Spin City is taking over Paradise Centre these school holidays.
Spin City is taking over Paradise Centre these school holidays.
If you’ve got the kind of kids that can’t keep still during the school holidays, Paradise Centre has the perfect place for them to channel all that energy.
From Monday 6th to Saturday 11th July, the Cavill Avenue hotspot is transforming into Spin City – a week-long celebration of breakdancing, hip hop culture and epic prizes that’ll get the whole family moving.
Leading the charge are the award-winning dancers and choreographers from Elements Collective, who’ll be hosting free daily breakdancing workshops right in the heart of the beachfront precinct. Think beats, spins, footwork and plenty of fun as kids (and brave parents) learn the foundations of breaking from some of the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s finest movers and shakers.
Whether you’ve got a future Olympic breaker on your hands or a little one who’s simply keen to bust a move, these all-ages sessions are designed for everyone. No experience is needed, just bring your best attitude and a willingness to give it a crack. This is a judgement-free zone where future champions and enthusiastic Rayguns alike are welcome to join in on the fun. Who knows? You might end up enjoying it more than your kids!
Workshops run daily at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm from Monday 6th to Saturday 11th July, and they’re completely free. Sessions are limited and walk-ins are welcome if there’s space, but bookings are encouraged and can be made here.
All that dancing is bound to work up an appetite, so while you’re there, give yourself a day off and feed the brood at Paradise Centre. With more than 30 dining spots to choose from, there’s something to satisfy everyone, from adventurous eaters to the fussiest in the family.
And now here’s the real power move: Paradise Centre is also rolling out its Spin & Win wheel throughout the week so you can win big these school holidays.
Spend $50 or more anywhere in the centre, and you’ll earn yourself a spin of the wheel! Receipts can be combined too so every coffee and cheeky treat counts towards your chance to spin for one of more than 300 prizes.
We’re talking vouchers and experiences from all your local favourites like the legends at Maniax Axe Throwing, Wahlburgers, El Camino Cantina, Enzo’s Cucina, and Wendy’s. With 50 prizes being given away every day, the odds are looking pretty sweet.
You’ll find the Spin & Win station outside Newsextra between 12pm and 3pm daily, conveniently located for a quick spin between shopping, lunch and dancefloor domination.
With free entertainment, beachfront views, plenty of food options and enough breakdancing action to keep the kids entertained for hours, Spin City is shaping up to be one of the coolest school holiday events on the Gold Coast.
Ready to break, spin and win? Paradise Centre is waiting.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: Various times, Monday 6th – Saturday 11 July 2026
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE
Parents of the GC, look no further for inspo-a-plenty.
School holidays. Two words that can send even the most organised parent into a spiral. But you can take a deep breath- we’ve done the hard work for you. From free breakdancing workshops to snow in Queensland (yes, really), this winter’s Gold Coast school holiday line-up is genuinely stacked. So pull up the calendar, rope in the grandparents if you need to, and get ready to make some memories. Here’s how you’re going to survive from the 27th of June to the 13th of July – not to be dramatic.
Snow in Queensland might sound unlikely, but Dreamworld is making it happen with Winterfest (27 June – 12 July) – an ice slide, snow zones, live entertainment and roving characters, all included with park entry. On selected nights (27th June, 3rd and 4th of July), the park transforms into a Christmas in July wonderland with festive lighting, fireworks and Santa appearances as a separate ticketed night event. If you’re going to do winter on the Gold Coast, this is how you do it.
Where: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
Cape up kiddos- DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains is back at Movie World from the 27th of June to the 19th of July, with a daily parade, live shows and the chance to meet iconic characters from across the DC Universe. It’s all included with standard Movie World entry, and dressing up as your favourite hero or villain is highly encouraged. Whether your kid is team Superman or firmly in their villain era, no judgement here.
