Coming from out of town for Spilt Milk Gold Coast? Discover the best The Goldie has to offer with the inside word on some of our favourite spots below.
BEST EATS
ELK ESPRESSO
Elk Espresso is THE place to go in the Gold Coast for brekkie and lunch. You might have to pull up, pop your name down and kill a little time for a table but it is more than worth the wait. Elk constantly changes its menu to utilise seasonal ingredients, so there might be some unfamiliar combos on the menu but gee it’ll taste good. If you have time, you might as well take advantage of their boozy brunch option, which includes three different flavours of mimosa to choose from. Highly recommend!
SANDBAR
Sandbar, located across the road from Surfers Paradise beach, has a relaxing atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a few drinks. With an impressive selection of beers and cocktails, this modern beach bar is the ideal place to soak up some sunny vibes.
LONGBOARDS LAIDBACK EATERY
Longboards is one of the best burger joints in the Gold Coast. As the name suggests, it provides a pretty chill atmosphere which sits above and overlooking the Q1 pools. Significantly less chill, but with a tempting risk-reward ratio, you can also take on the 1.8kg Phat Bastard burger challenge for a shot at a cool $150 bar tab. We’re not saying you should, we’re just saying you could. There are of course a variety of other items on the menu if you’re not in the mood for a burger.
DAMN GOOD COFFEE
THE CARDAMOM POD
This coffee shop is one of the most Instagrammable on the Gold Coast. It’s a fully vegetarian eatery and serving everything from waffles to acai bowls, is the ideal place to cool off from the summer heat with an ice cream bar to boot. You know where to find us.
PARADOX COFFEE ROASTERS
Home to Paradox Coffee, this cafe is perfectly positioned in the centre of Surfers Paradise in a cool warehouse complex. Roasting on site daily, Paradox offers top quality coffee and an extensive menu focusing on seasonal local produce.
HOT SHOTT MAIN BEACH
A popular spot among locals, Hot Shott prides itself on fantastic food, fine coffee and a comfortable laid back atmosphere. Stop by and fuel up before heading off to explore the Gold Coast or for a big day at the festival.
SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE LUXURIOUS…
This one’s up in the air atm but if it’s an option we 1000% recommend. Basically, *John Wick voice* ‘The Palazzo Versace has been deconsecrated’. Or it’s about to be. After more than 25 years, the international fashion house has decided to end its association with the iconic 5 star hotel. The effects of that deal kick in on 1 August and while we have no clue what happens next, we’ve enjoyed too many luxury double espressos surrounded by gold-toned Medusa head-adorned decor to give up on ‘em that easily (we’ve had one). Here’s hoping they lock in a similarly high-profile international partner with a luxury homewares line so we can semi-ironically, whole-heartedly enjoy one last sip of an overpriced beverage at a venue we’d otherwise never have the opportunity to step foot in. It’s a slay from us.
LATE NIGHT EATS
SURFERS PAVILION
You’ve probably heard of the iconic Burleigh Pavilion, well SAY LESS. The same vibrant vibe can be found at Surfers Pavilion, which features pristine waterfront views and an incredible selection of seafood favourites and refreshing cocktails.
THE ISLAND
The Island is the largest rooftop bar on the Gold Coast. Enjoy some drinks or food on the patio while looking out over the CBD and listening to the local DJs.
BEER GARDEN
Surfers Paradise Beer Garden embodies the Gold Coast’s laid-back, sandy culture. Whether you want to eat, drink, play games (foosball, jenga, and a life-sized pool table), watch live sports, or simply sit on the deck and people-watch on Cavill Avenue, the beer garden has it all.
THINGS TO DO
HOLEY MOLEY
Get competitive with a round of mini golf or bowling at Holey Moley. Great for a night before or after Spilt Milk vibe, it’s the ideal place to spend time with friends, and it even has two escape rooms and a karaoke bar if you want to belt out ‘Mr Brightside’. Which we assume you do.
BEACH/ESPLANADE WALK
Enjoy the Gold Coast’s 57 kilometres of golden beaches. It’s a must-see type of deal when in town, so pick a stretch of sand and take in some sights. Pro-tip: Lime bikes and scooters are readily available if you’re feeling zoomie.
GO SWIMMING
A no-brainer, really. With more beaches than you can wave a Spilt Milk ticket at, it’d be easy to get overwhelmed. There’s obviously Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Main Beach with their postcard-worthy cityscape backdrops, but we’ve also got a soft spot for Burleigh Heads if you’re thinking of getting a bit of downtime away from the action. Pro-tip: Tallebudgera Creek is even more serene and just a cruisy coastal walk through Burleigh Head National Park *chef’s kiss*.
SKYPOINT
Visit Australia’s tallest building located on the 77th floor of the Q1, SkyPoint is located 230m into the sky and offers a 360 panoramic view of the Gold Coast. Take in the view, grab a bite and if you’re feeling adventurous, why not do the SkyPoint Climb and ascend another 40m above the Gold Coast?
BROADBEACH BOWLS CLUB
Spend an afternoon in the sun with your friends playing barefoot bowls. On Saturdays and Mondays, admission is only $10 per person, making this the ideal spot to soak up some atmosphere while eating and drinking.
HIT A THEME PARK
Understandably, spending another day on your feet and hopping on a bunch of rides might not be top of your to-do list on the same weekend as a music festival, BUT if you’ve got the juice, the Gold Coast parks are the best in the country. Here for good times all the time.
AFTER DARK
ELSEWHERE
Looking for a late-night club scene with a solid mix of alternative electronic tunes ranging from house to techno. Elsewhere is the perfect place to boogie into the early hours.
COCKTAILS
Cocktails is the largest nightclub on the Gold Coast, with a massive dance floor, VIP lounge seating, and even pool tables.
SINCITY NIGHTCLUB
SinCity is exactly what it sounds like. When in Rome, right?
BEDROOM
Check out the newly renovated Bedroom, which features actual beds, a ball pit, and free popcorn. This premier venue features luxury décor, high-energy music, and some of the best local DJs.
RETROS
Retros is the place to go for all your 80s and 90s guilty pleasures. This retro-style nightclub exclusively plays throwbacks and serves the famous fishbowl cocktail, which will have you dancing like it’s the 1990s.
SHOPPING
PACIFIC FAIR
Pac Fair is the Gold Coast’s ultimate shopping destination, with over 400 stores ranging from fresh food markets to cinemas and speciality shops. It’s ideal for last-minute supplies or outfit changes, and it even has some sun beds to relax on.
AUSTRALIAN FAIR
Aus Fair, located on the Broadwater Parklands, has everything you need for the festival, including speciality stores and supermarkets.
CAVILL AVENUE
Cavill Avenue is located in the heart of Surfers Paradise and is home to a variety of stores and attractions. This famous avenue is home to arcades, tattoo shops, eateries, and a mega cotton on if you’re looking for a matching festival fit (lol).