Reach your fitness goals at the new Southport Sharks Health Club.
Reach your fitness goals at the new Southport Sharks Health Club.
It’s that time of year where the weather is getting warmer and the urge to look good and feel good for summer starts to kick in.
Everyone’s chasing that glow-up, including Southport Sharks. Their Health Club just got a major makeover and they’re ready to help you get yours too.
Once known as the Southport Sharks Health + Fitness Centre, this rebrand forms the foundation of the vision to become a purpose-driven hub where movement, recovery and lifestyle are all in sync.
The newly reimagined Southport Sharks Health Club isn’t just about chasing PBs, it’s about balancing weekly reps with wellness. From high-octane training sessions to hardcore reformer Pilates (see what we did there?), this is where you can flex your muscles and your mindfulness in one go.
Let’s start with the new Wellness Studio. Doubling its previous capacity, the space now boasts 16 reformer beds, wrapped in earthy tones and minimalist design that feels straight out of a luxury spa. It’s reformer Pilates, redefined, in a space where strength meets stillness.
Then, when you’re ready to unleash your inner shark, dive headfirst into the Main Studio, the pulsing heart of the club. This is where sweat sessions hit full throttle. Hosting over 100 classes a week, it’s built for high-energy, high-impact training that gets you hooked from the first squat. With music and lighting setting the vibes, it’s designed to keep your fins, sorry, feet, moving.
Scared of stepping foot into gym-like spaces? We hear you, and Sharks have got you. Personal trainers are available to create a plan that works for you, without all that gym bro energy.
You’ll find state-of-the-art cardio gear, a wide range of group classes from HIIT to spin, onsite physiotherapy via Human Performance Lab Physiotherapy and even a creche for those balancing bubs and burpees. Plus, with 24/7 access added, you can squeeze in a session anytime that suits you.
Entry-level memberships start from just $15.95 a week! That’s serious value for a facility that’s this stylish.
The Southport Sharks Health Club isn’t just giving its members a place to sweat, it’s giving them a place to thrive. A place to move with purpose, and to live in balance.
After smashing a sesh at Southport Sharks Health Club, you’ll want to refuel. Head to Frenzy’s for an all-you-can-eat buffet that’s the perfect reward for your hard-earned reps. Start your weekend strong with a buffet breakfast piled high with eggs, bacon, cronuts and cinnamon-dusted French toast or carb load on the dinner buffet with pizza, pasta, stir fries and curries served up seven nights a week. It’s everything your pre and post-workout dreams are made of. Okay, it might be a little indulgent, but it is all about balance, right?
So, if you’re ready to get hooked on health, the new-look Southport Sharks Health Club is here to help you find your new you.
Where: Southport Sharks, Cnr Olsen and Musgrave Ave, Southport
When: Open 24/7
Words by Lisette Drew
STORY SPONSORED BY SOUTHPORT SHARKS
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
Level-up your drinking game.
If Queensland weather doesn’t shout rooftop bars at you in a high-pitched squeal, we don’t know what will. Our climate, coupled with the amazing hospitality scene here in our city, means these open-air meccas of good times and delicious libations are the prime place to find yourself — any time of the year! It’s all about drinks in the sunshine and snapping selfies with picturesque backgrounds for Insta-bragging purposes.
So, in honour of bars in high places, here are 14 next-level rooftop bars (listed north to south) you should prioritise visiting this weekend, next weekend and the weekend after…
Aviary Rooftop Bar
Perched atop Mantra on Sharks, Aviary Rooftop Bar’s views are as stunning as their extensive drinks list. With 180 degree views over the Surfers Paradise skyline and the ocean, it’s the perfect place for an after work beverage or Sunday arvo session with the crew. Ohh and don’t even get us started on their authentic Italian pizzas, and tapas… if you know, you know.
Where: Mantra at Sharks, Melia Ct, Southport (next to Southport Sharks)
Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar
A game-changer in Southport’s food and beverage scene, Mr PP’s is a multi level pizzeria and rooftop bar boasting city views and plenty of good vibes in the century-old postal building. There is a generous menu full of pizzas, tapas and charcuterie boards, the ideal scenario. Plus cocktails and local tipples, of which there are many. Live music on Sundays too.
