The Gold Coast's Undiscovered Gems | Australian Traveller

Amid a sea of floating reefs, edible art and lush rainforest escapes, travellers to the Gold Coast today will find Queensland’s glitter strip is all grown up.

A stiff breeze ruffles my hair as I cruise by ferry to one of Australia’s most exciting new galleries, but the Derwent River is several thousand kilometres to the south. More than a decade after Mona upended travellers’ perceptions of Hobart, another institution is hoping to do the same for the Gold Coast.

The HOTA effect

HOTA is unashamedly brash. A six-storey structure covered in geometric blocks of primary colour, it sits at the centre of a precinct with a rooftop bar called The Exhibitionist, an outdoor stage that just hosted a rave for 5000 people and a lake where visitors are encouraged to take a dip before perusing the artworks. An ‘anything goes’ vibe permeates the whole space, where ‘don’t run’ seems to be the only rule that matters.

the colourful building of HOTA at sunset — Opened in 2021, eye-popping HOTA is a sprawling gallery displaying more than 4500 artworks. (Image: City of Gold Coast)

HOTA opened in 2021 and the name, short for Home of the Arts, is pronounced ‘hotter’. So it’s hardly surprising that it makes room for both high art and hedonism, mirroring a region whose reputation as an adult playground obscures a rich cultural scene full of artists as confident as any of the tanned bodies posing by the beach.

“There’s always been art here," head of curatorial and programs Bradley Vincent tells me when I visit, “it just wasn’t six stories high and colourful and screaming ‘come here!’" When he was growing up in nearby Nerang, the Gold Coast Arts Centre had just 200 square metres of exhibition space. That building has since been converted into a cinema, while HOTA boasts 10 times the footprint. As Vincent notes wryly, “growth is this city’s business."

a visitor at HOTA admiring William Robinson’s The Rainforest artwork — A visitor at HOTA admires William Robinson’s The Rainforest, an ode to the Gold Coast hinterland’s ancient landscape.

Inside one of the galleries, nostalgic images of ’50s motels ram his point home. Next door, supercar-themed ceramics celebrate two very different sides of the Gold Coast, while William Robinson’s The Rainforest is a masterpiece of light and shade spread across two panels that capture the dark menace and overwhelming fecundity of the hinterland’s subtropical rainforest.

the scenic landscape at HOTA, Gold Coast — HOTA is the Gold Coast’s premier cultural venue, surrounded by parklands in Surfers Paradise. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Vincent describes HOTA as a place “where art meets pop culture," a theme that reaches its peak in a temporary exhibition of pop art heavyweights. Some of the works even serve as inspiration for the ‘culinary arts team’ behind the rooftop bar and onsite restaurant Palette.

The ‘Manhattan Menu’ degustation includes a parcel of sous vide lamb loin and crispy pulled shoulder hidden in a cloak of cavolo nero in homage to Warhol’s camouflage self-portrait, while dessert is a ‘chocolate and strawberry soup’ in an instantly recognisable edible red and white chocolate ‘can’.

food at The Exhibitionist Bar at HOTA — Snack on artistic dishes in The Exhibitionist Bar at HOTA (Home Of The Arts) in Surfers Paradise. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

qtQT Gold Coast upends the tiny home experience

Strolling back to the coast after dinner, the endless towers lining the beach seem almost interchangeable. But once I’ve located QT, I make my way up to a room with a difference. On the broad second-floor terrace, six black-and-white-striped cabins (dubbed qtQT) are bringing the tiny house revolution to the beach.

Each one has a small deck with a hanging egg chair, table and blinds for privacy. Inside, a swipe-key entry and unfinished plywood walls set the tone for a mix of rustic and high-tech, while the bedside window frames a garden filled with giant palm fronds waving in the evening breeze.

