What’s hip this January

No, not the replacement surgery type of ‘hip’. It’s a selection of on-trend snippets that could include places to dine, travel destinations, where to shop, what to see and visit, as well as what to watch, read and listen to, so you can stay up to date with family, friends and neighbours of all ages.

Where to visit

EXPERIENCE the Sunshine Coast’s First Nations culture and region’s premium producers in the new Dreaming Trails Tour. Hosted by Mystic Mountain Tours, the first destination is QCamel Dairy where guests learn about the unexpected history of camels in Australia before enjoying tastings and exploring the ethical, organic products. The tour then continues to TribalLink Activity Centre in Mapleton to take part in ochre painting, learn about traditional tools and storytelling, enjoy a short rainforest walk through the bush tucker farm and share a bush-inspired lunch. The final stop is My Dilly Bag, where renowned Aboriginal chef Aunty Dale (pictured) and her team showcase native flavours and seasonal bush ingredients. Tours will be offered every Monday. The cost is $240 per person, via mysticmountaintours.com.au

What to listen to

ANYONE who knows Powderfinger drummer-turned journalist-turned filmmaker/screenwriter/screen industry champion, the Sunshine Coast’s own Jon Coghill, knows that he likes to have a chat. So, it’s possibly no surprise that he’s teamed up with OG podcaster Tim Reid for What a Stranger Told Me – extraordinary conversations with everyday people. What A Stranger Told Me is a new Australian podcast celebrating the fact that everyone has a tale to tell. It’s been described as “storytelling meets human connection”. In the first 12 episodes, you’ll hear from a young girl who collects dead animals, a woman on a lolly hunt who just lost 40kg, an annoyed magician on holiday, a homeless granddad celebrating his granddaughter’s birthday with Bluey, and a humanitarian worker’s Haiti survival story. Jon says walking the streets, chatting to people, is daunting but hugely rewarding. Tim adds that the podcast is inspired by the classic 1990s SBS series Front Up. Season 1 is out now on all good podcasting apps. Visit WhataStrangerToldMe.com

Save the date

IT MAY be only the start of the new year but one thing is certain: by mid-year, we could all do with a laugh. So that’s why we should be booking tickets now for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. Each year, Australia’s biggest comedy festival hits the road so regional centres don’t miss out on all the fun. With a curated line-up of comedy legends and fresh faces from Australia and beyond, the Roadshow has all your comedy bases covered (no joke) – all in one side-splitting show. For almost three decades, the tour has been bringing giggles, guffaws and good times across the country, in our own backyards. Head to the respective websites to book: The J, Noosa, June 9 at 7.30pm; The Events Centre, Caloundra, June 12 at 7.30pm; and Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland, June 13 at 8pm.

Back in the day…

Batman – featuring the crime-fighting ‘dynamic duo’ from DC Comics – made Adam West and Burt Ward household names. The show, with 120 episodes across three seasons, reached Australian shores on June 28, 1967, and there was barely a schoolboy or schoolgirl in that era who didn’t rush home to watch it. The cult classic was intentionally campy and tongue-in-cheek, splashing words such as ‘bam’ and ‘kapowie’ in big, colourful letters with every punch that landed between the Gotham City caped crusaders and crazy costumed archvillains, including the Joker, the Penguin and the Riddler. Among Dick Grayson/Robin’s 359 exclamations (yes, someone counted them) to billionaire Bruce Wayne/Batman, ‘Holy Guacamole’ entered our vernacular and remains there to this day.

What to book

THE science nerds of the family will be in their element when Queensland Museum presents World Science Festival Brisbane (WSFB ) 2026. Now in its 11th year,  WSFB explores “the delicate threads connecting life and the universe, from galaxies to mycelium networks”. The festival brings brilliant minds and big ideas to Brisbane for 10 days of science, discovery and wonder. Among this year’s program are: Dr Karl Live!, March 27, at 7.30pm – join Australia’s favourite science communicator Dr Karl Kruszelnicki when he takes the stage live in conversation; and Brian Greene: Listening to the Big Bang, March 26, at 7.30pm – join a live stage experience that brings humanity’s dramatic quest to understand our cosmic origins to life. Visit qpac.com.au and search for ‘World Science Festival 2026’.