What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “Dreamworld”? Indulging your inner adrenalin junkie with epic thrill rides galore? Or maybe a trip down memory lane coz waiting at Kodak for our Dreamworld prints from mum’s disposable camera was literally life circa 1990. Whilst that all rings true, our answer is (drum roll pls)….Night Markets #CueMicDrop. No, we’re not disoriented after one too many spins on the Steel Taipan, Dreamworld really is the new home to our region’s coolest Night Markets, creating the GC’s hottest coupling since Kenny and Belinda #KoalaPowerCouple101.

Serving up good times and good food from 5pm to 9pm every Friday and Saturday night, the first point we need to highlight is cost, or lack thereof. No need to buy a ticket to Dreamworld, simply forgo that trip to the $2 shop and redirect your shiny gold coin (or Eftpos card coz srsly, what is cash) to your Dreamworld Night Market entry! That’s right, it’s only two bucks for adults and better yet, free for kiddos under 13, passholders and anyone already inside the park.

So what can we expect from these Night Markets and get comfy coz It’s.A.Lot. Let’s start with the nosh and we’re talking unreal street eats, sweets, drinks – the works! Serving up cuisine how we like it best – food truck style – there’s something for everyone. Think decadent dumplings and bao, North American, South American, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Latin American, German, Spanish, Italian and Turkish tucker, and that’s just a taste* PunAlwaysIntended.

If you’re a cocktail or beer enthusiast (is the sky blue and duh), check out Apollo’s Cocktail Bar and Apollo’s Beer Bar. Or perhaps you’d rather give booze the boot and stick to coffee, tea and juices and the choices are equally abundant and satisfying. As are the desserts with the likes of popcorn, Hong Kong style waffles, Dutch pancakes, churros and donuts and if you’re thinking who needs mains then #same.

Food is just the beginning though with more entertainment than you can poke a sate stick at and yes, you can nom plenty of those too. Dreamworld Night Markets are also the home of exciting live music from local, emerging, and well-known artists on the Main Street Stage. With set lists changing weekly there’s always someone new to enjoy….and add to your ever-growing Spotify list.

Turn up the heat with free family entertainment and we don’t mean that figuratively coz there are actual fire twirlers people #(Non)CannedHeat. There are also stuntmen, live performance artists, roaming entertainers, and of course, free movies on the big screen from 6.25pm. Pull up a beanbag and keep your little ones entertained, whilst enjoying a well-earned time-out from the daily grind.

If you fancy yourself as the arty farty type, you’re invited to bring your best strokes with the crew from Paint Juicy. Happening on alternate Friday and Saturday nights (at an additional cost), if you haven’t experienced the creative outlet that is a paint and sip class then friends, this is THE place to do it. Paint and Sip sessions are just $59 per person and include entry, a drink on arrival, and an individual snack box. Plus, you can take home your own art creation to hang proudly in your abode, or chuck in your wheely bin but hey, it’s all about the journey which is next level fun, fetch and fab. Paint and Sip is perfect for the whole family and session spots are strictly limited (translation – book yesterday).

If you’re more of a lol enthusiast than a paintbrush pusher, keep your eyes peeled for an evolving showcase of live comedy gigs. And for the small folk, get a load of Gamesite, the pay-for-play fun zone with all your fave arcade games (#kool) and of course, Belinda’s Tree House, perfect for expelling their second (third and fourth…times two) wind.

So as you can see, there is something for everyone – young, not so young, creative, not so creative, hungry or hungrier. Whether you’re heading for after-work drinks, taking the kids out for dinner, or looking for the ultimate good-times-and-vibes joint to host your corporate function or party, all roads lead to one destination: Dreamworld Night Markets.

For more information, go here.

Where: Dreamworld, Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
When: 5pm – 9pm, Fridays & Saturdays

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY DREAMWORLD

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.

It had been a long time between drinks. Not literally (obvs), but between clinking glasses, bottles or cans at our beloved Burleigh Town Hotel.

That was until last week, when the $4.5 million new look was revealed with more cool factor and family friendly vibes than you can poke a paint brush at.