I’m too full to contemplate the jars of complimentary nuts, cookies and bliss balls on offer, but the pot of tea that arrives with the turndown service hits just right as I peruse a menu of exclusive guest experiences that could fill an entire week. Should I spend the next day at a cocktail-making class or doing yoga on the terrace, I wonder? Learn to make sushi or get a surf lesson from a pro?

the tiny cabins at qtQT at QT Gold Coast — The tiny cabins dubbed qtQT at QT Gold Coast.

In the end, I opt for a whisky tasting at izakaya-style restaurant Yamagen. And as I’m savouring the satiny single malts and smoky distiller’s reserves drawn from the 100-odd Japanese whiskies behind the bar, I can’t help but think about how different this feels from the late-night bar-hopping that dominated my first visit to this part of the world.

a Japanese menu at Yamagen Restaurant, Gold Coast — Dine authentic Japanese at izakaya-style restaurant, Yamagen. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Finding the Gold Coast’s suburban gems

Though the Gold Coast runs for 70 kilometres from the outskirts of Brisbane to the NSW border, I never made it out of Surfers on that trip. This time, I’m determined to do better and Alex Baker from small group specialists Kiff & Culture is the perfect guide. “The GC gets a bit of a bad rap," he admits, “but it’s not just high rises, a strip of sand and late-night clubs – we like to take people out of that Surfers/Broadbeach bubble."

the industrial hub of Miami between Burleigh Heads and Main Beach — Wedged between Burleigh Heads and Main Beach, the once industrial hub of Miami boasts a kilometre-long stretch of golden sand. (Image: City of Gold Coast/Anna Bandini)

With a light red ponytail and a laugh you can hear a block away, Baker looks like he’d be equally at home in those local beaches and bars, and as we drive south he helps me make sense of the diverse puzzle pieces that make up the Gold Coast.

Suburbs that I’ve driven through plenty of times without stopping suddenly come alive, from grungy but welcoming Palmy (Palm Beach), unpretentious Nobbys (Nobby Beach) and up-and-coming Miami, where scores of colourful murals look out over former industrial sites.

an aerial view of Currumbin Creek, Gold Coast — Dip in the lagoon-like waters of Currumbin Creek. (Image: City of Gold Coast)

In Currumbin, we stop to check out a low-rise enclave protected by a pocket of untouched rainforest before following Currumbin Creek to Dust Temple, a timber-filled former warehouse that serves as both cafe and creative hub. The pleasantly ramshackle feel wouldn’t be out of place in Bali, but our next stop is pure Gold Coast.

mouth-watering dishes at Dust Temple — Dust Temple is a cafe that doubles as a creative hub. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Twenty-three hatted restaurants provide ample evidence that Gold Coast local cooks know what they’re doing, but no venue gets more love than Rick Shores. And from our corner table, it’s easy to see why. I can almost dip my hand in the ocean as I feast on tamarind-glazed karaage chicken, duck and lychee curry and the signature bug rolls.

dining by the beach at Burleigh diner, Rick Shores — Dine by the sea at the iconic Burleigh diner, Rick Shores. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

“People literally come here from interstate for these," Alex tells me as I bite into a brioche bun filled with sweet Moreton Bay bug flesh and zingy sriracha mayonnaise. I believe it, and as I watch a surfer catching waves less than 50 metres away, I feel a pang of sympathy for the waiters tasked with ushering diners away from these views when their time is up.

a table-top view of seafood meals at Rick Shores — Seafood is the hero at Rick Shores. (Image: Mathilde Boulby)

A very different view greets us when we stop for a post-lunch drink in the former industrial hub of Miami. Granddad Jacks is one of a handful of craft distilleries and breweries in the area, and the interior of the former auto workshop is entirely kitted out with found furnishings from the 4220 postcode.

Just as eclectic is the range of spirits that includes limited-edition releases such as pumpkin-spiced moonshine, trifle liqueur, yuzu mead and a fruity Christmas pavlova gin with “everything except the cream".

a wide selection of drinks at Granddad Jacks — Craft distillery at Granddad Jacks. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Swapping sand for the hinterland

This revival is just one of many changes that have swept the region in recent decades. But further inland, the biggest attraction has remained largely unchanged for millions of years. This is the hinterland – “the green behind the gold" – where ancient Gondwana rainforests that once covered much of the continent still proliferate.

