One of the most sought-after canal frontage suburbs on the GC, there’s more to Hope Island than golf courses and an optimistic name. Positioned north side, just far enough away from the CBD to have an outta-town vibe but not too far if you want to head into the action, it has a resorty feel entirely unique to the 4212 postcode. Umm, possibly because a huge chunk of the residential area is, in fact, an actual resort and yeah, that would make sense.

The community-minded locals are very fond of their burb, and with good reason. Here are eight of the reasons why Hope Island residents are never budging. Like, ever.

Hope Island Links Golf Club & Sanctuary Cove Country Club
Arguably the heart of the Hope Island suburb are the incredible golf courses. And if you’re partial to a spot of golf, you’ve played 18 holes many-a-time at either of these courses. Or if you’re a long-time local, you’ve been to at least 10 weddings at Hope Island Links Gold Club. Which was in fact designed by British Open champion Peter Thomson. ‘The Links’  has consistently ranked in Australia’s top ten resort courses since opening in 1993, and is also a popular choice for functions and events.
Where: Springfield Dr, Hope Island and Gleneagles Dr, Hope Island

Sanctuary Cove Marine Village
It’s a GC icon and don’t the Hope Island locals know it. Proud as punch of their high-brow home of quality eats, drinks, retail, a world-class marina, and epic people watching. There are plenty of options of where to grab a bite and a bevvy, including Destino, Rosé Gelateria, Chim Thai, Dragon Cove, George’s Paragon, The Fireplace and recent newcomers, Pablito’s, and Rise Bakery.  Live like a local and check them out!
Where: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island

Sanctuary Cove Marine Village Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
While we’re on the topic, Sanctuary Cove also hosts the biggest boating lifestyle event in the Southern Hemisphere. Since launching in 1988, it has evolved into a multi-day extravaganza, featuring more than 300 exhibitors and 600 boats. With over 44,000 attendees, this must-see event gives you a true taste of the fancy yacht life…and locals get pretty stoked when people travel far and wide to enjoy this event on their very own home soil! #braggingrights
Where: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island

Hope Island Marketplace
This place is definitely the local’s, well, local! A vibrant food and dining destination, it also houses a boutique health and wellness hub (hello!), Woolies, Aldi and many other speciality stores. Mid-shop, refuel with a sushi hit from Sushi Hub, a doughnut from D Point Ten, or sit in at Degani café for a caffeine hit, brekky or lunch.
Where: 99 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island

Studio Pilates Hope Island
Channelling a summer bod in winter? Locals get it at the Hope Island branch of Studio Pilates. Expect high energy, inspiring classes, uplifting music and an uber luxe workout space. We’re so there! Along with innovative video technology and world-class instructors who’ll perfect your technique, they’ll sculpt your entire body in 40-minute workouts. *Runs to don cute Pilates gear*
Where: T6, Harbour Point, 8 Santa Barbara Road, Hope Island

Washed for Cars + LOCA Café
Why not grab a coffee while your wheels get an expert scrub-up right next door? Conveniently side-by-side, this place is always bustling with a line up out the d̶o̶o̶r̶ road! With a menu of options to choose from for your car wash and (also food and drinks at LOCA), you and your car are guaranteed to leave beaming. You can’t miss this place – just look for the gigantic inflated coffee cup.
Where: 52 Crescent Avenue, Hope Island

Hope Island Beauty & Medispa
Looking for beauty therapists with experience and passion? Look no further! Offering traditional spa services designed to relax and rejuvenate, as well as corrective aesthetic treatments to repair skin and reverse the signs of ageing (gimme gimme!), they’ve got everything from waxing and IPL facial rejuvenation, to a traditional Indian head massage. We’ll take it all thanks.
Where: 2/331 Hope Island Road, Hope Island

