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SummerSalt Festival is set to be your summer soundtrack!

Sunday 20th February 2022 cannot come quick enough.

SummerSalt Festival at Coolangatta (image supplied)
SummerSalt Festival at Coolangatta (image supplied)

With summer only just around the corner, there’s a number of things coming your way you might have missed. Road trips, picnics on the beach, obligatory sunburn, and of course, large-scale music events. You know the kind we’re talking about, where our fabulous climate meets world-class music creating an occasion for ultimate enjoyment.

Well, folks, the news has only just been revealed that the SummerSalt music festival series will be returning for 2022, and our very own Coolangatta has made the lineup!

On Sunday 20th February 2022, music lovers are set for a stellar line-up of artists, featuring Missy Higgins, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, Birds of Tokyo, The Waifs and Tulliah, by the ocean breeze at Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta.

John Butler (image supplied)
John Butler (image supplied)

Since its beginning, SummerSalt has continued to deliver the finest Australian artists in some of the most attractive locations around the country. This beachside festival event is guaranteed to be a great day out; the perfect place to bask in the sun and ocean breeze while kicking back or dancing the day and evening away to some of Australia’s best live music.

What more could you ask for beyond homegrown talent, prime beachside location, family-friendly activities, cultural attractions, local market stalls, food trucks, and a selection of refreshing beverages — all hinged on local community and sustainability.

Impeccable conditions for a day in the sunshine!

Promoter John Zaccaria says, “…after powering through a tumultuous time for live concerts, we are so excited to bring this great outdoor festival event to the Gold Coast for the first time. We’re all keen to get back to enjoying fun days out with friends and some of Australia’s best live music. We have a top line-up of homegrown Aussie talent to bring to Coolangatta and can’t wait to see music fans out again making sensational summer memories with their mates.”

SummerSalt Festival Coolangatta (image supplied)
SummerSalt Festival Coolangatta (image supplied)

It looks like all that is left for you to do is grab yourself a ticket and count down the days from now until then!

We can confirm the setlist is FIIIIRE and is as follows:

  • 12.30pm Tulliah
  • 1.00pm The Waifs
  • 2.20pm Birds of Tokyo
  • 3.50pm Xavier Rudd
  • 5.35 pm John Butler
  • 7.20pm Missy Higgins

When: Sunday 20th February 2022
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Feel the LOVE at this Gold Coast reggae festival

Good Love Festival (image supplied)
Good Love Festival (image supplied)

If there is one thing we can all agree on, it has to be live music outside in the sun with friends — and a drink or two in hand — is one of the most refined pleasures you can involve yourself in. Outdoor music is very at home here on the Gold Coast. We have the weather, we have the amazing coastline, and we have ourselves abundant craft breweries and distilleries to help keep ourselves amply hydrated — every aspect is well and truly covered, folks.

Last year (before the world went a bit sideways), you may remember the Gold Coast’s larger than life reggae festival, One Love. Well, after taking the year off, they are coming back, bigger and better than ever. Now, there might be a new name and a new venue; still, reggae fans on the Gold Coast can rest easy knowing they’re in for the same level of enjoyment May 2022 when Australia’s premier reggae festival lands on the pristine shores of our golden home.

This time under the new signature of ‘Good Love Festival’ and a brand-new venue at Doug Jennings Park (The Spit), the biggest reggae event will once again deliver a day teeming with top-tier talent assembling from across the USA, New Zealand and Australia.

One Love Festival in 2020 (image supplied)
One Love Festival in 2020 (image supplied)

Multi-award-winning Hawaiian chart-toppers Rebel SoulJahz lead Good Love’s artist announcement alongside one of the most famous Pacific Island Reggae music artists for over a decade, Kolohe Kai. Australian-born/New Zealand artist Stan Walker also joins the lineup, alongside Los Angeles’s very own J BOOG, crowd favourites FIJI, Sons of Zion and kiwi trio House of Shem.

Serious fans of reggae looking for a full day packed with live music will be excited knowing that the lineup doesn’t end there. In fact, Good Love Festival is also bringing out a reputed smorgasbord of roots and reggae acts from around the globe, including Sammy J, Spawnbreezie, Siaosi, Swiss & Tree, Tomorrow People, Victor J Sefo, STNDR, Krisy Erin & Mike Mayz and DJ TIKELZ.

