At roughly this point in the frosty season, the balmier days of strappy sandals and summer dips feel but a distant memory. Sure, we here in the Sunshine State can get a bit dramatic whenever the temps dip below 20°C, but when it comes to keeping ourselves busy in the chilly months our outlook needn’t feel bleak.

Currently cranking up the fire pits and busting out the warming fare, some of GC’s finest are bunging on some un-brrr-lievably good experiences to coax us from the comfort of our domiciles. So skip the hibernation – here are some of the hottest activations to be had on the Gold Coast this winter.

Garden Kitchen & Bar at The Star Gold Coast
If anyone knows how lure us from our hovels (and/or über chic dressing down and slipper ensemble) – it’s The Star Garden Kitchen Bar. Don your cosiest layers (the ones acceptable to be seen in outside the house, that is) as they bust out all the essentials for those chilly winter evenings, with warming winter food and bev specials (hello, Braised lamb shoulder and molten-centred Chocolate fondant!), fire pit packages and live entertainment. The Lawn will be cranking up the fire pits under the stars, with packages fit for crews of up to six – inclusive of charcuterie box, bottle of Pepperjack Shiraz and chocolates. Ahh, our spirits are lifted already.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

WinterSun Cali Beach
The temps might be dipping, but in no way are the party vibes! Cali Beach Club’s perennial fave winter-themed festivities never fail to revive our flatlining calendars, and this year might just be their coolest yet. WINTERSUN will see Surfers’ pool-studded rooftop party precinct transform into an immersive Swiss Alps-eqsue wonderland. Delivering the ultimate day session every Friday–Sunday throughout winter, bliss out with beats and poolside sips, soaking up the balmy GC days. But the party is just getting started – by night, ballooning into ‘Australia’s largest inflatable nightclub’ with inflatable igloos, fire displays and more. What better way to shake off the seasonal morbs than a dose of vitamin D-ancefloor? Who’s pumped?!
Where: 21a Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Coomera Lodge Igloos
If the prospect of a spot of riverside revelling on those nippy winter evenings isn’t exactly enticing, Coomera Lodge Hotel has got you covered (literally). The open air beer garden will again transform into an igloo wonderland for the season, so that we may live our best winter lives carousing in total comfort. Nab one of four decked out domes and hunker down by the river with cocktails and charcuterie, complete with comfy seating and twinkling lighting. Each of the igloos can be booked for a minimum spend of $37.50pp, which includes a selection of hot & cold charcuterie and a drink.
Where: 160 Maudsland Road, Oxenford

Carafe Wine
Of course, we can always count on our stalwart neighbourhood sipper to warm the cockles of our heart, and the Carafe Wine crew is taking zero chances when it comes to keeping morale high this winter. In addition to keeping us plied with sustainable, tap-to-table vino on demand, they’ll be stoking up the fire pits and a freshly unveiled selection of satisfying small plates to warm us from within. Fresh from the tanks and into your carafe, resident wine whizz/owner Archie will hook you up with something spesh to sip, with moorish bites like Wood fired pizzas and molten Baked camembert to share (even if a little grudgingly).
Where: 49 Johnston St, Southport

Robina Pavilion
We don’t care how old we are, opportunities to stuff our faces with freshly-toasted marshmallows over an open fire are outrageously far and few between. Thankfully the return of Robina Pavilion’s ever-popular Fire pits by the Lake sessions are back and doing their darnedest to turn this toasty past time erasure around. For select dates across winter, beat the winter chill by booking your group of up to six for your own fire pit sesh every Friday–Sunday night. The booking fee of $250 is redeemable on your choice of food and bev, so sip cocktails, nosh on cheese boards and your fave winter warmers and char til heart’s content with complimentary marshmallows and fire pit attendant included. Not to fan the flames, but bookings are limited people!
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina

Dreamworld
Bigger, better and more brrrr-iliant than ever, ain’t ‘snow way we’re missing out on Dreamworld’s Winterfest. Bringing thrills, spills and chills, we’re predicting a high chance of wholesome family fun with Euro inspired eats, scavenger hunts, interactive winter-inspired activities and some extra snowy surprises in store. Glide across the full-sized, pop up ice skating rink, then defrost with a little help from some warm cinnamon churros (that’s our story, and we’re sticking to it). While all ages will have an absolute (arctic) blast tobogganing down the ice slide. And not to date ourselves here, but, if you can’t use this opportunity to bust out all your favourite Cool Runnings quotes, when can you? Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!
Where: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

Sirromet
Surrounded by lush rolling hills and an unending supply of locally-made vino – who among us isn’t perpetually down for a sneaky Sirromet trip (doubly so when it’s someone else’s turn as deso driver). Add in your very own personal fire pit, crackling under the twinkling night sky, and you’ve got yourself just about the cutest and cosiest date night going (bestie dates count too!). For $189, Sirromet will take care of all the heavy lifting, with a generous hamper for two filled with charcuterie-style provisions to feast upon and signature mulled wine to sip. Once you and your nominated partner-in-wine are done whiling the night away by the fire, you then get the insulated Sirromet cups and picnic blanket (plus fond mems) for keeps! Wine not, we say! (Bookings required).
Where: 850-938 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton

Words by Kellie Leader

Winter is coming, but fear not. Tarte Beach House has dropped a winter menu update to make waking up on those chilly winter mornings more bearable and a whole lot tastier. Tarte Bakery has long been our old faithful, and when Tarte Beach House stormed onto the scene with its idyllic creek views and all-round aesthetic energy, we couldn’t get enough.

Like everything the team touches, the new Tarte Beach House menu is pure gold, with bold and indulgent flavours, alongside comfort eats that mix feelings of nostalgia with home-cooked goodness.

Heavily inspired by the traditions of Europe, specifically France, the menu is stuffed with winter warmers. So baby it might be getting cold outside but let me tell you things have been heating up on the new winter menu. Because we all know Tarte would never be caught dishing up anything other than best-in-show.

Remember when the most boujee part of a big brekky was door-stopper bread? Snooze. Tarte Beach House has reinvented the wheel with their Big Breakfast in Bread. Yep, IN bread. Get your fix with a sourdough boule filled with house ranchero sauce, Spanish chorizo, melted cheese and a fried egg. Consider the big brekky reinvented.

If you’re after something reel-y tasty the Grilled Barramundi will have you hook, line and sinker featuring locally caught fish, confit heirloom tomatoes, crispy capers, fresh parsley, herbed butter and lemon it’s got everything you want from a classic without compromising on big flavours.

Warm up from the inside out with the Green Curry Soup – think all the big curry flavours you crave along with sauteed prawns in chilli oil, pak choy, sugar snap peas, capsicum, crispy rice noodles and shallots – served with grilled roti, because what’s a soup if you don’t have something bread-y to dip.

Maybe it’s the name, maybe it’s just us romanticising a soup moment, but there’s something about French Onion Soup that makes us feel like we’re having a Parisian moment. Mix it with Tarte Beach House’s signature Euro-inspired décor and it’s almost like you’re actually in the city of love.

French is big on the menu with influences in dishes like the French Green Salad if you’re after something light. We cannot go past the French Beef Dip. Stuffed full of house-roasted wagyu with Swiss cheese, caramelised onion, garlic butter, chimichurri and parsley, plus house slow gravy for dipping each and every bite. This one is a winner. BRB running to Tarte Beach House to get our hands on one right now.

Sweet tooth’s look away now. The Choc Chip Cookie Skillet puts Tarte’s signature brown butter chocolate chip cookie front and centre. Just when we thought that cookie couldn’t get any better Tarte starts offering it warm in the skillet, topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to sweeten the deal. It’s hot, it’s oozy, it’s everything you want in a dessert. We won’t judge you if you have it for breakfast. Like we did! In the name of research.

Once you’ve chosen your food you’ll want to start getting acquainted with the seasonal cocktails. The Jam Gimlet with gin, house raspberry jam and lemon has our name all over it. Or catch us sipping back on the Dirty Chai Martini for a pick me up, with whisky, Mr Black, house espresso and chai.

