Ride into adventure at Gold Coast Equestrian Centre!
Ride into adventure at Gold Coast Equestrian Centre!
Ever dreamed of climbing aboard your very own trusty steed to roam across acres of picturesque pasture on horseback? Of course, you have… generation raised on after-school Saddle Club and Disney princess movies, checking in!
Well, saddle up Gold Coasters, because we have the ultimate – and unforgettable – adventure for you. Nestled within the charming Clagiraba valley, Gold Coast Equestrian Centre is the must-do destination where horse lovers of any age, level or ability can not only take the reins on a myriad of magical equine experiences; but see the hinterland like never before… on horseback! Neigh way!
Tucked off the beaten track on a sprawling 52 acre private property, just 25 minutes from Southport, Gold Coast Equestrian Centre has been a fixture among the local community of horse lovers for some ten years. With new owner Peta-Anne Hermann at the helm, GCEC is ready and raring to go; complete with some exciting new experiences to complement the long-standing riding school services.
No longer a club reserved exclusively for members of the card-carrying equine community, Peta-Anne and her expert team are passionate about providing a family atmosphere where aspiring riders of absolutely any experience level can access a “world class experience in a supportive environment”.
Capitalising on a bevvy of internationally-experienced coaches, scenic surrounds and professional facilities, Gold Coast Equestrian Centre’s renewed offering includes everything from Children’s Parties and Trail Rides suitable for beginners, to a variety of lesson types and horsemanship programs for those eager to learn the riding ropes or simply brush up on their skills.
More than just a picture-perfect location, the GCEC perks are plentiful; with three arenas (one of which is undercover, which means lessons can run rain, hail or shine!), a full stable of safe, well-trained horses and an expert coaching team providing unmatched education, advice, training and support tailored to match every competency level.
For horse lovers, there are unbridled levels of fun to be had with a variety of enchanting horse encounters to pick from. For budding enthusiasts who have been longing (read: begging incessantly) to try their hand at horse riding, Trial Lessons provide relaxed, 30 minute sessions to get a taste of riding and everything GCEC has to offer.
For those more confident in the saddle, Group Lessons offer a friendly atmosphere to connect with fellow horse fans while honing their skills; with groups specifically selected and tailored to each rider’s level.
Still chomping at the bit for more? For the truly horse obsessed, check out the smash hit Holiday Camps, which offer immersive 4-day workshops run in select school holidays, or why not throw your rider a birthday they’ll never forget with the ultimate Pony Party!
Yep, at GCEC, pint-sized cowgirls and cowboys aged 3+ can celebrate by mingling with, pampering and riding real life ponies! Talk about childhood core mems!
With a backyard as pretty as this, why should kids get to have all the fun?
Surrounded by the rolling hills and crisp air of the stunning Clagiraba Valley hinterland, round up your adventure-vibing crew for a truly unforgettable trail riding experience.
Suitable for all riding abilities, the magical 60 minute experience begins with a 15 minute lesson before embarking on a leisurely, horseback tour exploring acres of serene hinterland pastures, complete with a sparkling stream winding throughout! When conditions are right, your guide may even invite you and your horse to enjoy a splash. Magic!
And if you love that – sign up for lessons! Adult Groups at GCEC are the ultimate way to leave your worries, not to mention, chores, at home!
So Gold Coasters, if you have been yearning to jump in the saddle or looking for a magical experience unlike any other on the Coast, we’re not horsing around when we say Gold Coast Equestrian Centre is the place to be!
Where: 212 Stewart Road, Clagiraba
When: 7am to 7pm Tuesday to Friday, 7am to 2pm on Saturdays; birthday parties are available on Saturday afternoons from 3.30 – 5.00pm.
Words by Kellie Leader
Images by Mathilde Bouby
STORY SPONSORED BY GOLD COAST EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
Organising your mini-me’s birthday party triggers a rollercoaster of emotions; excitement, anticipation and pure joy…laced with a dose of fear, dread, and general trepidation. The sugar. The screaming. The inevitable tantrum. And don’t even get us started on the politics of who to invite….#sendwine.
Well, we’re here to help you keep your cool and focus on the fun stuff with our list of fail-proof, kid-pleasing, parent-sanity-preserving places to host the ultimate bday celebration.
#MayTheForceBeWithYou…
Hijinx Hotel
Looking for a party with extra oomph this year? Look no more coz Hijinx Hotel, the ultimate immersive experience, has you covered. Play a set of super fun Hinjinx Hotel Challenger Rooms (five rooms in total), eat a yummy main and side (with an option to add-in extra noms), plus sip on soft drink or water and experience a totally ‘ungeneric’ celebration. The best part? You can relax while a party host takes cares of all the action #hearhear! For $38 per whipper snapper, it’s worth every cent.
Where: Corner of 3197 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Level 1 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Slideways Go Karting
Watching the kids race around a track channelling their inner Lewis Hamilton having an absolute hoot of a time is a vibe. Slideways boasts a three-storey indoor drift kart track and is the perf party destination for kids aged 7 to 13 (minimum height 120cm). For $88 per person with no less than five kidlets, you’ll get 20 mins of go karting, 10 arcade tokens, a balaclava, an ice block, a bottle of H20, and two-hours in the function room. Side-note, feel free to use our special discount here.
Where: 10 Spencer Road, Nerang
Holoverse
Imagine spending your birthday picking hologram grass to feed a giant hologram Brontosaurus, or swimming with life sized holographic whales? Well, you can do precisely that and so much more at Holoverse! There are four party packages starting at $26 per person, with a minimum of eight people and maximum of 16. The average hologram party goes for two-hours and all parties include seven giant scratchy credits and party bags. And PS, if you wanted to organise a group ticket, did we mention we have a discount voucher here?! (You’re welcome).
