What’s hip this February

What to watch

IT’S time to play ‘spot the Southeast Queensland filming location’. The much-anticipated Season 2 of Black Snow, starring Vikings and Boy Swallows Universe favourite Travis Fimmel, is streaming on Stan. And many of the scenes from each episode have been shot on the Gold and Sunshine coasts and in Brisbane, taking our quirky landmarks and stunning scenery to a global audience. The Glass House Mountains, especially, provide a dramatic backdrop for the thrilling murder mystery. Fimmel is Detective James Cormack in this six-part series, which reopens the cold case of the mysterious disappearance of a young woman from her 21st birthday party in 2003. Wild Horse Mountain Scenic Lookout is easy to spot in early episodes, along with Marina Mirage on the Goldie. Rewatch each episode and see how many locations you can guess, while also salivating over some very desirable private properties.

What to book

IF YOU want to sip sake in Kyoto, cruise the Mekong or see the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, Wendy Wu Tours can bring you closer to your bucket-list dreams. The Ready, Set, Travel sale, until February 28, offers up to $4000 off per couple and exclusive deals for solo travellers. Score savings on 709 group tour departures in 2025 and 2026 to a variety of destinations, including Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and the Middle East. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or planning your first big adventure, enjoy twin-share savings on destinations worldwide, and 50-100 per cent off single supplements for solo travellers on a selection of tours. Visit wendywutours.com.au or call 1300 727 998.

What to see

TAKE your seat in the company of Hobbits when Home Of The Arts (HOTA) in Surfers Paradise hosts The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale from July 4-20. The production of this timeless tale will star some of Australia’s most acclaimed musical theatre performers and actor-musicians, including Jemma Rix as Galadriel, Ian Stenlake as Saruman, Rob Mallett as Strider and Rarmian Newton as Frodo Baggins. What The Guardian hailed as “the greatest show on Middle-earth” is sure to enchant lifelong JRR Tolkien fans and new generations of admirers. Go to hota.com.au/whats-on/live/theatre/the-lord-of-the-rings-a-musical-tale.

Back in the day…

THERE was Australia’s first supergroup, The Seekers. In February 1965, their Tom Springfield-penned single I’ll Never Find Another You reached No.1 in the music charts in the UK and Australia, and No.4 in the United States – the first recording by an Aussie act to sell more than one million copies (eventually more than
1.75 million). The Seekers at times outsold The Beatles and the Rolling Stones here and overseas. Athol Guy on double bass, Keith Potger on 12-string guitar and Bruce Woodley on guitar formed the band in Melbourne in 1962. Judith Durham joined the group the next year. The late soprano, who died from complications from chronic lung disease in August 2022, lived with husband Ron Edgeworth on the Sunny Coast in the 1980s.

What to do for free

THE Riverwalk has become a much-loved staple of Brisbane city life. And in the warm sunshine, there is nothing better to do for free than to stroll, cycle, run or skate along this permanent, over-water pathway. The majestic views of the grand old grey dame, the Story Bridge, and city skyline are ever-changing as you wind your way from New Farm to Howard Smith Wharves and on to the CBD. For more free things to do in our state capital, see visit.brisbane.qld.au/inspiration/free-things-to-do