Pacific Fair’s new popup, colour-filled candy museum.
Pacific Fair’s new popup, colour-filled candy museum.
Quite obviously, childhood is a very good time. Zero responsibilities, people to cook you dinner, wash your clothes and tuck you in at night. Games all day, naps in the afternoon, the Internet but not in an obsessive way, birthday parties with lolly bags. What. A. Time.
Now we know you thought all that was behind you but we’re here today to share some VERY exciting news and that news involves bulk lollies, games all day and more pretty Insta-snaps than you ever thought possible.
It’s Sugar Republic and it’s the playground of your childhood dreams, brought to life at Pacific Fair for one month only.
So how does it work, we hear your inner child squealing? Well (and get excited), the gist is this.
There are 12 sweet spaces filled with human sized good times for all of the playing. A gumball machine to kick balls around in, two giant ball pits to wade about in, a licorice playroom, a giant popcorn box for swinging and plenty of neon art and tactile things to snap selfies with. There’s also a light room, confetti showers, soft serve ice cream sampling and TAKE HOME LOLLY BAGS.
See, childhood dreams come true.
We were quite partial to the ball pits, because perfect Insta-snap opportunities, the giant cake you can climb inside and of course, the room filled with giant heart-shaped balloons.
Not to mention there downstairs section with both a pretty pink ball pit and a sugar-infused cocktail bar so you may morph back into an adult for a bit to sip a few candy-inspired tipples.
Fresh out of Melbourne, Sugar Republic celebrates the sweetest things in life in a (super) fun, interactive space spread out within Pacific Fair.
Of course, there’ll be sweet treats to sample at each space, 80s-style art to take you back to your younger years with and a guaranteed sensory overload of the very best kind.
There’s also a section specifically for kids craft activities on the first floor of Pacific Fair out the front of Myer, where the little ones get to make goodies out of lollies and the like.
Tickets are $37.75 for adults and $27.20 for children aged three to 12.
The installation runs from Sunday June 30th until Sunday July 28th and you should absolutely get in there ASAP.
Wake up that inner child Gold Coasters, they’re about to have a very sweet time.
LOCATION: Various, Pacific Fair
WHEN: June 30th until July 28th
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Are you the kind of person who skips right to the desserts page of a menu? Yep, well, you’re not alone. Taking tactical consideration of what sweet things can and will follow is a clever move by anyone’s standard. Luckily we are spoilt for choice with sweet treats and desserts on the Gold Coast.
Why not seek to fix that sweet craving you have? Here’s our list of the best places on the Gold Coast to grab a dessert, worthy of that extra time on the treadmill!
As if all self-control didn’t already tank at the mere sound of the word Tarte, our reigning pastry queen Chloe Watts is taking over the Gold Coast sweet scene with Tarte in Burleigh and Tarte Beach House in Currumbin #havemercy #we’reweak. Tarte’s trademark goodies taste even better when devoured on the banks of Currumbin’s picture-perfect creek, blowing the bar previously set by our OG dessert darling out of the water.
And just when we thought we had reached peak sweetness, Tarte takes us to new heights with the launch of Tarte Tea Garden in Currumbin, serving up bite-sized pastries, blooms and boujee brews in a high tea paradise. Pinkies at the ready!
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads and 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin
Inventive, indulgent, and darn tasty in every department: Bam Bam Bakehouse is the goods — period. The line of sweets and desserts are nothing short of mesmerising (even attracting the likes of Margot Robbie and Matt Preston).
With so many mouthwatering morsels on offer, attempting to choose only a couple of them is a challenging feat (as is not allowing ourselves to immediately to scarf down the lot).
Where: 2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
For all you night owls looking for sweet treats, swing into a towering swirl of creamy acai, the ultimate soft-serve dream. Each bowl is loaded with fresh strawberries, bananas, and crunchy granola. You can then drizzle on your favourite sauce or get adventurous with something new. Fan favourites? Biscoff, Bueno and Pistachio. Drool!
