LIVE LIKE A LOCAL PART THREE: GOLD COAST HIDDEN GEMS

Mariah Carey is everywhere, shops are busy, staff are stressed — it’s officially Holiday Season ! December on the Gold Coast is an exciting month; schoolies week two is still ongoing, Christmas parties, staff celebrations and festive markets officially begin. Spilt Milk festival hits the Gold Coast, and everyone gets ready for a month of saying 'yes' to letting their hair down. We are spoilt for choice with our regular markets on the Gold Coast, and in December they get even sweeter! Think additional pop up markets, twilight settings, festive themed eats and drinks. Here are all the December events and markets you'll want to add to your calendar: Majors Christmas Carols at HOTA When: 6–7 December, 4:00pm–9:00pm Where: HOTA - Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise What to expect: Fireworks, live performances, carol singing, children’s entertainment and one of the largest public Christmas display experiences on the Gold Coast. Carols on the Lawn When: 11 December, 5:00pm–8:00pm Where: Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast What to expect: Waterfront lawn seating, live Christmas music, carol singing and family entertainment in one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic resort precincts. Astra Lumina Christmas Village When: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout December, 6:15pm–8:15pm Where: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary What to expect: An immersive Christmas-themed light trail experience set within the rainforest, featuring food trucks, pop-up stalls and one of the most visually unique holiday installations in South East Queensland. Schoolies Week Two Dates: 29 November–6 December 2025 Where: Primarily Surfers Paradise event venues and entertainment precincts The Vibe: Week Two continues at a notably slower pace than the first week. Traditionally reserved for interstate graduates, this period sees smaller crowds while still offering the signature Schoolies atmosphere across official event partners,. Spilt Milk Festival When: 14 December Where: Gold Coast Sports Precinct Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Sara Landry, Dominic Fike, ScHoolboy Q Local performers: IXARAS, JJ4K, KESSIN and SADBOY GC Potters Arts and Crafts Market When: 7 December, 8:00am–1:00pm Where: Gold Coast Potters Association, Ashmore Road, Benowa What to expect: Brought to you by the Gold Coast Potters Association, this market is the perfect Christmas present hunting ground! Handmade ceramics, art, crafts, food trucks, and live music. Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets When: 12–13 December, from 4:00pm Where: The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise What to expect: Sunset shopping, local fashion labels, artisan gifts, market food and a special summer Christmas markets setting along the beachfront. HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets When: 20 December, 4:00pm–9:00pm Where: Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise What to expect: A limited-edition twilight Christmas market featuring handmade gifts, pop-up vendors, street food and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. GC Christmas Markets When: 19–21 December, 4:00pm–10:00pm Where: Macintosh Island Park What to expect: The largest Christmas markets event on the Gold Coast including children’s activities, handcrafted gifts, live entertainment and seasonal stage acts. Dreamworld Christmas Markets When: Fridays and Saturdays throughout December, 4:00pm–9:00pm Where: Coomera, Gold Coast What to expect: A full theme-park transformation featuring holiday stage shows, Santa meet-and-greets, Christmas shopping stalls, festive dining and evening entertainment. We wish everyone a safe, happy and fun filled December!

