When you think of classic Aussie ingredients, the humble vegemite and smashed up Tim Tams may spring to mind. And if you were made in the 80s, chips without chicken salt were basically illegal. But fast-forward to 2024 and a new café and bar at Sanctuary Cove is flipping the script in the form of a GC-first; Australian fusion cuisine. Introducing Native Harvest, whose sensational menu is a love letter to ‘Straya’s native ingredients, showcasing the incredible flavours, aromas, and colours of our homeland.

Get ready to dive fork-first into its locally, sustainably, and ethically sourced native nomms, delivering familiar favourites with a unique Aussie swagger. Think pure, uniquely Australian herbs and spices with incredible flavours you won’t find anywhere else.

Born from a passion for delicious food, innovative flavour combos, and the joy of bringing people together, mark our words; this is your new café bestie. With a bright, welcoming atmosphere and indoor and alfresco dining options for up to 100 hungry peeps, Native Harvest is perfect for soaking up the marina views and enjoying some people-watching with your pals….and your pups (yes, it’s doggo-friendly!). And don’t forget to stop and smell the native plants out front – they’re not just for show, they’re for tasting too!

As the Marine Village is a melting pot of eclectic dining and shopping delights, Sanctuary Cove was a no-brainer choice of digs for seriously savvy (and spectacularly down-to-earth) founders, Brendan and Amanda Trapnell.

But here’s a fun fact; before Native Harvest bloomed into its café/bar era, it started as a successful corporate gifting and Native Australian herb and spice business, spearheaded by Amanda and sister-in-law Rachael. These lovely ladies tirelessly nurtured their biz baby from its infancy to passion-project-come-powerhouse status, during the lockdown days of 2019.

Fast forward to the end of 2023, Amanda and hubby Brendan started cooking up plans to bring Native Harvest to a wider audience in café form #genius. With an all-star team, prime location, and a mouthwatering menu, they’ve certainly hit the ground running. And fast.

Behind every great meal is an equally great team and these guys have struck staff gold. Let’s start with Head Chef Dony, who was tasked with a) cooking incredible food, and b) incorporating an entirely different cuisine (with very different flavours and preparation styles) – in just three weeks. Drawing on his 20 years’ experience as a chef in Oz and the UK and his god given gift to cook, Dony did good. Real good.

In his words, “I like experimenting with different dishes and for everyone to enjoy their meals, and Native Harvest is different. Something truly exciting to bring to the Gold Coast.”  Editor’s note: he’s being endearingly coy. The man is a gastronomic genius.

A special shoutout must also go to front-of-house fabulist and bonza barista, Nicky, and the rest of the stellar crew who all bring something truly special to the proverbial and actual table.

As for the best dishes, good luck trying to pick one but we’re going with the Spicy Turkish Eggs with an Australian twist for breaky; poached Turkish eggs on sourdough with feta, fresh tomato, baby spinach, spiced Greek yoghurt and Turkish toast drizzled with bush tomato chilli oil and wild basil.

Brunch buffs, have a go of the Zesty Chicken Caprese Salad with buttermilk marinated chicken tenders, fresh tomato wedges, house-made pickled red onions, bush tomato relish, grilled haloumi, and fresh greens. Or, if you’re in a lunch state of mind, tuck into a native glazed Wild Beef Burger, with an Aussie beef patty, pepperberry and native thyme, caramelised onion, and bush tomato relish on a lightly toasted milk bun.

Okay we’ve neglected something v important thus far and how remiss of us; the cocktails. To wet your whistle, Native Harvest’s Native Berry Gin Fizz is the rizz, with locally distilled lilly pilly gin, fresh lime and club soda. We’ll take two (times two) thanks.

From the vibrant atmosphere to the friendly faces behind the counter, every aspect of Native Harvest exudes warmth and hospitality. Delight in the fabulous food, stay for the vibes, and leave with an insatiable hunger (and thirst) to come back again…and again.

Where: Sanctuary Cove, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: 6am – 2pm, Monday to Sunday
Website: Nativeharvest.com.au
Instagram: @nativeharvestaustralia

Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Nestled along the shimmering shores of Sanctuary Cove, a culinary paradise awaits, beckoning food enthusiasts from all corners. Here, dining isn’t just a meal; it’s a journey through a world of flavours that will put your taste buds in a trance and set your senses into swoon mode.

Every bite tells a story, crafted by esteemed chefs who know their food like artists know their palette (or in this case, palate!). The variety of first-class fare is as extensive as it is exciting, with cuisine (and cocktails!) to satisfy every craving from the Mexican munchies, to get-in-my-belly good Greek, to wow-factor woodfire dishes.

And, if you’re a seafood buff, Sanctuary Cove is propped right on the Coomera River with access to the freshest produce, guaranteed to please even the most so-fishticated diner.

Start your day with a leisurely alfresco coffee and some bougee baked treats from the fabulously French, Rise Bakery. If you’re channelling something more substantial, tuck into a healthy brekky or brunch at Pier B Café, or a more traditional feed at Café Bravo.

Ready for your next coffee yet and obvs, it’s been at least an hour since your first, so mosey on over to Bistro 19. Dubbed ‘the best coffee in the Cove’, they also serve scrumptious insta-worthy breakfasts and lunches.

