It may be home to the Gold Coast’s bustling business district but Southport can also boast a huge array of incredible eateries, culture and general good times.

We’ve rounded up 15 things locals love about the place and we reckon you might enjoy them too.

In no particular order, enjoy.

Southport Sharks
There is many a good time to be had at Southport Sharks including dining at one of the delicious dish-packed restaurants, drinking at Aviary Rooftop Bar overlooking the city, joining in on one of their classes at the Health + Fitness Centre or getting involved in one of their many good time events. The possibilities are endless. It’s the perfect spot for a family event or take the crew for a Sunday afternoon session. Happy days no matter what.
Where: Olsen Avenue and Musgrave Avenue, Southport

Southport Yacht Club
Waterfront dining is the name of the game at Southport Yacht Club with two venues to choose from and stunning scenes from whichever you choose. You’re also welcome to just sit back and kick up your heels with a cold beverage or two while gazing lovingly at one of the many beautiful yachts in the marina. It’s one of the Coast’s best locations and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Where: 1 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach

Zero Latency
Zero Latency is a free-roam, virtual reality experience like no other. With up to eight players per game, you’ll have the BEST time fighting zombies, exploring mystical places and challenging your friends on space stations. All you need to do is put on the VR headset, strap into the backpack and pickup the controller. Get 10% off here. It really is so good.
Where: 34 Smith Street, Southport

Panezski Distillery
The Coast’s first vodka distillery opened in Southport a few short months ago and what a treat. The family-owned business are whipping up three types of vodka, two types of gin and even a couple of beers on the premises and you can pop in to grab a bottle to go, or you can sit down and enjoy a cocktail and a charcuterie board and spend a bit of time. Very cool. 
Where: Unit 7/55 Bailey Crescent, Southport

Vinnies Dive
Who doesn’t love a good dive bar. Particularly one that doubles as a live music venue and has a huge range of your favourite beers on offer (and some you may not have heard of). Head in there to discover some new music from both local and interstate bands and if you’re in the mood for a party, which we know you are, you can hire the space out for your next one.
Where: 44A Nerang Street, Southport 

Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar 
On the ground floor of the building you’ll find the deli section of the establishment, with an array of delicious meats and cheeses that will be brought together in platter form for your feasting pleasure. Upstairs, the rooftop bar boasts tasty cocktails, even more delicious eats and views across the city. It’s a real good time.
Where: 43 Nerang Street, Southport

Randy Wallhole
To put it bluntly, you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted a Randy Wallhole bagel. There are eight flavours to choose from which means you have multiple per day if you so choose. Go for the Pulled Bas first up, it’s got Smokey BBQ pulled beef, peri mayo and apple slaw. Wash it down with some of the best coffee on the Coast and be on your merry way.
Where: 4/21 Nind Street, Southport 

Boudoir Lounge
A newbie amongst the Southport bunch, Boudoir Lounge is the very best spot for a tasty brunch with the girls or simply a few cocktails after work. Found on Como Crescent, it quickly became the go to spot for those looking for some delicious eats, in a sweet setting and with unique sips of course. Inside there’s also a hair and beauty bar so you can get fabulous before you head out on the town. Perfect.
Where: 410/1 Como Crescent, Southport

Broadwater Parklands
Whether you’re four or 40, there’s tons of fun to be had at Broadwater Parklands. For starters, you can sit and stare out at the yachts you’ll never set foot on. Then, there’s the bouncy pillow (maybe don’t go on there without a child), a kiddies train, a water playground and weekly events from theatre shows to foodie markets. See, fun.
Where: Marine Parade, Southport

D Point Ten
Oh donuts, how we love you. D Point Ten can be found on Stevens Street and, in keeping with the general donut vibe, is a little hole in the wall space pumping out the freshest of donuts we may have ever excitedly shoved into our greedy mouths. In all the best flavours no less. Go the Ferrero Rocher for sure.
Where: 6/1 Stevens Street, Southport

Cardamon Pod
The delightful folk at Cardamon Pod are serving up delightful dishes with a focus on clean eating but of the prettiest variety. They offer vegan and gluten free options for breakfast and lunch with a side of organic coffee and vegan desserts. All very delicious and it’s very hard to stop at just one thing or not to post on your Instagram.
Where: Brickworks Centre, 3/3 Brolga Avenue, Southport

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
Southport’s centre of swimming is something for all of us to be proud of. It’s as pretty as a collection of swimming pools can be and, as it was home to all the Commonwealth Games water activities, it’s world class. The architecture is sleek and there’s a training room featuring pits filled with foam for the divers to practice in.
Where: Marine Parade, Southport 