The acai is a dessert in itself, but there’s also deep-fried ice cream if you want to send that sweet tooth on a home run. We drool again**
Where: 2/32 Davenport St, Southport
Dessert lovers, assemble, Janus Deli is bringing you the sugar-laced playground you didn’t know you needed. These retro-inspired spots are slinging Golden Gaytime donuts, the iconic cookie-donut Dough-kie, and iced Biscoff lattes that are basically dessert in a cup.
Whether you’re vibing beachside at the Surfers Paradise deli or hitting up the OG Molendinar bakehouse, one thing’s guaranteed: your sweet tooth is in for a wild (and wildly delicious) ride.
Where: 12 Hanlan Street, Surfers Paradise & Shop 14, Crestwood Plaza, 458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar
5B2F Ciabatta is Southport’s newest slice of heaven, straight from the legends at Chirn Park’s 5B2F Bakehouse. After a decade of delighting Gold Coasters, owner Moonsun Yoo has dropped this second location to serve up mouth-watering ciabatta sandwiches, dreamy pastries, and cakes that steal the spotlight.
For those looking to celebrate, whole cakes are available daily, with flavours ranging from vanilla chiffon to baked cheesecakes piled high with fresh cream and glistening fruit. Time to plan a party!
Where: 29 Davenport St, Southport
Eastern Europe’s cult-favourite dessert has officially landed at Harbour Town, and yes — we’re completely obsessed! Swieetie is serving up freshly made soft-serve in a swirl of flavours, piled high with fruits, candies, and drizzles to match every sweet craving.
The showstopper? The Dubai Chimney Cake: crisp on the outside, fluffy within and stacked with toppings your sugar-loving heart will thank you for. Freshly baked, seriously indulgent and absolutely worth every bite of the sugar rush.
Where: Harbour Town, 147-189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
Husband and wife duo, Jen & Antonio Marchesi are the French maestros behind some mighty salivating goodies at this Robina bakery, and what these folks don’t know about sweet and crunchy European desserts frankly isn’t worth knowing!
Don’t delay. Head along for the shiniest looking caramel eclairs and the flakiest known pain au chocolats this side of the equator — Bon appétit!
Where: Shop 5/361 Robina Parkway, Robina
Is a breakfast dessert a thing? If it’s not, we’re officially calling it. And if you find yourself down by the ever-majestic Tallebudgera Creek dipping in its crystal clear waters, we suggest you hot foot it right away to Custard Canteen.
Get into some great coffee — and a bacon & egg burger to end all burgers — before rounding things off with one of their ooze-tastic cookies or the flakiest of Portugese tarts. YUM!
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
If you live in or around Tamborine, and haven’t yet wrapped your mitts (and tastebuds) around some Franquette… frankly, it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities (unless you’re gluten-free, obvi, in which case, commiserations).
Under the expert eye of master baker Jérôme Favier, Franquette (pronounced Fraen-ket) assuages hinterland hankerings with authentic French-style sweets, rolls and scrolls, and of course, the ever-crescent croissant.
Where: 1/159 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain
One of the Gold Coast’s game-changing cafes, the level of baked and sweet goods that these guys consistently punch out is utterly jaw-dropping.
If you haven’t treated yourself to several (hundred) coffee dates at one of the cutest mini-Queenslander’s gracing the GC… welcome, you must be new here?! To remedy this immediately, we suggest you get together some of your nearest and dearest and get in on some brunch action before you launch a full-scale attack on the cracker assortment of sweets.
Be sure to try the crowd-fave Biscoff Cheesecake Doughnut or their whopping 1kg Giant Cookie! (Remember, Mum says sharing is caring.)
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
We’ve been giddy over Basque since the gorg new specialty bakehouse-cum-sippery sauntered into Chirn Park in 2023, bearing mind-blowingly good cheesecake and French champagne. Umm, did we just become best friends?! Two of our very favourite modes of celebration under one chic roof – consider us, and our ‘coffee and cake catch up’ standards, spoiled forevermore.
