Luxury Escapes Guide to the Gold Coast

You could be forgiven for thinking the Gold Coast is just one long stretch of sand, but once you get familiarised, you’ll realise each beach is different. For the bathers and paddlers, there are the calmer waters of Surfers Paradise Beach, The Spit and Burleigh Beach, while surfers flock to the point breaks at Kirra Beach, Main Beach and Snapper Rocks. The Gold Coast is also home to year-round diving sites with the most diverse marine life in any Australian city. Head to Palm Beach Reef or Wave Break Island to explore the underwater ridges and channels.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of 27 hectares of rainforest as you meet native Australian and exotic wildlife animals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Wander through open animal enclosures, take photos with a cuddly koala, feed kangaroos and lorikeets, see the Wildlife Hospital precinct work their magic, and marvel at saltwater crocodiles before watching entertaining shows and Aboriginal cultural performances. There is also plenty of entertainment for kids with a miniature train and huge outdoor themed playground.

Granddad Jacks is the Gold Coast’s first craft gin and whiskey distillery. Located just two minutes from Burleigh Beach, this old surfboard warehouse has been rebuilt with raw, rustic and upcycled materials including exposed brick walls, arched ceilings, hanging greenery and steel beams. Sign up for a tour and you’ll savour a gin and tonic on arrival, complimentary tastings of three gins and a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour through the distillery as you learn about the history of Jack himself.

Handcrafted wooden skateboards, sustainable knick-knacks, vintage mementos, one-of-a-kind collectibles, boutique clothing and live music by local artists — there is no denying The Village Markets are a special community worth supporting. A blossoming talent pool of artfully selected small businesses, stylists and creatives coming together since 2008, TVM has also helped pave the way for global brands such as Peony Swimwear, Cleopatra’s Bling and Duke of London. Those who diligently peruse this treasure trove of unique curiosities are typically rewarded with not just positive vibes, but authentic and affordable one-of-a-kind finds. Please note: trading is limited to the first and third Sunday of every month.

Are you a gaming aficionado? A die-hard fan of sci-fi? Or just an adrenalin junkie? If so, Zero Latency is a brand new multi-sensory experience for you. Already a success in Melbourne and Brisbane, this Southport based state-of-the-art VR experience allows you to roam freely throughout a 200sqm warehouse-sized area and immerse yourself in virtual reality. Choose to fight for survival amid a zombie apocalypse, take to the skies and outer space where you must rescue a space station, or walk through an ancient alien world where gravity is not as it seems.

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Be amused, tantalised and teased by a formidable cast of handpicked performers at the world’s first Spiegelclub, the Pink Flamingo. With nightly performances every Wednesday through Saturday, this new era of entertainment offers a promising touch of burlesque with a hint of Vegas. Flaunting blush pink velvet, a state-of-the-art circular stage, extravagant light fittings, gold touches, 1920s art and splashes of pink flamingos, this intimate and immersive cabaret experience also features aerials, acrobatics, choreography, vocals and laugh-out-loud comedy. Hang around for a high-end club experience.

Channel your inner creativity at the Gold Coast’s dreamy pottery studio, POT studios. Perfect for beginners who have always wanted to try pottery or those more skilled seeking a communal studio space, POT studios will help get your creative juices flowing. Offering a wide range of workshops and at-home tutorials, POT studios encourages you to slow down, connect with your clay and create a handmade pottery piece you can keep forever. If you’re looking for something more romantic, POT will organise private classes so you can channel your inner Swayze and Moore.

Fancy yourself as a bit of a lumberjack-slash-ninja? Test your axe throwing skills in dedicated throwing lanes at Lumber Punks in Miami. After a mandatory ‘Tactical Tomahawks and Hatchets’ safety training session, don your best plaid shirt and perfect your zombie apocalypse survival techniques. If you’re more competitive, why not challenge your mates to a game or two — think of it as darts but with an axe. Adding to the experience, there’s also a juke box for personalised bangers and novelty Viking hats for Insta moments. Biceps at the ready!

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Have a ball and test your swing at Topgolf, a state-of-the-art golfing facility located in Oxenford. An innovative, three-level venue equipped with 90 climate-controlled bays, the space boasts a 190-metre-long outfield where you can channel your inner Woods or Gilmore. Aim for the giant light-up dartboard-like targets, which award you points based on your power and distance, before relaxing comfortably on the sidelines while you watch the fun. Take a break to enjoy a chef-driven menu of American classics, local specialities and unexpected new creations.