Think you know the Gold Coast?
It’s not all sun, sand and surf; there’s an undercurrent of creatives in the laneways and backstreets of the Gold Coast who are connecting as a community, thanks to a host of new venues to showcase their works. Dive in to the cultural side of the GC with our insider’s guide to the Southern Gold Coast – with a few bites along the way (obvs).
Kick off: Breakfast at Café D Bar
With a mantra of ‘art, food and views’ how can you go wrong? We haven’t met an avo toast we didn’t like and DBar’s version comes with crispy bacon and beetroot hummus for the win. We must admit to some menu envy when spotting the Vietnamese fresh crab omelette arriving at the next table, but that just makes one more reason to return. Next door, DBar House stocks a range of coastal homewares, art pieces and collectibles to treasure.
Time to get exploring, culture vulture.
Indulge your creative spirit and satisfy your cravings at Dust Temple, a newly renovated warehouse space in an industrial precinct of Currumbin Waters. This creative haven is part gallery, part café, part performance space and part freakin’ amazing! Even the amateur artists among us can get creative with life drawing sessions on the 1st Thursday each month at Dust Temple and there’s even talk of a gin distillery in the works. Yasss.
Another hub for creatives is Cornerstone Stores in Tugan. This purpose-built retail haven is a collective of retail, beauty, wellness and café. Foodies will love Quince Fromagerie Cellar with its own walk-in cheese room people! Meanwhile, Stables Kitchen aims to highlight seasonal produce and celebrate health and wholefoods. Take your plant-based salad and sprawl out on the grounds and soak up the Gold Coast sunshine.
Head into any homewares store and you’ll know ceramics are back. Save your pennies and make your own pinch pot creation at a pottery workshop at Norton + Norton. Owner Jo Norton is a calming influence, guiding you through the subtle techniques of pottery making until you’re in a state of zen and producing multiple masterpieces with ease. It’s a meditative and hugely enjoyable experience, and ideal as a group activity with your girl gang.
Take a break, and grab a pint
When you’ve finished your pottery creations, wander around the corner and toast your creative brilliance with a celebratory brew at Balter Brewery. Co-owned by surfing legends Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, it’s a cool space for afternoon hangs with plenty of craft beers on tap, brewery tours, and ‘tinnies and tacos’ at just $5 a pop on Thursdays.
In the backstreets of Mermaid Beach you’ll find 19 Karen, a contemporary art gallery curated by owner Terri Lew, who is almost as colourful and creative as her curated collection of contemporary works. Representing over 80 Australian and international artists, some of which are exclusive to the gallery, Terri’s buyers come from far and wide, including Alicia Keys.
Dinner time
Sunset drinks at this Southern Gold Coast hotspot are a must! The venue is divided into two sections; Burleigh Pavilion for casual eats like wood-fired pizzas, burgers, bar bites and the obligatory fish and chips with a side of epic beachfront water views, and The Tropic; a full-service fine diner with laid-back style.
Spend the night!
The Pink Hotel launched on the scene late last year and is everything you didn’t know you were missing on the GC. With a façade of millennial pink in all its retro-kitsch glory, this sure is one Insta-worthy hotel. Inside you’ll find carefully curated rooms, each with their own neon sign and custom artwork. There’s also a secret bar just for in-house guests. A new kind of nirvana awaits you at The Pink Hotel.
For more Gold Coast Eatinerary recommedations, head here.
