Culture,
July 17 2022
This summer, the UK welcomes athletes from 72 countries competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. London has enduring bonds of friendship with our Commonwealth neighbours, reflected in our culture, language and festivals. Why not immerse yourself in this vibrant, welcoming and truly cosmopolitan city like no other. With a whole world of culture and history just waiting to be discovered right here in London, now’s the time to come and experience one of Europe’s most exciting capitals for yourself.
Australia is a sporting nation with a healthy rivalry with the UK in Rugby Sevens, Cricket T20 and swimming. As Australian athletes compete in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, hoping to take home a bunch of medals, London will be abuzz with Aussies cheering them on.
If you’re on the lookout for Australian vibes in the capital this summer, here are some of our favourite places to hang out.
Antipodea is a stylish all-day brasserie putting Australian food on the map, with four London locations: Kew, Richmond, Twickenham and Wandsworth. Established by Australian native Jason Wells, he defines his brasseries with laid-back mornings and cool evening dining among lush botanicals.
There’s a seasonal day and evening menu piled with fresh, unpretentious dishes. During the day, you can choose a taste of Australia with Vegemite on toast, Anzac cookies, Yarra Valley feta and even a Nutella pizza. The evening menu switches things up with steaks, pizzas and vegetarian dishes, like laksa lemak. And the wood-roasted Barramundi with miso mash, samphire, asparagus edamame beans and dashi butter sauce is heavenly.
The cheeky and thoroughly Aussie cocktail menu brings delights like Uluru Negroni, The Budgie Smuggler, and the Flamin’ Galah (that’s a vodka, orange liquor, rhubarb syrup and lime courtesy of Alf Stewart).
Antipodea brasseries on are Station Approach (TW9 3QB), Hill Street (TW9 1TW), Cross Deep (TW1 4RB), and Old York Road (SW18 1SS).
Whet your appetite for cheering on Australia in the Commonwealth Games 2022 with a visit to the Australian Outback enclosure at the world-famous ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park. Opened in 1828, London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world, with a long history of homing Australian animals.
Today, you can visit the Australian Outback enclosure, an Australian biome home to wallabies and emus. If you’re feeling brave, wander through the Get In With the Spiders exhibit and get up close to friendly Australian golden orb spiders. You can also see Huntsman and Black Widow spiders (safely kept behind glass).
ZSL London Zoo is in Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY. The nearest underground station is Camden Town (Northern Line).
Covered in eye-catching artwork designed by Sir Peter Blake (yes, the legend behind The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper album cover), two floating barges sit side by side, beckoning you in. Aboard, you can order delicious Aussie food and drink and try to get a spot on the upper deck terrace on a sunny day. Part of the Daisy Green collection founded by Australian-born Prue Freeman, these two vibrant floating venues are open 7 days a week.
Dining on the Darcie Green barge is trying Antipodean inspired — the Bondi, for example, is an Aussie take on a Sunday lunch. For afters, go for indulgent Melbourne Mars Bar cheesecake ball. Next door on May Green, the floating bar and coffee shop serves up local craft beers, great Aussie coffee and a programme of live music.
Get onboard at Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, (W2 6DS). The nearest underground station is Paddington.
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