Escape Hunt
Imagine being wrongly accused of murder, chained to a wall and having to rely on your friends’ detective skills to free you. Who you gonna call? Welcome to Escape Hunt, Southport’s brain bending game guaranteed to test your problem solving skills like they’ve never been tested before. There’s a few scenarios you might be faced with, all of which involve solving a mystery with a set of intricate clues. It’s the most fun you can have inside a locked room. Make sure to take your smart friends. Grab 10% off here.
Where: 2/162 Scarborough Street, Southport

Brickworks Centre
Where to start. There are SO many excellent places to peruse at the Brickworks starting with Ferry Rd Market where you can nab yourself everything from beautiful flowers to the freshest breads, seafood and fruit and veggies galore. God it’s good. Within the Centre, there’s also stunning homewares, fashion and design stores and health and beauty services. Oh, there’s also always some really cool events.
Where: Ferry Road, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith

If you’re planning on getting hitched in the future, the Gold Coast is certainly a good place to do so. With many a delightful location on offer, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to your big day.

From the beach to the hinterland, or the hinterland with views of the beach, the Coast is your oyster.

Here’s a few we think might tickle your fancy, probably get in quite early though because they seem to tickle everyone’s fancy.

The Bower Estate
The newest of the bunch, The Bower Estate is set upon 120 acres of stunning land in the Gold Coast hinterland. Surrounded by national parks, the full-service wedding venue offers onsite catering, event coordination and accommodation and as a family-owned business, you can expect the utmost care to go into your big day. It’s a mind-blowing venue and one that would be absolutely perfect for any style of wedding.
Where: 3165 Nerang Murwillumbah Road, Natural Bridge

*Mavis’s Kitchen
There aren’t enough words in the world to describe the magic of Mavis’s Kitchen. Technically it’s in Northern NSW but that’s never stopped us before. There are mountain views for days, from the hinterland to Mt Warning and food direct from the organic garden and the perfect spot to marry your love. It’s an intimate space but if stunning outdoor scenery is your thing, this one is a must-see.
Where: 64 Mount Warning Road, Uki

Heritage Wines
Another hinterland gem, Heritage Wines is, you guessed it a wedding venue at a winery and those are the perfect combination if you ask us. The rustic style venue boasts some absolutely magical views and there’s a separate little section for the actual getting married part. Guests can mingle on the greenest lawn in the world whilst enjoying wines from their cellar door. The food is a delight there too.
Where: Bartle Road, Tamborine Mountain 

*Summergrove Estate
Greenery abounds at Summergrove Estate, making it the perfect place for a spectacular wedding day no one will ever forget. Having won many awards in the past few years, it’s no wonder this place is much-loved by everyone who has ever laid eyes on it. Found in the hinterland, they boast a little weatherboard chapel, and the option of a reception either indoors or outside under the stars.
Where: 363 Carool Road, Carool

Ancora
Found riverside in Tweed Heads, Ancora is an absolutely stunning venue offering garden ceremonies and a perfect reception space with 180 degree water views plus a balcony boasting salty breezes and the perfect viewing platform for one of the those magical Gold Coast sunsets. We’ve been to many a ceremony here and each has been more beautiful than the last. Good vibes too. Make sure you check Ancora out.
Where: 118 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Cowbell Creek
With three ceremony areas, Cowbell Creek will have you spoilt for choice on your big day. There’s a retracting roof pergola, giant hilltop fig tree and an creekside verandah and each offers magical views of the surrounding property including 200 acres of rolling hills, creeks, lookouts and fields along with Clydesdales, friendly dairy cows, Alpacas and cheeky chooks. How good. It’s just 15 minutes from Robina Town Centre so practically on your doorstep.
Where: 390 Austinville Road, Austinville

Boomerang Farm
Getting hitched in a 100 year old barn seems like a good time. Even better when it’s surrounded by lush green lawns, big old trees and an actual rainforest chapel. You’ll no doubt spy a local wallaby or two and with the babbling Mudgeeraba Creek running through the property, what’s not to love. We highly recommend including lawn games on the agenda and a wheelbarrow full of beverages to set the mood. Plus, its just 10 minutes from Robina Town Centre.
Where: 55 Johns Road, Mudgeeraba 

Crystal Blue Yacht Cruises
If an intimate wedding on the water is more your style, why not gather the gang and go all out on a Crystal Blue yacht. It’s quite the romantic experience to be cruising along with the sun setting in the distance, a glass of champagne in hand having just wed your beloved (or so we hear). And imagine the incredible photos you’ll get! Definitely get on board with this idea for something quite unique but also very lovely.
Where: Marina Mirage, 74 Sea World Drive, Main Beach

Words by Kirra Smith

There is always a time to gift a bunch of flowers. Whether it’s to express love, joy, affection, appreciation, sympathy, romance or to say sorry, every bloom is the chance to put a smile on somebody’s dial. Getting your hands on amazingly vibrant and fresh flowers can seriously make anyone’s day — if not week!

