Discover Aussie fusion cuisine at Native Harvest.
Discover Aussie fusion cuisine at Native Harvest.
When you think of classic Aussie ingredients, the humble vegemite and smashed up Tim Tams may spring to mind. And if you were made in the 80s, chips without chicken salt were basically illegal. But fast-forward to 2024 and a new café and bar at Sanctuary Cove is flipping the script in the form of a GC-first; Australian fusion cuisine. Introducing Native Harvest, whose sensational menu is a love letter to ‘Straya’s native ingredients, showcasing the incredible flavours, aromas, and colours of our homeland.
Get ready to dive fork-first into its locally, sustainably, and ethically sourced native nomms, delivering familiar favourites with a unique Aussie swagger. Think pure, uniquely Australian herbs and spices with incredible flavours you won’t find anywhere else.
Born from a passion for delicious food, innovative flavour combos, and the joy of bringing people together, mark our words; this is your new café bestie. With a bright, welcoming atmosphere and indoor and alfresco dining options for up to 100 hungry peeps, Native Harvest is perfect for soaking up the marina views and enjoying some people-watching with your pals….and your pups (yes, it’s doggo-friendly!). And don’t forget to stop and smell the native plants out front – they’re not just for show, they’re for tasting too!
As the Marine Village is a melting pot of eclectic dining and shopping delights, Sanctuary Cove was a no-brainer choice of digs for seriously savvy (and spectacularly down-to-earth) founders, Brendan and Amanda Trapnell.
But here’s a fun fact; before Native Harvest bloomed into its café/bar era, it started as a successful corporate gifting and Native Australian herb and spice business, spearheaded by Amanda and sister-in-law Rachael. These lovely ladies tirelessly nurtured their biz baby from its infancy to passion-project-come-powerhouse status, during the lockdown days of 2019.
Fast forward to the end of 2023, Amanda and hubby Brendan started cooking up plans to bring Native Harvest to a wider audience in café form #genius. With an all-star team, prime location, and a mouthwatering menu, they’ve certainly hit the ground running. And fast.
Behind every great meal is an equally great team and these guys have struck staff gold. Let’s start with Head Chef Dony, who was tasked with a) cooking incredible food, and b) incorporating an entirely different cuisine (with very different flavours and preparation styles) – in just three weeks. Drawing on his 20 years’ experience as a chef in Oz and the UK and his god given gift to cook, Dony did good. Real good.
In his words, “I like experimenting with different dishes and for everyone to enjoy their meals, and Native Harvest is different. Something truly exciting to bring to the Gold Coast.” Editor’s note: he’s being endearingly coy. The man is a gastronomic genius.
A special shoutout must also go to front-of-house fabulist and bonza barista, Nicky, and the rest of the stellar crew who all bring something truly special to the proverbial and actual table.
As for the best dishes, good luck trying to pick one but we’re going with the Spicy Turkish Eggs with an Australian twist for breaky; poached Turkish eggs on sourdough with feta, fresh tomato, baby spinach, spiced Greek yoghurt and Turkish toast drizzled with bush tomato chilli oil and wild basil.
Brunch buffs, have a go of the Zesty Chicken Caprese Salad with buttermilk marinated chicken tenders, fresh tomato wedges, house-made pickled red onions, bush tomato relish, grilled haloumi, and fresh greens. Or, if you’re in a lunch state of mind, tuck into a native glazed Wild Beef Burger, with an Aussie beef patty, pepperberry and native thyme, caramelised onion, and bush tomato relish on a lightly toasted milk bun.
Okay we’ve neglected something v important thus far and how remiss of us; the cocktails. To wet your whistle, Native Harvest’s Native Berry Gin Fizz is the rizz, with locally distilled lilly pilly gin, fresh lime and club soda. We’ll take two (times two) thanks.
From the vibrant atmosphere to the friendly faces behind the counter, every aspect of Native Harvest exudes warmth and hospitality. Delight in the fabulous food, stay for the vibes, and leave with an insatiable hunger (and thirst) to come back again…and again.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: 6am – 2pm, Monday to Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Mathilde Bouby
If a bakehouse café is your jam (doughnut), then go to Doughed, go directly to Doughed. Do not collect $200….and if you’ve never played Monopoly, you’re hearing crickets right now. This Hope Island newcomer is literal heaven, serving up cracking good coffee (and mind-blowingly good matchas), taste-bud-titillating toasted focaccia sangas, and the holy grail of sweetness, doughnuts.
And if you’re thinking ‘oh but my waistline…’, stress not because the centre is 100% fat free #EatMoreHoleFoods. They also specialise in choice chunky NYC style cookies, fresh outta the oven and straight into your belly.
This gastronomic Graceland is the brainchild of prior café owners and smart cookies Alannah Bell, Kyle Davidson, Yuki Soga, Jay Jeon, who wanted to revolutionize the GC dining experience with a one-stop-shop satisfying every craving. Recognising the immense potential of Hope Island and its promising trajectory for growth, they landed on northern Gold Coast fave, Hope Island Marketplace to set up shop. On behalf of all northerns, we salute you.
