REVEALED: OUR TOP 10 COOLEST ‘HOODS
Inside the Gold Coast’s coolest neighbourhoods: who made the cut and some surprising suburban snubs
JUDGING by our property prices and population growth, the Gold Coast is officially Australia’s hottest city.
But the question remains … are we cool?
According to a new list revealing the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world, absolutely not.
The annual Time Out Index list of the 51 coolest neighbourhoods around the globe barely gave our country a mention, let alone anywhere in our city.
The closest it came was Fortitude Valley in Brisbane, which only ranked a lowly 47.
Clearly these people just don’t know what cool is.
While our city is consistently written off as flashy and trashy, superficial and soulless, there is so much more to us than meets the eye.
From our cafes to our culture to our coastline, the question should really be where is NOT cool in this city. However, I’ve managed to whittle it down to my top 10.
But be warned: there are some serious suburb snubs on this list. Sorry Surfers, Main Beach and Broadbeach, you’re too overexposed.
In making my choices, I’ve attempted to stay with the spirit of the Time Out list, summarised as this:
“The coolest neighbourhood in the world isn’t just the one that’s conventionally cool. Sure, independent coffee roasters,
While our city is consistently written off as flashy and trashy, superficial and soulless, there is so much more to us than meets the eye
boutique vintage shops and farm-to-table restaurants are interesting enough. But stuff like community, history and innovation … is what really makes an area cool.”
And next year, let’s all vote in this stupid index to take the crown from Colonia Americana. Who? Where?
Exactly.
1. BURLEIGH HEADS
Look, it’s so cool I almost cut it from the list completely. While there is a battle waging for this suburb’s soul and it’s perilously close to being loved to death, you can’t deny this is one of the most special places in the city.
2. NOBBY/MIAMI
Okay, I live near this neighbourhood so I am a little biased - but damn it, this pocket is objectively cool. Pubs, cafes, breweries, live music … plus that gorgeous walk along Miami Esplanade before the property porn that is Millionaire’s Row.
3. SOPO
Are you even cool if you don’t have your own nickname? It’s strange to say it, but Southport was a lead contender for number one. It has the history, the culture and the true grit
that every CBD should embody.
4. MUDGEERABA
My favourite piece of historical trivia about this place is that, apparently, its name comes from an indigenous expression meaning ‘place of infant’s excrement’. And hey, these days, Mudgeeraba really is the s**t. Loads of live music and true pride in its Hinterland heritage, this is a little piece of country in the city.
5. COOLANGATTA
The name says it all, right? The home of retro cool on the Coast, it was the place to be in the 1950s but is still a timeless classic.
6. MOUNT TAMBORINE
There’s something about those
mountain folk. Maybe ‘cool’ isn’t the exact word … more ‘weird’. But that’s kind of what cool is in my book. Never afraid to walk to the beat of a different drum, this is a haven for every foodie, greenie and artsy type.
7. HELENSVALE
I must say I surprised myself with this one. But Helensvale has come a long way. It’s the capital of our northern suburbs and as it reaches critical mass, the culture is coming along with it. Cafes, events and a true familyfriendly feel, the only way is up for this hub of the north.
8. CURRUMBIN WATERS
The beach and the valley may be its more famous cousins, but this suburb has something special tucked away.
Breweries, arty cafes and loads of natural charm, it’s a secret gem for locals.
9. LABRADOR
Stab-rador no more. The charms of Chirn Park are renown across the Coast and its position next to the Broadwater means there should be so much more to come … keep your eyes on this one.
10. ROBINA
From the Robina Pavilion to the planned greenheart parklands, this suburb has really put down its roots. The creation of the Promenade restaurant strip at Robina Town Centre is a triumph of shopping centre planning … who knew a glorified mall food court could have soul and a view?