If a warm hug in a cup is more your vibe then obviously the Mulled Wine – European style of course and the Hard Apple Cider with housemade apple juice and rum are the ultimate winter warmers.

When: 6.30am-3pm Monday – Thursday, 6.30am-5pm Friday – Sunday
Where: 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

We’re currently experiencing our very own version of winter here on the Gold Coast; slightly chilly temps, jackets for the first hour of the day and all of the snuggling under the doona for as long as possible.

It only lasts a little while but we’re all about making the most of it. While the beach time is on a hiatus we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do in winter on the Gold Coast.

We’re currently experiencing our very own version of winter here on the Gold Coast; slightly chilly temps, jackets for the first hour of the day and all of the snuggling under the doona for as long as possible.

It only lasts a little while but we’re all about making the most of it. While the beach time is on a hiatus we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do in winter on the Gold Coast.

Smack some golf balls
We love TopGolf all year round but the fact it’s indoors and comes with heaters (should you need them) plus a bar for inner warmth is a winter bonus. There are also actual golf courses if you’re brave enough to get out in the weather. We can’t go past Putt Putt Mermaid Beach’s new neon glow balls for a bright addition to our night time putting! Whacking balls makes you warm. As do bulk beers afterwards.

Create something cute
There are so many little creative nooks popping up all over the Gold Coast of late, meaning many options for making things and keeping your hands warm at the same time. Hands-on workshops are where it’s at friends. From pottery making to paint and sip classes, knit your own winter woollies and macramé, all of the things are on offer. The Craft Parlour has a vast array of workshops to satisfy all your creative desires.

Treat yourself to some pampering
Getting all cosy on a massage table sounds like the perfect way to warm up. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to day spas, the most recent of which is Chuan Spa at The Langham, Gold Coast, which delivers luxury wellness in spades. Personally, we can never resist a good Vichy Shower experience, offered at eforea spa and One Spa. Soak Bathhouse is offering a Soak and Sound night every Wednesday night through winter. Inspired by ‘Après Ski’ outdoor hot springs in the snow, Soak will feature calming live music from local musicians and serve up hot drinks from 5pm – 8pm. Treat yo’self for warmth and also pampering purposes.

Eat and drink things
It goes without saying that the Gold Coast is top-notch foodie destination with stellar new venues popping up every single week. Recently we’ve had a new Italian, coffee shop, rooftop bar, hidden laneway bar, a vegetarian sandwich shop and a tapas house. You name it, it has opened on the Gold Coast this year. when it comes to eating nothing screams winter like a Sunday Roast, and The Island has you covered on that front with their new Sunday Roast Revival launching in early July. Eating and drinking can certainly be indoor activities so you’ll be warm and full of goodness. Win, win.

See a show
Not just a foodie destination, we’re also chokkas full of culture. And yes, that is a reference to The Castle. Pops Masters may be over but the HOTA Gallery is worth a visit any day of the week and Archie 100, an exhibition celebrating 100 years of Archibald Prize is opening in mid-July. Award winning musical Once is hitting HOTA this weekend and Billy Elliot is set to hit The Star in early July. Check out our What’s On page to keep up to date with everything going on.

Release your inner child
Perhaps the very best way to warm up is to forget you’re an adult with responsibilities and a reputation to uphold (boring) and just let loose doing kid-type things. There is a whole lot going on in Surfers Paradise including locking yourself in rooms and attempting to escape, dancing amongst holograms, bowling, air hockey, jungle gyms, you name it. Check out some favourites here. If you’re raging about the colder weather (or just life in general) you can release that pent up frustration at Rage Cage Southport. Work up a sweat while armed with a sledgehammer!

Escape
Look in all honesty, leaving the Coast probably won’t make you warmer but it will give you something to do to take your mind off the chilliness. We’re so very lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and even luckier that there are more beautiful places right on our doorstep. Mt Tamborine has some beautiful wineries, breweries, a top notch bakery, rainforests, day hikes, anything and everything you could possibly want. It’s all good.

Happy wintering.

Words by Belinda Symons.