Where: Paradise Centre, 8 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Paradise Resort
Celebrate your child’s next party in paradise. Literally – this place is actual paradise for kids. Paradise Resort is a sprawling fun-packed venue, with so many options for birthday parties we’d be here till Christmas listing them all. As a guide, a basic three-hour Ice Skating Party for five kids will set you back $150, whereas a two-hour Pamper Parlour Party for a minimum of eight kiddos is $520. Or you can mix and match the above, and add in waterpark, laser tag, and climbing wall to name a few.
Where: 122 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
iPlay
We dare you to find a kid who doesn’t go all kinds of gaga for gaming and nope, they don’t exist. That’s why iPlay is a winner winner kid’s party dinner.
Coomera iPlay: For $25 per child (minimum of 8 guests), your small people will score two hours of partying, including one-hour unlimited arcade (yellow) and redemption (red) games, 2 x (purple) prize games, 300 x tickets per guest, and a whopping 500 tickets for the bday kid! Food platters are also available.
Harbourtown iPlay: For $25 per child (minimum of 8 guests), the kids will lap up one-hour of arcade time, unlimited red and yellow swipers, three purple swipers, 200 tickets per child and a $5 return voucher for the party kiddo. Line those hungry tums for $12 each with food supplied from Crafty’s! Save some for mum and dad!
Where: Westfield Coomera, 83-121 Foxwell Road, Coomera & Harbour Town Premium Outlets, 147 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Miniature Golf
Who doesn’t love a game of golf, mini or otherwise? It’s a sure-fire winner for all ages, including the youngins who love nothing more than a golf birthday party! We’re pretty lucky here on the Gold Coast as we are spoilt for choice whether it’s the mini variety with Holey Moley in Surfers or Putt Putt Mermaid Beach’s three themed 18-hole courses. Or enjoy less screen time, less green time at Top Golf with a hosted kids party. Shot!
Where: Various
Timezone
Ahhh the flashbacks of living it large as a kid at Timezone. And let us tell you, absolutely nothing has changed, with our mini’s going weak at the knees at the mere mention of the ‘T’ word. At Surfers Paradise Timezone, there are three party packages priced from $35 to $48 per head. Between 2.5 and 3 hours in duration, they include everything from game time to a dedicated party host, with the two more expensive options also serving up kid’s meals. At Timezone Coolangatta and Robina, there are similar packages so parentals, it’s a no-brainer!
Where: Paradise Centre, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, Robina Town Centre, 1 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and The Strand, Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Infinity Attraction
Get the party started at Infinity, an incredible journey through a world of illusion. Think of a futuristic, maze-like world of wonder with unique rooms and sensory overloads that will have you and the kids feeling as though you’re in a dream. Prices start from $17 per child and when paired with tasty eats from Betty’s Burgers, parent of the year status incoming! Should we mention that you can get 10% of adult and child entry here?! Go on and make your little one’s year!
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, G31/3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Escape Rooms
Locking the kids up for an hour – are you sure it’s not our birthday? Just joking kiddos…sort of. Small folk love a good escape room, plus they’ll use their brains trying to figure out how to get un-locked #bonus. Sounds like the perfect party plan to us – especially when we have a 10% discount at Padlock’d, Eclipse Escape, Fox in a Box, and a 15% discount at Other World HQ.
Where: Padlock’d – 3177 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Eclipse Escape – Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms – Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Other World HQ – 3107 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise.
Bella’s Wonderland
Love a good play centre? Chances are your small people do too and this one is humungous, plus its beautiful modern design will make for some srsly instagrammable pics. Think on-trend curves, pastels-a-plenty, and a darn good menu to boot. Offering an array of party packages including the Mini Birthday Bash ($299 for five kids), Bella’s Fun Fiesta ($580 for ten kids), and the hum-dinga Dream Discovery Bash ($880 for 12 kids), this one’s a keeper.
Where: 48 3/15 Jackman St, Southport
Rollerama
This one’s for the nostalgic parents who long for their minis to enjoy the roller rink parties of yesteryear #OhTheMems, and wept uncontrollably when the local roller rink shut up shop #StillScarred. Well, we have news for you! Rollerama is a huge new roller-skating arena, now a permanent attraction at Carrara Markets! The perfect spot for a fun-fuelled birthday party, it’s wheely good fun for all ages.
Where: Events Arena precinct, Carrara Markets, Corner of Gooding Drive & Manchester Road, Carrara
The Craft Parlour
Pretty as a picture, The Craft Parlour takes the mess factor away, whilst allowing your birthday girl or boy and posse to craft away till their hearts’ content! The summery enclosed backyard and beautiful studio has plenty of room for kids to dance, relax, and craft away, and it’s BYO food, drinks, and cake. Mama’s, feel free to pack a yummy cheese platter and bubbles for any parents who may stay for the sesh #AnyExcuse.
Where: 27 Lemana Lane, Miami
Helensvale Aquatic Centre
If you’re looking for an inexpensive crowd-pleasing way to celebrate your kiddo’s birthday, nothing says “party” quite like a pool party! There most popular option for good reason is the three-hour Inflatable Pool Party from $20 per child, which side note; will also wear them out #tick! Or, for the littler littlies, how about a two-hour Splash Park Party from $15 per head. Both are for a minimum of ten kids, have the option to add catering, or BYO food and drinks. Yes mum and dad, we said BYO!
Where: Rugby Lane, Helensvale
Words by Bianca Trathen.
