Don’t horse around and miss out on fashion & filly’s.
Don’t horse around and miss out on fashion & filly’s.
Summer is here and the new year is near which you know means one thing… the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping is just around the corner and who are we to say neigh to a day at the Polo.
The Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping is one of the most exciting calendar events each and every year, it’s the ultimate time to pick out a new frock from our favourite shopping spot, Pacific Fair, and bask in all of the on-field action. And truly, you don’t need to ask us twice.
Kicking off The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, it’s without a doubt one of the most stylish days out (no thanks to our well-dressed friends at Pacific Fair) and whether you’re there to catch the action on the field or the fashion on the fields, it’s always an exciting day out.
At the event it’s royal treatment all round whether you’re coming for a family day out or something a little more fancy at the Pacific Fair Pavilion – don’t mind if we do.
Speaking of royal treatment, you might even get a glimpse of one of our fav royals, the (figurative) queen herself, Zara Tindall. Our girl Zara will be going head to head with the Argentinian polo superstar himself, Nacho Figueras, for what’s always an uber-competitive match. When it’s time for the celebrity game, you can also catch the pros battling it out in a heated match between Australia’s best polo players.
It’s one of the most celeb-studded events our glittery Gold Coast sees each year so you might event get a chance to say hay to Northern Rivers icon Elsa Pataky – hopefully that means a Hemsworth sighting too (swoon) – and football legend Billy Slater among other famous faces.
Polo nacho vibe? More into showjumping? Say less because some of the best riders in Australia are coming together for the kickstart event of the season and you can catch the pros alongside the junior jumpers. Along with some former thoroughbred racetrack stars now showcasing their talent in their new career after racing in the showjumping arena.
Perch up for a packed picnic with the kids while you lap up the field-side action and of course there’s things to keep the little ones busy all day, think face painting and petting zoo so between the action you can pat a piglet (as you do). There’s loads of live entertainment too so there’s summer vibes, all day long.
For those looking for a little more VIP action, the Pacific Fair Pavilion gives that luxe vibe you’re looking for with a premium food and beverage package for six hours – yes you read that right – and of course an in house DJ, because if you’re anything like us you’ll be ready to tear up the dance floor after a cheeky couple of glasses of bubbles.
But how could we forget the ol’ faithful divot stomp? The whistle blows, the players are galloping away and you’re officially allowed on the field in that fancy fit to fix the divots left from those horse hooves so you can leave the day feeling v productive and like you’ve played your part in the big day. It’s always a huge hit among the (big and little) kids – any excuse to stomp around some grass with permission we say!
Grab your tickets here.
Where: Doug Jennings Park, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
When: Sunday 7 January, 2024
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
STORY SPONSORED BY MAGIC MILLIONS
It’s a whole new era for Kirra – as the hotly anticipated Kirra Beach House, slinks into town bringing chic sips, cabana chills and rooftop revelling to the formerly not-much-happenining Marine Parade precinct, and totally transforming the southern social scene as we know it.
And let’s all just try to maintain an orderly fashion here.. thankfully, there’s plenty here to go round.
Like, 1200 whole sqm of it – the mammoth, terrace-studded stunner is fully prepared for the inevitable inundation as we all clamour to get a glimpse of the dreamy new venue, equipped with multiple indoor and alfresco areas, wine and cocktail bars (three, to be exact!) and high-end event spaces.
The kitchen, meanwhile, brings the likes of raw and cooked seafood platters, succulent steaks and signature burgers to Kirra’s picturesque beachfront – slinging perfectly crisped pizzas out of the Marina Forni pizza oven daily.
And did we mention the uninterrupted ocean views from every angle?
The new standard for a spectacular summer has well and truly been set here, guys.
Our jaws may be on the floor, but we’re not at all surprised – after all, the new concept was pioneered by local hospo trailblazer, Dave Galvin, an undertaking a mere four years in the making.
The SITE Hospitality owner/operator has been working tirelessly to deliver us not one, but two bar-raising venues this year alone – already blessing us with Broadbeach show-stopper, kost a few months back (and before that Mozza Mozza, Bird Royale and Crafty’s Sports Bar).
Somebody stop him (but don’t, actually, keep ’em coming Dave).
And frankly, we just have one question.. when doth the man sleep?
When it comes to new venues, often the phrase ‘game changing’ often gets bandied about rather liberally (guilty) – but Kirra Beach House is truly unlike anything we’ve seen this far south, the breathtaking venue putting the seaside village on the map as a destination for elevated dining and drinking.
And we do mean elevated in all senses of the word – the new venue sits atop it’s more casual counterpart, the newly unveiled and fresh-faced Kirra Beach Hotel one level below.