Having sold out the inaugural festival last year in just a few weeks, Good Love Festival will now move to a more extensive waterfront site at Doug Jennings Park. Located on the secluded beachfront location with sweeping views across the Broadwater — partygoers are offered the unique opportunity to take in some unequalled reggae as the sun sets slowly over our hinterland range.

One Love 2020 - Sean Paul (image supplied)
One Love 2020 - Sean Paul (image supplied)

With spectacular live music, great food and unbeatable vibes, Good Love Festival is poised to cement itself as one of Australia’s most beloved lifestyle and music events. We suggest you get your tickets as soon as possible: you do not want to miss out on this!

“The sunny Gold Coast is the perfect backdrop for the Good Love Festival, and we couldn’t be happier to be returning for our second year,” said MJR’s Head of Touring, Scott Mesiti. “We have been working hard at the new festival venue to overcome the Covid challenges and deliver the event without compromising the overall vibe we created at the last festival.”

Good Love Festival shares the love, bringing together Aussie reggae fans, Kiwi and Pasifika ex-pats, and all you lovers of unique communal festival experiences — because, let’s face it, the Gold Coast knows how to throw a party.

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

One Love 2020 - Markus Ravik (image supplied)
One Love 2020 - Markus Ravik (image supplied)

15 reasons locals love Coolangatta

Rooftop of The Pink Hotel, Coolangatta (Image: © 2017 The Undercurrent)
Rooftop of The Pink Hotel, Coolangatta (Image: © 2017 The Undercurrent)

Coolangatta is our southernmost suburb and an uncomplicated little town. Apart from when in summer (and outside lockdowns), you can travel between two time zones — by simply crossing the street!

Time travelling aside, Coolangatta has long been loved for its laidback, beachside vibes and of course, pumping surf when the elements align and the swell fills in. These days, there is a multitude of reasons to visit other than amazing beaches and world-class waves. These include outstanding food venues, lively bars and a few other businesses worthy of your attention. So here are some worthy reasons for a nip into Cooly town.

Have a beachside coffee at Vanilla Lily
Quite possibly Coolangatta’s prettiest cafe, Vanilla Lily is serving up solid coffees and fresh eats in a beautiful setting opposite Greenmount Beach. Chill with the local community who love this hangout and enjoy the delectable fare. Our pick is the Avocado Toast with sliced radish, dried chilli flakes, pomegranate and drizzled with raw honey and lemon on a slice of sourdough.
Where: Shop 2, 110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Avocado Toast, Vanilla Lily (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Avocado Toast, Vanilla Lily (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Drink a beer at the Coolangatta Hotel
The Cooly Hotel is an absolute must-do. This well-known bar is opposite the town’s main stretch of sand and is often the place folks find themselves towards the latter part of the day. The attractions are world-class live music and great vibes aplenty. Pull up a chair and make an afternoon of it with salt-licked breezes blowing and uninterrupted beach views.
Where: Corner Warner Street & Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Enjoy some good food at Choofas Smokehouse & Seafood
Conveniently located on the town’s main street, the guys at Choofas offer some exceptional fresh and cooked seafood alongside BBQ style smoked meats, ribs, buffalo wings, burgers, steak, chicken and salads able to fill all hungry-bellies. The BBQ smoked meats are rubbed with Choofas own dark dry rub, then cooked long and slow to ensure tenderness and flavour. Choofas Horn Bar is also stocked with over 60 top brand rums, otherwise enjoy a cold beer on tap while overlooking Coolangatta beach as the sun goes down.
Where: 150 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Grab a pie from the Coolangatta Pie Shop
This iconic Gold Coast pie shop has been around for over 50 years, so it’s no wonder they’re serving up some of the tastiest pies around. You can also get some outrightly delicious caramel slices while you’re at it. Perfect for a mid-morning fuel up or after a big afternoon session of surfing. Fun fact: they’re open 24 hours on weekends.
Where: 50 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Francie's Pizzeria (Image: © 2018 Inside Gold Coast)
Francie's Pizzeria (Image: © 2018 Inside Gold Coast)

