Broadbeach has long been regarded as one of our wining, dining and shopping. With a number of ‘stayers’ boasting staunch followers for many moons, sprinkled with a hearty helping of shiny new eats and drinks players, nothing can dull the sparkle of this burb’s A-grade entertainer status.

Here are precisely 17 reasons why locals – and Gold Coasters far and wide – love themselves a piece of our much-loved Broady.

Social Eating House + Bar
If you’re a foodie, this is your go-to. A modern Australian sensation, Social has more hats than a Milliner’s workshop. With Executive Chef Matthew Jefferson in charge, you’ll experience a carefully curated range of bar snacks, charcuterie, and small and large share plates, all featuring the finest Australian ingredients and paired to perfection. A meal here is worth.every.cent.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

The Star Gold Coast
If ever there was a reason to get a babysitter, it’s for a session at The Star. Between the live music and amazing food at the Garden Kitchen & Bar, award-winning Cantonese, Japanese and modern Australian cuisine at Uncle Su, Kiyomi, and Nineteen at The Star, authentic Italian eats at Cucina Vivo, the ultimate buffet experience at Harvest Buffet, a few bevvies at the new-look Atrium Bar and/or the Insta-fave rooftop lounge bar at Nineteen, who needs to go anywhere else?
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Broadbeach Bowls Club
Nothing says a chilled GC arvo like a game of barefoot bowls with a brew in hand. Another enduring favourite amongst the local set here on the GC, Broadbeach Bowls Club never fails to deliver a feel-good time for young and old. They serve up big portions of all your go-to pub-grub meals and do a great canape package for a laid-back birthday or celebration.
Where: 169 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant
If you’re after a tried and tested, long-standing comedic cabaret, good ‘ole Dracs has been serving up frights, food and frivolity since we were all ankle-biters. Most people are sold when they hear there’s a ghost train alone, let alone the actual show (which changes every so often, so there’s always a reason to go back), banquet dinner…and shots in syringes!
Where: Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach

Aloha Bar and Dining
This tropical hidden treasure is all fun vibes, good food and cracking good times. Popular for its hospo nights, taco Thursdays, karaoke nights, live music and pumping DJs, there’s always something going on here. The tapas always deliver the feels (bao buns…I die!!), the Cucumber and Jalapeno Margi is (too) easy to drink, and we never tire of the super cute fit-out.
Where: 18 Main Place, Broadbeach

Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar
With an impressive contemporary Coastal European menu, we are completely besotted with Sofia’s…and we’re not alone. A meal here is all about enjoying and sharing simple, delicious food with your favourite people – as it should be, and truly encapsulates the famous words ‘That’s Amore’. Also, you heard it here first but Sofia’s is on the move. Watch this space!
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Elk Espresso
Have you ever seen this place anything but bulging at the seams? Aaaand of course you haven’t. Since its pre-migration days just up the road, it’s had an army of raving fans and yes, this obvs includes us. A hop, skip and a jump from the beach, the coffee is all-time, the seasonal menus are heavenly, and they even do a Boozy Bottomless Brunch. And sold.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, 12 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Blues on Broadbeach
So unlike our other listings, it may not be here 24/7 but it’s that much of a Broady icon that it would be criminal not to throw it a mention. As the name suggests, it brings us world-class blues and jazz music from locals and famous acts alike, performing across multiple venues over four unforgettable days. And it’s free, and sorry but when does that ever happen?
Where: Various Broadbeach venues

CHA CHA Japanese Restaurant
Gold Coasters have been CHA CHA bound for an authentic Japanese nosh-up which won’t break the bank for years, and that’s not about to change any time soon. The banquet menu is divine and every visit you’ll experience the same level of scrumptiousness. But the soy on the dim sum…it’s BYO and it’s hard to find an already affordable yet high-quality restaurant offering our 3 favourite letters. Score.
Where: 2705 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

The Oasis
An everyday escape for locals, The Oasis is one of our numero uno shopping centres and for good reason. Not only some unique fashion boutiques live here, but the sheer number of amazing eateries is tres impressive. In addition to the ones we highlight in this article, we’re talking Mario’s, Madisons Café and Patisserie, Spice Kitchen and Bar, and The Broadbeach Tavern to name just a few. It’s a #OneStopShop.
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Soho House Bar
Just look for the London-esk red phone box and you know good times await. An intimate, hidden gem-adorned in graffiti and jam-packed with peeps sipping and bopping along to the sweet sounds of live DJ’s, this joint is seriously cool. The cocktail list is l.i.t, the crew are super engaging, and they’ve even been known to host things like a Wild Flower Gin Masterclass. What’s not to love?
Where: Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach (between Queensland and Victoria Avenues)