Mecca Bah
You may have been to the Broady venue, and the Hope Island Mecca Bah is every bit as ah-maze as it’s sibling. With a sophisticated and chic interior, you’ll be treated to a rich selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes made from fresh, local produce. With live music every Sunday arvo and Knock Off Hour weekdays from 3pm – 5pm, you non-locals may as well just pitch a tent in the car park for easy access.
Where: 18/10 Santa Barbara Road, Hope Island

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Oh how we love playing dress ups and enjoying the finer things in life. The only thing more exciting than tea and scones at Buckingham Palace is tea and scones (and so much more varie-tea) at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort’s mesmerising High Tea Immersion. Run ‘oolong’ on a Saturday and/or Sunday from 1pm – 4pm for this superior experience, which transforms high tea into a new immersive journey. How you ask? Make yourself a cuppa (obvs), get comfy and read on…

For the tea enthusiasts who appreciate a spot of name dropping, this will send your senses into overdrive. The exceptional menu, which we’ll unpack shortly, has been expertly crafted alongside the fine teamakers of Tea Forté. In case you’re not up to speed with tea hierarchy, these handcrafted luxury blends are the Margot Robbie of teas. Brew-tea-ful, award-winning, at the top of their game, and loved the world-over. And, to add a little more spesh factor, the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is the first hotel in our sunburnt country to feature Tea Forté and cue the applause, coz this is quite the coup.

Bringing new innovative interpretations of their globally renowned tea flavours, Resort Executive Chef Hamish Watt and his team have been working overtime to create a High Tea menu to leaf you might-tea satisfied. Curated to guide each guest on an opulent culinary journey from arrival, imagine the VIP vibes when you’re greeted with a Tea Forté infused towel and a palate-cleansing iced tea piccolo. And, for an even more swish factor, opt for a choice of Champagnes and Wines or the signature ‘Pear-tea-ni’ Cocktail (SOLD!), infused with Tea Forté’s White Ginger Pear blend. Pretty sure this is our love language.

Served in the Cove Café, enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury delights, each boasting unique flavour profiles of a contemporary artisanal brew and designed to pair perfectly with your beverage choice. Savoury lovers will go weak at the knees for the Spanner Crab with saffron mayonnaise and tobiko, Goats Labneh with oyster mushroom and melon radish, Slow-cooked 12-hour Toowoomba Beef Brisket Doughnut, and Smoked Tasmanian Salmon Mousse with fennel and cucumber. Sweet-a-holics will revel in the Salted Caramel Choux with orchid vanilla tea cream and caramel sauce, Coffee Chocolate Opera Cake with hazelnut cream and milk chocolate tuile, Berry Tart with ruby chocolate ganache and pistachio cream and last but not least, the Coconut and White Ginger Pear Tea Mousse with almond cream, apricot and white chocolate. Yep, we’ve got a toothache just thinking about it but #SoWorthIt.

There is an equally delightful spread for the vegan, nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free folk, with the likes of Roast Pumpkin, Caraway Seed and Tomato Blini, Grilled Corn with beetroot escabeche and cucumber, Dark Chocolate Mousse with avocado and fresh raspberries, and Cinnamon-Spiced Banana Cake with lime and apricot cream. YUM!

And of course, a high tea just isn’t a high tea without Scones. We’re talking Classic Scones and Cranberry Scones and just give us ALL THE SCONES! Pair them with your choice of Tea Forté teas including English Breakfast, Orchid Vanilla, African Solstice, Chamomile Citron Green Mango Peach and White Ginger Pear, all presented with iconic Tea Forté flair.

So, stop pro-caffeine-ating and check out this high-roller High Tea Immersion before it’s scone….

For bookings, click here or phone (07) 5530 1234. The High Tea Immersion is $57 per person (without champagne), but you can upgrade to Bottomless Rosé (2 Hours) for $13 per person or upgrade to a Glass of Champagne for $17 per person!

Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Hope Island
When: 1pm – 4pm Saturdays & Sundays

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE RESORT