Easter is the perfect time of year to gather the family, spend some quality time together, and…eat… a lot. Especially chocolate because calories don’t count this time of year and yes, our noses just grew considerably. Well one luxurious five-star resort is providing all of the above under, all under the one (eggstravagantly decorated) roof – and we’re all ears! You guessed it, the team at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa have eggcelled once again with their Easter offerings, guaranteed to delight every bunny.

Easter Sunday Seafood Buffet
Start drooling because Citrique’s award-winning seafood buffet lunch will feature a decadent Easter twist! Enjoy a glass of Chandon sparkling on arrival, live entertainment, and the very finest local produce straight from the ocean and paddock to your plate. Treat the tastebuds to Lobster Thermidor, Baked Whole Salmon with dill cream sauce, Prime Rib Beef Carving with peppercorn sauce, Crispy Pork Shoulder with cinnamon apple compote, and Seafood Paella with saffron aioli and fresh herbs. Then, embrace the hoppy occasion with Chocolate Egg Smores, Speckled Egg Rocky Road, Caramel Egg Ice Cream, Hot Cross Buns and Easter Cake Pops. Available on Sunday 9^th April from 12pm until 3pm. $69 – $139 per person and reservations are essential. Purchase your tickets here.

Easter Egg Hunt
The famous JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa Easter Egg hunt is back! Open to in-house guests only, it’s the perfect excuse to book a little Easter vacay with the family! The Easter Bunny will be hard at work hiding eggs for your little ones, creating unforgettable memories, photo opportunities a-plenty….and priceless content for your socials! A crowd favourite at the resort, only one thing could rival the excitement of eating chocolate eggs and that’s finding them! The hunt is locked in for Sunday 9^th April from 11.30am until 12pm. Bookings are essential via [email protected] or by phoning 07 5592 9800.

Easter Egg Decorating
Another activity involving Easter eggs (there can never be too many), Easter egg decorating is also a crowd favourite at the resort. Extending the invitation to both guests and non-guests, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s culinary wizards will teach your mini-me’s the fine art of chocolate making and embellishing. Taking place in Tamborine Gallery, be amazed by their creativity and delight in their eggcitement as they craft their very own edible masterpieces! Sessions will be held on Monday 3^rd, Wednesday 5^th and Friday 7th of April from 3pm until 3.45pm. Tickets are $25 per child (in-house guests only).

Family Holiday Package
Nothing says Happy Easter like a family getaway! Escape the daily grind, reconnect with your loved ones, and enjoy a luxurious 2-night stay at the stunning resort. To make it extra special, breakfast for two adults and two children is included, as well as complimentary snorkel hire to explore the tropical fish in the breathtaking lagoon. Plus, you can also choose between a JW Garden herb planting experience, or a kids culinary class! This amazing package is available for stays between 3^rd February and 30^th June and can be booked here. Our tip; make sure you enter the promotional code HO9 when booking.

So hop to it folks and put all your eggs in one basket this Easter at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa.

Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Various activations as detailed above

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA.

Can you guess what our fave thing about Easter is? Besides the obvious (consuming our body weight in chocolate and the fact that we get a 4-day weekend), it’s also related to eating and this will surprise absolutely no-one.

Hot cross buns are an Easter tradition we wholeheartedly get behind….even if they expand our behind. These bad boys may have been around since the Christmas puddings left the shelves, but this doesn’t make them taste any less spesh over actual Easter.

If you’re like us, we prefer our HCBs freshly baked using top-notch ingredients and not mass produced #SozColes&Woolies. That’s why we’ve made a list of the Coast’s best places to get your bun on this year (listed north to south).

Franquette

Colour us egg-cited because Franquette, Tambo’s bakery King, is whipping up Traditional Hot Cross Bun like a boss. Available individually, in 6 packs or as a loaf until the end of Easter, the French do a HCB like no-one else – particularly Founder and Head Baker Jérôme Favier. Already a GC fave, be sure to pick up some other artisan carby goodies while you’re there. You’re welcome.
Where: 159 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain

Banjo’s Bakery

Banjo’s Bakery is back serving up Easter goodies, and while their cult-fave hot cross buns are returning, there’s a new twist in town. This year, they’ve flipped the script with a Hot Cross Donut – a playful hybrid that delivers all the familiar flavours in a soft, fluffy donut form. Filled with a custard-style spiced centre, finished with fondant icing and a chocolate cross, it’s a must-try for anyone looking to mix things up this Easter.