In order to help you maintain that bestest friend ever status — or help you out of the dog house — we’ve compiled a list of places with the freshest flowers and the brightest bunches!

Moss & Stone
Located in two locations in Southport, there’s no denying these guys are big players when it comes to fresh flowers — their multiple awards also cement this fact! You might get distracted from your flower mission with the exciting selection of homewares, skincare, and gifts, but remain focussed — you got this!
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park and Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport.

Flowers Gold Coast
We’re crushing hard on the fresh, high quality, and on-trend blooms from Flowers Gold Coast. With an amazing array of stunning fresh blooms, dried flowers and hampers, all made by locals, for locals. With an impressive variety of stunning flower options available, Flowers Gold Coast (literally) deliver the goods every day of the week. They also offer same day delivery to Brisbane and Logan for orders placed by 11am.
Where: online

Studio O’Hara
One of the newest luxury florists on the block, Bureligh’s Studio O’Hara offers a personalised flower subscription service to ensure you’ll never miss a loved-ones’ special date again. With their curated selection of locally sourced gifts and stunning fresh and dried flower bouquets this florist is indeed a game changer.
Where: 7 Taree St, Burleigh Heads

Village Flower Emporium
With free delivery for Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island residents, if there’s somebody up north who you want to spoil, then these guys are very much an option. Besides delivery, the shop caters to all tastes with a wide range of bouquets and gift packs as well as plush teddy bears — now if that doesn’t make somebody’s day, we don’t know what will!
Where: The Marine Village, 31 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove

Tugun Fruit and Flowers
Taking a trip to Tugun is always a great idea and a fabulous way to slow things down and enjoy a more relaxed village-style vibe to the Gold Coast. Swing by Tugun Fruit and Flowers, and not only will you find amazing juices (yum), you’ll also discover adeptly put together flower arrangements and a collection of dried flowers which are sure to brighten any room.
Where: 4/467 Golden Four Drive, Tugun 

Wilde little Bloome
This boutique Gold Coast florist’s magical blooms saw them named as a finalist in the 2022 Wedding Industry Awards. Nakita, the creative mind behind Wilde Little Bloome is passionate about creating quality, unique and super special pieces. They create dreamy, organic and rustic inspired bouquets with both fresh and dried flowers.
Where: online

Bloom Jar
Now it may be a touch off-topic, but the selection of gifts that online Gold Coast florist Bloom Jar has at your disposal is nothing short of impressive. Jazz up any flower order with the addition of candles, chocolate, body oil, and wine! Their ‘everlasting collection’ are carefully curated dried flower arrangements and vary in style and size: perfect for any situation!
Where: online

Posy Lane
Posy Lane specialises in creating unique, fresh flower arrangements delivered straight to your doorstep at an affordable price. Unlike traditional florists, Posy Lane embraces a unique concept – each day, they craft a distinctive bunch of fresh seasonal flowers for delivery. While you can reach out for specific requests, styles, colors, or varieties, the true joy of Posy Lane lies in the delightful surprise they bring to each gift, turning it into a memorable and heartfelt experience.
Where: Online

Alba Roses
While their cute as a button Nobby Beach store is no more, thankfully we can still get our hands on Alba Roses’ beautiful flowers, plants and curated range of gifts online.
Where: Online

Eden the Flower Shop
The fantastic work of these guys can be found across various different cafes across the Coast from Helensvale to Surfers Paradise, such as all four Papercup cafes, northern favourite Bear Boy, Paddock and Rosé Gelateria. But fear not, you’ll also see their extensive range of blooms online for delivery right across the Gold Coast. Specialising in weddings and flower workshops, yep, that’s right. How do you fancy learning how to make your own pressed flower frame?!
Where: Multiple Gold Coast cafes or online

Bee’s Blossoms
Belle, the genius behind Bee’s whimisical floral creations, started her business by designing flowers for her disorganised sibling! Just 8 months in she won the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Best Florist Competition for 2021. Weddings and events are skillfully catered for with sustainability front of mind. Meaning all your flowery dreams and desires will be realised with minimal impact on the environment! We love this!
Where: Online from Mudgeeraba.

Maud and Ivy Flowers
With the tagline “Bold, Unmistakable and Courageous” you just know this florist is going to stand out in the crowd. Owner Monique Rameau has a devotion to detail and focuses on creating a personalised experience for every client.
Where: online

Words by Belinda Symons.