Gin lovers unite, there’s a festival coming your way. Coming to King Street, Brisbane on the 20th October is the biggest celebration of gin the nation has ever seen. In partnership with Welcome to Bowen Hills and Swill Gin Bar, you’ll get to taste the best of Australian and International gin distillers with over 20 vendors and counting. Choose from three different packages offering the best gin-sider experiences, accompanied by bites from Brisbane’s best food trucks. With spring in full bloom and the Jacaranda trees painting the town in colour, the Jacaranda Ginfest is the only place to be. Get your tickets here.

Today is the long weekend meaning more time to relax, enjoy and kick back with a drink in hand before the working week ramps up again. From the Northern beaches to Barangaroo, we’ve compiled a list of venues open all weekend long to make sure you get the most out of your extra time-off; Manly Wharf Hotel, The Royal, The Glenmore, The Australian Heritage Hotel, Anason, Meat & Wine Co, love.fish, Lotus, Cirrus, and Phomo. These venues can offer up delicious eats, breathtaking views and an easy place to relax with friends so head down and celebrate the long weekend!

Melbourne’s floating bar is back; Arbory Afloat has officially re-berthed on the Yarra River. Inspired by the European beach clubs spread along the Italian coast, Arbory Afloat was first erected in 2015 and remains the southern city’s largest floating bar and restaurant. Measuring 69m in length, the Flinders Walk venue now has added capacity thanks to the integration of more areas in which to relax while on board. This year’s design, courtesy of Lucienne Hemingway from Curious By Design, has been inspired by the Cinque Terre, and results in a space swimming in citrus and green hues, where lush garden beds, citrus and fig tree canopies also make an appearance. Arbory Afloat operates from 11.00am to 1.00am, seven days a week, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

Cliff-top oasis Ulu Cliffhouse is a reimagining of the traditional Bali beach club. Within its playground you’ll find a 25-metre infinity pool, a resort, a lifestyle concept store by Kiosk Collective, an art space, and a world-class food and drinks offerings. Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz has led the food direction, with aims to deliver beyond the typical beach club menu by incorporating both the tastes of Bali and Muñoz’s own trips around the globe. On the menu you’ll find ceviches, tiraditos, among other laidback dishes within the restaurant and bar, which boast capacity of 80 and 100 respectively. Accompany your feasting with one of the many drinks on the menu; there’s everything from in-house cold pressed juices including local herbs and vegetables, to body tonics, kombucha and Jamu made locally in the Bukit peninsula. More information on Ulu Cliffhouse, and how to book, can be found online.

Pre-made cocktails are all the rage, as long as they are crafted with the finest ingredients of course. Adding to the existing Bar Americano’s ‘hometender’ range of hand-mixed and hand-poured artisanal cocktail is Antica Fashionista. The fifth addition to the line-up is creator Matt Bax’s take on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. It’s a bourbon-based drip enriched with house Amaro Americano and laden with the notes of Mediterranean fruits, herbs and spices. Bax dedicated the release to Maurice Terzini, an old friend, and the man behind Sydney establishments Icebergs, Da Orazio, The Dolphin Hotel, and streetwear brand Ten Pieces. The best way to drink Antica Fashionista? Poured over ice and stirred, then strained into your favourite old-fashioned glass. A twist of orange is the final touch. You’ll be able to find the drink at Bar Americano, as well as Bonnie’s in Bondi, The Dolphin, Icebergs Dining Room & Da Orazio. Bottoms up!

Fancy perusing the sights of Sri Lanka with a bespoke itinerary put together by Garden Life? From the 1st-9th October 2019, you can enjoy 8 days and 9 nights of exotic bliss as you’re treated to the best in accommodation, fine dining and activities. The unique itinerary has been specially curated by Sydney garden designer, Richard Unsworth of Garden Life and renowned architectural and landscape photographer Nicholas Watt. The tour includes transits, 8 nights accommodation in boutique hotels, meals, a personal guide and talks with experts. To find out more about this amazing opportunity, see here.

Are you up for the challenge? Each Saturday in October, Old Town Hong Kong in Barangaroo is challenging Sydneysiders to an Unlimited Dumpling Feast. Across 4 Saturday’s, you’re encourage to loosen up those belt buckles and chow down on as many Asian delights as possible in 90 minutes. Feast on all your yum cha favourites and selected mains including siu mai to har gow (prawn dumplings), BBQ pork buns and pan-fried vegetable dumplings. The first session runs from 12.30pm-2pm and the second from 5.30pm-7pm. Prices are $45pp for adults and $28pp for children. If you fancy your odds at the feast, get your tickets here.