Where: 43 Nerang St, Southport
Last Night on Earth
Pretty sure that if it were, in fact, your last night on Earth, you would want to spend it at a sweet rooftop bar with bulk cocktails at the ready. Last Night on Earth is the work of local legend Arran Wollams and his crew. It’s a somewhat underworld themed rooftop bar in the heart of Southport offering good times aplenty. It’s a dive bar, but not as you know it. Check it out.
Where: 50b Nerang St, Southport
Cali Beach Club
Cali Beach Club is not just a rooftop bar, it’s Australia’s largest Beach Club! This Gold Coast classic is the ultimate beachside party destination that’s never known a dull moment. The 2L spritzer and cocktail jugs may have something to do with this… One minute, you’re lounging on your dedicated daybed by the pool. Next, you’re sipping a Cali Colada in the pool. What’s that? The DJ set has begun?! Off to the dancefloor with you!
Where: 21a Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Lulu Rooftop & Bar
Say hello to the lovely Lulu. Think Miami’s art deco scene meets laid-back tropical Gold Coast, with lush greenery, plush booth seating and marble-topped bars, it’s a vibe! Throw in the fact it’s on a rooftop and we’re sold. Okay, that’s a lie, our booths were booked when we got word of Throwback Thursdays, RnB Fridays and the regular Grils Brunches…
Where: Level 2/4 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
The Exhibitionist Bar
News flash: HOTA isn’t just for the arts and culture, people, it’s also for cocktails. Speciality cocktails- each inspired by and changed to reflect the art centre’s current major exhibitions. We feel more cultured already. Enjoy it all while absorbing the breathtaking views of the city skyline. The highly talented Tom Angel heads up the bar and cocktail list, which is a seriously good spot for a sundowner — and the ideal place to take out of towners!
Where: Level 5/135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
The Island Rooftop
It’s the largest open-air (and much adored) rooftop on the Gold Coast, perched on top of The Island in Surfers Paradise. This spot is kind of a unicorn, being part nightclub, part bar and part live music venue. It’s where killer beats meet delicious eats and craft cocktails. Every weekend you’ll find a line-up of DJs playing, a specially curated cocktail menu, and indulgent share-style eats. Think of it as your new weekend ritual.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Nineteen at The Star
The fanciest of the bunch is undoubtedly Nineteen at The Star, complete with velvet booth-style seating, an infinity pool and ocean views for days. Found atop The Star Gold Coast’s The Darling, Nineteen is the perfect place for people-watching, dressing up and sipping on fancy tipples while dancing the night away. Be sure to take a snap on the runway stretching out into the pool!
Where: The Darling, Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
JuJu
This rooftop bar has serious “it’s a vibe” energy. JuJu in Nobby Beach delivers upscale dining with a side of cheeky fun. Split across two levels, this venue is perfect for sunset cocktails and late-night revelry. Expect Euro-summer vibes, lush greenery, and after-hours parties that feel straight out of Mykonos. With a sleek rooftop bar featuring a retractable roof, tequila carts, and live DJ-saxophonist duos, JuJu is where you go when you’re ready to keep the night alive.
Where: 2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Sueno Rooftop
Sueno is one of (if not, the) hottest bars on the Gold Coast, and for excellent reason. Go from dinner at Norte to a chilled rooftop, and chat the night away under the moonlight with a marg in hand. The Nobby Beach venue is ideal for a weekend catch-up, a mid-week cheeky cocktail, or an epic bottomless brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Do yourself a favour, find yourself here sipping a cocktail whilst drinking in the gorgeous view.
Where: 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Justin Lane
A much-loved favourite among locals and visitors alike, Justin Lane is still one of the most popular rooftops on the Gold Coast and was actually the coast’s first official rooftop bar opening in 2011! Hard to imagine. The space is intimate, with booth-style seating overlooking Burleigh and plenty of cocktails to tickle your fancy. Once you’re done slinging back bevvys with the gang, head downstairs for some fair dinkum pizza (it’s so damn good).
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Pavilion
This one is straight-up iconic and the vibe is a match. It’s as close to the ocean as you can get with a cocktail before it becomes a safety hazard. You may be closer to Earth for this one, but the view here is arguably the best on the Gold Coast. Soak in the stunning sunshine while mulling over which epic cocktail to try first.
