Australian Stories - Tasmania - Restaurant Australia - Melbourne Food and Wine - Matilda The Musical

		Tasmania one of World’s Top Regions to Visit in 2015
		Tasmania has been named in Lonely Planet’s World’s Top Regions to Visit in 2015. Coming in at number four, the guide describes Tasmania as, ‘a gourmet’s paradise, best exemplified by the diversity of produce found in the wilds of Bruny Island. Whether it’s getting a frisky fill of oysters at Get Shucked Oyster Farm, downing a few glasses of Pinot Noir at Australia’s most southern winery, or gorging on freshly picked berries from the local berry farm, there’s no better place to taste Tassie on a plate.’ Lonely Planet also encourages travellers to discover Tasmania’s natural beauty, bushwalking experiences, and diverse, remote and wild outdoor experiences. Images courtesy of Joe Shemesh, Geoff Murray and Tourism Tasmania.
		Restaurant Australia Chef launches app
		Peter Gilmore has released an intimate, digital tour of the people, places and produce behind his unique dishes. The self-titled, interactive documentary for iPad is narrated by Peter himself and draws on stunning, high-definition photography, soundscapes and video, on the journey from produce to plate. The app is a behind the scenes look at what goes into inviting the world to dinner. From the Northern New South Wales Coast to Tasmanian fishing town St Helens, food lovers, young chefs, and critics alike can now explore some of Australia’s most pristine locations and meet the growers, fishermen and graziers that call them home.
		2015 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival program announced
		A pop-up artisan bakery rising daily in the heart of the city, serving a long lunch for 1,500 diners in Melbourne’s iconic fresh produce market, and a wine tasting with 40 of the world’s best biodynamic winemakers are just some of the unique ways Melbourne’s vibrant culinary spirit will be celebrated from 27 February to 15 March 2015. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) presented by Bank of Melbourne will take a journey to new frontiers of flavour in some of Victoria’s most spectacular settings: from famous dining spots to unexpected venues, rooftop bars to hidden cellars, plus extraordinary locations across regional Victoria. All festival events are on sale from 21 November with the full festival program available from 18 November.
		Matilda The Musical
		Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical will make its Australian premiere at Sydney Lyric Theatre with performances commencing from 28 July 2015. Matilda The Musical is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author, Roald Dahl. It is the story of an extraordinary little girl who is armed with a vivid imagination, sharp mind and dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Featuring music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical has proven an enormous success in London’s West End and on Broadway, where productions continue to play to packed houses and capture the imagination of young and old alike.
		Woodford Folk Festival
		Woodford Folk Festival is one of Australia's most iconic annual events and returns for its 29th year from 27 December 2014 - 1 January 2015. Held in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland, Woodford Folk Festival gathers artists and musicians and explores cultural, artistic, social and food diversity. This year's festival will see over 2500 artists and presenters perform across 35 venues. The program ranges from concerts featuring national and Indigenous Australian and international contemporary artists to films, forums, visual arts, an entire children's festival and many special presentations including a spectacular fire event on New Year's Day.
		Sculpture by the Sea starts today
		The 18th annual Sculpture by the Sea Bondi exhibition starts today. Scattered along the 2km Bondi to Tamarama coast walk will be over 100 sculptures by international and Australian artists, including 40 artists exhibiting for the first time. As well as amazing sculptures being showcased, Marks Park will become the mid-point of the exhibition where Grounds by the Sea, a pop up eatery by popular Sydney restaurant and café Grounds of Alexandria, will be present along with numerous deck chairs and beach umbrellas to form a chill out zone to enjoy a coffee or lunch while taking in this free exhibition. Since the starting in 1997, the exhibition has inspired over 1,000 artists to create 1,847 sculptures. Sculpture by the Sea will be on until 9 November.