What’s hip this January

Back in the day…

THERE was ‘Flower Power’ – a term likely coined by American poet Allen Ginsberg in 1965 during anti-war protests in Berkeley, California. Young people were inspired to use flowers, music, love and positive energy to express opposition to the Vietnam War and support for civil rights – as opposed to more confrontational protests. But by the end of the decade, Flower Power’s objectives had failed. 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything, an AppleTV Original currently playing, outlines the watershed year of musical innovation as a new means of protest, spearheaded by Marvin Gaye’s single What’s Going On, aimed at police brutality.

What to book

TRADITIONAL choreography and opulent designs make The Australian Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty a must-see at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from August 16-23. Ten years since its premiere, David McAllister’s acclaimed production will whisk the audience into a magical realm of fairies and spells, good versus evil and a royal romance – all played out to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score. The Sleeping Beauty’s gilded set stands alongside more than 300 bespoke costumes, wigs and fairy wings, designed by the award-winning Gabriela Tylesova. For tickets, visit qpac.com.au and search for ‘The Sleeping Beauty’.

Where to visit

MATILDA, the star of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games, draws thousands of road trippers each year to the Caltex Traveston service centre at Kybong, north of the Sunshine Coast. The precious piece of Australian sporting memorabilia could turn her head, move her ears, use her long eyelashes to famously wink at the late Duke of Edinburgh, and release jumping ‘joeys’ from her pouch during the Opening Ceremony. At 13m tall and weighing six tonnes, Matilda will celebrate her 50th birthday in 2032: the same year that Brisbane hosts the Olympic Games. She may have hopped up and down the Southeast Queensland coast since her debut but she now seems to have found her forever home.

What to read

TAKAYNA/Tarkine: One Of The Last Wild Places On Earth by Australian Geographic is a stunning hardcover book that showcases the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of a special wilderness. The Tarkine (Indigenous name: takayna) covers 450,000 hectares of land in the northwest of Tasmania. This ancient landscape boasts towering myrtle and sassafras trees forming a lush canopy over deep, meandering rivers, while delicate tree ferns and the crashing Southern Ocean exemplify the region’s wild beauty. The takayna is also deeply revered by its First Peoples, and is rich with sacred sites that echo the stories of generations past. Many of Tasmania’s finest wilderness photographers showcase their work over the 224 pages, while contributions from renowned environmentalists offer insights into the ecological and cultural significance. It is available from major book retailers and australiangeographic.com.au

Image: Shirley Sinclair

Where to explore next

WELL, it looks like Aussie baby boomers – also referred to as the ‘SKI’ (Spending the Kids’ Inheritance) generation – are rewriting the travel rules, opting for adventure and cultural immersion over traditional holiday destinations. A new report from travel consultancy Forward Travel reveals that destinations such as the Maldives, Bangladesh, Colombia, the Congo and Scotland (pictured) are capturing the imaginations of Australian travellers aged 55-plus, with some increasing in popularity as much as 257 per cent. Looks like many of us still
want to indulge our inner backpacker.