Shoot your shot at the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre.
Shoot your shot at the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre.
Has your girl gang maxed out on bottomless brunches and happy hours this holiday season? We feel you. If your crew is craving something new and just a little bit badass… the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre hits right on target.
Tucked away behind Taco Bell in Southport, this indoor shooting gallery is all about entertainment. Operating since 1996 (with a shiny new refit to match), there’s no firearms licence required, just bring the kind of confidence you’d expect from Charlie’s Angels.
What makes this place a total hit (pun fully intended) is how tailored the experience is. Want to channel your inner Lara Croft? Compete with your bestie for bragging rights? Or try something wildly outside your comfort zone? The expert Range Officers guide you through every step, making sure you feel confident, capable and most importantly, safe.
Safety here isn’t just a side note, it’s taken very seriously. Every session starts with comprehensive training, plus professional eye and hearing protection. Firearms are secured with specialised tethers so they can only be aimed downrange, and there’s a strict zero-alcohol policy. Think less Wild West, more well-oiled (and very well-supervised) machine.
Fashion-wise, this is an outing where casual is encouraged, so you can leave the heels at home! Enclosed shoes are a must, and full-coverage tops are recommended as those hot casings don’t care how cute your outfit is.
If you’re new to shooting and not sure where to start, the themed packages make it easy and far less intimidating. The Princess Diva, Kitty Kombo, and Barbie’s Havoc pair very different firearms for a perfectly balanced first-time experience.
A crowd favourite is the Glock pistol in the Princess Diva package. Yes, it’s metallic pink, and it’s exactly as iconic as it sounds. The package is often the first pick for beginners, offering a fun and approachable way to ease into shooting.
Another favourite is the Kitty Kombo package with the Hello Kitty Glock 19, a compact 9mm pistol that’s comfortable to hold and great for learning the basics with a bang. You’ll fire 20 rounds, giving you plenty of time to find your rhythm without feeling overwhelmed. The package also includes 30 rounds with the Hera Arms Carbine, a rifle-style firearm that looks serious but is surprisingly steady and easy to control. This is where friendly competition tends to heat up.
Craving more kick? Answer the call of Barbie’s Havoc, starting with the pink Ruger Charger, leveling up to the pink Stoeger 9mm pistol, and ending with the unstoppable pink 12-gauge shotgun.
Every step is explained by experienced Range Officers, so even if you’ve never touched a firearm before, you’ll know exactly what to do, where to aim, and how it should feel.
Open seven days a week and welcoming shooters aged 11 and up, this adrenaline-packed outing comes fully loaded. Bookings are recommended and can be made here.
Where: Behind Taco Bell, 1/76 Ferry Rd, Southport QLD 4215
When: Daily, 10am–6pm.
Instagram: @goldcoastindoorshootingcentre
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY GOLD COAST INDOOR SHOOTING CENTRE
Southport’s new Yellow & Butter serves up cheesecake in a car wash.
We’ve all heard (or sung) about working at the car wash, but how about brunching there?
Yellow & Butter is a new cafe tucked neatly inside Cloud 9 Car Wash in Southport that has just upgraded your car wash experience. That’s right, while your car is getting a deep clean, you can devour something delicious.
Owned and run by chef Hayley Namgung, Yellow & Butter makes you wonder why all car washes haven’t cottoned on to this idea already. Hayley was travelling around the world working in hospitality and cake shops in New Zealand and Korea before a family friend’s offer of a location here on the Gold Coast sparked something unexpected. The space happened to be attached to a car wash, and instead of seeing a limitation, Hayley saw an opportunity. Why not turn the car wash into a nosh hotspot?
The result is a grab-and-go cafe designed to make time fly. The yellow awning out front welcomes you in, while indoor and outdoor seating invites you to linger. There are of course takeaway options if you’re just here for a quick pit stop. You arrive thinking you’re ticking off a chore and leave feeling like you’ve treated yourself. Clean car, clean plate, no crumbs on the seats (hopefully).
Hayley said, “We wanted to add something warm and satisfying to an otherwise ordinary moment.”
