Discover the flavours of Sanctuary Cove with the Palate Passport.
Discover the flavours of Sanctuary Cove with the Palate Passport.
Pack your stretchy pants, Gold Coasters – because Sanctuary Cove is about to take your taste buds on a round-the-world trip without making you queue for customs. This little adventure is about collecting stamps the fun way: one bite, one sip, one glorious mouthful at a time.
Introducing the Palate Passport – your edible boarding pass to 12 different dining destinations across The Marine Village for just $99. That’s right, a golden ticket to feast your way from Greece to Mexico, Paris to Thailand, without leaving Hope Island. Bargain hunters, food lovers, professional snackers – your time has come.
Here’s the drill. Hand over $99 at the Marine Village, and you’ll be given a shiny passport filled with coupons. Each time you dine, you cash in a coupon, collect a stamp, and smugly know you’re saving over 50% while doing it. Oh, and if you stamp them all? Not only do you gain serious foodie bragging rights, you’ll go in the draw to win a two-night luxury stay at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. Getting rewarded for eating? If that isn’t living the dream, what is?
Now, let’s get to the important part – the eats. And don’t stress, you don’t have to smash through all 12 stops in one day (unless you fancy a personal episode of Man v Food). Your passport gives you plenty of time to pace yourself, snack smart and come back for seconds… and thirds.
Start the morning strong with Bistro 19’s legendary Belgian waffle. We’re talking golden, fluffy perfection that’ll have you side-eyeing your toaster back home like, “why can’t you do this?”
Then it’s off to Chim Thai for a bowl of stir-fried Hokkien noodles – glossy, flavour-packed, and basically a hug in noodle form.
Dragon Cove? Dumplings so good they should come with a warning label: may cause sudden obsession. At Destino, shake things up with a classic Margarita that’ll make you rethink your loyalty to wine time.
Sweet tooth? You’re in luck. Rise Bakery’s Berry Charlotte is as pretty as it is delicious (don’t forget the coffee pairing), while Rosé Gelateria will melt your willpower faster than their creamy scoops melt in the sun.
Still got room? Of course you do. Tara Far East Dining is dishing up golden Barramundi & Chips or crispy Chicken Karaage with teriyaki – both guaranteed to ruin you for regular takeaway forever. And at Pablito’s, prepare for king prawn tostadas with mango salsa so fresh they basically dance on your tongue. Or choose an indulgent Chocotorta that’ll leave you wondering why dessert menus aren’t mandatory at every meal.
But wait, there’s more. Red’s Kitchen & Bar has the option of Wagyu truffle spring rolls that sound fancy because they are, or moreish vegetarian arancini. Native Harvest Café keeps things wholesome with either Barramundi spring rolls or a soul-warming sweet potato and pumpkin soup.
At Cove Tavern, it’s decision time – do you keep it classic with a fresh, punchy bruschetta, or dive straight into guac-ville with creamy avocado, zesty tomato chilli salsa and crunchy corn chips?
Then George’s Paragon steps up with crumbed calamari in garlic butter – the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes after the first bite and whisper, “this is living.”
By the end, you’ll have globe-trotted with your taste buds and racked up more stamps than your nan’s postcard collection – all without leaving the Cove.
There is one tiny catch: Palate Passports are limited and valid until 31 October 2025. Translation? Don’t dawdle. Grab yours from the Marine Village Centre Management Office (weekdays) or Sales Office (weekends) before they’re all snapped up.
Twelve flavour-packed stops, one passport, and a potential luxury getaway up for grabs. Bon voyage, hungry travellers. Your tastebud adventure awaits. Get all the details here.
Where: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: Until 31 October 2025
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY SANCTUARY COVE
TARA Far East Dining & Bar brings flavour, flair and 360° feels to Sanctuary Cove.
If you’re craving a culinary adventure that’ll take your tastebuds on a round-the-clock trip through the Far East without needing to renew your passport, TARA Far East Dining & Bar at Sanctuary Cove is calling your name.
This luxe yet laidback venue flung open its effortlessly elegant doors in January 2025 and has been serving up a menu that doesn’t just flirt with flavour, it goes all the way. With every dish rooted in authentic Far East traditions, expect bold, beautiful plates, priceless panoramic views, and enough ambience to warrant a dedicated folder in your camera roll.