Owners Laura and Zach Guertin devised the dreamy concept in answer to the age-old conundrum, ‘what should I bring?’ – and yeah, we can attest, one taste of Laura’s incredible creations and you’ll forget alll about the box of Favourites.
Luckily for the lot of us, we need not wait for a special occasion to partake in their signature Spanish Cheesecake and Champagne selection, with both available by the slice, and glass – any old time you please to cheese.
Where: 33b Musgrave Ave, Chirn Park
All hail the buttery king-of-pastries, the mighty croissant (controversial? We think not). Chevron’s sweet-snackery, Dipcro Pastry, delivers our sweet fix in the form of artisan baked goods like cinnamon buns, croissants, mille feuille and palmiers. This year, Dipcro went all out to bestow upon us a knockout second site in Main Beach. Talk about double dipping!
The venue’s namesake and signature item (a play on the words ‘Dip’ and ‘Croissant’– à la, ‘Dipcro’), invites us to take the blessed croissant to a whole new level – served with an array of signature toppings & fillings for your dunking pleasure. Oh if we must.
Where: 55 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island and 1/27 Tedder Ave, Main Beach
The very aptly named My Favourite Baker is one beloved among locals as a lifeline for incredible, last-minute cakes (that look and taste anything but).
The GC’s everyday cake heroes ‘crumb’ through with the (baked) goods – delivering same day turnaround on their delectable range of cakes and cupcakes almost every day of the year. Saving our bacon bakin’ from all kinds of sticky, special occasion situations, ‘logistical oversights’ and baking fails – with rave reviews, might we add. Phew! *backs slowly away from the packet mix*
Forgotten occasion? What forgotten occasion?
Only bulk brownie points to be found here (shhh.. it’ll be our little secret).
Where: 4/1 Inventory Ct, Arundel
This gastronomic Graceland has brought all things doughy and delicious to Hope Island Marketplace. Whether you’re vibing something sweet or savoury … or both … this is your one-stop-shop. From loaded croissants to crave-worthy doughnuts, every bite is, yep, you guessed it: dough-licious.
But let’s take a moment to shout out their NYC Biscoff Cookie. It’s so good that it often sells out (as do many of their noms) so get in early to enjoy this crowd-fave Biscoff banger!
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island
Need a little fuel to power through your day? This bakehouse is the pit stop your appetite has been waiting for. The beloved southside bakers set up a third location in the heart of Burleigh last year so north Gold Coasters could get a taste a little closer to home. The handcrafted pastries and fresh loaves are carb heaven, it’s no wonder they supply to cafes all across the coast.
Wash a nutella donut or two down with a perfectly brewed coffee and you’ll feel refuelled, re-energised and maybe start to call Fuel your regular.
Where: 1/23 James Street, Burleigh Heads, 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters and 39/45 Tweed Coast Rd, Bogangar
This froyo bar is a swirl of endless possibilities. Flipping the script on burgers and froyo, YOMG is serving up stacked, snackable goodness in both Broadbeach and Burleigh. Whether you’re in the mood for fun with friends or to treat yo’self, YOMG is the ultimate pit stop.
From cookies and cream to key lime pie, you can choose your own yoghurt adventure with toppings like fresh fruit, sticky spreads, chocolate and biscuits.
Where: Pacific Fair (opposite Sephora), Broadbeach and 15 Connor St, Burleigh Heads
Don’t let the name fool you — Burnt Croissants is serving up buttery, flaky perfection like no other. Starting as a roadside stall, from 2025, you’ll now find Lucy Davis and her legendary pastries exclusively at various markets around the Gold Coast. This self-taught pastry queen is renowned for croissants and baked goods so good they’re worth hunting down.
Keep an eye on their socials to find out where they’ll pop up next, and make sure to arrive early to snag a taste of the magic!