Unicorn Seafood
You just know it’s destined for greatness with ‘Unicorn’ in the name. This Mediterranean seafood-infused newcomer has hit the ground running with its all-day menu goodness, and show-stopping cocktail menu that’s 20 options deep #hellofriend. You can’t help it but exhale as you settle into the relaxing blue and white-hued space, brimming with ocean murals and friendly smiles from the welcoming staff.
Where: Phoenician Resort, 24-26 Queensland Avenue, Broadbeach

No Name Lane
Okay, Blake Lively declared her caffeine hit from No Name Lane as “the best coffee of her life” and holy heck, if it’s good enough for Queen Blake… Better than any boujee on-trend Melbourne café, the coffee here has a cult following. The all-day breakfasts and gourmet lunches also go down a treat so if you haven’t been, remedy this immediately.
Where: The Oracle, Elizabeth Avenue, Broadbeach

Pacific Fair
Pacific Fair, oh how we love thee. Any time we want a new ensemble for, well, any occasion (retail therapy is real you know), we all beeline for Pac Fair. With every retailer you could possibly wish for, amazing food options and seriously THE most gorgeous shopping centre fit-out we’ve seen, there are luxe and lush coastal accents at every turn.
Where: Gold Coast Hwy and Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach

The Loose Moose
Specialising in “dirty food made clean”, there are always bums on seats in this Prohibition Tap and Grill House, one of the Gennari Group’s most popular establishments. The delish menu offers up the best of the best Canadian fare like ribs, wings, hot dogs and burgers, and is always ready for a crowd to #GetLooseAtTheMoose.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach

The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub
LBR, you had us at Spiegelclub. The Pink Flamingo has become a fave for locals, visitors and critics alike, with its four spectacular resident cabaret-style shows. Custom designed with a twist of swanky art-deco décor and inspired by the original 1920’s Spiegeltent and the NYC Cabaret Club district, it’s five-star luxury and entertainment not to be missed.
Where: Corner of Surf Parade & Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Kurrawa Surf Club
Ocean views don’t come any better than this. With legit THE most prime location, Kurrawa Surf Club has everything you’d want from a Surf Club…and more. With awesome regular members specials and fresh ingredients, there’s no such thing as a bad meal here. They host a trivia night and live music, and of course there’s the obligatory gaming lounge for those who like a flutter.
Where: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach

Words by Bianca Trathen.

At roughly this point in the frosty season, the balmier days of strappy sandals and summer dips feel but a distant memory. Sure, we here in the Sunshine State can get a bit dramatic whenever the temps dip below 20°C, but when it comes to keeping ourselves busy in the chilly months our outlook needn’t feel bleak.

Currently cranking up the fire pits and busting out the warming fare, some of GC’s finest are bunging on some un-brrr-lievably good experiences to coax us from the comfort of our domiciles. So skip the hibernation – here are some of the hottest activations to be had on the Gold Coast this winter.

Garden Kitchen & Bar at The Star Gold Coast
If anyone knows how lure us from our hovels (and/or über chic dressing down and slipper ensemble) – it’s The Star Garden Kitchen Bar. Don your cosiest layers (the ones acceptable to be seen in outside the house, that is) as they bust out all the essentials for those chilly winter evenings, with warming winter food and bev specials (hello, Braised lamb shoulder and molten-centred Chocolate fondant!), fire pit packages and live entertainment. The Lawn will be cranking up the fire pits under the stars, with packages fit for crews of up to six – inclusive of charcuterie box, bottle of Pepperjack Shiraz and chocolates. Ahh, our spirits are lifted already.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

WinterSun Cali Beach
The temps might be dipping, but in no way are the party vibes! Cali Beach Club’s perennial fave winter-themed festivities never fail to revive our flatlining calendars, and this year might just be their coolest yet. WINTERSUN will see Surfers’ pool-studded rooftop party precinct transform into an immersive Swiss Alps-eqsue wonderland. Delivering the ultimate day session every Friday–Sunday throughout winter, bliss out with beats and poolside sips, soaking up the balmy GC days. But the party is just getting started – by night, ballooning into ‘Australia’s largest inflatable nightclub’ with inflatable igloos, fire displays and more. What better way to shake off the seasonal morbs than a dose of vitamin D-ancefloor? Who’s pumped?!
Where: 21a Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Coomera Lodge Igloos
If the prospect of a spot of riverside revelling on those nippy winter evenings isn’t exactly enticing, Coomera Lodge Hotel has got you covered (literally). The open air beer garden will again transform into an igloo wonderland for the season, so that we may live our best winter lives carousing in total comfort. Nab one of four decked out domes and hunker down by the river with cocktails and charcuterie, complete with comfy seating and twinkling lighting. Each of the igloos can be booked for a minimum spend of $37.50pp, which includes a selection of hot & cold charcuterie and a drink.
Where: 160 Maudsland Road, Oxenford

