Socialise

Sun Herald

Sunday January 18, 2009

Kate Cox Send event information to akhopkar@fairfax.com.au

Thursday 6.30pm Two words for you: Sean Penn. Who doesn't love this man as an actor? And now's your chance to see his latest hot flick and raise money for charity. Universal Pictures and ACON have teamed up to present a special sneak preview screening of Gus Van Sant's acclaimed new film, Milk. It's at the Palace Academy Twin Cinemas with an after-party up the road at Supper Club. The tickets are $45 and include the movie, plus canapes and booze. 3a Oxford Street, Paddington. For bookings see queerscreen.com.au; for information see acon.org.au/milk.

Wednesday 8pm Surely you're sick of sport and more sport by now? Support Sydney's live-music scene and get an after-dark dose of the blues when rising stars Chase The Sun belt out their cruisy tunes at what they're terming, rather indulgently, the Surry Hills Blues Festival. They'll be joined by that groovy young trio Marshall and the Fro and soulful Bondi native Cass Eager. A feast for your ears. The Hopetoun Hotel, 416 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. $8. Phone (02) 9361 5257.

Sunday 2pm We love Sundays: there's S in the morning and lazy summer cocktails and tunes in the afternoon. Zeta at Hilton Sydney launches the ultimate in Summer Sunday sessions - Zeta Summer Sundaze - to the public on Sunday, until the end of March. Think relaxed afternoon drinks and a Spanish barbecue on the rooftop terrace with live entertainment and free hot and cold tapas. Zeta, Level 4, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney. Phone (02) 9265 6070.

Relive the holidays with a weekend getaway

Hunter Valley Wine Country

Just a two-hour drive out of Sydney, the Hunter offers unbeatable last-minute getaways. Get the girls together, grab a date or even convince the family to take a trip; there's always something to do in the Hunter. Track down the Smelly Cheese Shop (3/188 Broke Road, Pokolbin) for a serious culinary feast and hit Harrigans Irish Pub (also on Broke Road and you won't miss it, because it's the only pub in town) for a sure-fire good night out. For the ultimate relaxation, stay at the Golden Door Spa at Cypress Lakes Resort. The self-contained villas are built in the middle of a forest, so they're unbelievably serene. See cypresslakes.com.au for a full list of treatment options, maps and room rates.

Bundeena

In the opposite direction from the Hunter but for an equally relaxing escape, head south along the Cronulla coast to Bundeena. Its sleepy beaches are perfect for camping and caravanning and Bundeena's Royal National Park is simply stunning. Bonnie Vale Beach, within the National Park, is a great holiday hot spot and features barbecue and shower facilities on-site. Gunyah Beach is quiet but equally as pretty as Bonnie Vale, while Jibbon Beach features some of the few remaining Aboriginal rock carvings within NSW. For more information on Bundeena, see bundeenainfo.com.

Cheap flights

Check out a couple of our favourite online time-wasters, Virgin Blue (virginblue.com.au) and Jetstar (jetstar.com), and score some cheap getaways. Both airlines run earlybird sales.

© 2009 Sun Herald

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