Perhaps the best thing about Winter on the Gold Coast is the fact that we get front row seats to the migration of whales along our coastline. And now that it is prime time to see these majestic creatures, we thought it best to get to know Marine Biologist Shari Kempshall from Spirit of Gold Coast about her love for the giant mammals and the Gold Coast!

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I was born and bred on the Gold Coast! I moved away for a few years for work and study but moved back at the beginning of this year.

Tell us about your professional career to date.
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2016, I worked for a few years as a Marine Biologist and Tour Guide on Lady Elliot Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. I left at the beginning of 2020 to start my Master of Environment, and I’m currently studying full time while working at Spirit of Gold Coast. My days consist of watching these beautiful animals as they travel past the Gold Coast on their winter migration, and sharing information with all of our excited passengers about what they’re seeing!

What’s the one thing you love the most about whales?
Everything! What’s not to love? They’re so big, majestic, intelligent and acrobatic. The sound of their blow is my #1 favourite sound in the world because it means that whales are close!

Tell us an interesting fact about whales that many people may not know.
While I think people understand whales are big, it’s hard to grasp exactly HOW big they are! Each of their lungs is the size of a small car, and whales can weigh the same amount as 11 elephants!

How many whales have you seen at once?
Generally humpback whales are more solitary, however we often see small pods of 2-4 migrating together. There has, however, been a few times this season where we are surrounded by multiple pods and don’t know where to look! The most I’ve seen close-up is 10-15, a courtship heat run came past fast and it was all over very quickly, but it was one of the most exciting moments of my life!

How close do whales travel to the Gold Coast shoreline and roughly how many whales pass the Gold Coast each year?
When heading back down south, the whales tend to hug the coastline, particularly mothers and calves. This means they can be just a few hundred metres offshore! We are lucky to see around 30,000-35,000 humpbacks travelling up and down the east coast each year. This number is growing by about 10% each year, as the whale populations are still recovering from intense whaling where there was an estimated 300-500 whales left on our east coast.

Do you have a favourite memory of a time when you were out on a cruise?
Recently we had a pod of around 70+ common dolphins stirring up three humpback whales! While the dolphins love the whales, sometimes they’re just a little too playful for the humpbacks. But on this occasion it resulted in the whales throwing their fins around and they all put on quite a show for us!

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café: Stable Coffee in Currumbin
Coffee spot: Any coffee on the beach is a winner! I love getting takeaway and walking Burleigh Hill or heading to Point Danger Lookout.
Restaurant: Balboa Italian
Bar or pub for a drink: Currumbin Surf Club – that view!!
How do you choose to spend your weekends? At the moment I’m spending them watching whales! But if I’m not whale watching I probably heading out into nature with my loved ones.

For discounted tickets to Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching – click here.

If you weren’t aware, it’s World Tourism Day on Monday 27th September 2021. And whilst the Gold Coast would typically be packed with both international and domestic school holiday tourists this time of year, it is still our home, and we can all still very much serve as a tourist mecca for the local market in these current times. Ahead of the day, we spoke to Destination Gold Coast CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan about what a usual day-in-the-life for her is, and what exciting things the Gold Coast has in store for both tourists and locals!

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I think most people would still class me as a newbie to the Gold Coast having relocated from Townsville with my family earlier this year to take the role of CEO at Destination Gold Coast. I had been working at Townsville Enterprise for the past nine years where I started as the General Manager for Tourism and Events and then was the CEO for the past five years. I knew the Gold Coast was hurting after bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role would be tough, but at the same time I found myself excited about the opportunities ahead. Six months on, I could not be prouder to call this city my home.

What does a typical day of being Destination Gold Coast’s CEO look like?
Every day is literally an adventure. In the morning I could be on our Broadwater with Paradise Jet Boating and then by morning tea I am at Burleigh Headland with Jellurgal Aboriginal and Cultural Centre learning about our 60,000 year-old ancient history and then that evening I am launching a new marketing campaign atop of Rydges Gold Coast Airport. I am very honoured to have such an amazing role and know at the moment our industry is really hurting, so we are all working really hard to not just support them but to ensure their message is being heard by Government.

