Month: December 2012

New Year's Eve can be hard to organise, with the looming question ‘Am I having enough fun yet?’ hovering over us all. Whether you’re new in town or a seasoned London party goer, Australian Times is here to help. We’re debunking the oldest New Year traditions and giving you some ...

ASTUTE AUSSIE IN LONDON | How to make commitments you can keep in 2013

It is official. 2012 has been the wettest year on record in England.

The premiere of Les Miserables in Sydney stopped thousands of shoppers in their tracks, as Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe walked a red carpet that ran the length of Pitt Street Mall.

More than two decades after their hit Especially For You topped the charts, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan will perform the song live for the first time this Friday.

London has rated poorly when it comes to friendliness, cleanliness and ease of getting around, a worldwide survey has shown.

BOOK REVIEW | In his new book Bali Raw, Bali resident Malcolm scott scratches the surface and exposes the unknown aspects of the popular tourist retreat.

The annual Fanatics Santa Pub Crawl is quickly becoming an institution for Aussie visitors to London, with hundreds of Aussies dressed in Santa costumes let loose on the cities famous pubs and sights.

A Jack the Ripper walking tour is an essential item on many visitors to London to-do lists. PAUL BLEAKLEY indulges a secret childhood desire to be a ‘Ripperologist’ and leads a Jack the Ripper tour of his own around London’s East End.

Here’s our top five Australian Christmas carols for 2012 that sum up the Australian Christmas experience. Which is your favourite? Vote now for your number one Aussie Christmas song.

REVIEW | Sam Simmons's show About the Weather at Soho Theatre is to stand-up what Lady Gaga is to Britney Spears style sanitized pop. The genre’s crazier, unpredictable, more theatrical cousin.

Sunrise in Sydney, when the sun's rays first cast over the city's iconic locations, is one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

Australian artist Patricia Piccinini is currently exhibiting her first UK solo show at London gallery Haunch of Venison until 12 January 2013.

For Coffee Cult’s inaugural Aussie coffee shop review, we indulge in a long brunch at Workshop in Clerkenwell.

You have no money and you are stuck in London over Christmas. In fact, stuck in the UK opting to make cash during the festive season of Jesus whilst your lovely friends indulge in European Christmas markets.

For expat Aussie’s, Europe, Asia and now America, have made popular continents to explore. For longer stays in The United States, the Green Card Lottery may be an option.

The Anniversary Gala of the Tait Memorial Trust is a yearly opportunity to showcase young Australian talent in the UK supported by the Trust’s programs. This year took on a special significance, with the celebration of three big anniversaries.

21 December 2012: The end of the world is nigh! But it’s not all doom and gloom. We’ve found London’s best parties and events celebrating the impending apocalypse, so you can make most of the end of civilization - right up to the moment a flesh-eating zombie devours your skin.

It doesn’t take much to perform an act of kindness this winter. ANNA BOW discovers she is rich in many ways.

The Beefeater 24 Global Bartender Competition Grand Final brought together the world’s best in shaking and stirring in celebration of that key ingredient to all great cocktails: gin. ALEX BRUCE-SMITH tastes the magic with Australian competitor Gregory Sanderson, of Melbourne’s Eau-de-Vie.

What are the best paying jobs in medicine?

Modern day mime with a twist, Sam Wills is The Boy With Tape on His Face. Ahead of the West End run of his critically acclaimed show this Christmas, The Boy talks with ALEX BRUCE-SMITH whilst he still can.

New series Arrow airing now in the UK guest stars up and coming Aussie actress, Jessica de Gouw.

Grammy nominations have been announced in the US, and Australian artist Gotye has picked up three nominations, including for the prestigious Record of the Year.

Les Miserables stars, including Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe, dazzle at film’s London premiere.

Whilst NASA seeks to reassure the world the apocalypse is not on its way on 21 December 2012, back in Australia our own Prime Minister fears the worst and tells concerned viewers “the end of the world is coming”.

INTERVIEW | She crowd surfs, she smokes not one but two (fake) cigarettes at once and she can sing beautifully in three languages (English, French and German). She is postmodern cabaret sensation Meow Meow and she is ready to set the Southbank Centre stage on fire in her show Little ...

The Bridle Trail between Bathurst and HIll End in NSW is full of rugged and varied terrain and beautiful wild views. Camping and bushwalking is popular along the route.

ASTUTE AUSSIE IN LONDON | The Leveson Report on the conduct of Britain’s media has highlighted the role of ethics and self-regulation for those in positions of power.

Australian actress Natasha Leigh joins the cast of long-running UK soap Holby City. She chats to PAUL BLEAKLEY about adapting the Aussie accent to the medical lingo.

INTERVIEW | With his unique brand of absurdist comedy, it is likely that there will be a lot more to Sam Simmons UK stand-up show About The Weather than just the weather. Just don’t ask him what it all means…

VIDEO | New action packed VisitBritain campaign summons the spirit of James Bond to entice overseas visitors.