Paging all outbound foodies: conditions are clear with a high chance of Margs, Espresso Martini’s and pre-flight feasting at the Gold Coast Airport’s lush new all-day eats and sips spot, The Sand Bar.

The latest in a long line of mouth-watering new venues as a part of GCA’s ongoing $500m overhaul, the chic new addition means we can say good riddance to sog-town cafeteria sandos and hello to bookending our journey with decadent bites such as truffle-oil drizzled Tortuto pizzas, perfectly spiced Shakshuka and crafted cocktails.

Though don’t be thinking The Sand Bar will be your usual, departure lounge dwelling watering hole. The inventive, signature selection of Gold Coast inspired cocktails speaks for itself – with fanciful libations like the Barbie Blush created as an ode to the GC golden girl herself, Margot Robbie.

An extremely sip-able concoction made with raspberry liqueur, elderflower liqueur and cranberry juice and naturally, Papa Salt Gin – we don’t know about you guys, but it looks like holiday mode is kicking in a little early for our next trip… Holiday Barbie, come at us! (Honourable mention business travellers, ‘cuz dining on the bosses dime is a close second)

Continuing the local theme, punters can get a taste of the GC’s burgeoning craft brew scene with ice cold, Burleigh-brewed Black Hops straight from the tap; while the entire eats menu showcases the ‘best of locally sourced ingredients for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks’.

Serving up the ultimate selection of anytime eats daily from 5am; passengers can opt for quick bites like B&E Rolls or Super Smoothies from the Liquid Breakfast menu or linger for long lunches with share plates of Coconut Crumbed Prawns and Lamb Kofta (and the wine list, should you feel so led).

With yet another home-grown nod, the GC’s own culinary maestro Matt Jefferson (of Social Eating House & Orzo’s fame) has also imparted his Midas touch onto a selection of signature dishes collaboration with the new venue. Heck, we’re ready to book a spontaneous flight just to get a taste of contributions like the sourdough Brûlée French Crumpet, served with double cream and berries alone.

Looking decidedly more put-together than our typical, athleisure-clad airport lewk, the chic fit out offers a modern yet welcoming ambience to suit the mouth-watering morsel curation. Completed by Cottee Parker Architects and Burleigh’s AC Fitouts, the space has taken its direction from coastal influences, with golden tones and lush, flowing lines for days.

While the soothing, softly lit palette is all about the vibes, The Sandbar’s thoughtfully designed space also includes practical perks like a plentiful mix of seating and departure screens fitted throughout… for those of us partial to getting a little… *ahem* carried away after a Barbie Blush or two.

Entirely unrelated, but… is anyone else feeling the sudden and overwhelming urge to finally heed the advice of Dads everywhere and arrive at the airport several hours early for our next flight?!

So sky-farers, swing by The Sand Bar before you next take off – because this oasis-vibing sip spot might just be your new favourite pre-flight ritual.

Where: Gold Coast Airport, 1 Terminal Dr, Bilinga
When: 5am to last departing flight, daily.

Words by Kellie Leader
Images by Mathilde Bouby

STORY SPONSORED BY GOLD COAST AIRPORT

By now you’ve surely seen the Gold Coast Airport’s glow-up *chefs kiss*. We’re especially fans of a glow-up when it brings coffee to the table – literally. Put your landing gear down because there’s a new coffee joint in town and we’re here to spill the beans.

Enter: Merlo Coffee Roasters, delivering that iconic Queensland Merlo flavour you know and love.

There are two distinct types of airport people. We all know the first – they’re at the airport three hours before their flight in case something crazy happens like, you know, every single road to get you there shuts down and you need the extra time.

We like to call these the parents of the group, either literally or figuratively. The second prefers to skate in by the skin of their teeth and we swear they always travel together.

So if you’ve bean looking for somewhere to caffeinate pre-flight, Merlo Coffee Roasters is your saviour.  Settle in for a coffee or a cheeky bite to eat.

Nestled at the airport’s entrance, this chic café, operated by Airport Retail Enterprises, is a very welcome addition to the ever-expanding roster of exciting venues at the bustling travel hub that is Gold Coast Airport.

It’s also the only coffee spot in the airport where you can grab a brew and bite before you head through customs, making it the perfect pit stop for if you’ve got anyone popping in to bid you goodbye.