Whilst I’ve loved getting to know my new hometown, there’s been some heartbreaking moments as well. It’s obviously been an extremely tough time for the local tourism industry. Our operators are struggling due to the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, having lost $3.2 billion of tourism revenue and 1 in 5 tourism jobs over the past 18 months. COVID has hurt the heart and soul of the Gold Coast, but it won’t hold us down and despite these ongoing hardships, we continue to push through and the future is still really bright.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Where do I start! If I’m not hanging out with our industry during work, I’m making the most of every weekend to organise itineraries with the family. Whether it’s family fun, a date night or a staycation to experience the Gold Coast from all different angles, I love to spend every waking minute being a tourist in my new hometown. What surprised me most when I moved here is our surreal Australian landscapes being so close in proximity. The fact you can take a dip in the ocean at Surfers Paradise and hit the road for 45-minutes and immerse yourself in ancient rainforest is very cool.

With the Wonder Reef due to open early 2022, how do you think this new attraction will assist the Gold Coast Tourism industry?
The Wonder Reef will add a new layer of attraction to the city and we’re proud to support the City of Gold Coast’s vision which will see us home to Australia’s first floating dive site. This is another product that will support the visitor economy and help us cut through a very crowded market as people travel again.

What are you most looking forward to, for the Gold Coast, over the next year?
Opening up again! Whilst the next 10 years is shaping up to be a decade of opportunity for our region, the next 12 months will be integral in capitalising on this opportunity. The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane will bring global attention and visitors from all over the world to Queensland and we know there will be a significant benefit for the Gold Coast beyond the games themselves. As the world opens again, tourism will bounce back in a big way, and we know there are massive amounts of pent-up demand we can capitalise on. And as Australia reaches vaccination targets, borders open again and consumer confidence returns – all those postponed and cancelled holidays will finally come to fruition.

How do you suggest people celebrate World Tourism Day?
Back a tourism operator and invest in a local business that has been doing it tough. Gold Coasters have been phenomenal in supporting local tourism businesses and we still really need them whilst we wait for things to open again. Maybe buy an early Christmas present for someone, head to a theme park, jump on a paddleboard, or take that hot air balloon ride you have always been thinking about. It’s time to adventure! The Play Money Rewards campaign that the City of Gold Coast is investing into makes this easy, so jump onto destinationgoldcoast.com and grab a voucher today!

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café: Baritalia – This is an all-day dining option with beautiful coffee and Italian food which is really authentic and yummy
Coffee spot: Anywhere along the Coolangatta foreshore – I love the viewpoint from Coolangatta Surf Club and The Coffee Club
Restaurant: A tie between Nineteen at The Star and The Tropic at the Burleigh Pavilion
Bar or pub for a drink: Southport Yacht Club (especially on a Sunday afternoon – live music is always fun and a great way to start the week)
Weekend tradition: Visiting the Fisherman’s Co-op on a Saturday to pick up our local seafood – you can’t beat the prawns, they are sensational
Hinterland: The Polish Place – spectacular cabins with wood fires and the Pork Hock in the restaurant is a must try!

How do you choose to spend your weekends?
In between my son’s sports and house hunting, my family and I love being outdoors and a passion of mine is chasing sunsets. We are either at the HOTA markets on a Sunday getting a Largo or having a Milkman’s cookie, creek swimming at Currumbin or Tallebudgera Creek and heading to a Surf Club for lunch, or finding a nice spot to watch the sunset (whilst eating of course).

Following a plant-based/vegan diet on the Gold Coast has become a lot easier in recent years, with more and more restaurants and cafes accomodating to the growing audience that adopt this lifestyle. However it’s often forgotten (amongst our non-vegan friends) that following vegan principles is more than just what you decide to eat, rather it’s all forms of consumption. One aspect of living a vegan lifestyle that often proves to be difficult is finding skincare and beauty products that work for you and that are also vegan. Choosing a brand that not only is good for the environment but also right for you and your skin can be a feat… let’s be honest. But rejoice, my plant-based friends! A bit Hippy, a Gold Coast-based brand, is here to put your qualms at ease! We had the chance to ask Melody Livingstone, the CEO of A bit Hippy, a few questions before World Vegan Day on Monday 1 November; so read on to get to know her and your new fave brand.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve been a Burleigh local for the past 18 months after moving to the Gold Coast from Brisbane for the role of CEO, and I haven’t looked back since!

