Lock yourself in a room for fun.
Lock yourself in a room for fun.
Escape rooms are a good time phenomenon that appeared out of nowhere and took the world by storm. If you’ve not yet experienced it, the premise is that you’re locked in a themed room with people you like a lot (for best results) and given clues to get yourselves out and solve a mystery. Before time runs out of course.
It’s an interactive game-style situation that forces you to use your brain while also laughing at yourselves and proving to one another who in fact is the smartest of them all.
On the Gold Coast, the escape room craze began in 2015 and now there are five venues in total where you can get handcuffed to a wall for fun.
The first one to open in Surfers Paradise was Padlock’d, who currently have four different rooms in which you can be locked but they’re soon expanding into an additional venue and will have 12 rooms to choose from.
At the moment your choices are Pipeline – where you’re deployed into a top secret facility to work out what happened to the Commander, Nightfall – where you have to get yourself out of a nightmare, Daybreak – finding a missing Doctor and captured by the immortal undead and Outpost – where you’re trapped in a spy safe house.
It’s a very good time and one we’re big fans of.
Our very own Padlock’d have created some world firsts the technology and equipment in their rooms. One of the newbies even has a fully functional dodgem car inside, so that’s amazing.
The current venue is 210sqm while the new one is five stories high and over 800sqm. Exciting times.
Owner Sean Wilson says, “these days guests are wanting more from their experiences, they’re craving interaction and participation. Escape rooms bring guests into a game, allowing them to interact and participate as their own character.”
With sounds effects and mood lighting, Padlock’d is an even more immersive experience than the usual escape rooms and we’re here for it.
If you’re after a good time that you can get involved in with a big crew of people, use your brain and have a laugh at the same time, we highly recommend getting locked in a room.
Try it for yourself, you’ll see. Also, get 10% off here.
LOCATION: 36 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
STORY SPONSORED BY PADLOCK’D
Words by Kirra Smith
Hold onto your hats lovers of beer gardens and all things outdoor drinking in the sunshine (so everyone), have we got news for you.
The Surfers Paradise Beer Garden, Surfers Paradise icon and keeper of many secrets has undergone an absolutely next-level renovation transforming it from the venue we all knew, loved and spent way to much of our youth in, to a must-visit, outdoor sipping destination.
The multi-million dollar transformation has seen the roof removed from the space to make way for a rooftop beer garden that is the first of it’s kind on the Gold Coast and it’s opening this Friday August 16th for your ogling pleasure.
Here’s the gist of the absolutely mind-blowing overhaul. The interior has changed from an entirely indoor area to a sunlit courtyard type area complete with bench-style seating (each with a built in ice bucket) and many a Corona umbrella dotted throughout. The bar is all yellow and white stripes with fishing rope strung from the ceiling and plenty of lovely mood lighting and our favourite part, a section absolutely packed with large-scale games of Connect 4, Jenga, a pool slash soccer situation, air hockey with the air (that could have an actual name) and COITS. So much fun.
There are balconies overlooking the ever-entertaining streets of Surfers, 18 sports screens and sunset live acoustic music to bring the legendary venue back to its former glory. Plus a whole lot of new glory too.
The menu is large and filled with goodness which is, of course, our favourite kind of menu. Think eats like share-style seafood and antipasto platters, small plates to share along the lines of Blue Corn Nachos, Pulled Pork Sliders, BBQ Pork Ribs and Southern Fried Chicken. All of which are very generous servings and all of which are very beautifully presented.
There are also pizzas; we were particularly partial to the Blue Shroom with blue cheese, prosciutto and mushrooms and burgers that are stacked high and very delicious. Of course there are steaks and faves like Chicken Parmigiana and Corona battered fish and chips. All the good things.
The cocktail menu features some tasty takes on all your favourites and we were (and always will be) very much loved the prettiest of Peach Bellinis.
The new and improved Surfers Paradise Beer Garden opens to the public this Friday night from 9pm so you can head in there and check out the sparkly newness for yourself.
Live music will take place on a Sunday afternoon so you can be absolutely sure that’s where the party is going to be from now on friends.
Exciting times.
LOCATION: Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
WHEN: August 16th, 2019
Words by Kirra Smith
Hoisting the kidlets into the back of the car to grab a feed can be a varied experience. And by varied, we mean #traumatic. But not at these Surfers Paradise restaurants which are tried and tested by many-a-small person, with a double thumbs-up both from kids and therefore, parentals.
Here’s our rundown on the glitter strip places to take the rug rats for a tanty/whinge-free meal.
Misono
If there’s one thing that’ll delight the kids (and the big kids), it’s teppanyaki! Situated in JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, Misono’s teppan experience brings an inescapable energy and thrill from the highly skilled teppan chef’s intricate knife work and interactive theatrics. Make sure you have your smart phones at the ready to capture every catch….or not (spillage is part of the fun). There’s also a live sushi bar to discover and psst mum and dad – there’s even a sneaky whisky bar for ‘ron!
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Wahlburgers
Designed with good times in mind, the kids will go wild for Wahlburgers! The burger chain and sports bar baby of Hollywood superstars ‘Marky’ Mark, Donny, and the wider Wahlburg clan, expect high-quality, simple, down to earth eats! In addition to burgers there’s breakfast, salads, loaded sides, wings, calamari, dessert, shakes and spiders and so much more. It’ll give the whole family Good Vibrations!
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
TGI Fridays
Tasty American Burgers, good friends and good times. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, it’s always a recipe for smiley faces. Serving up your all your fave dishes from the US of A right off the grill, we’re talking starters to share, wings, fresh mex, burgers, wraps, salads, ribs, steaks, desserts and a cracking kid’s menu. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to a place where it’s always Friday?