Perched a hop, skip and a jump from the harbour, TARA is where elegance meets easy-going. With a name that nods to the rivers that connect the countries of the Far East, TARA brings a flood of flavour with its authentic Asian fusion cuisine. And unlike some fine-dining haunts that are all white tablecloths and sniggers when you mispronounce “sommelier”, TARA has made it their mission to serve easy-access luxury, welcoming everyone to enjoy world-class food and drinks – sans the snooty side-eye.
Let’s start with the interiors because this place is seriously making waves. Designed by the genius folk at Open Projects, TARA channels coastal opulence with an oceanic twist. Blue hues ripple across the space, offset by pops of gold, luxe beachy textures and chic coral features; the ultimate tribute to the great blue without going full 80s fish tank.
By day, it’s a bright, breezy beauty with views to match. By night, the mood dims down to a golden glow, ideal for sipping and schmoozing. And speaking of sipping, prepare to have your spirits lifted (quite literally) at the arch-styled statement bar stacked with over 300 premium spirits.
Whether you opt for a cosy indoor corner or take in the fresh air alfresco-style, TARA has a seat with your name on it. The venue’s layout is as flexible as a yoga instructor, with everything from casual date-night nooks to a rotating private dining room (yes, it spins!) offering 360-degree views of the city skyline and sparkling coastline.
Behind all the glam is a trio of hospitality heavyweights: Snantachat Tansacha, Pop Direk (also the mastermind Head Chef), and Emma Davis. Together, these long-time friends bring decades of combined experience and a whole lot of flavour to the table. One grew up in a family of chefs and has been wowing Aussie diners for 20 years, while the others have a solid track record launching crowd-fave restaurants around the Gold Coast. It’s safe to say, they know their way around a kitchen and a cocktail menu.
Now let’s get down the business end – the food. To kick off, you can’t go past their Lobster Roll Bun Mee with Tasmanian lobster, lime, mayo, salmon caviar, carrot, and pickled cucumber served inside a brioche bun.
Moving on to mains, let’s unpack their sumptuous signature dish; The Phuket Toothfish Curry. With marinated miso toothfish, yellow curry, betel leaf, and crispy coconut, it’s rich, aromatic, and will have you googling flights to Thailand before dessert.
And speaking of, those fanging for a dessert will go loco for their Hot Taro Pineapple Sweet Corn Puff with vanilla ice cream and plum sauce.
Thirsty? You will be when you spy the cocktail menu inspired by cities across the Far East, inviting you to sip your way from Bangkok to Busan. For a smooth, sultry concoction that tastes like the city’s neon skyline in a glass, opt for the signature sip; Tokyo Moonlight with sake, vermouth, lychee and Chambord.
With world-class food, knockout views, and an atmosphere that oozes coastal chic, it’s love at first bite. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want an excuse to dress up and chow down, TARA is the ultimate destination for Far East feasting without leaving the Cove.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, 40B Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 9pm, Monday to Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen
Discover Aussie fusion cuisine at Native Harvest.
When you think of classic Aussie ingredients, the humble vegemite and smashed up Tim Tams may spring to mind. And if you were made in the 80s, chips without chicken salt were basically illegal. But fast-forward to 2024 and a new café and bar at Sanctuary Cove is flipping the script in the form of a GC-first; Australian fusion cuisine. Introducing Native Harvest, whose sensational menu is a love letter to ‘Straya’s native ingredients, showcasing the incredible flavours, aromas, and colours of our homeland.
Get ready to dive fork-first into its locally, sustainably, and ethically sourced native nomms, delivering familiar favourites with a unique Aussie swagger. Think pure, uniquely Australian herbs and spices with incredible flavours you won’t find anywhere else.
Born from a passion for delicious food, innovative flavour combos, and the joy of bringing people together, mark our words; this is your new café bestie. With a bright, welcoming atmosphere and indoor and alfresco dining options for up to 100 hungry peeps, Native Harvest is perfect for soaking up the marina views and enjoying some people-watching with your pals….and your pups (yes, it’s doggo-friendly!). And don’t forget to stop and smell the native plants out front – they’re not just for show, they’re for tasting too!