Tell us a bit about A bit Hippy 
We’re not the irritating type… we’re dead set on soothing and improving your skin from head to toe. At A bit Hippy, we strive to be as natural as possible while providing clean, non-toxic skincare solutions that are effective but won’t irritate. Healthy skin needs to be backed by nature and proven by science, without the fear of breaking out. That’s why we created A bit Hippy. Peacefully protesting for Australian-made, easy to use, affordable skin, hair and body care that won’t make you react… in mind or body!

What makes running a business on the Gold Coast so great?
The Gold Coast has quickly become a hub of opportunity for individuals and small businesses. There’s something here for everyone! It’s amazing to be a part of such a dynamic community, not to mention it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Whether it’s a beach-side cafe catch-up or a meeting at the newest hot-spot bar, you’ll never be short of inspiration and creativity.

Why is choosing ‘clean’ skincare so important?
There’s a lot of marketing hype in the skincare market, and just because a brand labels themselves as natural or clean doesn’t mean it’s good for you or your skin. Our definition of ‘clean’ skincare is a product range that is healthy for you, your skin and the environment. We say no to nasty ingredients and with skin sensitivities on the rise, it’s more important than ever to cater to those with sensitive skin. As an affordable, Australian-made brand, we want to cut through the overwhelming confusion in the market as customers become increasingly more conscious of their purchasing power, demanding clean products with their dollar. It’s important to us that we offer a range that is pro healthy skin, anti toxicity and cuts through the BS.

What does a typical day in your life look like?
Coming from a high-pressure environment, I now value a balanced lifestyle and generally begin my mornings at a slower pace. I love to meditate first thing and typically go for a walk along the beach, stopping along the way for my husband to grab a coffee. I get some life admin out of the way and check in on my emails while enjoying a tea and then it’s time to head into the office in Burleigh to see the A bit Hippy team!  In the afternoon you’ll see me at the gym and I spend my evenings with my husband reading or catching up with friends dining out at our favourite restaurants on the Coast.

What is your most popular product? 
Our most popular product has to be our Natural Deodorants, we have two kinds; Bergamot & Patchouli which are both free of aluminium, of course! Most deodorants on the market are made with aluminium which blocks your pores – we believe it belongs in building material, not in your sweat glands. Instead, we use Milk of Magnesia. A naturally occurring mineral that helps to control odour-causing bacteria without absorbing into your skin or clogging your sweat glands.

What is your own personal skincare routine?
My skin care routine varies throughout the year, but my current routine is to simply cleanse, moisturise and finish with a face oil, using my favourite A bit Hippy products. In the morning, I begin my day with a clean base using our Cleanser, following with the Face Cream. To nourish my skin ready for the day ahead, I massage in a few drops of our Face Oil, which contains 95% Rosehip Oil and 5% Vitamin C & E. Finally, no matter where you are in the world, SPF is a must! The A bit Hippy Anti Skin Irritation Sunscreen SPF 40 is ideal for everyday use. In the evening, I double cleanse using our Oil Cleanser to break down my makeup followed by the Cleanser. A few nights a week I like to exfoliate with our Exfoliating Powder and follow this with the Night Cream and Face Oil.

What does the future have in store for A bit Hippy products?
It’s an exciting time for A bit Hippy! We hope to expand our range with even more face products. Aside from that, we have big plans to further improve our processes, which includes reducing and reusing our waste. We strive to be as accessible as possible to customers who want to make healthy choices for their skin and the planet.

How do you recommend people celebrate World Vegan Day?
Look through your skincare and cosmetics collection and read through the ingredients list, you’ll likely find a plethora of non-vegan surprises. Some products and their ingredients may leave you with more questions than answers, which is when you know those products are no good for your skin or the planet.

Where can we get our hands on A bit Hippy products?
You can shop our range on our website, selected stockists or visit our Head Office in Burleigh Heads, we love to chat all things skincare and wellness!

What are your Gold Coast favourites? 
Café: Commune in Burleigh is my favourite for a weekend breakfast.
Coffee Spot: I can’t go past our local Social Espresso Coffee Roasters on Fremantle Street, around the corner from the A bit Hippy office, great coffee and awesome staff!
Restaurant: Greenhouse Canteen all the way, vegan and delicious!
Bar or pub for a drink: Rosella’s – another Burleigh local, I love that they’re all about the Australiana theme, Australian alcohol only and unique cocktails.

How do you choose to spend your weekends?
I love to have a relaxed weekend, spending time in the sun on the beach, finishing my latest read and socialising with friends!