In its 2.0 form, the iconic venue has something for everyone and get comfy, coz this is going be a long unravel.

Food and beverage led hospitality operator Australian Venue Co deserves a round of applause (and drinks) for investing in Extreme Makeover; QLD Pub Addition (as we have branded it), revitalising popular local venues such as Burleigh Town Hotel, Coomera Lodge Hotel and The Wallaby Hotel in Mudgeeraba.

This one is a real showstopper, boasting a zhuzhed up modern bistro, the sports bar to end all sports bars, a new look gaming room, plus a brand-new E.P.I.C beer garden and kid’s playground. Talk about raising the bar coz yes, it’s ale it’s cracked up to be.

Let’s start with the external façade shall we and yes, we shall. Modern vertical timber panel detailing gives it instant curb appeal, plus you can catch a glimpse into the Talle Pegola area, one of the many watering holes throughout the joint. Step inside and regardless of where you turn, you’ll be nodding in vigorous approval.

The world class Sports Bar features a state-of-the-art 11-metre mega screen and if you thought it was hard to drag hubby away from the game before… It’s the biggest pub screen in the southern hemisphere and if you think that’s impressive, have a go of the suspended cylinder screen promising perfect viewing from every vantage point #jawdrop.

The spacious, bright, family friendly Bistro space features high ceilings with exposed timber beams, and we’re a sucker for this kinda jam. The space flows out seamlessly to the Patio area where you can chillax rain, hail or shine with a frosty Bronson in hand. Choose from bench style tables and traditional table and chair options, adopting the #trending colour palette of white, sage, timber, burnt coral and terracotta hues.

Just over yonder is the festoon-lit Talle Pergola area, another undercover spot perfect for an arvo or evening bev with the crew. Alternatively, there’s the Burleigh Pergola space where you can park yourself under a brolly to make sure your cold drinks stay that way. Or, arguably the best seat in the house is on the grass in the Talle Beer Garden and yes this is where you’ll find us getting a dose of vitamin d with our vitamin b(eer). A special shout-out must go to the funky AF beanbag style chairs which are a winner winner pub grub dinner with young and old.

Speaking of grub, the Sports Bar offers true-blue snacks, slinging the likes of snags in bread, sausage rolls, rissoles and more. For a heartier feed, the Bistro serves up Aussie bangers with a contemporary nod. Start with some sharesies like Salt and Szechuan Pepper Calamari flash fried calamari, green onion, grilled lime cheek, and lemon zest aioli.

For a main, we recommend the Chicken Schnitzel coz #ChookSchniddy, or the mouth-watering 250g Porka-House (Pork Porter House…but we like Porka-House better), from the grill. Or choose from a large selection of hand-stretched wood-fired pizzas, make friends with a salad, then dive into a something sweet. We pick the Chargrilled Pineapple with coconut sorbet, white rum caramel, and freeze-dried cherries because we never desert dessert.

To celebrate the reopening, get set for a weekend of special events from Friday 25^th until Sunday 27^th November. Friday is Welcome Day with complimentary roving canapés and refreshments, a Tradie Club smoker and accessories giveaway valued at $1,000, and a Stone and Wood beer garden pop-up. Saturday is Sports Fans Dream Day, featuring an epic line-up in the Sports Bar on ‘that’ humdinga of a screen, Stone and Wood beer garden pop-up, Sports Bar TAB activation, prizes and giveaways.

And finally on Sunday, the reopening revelry will go out with a bang coz it’s Family Fun Day!

Bring the kiddy winkles down for special ankle-biter entertainment, including a live reptile show and relax, said reptiles will not actually bite your kid’s feet. There’s also a face-painter and free ice cream in other words, kid utopia.

So get down to The Burleigh Town Hotel next weekend…and every weekend…for the atmosphere you’ve always known and loved, but on a lager than life level.

Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads
When: Reopening celebrations Friday 25^th – Sunday 27^th November. Normal trading hours 10am – late, Monday – Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY BURLEIGH TOWN HOTEL