Discounted goodies that won’t break the bank.
Discounted goodies that won’t break the bank.
Nothing quite warms our cockles like a shopping spree. When we feel sad, it cheers us up. When we feel happy, it makes us even happier. And in contrast, when we’re broke AF after buying 1,047 Christmas presents, it gives us a panic attack….or does it?!!?! No friends, it doesn’t stress us out one iota because we know the secret to guilt-free shopping. All hail the almighty factory outlet!
Here’s our round-up of some must-visits to satisfy your shopping addiction and keep your savings intact.
Harbour Town Premium Outlets
I mean, this place needs no intro. We’ve all nabbed many-a-bargain here and it would be rude not to, coz there is everything you could ever want…at insanely good prices. We’re talking 240 retailers offering up to 70% off every single day and just shut up and take our money already. The best of both designer and high street faaarshion awaits like Coach, Armani, Seed, Sass & Bide, Politix, and Sheike to name a few. Plus JB HiFi, Bonds, Adidas, Adairs, Bed Bath N’ Table, Victoria’s Secret, Billini and we could go on…and on. It’s the ultimate one-stop-shop, with a spiffy eats and sips precinct to boot.
Where: 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Sheridan Outlet
Nothing says luxury like Sheridan! And lucky us coz the Helensvale outlet offers quality bed linen, towels and accessories at up to 70% off original retail prices. Stop it! Shop an extensive range of pillows, quilts, towels, blankets, sheet sets, fitted sheets, pillowcases, bed shirts and mattress protectors, with new stock arriving weekly. That means regular visits are totally acceptable and we love it how we can always justify these things. You can even join the VIP club to make sure you have front row access to all the best deals. Sign us up! PS there is also a smaller outlet store at Harbour Town. Yay!
Where: Homeworld, 502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
Ripcurl DFO
For a Gold Coaster, an endless supply of swimmers (all.the.styles), hats, rashies, towels, sunnies, cute summer threads, thongs and sandals (again – all.the.styles) is mandatory. Full stop, end of story. Thankfully, the surf gods have smiled upon us in the form of Nerang’s Ripcurl DFO (plus a smaller outlet at Harbour Town), offering all year round darn dirt-cheap Ripcurl radness. And for the surfers (i.e., every second person), this place is actual heaven. Wetsuits, surfboard covers, surf hardware – it’s all here and the quality is mint.
Where: 2 Pappas Way, Nerang
Ashmore Factory Outlets
Just look for the ginormous Aussie flag and pull in immediately for discounted goodies galore #truedat. There are plenty of household names waiting for you here, including Billabong, Quicksilver, Unit, and Surf, Dive N Ski. There’s also Skate Connection, a Good Price Pharmacy, Sunglass Clearance Warehouse, Nutrition Warehouse, and the Mega Footy Store. Plus you can update your ‘do at Cali Hair and work on your rig at Strong Pilates, so that you look as bangin’ as your bank balance. Sugar lovers will be spoilt for choice at Captains’ Candy!
Where: 12 Central Park Avenue, Ashmore
Sideways Surf Outlet
Ok so Sideways currently have not one but three locations on the Gold Coast alone, so it’s pretty safe to say it’s a crowd fave. Clothing wise, we’re talking up to 60% off all the big brand surf and street labels for the whole fam. Plus there’s A1 quality surfboards made from PSI Formula One and glassed with quality Aussie FGI resin, board bags and covers, and reliable leashes and tailpads from brands like Sideways (obvs), Gorilla, Wander and Modom. So if you’re partial to a surf, ‘seas’ the day and stock up on all your gear here!
Where: 16 Central Park Avenue, Ashmore, 1 Santa Maria Court, Burleigh Waters, & 28-30 Greenway Drive, Tweed Heads South
UGG Since 1974
Nothing says Australia like the quintessential UGG boot. A national icon which has been replicated time and time again, no imposter – many even using the UGG name #cheeky – have ever come close to the original. And colour us happy, there’s an UGG Since 1974 factory outlet right here on the Goldie! Shop everything from the snuggliest of boots to UGG slides, clutches, handbags, rugs and gloves. Choose from a ready-made pair or, insert drumroll, customise and design your own. Yes, this is a thing and what a time to be alive!
Where: 23 Christine Avenue, Miami
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Congratulations, you’ve made it through Monday and this calls for a celebratory feed. But do keep the dollars in check so you don’t blow your weekend spend, coz that would be more devastating than a From Scratch binge.