The name Yellow & Butter is a nod to exactly that feeling. It captures the creamy, buttery textures at the heart of the menu. The menu is simple, with satisfying food designed to slot seamlessly into everyday life. Or, more specifically, into the time it takes to rinse, foam and polish a hatchback.
Let’s start with the cheesecake. Hayley Namgung whips up the most rich, creamy Basque cheesecakes, the kind with that perfectly burnished top and melt-in-the-middle magic. These are not dainty desserts. They’re bold and unapologetically indulgent.
Try the OG classic, a rich and dreamy Chocolate, a Thai Milk Tea infused version or a deep, earthy Matcha with a oozy soft centre. Oh and…they are all gluten free!
For something heartier, and more savoury, there’s the All-Day Butter Brioche , packed with fillings like hot honey grilled halloumi, tomato, egg, spinach, caramelised onion and chilli aioli.
Or delight in a Truffle Bulgogi, a toasted butter brioche bun layered with Korean bulgogi beef, grilled cheese, soft scrambled or fried egg, spinach, truffle aioli, with sriracha mayo optional.
There are also toasties, croissants and muffins to fuel those on the run.
Yellow & Butter are on trend with specialty drinks too. Matcha Coconut Cloud, Black Cloud and Milk Cloud made with white coffee and vanilla cream are all cute nods to the Cloud 9 Car Wash.
Who said errands need to be boring? If you’re anything like us, you’ll be soon making excuses to clean your car more often.
Where: 92 Ferry Road, Southport
When: Mon-Sat 8am-4:30pm, Sun 8am-3pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith
When the weather doesn't want to play nice.
The Gold Coast might be famous for its sunshine, but she sure knows how to put on a moody thunderstorm (and don’t get us started on the humidity hair drama). So, when the skies decide to open up, don’t stress, we’ve rounded up 14 fun things to do on the GC that are totally rain-proof.
Yep, Surfers Paradise is home to the big one, and it’s basically an indoor theme park disguised as an arcade. Think bumper cars on a 200sqm track, laser tag to get the adrenaline pumping, a prize shop stuffed with more lollies and collectibles than your childhood dreams could handle, and the brand-new Colour Grid – Queensland’s first glowing digital playground where you can jump, step and race your way through walls and floors that literally light up. Add an onsite café to keep the troops fuelled and Zone Bowling right next door, and you’ve got hours of rainy-day fun sorted.
If you’ve got teens who claim they’re “too cool” for arcade games, MANIAX Axe Throwing (also inside Paradise Centre) is the ultimate trump card – supervised, safe, and wildly satisfying. Rain? What rain?
The ultimate triple threat, Hijinx Hotel, Archie Brothers and Holey Moley in Surfers offer the perfect opportunity to while away a rainy day. With immersive game rooms, all your fave arcade games, bumper cars and mini golf, this epic entertainment precinct is a game-changer for fun-seekers.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise and 3197 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Level 1 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Infinity Attraction in Surfers Paradise is a crowd pleaser, a super fun activity to do with your friends! Infinity’s maze is both challenging and mind blowing. It’s an extraordinary series of 20 multi- sensory environments filled with unique special effects, emotive atmospheric sound fields, sensuous aromas, ultra-groovy music and spectacular illusions that appear to go all the way to infinity! Get 10% off entry with our coupon code INSIDEGC.
Where: Shop 31, Chevron Renaissance, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
When the weather’s wet, let the kids bounce, climb and play their hearts out indoors! The Gold Coast is packed with epic indoor play centres: The brand new Area 51 at Westfield Helensvale delivers 1,500sqm of all-ages fun.
BOUNCE in Burleigh Waters is a 3,000sqm trampoline paradise complete with adventure courses, Big Bags, and the adrenaline-pumping X-Park Challenge, and iPlay offers high ropes, Clip n’Climb courses, arcades, redemption stores and heaps of party space. Rainy days never looked so action-packed, or so exhausting!
