date, celebrating Valentine’s Day by taking the phrase “get a room” quite literally. Throughout February, guests booking in for a romantic staycay at any of…
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2023 started with a bang when it came to big international acts touring Australia. Arctic Monkeys, Elton John, Fred Again…, Sting. It was wild. And 2024 is only getting better, with the next few weeks set to bring some big internationals down to our shores. Every few months, we’re going to be taking stock of…
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T.I., Ashanti, T-Pain. The three headliners for Juicy Fest 2024, the second iteration of what is – I’m guessing – now the signature hip hop festival for Australia and New Zealand. Signature because all these other attempts at building a stable hip hop and R&B festival for Australia and New Zealand have largely fallen flat…
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