Where: 3a/43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads
The Collective
Everyone’s favourite multi-restaurant establishment, The Collective in Palm Beach, boasts a sweet rooftop bar with epic cocktails for your sipping pleasure. You can also order eats from one of the five menus on offer and watch the sunset while you’re at it. We recommend it.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Kirra Beach House
Making waves for all the right reasons – Kirra Beach House redefined the southern eats and sips game. The handiwork of local hospo gun, Dave Galvin, which speaks to the caliber in and of itself – with three seperate bars, insta-worthy interiors, cabana-studded wraparound terrace and panoramic ocean views from all angles! We’d be remiss not to also mention the Mediterranean-style grazing and crafted cocktails. Perfect 10’s all round.
Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Pde, Coolangatta
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Creepin' it real.
Falling on Friday 31st October, Halloween has become quite our (body) bag, and there’s plenty going on in the lead-up to the most fang-tastic night of the year. Whether you’re single and ready to mingle, a Romeo wanting to woo boo his Gouliet, or a ‘mummy’ looking to entertain the little spooks, the GC is where it’s at. And this would be the perfect opportunity to sign off with a skeleton joke, but LBR – you probs wouldn’t find it humerus.
If you’ve got it, haunt it at one of our picks for local Halloween celebrations. Boo-ya!
When Halloween hits, Aviary Rooftop Bar sheds its golden glow for something darker, stranger, and deliciously eerie. From Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November, the rooftop transforms with creepy theming, spooky cocktails, and roaming zombies ready to stir up trouble. Come dressed to impress (or distress) for the Best Dressed Contest on Friday and Saturday nights, with live DJs spinning Halloween beats all weekend long. No tickets, no tricks — just Halloween, the way the rooftop remembers it.
Where: Mantra at Sharks, 4 Melia Court, Southport
When: Friday 31st October from 4pm and Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd November from 2pm
You can always ‘Count’ on YOT Club to create a killer party vibe! YOT Club’s 2025 Halloween party promises a thrilling night of spook-tacular fun on the Gold Coast. Guests can expect a chilling cruise along the Broadwater, sipping on hauntingly good cocktails while dancing to tunes from resident DJs. With prizes for the best costumes, everyone is encouraged to don their creepiest attire. A spooky photo booth will capture all the eerie moments. Get fully decked out in costume and join this ghoulish adventure for a night full of frightful fun!
Where: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
When: Friday 31st October from 7pm – 10pm
Get ready for spine-tingling chills at Movie World’s Fright Nights! Experience terrifying mazes, blood-curdling precincts, thrilling rides, and escape rooms, all after dark from 6pm. Explore five horror mazes, four precincts, and get your adrenaline pumping on your favorite rides. This annual event promises plenty of scares and excitement for thrill-seekers brave enough to face the fear. Indulge in a sinful range of delicious themed treats. Fright Nights is the ultimate Halloween experience on the Gold Coast! Tickets start at $99.
Where: Pacific Mwy, Oxenford
When: Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Friday 31st October from 6pm – 10:30pm (rides until 10pm)
Get ready for Halloween in the Laneway at Cavill Lane, Surfers Paradise! On Friday 31st October from 4pm–9pm, the laneway transforms into a free, all-ages spooky playground packed with magic, markets, and mayhem. Shop The Witches Markets for quirky gifts and hard-to-find supplies, snap photos with roving actors and entertainers, and indulge in food and drinks at the many dining options while showing off your best costume—two $50 Cavill Lane gift vouchers and five $20 Raman Danbo vouchers are up for grabs! Expect smoke, lighting effects, and some minor scares, so bring your bravery (and your camera) for a night of Halloween fun in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
Where: Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise, 3113 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday 31st October from 4pm – 9pm
Things are getting spooky fabulous at Lulu this Halloween! On Sunday, 26 October from 1pm, summon your spirit (and your sass) for a hauntingly good Drag Brunch packed with spooky cocktails, brunch bites, and a show that’s equal parts glamour and ghoulish fun. Costumes encouraged, confidence required, this is one brunch you won’t boo-lieve!
Where: Level 2/4 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Sunday, 26th October from 1pm
This Halloween, Kirra Beach House turns into the ultimate rooftop fright fest! On Friday 31st October from 8pm – 1am, dance ‘til death to spine-tingling beats from DJs Kessin, Grant, and Billy Lennon while sipping creepy cocktails and showing off your best horror-inspired outfit for the Dress to Distress theme. Expect scares, shots, and a dance floor that refuses to die, gather your crew and lock in your tickets early, because with early birds already sold out, this Beach House of Horrors will pack out fast!