Lunch lovers are spoiled for choice, with Aussie fusion cuisine at Native Harvest, or the casual but stunning Waterside. To ‘maki’ your day, a sushi sesh at Sushi Break. There are also a variety of eateries open for both lunch and dinner, like meat and seafood icon, Red Steakhouse. Far from your average fancy-pants fine dining restaurant, it’s a modern steakhouse where you can indulge in premium cuts and clean flavours inspired by the land and complemented by the sea.

Italian lovers are eternally stanning over Ioesco Cafe & Cucina, the pin-up for traditional Neapolitan dishes with a contemporary glow-up. Imagine lofty ceilings, twinkling chandeliers and a marble bar.

For succulent seafood, meat, and veg with a Greek twist, it’s George’s Paragon for the win and if you haven’t dined here at least 87 times, are you even a Gold Coaster? While we’re talking all-things-George, George’s Paragon Pizza Wine Bar is the perf cozy pizza and wine nook for a laid-back bite and sip of vino.

Chim Thai is the spicy addition to the Sanctuary Cove scene. Blending modern twists with traditional Thai flavours, it’s ‘pho’ real the spot for a chill waterfront date day or dreamy date night.

With an emphasis on fresh produce presented simply, Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequilaria is the chosen Juan for authentic modern Mexican. Packing more cocktails and cacti than you can poke a taco at, it’s on-trend and caliente to the core.

Chinese lovers can chopstick their way through yum cha, a la carte, and banquets fit for an emperor at Dragon Cove Chinese Restaurant, or for a fresh spin on your beloved pub grub, the sun-soaked Sanctuary Cove Tavern serves up a sensational fam-bam endorsed seasonal menu.

Which brings us to Sanctuary Cove’s signature restaurant, award-winner and foodie fave, The Fireplace at The InterContinental Sanctuary Cove. This dinner-time dazzler takes wood-fired cuisine to a whole new level, sourcing local goodies straight from the garden and giving their dishes a unique smoky sizzle in the on-site wood-fire oven. Bask in the breathtaking view of the resort’s stunning one-acre pool at the new Lagoon Beach Club where laid-back leisure, contemporary design and fun collide.

Finally, if you like your coffee or cocktails served with a side of homewares and cool factor, Destino is the destination for a sunshine and greenery infused afternoon or evening drink. Or, if a coffee and a gelato is more your style, the perfectly pink Rosé Gelateria (ice)screams insta-worthy goodness, and is a no brainer for a post-date sweetener or treat for the kiddos.

So, whether you’re a local looking for a culinary escape or a visitor craving a taste of the good life, get your flavour fix with million-dollar water and marina views at our bayside besty, Sanctuary Cove.

Words by Bianca Trathen

Spring has officially sprung! Oh, how we have longed for careless beach days and an opportunity to shop for new sundresses and strappy sandals.

If your closet needs an overhaul, it’s time to pull out the big guns. And by big guns, we mean Sanctuary Cove’s must-do spring Fashion Show, which returns on Saturday 28th September.

This isn’t just any fashion event—it’s the ultimate runway rendezvous. Luxury designer brands unveiling their latest and greatest with a backdrop of staggering waterfront views and Sanctuary Cove’s award-winning Marina. It’s not hard to see why fashion enthusiasts flock and seats are always left ‘fully reserved’. Every year, it’s the hot ticket, and this time is no different.

Set to feature a stellar lineup of premium brands from leading international and domestic designers, including Soho Girl, EEV Fashion, Cabana, Calypso Resort and Swimwear, Sanctuary Cove Resort Shoppe, Cassardi Shoes, Henri Lloyd and Latitude Men’s Collection.

Fashion enthusiasts can also appreciate the well-known luxury labels in participation, including Alemais (a personal fave), Auguste the Label, Camilla, Gucci and Zulu & Zephyr. Are you feeling the fashion fever yet? You have permission to goggle- mouth-opened.

To upgrade the already iconic event, there’s a VIP guest hosting this year’s Sanctuary Cove Spring Fashion Show. A famous local Australian TV personality (insert our claim to fame). Look at us: soon to be mistaken for Hollywood with the amount of celeb traffic coming through the Gold Coast these days. Get ready to fangirl because Tania Zaetta is in the house!

She’s a name you can’t miss and a face you can’t forget. She’s also a ‘multi-hyphenated’ talent dazzling as a TV personality, presenter, radio host, speaker, MC and actress, with over twenty-five TV shows and four films to her name.

Tania has forged one of the most diverse and successful careers in Australian entertainment over the past two decades and she’s a bona fide fashion icon. Having graced many magazine covers around the globe, she is beauty, she is grace and her style sets the fashion pace.

This event will give you taste of all the swoon-worthy spring looks in store at the Coast’s HQ of all things sophistication and style. With a knockout backdrop that packs as much glamour as a Bond film, a boat load of #stylegoals designer fashion and a couple of cocktails for good measure – don’t miss your ticket to have yourself a sensational fashion fling at Sanctuary Cove this spring.

Tickets are on sale now for $99 per person (plus booking fee) and include a complimentary cocktail upon arrival, canapes, a gift bag and the chance to win a two-night stay at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort in a Lagoon Ocean View Room including breakfast for two plus luxury launch transfers to and from Hamilton Island. T&Cs apply.

Where: Sanctuary Cove, The Village Green, Quay Street, Hope Island
When: 10:30am-12pm, 28th September 2024
Tickets: Available here.

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY SANCTUARY COVE