Where: Area 51, 1-29 Millaroo Dr, Helensvale, Bounce, 5 Sunlight Drive, Burleigh Waters, iPlay Adventure, Westfield Coomera, 103 Foxwell Rd, Coomera and iPlay, Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Keen to channel your inner movie buff and catch the latest blockbuster? Maybe you’re more into the arty side of things with indie flicks and foreign films. Or perhaps you just need somewhere to plonk the kids so they’ll sit still (and quiet!) for a couple of hours these school holidays. Rainy day solved – the GC has you covered with many options, including Event Cinemas at Pacific Fair and Australia Fair and Reading Cinemas at Harbour Town. Popcorn mandatory, choc top highly recommended.
Where: Australia Fair Shopping Centre, Level 1/42 Marine Parade, Southport, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre,1571 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach and Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Gold Coast Hwy & Harbour Town Dr, Biggera Waters
Rain putting a dampener on your dinner plans? Not here. From Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm, Miami Marketta transforms into a buzzing undercover wonderland of street eats, live music and good vibes. Wander through the alley of food stalls serving up flavours from every corner of the globe, sip something delicious, shop the eclectic stalls, and soak up the atmosphere that made Marketta the GC’s original creative precinct. It’s the ultimate rainy-day date night (or mates’ night), and the best part? Entry is free.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
Feeling a little trigger-happy? Swap the beach for the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre, where you can try everything from pistols and rifles to shotguns and tactical weapons – no licence or experience needed (the hardest part is choosing what to shoot!). Check out our experience here. Discount offer available here.
Or head to The Shooting Centre Gold Coast, a custom-built facility just minutes from Surfers, with expert instructors, top-notch safety, and an arsenal ranging from beginner-friendly pistols to beastly .50 calibre hand cannons. Rainy days don’t stand a chance when you’ve got this much firepower. Discount offer available here.
Where: Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre, 1/76 Ferry Road, Southport and The Shooting Centre Gold Coast, Unit 5, 41 Ferry Road, Southport
Believe it or not, but Ripley’s is a great indoor attraction for you, your family and yes, even your friends. It’s a museum full of odd, unique and incredible artefacts, art, photographs and stories of the 200+ countries Mr Ripley has visited over the years. Discount offer available here.
Where: Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise
The Wax Museum is one of the longest-standing attractions on the Gold Coast. Head in for a guided tour and discover some of the more gruesome torture methods that were used in ancient times. Or prepare to be starstruck, get up close and personal with some of Hollywood’s biggest names and grab a photo with royalty. Discount offer available here.
Where: 56 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Rain = the perfect excuse to go shopping undercover. The Gold Coast is a haven for indoor shopping centres, so if you’re in Broadbeach hit up Pacific Fair Shopping Centre or The Oasis Shopping Centre, if you’re in Surfers Paradise, the Paradise Centre or Australia Fair Shopping Centre in Southport.
Round up your crew, stash the phones, and dive headfirst into some brain-bending fun! Surfers Paradise is stacked with escape room action: test your wits at Fox in a Box Escape Rooms, Eclipse Escape Rooms, or Padlock’d, where you’ve got just 60 minutes to follow the clues, crack the codes, and make your grand escape. Feeling extra adventurous? Other World HQ takes it up a notch with immersive, pulse-racing scenarios that’ll have you questioning reality (in a good way). Rainy day? More like game day – click here for discount vouchers and get ready to see who really is the mastermind of your squad.
Where: Various locations in Surfers Paradise
Car lovers, start your engines – Muscle Car Museum in Bundall is a full-throttle Aussie muscle car heaven, rain or shine. Get up close to jaw-dropping Monaros, Toranas, SL/R5000s, and even a spot-on replica of the legendary Mad Max Interceptor. It’s not just for grown-up gearheads – kids (and big kids) can demolish pinball machines, battle on the Scalextric track, or explore the mega retro arcade. Throw in free soft drinks from a vintage machine and you’ve got a perfect rainy-day pit stop for the whole family. Discount offer available here.
