What’s hip this June

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.

What to hear

FORMER NASA astronaut, retired US Navy Captain and two-time
New York Times bestselling author Scott Kelly presents The Sky is Not the Limit: Lessons from a Year in Space at QPAC on November 22 at 8pm. His record-breaking, 340-day ‘Year in Space’ mission was chronicled in a Time Magazine documentary series and an Emmy Award-winning TV special. Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2015, his memoir Endurance has been optioned for a major motion picture. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, join Scott – live in Australia for the first time – for this awe-inspiring evening of extraordinary stories from the edge of human endurance and hard-won lessons in leadership and resilience. Tickets cost $69.90-$359.90 (a transaction fee of $7.50 applies). Visit qpac.com.au/whats-on/2026/scott-kelly-the-sky-is-not-the-limit

How to reminisce

RELIVE your favourite rock and pop memories in a two-hour show, Countdown Live, hosted by Paul Field of Aussie band The Cockroaches. This is a celebration of the music and acts that defined a generation. The show’s special guest and original Countdown artist Peter Cupples (Stylus) will be joined by Bronwyn Mulcahy, Peter Northcote and The All-Star Celebration Band to belt out the chart-topping hits and hidden gems from Australia’s most beloved music television show, Countdown. Hear classic hits by Skyhooks, The Divinyls, Cold Chisel, Suzi Quatro, AC/DC, Mental As Anything, INXS, The Angels, John Paul Young, ABBA, Pat Benetar, Blondie and KC & The Sunshine Band. Countdown Live comes to Twin Towns Showroom on July 3 at 8pm and The Events Centre Caloundra on July 4 at 7.30pm. Head to countdownlive.com.au

Back in the day …

FOR many city kids growing up in the ’ 60s and ’ 70s, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was their connection to the country and Outback. The wholesome Australian television series originally aired from February 5, 1968, to May 4, 1970. The 91, 30-minute episodes (and one full-length movie Skippy and the Intruders) followed the adventures of Sonny Hammond (Garry Pankhurst) – the younger son of head ranger Matt Hammond (Ed Devereaux), and his closest companion: an orphaned Eastern Grey kangaroo. Charming Skippy’s intelligence, her unmistakable kangaroo-speak (even if they were man-made sound effects), her ability to understand English and complete human tasks endeared her to us all.

What to watch

SOUTHEAST Queensland’s reputation as ‘Hollywood Down Under’ is growing by the day. Blockbusters such as Thor: Ragnarok have put the Gold Coast on the filmmaking map. Travis Fimmel’s Black Snow Season 2 used the Glass House Mountains backdrop for its murder mystery. And many a star has praised our film crews as the best they’ve worked with. A short film created in Nambour, Extraordinary Rob, recently won the Best Australian Short Film award at the Gold Coast Film Festival. So, Showdown Showcase at Kawana Event Cinemas on June 9 from 6-8pm is one of the hottest tickets in town, celebrating the talent emerging from the region. Visit screencollective.au

What to book

FOODIES, wine aficionados and all lovers of ‘the good life’ are counting down the days to the  2026 Noosa Food & Wine Festival from June 11 -14. Tickets are still available for The Festival Village – the biggest event, the heart of the action and the lowest price point at $49.50 a ticket. It has a smorgasbord of food and wine stalls with  40-plus bars and eateries, as well as stages offering live interactive masterclasses with acclaimed guest chefs such as
Louis Tikaram (Stanley), Jason Barrett (Supernormal), Ben Cooper (Chin Chin), and Marion Grasby. Or maybe try Settle in at Sabrosa for a 13-course dim sum journey of meticulously crafted bites, bold flavours and playful textures, with each course thoughtfully paired with Gentle Folk  wines. Go to noosafoodandwine.com.au