Eat pizza at Francie’s Pizzeria
Francie’s is some of the best pizza you’ll ever sample, so without hesitation, it quickly became the local’s favourite pizza bar. As purely a walk-in and no reservations style venue, swing by ahead of the crowd for delicious and inventive toppings. Our pick is the Pears Brosnan: Gorgonzola, pear, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella. YUM.
Where: 2/102 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Take a stroll through The Strand
The Strand at Coolangatta is a great respite from all the action at the beach. Filled with all you retail needs (ALDI, Woolies etc), dining (the views from the upstairs restaurants are outstanding) and entertainment (hello Timezone and Cooly’s only cinema). Spend some time strolling around the boutique shops in the air-con; you’re sure to find something you love here.
Where: 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Scoop your way through all the flavours at Ottimo
Ottimo serves up great coffee and makes all of their moreish gelatos in-house, but why are their plethora of dazzling flavours so damn good? Likely because the owner and head gelato maker Davide is Italian and has studied for a diploma from the Gelato University of Carpigiani — we didn’t make this up, it’s true!
Where: 18/52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Ottimo Gelato (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)
Ottimo Gelato (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)

Release your inner child at Timezone
Have the heavens opened up? Or are you simply up for a bit of fun? Timezone Coolangatta features full-sized bowling lanes, over 200 video games, dodgem cars and laser skirmish. Not just one for the kids!
Where: Level 1, 72-80 Marine Parade, The Strand, Coolangatta

Start your day with brekky at South East Espresso
A Cooly favourite for a tasty breakfast and excellent poured Paradox coffee, find South East Espresso tucked a block back from the majestic Rainbow Beach. It’s the ideal spot to satisfy those early morning hankerings, and if you fancy visiting again (which you will after a surf), they’re open for lunch too.
Where: 5 Dutton Street, Coolangatta

Indulge in an Italian feast at Little Cooly
Little Cooly is serving up some mind-blowing handmade pasta alongside a 100-strong Italian wine list that reads like a love letter to Italy itself. If it’s date night, look no further — and if you’re desperate for great pasta, well they have you covered on all bases. In an ode to the local area, dishes have been named after Gold Coast icons and suburbs and shine a light on local produce, for instance The Snapper Rocks features Tweed River prawns, mango, cashews and avocado or The Greenmount features Bangalow bacon, spicy chorizo, a fried egg and mozzarella.
Where: Level 1, Shop 120/72-80 Marine Parade, The Strand, Coolangatta

Little Cooly signage (image supplied)
Little Cooly signage (image supplied)

Get your art on at Maverick Hair & Art Studio
Pop into this tucked away gallery for a fabulous hair spruce up or to enjoy some fresh local art including that of Cooly local Byron Coathup. You’re sure to find sweet, locally designed souvenirs to take home. Your favourite local brand, The Undercurrent is stocked here too. Grab a Cooly tee to remember your time.
Where: First Floor, 1/17 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Take in the view at Greenmount Beach Surf Club
With unsurpassed views in a northerly direction, you can take in everything overlooking the spectacular Greenmount Beach right up to the skyline of Surfers Paradise and, on some days, beyond. If the surf is good, you can also be entertained by surfers as they jostle with each other and generally tear waves apart — the level here is high. Our favourite is an icy schooner in hand and an amber sunset: perfection.
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Eat a burger at Eddie’s Grub House.
Rock ‘n roll meets fried chicken, burgers and whiskey: does it get any better than that? Get a mouthful of naughty but nice American classics in this soul food dive bar. They regularly have live music and karaoke nights and are one of the best spots to catch up with mates before a night on the town.
Where: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Eddie's Grub House (Image: © 2017 Inside Gold Coast)
Eddie's Grub House (Image: © 2017 Inside Gold Coast)

Shop local at Cooly’s Beachside Markets
On every second and fourth Sunday of the month, Queen Elizabeth Park comes alive with plenty of local traders selling anything from raw produce to clothing and accessories. The perfect place to take a stroll with a coffee in hand and the sun on your face — be prepared to spend some money.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta

Have a sunset cocktail at Moxy’s Rooftop Bar
This Griffith Street rooftop bar is always packed with sunset and weekend revellers sipping on cocktails living their best lives, and this should include you. Regular DJs and insta-worthy drinks mean this venue is a top place to see in the weekend or alternatively help you get over a hump day from hell. Either way, head upstairs and let the good times roll.
Where: 2/152-154 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Moxy's Rooftop Bar (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)
Moxy's Rooftop Bar (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)

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