Even more heavily populated areas such as Mt Tamborine have plenty of lush pockets to get lost in.

At Verandah House Country Estate, several roomy suites are arrayed in an L-shape around a broad lawn and magnesium pool on the edge of the Scenic Rim. Owners Judy and Lawrence Pereira gutted the interiors and rebuilt virtually the entire property, filling the suites with custom-made Ralph Lauren furnishings, French oak furniture and artwork from their own collection. Even more impressive is the epic weekend breakfast spread that awaits when I visit.

Head for the hinterland to bed down at Verandah House Country Estate. (Image: John Downs)

“We say it’s a continental breakfast but we go over the top," Judy admits as she piles my plate high with mushroom and Gruyère quiche, Danishes filled with giant blueberries and a twist of olive bread from local bakery Franquette.

Taking my plate to the edge of the escarpment, I sit beneath a stand of tallowwoods looking out over a 200-metre drop below. The panoramic views take in the entire Scenic Rim and beyond, from the jagged peak of Wollumbin (Mt Warning) across the NSW border to the forest of skyscrapers that line the coast.

Later in the day, I swap a picnic blanket for the cedar hot tub and watch the colours in the clouds slowly soften as the city far below is illuminated by twinkling lights that seem as distant as the stars overhead. “We book out for New Year’s Eve way in advance," Judy tells me; “from up here you get a great view of the fireworks." Breathing in the clean mountain air, I reflect that it’s just one more perspective on a region that offers a lot more than the old clichés of sun, sand and surf.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

A Traveller’s Checklist

Getting there

Gold Coast Airport has multiple direct flights daily from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, while Bonza serves a range of regional hubs. Brisbane Airport has more direct flights and is just over an hour from Surfers Paradise.

the Surfers Paradise beach skyline — The famous Surfers Paradise skyline and beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Staying there

Bunker down by the beach at QT Gold Coast. Or venture to the hinterland with a stay at Verandah House Country Estate.

Playing there

If too much art is never enough, Art Roll has you covered with an interactive map showing more than 100 murals dotted around the region. Some are gathered in dense clusters, and motorised scooters are a great way to see several precincts in a day.

Conscious Traveller tip

Two-and-a-half kilometres out from the Gold Coast’s famous beaches, nine kinetic sculptures rise from the sea floor and sway in the current like columns of giant kelp.

The $5 million Wonder Reef is part conservation project, part artwork and two years into its existence, the world’s first buoyant reef has already been transformed into a vibrant hanging garden.

Six species of transplanted corals shelter a thriving underwater community where divers can see colourful nudibranchs, menacing moray eels and an array of fish species.

a school of fish swimming around buoyant sculpturestransplanted with coral at Wonder Reef — Wonder Reef comprises nine buoyant sculptures transplanted with coral. (Image: COGC)

Accessibility

HOTA’s exhibition spaces are all completely accessible and there are loan wheelchairs available. Visitors can also use assisted listening carrier devices and join Auslan-interpreted tours. Quiet Hour offers a calmer experience from 9–10am on the first Saturday of each month.

Adults who identify with a disability can access the Sunroom, a safe space for art making, creative play and exploration, and there are Changing Places bathrooms with an adult change facility, hoist and privacy screen. The entire terrace at qtQT is wheelchair accessible, and Cabin 1 has a slightly larger footprint to ensure the bed and bathroom are both fully accessible.

Most Gold Coast beaches are part of a citywide accessibility program. There is permanent beach matting at Southport, while other beaches have a range of all-terrain wheelchairs, floating water chairs and beach matting available, free of charge.

