Runaway Bay’s friendly gym with a difference.
Runaway Bay’s friendly gym with a difference.
Hello, just popping in to let you know it’s September which means it’s spring and also almost summer and you know what that means – BIKINI SEASON.
Not to alarm you but it’s true and it seems we’ve spent most of the year eating so it’s off to the gym we go. Not just any old gym though, we’re all about friendly gyms that understand we have never before lifted a weight and we’d really rather go for a leisurely swim or jump in on a not-too-difficult group class thank you very much.
Luckily, just the gym has recently come into our lives and it’s more of a sports centre than a gym, hence its’ name Sports Super Centre. Found in Runaway Bay, Sports Super Centre is not your usual sweat space.
Here’s why. Welcoming everyone from burpee fanatics (apparently that’s a type of person) to professional athletes, Mamas and marathon runners, every type of exerciser you’ve ever come across can be found sweating up a storm there.
It’s a 600sqm open air gym that was decked out with all new equipment in March of this year and not only that, there’s a running track, two pools, beach volleyball courts (now we’re talking), saunas and spas.
That’s a LOT of possibilities and very little room for excuses.
If, like us, group exercise is your thing, there are over 80 classes per week including aqua and Les Mills programs.
We used to think exercising in water would be easier because, you know, buoyancy, but HAHA at us, that could not be further from the truth.
Anyway. If the kiddies are keen to get involved, they can both exercise within the Junior Fitness program and also play in the Froggies playground. If you look really hard, you might find us there too, just quietly.
Need a little motivation? SAME. How about joining the social beach volleyball competition or the SSC Run Club? That way you’re having a good time, while also exercising and you probably won’t even notice how much it burns. Right?
Since you’re reading this story you’re entitled to a free program from one of the very talented trainers at Super Sports Super Centre and not only that, you get $100 off your joining fee if you mention this article.
So there are literally zero excuses. Sorry, not sorry.
Summer is two months away. Bye.
LOCATION: 1 Sports Drive, Runaway Bay
Words by Kirra Smith.
POST SPONSORED BY SPORTS SUPER CENTRE
Picture this: the wind in your hair, the sun on your back and a huge smile from ear to ear – all while you’re flying through the air on the back of jet ski.
If that sounds like your idea of a good time, Gold Coast Watersports have you covered.
Jet ski tours are a popular option and involve an instructor leading a group through the Broadwater, past South Stradbroke Island and into the mangroves.
It’s a scenic, speedy and exhilarating adventure tour that sees you weaving around islands and over boat wakes as fast as your little heart desires.
There is certainly some airtime and the occasional spray in the face with a stream of water, if you’re lucky a dolphin or two and plenty of laughs as you get the hang of the beast beneath you.
Gold Coast Watersports offer plenty of other activities too. Parasailing – similar to parachuting but behind a boat – is a favourite as is the reasonably new Fly Boarding which involves water shooting out of a boot-shaped board propelling you out of and through the water.
They say it’s similar to both flying like a bird and swimming like a dolphin.
There’s also jet boating, which as the name suggests, involves driving at high speeds and the equivalent of burnouts in a boat.
Each activity is the perfect way to experience the adventurous nature of the Gold Coast with the added bonus of an adrenaline rush or two.
In case you’re wondering, the instructors have over 20 years of experience with a variety of watersports so you’re in good hands.
Go get wet it’s practically a rite of passage.
HOURS: 8am to 5pm daily.
ADDRESS: Sea World Resort, Sea World Drive, Main Beach (at the back of Seaworld Resort).
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
The Gold Coast foodie scene has been a place of profound change and transitions in recent years. We may be bias, but we think our café culture is very much in line — if not surpassing — our southern neighbours.
And with it, we have variety: from gorgeous beachside espresso drop-ins to laid-back chic industrial spaces which effortlessly ooze coolness. We reckon anyone from the big cities that have visited in recent times has likely left feeling a tad jealous — so they should, right?!