Where: Entertainment Rd, Oxenford
Paradise Centre is taking over winter break with Spin City- a free, all-ages breakdancing extravaganza running from the 6th- 11th of July, with workshops hosted by Elements Collective daily at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm for everyone from total beginners to kids who know every TikTok move. Spend $50 or more in centre and you’ll also get a spin on the Spin & Win prize wheel, with 50 prizes given away every day from Maniax, Wahlburgers, El Camino Cantina and more. Book your workshop spot here.
Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
HOTA is bringing the culture these school holidays with free drop-in making activities at the Gallery from the 29th of June to the 3rd of July with a different creative activity each day. No bookings needed, just show up between 10am and 2pm. For something more theatrical, the ticketed Signor Baffo (3rd– 4th of July) is a chaotic, laugh-out-loud interactive show for kids 3+ from $27, and K-Pop Icons hits the stage on the 4th of July for a high-energy family concert from $45. Something for every kind of kid.
Where: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
KDV Sport is the ultimate drop-off school holiday destination- up to seven hours of supervised daily activities including tennis, soccer, rock climbing, mini golf, swimming, dodgeball, padel and arts and crafts, with fun coaches on hand the whole time. It’s basically a one-stop shop for burning energy and keeping boredom at bay.
Where: 221 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara
Little chefs, this one’s for you. Enzo’s Cucina Carrara is running free two-hour pizza masterclasses every Sunday in July (12th, 19th and 26th) from 11am to 1pm where kids can stretch the dough, choose their toppings and eat the results, while parents sit back with a coffee or glass of wine and enjoy the show. Places are strictly limited so book via Eventbrite before it sells out. Honestly, how is this free?! What a steal.
Where: Shop 22/1 Manchester Rd, Carrara
Forget the usual school holiday shuffle, Pacific Fair is bringing the glow up this winter with GLOW, a free interactive light and music experience featuring 40+ unique light shows and musical performances, running from the 27th of June to 15th of July in The Resort. From Thursday to Saturday, the first 200 customers each day who sign up to the Pacific Fair database also score a free Brooklyn Doughnut. Little ones can get in early for the Little Paccas x GLOW neon slime workshop on Friday 26 June- bookings essential.
Where: 32 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters
Got a pilates princess (or prince) on your hands? The City of Gold Coast’s Active and Healthy program is running teen pilates classes for 10–16 year olds at just $10 a session, on the 29th of June and 6th of July at 10:30am for 45 minutes. Book via the Pilates & Co app under Outdoor and Community Classes.
Where: 76 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Stitch Studio is popping up at The Pines Elanora from the 29th of June to the 11th of July (closed Sundays) from 10am to 1pm outside Aldi, Kids can pick three embroidered iron-on patches and arrange them on a jacket, tote, tee or complimentary pencil case, and the team heat-presses it into a finished piece they take home. It’s free, creative and genuinely something they’ll actually use. Bookings are essential so get in quick at thepineselanora.com.au.
Where: Cnr Guineas Creek Road and KP McGrath Drive, Elanora
For the teen ready to be this gens Bob or Bindi Irwin, Currumbin’s Insight into Zookeeping program (29th of June – 3rd of July) is a full day of hands-on zoo experience for 13–16 year olds with behind-the-scenes access, real animal interactions and a genuine taste of the industry for $95. Even if the holiday programs are sold out, a general visit to the sanctuary is always a classic GC win.
Where: 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
Naturally GC is a program of free, family-friendly events running across the school holidays celebrating the Gold Coast’s gorgeous nature – think native animal encounters, botanical painting, arts and crafts and more. Kick things off with the Naturally GC Festival on Saturday the 27th of June (9am–12pm) at the Broadbeach Cultural Centre, then check goldcoast.qld.gov.au for the full calendar of events happening across the region. Registration required for individual events.
Where: Various locations across the Gold Coast
For families who’d rather trade screen time for fresh air, Thunderbird Park up in the Gold Coast Hinterland behind Tamborine Mountain delivers. Think mini golf, laser skirmish, ziplines, treetop high ropes and a thunderegg fossicking mine where kids can dig up volcanic stones dating back 200 million years. There’s also a junior Treetop Challenge course for ages 3–7, and Dig It, which lets kids graduate from sandcastles to operating real excavators. A brilliant escape from the school holiday chaos.
