Welcome to the Gold Coast’s golden district, Broadbeach.
Think of Gold Coast’s Broadbeach as the ying to ever-bustling yang of its famous big sister, Surfer’s Paradise. Broadbeach is one for a life in the slow lane: less hectic, and full of sophisticated coastal chic. There is a lot to do in this seaside neighbourhood, from starting your day catching waves, getting lost in retail therapy to treating yourself to top-notch dining and wining in ritzy backdrops.
Here we give you a cheat sheet on how to live your best Broadbeach life.
Where to find entertainment in Broadbeach
If the Gold Coast is a socialising theme park, imagine Broadbeach being its main attraction.
Map out your Broadbeach adventure for all hours. Start your day with a splash at one of Broadbeach’s sandy beaches – its Broadbeach namesake or Kurrawa, complete with a beachfront grassed area.
If flashing your credit card is part of your holiday game, head to the glitz and glam Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. It is one of Australia’s biggest shopping centres, with this retail and entertainment mecca a labyrinth featuring over 400 outlets including restaurants, bars and a cinema. It’s not all about living in a material world as it also hosts free events (perfect for when you feel like your wallet has been used too much!).
Other shopping districts within a short stroll include lush The Oasis Shopping Centre and local favourite, Niecon Plaza, located in the Broadbeach Mall.
Like to live life by the roll of the lucky dice? The Star Gold Coast open 24/7 for all your casino, bar, restaurant and show entertainment needs. Also a short distance away from retail therapy is the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, which recently hosted the Eurovision: Australia Decides event.
If you want to be entertained, catch a show at Broadbeach’s new venue, art-deco inspired The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub. Be wowed with feathers, glitters and dance routines with enough high-end club pizazz.
Where to eat in Broadbeach
Once you have worked up that appetite from spending your days catching rays or happily getting lost shopping, you can be forgiven for wanting to seek solace and food for comfort – just do it in style.
There goes that French saying whereas the café is the theatre whereas you are both the actor and spectator. Be a part of the scene by heading to cosy French lounge, Room 81. Broadbeach’s upmarket chic corner restaurant takes your tongue on a gastronomic passage to France with its tantalising dishes an excellent ode to its heritage.
Bask in the small pleasures in life with what feels like a short trip to a Parisian boulangerie with the restaurant’s starter dish of an assortment of freshly baked breads served with salted truffle butter very much worth the carb overload. Fusing the tastes of the ocean with the vineyards of France also proves to be a winner with its entrée spiced oysters with champagne mignonette a devilish combination yet tastes heavenly.
Onto the mains, its succulent duck dish – medium-rare duck breast, seasoned flageolet beans coupled with a dollop of pumpkin puree – will almost leave you licking the plate for every last flavour burst.
Hungry, thirsty for more? Oui? The desserts and drinks menu is extensive too. Try having the best of both worlds with its blueberry muffin cocktail a sweet delight. Or if you are sweet tooth connoisseur, its gâteau du jour (cake of the day) can make for an excellent choice.
Where to drink in Broadbeach
Need to quench the thirst? Broadbeach’s casual, cool nightlife is worth the cheering. If up for something casual, the new bar on the block, Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar and Diner is a fun place to unwind in modern comforts. The quirky American-inspired diner is decorated with cheeky Wall of Infamy in an orderly fashion, and its vinyl booths give off retro vibes.
Its extensive cocktail list also likes to get in on the fun, with Totally Trump dividing drinkers with its concoction of jalapeno tequila, house orange soda, presidential hair and smoked chilli salt in a class of its own. If beer is your drink of choice, its house on-tap beer, Fat Freddy’s lager proves to be a decent drop. If hungry, check out the daily deals on American fast food-inspired eats.
To continue mixing up the night, head along Surfer’s Parade to Miss Moneypenny’s for your cocktail pleasure. The second outlet to open in Queensland after Noosa, Miss Moneypenny’s is famed for its world-class, cutting edge cocktail creations in oh so sophisticated high-end surrounds. Inspired to mix your drink in ways you didn’t know possible? Take part in a cocktail class by an award-winning mixologist.
The restaurant also serves up modern Mediterranean cuisine if feeling peckish so you can expect your taste buds to into overdrive with a flavoursome ride for the night.
Where to stay in Broadbeach
As much as it fun to enjoy life in under the Gold Coast sun, a retreat in modern-sleek comforts is just as rewarding. Staying along Broadbeach is all about living a chic life by the beach, and Avani Broadbeach Gold Coast Residences allow you to do just that – sky-high.
The 37-storey apartment complex is in prime locale along Gold Coast Highway gives you the best of all world’s – situated opposite Star Casino, moments from the convention centre and yet, a short stroll to the lush Pacific Ocean coastline. So you can expect a jam-packed itinerary within a short radius (and without the need to call an Uber).
Its airy, sleek two-bedroom apartments are perfect for small groups wanting space in creature comforts and with crème de la crème window wall views of the coast. It contains a fully equipped kitchen for those longing home-cooked meals in their new coastal home postcode. The bonus is the apartment’s sizable balcony to take in the incredible views of the waves crashing the shoreline, spot surfers at play, or just to enjoy a Birdseye view of Gold Coast life.
If the beach is too far for your liking, the pool on the second floor makes for a blissful, convenient splash.
See more: Australia travel
Feature image: The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub
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