Gold Coast Airport is one of Australia’s most accessible. Features include ramps, tactile indicators, braille signage and a hearing loop for all flight-related information, while the website has written and visual social stories and a dedicated sensory map showing sensory-friendly facilities and the Low Sensory Space.

From poolside bites and tasting flights to seafood plates and dry-aged steaks, a foodie adventure on Hamilton Island is worth every bite.

Hamilton Island’s sun-lacquered shores have long magnetised travellers craving an escape from reality. But what’s less expected – and more interesting – is just how assuredly this Whitsundays idyll delivers on the culinary front. Dialling up the flavour as much as the barefoot allure, the Hamilton Island food scene offers world-class dining and drinking options, spanning slick fine-dining moments to just-caught seafood served within sight of the sea. Let’s dig in.

Catseye Pool Club

Framing the electric blues of Catseye Beach from The Sundays hotel, Catseye Pool Club is Hamilton Island’s latest culinary prodigy. Shown to our table, we thread through rattan chairs, Zellige tiles and tumbling greenery that opens up to Coral Sea shimmer.

The poolside restaurant is the brainchild of Sydney-based chef duo Josh and Julie Niland, who have brought their relaxed yet elevated dining ethos north. The menu – designed to bring people together – is made for sharing, each hero ingredient orbited by a palette of sides to mix, match and layer as you please.

My thyme cocktail – woody with scotch, lifted by lime leaf – pairs perfectly with the charcoal grilled prawns entree, which is served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Each forkful lands differently, but all are a delight. Then comes the coral trout. True to Josh Niland’s ‘scale-to-tail’ philosophy, the fish is presented whole in a theatrical crescent, a tiny fork stuck into its cheek in a nod to Niland’s declared prize cut. Ribbons of zucchini resembling gauzy curtains bring brightness and snap, while kasundi lends depth and warmth. It’s tongue-tantalising, special occasion dining with humanity.

Sails Restaurant

A more casual poolside dining scene awaits at nearby Sails Restaurant, where Eastern Mediterranean flavours are dished up with an island twist. Chermoula chicken skewers and barramundi souvlaki lie on the more filling side of the menu, while the sumac squid and stone-bread flatbread with za’atar – arriving alongside pomegranate molasses, beetroot hummus and crushed macadamias – are perfect light bites after a dip in the pool. And don’t miss the garlic lemon scallops.

The setting is equally part of the draw. Sunlight floods the high-ceilinged dining room, while outdoor tables look out across the glittering expanse of Catseye Beach. Holidaymakers in oversized sunglasses sip spritzes beneath umbrellas, the gentle clink of plates mixing with splashes from the adjacent pool. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after lunch.

Bommie

Tucked into a sleek curved wing of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie delivers experiential fine dining with a sense of occasion. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the seasonal menu champions local and native Australian ingredients whipped up into a modern display of creative precision.

Inside the dim-lit dining room, guests can choose between the Tasting Menu or Chef’s Signature Degustation. Sourdough with pine oil sets the tone for the six-course tasting menu, beautifully presented in a bed of pine needles alongside smoked paperbark butter. I love how the squid ink choux pastry is served with flavour-popping native finger lime, which our waiter encourages us to eat caviar-style. Standout moments continue with the wattle-seed-crusted venison elevated by red fruit and pickled beetroot swirls; the meat is perfectly pink in the middle and an homage to the island’s history as a deer farm.

Pebble Beach

Exclusive to qualia Resort guests for lunch and dinner, Pebble Beach is Hamilton Island’s most serene expression of seasonal island dining. Ocean-facing chairs dot a timber deck that spills straight onto the resort’s private beach, while crystalline turquoise waters stretch to meet distant islands – a scene far prettier than any postcard could capture.