There is nothing worse than leaving a holiday feeling like you barely scratched the surface of your destination. While the tourist spots are popular for a reason, there is so much more to the Gold Coast than what you’ll find on Google or ChatGPT. Our aim is to provide our guests with insider tips on where to visit and what to do on the Gold Coast. We’re hoping that not only will it help you have the best trip possible, but also help support our local community and small businesses. Each fortnight we interview one of our team members — all of whom have different favourites and 'must-dos' to recommend. This week, I’m spilling my very own secret spots, and trust me…I have a lot of secrets to share. While I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, I’ve lived in Sydney, Manila and Indonesia. After all my adventuring, the Gold Coast is well and truly home, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve had the privilege to experience. Depending on what suburb you’re in, the Gold Coast can feel like a completely different city (or country!). We hope you make the most of your time here and get to experience it all. Here are my tried-and-true Gold Coast insider spots… My go to for Coffee and Brunch Tarte (Burleigh or Currumbin) Tip: Burleigh is closer to our Wow Stay properties, but Currumbin has beautiful views by the water. At Currumbin, there’s even a place to hire paddle-boards and venture around the river! Paddock Bakery (Burleigh Heads) Tip: Don’t be afraid of the huge line — it moves fast, and that’s how you know it’s worth it. You must get cookies to take home and put them in the oven to melt. Thank me later. Dinner or Drinks with Friends Etsu (Mermaid Beach) When you first get to Etsu, you’ll think Google Maps is taking you for a ride. Hidden behind the roller door is one of the best Japanese fusion restaurants on the Gold Coast. Food, service, cocktails — all consistently 10/10. Mexicali (Nobby’s Beach) Mexicali ticks all the boxes: great food, perfect share plates, and every possible margarita variety you could want. Located in Nobby’s Beach, it’s an easy choice for bar hopping afterwards. Favourite Place for a Knock-Off Drink For something close to the office, I can’t go past a good old-fashioned Irish pub. My favourites in Surfers Paradise are Waxy’s or Finn McCool’s . For something closer to home, I love Backbone Ba r in Tugun. They have 23+ different craft beers on tap, plus delicious dumplings, karaage chicken and bao buns. Best Date Spots Cooly Breeze (Coolangatta) for fine dining and amazing views, Balboa (Palm Beach) for Italian, or Miami Fish Market for something fancy you can take home. Tip: Miami Fish Market has drool worthy platters and ready to go sashimi packs. Take one down to the beach for the ultimate boujee picnic. Favourite Walk to Do Hedges Avenue in Mermaid Beach is the best street for house oogling. It’s a cruises walk and home to some of the most stunning (and expensive) properties on the Gold Coast. I love doing the walk while pretending I'm picking my future house, then stopping at Rafiki Café for brekky. For beach views, you can't go past the Burleigh Hill Walk. It feels magical walking through the rainforest, and it's worth the climb to the top for views all along the coast. Best-Kept Secret in your area Palominos Deli (Tugun) While it’s a bit out of the way from most of our Wow Stay properties, Palominos Deli is absolutely worth remembering. If you’re on your way to/from the airport, or venturing down south for the day. Tip: You must get there before 11am and order the OG brekky roll with jalapeños. It is so good I’ve officially named it my death-row meal. That's all for part two of our series - I hope I've helped you find a new favourite!

The bottle shops have tripled their supply of cowboy shot buckets…instant noodle sales are front and centre at Woolworths…it can only mean one thing: Schoolies Season is upon us. As an accommodation provider, November on the Gold Coast is one of our busiest (and craziest times) of the year! If you have planned your family holiday for November fear not - Schoolies is so well organised now you’ll hardly even know they are here. There are plenty of events, markets and family friendly spots to escape to, check out our top picks below: NOVEMBER EVENTS Nitro Circus: Off the Rails World Tour When: November 1, 2025 – 7:00 pm Where: People First Stadium The Vibe: A high-octane spectacle of FMX, BMX and scooter stunts, pyrotechnics and non-stop action. Expect adrenaline-filled thrills and big crowds. Surfing State of Origin When: November 15 & 16, 2025 Where: John Laws Park, Burleigh Heads The Vibe: A surf showdown between Queensland & New South Wales, where the top 8 teams battle it out. The local surf clubs will be packed, and it’s a great way to experience local culture. Rolling Sets Festival When: November 29, 2025 Where: Ebenezer Park, Tweed Heads The Vibe: Think coastal music festival meets surf/skate culture. Headliners include Hilltop Hoods, Spacey Jane and the Parcels, with plenty more acts to follow. Lee Kernaghan – Boys From The Bush The Concert When: November 29, 2025 Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach The Vibe: One of Australia’s leading country music acts, expect feel good tunes and plenty of sing alongs. Schoolies Week One & Two Week One: November 22 – 29, 2025 | Week Two: November 29 – December 6 2025 Where: Typically around Surfers Paradise / official Schoolies venues. The Vibe: Two weeks of pure chaos. Just kidding, while it can seem the streets are a little busier than usual it’s an extremely well run event - beach parties, theme nights, concerts and group events. Week One is usually busier as it’s for Queensland students, with numbers dropping off for Week Two / interstate guests. NOVEMBER MARKETS Love Me Again Markets When: November 15, 8am - 12pm Where: Miami Marketta: Hillcrest Parade, Miami The Vibe: One of the best pre-loved fashion markets on the Gold Coast! Grab a coffee, grab a bag, and scout a vintage bargain. The Village Markets When: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 8am - 1pm Where: Burleigh Heads State School, The Vibe: Ever wanted to shop in an influencer's closet? That’s what the Village Markets are for. A huge range of preloved clothes, plus food stands, local labels and gifts. Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets When: Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 4pm Where: The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise The Vibe: Beach vibes, local labels, gifts and market food galore. Come for the sunset, stay for the shopping. B roadbeach Art & Craft Markets When: October 5 & 19, 8am – 2pm Where: Pratten Park, Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach The Vibe: One of the most popular markets on the Gold Coast for families. These markets are full of handmade gifts, art, jewellery, local labels and of course - plenty of food! HOTA Farmers Markets When: Every Sunday, 6am – 11.30am Where: 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise The Vibe: Fresh produce, live music and a relaxed Sunday morning vibe. Perfect for picking up local goods and enjoying breakfast outdoors. Be sure to check back next month for your December go-to guide featuring all the best Holiday Season events!

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