Where: 76 Bundall Rd, Bundall
Slideways Go Karting Centre, just 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise, is your ultimate rain-proof adrenaline fix. Their indoor track is specially designed to let karts drift and slide for max fun, no matter the weather – rain, hail or shine! Take the wheel of one of 20 state-of-the-art European Sodi karts, powered by 9hp four-stroke Honda engines, and see if you’ve got the skills to nail a perfect lap. Feeling competitive? Discount offer available here.
Where: 10 Spencer Road, Nerang
Dracula’s and Australian Outback Spectacular both offer nights of total entertainment! The Australian Outback Spectacular is dinner and a show with a true-blue twist – think incredible arena effects, Aussie animals, and whip-cracking action, all served up alongside a hearty three-course meal and drinks. It’s family-friendly, wow-worthy, and guaranteed to have you yee-hawing in your seat.
Leave the kids at home for this one – Dracula’s is strictly MA15+ and unapologetically outrageous. Think a wild mash-up of comedy, live music, burlesque and jaw-dropping aerials, all wrapped up in a cabaret where fantasy and reality collide. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you’ll probably blush… and you’ll definitely have a bloody good night out. Bonus: you can even sink your fangs into a discount offer right here.
Where: Dracula’s, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach and Australian Outback Spectacular, Pacific Motorway, Oxenford
Sometimes a little self-love is exactly what the doctor ordered, especially when the rain is tapping on the windows and all you want to do is stay snug inside. Treat yourself to a day of bliss at one of the Gold Coast’s top spas: think soothing massages, indulgent facials, hot saunas, and maybe even a dip in a heated pool while the storm does its thing outside. From luxe day spas to boutique wellness havens, there’s a perfect spot for every kind of pampering. Check out our hand-picked favourites here and make it a rainy-day retreat to remember.
Words by Belinda Symons
Good coffee, great food and city vibes.
Our sweet, sweet So-Po. There’s something we just love about Southport, maybe it’s the fact that they’ve got bulk bars and restaurants so hunger never has to enter our vocabulary again. Or maybe it’s how you can get a coffee hit and hit of golf done in half a day and then soak up those Broadwater views for the rest of it – shall we go on?
All we know is that there are so many goodies in this CBD gem we couldn’t list them all or you’d be here all day and we know you’re all about less reading and more doing! (same). Here’s our round-up of local approved must-do’s!
The retailers in Southport get that you’re busy – it is the CBD after all – so time is of the essence and efficiency is the word over here. Brickworks Ferry Rd has everything from the Standard Market Co to get those dinner essentials or to make the perfect charcuterie boards, to Cardamom Pod, bring those ‘gram-worthy acai bowls and a brunch menu that will have you coming back for more.
Upping the ante with a little bit of everything, Queen Street Village is just off the Smith St Motorway, so you can pop in for the essentials from gourmet grocer Jones & Co IGA. No time to meal prep? Grab some Asian eats at Wu Kong with peckish plates to keep you going, or a classic pub feed from The Queen’s Arms for your parmy fix. When all that eating has got you zonked, get your caffeine hit at Sens Coffee and pop into DENDY to catch the latest flicks and a moment of peace and quiet.
Now, did we hear you say retail therapy? Enter: Australia Fair. With the big names in fashion all in one spot, along with our biggest vice Kmart, on the store list, say goodbye to your savings, but hello to a fresh new look. Once you’ve shopped till you dropped, it’s time to start your Tour-de-Food at Australia Fair Metro, think pho, dumplings and desserts by the dozen.
No man is left behind at Made With Love who delivers on 100% vegan cakes, pies and pastries– because you know what they say, a doughnut a day keeps the doctor away…or something like that. And why should our vegans not be part of the action?!
Keeping the Euro-bakery vibes rolling is 5B2F Ciabatta, the Southport spin-off from the cult-fave Chirn Park bakehouse, slinging everything from flaky croissants and glossy danishes to ciabatta sandwiches stuffed with all the good things (hello truffle ham and cheese toastie). It’s a grab-and-go carb paradise where sourdough, dreamy pastries and show-stopping cakes are baked fresh daily – basically your daily bread, but make it boujee.
Coffee addicts, Southport’s got you covered with experiences like SupermarCat Cat Café, which – you guessed it – comes with a side of kitty cuddles with your caffeine fix, it’s so good we won’t judge if you start purring along with your furry friends.