Of course, if you’re loyal to the classics, Banjo’s still has you covered with their range of freshly baked hot cross buns, including Traditional Fruit, Chocolate, Gourmet Fruit and the indulgent Double Choc Nutella. Available for a limited time, these treats are baked fresh daily at their Helensvale location.
Where: 104 Helensvale Road, Helensvale

Milkman’s Cookies

The Milkman is bringing the goods this Easter with a choc-loaded twist on the classic. Their limited-edition Choc Chip Hot Cross Bun Cookie is made using their signature dough, packed with milk chocolate chips, filled with a white choc centre and finished with a white chocolate cross on top. Yes please.

Available for a short two-week window, these indulgent cookies will be popping up online, via wholesale and at the HOTA Markets, but you’ll need to be quick. Last orders close Sunday April 5, and if history tells us anything, they won’t last long.
Where: HOTA Markets at Bundall every Sunday and online.

O Bagel

Hot cross buns, but make them bagels. This Easter, O Bagel is serving up a marbled mocha bagel, swirled with plain and coffee dough and finished with a traditional cross.

Best enjoyed dipped, it comes with a rich mocha cream cheese loaded with choc chips, cocoa granola and cookie crumble for that perfect sweet crunch. Grab the Rip O’ Dip for a solo treat or the Trio to share. Available for a limited time across Broadbeach, Oasis and Southport.
Where: Oasis Broadbeach, 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach, Shop 2/2791 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach and Shop C9 2A Nexus Way, Southport

Oasis & Co

If there’s one thing Oasis & Co. knows, it’s how to turn your daily caffeine fix into something worth smiling about – and this Easter they’re serving up a hot cross bun-inspired sip. Enter the Hot Cross Bun Latte. Think chai-spiced cold brew topped with a dreamy cinnamon caramel cold foam, delivering all those warm, spiced Easter flavours in liquid form.

It’s sweet, a little spicy and seriously sippable – perfect for those who prefer their hot cross buns in coffee form. Swing by their Broadbeach spot early (they open from 5am!) and get your festive fix with zero crumbs required.
Where: 15/21 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Bam Bam Bakehouse

Bunny, I’m home! Pre-orders are officially open for Bam Bam’s seriously stacked hot cross bun lineup, all made with their signature pillowy brioche dough. This year’s flavours include Traditional, Traditional with custard, Chocolate, and Chocolate with salted caramel – so whether you’re a purist or prefer a little extra indulgence, you’re covered.

But if you’re here for the main event, say hello to the Bombs. Bigger, bolder and completely fruit-free, these supersized buns are piped with extra filling and bring serious dessert energy. Choose from the Custard Easter Bomb or the Biscoff Easter Bomb, both guaranteed to level up your Easter carb game. Holy buns Batman!
Where: 2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Paddock Bakery

No bunny compares to Paddock Bakery, making their two fave ‘ole ye faithfuls, OG Fruit Hot Cross Buns and decadent Lindt Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, both wood-fired and made with semi-sourdough. But wait there’s more Easter goodness to be had, with the Dippy Eggs making a comeback! Available now, these crowd pleasers feature two Cadbury chocolate eggs filled with vanilla whipped cream and a salted caramel ‘yolk’, served with Paddock’s Cinnamon Doughnut Dippy Fries, fresh strawberry, mini marshmallows, malted chocolate soil and pretzel cookie crumb.  Lick dip dunk we say!
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

Tarte Bakery and Tarte Beach House 

Tarte’s iconic hot cross buns are back – soft, fluffy, pull-apart brioche-style dough packed with spice, raisins and apricots. Classic, comforting, and completely irresistible. Baked fresh daily until sold out, these beauties are a must for your Easter spread (and yes, pre-orders are highly encouraged if you want to secure the goods).

Meanwhile, over at their dreamy waterfront sister spot, Tarte Beach House, you’ll find an extra indulgent Easter-only dessert that’s here to steal the show. The sticky date hot cross bun. This indulgent Easter special sees their classic bun soaked in warm salted caramel sauce and served with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean gelato. It’s gooey, rich, and only available over the Easter holidays – sweet tooths, assemble.
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads and 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Tarte Tea Garden

If your ideal Easter involves more pinkies up than crumbs down, Tarte Tea Garden has just the thing. Their limited-edition Easter High Tea is here, and it’s every bit as indulgent as you’d expect.

Think hot cross bun scones served with dulce de leche and macadamia praline butter, alongside a lineup of next-level sweets like crème brûlée custard eggs and strawberry speckled egg nest crullers. Add in savoury favourites (hello, truffle cheese croissant) and you’ve got yourself a seriously elevated Easter spread.

