Fasten your seatbelts folks, and prepare for takeoff!
Fasten your seatbelts folks, and prepare for takeoff!
Who remembers the Gold Coast Airport of yesteryear? Yep, it was pocket-sized with just the most basic of basics. Fast forward to 2022 however, and it’s about as far from its humble beginnings as J.Lo is from the Bronx. Just wait till we tell you what’s in store for the September unveiling of the newly revamped and expanded airport which for flying out loud, will be a destination in itself!
We all know a holiday starts at the airport, and visitors would be forgiven for cancelling their itinerary and kicking around the new terminal for the duration of their stay. The Hassell-designed $500m redevelopment is a spectacular nod to the region and all it has to offer, and will impress even the most discerning traveller. There is much to unpack here, but we’re going to skip straight to our favourite part which involves, yes you guessed it – F.O.O.D.
Local providores and produce will take center stage, providing travellers with a curated selection of the thriving GC and Northern NSW food scene. Our epic local coffee, distillers, brewers, and fresh produce will be celebrated and not to sound up ourselves, but no-one does it better. By mid-next year, we’ll see 18 new food and bev and retail outlets, with cafes and eateries headed up by the man, the myth, the legend: the incredible Chef Matt Jefferson. Matt is of course the Executive Chef at Broadbeach’s iconic Social Eating House, and you just know that anything he puts his hand…or hat to (he has plenty of those #awardwinner), is going to be first class all the way.
Proudly putting the dining offerings at the airport as an extension of our city’s thriving food and cultural scene, there’ll be Mediterranean, fresh food, sushi and Asian cuisine, along with the first Schnitz outlet in an Aussie airport. Possibly the most exciting of all, however, is the introduction of flagship new cafe and bar, Wollumbin, named after the Yugambeh First Nation name for nearby Mount Warning. It will serve up a variety of contemporary Australian and international dishes, as well as local beverages and folks, does it look the part! The ultra-modern blonde wood-infused design is just, wow, and packs a punch with its multi-dimensional effect roofing. I mean it’s screaming #InstaMe.
While we’re talking looks, the entire Gold Coast Airport upgrade is aesthetically on point. Upon arrival, visitors will be greeted by a naturally lit hall with soaring 11-metre ceilings. A timber feature wall including the locally abundant spotted gum mimics the mountain range view, and the interior design reflects the picture-perfect setting. To the east are the coastal blues and mint greens of the Pacific Ocean, while to the west are the grey-greens and bronzes of the World Heritage hinterland.
Those leaving the GC will be tempted to do a runner away from the runway, as they gaze out to the spectacular vista of the Gold Coast and Northern NSW hinterland and the airside operations through double-height, floor-to-ceiling windows in the departure lounge.
We all know bigger is better when it comes to airports and the terminal expansion will double the capacity for both domestic and international flights. In line with this, travel infrastructure has been upgraded, with the addition of four glass aerobridges and new baggage claim areas, a bigger bang duty-free store, parents’ room, multifaith room and a totes boujee VIP room *dons sunglasses and pretends to be famous.
So if you needed that final push to book an upcoming vacay, this is surely it! The new Gold Coast Airport is so amazing that you’ll leave thinking “why I am leaving again?!”
Where: Eastern Avenue, Bilinga
When: Launching September 2022
Words by Bianca Trathen.