It’s also the place where you can get your hands on one of Social Eating House’s signature lamb empanadas or Slipper Lobster Rolls, iconic additions to the menu from one of our fave restaurateurs Matt Jefferson who has collaborated with the Merlo Gold Coast Airport crew to deliver the snack goods.

We won’t even call you shellfish for refusing to share with your travel buddies.

One of our favourite things about Merlo Gold Coast Airport is their commitment to locally sourced products, so you know you’re getting the freshest food from some of the finest growers.

These mouthwatering creations showcase the culinary artistry that sets this café apart because we know sometimes you just want something more than the classic airport toastie. And for the coffee aficionados, indulge in the signature Merlo Coffee and frappes, a perfect blend of flavour and buzz, because why else are you drinking coffee? Let’s be real.

The café’s interior, designed by AC Fitouts, encapsulates the distinctive branding of Merlo Coffee with its signature blue and black colour scheme. The ambience seamlessly blends comfort with sophistication, so you’ll want to stay all day – well that is until take off at least.

If you’re more about soaking up that fresh Bilinga air there are loads of outdoor options with space for 40 customers both inside and outside, so there’s loads of room if you’re travelling with the whole clan. Whether you’re looking to savour a leisurely meal or grab a quick takeaway, the café caters to all tastes and timelines, opening its doors every day from 5 am until the last check-in.

Merlo Coffee Roasters at Gold Coast Airport is so much more than just a café. It’s a destination for both coffee and culinary enthusiasts so you can get that restaurant quality feel before you take flight and I guess you could say we love it a latte.

Where: Inside the Gold Coast Airport, Eastern Ave, Bilinga
When: Daily from 5am until last check-in
Website: www.goldcoastairport.com.au
Instagram: @goldcoastairport

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

Whether you rarely travel by air or you rack up the sky-miles like T-Swift, you’ve no doubt caught wind that Gold Coast Airport is in the throes of a $500m multi-stage glow up.

As we continue to get glimpses of the ongoing expansion, transiters are getting a taste of just how (sky)high the bar is set – as stalwart burger haunt, Hungry Jack’s unveils its slick new look Airport location.

In what will be a long line of lush new watering holes, eateries, and boutique shopping outlets for the re-imagined Gold Coast Airport – the zhuzhed up new look and feel for our faithful burger franchise is Hungry Jack’s like we’ve never seen it before.

Though it might be sporting a fancy new facade, Whopper fans can breathe easy, with all the familiar, flame-grilled faves now back alongside Barista-made coffee and a sleeker, more cafe-style experience… plus a couple of extra creature comforts thrown in for good measure.

Now residing right by Gate 5 (the opposite end of the terminal from its predecessor) the revamped airport location now also includes self-serve ordering (introverts, rejoice) alongside the full Hungry Jack’s menu.

For jetsetters with time to kill, the fancy-pants new iteration also boasts its own dedicated outlet seating, offering plenty of space to escape the hustle-bustle, catch up on emails, or just stretch your legs and before takeoff.

Now churning out bright-and-early brekkie wraps and hashie’s to bleary-eyed (… remind us again why we picked the 6am flight?) travellers every day of the week.

Further bolstering the offering, the in-house Jack’s Café inclusion means punters can also pick everything from barista-made Piccolos to Caramel Lattes made with the award-winning, ethically sourced bean blend from 5am daily. #PraiseBe.

Of course, should you need to refuel a little later in the day, they’re churning out the beloved, fast-food style classics ’til the last departing flight every night… and hey, who among us can resist a cheeky comfort-feed of flame-grilled burg and fries when hunger calls?

Certainly not us.

Excitingly, the new and unexpectedly lush Hungry Jacks dining experience barely begins to scratch the surface of the works delivered, underway or in the pipeline for the Gold Coast Airport precinct.

Off the back of the multi-level, 30,000 sq metre terminal expansion revealed in late 2022 – travellers will soon be treated to a slew of world-class food, beverage and retail outlets in both the expanded and existing terminal courtesy of the spruce up. Which pretty much provides all the incentive we need to start planning our next big getaway.

Either way, Gold Coasters, next time you find yourself jetting off for business or pleasure, we think you’ll agree this refreshing new ‘departure’ for our humble burger purveyor is one that really satis-fries.

Where: Gold Coast Airport, Eastern Ave, Bilinga (near Gate 5)
When: Daily 5am–last departing flight

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

STORY SPONSORED BY GOLD COAST AIRPORT