Golden time 1. Chill at a music festival
Five exciting ways to experience the Gold Coast this summer. By Kate Barracosa
The Under the Southern Stars music festival (underthesouthern stars.com.au) on 19 January promises a quintessential summer’s day out, with performances from Australian rock legends You Am I and Hoodoo Gurus, plus British India and The Superjesus as part of the line-up. Held at Broadwater Parklands, there’ll be plenty of room to spread out a picnic blanket.
2. Be immersed in art
Talented sculptors will transform 10 tonnes of sand at Surfers Paradise into a beachfront gallery for the Sand Safari Arts Festival between 8 and 24 February (surfers paradise.com). Stroll among the life-sized, ocean-themed artworks and be inspired to build an even better sandcastle next time you’re at the seaside.
3. Go for a different type of swim
Break up the surf and salt water with a visit to the Currumbin rock pools (goldcoast.qld.gov.au), a 40-minute drive south of Surfers Paradise. Smooth stone surrounds the pools, which are filled with cool water that’s trickled down from the mountains. Pack some snags for an onsite barbecue.
4. Set your pulse racing at Magic Millions
It won’t just be boardriders and sunbathers at Surfers Paradise beach on 8 January. There’ll also be 10 thoroughbred horses galloping along the sand in The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Barrier Draw (magicmillions.com.au). Other highlights of the 12-day carnival include the $10 million race day at the Gold Coast Turf Club on 12 January and the star-studded polo match on 6 January, in which former rugby league footballer Billy Slater, Argentine star polo player Nacho Figueras and British equestrian champion Zara Phillips will all take the reins.
5. Sip cocktails at sunset
Aviary Rooftop Bar (southport sharks.com.au) has only been open at the Mantra at Sharks hotel for six months so this is the first summer you can enjoy woodfired pizzas and sip a cocktail such as the gin-based Kookaburra in this light and breezy establishment.