The new additions signify a whole new chapter for the suburb’s seaside promenade that comes courtesy of the KTQ Group’s multi-stage Kirra Point Project.
“The venue will have a beach club atmosphere about it, with great music, mesmerising panoramic views of Kirra, Mediterranean-style food using the incredible local produce we have on our doorstep, a world-class drinks list and, of course, great service” says Dave.
And really, did anyone expect anything less?
The kitchen of Kirra’s darling new destination is led by head chef Drew Wilson, curating a Mediterranean-style grazing menu that is both flavour-packed and true to the laidback, coastal location.
It features a contemporary mix of dishes such as Kingfish crudo with citrus vinaigrette, chive oil and floral salt… or perhaps the summery ‘burrata with yellow peach, aged balsamic and smoked salt’ to woo the cheese fans.
Bars Manager, Kaden Pool invites us to ‘dive in’ to a delectable menu of resort-style cocktails, the type that scratch that nostalgia itch in all the right places.
Such as ‘Bahamas’ Champagne Piña coladas and ‘Cancun’ spicy watermelon margaritas, made for summer sunsets and crafted to make you feel like you’re on holiday…
Wait, we’re pretty sure we might be. Or dreaming. Who could say for sure. We might need to get around a few spicy melon margs to determine, first.
Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Sunday to Thursday 11am–late, Friday & Saturday: 11am–1am
Words by Kellie Leader.
After spending the better part of two decades winning the hearts of carnivores near and far, the owners of highly acclaimed steakery Moo Moo, have set their sights on the sea – sinking a cool $3m on their quest to bring a ‘world-class’ seafood venue to our shores.
There’s little doubt that BLOWFISH Ocean Grill + Bar – the newest venture from Steven & Autumn Adams – has some dauntingly big shoes to fill. Though as you might have gleaned from both the eye-watering project cost and its culinary lineage, this little sib newcomer is a just little bit extra. The lofty, double-story venue which formerly housed The Bavarian, is wooing up to 150 diners at one time – complete with a lush 24 seat private dining room up on the upper floor.
The BLOWFISH ethos revolves around exquisite seafood, bringing glistening, salt-kissed Caviar Bumps, Moreton Bay bug stuffed Milk Buns, and signature Seafood Towers to Broadbeach’s surging premier dining scene.
The jaw-dropping new space lies merely a stone’s throw from Moo Moo, and some familiar faves from its iconic grill make a cameo on the menu (huzzah, now we can drag those seafood-dodging downers of ours along without complaint).
Steven and Autumn spent several months looking all over the Gold Coast for the right location and they believe they’ve got the perfect venue in Broadbeach. The mind-blowing fit-out was brought to us by local design gurus Space Cubed – with a brief we can only assume went something along the lines of ‘exquisite space for exquisite seafood’.
The materials and details have all been selected to convey a coastal inspired sense of grandeur – with luxury details like architecturally sculpted ceilings that blend seamlessly into an expansive, feature lit void, along with chic, seafoam-green wraparound booths as far as the eye can ‘sea’ (sorry, we’ll sea ourselves out).
When it comes to the kitchen, Steven and Autumn have gone ‘against the grain’, opting instead for the twice as nice approach – jointly appointing Bradley Davis and Lee Huckstep as Head Chefs. Adding “both Brad and Leigh have a strong history with us… Together these guys have the talent to bring our unique menu to life.”
And if dishes such as Western Australian Rock Lobster w. Congac + Gruyere’ are anything to go by, we’d say this dynamic duo is has already come out ‘swimming’. As you’d expect, the seafood-centric menu is a total knockout – with a curated selection of premium steaks and sides such as Blowfish Signature Banana Blossom Salad + Noc Chum featured alongside Iceberg Caesar and Charred Sugar Loaf, Pistachio + Sesame in Wagyu Fat that further elevate their selection of ocean specialties.
The BLOWFISH seafood showcase is mainly split between a delectable mix of hot, such as the spectacular Black Lip Mussels w. Rega Rogue Rose, alongside cold delicacies like Sashimi and Nigiri and a pearler of a range of Oysters – all backed up by some very delightful creations from beyond the bar.
Our pick? The Blowfish Bubble, made with Ketel one Vodka Infused with Chamomile, Fresh Pear, Orgeat, Thyme, Orange, Chamomile Tinson, Yuzu Pearls + Citrus Smoke…
We’re fairly sure diners will be blown away at first sip, lick, slurp and nibble of each and every delectable morsel BLOWFISH is sending our way.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
When: Monday – Sunday 11.30am – 10.00pm
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
