No recreation of 'The Hangover' here!
No recreation of 'The Hangover' here!
Spending your bachelor’s weekend on the Gold Coast seems like a no brainer, but more often then not (we hope at least) you will want to do more than just hit up a club and buy an excessive amount of beverages. So without further i̶-̶d̶o̶ ado, here are a list of ideas to assist organising an unforgettable, fun-fuelled Bucks for the ultimate final hoorah. Let’s do this gents!
Throw some axes!
What red blooded bloke wouldn’t want to go chuck axes at a bull’s eye? Lumber Punks Axe Throwing offers sessions filled with friendly competition and eternal bragging rights for the winner. Axes and alcohol don’t really mix, so Lumber Punks is not licensed, but there are plenty of food and drink options nearby to kick on the party once you’re finished throwing.
Where: 19 Ozone Parade, Miami
Play the Gentleman’s Game
Many-a-Bucks has been celebrated on the glorious greens of the GC and side note, even if some of your mates can’t swing a club, you’re sure to have a chuckle at them trying! Blessed with numerous superb golf courses, we could not possibly pen a list of Bucks tomfoolery ideas without mentioning golf. Check out our suggestions of the best courses here!
Where: Various locations on the Gold Coast
Ignite your inner adrenaline junkie
Okay so the first thing we associate with our men – besides beer and sport – is adrenaline (in no particular order). Nothing toots a group of lads’ horns like a healthy dose of adrenaline and we’re blessed here on the Goldie to have our fair share of activities guaranteed to get your blood pumping and hearts a’racin. Check ‘em out here.
Where: Various locations on the Gold Coast
Barefoot Bowls
Because kicking your shoes off, sipping on a cold one (or 10) and rolling a ball at an easy pace is just bl*ody fun. Barefoot bowls has been a popular choice for lads embarking on a Bucks and we’re always here for it. Check out our list of some Crackajack spots to embrace your inner Jack Simpson and have a rip-snorter send-off into wedded bliss with your guy gang.
Where: Various locations on the Gold Coast
Get your Dirty Harry on (but not like that)
Fellas, you don’t need a shooting license to try your hand (and test your aim) at The Shooting Centre Gold Coast. With 10 shooting bays at 25-metre range, you can safely (and we emphasise the safely part) shoot anything from .22 calibre to .44 magnum and 12 gauge shotgun. Gunners at catering to Bucks groups, you’re guaranteed to have a blast (couldn’t resist).
Where: 76 Ferry Rd, Southport
A day at the Races
Don your Sunday best and back a winner with the boyz at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Pick a raceday from their calendar of events and either rock up en mass with general admission tickets, or book an exclusive space for your horse-play with a range of bucks friendly raceday packages. There’s plenty of eating options too to line your bellies – so giddy up!
Where: Racecourse Dr, Bundall
Go Karting
A healthy dose of competition with your mates never hurt anyone and what better start is there to a Bucks than a stint in Go Karts? Head to Slideways for their 3-level 500m track both indoors and outdoors, which has a unique surface allowing karts to drift and get, well, sideways. Or head to the iconic Kingston Park Raceway to test your skills on the 1100m Le Mans track with a professional-style sprint race event! We’re talking some serious side-by-side racing action and honestly, find us a group of dudes who wouldn’t want to smoke each other?!
Where: Slideways Go Karting Gold Coast & Kingston Park Raceway
Catch your Dinner
Picture this: you’re out on the water surrounded by ocean, your mates, eskies (a-plenty) and countless fish just waiting for you to launch your fishing line! It’s a bloke’s rite of passage to have a crack at fishing and a go-to Bucks party idea for darn good reason. Lucky for you, we know some epic local fave charter companies like Avenger Gold Coast Fishing Charters, BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters and Discovery Fishing Charters, who will only be too happy to accommodate a fish-tastic (ok, that was a stretch….) Bucks day out.
Where: Various locations on the Gold Coast
Get wet & go wild
Is there anything more quintessentially GC than celebrating out on the water? This is a rhetorical question as no, there is not. From living it large with The YOT Club crew on their luxurious Super Yacht, to adventure water sports with the aptly named Gold Coast Watersports, GC Jetboating and Parasailing, and Gold Coast Jet Ski Safaris. Want to take it a little easier? (Your head will thank you.) Then why not hire some paddleboards from Currumbin Boatshed, or head out on Gold Coast Canal Cruises or Surfers Paradise River Cruises to take the day on with a little slower pace. Really, the GC is your Bucks oyster!
Where: Various locations on the Gold Coast
Brewery Tour
Bucks and breweries are like snags and bread… a match made in heaven. Pineapple Tours are famous for organising banger Bucks partays and their brewery tours are the shizzle. After all, what better way to say hoo-roo to your single status than a day of sampling the region’s delicious amber nectar? With packages including stops at multiple breweries (because we are overflowing with brewery goodness here in our city), or options to integrate other blokey favourite activities, these guys will sort you out with a day to remember.
Where: 3200 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Words by Bianca Trathen
What better way is there to be outside amongst nature and tranquillity than a friendly game of golf? As one of the world’s most popular sports with an estimated participation of over 60 million people, it’s safe to say a decent percentage of Australian’s also love to get out there and score themselves some birdies — or at least try!
Did you know that the Gold Coast has the greatest number of golf courses per capita in the entire country? Add to this fact we have fantastic weather and incredible scenery, and you might think it’s high time to dust off those clubs or get out there and give it a go.
Here’s a list of seven spectacular Gold Coast golf courses, so you can block out a day and hit the fairway — hopefully not the rough, though.
Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club
Simply stunning – the Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club have a public course with 18 perfectly manicured holes in a sleek country club setting right on the water. If you manage to dodge the many lush pine trees and navigate the abundant lakes, it’s safe to say you’ll enjoy yourself out there on one of the Gold Coast’s finest golf courses.
Where: The Parkway, Hope Island
Links Hope Island
Another course with the most stunning backdrops, The Links can be found on the northern end of the Gold Coast. Set within a 360-ha residential resort community, it’s a world-renowned golf course with characteristics of old-school Scottish courses. Challenging to say the least. We highly recommend getting involved in twilight golf because sunsets over the water here are absolutely next level.
Where: Hope Island Road, Hope Island
Parkwood Golf Club
Do you have varying skills levels in your golf group? Don’t worry. Hop in a golf cart and let this flowing and beautifully put-together course challenge all ability levels and keep even the most advanced players interested. And once you’re done, head to their bar and bistro to add up your scorecards.
Where: 76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood
Emerald Lakes Golf Club
Found in the heart of the Gold Coast, Emerald Lakes is much-loved for it’s state-of-the-art golf course and beautiful restaurant overlooking said state-of-the-art golf course. The 18-hole course boasts pristine lakes and a championship-style setup (which may just make you seem better than you thought you were).
Where: Alabaster Drive, Carrara
RACV Royal Pines Resort Golf Course
RACV Royal Pines Resort is home to 27 holes of utter golfing Nirvana. The course presents a chance to play the same holes which made up the highly prized Australian PGA Championship for seven years between 2012 and 2019. The last man to win here was golfing luminaire Adam Scott, and he’ll no doubt agree this course is the epitome of high risk, high reward style of golf. Immaculately presented and in great condition no matter what time of year it is!
Where: Ross Street, Benowa
Tallai Golf Club
Tallai Country Golf Club borders the majestic hinterland and offers unmatched views threatening to hamper your game! Keep your focus, though, and this delightful little 9-hole course proves to be reasonably challenging but also friendly — a great place for regular no-stress hits and a more relaxed stride for those not in a hurry.
Where: Worongary Rd & The Panorama, Tallai
Top Golf
Whilst it isn’t a golf course so to speak, you can certainly swing a club here, even if golf isn’t your thing Top Golf is the destination to enjoy some fun times with friends whilst having a bit of fun and competition. The perfect place for events and parties with great food and drink options, you’ll never look at golf the same way again!
Where: Corner of Roadshow Way and Entertainment Drive, Oxenford
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
If there is something more quintessentially Australian than getting into some barefoot bowls on a sunny afternoon, then we have never heard of it. Right here on the Gold Coast, this pastime has never been more at home; mixed with our relaxed lifestyle and incredible weather, bowls and the Gold Coast are simply made for one another.
Trends have changed, and bowls is no longer associated with just the elder portion of society (apart from the fact most of these folks are pretty good when it comes to hitting the greens), because why should they have all the fun!? The slow-paced and uber sociable aspects of this game are what time off in the sunshine is all about: no rushing around required at all.
Here are four spots to spend an untroubled afternoon sipping drinks and enjoying some fine food — all with a dash of competition thrown in there for good measure!
Burleigh Heads Bowls Club
This is the place to gather your squad and spend an arvo when you find yourself in the bustling heartland of Burleigh Heads. Steeped in history dating back to 1937, the historic club has barefoot bowls available between 12pm – 5pm on Sunday afternoons for only $10 per person (Tuesday to Saturday, you can play after 5pm). Due to its insane popularity, there are two sessions – from 12pm to 2.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm. Make sure you book! If you’ve never played barefoot bowls, don’t worry, they even have coaches to help get you started. Once you’ve worked up a hunger from all the action, the Village Green restaurant is right on hand seven days a week with a plethora of great dishes and specials.
Where: Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Tugun Bowls Club
Located on Kaleena Street, Tugun Bowls and Community Club is a club run by bowlers for bowlers, with the prettiest of manicured greens and good times aplenty. Perpetually bathed in glorious sunshine, why not enjoy a drink from the well-stocked bar or eat up a storm five days a week. Every Thursday, you’ll find 50% off the menu — so be sure to book ahead for a table as it gets busy! Picnic by the Green is a lively barefoot bowls session kicking off at 2pm on Sundays with live entertainment and a selection of tasty street food at your disposal. All that is left is to insert you and your gang for $10 per rink.
Where: Kaleena St, Tugun
Broadbeach Bowls Club
The official home of the Commonwealth Games lawn bowls contingent, Broadbeach Bowls Club is just steps from the beach and offers a great way to spend an afternoon. Every Sunday from 9am – 9pm (the most extended barefoot session on the Coast), you and your squad — as well as 50+ others — can enjoy two hours of fun for only $10 per person. Choose between one of four championship-level greens — and let the games begin! The Matador Bistro is also home to a huge and inspired menu, with drool-worthy sections devoted to dishes from the grill, seafood platters, pizzas and more.
Where: 169 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
Club Musgrave Bowls
Tucked away in Southport, you’ll find this stellar venue of bowls and one of the oldest clubs on the entire Coast. Carefree barefoot bowls is available throughout the week across their fully shaded greens and is only $5 per person! So turn up, throw off your shoes, and you’re well on your way to having some serious fun! At heart, a community-driven club, there’s always entertainment going down across the weekend, raffles galore, and kids are made most welcome. Bistro 4215 is your go-to after you’ve hit the greens, for a refreshing bevvie and tasty tucker. It’s also worth noting, locals should plan ahead, as their courtesy bus can really make the afternoon hitting the green a breeze.
Where: 104 Musgrave Avenue, Southport
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