Here are 17 cheap and cheerful Tuesday nosh-up spots for maximum taste with minimum damage to your bank account balance.
NORTH GC
MID GC
MID GC continued…
MID GC continued…
SOUTH GC
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Words by Bianca Trathen.
So it’s the end of the day and you’re spent. All you want to do is chill on the couch with a chardy and Outer Banks, until you realise it’s Trivia Night at your local and just like that, the Kooks and Pogues are dead to you.
Not only is trivia next level entertaining, but it’s cheap as chips (if not free) and you get to think of a hilariously inappropriate name for your team. Here are 13 local spots to test your knowledge and expand your useless facts repertoire across the Gold Coast (from North to South):
The Park Coomera
This is no ordinary trivia folks, it’s the biggest on the GC and the most interactive in the country! Infusion Gameshow combines all your favourite TV game shows and high-tech alert – you use your smartphone to answer the questions. Happening every Wednesday and great for families, be there at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Don’t forget to ask about your exclusive team membership card with a host of cracking good deals. Online registration is essential.
Where: Top Floor Westfield Shopping Centre Coomera, 103 Foxwell Road
The Parkwood Tavern
Try out your trivia skills at the Parkwood Tavern Quiz Night Mondays from 7pm. Always arrive with plenty of time up your sleeve to register (from 6.30pm), and grab a pre-game feed (and a tipple) to fuel your brain! Call in the posse for a hoot of a night, with some impressive prizes ripe for the taking.
Where: Corner of Olsen and Wintergreen Drives, Parkwood
Southport Sharks
Themed trivia at Sharks is the shiz, coming in hot on the first Wednesday of every month and centred around the best of pop culture. Take a trip down memory lane and battle it out for great prizes, with themes like Harry Potter, Gossip Girl (#XOXO), Stranger Things and Love Actually. Registration is from 7pm and lift off from 7.30pm. Bring it on, and we srsly dare you to come up against us on Gossip Girl night….
Where: Olsen & Musgrave Avenues, Southport
Last Night on Earth
If it was indeed our last night on earth, we’d want to make it a ripsnorter so naturally (or supernaturally…), we’d head into the GC CBD for Last Trivia on Earth! Starting at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, hump day never looked so fun! Go your hardest with questions on pop culture, music, general knowledge, movies, and in their very own words ‘’random sh#t”. Entry is $10 and your first drink is free (yay), plus there’s live music to set the tone.
Where: 50B Nerang Street, Southport
The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill
There’s more than just watching sport and drinking beer at The Sporting Globe, like playing trivia and drinking beer! With a different theme each month and blockbuster prizes to be won, Robina Town Centre’s fave sports bar has rebuilt, rewritten, and reformatted their trivia decks for a bigger, better trivia experience. Doors open at 6.30pm and this month, it’s all about Marvel so note to self; pick the kids’ brains beforehand. Grab a feed and some refreshments and don’t forget to book in advance.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
The Bavarian, Robina
Another one hosting a free themed trivia night each month is Robina TC’s The Bavarian. If you know your Baratheons from your Targaryens, gear up for this month’s instalment; Game of Thrones, alongside a feast of fine fare and wicked drinks from 7pm until 9pm on Friday 17th March. There’s a $100 first place bounty and $50 for second so grab a schnitty, a stein and your squad. Oh and PS – The Bavarian also holds a smaller 1 cent wings and trivia night every Thursday!
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Chameleon Lounge Bar & Restaurant
If dragalicious trivia is your jam, get on down to Chameleon for Tuesday Drag Trivia! Hosted by the hilarious hostess with the mostess, Justine Kase, it’s feisty, fabulous, and FREE! Kicking off at 7pm, tuck into $4 Asian fusion tacos. Yas queens!
Where: 97 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Mermaid Beach Bowls Club
The home of the Mermaid Beach Bowls Club presents Thursday Trivia Nights so gather the gang and get competitive! Whether you have a big or a small crew, prepare for battle and stand to win some srsly cool prizes. It’s free to play and while you’re there, seize the moment and enjoy family-friendly meals at D’Agostino’s Bistro.
Where: 9 Markeri Street, Mermaid Beach
Bine Bar & Dining
There’s only one thing better than Tuesday night trivia and that’s Taco Tuesday Night Trivia at Bine! Enjoy $5 tacos all night and this alone has us all kinds of sold. It’ll set you back $15 per team (max of six per team), which you’ll hopefully recoup – if you’re cluey enough – with the CASH prizes #kaching! Be there or be square at 6.45pm latest for a 7pm start.