Carafe Wine
Of course, we can always count on our stalwart neighbourhood sipper to warm the cockles of our heart, and the Carafe Wine crew is taking zero chances when it comes to keeping morale high this winter. In addition to keeping us plied with sustainable, tap-to-table vino on demand, they’ll be stoking up the fire pits and a freshly unveiled selection of satisfying small plates to warm us from within. Fresh from the tanks and into your carafe, resident wine whizz/owner Archie will hook you up with something spesh to sip, with moorish bites like Wood fired pizzas and molten Baked camembert to share (even if a little grudgingly).
Where: 49 Johnston St, Southport

Robina Pavilion
We don’t care how old we are, opportunities to stuff our faces with freshly-toasted marshmallows over an open fire are outrageously far and few between. Thankfully the return of Robina Pavilion’s ever-popular Fire pits by the Lake sessions are back and doing their darnedest to turn this toasty past time erasure around. For select dates across winter, beat the winter chill by booking your group of up to six for your own fire pit sesh every Friday–Sunday night. The booking fee of $250 is redeemable on your choice of food and bev, so sip cocktails, nosh on cheese boards and your fave winter warmers and char til heart’s content with complimentary marshmallows and fire pit attendant included. Not to fan the flames, but bookings are limited people!
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina

Dreamworld
Bigger, better and more brrrr-iliant than ever, ain’t ‘snow way we’re missing out on Dreamworld’s Winterfest. Bringing thrills, spills and chills, we’re predicting a high chance of wholesome family fun with Euro inspired eats, scavenger hunts, interactive winter-inspired activities and some extra snowy surprises in store. Glide across the full-sized, pop up ice skating rink, then defrost with a little help from some warm cinnamon churros (that’s our story, and we’re sticking to it). While all ages will have an absolute (arctic) blast tobogganing down the ice slide. And not to date ourselves here, but, if you can’t use this opportunity to bust out all your favourite Cool Runnings quotes, when can you? Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!
Where: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

Sirromet
Surrounded by lush rolling hills and an unending supply of locally-made vino – who among us isn’t perpetually down for a sneaky Sirromet trip (doubly so when it’s someone else’s turn as deso driver). Add in your very own personal fire pit, crackling under the twinkling night sky, and you’ve got yourself just about the cutest and cosiest date night going (bestie dates count too!). For $189, Sirromet will take care of all the heavy lifting, with a generous hamper for two filled with charcuterie-style provisions to feast upon and signature mulled wine to sip. Once you and your nominated partner-in-wine are done whiling the night away by the fire, you then get the insulated Sirromet cups and picnic blanket (plus fond mems) for keeps! Wine not, we say! (Bookings required).
Where: 850-938 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton

Words by Kellie Leader

The Gold Coast is renowned for sunny weather, but it is also home to some pretty impressive thunderstorms and humidity! To avoid any bad weather frustrations here’s a list of 13 things to do on the Gold Coast when it’s raining.

Arcades
This one is a no-brainer, Timezone has been on the Gold Coast since… forever and is the perfect activity for when you can’t be at the beach. The recently refurbished Timezone Surfers Paradise boasts a bumper car track on a 200 sqm track, an open plan prize shop filled with enticing toys, lollies and collectibles, a laser tag arena to get your adrenaline pumping, an onsite café. Oh and don’t forget Zone Bowling right next door!