One of the oldest whiskies in Australia is set to hit shelves this December, courtesy of Young Henrys. Ramblin Man is a one-of-a-kind, extremely exclusive whiskey with 362 bottles up for grabs.The collection was named after the late Bill Claydon (former motorcycle stunt rider) who purchased the barrels 18 years ago, naming them after his favourite song by The Allman Brothers, ‘Ramblin Man’. Each bottle is valued at $500, offering an exclusive opportunity to taste some of the world’s best whiskey.

Our primary producers in NSW are facing a problem, but it’s not there’s alone. We can all play our part in providing aid to our farmers in need and the Public Dining Room in Balmoral is doing just that. On Thursday 18th October, you have the chance to dine over a 4 course share style menu with matched wines for a cause. 100% of all tickets & raffle proceeds will go to Need for Feed for New South Wales drought affected communities. For bookings – please call 02 9968 4880 (prepayment is required).

Following a 12 month renovation, The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia will officially re-open in December this year. Nestled in the heart of a 10 million year old rainforest, this island resort thrives on sustainability, natural beauty and breathtaking architecture. Boasting six unique food offerings and venues, cuisine is diverse and inspired by natural flavours. Voted as one of the World’s top 10 beaches by National Geographic, The Datai Langkawi offers unrivaled views, biodiversity and activities to be savored during your stay. For more information or reservations, visit www.thedatai.com, email reservations@dataihotels.com or call +60 4 9500 500.

Forget everything you think you know about mixers, because Fever Tree is about to blow everything out of the water with their new range of bespoke tonic waters designed specifically for Patron tequila. With Australia being chosen as one of the first countries to experience the launch, this limited edition mixer will be available in some of the world’s most iconic bar and restaurant venues and selected retailers from September 2018. The creation has taken Fever-Tree on an epic global journey, from Vera Cruz to Yucatán. Locally, Fever-Tree Citrus Tonic will be available for a limited time from select Rockpool Dining Group restaurants and bars including: Bar Patrón by Rockpool, Rosetta Ristorante Sydney, Saké The Rocks, Saké Hamer Hall, Saké Flinders Lane and through Red Bottle venues and online.

The ISMAYA Group is known for a boutique collection of more than 70 breathtaking outlets across Asia. Adding to their ever-growing portfolio, the group has just opened Manarai Beach House to the lively Nusa Dua scene. Offering a full-fledged beachside experience during the day and night, the venue is a seamless blend of Balinese tradition and modern styling, offering tranquility from the hustle of the city. With a restaurant, outdoor lounge, pools and beach area offering world-class music and entertainment, Manarai has created the ideal setting for a perfect summer.

Two world’s collide with the coming together of Oktoberfest celebrations and Burger Projects beloved buns. The venue will be launching a limited-edition Oktoberfest burger, available for two months at 12 stores across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Sandwiching a golden-crumbed chicken schnitzel, house-made mushroom sauce and sauerkraut, the burger is the latest in a series of limited-edition feeds that explore other cultures and cuisines. On Tuesday 2nd October at 11am, each store will hand out 100 free Oktoberfest burgers to celebrate its arrival.

New Years Eve plans are a year in the making, so why not get sorted early and ensure its your best one yet. Harvest Newrybar is hosting their epic annual, sell-out NYE event from 7pm-1am on the 31st December. Sprawling across the restaurant bakery, garden and fire-pit, this is the best place to welcome in 2019. Enjoy the fizz bar and feast in the restaurant, jungle bar and Spanish paella in the bakery and exotic body painting in the fire pit. With tunes from DJ Beaver and Justin Time, you’ll be dancing into the New Year and well into the morning.

Let’s face it, one of our biggest concerns around NYE is securing the best spot to watch the iconic Sydney fireworks. Thanks to Portside Sydney Opera House, this no longer has to be a concern. They’re inviting you to an all-inclusive VIP experience, complete with the best vantage point of Sydney’s fireworks. You’ll be treated to a five and a half hour soiree complete with unlimited Champagne, beer, wine, canapes, food stations and non-stop music by three of Australia’s hottest DJs. You’re promised front row seats to all the evening’s action, with uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. This is a sell-out event, so we suggest planning ahead and securing your tickets now.