Opening to a frenzy of food lovers in mid March, locals were instantly wooed by the vibrancy and vitality Doughed brought to their ‘hood. Providing both indoor and outdoor seating options, it’s more than just a place to grab a bite; it’s the perfect spot for friends and fam to come together and share their passion for doughlicious food.
Inside, they’ve crafted a clean, minimalist vibe with just the right splash of color courtesy of their bright blue logo and eye-catching packaging. It’s a space that’s both calming and invigorating, setting the perfect backdrop for your Doughed experience.
Everything on the menu will evoke your inner foodie, but let’s take a moment to shout out their signature dishes. The Early Riser Focaccia Sandwich is available all day and rises to any occasion. The slice of life we all need features maple bacon, a fried egg, hash brown, American cheddar, tomato relish, and everyone’s fave; aioli. If you’re keen to grab another, their other focaccias are just as smashing including Chicken Schnitzel, The Doughed Reuben, The Benny, Mortadella Medley, and The Vego.
Back to the sweet stuff, their signature dish Chunky NYC Cookies race out the door faster than Jono hooking up with Ellie post MAFS, including Hot Cocoa, Ferrero, Biscoff, Salted Caramel Pretzel, Red Velvet to name a few. For the doughnut devotees, have a go of Vanilla Glazed, Crème Brulee, Tirimisu, Apple Crumble, Gaytime, Strawberries and Cream and more. Apologies in advance to your dentist.
A visit to Doughed isn’t complete without a beverage and our vote goes to their signature Iced Strawberry Matcha. Using the highest possible qualiTEA, we dare you find a better drop.
Coffee lovers are in for a treat too with their already-famous coffee brews, or if you’d like to cool off with something fruity, grab an Allie’s Cold Pressed Juice, available in flavours like Watermelon, Daily Greens, Sublime Pine, or Valencia Orange. They also serve frappes, standard teas, and sparkling iced tea.
So, dough’nt delay! Pop in and say hi (and nom) to this new kid on the block, where focaccia fantasies, doughnut dreams, matcha memories, and cookie castles-in-the-sky are made.
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island
When: 7am- until sold out (due to high demand), Monday to Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Mathilde Bouby
The Northern Gold Coast officially has a brand-new chic Lagoon Beach Club now open at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove.
This $2.5 million masterpiece is the first of its kind on the GC, set to elevate its already iconic surrounds to unparalleled heights of coastal indulgence and style.
The epitome of chillaxation, get ready to bask in the breathtaking view of the resort’s stunning one-acre Lagoon Beach Pool where laid-back leisure, contemporary design, and summer fun collide. After four months of extensive renovations, you can safely cancel your Euro summer vacay, because the Euro vacay (with a quintessential GC glow up) has come to us!
Best of all, it’s not just for InterContinental guests or Sanctuary Cove residents, it’s for everyone to enjoy – and enjoy we will! Perfect for a balmy GC arvo with friends or a taste of the good life with the fam in tow, it has people talking for all the right reasons from laid-back locals to vibrance-seeking visitors.
So just what can we expect from this game-changing summery stunner? An expansive deck for events and dining – check. Direct access from the marina to the resort – double check. Three cabanas and double day beds for ultimate relaxation? Yes, they’ve got that covered too.
Watch the day unfold from under the comfort of a pool deck umbrella or the shade of a nearby palm tree, and it would be remiss of us not to mention the fresh new menu offering seafood galore, share plates, gourmet pizzas, and casual poolside fare. Wash your meal down with an extensive drinks selection showcasing a tropical holiday in a glass, including expertly crafted cocktails, wines, beers, spirits, mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks (because someone has to drive).
We suggest a Bucket of Whole Mooloolaba Prawns accompanied by a zesty seafood sauce and fresh lemon #ShrimplyDelicious. Not a seafood fan? No worries, how about a sharing platter and we can’t go past the Fromage Extravaganza with Kingfisher double cream brie, Maffra matured cheddar and King Island blue, paired with homemade lavosh, muscatels, chutney, dried fruits, and crackers.
If you’re after a small bite, tuck into Smokey Pulled Pork Soft Shell Tacos, three tantalizing tacos with slaw, guacamole, and sriracha mayo. There are also refreshing salads, larger meals, sides, a kid’s menu, and as per our teaser, five gastronomically gratifying pizzas. Try them all but in our humble opinion, you ‘knead’ to order the Spicy Chorizo and Wood-fired Capsicum with black olives, ricotta and spinach.
Our beverage vote goes to the Chilli Sunset house cocktail, with White Oat mango chilli gin (#supportlocal), Aperol, pineapple juice, and passionfruit pulp. Feel like sharing and if so, who can go past a Pimms Jug (not us), with Pimm’s, strawberries, mint, lime, lemon, orange, and ginger ale.
How about a healthy helping of live tunes and yes, InterContinental has that covered. Live music, DJ sessions, and even some Malfy Gin magic are all part of the plan to woo us, and mission accomplished – we are officially wooed.
And here’s the kicker – if you’d like to enjoy the lagoon pool and fabulous facilities, you can purchase a Resort Pass for just $30 per person (limited availability so book ahead). Summer hangs sorted!
For more information or to book your Resort Pass, go here.
Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Hope Island
When: 10am – 5pm Sunday to Thursday. 10am – 9pm Friday & Saturday
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE RESORT
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.
