What’s hip this September

Where to take the grandkids

DIG It is Australia’s first mini excavator park at Thunderbird Park, Tamborine Mountain. Put the grandkids in the driver’s seat, operating their own mini-excavator, just like a real construction worker, in an outdoor construction zone on a mountain famous for rocks. It’s fun, educational and engaging, with children learning about the construction industry, earthworks, engineering, building, the importance of safety, plus teamwork. The superstars of Dig It are the nine, CAT 1.7-tonne mini-excavators that are the real deal, requiring hard hats and high-vis gear on site. The kids’ experience sees children sit in the driver’s seat alone or on the lap of their parent or carer, trying a range of skills, from digging up the dirt, to using a claw to stack and moving tyres, or manoeuvring a hook. Book a two-hour session these September school holidays at digit.com.au 

What to book

TRUE-blue Aussie John Williamson celebrates his 55th year in the music industry in 2025. He will also turn 80. From his humble beginnings as the son of a wheat farmer, Williamson has done pretty well for himself. See him perform his hits including True Blue live in My Travellin’ Days are Done on February 14 at 7pm at QPAC’s Concert Hall. For tickets, go to qpac.n.qtix.com.au

What to drink

Nil Desperandum Rum has taken out the prestigious Best Rum trophy at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in Melbourne, adding to its
list of accolades. The winning drop was Nil Desperandum’s The Double Ton: a limited edition of 169 bottles that was pot distilled and aged for three years in barrels emptied of bourbon and sherry. The rum was the first batch from a 200-litre barrel. On November 2, Nil Desperandum will celebrate Queensland Rum Day – an annual celebration of producers using sugar cane to create their own drops ­– with its annual RumFire event on the Sunshine Coast. Head to nildesperandum.com.au for updates.

Back in the day…

THERE was Gilligan’s Island – a sitcom Aussie families took to their heart. The tales of seven people marooned on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific debuted in the US on CBS on September 26, 1964, and played out for three seasons and 98 episodes. But millions have watched it across the world and the generations through syndication.

Where to dine

LUXURY boutique lodge Beechmont Estate in the Gold Coast hinterland has just appointed a dynamic young husband-and-wife team to lead award-winning The Paddock restaurant.   Chris Norman as executive chef and Alex Norman as executive sous and pastry chef are passionate advocates for local produce and paddock-to-plate philosophies. The acclaimed chefs come with extensive experience in Michelin-starred restaurants overseas and lauded dining establishments, including One&Only Hayman Island, Palazzo Versace, Emporium Hotel South Bank and Herve’s Restaurant & Bar in Brisbane. Since February this year, they have been gradually hitting their stride in the two-hatted restaurant, building their network of local growers and embracing the region’s vibrant and thriving food bowl. Book at beechmontestate.com.au/restaurant