Where: 1/28 Chairlift Avenue, Miami
Precinct Brewing Co
With a name like Tipsy Trivia (also known as Smarty Pants Trivia), Sign.Us.Up! Hosted by the infamous Marty, flex your knowledge every Tuesday night at 7pm. You can have up to six peeps in your team (cost is $15 per team) and you can wrap your laughing gear around $20 pizzas all night long. Top that!
Where: 17 Christine Avenue, Miami
Burleigh Town Hotel
Don your thinking caps and get down to Burleigh Town Hotel for Tuesday Trivia Night featuring Funky Bunch, and now we can’t stop thinking about Marky Mark #goodvibrations. Entry will cost you nix and there are epic prizes up for grabs (translation; be strategic and round up your smartest mates!).
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads
Currumbin RSL
At Currumbin RSL, Thursday nights mean free trivia with a host of awesome prizes to be won. If you don’t take home any loot, nothing is lost and everything is gained, as it’s not just a guaranteed good time but it’s also Thursday steak night! Devour a 200g rump, house salad, fries and and your choice of sauce for just $18 bucks. Rego is from 6:30pm for a 7pm start and no need to book – just rock up!
Where: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin
Salty Fox
What’s better than a rooftop bar you ask, and that would be a rooftop bar where you can play trivia! Put your game face on, bring your competitive spirit and put your general knowledge to the test every Wednesday night from 6.30pm until 9pm. Our hot tip; arrive a bit earlier to take advantage of happy hour specials between 3pm and 6pm #cheers.
Where: Rooftop, Rydges Gold Coast Airport, Terminal Drive, Bilinga
Words by Bianca Trathen.
We’ve lost count of all of the best beachside spots on the Coast where you can eat, drink and shop your little heart away, but one of the ol’ favourites has had a comeback and we’re all here for it.
Nobby’s is well and truly in its slay era and to be honest, we can’t get enough. Locals have loved the beachside suburb forever and to be fair, so have we, but there’s been a surge of seriously epic new venues that have made us fall in love all over again.
We’ve taken the task of trying out the 16 reasons why locals can’t get enough of Nobby’s – you’re welcome – so you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
The Oxley 1823
You’ve no doubt seen it pretty much everywhere (guilty), but have you actually visited The Oxley yet? It’s been one of Nobby’s most anticipated new arrivals for as long as we can remember, and we think it’s safe to say now it’s well and truly living up to expectations. They’ve got brekky and lunch covered with the crew at Sunkist, coffee on tap at Buoy and everything you need from groceries, fresh meats and seafood, flowers and made to order juices covered at The Oxley Village Grocer, Butcher and Sub Station. A little birdy also told us there are even more goodies opening a little later this year, so watch this space.
Where: 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
Holliday Coffee
Good vibes, great coffee and a seriously strong jaffle game(!!) – what’s not to love about Holliday? No seriously, our caffeine addiction is being single handedly fuelled by these guys. It’s pretty much always buzzing – what is always a good sign if you ask us. Follow the smell of the freshly ground coffee beans, grab a seat outside (our personal favourite spot) and spoilt yourself with a little treaty. Go on, you’ve earned it.
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway (corner of Wave St), Nobby Beach
Franc Jrs
Okay big call but this may just be one of the best pizza joints on the Gold Coast and Franc-ly, it’s about time they spread the love to other parts of the city because why should Coolangatta have all the fun? The menu has all the signatures from the Cooly store and you can choose to eat in and soak up the vibes or grab and go – the perfect addition to a picnic on the beach if you ask us. Our favourite part of ordering to-go? Sipping on a cheeky frozen marg while you wait.
Where: Shop 2/32 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
Alfred’s Apartment
Mermaid’s loss is Nobby’s gain because you best believe we’ve been living at Alfred’s since the OG started calling its new address home. Still the same vibe you love from the original Alfred’s, the space now has a schmick industrial fit out, ripper coffee and, of course, all the merch that we know you can’t get enough of. If you’re off the coffee train you’ll want to get around their viral strawberry matcha.
Where: 2225 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Fosters Bakery
No one does pies or baked goods quite like Foster’s Bakery, they’re famous for a reason and known for delivering that classic bakery feel of yesteryear. The ultimate spot for a pie (you know you love them) or a jam donut loaded with sugary goodness, we’re nostalgic just thinking about it.