The recently refreshed menu doubles down on seasonality and bright, layered flavours. While the more substantial T-bone steak with hazelnut honey carrots tempts, we go lighter: Coffin Bay oysters with Champagne foam and keffir lime dust kick us off splendidly, followed by Byron Bay burrata served with balsamic and caramelised figs. The fennel and orange salad topped with succulent grilled chicken is utterly delectable, but it’s the zingy, oh-so-fresh soft shell fish tacos that I can’t stop thinking about. It all goes down a treat with a glass of delicate Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne.

Beach Club Restaurant

A lunch or dinner table at Beach Club Restaurant is best booked in advance – and it’s easy to see why. Looking out over the hotel’s palm-fringed infinity pool, the restaurant spotlights elegant contemporary Australian cuisine with a stellar (also Aussie-leaning) wine list to match.

I am completely enamoured by the grilled Queensland prawns, which are brought to life with a smoked compound, local fried curry leaves and lime. Digging into the butter-soft lamb rump served atop pea ragout and parsley Paris mash feels like a warm, nostalgic hug. And dessert – vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with hot salted honey and apple gel – ends the night on a high note.

Expect warm and discreet service; our waiter Marco tells us that the tiny decorative starfish on our table are there to help the staff remember whether we prefer sparkling or still water, so they don’t need to bother us by asking multiple times.

Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher

There’s more to Hamilton Island’s foodie scene than restaurant reservations alone. For wine-curious travellers seeking something a little more immersive, Beach Club has recently introduced Talk & Taste – a tutored tasting hosted by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher. Held twice weekly for a maximum of eight guests, the experience explores Australian wine culture through four thoughtfully selected drops paired with native-inspired bites.

We opt for the white wine and seafood option. Alongside pours from Eden Valley and Launceston, a nibbling platter arrives featuring sashimi, salmon roe, Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and palate-cleansing ginger. The seafood is pristine and pared back, allowing the wines to take centre stage.

The real highlight, however, is discovering just how nuanced winemaking can be. Courtenay speaks of viticulture as both art and science: harvest grapes a week too late and ripeness tips into ruin; plant the same varietal on different elevations and the sun, slope and water flow will shape entirely different expressions. Pinot noir, she explains, with its delicate skin and high water content, yields lighter fruit-forward wines, while thicker-skinned shiraz delivers depth and structure. I leave feeling fascinated and inspired by Courtenay’s evident passion.

coca chu

Sweet and hot. Sour and salty. Dining at ever-popular coca chu is a sensation-swirling experience that’s not to be missed if you’re a sucker for punchy Southeast Asian flavours. Located at the Main Pool end of Catseye Beach, this lively hangout is all swaying lanterns, driftwood, high beamed ceilings and giant open windows that let in the balmy ocean breeze.

Drawing from hawker traditions, the grilled betel leaf is a neat, vibrant mouthful of chilli fried cashews and spiced beef. The tofu surprises – soft beneath a tumble of dill, mint and coriander, and glossed in moreish peanut sauce. The massaman curry is pure comfort: creamy, fragrant, fall-apart meat. It’s generous and expressive cooking that I, for one, cannot get enough of.

Marina Cafe

Sometimes, all you crave on holidays is a bacon and egg roll done properly and a creamy fruit smoothie. Boasting harbour views, an easygoing atmosphere and clean modern interiors, Marina Cafe is a popular local haunt for a reason. The casual menu lures families and couples alike with its all-day brekky, seasonal salads and sandwiches – from a roasted pumpkin bowl to prosciutto and rocket on herby focaccia.

The acai bowl, topped with toasted nuts and berries, is a refreshing start to my day. Whether you sit in or takeaway, it’s a good-vibes-guaranteed place to refuel before or after your Whitsundays adventures.

Discover your foodie getaway now at hamiltonisland.com.au.

The Gold Coast shines a light on its undiscovered gems

Amid a sea of floating reefs, edible art and lush rainforest escapes, travellers to the Gold Coast today will find Queensland’s glitter strip is all grown up.

The HOTA effect

qtQT Gold Coast upends the tiny home experience

Finding the Gold Coast’s suburban gems

Swapping sand for the hinterland