Where: Corner Tamborine Mountain Rd &, Cedar Creek Falls Rd, Tamborine Mountain
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Valentina Restaurant + Bar serves Mediterranean feasts and ocean views.
The Gold Coast’s love affair with long lunches, ocean views and exceptional cocktails just got a little more serious.
Taking over the iconic beachfront space formerly occupied by Hyde Paradiso, Valentina Restaurant + Bar has opened, bringing a slice of Mediterranean sunshine to Surfers Paradise. And if that wasn’t enough to get your tastebuds tingling, the drinks menu has been crafted alongside the legends behind Maybe Sammy, one of the world’s most celebrated bars.
Yes please.
Perched on Level 2 of Peppers Soul, Valentina is the first Queensland venue from Table For, Accor’s dedicated food and beverage group, the team responsible for a string of acclaimed Sydney venues including Flaminia, Bar Allora and El Vista.
Inspired by the warmth, hospitality and effortless charm of coastal destinations like Barcelona, the Amalfi Coast and Andalusia, Valentina has been designed as the kind of place where one cocktail turns into three, lunch becomes dinner and nobody’s in any hurry to leave.
And honestly, with 180-degree ocean views stretching across the coastline, can you blame them?
The Mediterranean-inspired menu has been created under the guidance of Executive Chef Rosy Scatigna and brought to life by Head Chef Chantelle Richard-Preston and her all-female kitchen team. Expect vibrant, produce-driven dishes designed for sharing, grazing and lingering.
To start, there are Pacific oysters with vermouth mignonette, Byron Bay tuna crudo with mandarin and chilli, creamy taramasalata finished with dill and warm focaccia served with sesame and garlic butter. Then come the playful crowd-pleasers, including Valentina’s take on a filet-o-fish with tarragon tartar, chicken fritto with Calabrese dip and beef skewers with yoghurt aioli.
For something a little more substantial, you’ll find king prawn orzo with basil, linguine tossed through macadamia pesto and pecorino, free-range harissa chicken with smoked eggplant and market fish with puttanesca sauce. There’s also a 300-gram Angus scotch fillet for those who believe every good meal should involve steak.
Of course, no Mediterranean escape would be complete without a cocktail in hand.
The beverage offering leans heavily into aperitivo culture, with a dedicated spritz menu featuring everything from classic Venezianos and limoncello spritzes to rosé and strawberry spritzes and lychee-spiked creations. Signature cocktails bring a little extra personality, with highlights including an olive sour finished with extra virgin olive oil, a passionfruit and jalapeño margarita and a coconut and thyme highball.
For those choosing to skip the booze, there’s also a thoughtfully curated zero-alcohol selection using Lyre’s spirits.
Beyond the food and drinks, Valentina is shaping up as a destination rather than just a restaurant. Weekend bottomless long lunches are already on the agenda, alongside a regular music program featuring local DJs and Latin-inspired sounds designed to complement the venue’s coastal European energy.
The spacious venue offers both indoor dining and an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean, accommodating up to 130 seated guests and as many as 250 standing for private events and celebrations.
In short, it’s bringing together three of the Gold Coast’s favourite things: incredible food, world-class cocktails and spectacular views.
Which means our social calendars may have just found their newest obsession.
When: Wednesday – Sunday for Lunch: 12pm – 2:30pm, Aperitivo: 4pm – 6pm and Dinner: 5pm – 10pm
Where: Level 2, Peppers Soul, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Words by Belinda Symons
Big flavours, small bills.
Why blow the budget when you can feast like a king for the price of a jester? We’re talking wallet-friendly feeds that still slap harder than your mate’s group chat memes.
Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or just love a bargain (honestly, who doesn’t?), we’ve sniffed out the Gold Coast’s tastiest cheap eats for your weekend munchies. Ready, set, unbuckle that belt.
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