For the more traditional café vibe, Humble Café might be humble by name, but they’re big on variety from classic cold drips to matcha espresso.
Joining the caffeine crew, but with a twist, is Yellow & Butter. Tucked neatly inside Cloud 9 Car Wash, they’ve officially upgraded your car washing experience with a side of brunch. Our advice is to start with the cheesecake!
Cheek Café serves up wholesome bites, knockout coffee and top-tier banter, all wrapped in a peachy-pink, personality-packed space. While Broadwater Café is a local fave for its stellar brews and arguably the most scenic sip spot in Southport. Coffee with a side of waterfront wow.
If you prefer your coffee topped with cold foam, or paired with a sweet treat on the side (hello, Dubai Mochi Cookie) Milestone should be at the top of your hit list.
You already know we’re partial to a cold beverage to round out the day, but if you’re after a side of live music with that, then Vinnies Dive is the only place to get your fix and an ice-cold brew all in one.
Just across the tram line, nothing says Southport more than a cocktail (or 5) on Mr PP’s rooftop, perched above Nerang Street so you can people watch till your heart’s content. Keeping the rooftop vibes going strong, Aviary Rooftop at Southport Sharks have an epic cocktail menu that talks a big game, and luckily for us, it doesn’t just live up to expectations – it’s even better.
Also at Southport Sharks, Kaktus Bar is your go-to for a vibrant cocktail. Yep, this place delivers a thirst-quenching margarita as you’ve never tasted. One of those (or a few), paired with live music and a lineup of tacos, and you have yourself a fiesta!
Carafe Wine is an eco-conscious space offering top-notch wine from all the most renowned vino regions and zero-waste practices, plus a unique menu of sharing boards.
Hello foodies, thought we forgot about you? We could never! Kicking us off is the Japanese eatery, KatsuCo which churns out iterations of its namesake dish – traditionally coated in crunchy panko crumb and slathered in curry sauce.
For those on-the-go looking for the ultimate grab-and-go, Shiro Gelato & Snack knows what’s up with a selection of Japanese market eats like housemade Onigiri to get you fueled up and ready to tackle the day and gelato to finish because there’s always room for a sweetie treatie.
River House brings waterfront dining to the table with relaxed Broadwater views and a modern menu that works just as well for long lunches as it does for sunset dinners.
A bit of a two-in-one is Fire Baby & Ember. Upstairs, Fire Baby serves up comfort by the slice; wood-fired pizzas crafted from premium ingredients. Downstairs, Ember is where you can get flame-licked steaks and charcoal-grilled seafood.
Since we’re on a food journey around the world, you’ll be happy to know that Southport is pretty much THE place to get your Korean BBQ fix – yep, we found and 6 smokin’ hot Korean BBQ spots on the GC and would you believe 5 of them call our humble CBD home. Yep, Southport officially has a license to grill.
So, you’ve got your coffee fix and tum full- now you’re looking to get at one with nature? Obviously, your next stop has to be Broadwater Parklands. It doesn’t matter if you’re just there for a hot girl walk or trying to find a way to keep your tribe occupied, the shared pathway makes it the ultimate for everyone, whether you’re in your running era or just keen to take in the Broadwater views while you bike and play.
Fancy a bit more adventure, we hear you say? We got you. Tee off for a full day of fun at Southport Golf Club so you can let your inner Tiger Woods run wild on the green. If land has got you feeling like a fish out of water, then pop on over to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre for a mermaid moment with things like group fitness classes – hello aqua aerobics – as well as Olympic-length swimming pools for the pros and splash pads for the little tackers.
If you’re keen to try something a little different, the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre and The Shooting Centre both deliver a high-adrenaline experience with a strong focus on safety and guidance, making them approachable for first-timers and seasoned shooters alike.
If switching off and resetting is more your vibe, Vikasati Bathhouse is Southport’s answer to full-body bliss, offering hot and cold pools, saunas and spa-style experiences designed to melt stress away without ever leaving the city.
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
