Wouldn’t it be nice to walk through one of the Gold Coast’s most stunning homes? Immerse yourself in a life of luxury, if only for a moment. How about a lifetime? What if you were given the chance to admire your dream home (with a complimentary boat and car) and the opportunity to win it? Well, now you can. You might be anticipating a soon-to-be-revealed catch in this sweet-sounding deal. However, there’s no catch, just a little healthy competition.

Mater Prize Homes has been changing the lives of Australians since their establishment in 1954. When purchasing a Mater Lotteries ticket, you’re not just giving yourself a chance to win it big, but you’re also contributing to the critical work across Mater Research, Mater Health and Mater Education. For example, Mater’s first raffle was to help raise funds to build Mater Mothers’ Hospital. How special it would feel knowing you played a part in that?

Fast forward to now, and we’re getting their biggest giveaway to date! Valued at over $5.2 million, this Mater Prize Home prize package has it all! You know that ‘dream life’ you’ve been envisioning? The one with the big house and the slick car? You’re one ticket away from that right now- just saying. What, when, where, how?! Just keep reading.

Your prize is a two-level waterfront home in the heart of the Gold Coast. The residence is the epitome of elegance and modern living, with seven bedrooms—one converted into a cosy home office—plus a media room, outdoor kitchen, three-tiered pool with cabana, spacious living areas, and more. It’s a true sanctuary in a lively coastal paradise. Simply catching a view of this stunning home feels like a reward in itself.

And there’s more! What’s a luxurious home without a lavish car to match, right? A sleek Lexus RX350, to be specific. And just when you thought things just couldn’t get any better. You’re also getting a Sea Ray 190 SPX OB Bowride (a fancy boat). Why enjoy your new breathtaking river views from dry land when you can set sail on the sparkling Gold Coast waters! One more thing! You’re also getting an incredible $1 million. They threw that last part in just because you’re amazing. It sure feels good to be you right now!

Here are the nitty, gritty details you need to know. From 9am on the 27th of September, the doors of this stunning property will be open for you to explore, dream and purchase your ticket (starting at $2) for your chance to win! The winner will be announced on the 24th of December- what an unforgettable Christmas that would be!

Want a leg up? Mater Prize Homes are rolling out the red carpet for Gold Coast residents, offering an extra incentive to visit early. Purchase a ticket at the Prize Home before the 20th of October 2024, and you’ll automatically be entered into a special weekly $1,000 draw, giving you more chances to win just for visiting.

For more information or to secure your tickets click here.

When: From 9am on 27 September, until 20 December, 2024
Where: 88 River Links Boulevard, Helensvale

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY MATER LOTTERIES

They say strength is born from adversity and that is certainly the case for the Sowter family, Mt Tamborine locals who lost their family home, restaurant and gallery in a devastating fire on New Years Eve of 2016.

The Polish Place was one of Tambo, and indeed the Gold Coast and surrounding areas’, most-loved restaurants due to their exceptional Polish menu, stunning hinterland views and everyone’s-part-of-the-family hospitality.

The restaurant and adjoining accommodation were built from scratch (and with a whole lot of love) by Phil and Ania Sowter in the early 1980’s and although the loss was obviously a devastating one, we bring you extremely good news.

The Polish Place is in the final stages of building and the brand new restaurant is set to open this week and we could not be more excited for the Sowter family and ourselves (and you), who now get to eat all of the Polish food, all of the time once again.

Before we get to the menu though, let’s chat scenery and as you’d know, having no doubt visited Mt Tamborine on many occasions, there are very few places that don’t offer breathtaking views and The Polish Place is no exception.

Overlooking the Scenic Rim (mountains as far as the eye can see) and with an outdoor area that’s home to countless colourful Rosella’s and filled with homegrown greenery, it’s one of the most relaxing spots we’ve ever encountered and you’ll probably have a hard time leaving to be honest.

Now let’s talk Polish feasts and the very best advice we can give you is to arrive hungry and prepare yourself for some absolutely incredible flavours.

Ania has brought the most delicious homemade recipes from her native Poland and perfected them over the last 35(ish) years. The flavours are traditional, fresh and comforting and everything is made onsite.