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Steampunk
Kids will love the Victorian-era décor, friendly service and most importantly, wide variety of all the chow our small people dream of. The usual suspects like woodfired pizzas, loaded chips, burgers, steaks and ribs etc all make an appearance on the menu, plus there’s a kiddywinkle menu suitable for those up to 16. They’ll go loco for the supershakes and if you’re in a rush (isn’t EVERY parent), you can skip the queue and order via the app! Genius.
Where: 3113 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar
If the kids are hungry, do not pass go, do not collect $200 – go to Longboards. One thing’s for sure, both you and your ankle-biters will leave choccas (no other meals required). The burgers here are legendary and dad, if you wanna impress the fam, give the 30 minute Phat Bastard Challenge a crack for your chance to win a $150 tab prize. There’s a kids menu to boot, plus $3 play packs to keep them entertained. Sold!
Where: Q1 Resort & Spa, Corner of Hamilton Avenue & Northcliffe Terrace, Surfers Paradise
El Camino Cantina
Mexican is the new Maccas in terms of universal appeal for kids, and El Camino is forever Mexcellent. Slinging tacos, nachos, loaded nachos, fajitas, wings and sombrero-filled party vibes, there’ll be no whinging whatsoever from the small folk. Head on down for $2 Taco Tuesdays, 10-cent Wing Wednesdays and half-price Fajita Thursdays. How spec-taco-ular!
Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
BMD Northcliffe Surf Club
Ok, so we all know kids love surf clubs – especially award-winners like BMD Northcliffe. For a start, it’s absolute beachfront making a pre or post-meal dip super duper easy. There’s plenty of room in the spacious restaurant, filled with sunlight by day and boasting a magical outlook by night, a stunning deck, and one of the best surf club menus you’ll ever find. All Little Nipper meals come with a small soft drink and a gelato. Winning!
Where: 51 Garfield Terrace, Surfers Paradise
Vapiano
Vapiano is Italian for kid-foody-heaven and whilst that’s a fib, it still rings true. We dare you to find a kiddo (and parent for that matter…#Don’tTellThePT) who doesn’t love a meaty, hearty pasta or a palette-pleasing pizza and yeah, nah, it’s not possible. Choose from the kids’ menu or the standard menu for small people with a BIG appetite! This is no impasta friends.
Where: Soul Boardwalk, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Hogs Breath Café
The very pinnacle of family-orientated eating venues has to be the original and much-loved Hogs Breath Café. You’ll find consistently yummy and unassuming food served up in a friendly atmosphere, setting the benchmark high for other family restaurants to follow. Your little ones will be loving life with their own (sizeable) Hogster’s Kids Menu, which offers uncompromised value for money as each dish comes with its own drink and even dessert. Sorted!
Where: Soul, Building T2/9 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Crazy Cat Café
This cute setup is the purrfect place to drop by for an afternoon pit stop and, of course, to mingle with some feline friends. Apart from a mob of the friendliest cats you ever did meet, the hefty café style menu offers a host of appetising treats to boot. Worth noting is the venue’s setup which also has a separate section for those who want to witness the cats at paw’s length – a great option for the kiddies who need a slow introduction to the furry ones.
Where: 3131 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Pancakes on the Rocks
There is no mistaking; pancakes are a good time, every time, particularly when they’re being pumped out of specialty restaurant, Pancakes on the Rocks. Based in the heart of Surfers Paradise, they are a dead-set family vibe. All about family dining, you can’t go wrong with the obvs (pancakes), plus there are pizzas, salads, crepes, and the now famous beef and pork ribs. Littlies will adore this joint. Cross our hearts.
Where: 31 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Words by Bianca Trathen.
There can never be enough ice cream related news in our opinion and so it is with great pleasure we bring you the scoop on a popup ice cream parlour that is all your summer dreams come true.
The newbie can be found 78 stories up at Skypoint in Surfers Paradise and it’s open for a limited time only for your licking pleasure.
The Sundae Shop will be serving up a variety of ice creams this summer, PLUS there’ll be a build your own sundae menu (WHAT), giant ice-cream photo opportunities, daily appearances from the beloved Paddle Pop Lion and plenty more.
There’s goodies on offer like The Unicorn with rainbow ice cream, fruit loops, marshmallows, sprinkles, strawberry syrup, fairy floss, sherbet and a vanilla wafer cone or The OG with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, fresh banana, sweet banana lollies, choc chips, chocolate sauce, peanut M & M’s and Belgian waffle pieces. Plenty more where they came from too.
Which is all obviously amazing and made even better by that fact that it’s 78 stories above the Gold Coast with 360 degree views across the city and the sea so you can enjoy your ice cream in style.
Entry to The Sundae Shop is free with your ticket to Skypoint and there’ll be plenty of retro family games on offer, as well as activities for the kids and of course, the aforementioned design your own sundae section.
While you’re up there and full of sugary energy, why not get involved in Australia’s highest external building climb. It’s an open-air, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will see you walking on the OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING up to the Skypoint summit and enjoying the absolute best views there are of the Gold Coast.
Choose from sunrise, day, twilight and night climbs or enjoy one of the dine and climb packages and make the most of your visit.
What a fun time there is to be had in Surfers Paradise this summer.
The Sundae Shop is popping up from December 27th to January 10th so plan your visit accordingly.
Happy slurping.
LOCATION: 3003 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
WHEN: December 27th to January 10th
STORY SPONSORED BY SKYPOINT
