Lily Mirabito

One of Melbourne’s oldest corner pubs is back. After a thoughtful refurbishment, the Laurel Hotel in Ascot Vale has officially reopened, bringing back the kind of old-school Aussie pub vibes that locals grew up loving. Dating back to 1853, the Laurel has been a staple of the neighbourhood for more than 170 years. For new owner and publican Sam Capogreco, reviving the pub is about far more than a renovation, it’s a full-circle moment. “I’ve got a long history with this pub, it’s where I poured my first pint as a teenager,” said Capogreco. “Locals were genuinely worried it would end up as apartments, so being able to bring it back as a proper corner pub has been really special.” The refurbishment strikes a careful balance between old and new, breathing fresh energy into the space while preserving the pub’s character. Original fireplaces still crackle, retro bathroom tiles remain intact, and the hitching rings once used for local horses are still visible out front. Inside, classic timber finishes, exposed brick and light-filled rooms create a warm, welcoming feel.  The sports bar has also been opened up, while a new bar crafted using recycled timber from the original anchors the space. Upstairs, a dedicated events area with its own bar is ready to host birthdays, community nights and festive celebrations. Food-wise, the Laurel is leaning into pub classics designed for sharing, with big flavours and a woodfired focus. The traditional pizza oven takes centre stage, turning out fl

Ever wanted to soar above a rainforest canopy or wander beneath the frozen surface of the polar seas? Melbourne Museum invites you to do just that with Our Wondrous Planet, a breathtaking, immersive exhibition celebrating the interconnected magic of life on Earth. Spanning reef, rainforest, ice and soil, this multisensory experience drops visitors into the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Room-sized projections, interactive moments and storytelling bring the natural world to life. More than 800 remarkable animals from across the globe take centre stage, appearing in environments that pulse, swirl and shimmer. Witness the beginnings of a coral reef, come face-to-face with rainforest icons, glide through icy waters and explore hidden root networks and organisms working quietly beneath our feet. The exhibition is anchored by distinct spaces: Our Family, showcasing animals from the much-loved Wild gallery and exploring the human place in the tree of life; Our Roots, a reflective First Peoples-led space centred on care, reciprocity and connection to Country; and Our Moment, an interactive zone encouraging visitors to work together on the planet’s biggest challenges. What sets Our Wondrous Planet apart is its blend of First Peoples and scientific knowledge, showing how everything on Earth is connected and how small human actions can make a difference. Family-friendly, visually spectacular and thought-provoking, this exhibition entertains while leaving plenty to reflect on. Our Wondr

If you needed another reason to stay out late on Koornang Road, this is it. Tyga, a brand-new neo-Southeast Asian restaurant and bar, has officially opened in Carnegie, bringing smoky street food flavours, vinyl-spun funk and a heavy dose of '70s Bangkok energy with it. The latest project from restaurateur Tommy Tong (Saigon Mamma, Fat Pho), Tyga feels less like a traditional restaurant and more like a retro Bangkok lounge room. The lights are kept low, records are always spinning and the air hums with smoke, spice and sambal. It’s nostalgic, but not stuck in the past. In the kitchen, culinary director Esca Khoo anchors the offering with a bold, playful approach to flavour. Khoo’s resume includes time at some of the country’s most acclaimed venues, including Noma Sydney, Dinner by Heston and Miss Mi. This experience is evident in Tyga’s menu, with dishes that are built around open woodfired cooking, punchy Southeast Asian flavours, a bit of heat and food made for sharing.  Standout dishes include tom yum burrata paired with king prawns and yaowarat donuts; Borneo hinava, a bright swordfish ceviche with sea grapes, coconut and calamansi; and charcoal-grilled snapper finished with turmeric cider butter.  Photograph: Supplied The interior leans into an effortlessly cool 'stylo milo' vibe (Singlish slang for stylish and on-point). Designed to feel like a space with its own personality, the room features cherry-wood panelling, olive leather banquettes and colourful illustrated c

2025 was a big year for the local wellness scene, with new bathhouses opening up (hello, Soak and Pond), a beloved hot springs being named one of the world's best and Victoria's Great Bathing Trail even landing on Lonely Planet's Best in Travel guide. And in 2026, that surge looks set to continue. Award-winning national wellness brand TotalFusion is making its Victorian debut early this year, unveiling plans for a sprawling, multi-level wellness destination in the heart of the city. Perched where Docklands, the Yarra and the CBD meet, the purpose-built space is being designed as a complete wellness ecosystem, blending fitness, recovery, work and connection all under one roof. Every detail has been crafted to create a vibrant, inspiring and bespoke environment where members can move, restore, focus and connect seamlessly. Members can expect a premium gym floor with elevated city views, five boutique studios offering reformer pilates, yoga, functional training, cycle and TotalFusion’s signature Fusion classes, plus a 25-metre pool, cutting-edge biohacking solutions and a refuel café. Steeped in science-backed solutions, recovery takes centre stage, with soothing hot and cold magnesium plunge pools, infrared and traditional saunas, steam rooms, cryotherapy, red light therapy, PEMF and more – all designed to support high performance, deep recovery, and holistic wellbeing. Every element has been curated to deliver a luxurious wellness experience that caters to body, mind and spiri