The most popular dish, and the one The Polish Place has become famous for, is the Roast Duck for two with cherries. Those simple words don’t even begin to describe the love and life-changing flavours that make up this dish but you can expect soft, twice-cooked duck with not only cherries but apples baked inside and resulting in a sweet, mouthwatering dish that you’ll likely never forget.

Not only that though, we absolutely adored the Bigos (sauerkraut), Polish sausage, Pork Hock and a tomato soup with egg noodles that was the best we’ve ever tried.

There’s an extensive range of Polish beers, vodkas and local and Australian wines to complement the menu and everything can be enjoyed in front of the fire (season permitting) or out on the deck with the wildlife.

It’s been over two years in the making but the time has finally come to welcome The Polish Place back into the fold and once those doors do swing open, you better get in quick. Not a day has passed that the venue hasn’t received a call requesting an opening date.

Do yourself a favour and pay The Polish Place a visit ASAP, it’s famous for very good reason folks.

LOCATION: 333 Main Western Road, Mt Tamborine

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Cookies, pizza, burgers, donuts… food just tastes more delicious when it’s round #facts. And if the mere mention of these god-tier circular greats already has the tastebuds tingling, strap in, because it’s about to get a hole lot better. Gold Coasters, donut delay, it’s time you meat Burg World.

Officially open as of September 30, get ‘around’ the new spot sending the Northern GC into a daze glaze, an un-bun-lievable new gourmet burger and donut joint also dishing up a signature creation that will no doubt have tongues simultaneously wagging and watering (and cholesterol spiking).

Cardiologists, look away now.

Because Helensvale’s new gourmet burger joint on the block, Burg World – is also set to roll out a signature dish combining not one but two GOAT’s of the rotund-eats hierarchy, burgers and donuts, into one epic franken-food creation. Cheesus take the wheel.

For dynamic doughnut duo doing their very best to convince us the best things actually come in round packages, Darren Kelly & Stacey Kelly are on quite the roll. Burg World is not their first foray into the realm of decadent eats, as the husband and wife team have already been slingin’ some very sweet spherical treats from their Daisy Hill gourmet doughnut shopfront – Doughnut World, going on 3 years now.

As luck would have it, it was the second birthday bash for their first venue which inspired the new concept, the lightbulb moment crumbing to them after the masterminds (or madlads, depending on how you look at it) dreamed big and dished up a special donut-burger creation in honour of the occasion. The creation was such a hit, that the pair was inspired to combine a one-stop burger and donut shop.

And #holeyeah they did.

Tactically taking up residence in the same neighbourhood as the GC’s theme park circuit, Darren and Stacey hope to add one more stop to the list of must-do northern attractions (hence the name Burg ‘World’). Which will no doubt soon become a superhero-worthy side quest for famished visitors and locals alike to refuel after a jam-(donut)packed day of thrills and spills.

After struggling to secure trades to complete the fitout, the duo have ambitiously taken on the fresh new fitout for Burg World themselves (admittedly with a little help from fam, friends and the university of Youtube, #thankyouinternet).

The new space offers indoor and outdoor dining for 25+, with a vibrant lavender and red colour palette offset by the perennial cafe classic combo: white subway tiles and black pendant lighting. The resulting aesthetic is giving ‘modern diner, but make it fun’, with plenty of plush red booths at which peckish visitors can perch (before subtly farewelling ye olde pantaloon top button).

To satisfy both our morbid curiosity our salty-sweet cravings, new venue will be smashing out the the flagship dish: Doughnut burgers stacked with smash burger patties, cheese and pickles all devilishly sandwiched between glazed donuts masquerading as buns. Smash or pass, indeed.

Though purists less keen for a dinner and dessert hole-in-one can of course opt to savour their salty and sweet treats separately, with the range of Doughnut World classic flavour-ites on offer at the new venue. Also available will of course be the usual burger joint suspects such as fast-food style chicken, chippies and boujee burgers sans the sugar-rush, like the classic Cheeseburger (to pickle, or not to pickle – that is the question?)

A rotating burger menu of monthly specials starring a different burger inspired by flavours from around the globe offers plenty of incentive to make this little pit-stop a very regular occurrence (as if the call of those delectable donut cravings wasn’t already reason enough).

And if you’re still yet to sate those salty-sweet cravings? If the Biscoff Thickshake to wash it all down doesn’t do it, nothing will.

Where: 20 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
When: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 8pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Carly King.