As the Marine Village is a melting pot of eclectic dining and shopping delights, Sanctuary Cove was a no-brainer choice of digs for seriously savvy (and spectacularly down-to-earth) founders, Brendan and Amanda Trapnell.
But here’s a fun fact; before Native Harvest bloomed into its café/bar era, it started as a successful corporate gifting and Native Australian herb and spice business, spearheaded by Amanda and sister-in-law Rachael. These lovely ladies tirelessly nurtured their biz baby from its infancy to passion-project-come-powerhouse status, during the lockdown days of 2019.
Fast forward to the end of 2023, Amanda and hubby Brendan started cooking up plans to bring Native Harvest to a wider audience in café form #genius. With an all-star team, prime location, and a mouthwatering menu, they’ve certainly hit the ground running. And fast.
Behind every great meal is an equally great team and these guys have struck staff gold. Let’s start with Head Chef Dony, who was tasked with a) cooking incredible food, and b) incorporating an entirely different cuisine (with very different flavours and preparation styles) – in just three weeks. Drawing on his 20 years’ experience as a chef in Oz and the UK and his god given gift to cook, Dony did good. Real good.
In his words, “I like experimenting with different dishes and for everyone to enjoy their meals, and Native Harvest is different. Something truly exciting to bring to the Gold Coast.” Editor’s note: he’s being endearingly coy. The man is a gastronomic genius.
A special shoutout must also go to front-of-house fabulist and bonza barista, Nicky, and the rest of the stellar crew who all bring something truly special to the proverbial and actual table.
As for the best dishes, good luck trying to pick one but we’re going with the Spicy Turkish Eggs with an Australian twist for breaky; poached Turkish eggs on sourdough with feta, fresh tomato, baby spinach, spiced Greek yoghurt and Turkish toast drizzled with bush tomato chilli oil and wild basil.
Brunch buffs, have a go of the Zesty Chicken Caprese Salad with buttermilk marinated chicken tenders, fresh tomato wedges, house-made pickled red onions, bush tomato relish, grilled haloumi, and fresh greens. Or, if you’re in a lunch state of mind, tuck into a native glazed Wild Beef Burger, with an Aussie beef patty, pepperberry and native thyme, caramelised onion, and bush tomato relish on a lightly toasted milk bun.
Okay we’ve neglected something v important thus far and how remiss of us; the cocktails. To wet your whistle, Native Harvest’s Native Berry Gin Fizz is the rizz, with locally distilled lilly pilly gin, fresh lime and club soda. We’ll take two (times two) thanks.
From the vibrant atmosphere to the friendly faces behind the counter, every aspect of Native Harvest exudes warmth and hospitality. Delight in the fabulous food, stay for the vibes, and leave with an insatiable hunger (and thirst) to come back again…and again.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: 6am – 2pm, Monday to Sunday
Website: Nativeharvest.com.au
Instagram: @nativeharvestaustralia
Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Mathilde Bouby
This suburb is much more than just an optimistic name.
Hope Island might be famous for its canal-front living and a name that screams positivity, but there’s more to this northern gem than just golf courses and good vibes. Nestled far enough from the hustle of the CBD to feel like a retreat, yet close enough to dip back into the action, it delivers a lifestyle that’s totally 4220.
And honestly, it makes sense – when a chunk of your neighbourhood is an actual resort, that vibe is bound to stick.
The locals here? Absolutely smitten with their slice of paradise and trust us, they’re not going anywhere. Here are twelve reasons why Hope Island folks are locked in for the long haul.
Sanctuary Cove
I mean, this place needs no introduction. Bursting with top-notch dining, drinking, a world-class marina, primo people-watching opportunities and don’t even get us started on the shopping, it’s no wonder this vibrant spot holds a special place in our hearts. With a lineup of eats and sips venues (keep reading for more deets) and boutiques like Soho Girl and Theo & Joe, there’s no shortage of places to do your dough.
Where: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove
If you’re after a quadruple threat, welcome. Between the Lagoon Beach Club, epic pool, beautiful accommodation and of course, the wood-fire wizardry that is The Fireplace restaurant, it’s the ultimate stay-cay destination. Plus, if you’re in the market to get hitched, there’s a reason this place has remained on bride and groom’s to-be ceremony and reception list for decades.