The northern end of the Gold Coast has been no exception to this building momentum of late, with venues regularly setting the bar high with only the best coffee and premium café dishes. So, when it’s time to break the fast, and you find yourself at the northern end of town, we’ve kindly compiled a rundown of the best places, where we implore you to make that happen. Enjoy!
Funnybone Coffee
From the owner of cult coffee stop, Good Day Coffee in Tugun comes this reasonably new addition to the Helensvale circuit. Aesthetically from the outside, this open café space screams minimalistic eye-catching vibes that will make leaving this spot rather tricky, especially when the staples are yummy Acai Bowls, Coconut Porridge and Eggs Benedict of both the regular and vegan variety.
Where: 2 Laurel Drive, Helensvale
Daark Espresso
The ever-admired Chirn Park (just north of Southport) is a little hive of foodie goodness that the northern side of the Coast was certainly due. Daark Espresso sets the bar high, from its uber-friendly staff to its sumptuous breakfast menu littered with favourites like the dessert-for-breakfast Panna Cotta boasting peach, mango, & coconut with a crunchy granola & seasonal fruits. Ohh and make sure not to make plans for the rest of the day because their lunch menu will make you want to stay!
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue, Labrador
WavyBone
Chirn Park has gone and done it again with a café that looks like it has just waved goodbye and walked itself out of a Melbourne laneway; it hasn’t though, it’s just the ultra-vibrant WavyBone, of course! The Wavy B & E Roll is a winner and goes down a treat with a perfectly poured Blackboard Coffee, one of the Gold Coast’s original coffee roasteries. Throw into this mix a turntable forever pumping out sweet rhythms and a chance to grab yourself some dashing WavyBone branded apparel: we think you’ve likely found your next favourite breakfast hangout.
Where: 1/36 Musgrave Avenue, Southport
Anchor Bouy Café & Bar
The aptly named Anchor Bouy is where you are guaranteed some finely poured Elixir coffee and a great breakfast menu, all whilst you stare lovingly at the array of boats in the marina and wish to yourself you lived at Sanctuary Cove. One dish you MUST try is the Breakfast Bruschetta. It’s to die for with your choice of bacon or house smoked salmon, avocado, cherry tomatoes, poached eggs all served on top of lightly toasted sourdough and drizzled with hollandaise.
Where: The Marine Village, Masthead Way, Hope Island
Substance Espresso
Can we just say, how good is a seasonal menu? It keeps things interesting and fresh in our eyes! And with that in mind, the team at Substance Espresso has their menu hinge on seasonality, with specials aplenty and the added acceptance that dessert for breakfast is a bonafide thing. Oh and to top it all off, the barista’s there accept nothing but consistently good coffee, which means the first drop of golden liquid is as good as the last. We’ll meet you there!
Where: Shop 2/10/12 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay
Bear Boy Espresso
Coffee is well and truly the ultimate focus at Bear Boy Espresso. Speciality blends coming from Market Lane in Melbourne are regularly featured with the added addition of pour-over and batch brew as well as your standard espresso-style coffees. Caffeine aside, the venue is a feast for the eyes and somehow more reminiscent of Northern Europe than Queensland. The menu brags some usual flavoursome suspects as well as a dedicated section to the little ones. We can’t go past their self-proclaimed ‘OG’ the Big Bear Benny. A crispy potato waffle, two poached pggs, house hollandaise with sautéed greens and your choice of garlic thyme mushroom, smoked bacon, pulled pork, or smoked salmon. The options are endless!
Where: Shop 66/502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
Cross + Feather
Situated on one of the forever-bustling little streets of Paradise Point, Cross + Feather dishes up all your favourites with quirky little spins. And because breakfast is for champions, the team at Cross + Feather generously serve it all day. We cannot recommend enough the Crossed Avo which includes fresh avocado, heritage tomatoes, Persian fetta, purple basil salsa verde, native dukkah, smoked green tea salt on a sprouted wheat sourdough. YUM!
Where: 2 Grice Avenue, Paradise Point
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
