The quickest way to get locked up in Southport.
The quickest way to get locked up in Southport.
Imagine being wrongly accused of murder, chained to a wall and having to rely on your friends’ detective skills to free you.
Welcome to Escape Hunt, Southport’s brain bending escape game that is guaranteed to test your problem solving skills like they’ve never been tested before.
Here’s how it works:
Players are placed in a room and given an hour to decipher clues and solve a particular mystery. At the moment, there are three unique rooms, each with a story and intricate set of clues.
Every single thing you can see (and some you can’t) within the rooms are part of the puzzle – there are codes etched on walls and hidden keys in unlikely crevices.
Recently added is the prison cell, where players need to decipher who actually committed the crime so they can break themselves out after being wrongfully imprisoned.
An hour seems like a lot of time, but there are many clues involved and if solving crimes isn’t your usual weekend activity, it can be tricky.
You’re welcome to ask for hints via the intercom but many opt to go it alone.
For an entirely unique and extremely enjoyable experience, give Escape Hunt a try. Play an individual room or get a package deal for all three and save them up for a rainy day.
Escape Hunt is the perfect fun activity to enjoy with your friends and family
It’s the most fun you can have inside a locked room.
HOURS: 10am to 10pm
LOCATION: 2/162 Scarborough Street, Southport.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to pull the trigger on a powerful pistol wonder no more.
The Shooting Centre provides guns ranging from a light, simple to shoot 22mm Ruger to the slightly heavier 9mm Glock and beyond.
The ultimate option is the .44 Magnum – a full powered handgun that will put a decent sized hole in your target (if you can manage to hold it steady).
The weight and recoil of each is unique so shooters are able to experience the real feeling of shooting a gun and you get to keep your paper target so you can see just how good (or bad) your aim really is and keep score for next time.
An instructor will stay by your side the entire time teaching you how to properly and safely grip each gun, load the bullets and how to aim properly for maximum bragging rights.
The Shooting Centre has been a favourite amongst both professionals and amateurs for many years due to their passionate club members and strict safety procedures.
All firearms used within the gallery are less than one year old and each one is tethered to a steel rope and padlocked both for safety and to assist with straight shooting (which is harder than it sounds).
It’s an adrenaline pumping experience and a definite must-do next time you need to let off some steam.
HOURS: 10am to 6pm daily
LOCATION: 1/76 Ferry Road, Southport
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
It’s a bus…it’s a boat…it’s a sightseeing tour in the form of a giant duck.
In honour of its namesake, the Quack R Duck tour travels on both land and water treating guests to a relaxing, hour-long adventure entirely unique to the Gold Coast.
Starting in iconic Surfers Paradise, guests board the duck and begin travelling past beautiful beaches, along the Gold Coast 600 racetrack and through Main Beach.
Upon arrival at the Broadwater boat ramp, the big guy simply drives on in and a leisurely cruise ensues.
Those onboard are treated to sights of the spectacular, waterfront homes of the rich and famous, the stunning Surfers Paradise skyline and the Southport Marina – home to some of the world’s biggest yachts.
Turning around, the duck makes its way through the Broadwater, past
Marina Mirage, Seaworld and the Southport Aquatic Centre and seamlessly returning to dry land through Surfers Paradise and back to home base.
It’s a novelty certainly but it’s also a wonderful way to take in some of the most beautiful sites in town for both locals and tourists alike.
Seen it all? Jump in for a completely relaxing ride through the waterways while learning about the areas’ history and landmarks you may never have heard of from knowledgeable tour guides.
It really is quacktastic (sorry) with the majority of time spent on the water, which as we all know, is the most beautiful aspect of the Gold Coast.
So, hop on board, and experience the city through fresh eyes as you float down the river inside the belly of a duck.
HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily.
ADDRESS: Paradise Centre, 7 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise (just down from Sandbar).
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