The ultimate triple threat, Hijinx Hotel, Archie Brothers and Holey Moley in Surfers offer the perfect opportunity to while away a rainy day. With immersive game rooms, all your fave arcade games, bumper cars and mini golf, this epic entertainment precinct is a game-changer for fun-seekers Located under the supremely popular Cali Beach, Surfers Paradise. Click here for your discounted Archie Bros fun bundle.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise and 3197 Surfer Paradise Blvd, Elkhorn & Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Infinity Attraction
Infinity Attraction in Surfers Paradise is a crowd pleaser, a super fun activity to do with your friends! Infinity’s maze is both challenging and mind blowing. It’s an extraordinary series of 20 multi- sensory environments filled with unique special effects, emotive atmospheric sound fields, sensuous aromas, ultra-groovy music and spectacular illusions that appear to go all the way to infinity! Get 10% off entry with our coupon code (“infoinsidegc”) here.
Where: Shop 31, Chevron Renaissance, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Go see a Cabaret show
Dracula’s, The Pink Flamingo and Australian Outback Spectacular all offer nights of total entertainment! Drac’s combines burlesque, contemporary music, comedy and dining, all in one incredible venue! But be aware, Drac’s is MA15+ show, so leave the kids at home and get ready to be entertained! 10% off the Dracula’s show here. Pink Flamingo welcomes hundreds of guests each week and is home to three resident productions; Zirque La La, Ripped and Forbidden. Get your 20% off discount code here. The Australian Outback Spectacular is a family friendly Australiana dinner and show package featuring many Australian animals, songs and of course bush tucker.
Where: Dracula’s, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach, The Pink Flamingo, Corner of 88 Surf Parade & Victoria Ave, Broadbeach and Australian Outback Spectacular, Pacific Motorway, Oxenford

The Star Gold Coast
The Star Gold Coast is an adult’s playground and the perfect entertainment destination for those bad weather days. You can have a feast at one of the award-winning restaurants, watch a show or concert at the theatre or just see and be seen with your friends.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Miami Marketta
Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm onwards you can be part of Miami Marketta’s food stall craze. Mouthwatering food stalls, shopping and live music all in one spot and all undercover. It’s the perfect rainy-day date-night spot.
Where: 23 Hillcret Parade, Miami

Shooting
Southport Indoor Pistol Club is a good time if you’re keen to experience real firearms and ammo without needing licenses or previous experience. They offer rifles, pistols, shotguns to tactical weapons, from small to very large, the hardest thing you have to do is pick one! Click here for their latest discounted offer.
Where: Southport Indoor Pistol Club, 1/76 Ferry Road, Southport

Catch a movie
Keen to channel your inner movie buff and check out the latest blockbuster flicks? Perhaps you’re arty and prefer international films from arthouse and foreign productions? Or, maybe you just want to take the kids somewhere where they’ll actually sit still for a couple of hours these school holidays? All roads lead to one destination… and that’s the Dendy Cinema in Southport’s Queen Street Village. Click here to grab your 20% discount on tickets.
Where: Queen Street Village, Nerang Street, Southport

Ripley’s Believe it or not!
Believe it or not, but Ripley’s is a great indoor attraction for you, your family and yes, even your friends. It’s a museum full of odd, unique and incredible artefacts, art, photographs and stories of the 200+ countries Mr Ripley has visited over the years. They’ve just added several new attractions, read about them here. Click here for an exclusive offer.
Where: Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise

The Wax Museum
The Wax Museum is one of the longest-standing attractions on the Gold Coast. Head in for a guided tour and discover some of the more gruesome torture methods that were used in ancient times. Or prepare to be starstruck, get up close and personal with some of Hollywood’s biggest names or grab a photo with royalty. For 10% off entry, click here.
Where: 56 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Shopping
Rain = the perfect excuse to go shopping undercover. The Gold Coast is a haven for indoor shopping centres, so if you’re in Broadbeach hit up Pacific Fair Shopping Centre or The Oasis Shopping Centre, if you’re in Surfers Paradise, the Paradise Centre or Australia Fair Shopping Centre in Southport.

Escape Rooms
Get a group of friends together, ditch the mobile phones for an hour and go have some fun! Choose from Escape Hunt in Southport or Fox in a Box, Eclipse Escape Rooms and Padlock’d in Surfers Paradise. Note that you will have to use your brain. 60 minutes to use the clues provided to solve the puzzles and escape! Click here for discounts. The newly opened Other World HQ in Surfers provides an unparalleled and thrilling escapade. The first experience introduced is Saboteurs, which invites individuals into the real-life world of “Among Us.” Not technically an Escape Room, but if you’ve got some rage to unleash try Rage Cage in Southport. Click here for a discount.
Where: Southport and Surfers Paradise

Go Karting
Slideways Go Karting Centre in Nerang is Go Karting is just 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise is a uniquely designed track and surface to allow karts to drift and get Slideways! Their go kart track is indoors and not affected by the weather – open rain hail or shine! They have 20 European state-of-the-art Sodi karts, powered by de-governed, 9hp, four stroke Honda kart engines, which means it will take some skill to achieve a good lap. Get 20% off a 20 minute session here.
Where: 10 Spencer Road, Nerang

Head to a day spa 
Sometimes a little self-love is needed, particularly when it’s raining and you want to be all cosied up inside. A day at the spa sounds like heaven to us, check out our list of faves here.

Words by Kirra Smith.