Where: Manor Circuit, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
Rise
The French know how to wow, and Rise Bakery is no exception. With divine pastries, fresh baguettes, heavenly macarons, and a champagne bar, it’s a slice of Parisian perfection. Add a peek-a-boo kitchen and luxe interiors and you’ve got trés chic indulgence. Pop in for croissants, sip bubbly, and embrace all the bready, sugary goodness – because calories don’t count when it’s French.
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
Pablitos
When it comes to tacos and tequila, Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequilaria in Sanctuary Cove is a spec-taco-lar must-try. With a fresh, plant-based-forward menu, fancy margaritas, and over 50 sipping tequilas, it’s a fiesta for your taste buds. The chic Mexican-Caribbean vibes, terracotta tables, and divine dishes make this spot muy auténtico. Vamos, amigos!
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
Hope Island Tavern
Say hello to the revamped Hope Island Tav, where sunshine, good vibes, and laid-back living collide in the best way possible. Smack dab in the heart of Hope Island, stretch out in the expansive beer garden and let the good times roll. The little ones will stay busy in the awesome playground while you devour drool-worthy wood-fired pizzas and fresh-as-can-be seafood.
Where: 93 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island
Doughed
Doughed is a bona fide foodie haven, serving epic coffee, matcha, NYC-style cookies, and drool-worthy doughnuts. Their all-day Early Riser Focaccia Sandwich and other sanga options hit every craving, while sweet tooths will go gaga for their array of sugary treats. Don’t miss the signature Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte – it’s qualiTEA perfection!
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island
Rosé Gelateria
This pastel paradise serves artisan gelato, pastries, and coffee fit for a foodie’s dream. Indulge in unique flavours like Fig and Mascarpone or Passionfruit Pavlova, sip affogatos, or snack on a macaron…or ten. Pair your treats with a shake or your fave coffee and take a stroll around the magnificent marina. Yes ploise.
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Ahoy, boat lovers! The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is back for its 38th year and ready to make waves from 22 – 25 May. The most glamorous, immersive, unmissable boating lifestyle event in the Southern Hemisphere, it showcases the latest-and-greatest boating tech and equipment, exclusive waterside VIP experiences and over 43,000+ visitors, 330+ exhibitors, and 760+ boats. It’s a shore thing.
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
Mecca Bah
If you love Mecca Bah Broady, get ready to fall for its chic sibling at Hope Island. Indulge in fresh, locally-sourced Middle Eastern and Mediterranean delights in a setting that’s as aesthetic as it is authentic. With live tunes on Thursdays from 5pm and dazzling belly dancers every Saturday evening from 7:30pm, prepare to be mezze-merised. Your taste buds will thank you!
Where: 18/10 Santa Barbara Road, Hope Island
Native Harvest
Native Harvest is the northern GC’s worst-kept secret, serving up a fresh take on Australian fusion cuisine and celebrating native ingredients. From Native Australian Chilli Scramble to a Fresh, Tangy Prawn Tartare, the menu is a winner winner bush dinner. Pro tip; pair your nosh with their Native Plum Spritz for peak indulgence. Doggo-friendly and oozing charm, “I’ll (definitely) allow it”.
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
Hope Island Links Golf Club & Sanctuary Cove Country Club
Hope Island’s heart beats to the swing of a golf club, with world-class courses stealing the spotlight. The Links, crafted by British Open champ Peter Thomson, has aced Australia’s top ten resort courses since 1993. Whether you’re teeing off or tying the knot, this iconic venue isn’t just for golfers – it’s the go-to for unforgettable functions and events.
Where: Springfield Drive and Gleneagles Drive, Hope Island
Destino
Craving a Mediterranean escape sans the airfare? Destino at Sanctuary Cove delivers delish tapas, refreshing cocktails, and top-shelf wine in a chic, sunlit setting. Kick back on the deck or spend your Friday and Saturday nights vibing to a live DJ from 7pm. With its Euro vibes, low tables, and outdoor seating, one drink will likely become three. Take it from us, Destino is your passport to indulgence – no packing required!
Where: Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island