Where: Kirra Beach House, 51 Marine Parade, Kirra
When: Friday, 31st October, 8pm – 1am
Until Sunday 2nd November, QT Gold Coast is serving up the wickedly indulgent Trick or Tea Halloween QTea that’s as spooky as it is scrumptious. Feast on a tower of sweet and savoury treats, from Dracula’s Eyeball beetroot arancini and Witches Hat charcoal cones to smoked salmon coffin sandwiches, ghostly chocolates, choux pastry pumpkins, and pandan scones with mascarpone cream and blueberry jam. Adults can sip on tea, espresso, or the eerie Blood Moon Brew – an iced Geisha green tea with strawberry syrup and lychee and blueberry eyeballs – for $69 per person, while little monsters aged 5–12 can enjoy a playful selection of spooky bites for $39. It’s a frightfully fun way to indulge this Halloween!
Where: QT Gold Coast, 23 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: Daily until 2nd November from 12pm
This Halloween, Paradise Centre is the Gold Coast’s ultimate haunt! Families can join the Paradise Pumpkin Hunt from 4 – 8pm, following a QR-code treasure trail to collect letters and win prizes, while thrill-seekers tackle Door Seven, an immersive horror adventure with live actors, special effects, and spine-chilling puzzles. Plus, enjoy Frosty Frights at Wendy’s, Trick or Treat doughnuts at Krispy Kreme, Halloween Trivia at Sporting Globe, El Camino Cantina’s Halloweekend fiesta, and spooky promos at Timezone and Zone Bowling. From pumpkin-chasing kids to heart-pounding scares, Paradise Centre has it all!
Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Friday, 31st October, 2025, 4pm – late
This Halloween, Sanctuary Cove Marine Village is the place for little ghouls and goblins to get their spook on! On Friday 31st October from 4pm – 7pm, families can follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail, tackling six fun challenges like cursed ring toss, bobbing for bones, graveyard golf, spooky face painting, and more, then trade their completed trail card for a bag of treats. Keep your eyes peeled for special treasure keys hidden throughout the village or awarded to standout participants, all key holders get the chance to unlock the Halloween Treasure Box for a major prize. With thrills, treats, and treasures galore, it’s a frightfully fun night for the whole family!
Where: Sanctuary Cove Marine Village, Hope Island
When: Friday, 31st October, 4pm – 7pm
Perfect for the whole fam bam, Happy Halloween is back for 2025 with tricks, treats, and spine-tingling fun! Little ghosts and goblins can follow the free trick-or-treat trail, collecting tokens, solving riddles, and swapping them for sweet surprises, while families enjoy festive shows, dazzling décor, and the interactive thrills of Professor Peanutbutter’s Bubble Laboratory. Take a moonlit stroll through Dreamworld’s wildlife, ride your favourite attractions under the stars, and don your spookiest outfit for Belinda’s Boo-tiful Costume Contest, with gift card prizes up for grabs each night. Tickets are $49 per adult or child, free for kids under 3, and Annual Passholders get in free, but hurry, these nights sell out fast!
Where: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera
When: 17th, 24th, 25th & 31st October, from 5:30pm – 9pm
Don’t miss out on spooktacular family fun! Throughout October, Sea World is transforming into a frightfully fun destination for Spooky Nights. Grab the kids, and explore their spooky precincts filled with live entertainment, thrilling rides, and spooky surprises. Don’t forget to catch the Monster Mayhem Laser Lightshow, it’s sure to be a scream! Perfect for all ages, it’s the ultimate Halloween family adventure on the Gold Coast! Get one free entry with a Village Roadshow One Pass or purchase your ticket for $69.
Where: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
When: Daily until Friday 31st October from 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Halloween just went intergalactic! From Wednesday 29 October to Saturday 1 November, Astra Lumina transforms into a cosmic Halloween wonderland at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Wander the dazzling, illuminated trail with spooky trick-or-treat stations, get your face painted with astral designs, and meet cosmic entertainers from another galaxy.
Kids dressed in their spookiest costumes get free entry (one free child per paying adult), making this a stellar family-friendly adventure. With galactic lights, themed treats, and otherworldly fun around every corner, it’s Halloween… but make it truly out of this world.
Where: 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
When: Wednesday 29 October – Saturday 1 November, 2025, sessions from 6:15pm
Words by Belinda Symons