Available for a short time only, this is one to book ASAP.
Where: 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Burleigh Baker

Yummy Sourdough Brioche Hot Cross Buns, come at us! En masse preferably. Available throughout the Easter season, they’re made daily using their signature sourdough brioche, free range eggs, grass fed butter, organic sultanas and raisins, spices, and their special secret ingredient. They’ll never tell – we’ve already tried…. Secret squirrel rabbit mode activated.
Where: 13/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Custard Canteen

The team at Custard Canteen on Talle Creek know their way around a hot cross bun, and this year they’re delivering both the classics and a seriously tempting twist. Alongside their traditional Hot Cross Buns, they’re also baking up Cinnamon Easter buns, think all the cosy spice of a hot cross bun meets the swirled, buttery goodness of a cinnamon scroll.

Freshly baked and highly sought-after, these Easter treats are worth planning ahead for. Get your pre-order sorted for the long weekend, because missing out is simply not an option.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Fuel Bakehouse

Okay, so these legends are mixing things up this year, swapping their classic buns for Hot Cross Bun Scrolls, and we’re very much here for it. Keeping the same much-loved flavours, you can get your hands on a Traditional Fruit scroll or a decadent choc-chip version, both delivering all the Easter spice and sweetness in swirled form.

Available from the week leading into Easter and right through the long weekend, the Fuel crew are baking these beauties across all locations. Honestly, choosing just one feels impossible… so don’t.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters and 23 James St, Burleigh Heads

The Bread Social

So it’s totally worth a drive to hook yourself up with some of our region’s most flavoursome HCBs. The Bread Social is a destination in itself, so naturally their Hot X Bun prowess is 100% on point. Lovingly prepared with saffron, cardamom, ginger and a dreamy spiced glaze, they are the bomb diggity. (Hot) Cross our buns hearts! Alternatively you could go for the rich chocolate version finished with an orange and vanilla glaze. 
Where: 12 Bay Street, Tweed Heads and 2 Queensbury Avenue, Currumbin Waters

Words by Bianca Trathen and Belinda Symons

Get egg-cited Gold Coasters! Easter is approaching fast! Faster than a hopping bunny on Easter morning! We love it because that means a long weekend and eating our years-worth in bunny-shaped chocolate and hot-cross buns before another 365 days of waiting.

However, long weekends + sugar-filled kids = activities are needed! Thankfully, Sanctuary Cove is pulling out all the stops for us! For one day only, the Marine Village will transform into an eggstraordinary Easter Wonderland, packed with family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and more Easter magic than you can shake a chocolate bunny at! Shall we get into more of the delicious details?

Mark your calendars for a ‘FREE family fun day’ at Sanctuary Cove on Sunday, the 20th of April! We assure you, this is an Easter event you won’t want to hop past! From 10am-2pm, the Marine Village will be bursting with activities for all ages to entertain little bunnies (and their grown-ups).

There will be pony rides, Easter-themed arts and crafts, cruises on the Kilkie Ferry and face painting (matching mummy-daughter bunny whiskers?). But wait, it gets MUCH better!

There’s nothing better on Easter than getting a visit from the big-eared legend himself, and this year, he’s bringing his real-bunny sidekick, Pickles. Looking for an extra egg-clusive experience? Book a VIP Package and enjoy a private meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny- no crowds, no queues, just you meeting the real live Easter Bunny (plus cuddles with Pickles).

The sweet VIP magic continues with a take-home Easter gift bag filled with goodies, a delicious chocolate Easter Bunny (because what’s Easter without chocolate?) and a drink, ice cream, or chips voucher from Cove Tavern! VIP sessions run at 9am and 9:30am, but spots are limited, so book fast before they’re all scooped up like the last egg in an Easter egg hunt!

Speaking of Easter egg hunts, drum roll, please…Introducing the Great Sanctuary Cove Easter Egg Hunt! However, instead of finding chocolate eggs (parents sigh relief**), participants will be hunting for codewords to enter a draw to WIN a Nintendo Switch! I think we can compromise a little chocolate for that prize! The hunt will run from 10am-1pm, and all entrants must be present at the draw at 1:55pm to claim their prize!

This all sounds like a cracking good time if you ask us! Whether you’re hunting for the ultimate Easter prize, enjoying a hoppy cruise, or indulging in some delicious Easter treats, there’s something for everyone at Sanctuary Cove’s Easter Eggstravaganza! Get all the details here.

Where: The Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: Sunday 31^st March

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY SANCTUARY COVE