Where: Shop 1/2227 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Tropic Vice
This place is a VIBE. The sun-lit rooftop is the perfect setting to sip on signature cocktails & graze on a unique “Florribean” inspired menu, combining flavours of the Caribbean and South America. The space was stylishly updated last year, still paying homage to the iconic Palm Springs and Miami influence, it’s one of those spots you just want to sip and stay all day.
Where: Upstairs 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
About a Girl
One of our favourite little gems in Nobby’s is of course, About a Girl boutique. They’ve got the perfect mix of wardrobe staples and current trending pieces, they’ve got gorgeous linen sets, minis, maxis and so much more for every occasion, as well as a curated selection of hand-picked homewares you didn’t know you absolutely need.
Where: 2/2211 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Tayta Nikkei
This Nobby newcomer brought a taste of Nikkei cuisine to the Gold Coast. With its intimate setting boasting 60 seats, Tayta Nikkei exudes a dark and moody ambiance, complemented by traditional Peruvian colors and patterns. The menu showcases a delightful array of seafood and ceviche-style specialties, inviting guests on a culinary journey like no other.
Where: 2/2243 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Mexicali
You had us at Mexican. We challenge you to find someone who doesn’t love a good Mexican feed… Go on, we’ll wait. Calling Nobby’s home for probably longer than most of us have, Mexicali never fails to bring the vibes (and the bevs) all year long. Once you make your way upstairs it’s seriously like entering the ultimate secret spot, if you close your eyes for a second it’s almost like you’re actually in Tulum. Once you’ve knocked back a few tacos and cocktails, don’t forget to snap the iconic stair shot as you exit – you know what we’re talking about, don’t lie.
Where: Level 1, 2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Bine Bar & Dining
Let’s talk Bine. Specialising in craft beer and perfectly matched food, and…need we say more? With 8 rotating taps, a bunch of different bottled beers, a selection of wines and mouth-watering cocktail options matched with a modest yet decadent menu, there are plenty of reasons to love it….and come back again and again.
Where: 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach
Okazu
Now there’s a decent dose of Japanese going around our hood, but we can never get enough. Have any of these sushi bars or poke bowl dreamboats failed us? The answer is a hard no. Okazu is no exception, this convenient grab and go spot featuring Donburi, Okonomiyaki and Sushi Rolls is as fresh as it is delicious and it has us coming back every day.
Where: 2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
BSKT Cafe
Ahh BSKT, you are simply the gift that keeps on giving. The menu just keeps delivering year on year and honestly, if you haven’t been here yet are you even a true Gold Coaster? Consistently voted one of the best tables in town, there is not a single dish that doesn’t hit a home run.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Nobby Beach
Nobbys Shack
If health food is your (sugar-free) jam, one would hope you’ve cottoned on to The Shack Superfood Café and if not, it’s about time you convert. With tasty eco-friendly meals like smoothies, acai bowls and wraps in a breezy, non-pretentious environment, the brand spanking new version of the previous fave The Shack Superfood Café, lives up to its predecessor’s high standards…and then some.
Where: 2241 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
Cambus Wallace
A nautical-themed rum and whisky bar delivering old school service and quality, it’s a long-standing crowd-pleaser for good reason. The space is low-lit, close-knit and always pumping. Swing in for some delish share plates, a drink or two and soak up the intimate ambience. Live music with a side of gin and fresh squeezed apple juice? Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait…
Where: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
SOMM Wine Store
Yeah we’ve talked a lot about foody joints (how unlike us – said no-one ever) but there is absolutely no denying that SOMM Wine store is a firm local favourite of the vino variety. SOMM (aka us) might even say it’s the only place you should be exploring to find your favourite drop. Owned by husband and wife duo Joe and Natalie, their backstory is reflected in the carefully curated wines begging to occupy real estate at your next dinner party. Specialising in boutique wineries, their wine experts will help you find a winner every time.
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
That mural
Speaking of Mexicali and epic art (and no, we’re not talking about the food this time), a much-loved part of the Nobbys highway strip is the eye-catching mural adorning one side of the restaurant in all its bright-hued glory. Designed and painted by local legend Luke Day, the colourful creation and all its pinky bluey goodness is THE spot to snap the most aesthetic insta shot you could wish for. Say cheese…or churros!
Where: The north side of Mexicali (you won’t miss it)
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