Where: Various markets including Wednesdays at Evergreen Markets, Robina
A deli-cious addition to Kingscliff, George’s is serving up New York-inspired flavours, infused with Filipino influences and a side of nostalgia. Run by a talented husband-and-wife duo, Johnny Ang and his wife Jerrika, the compact menu consists of hearty sandwiches, fresh salads and charcuterie boards that are almost too pretty to eat.
But trust us – there’s one thing you’ll want to devour immediately, and that’s the handmade donuts! The Ube Donut weaves the distinct flavour of the purple yam into a soft donut sandwich. We’re not saying we’d marry a donut, but…
Where: Shop 3, 106 Marine Pde, Kingscliff
Words by Kellie Leader and Lisette Drew
We all have love affairs in our lives. Some might be for a fleeting period, and others, well, last a lifetime. One such eternal romance we’re confident you can agree on is an undivided loyalty to all things sweet and chocolatey.
Well, my sweet tooth friends, today is your lucky day because Cowch Dessert Cocktail Bar has opened their brand spanking new shop in Broadbeach’s vibrant dining precinct: The Oracle Boulevard! And yes, you may be thinking, wasn’t there already one in Broadbeach? Well yes, the successful Brisbane chain were previously located at Pacific Fair, but have made the jump across the highway into the old Max Brenner shopfront and opposite long time local’s favourite, Social Eating House.
The spacious layout creates ample opportunity for anyone and everyone to come in and relax, whether it be for an afternoon delight or after dinner sweet treat, to kick back and enjoy something delectable. The fit-out includes some snazzy-looking neon signs and light instalments, which will make you look twice — as they are udders. Yes, cow udders. You’ll also notice a complete collection of light shades hanging from the ceiling, all in the shape of a cow’s milk-giving parts. We think it’s an udderly brilliant touch and is sure to spark up a few conversations.
For those unfamiliar with Cowch, let’s keep the explanation simple. They dish up the absolute goods when it comes to desserts and fantastical, sweet-orientated cocktails; known as the perfect place to drop in after a meal to finish things up — or anytime you fancy like an array of delicious desserts. Who said dessert can’t be dinner?
Catering for large groups, they look to continue the trend for your next birthday, hen’s, farewell, congratulations parties — not to forget baby showers either — are most welcome to book in and make some sweet memories.
Cowch Broadbeach‘s must-try sweet house desserts include the decadent Nutella Waffle Sandwich, the Crunchy S’mores Dessert Pizza, the Cookie Pancake Stack and the fan-favourite Naked Pops. If this little line-up has you salivating already, you’ll be thrilled to learn they also have a separate winter menu running concurrently. Warm favourites such as Apple Pie Pizza layered with caramelised white chocolate, cinnamon sugar base, topped with stewed apple, shortbread crumb, caramel sauce, and white chocolate drizzle will be a textbook choice for the cooler nights ahead.
With a completely stocked and functional bar, customers have an assortment of fun cocktails at their fingertips. The signature Cotton Candy cannot be missed, consisting of musk vodka, black raspberry liqueur, lemon and cranberry served with a pink sherbet rim, musk sticks and raspberry fairy floss.
Should you feel like something alcohol-free, there’s something for all types of sweet tooths, with an incredible range of mocktails and Super Shakes also on the menu.
Cowch Founder and Managing Director Arif Memis is excited to reopen on the Gold Coast, “We want to offer a fun and playful destination for people to let their hair down and create memories. Oracle Boulevard is a food lover’s paradise, and we’re thrilled to be joining the diverse range of culinary experiences on offer throughout the precinct”.
Cowch is offering a raft of special offers until Sunday 20th June 2021, including $9 mocktails, $15 cocktails and $15 dessert pizzas, while families and friends are invited to get in on the fun with face painting, balloons and chainsaw ice carving taking place on Saturday 19th June 2021. Because who doesn’t want to see some uber-cool chainsaw action?
Feeling like you deserve a sweet encounter of late? Well, you better get a moo-ve on down to the all-new Cowch Oracle Boulevard Broadbeach.
Where: 1 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
When: 7 days 10 am — 10 pm (Sat & Sun 12 am)
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
