Some may argue that every day is a holiday on the Gold Coast. But we know all too well that we bloody well deserve this Gold Coast Show long weekend! What with our picturesque winter days, endless insta-worthy sunsets and basically every food and bevvy spot we could dream of. Who wants to be spending their Fridays cooped up in the office? Not us, that’s who.
So, lap it up we say, with all of the best thing to do this Gold Coast Show long weekend!
Down Slices And Schooners At Balter Brewing Company
Start your long weekend the right way by kicking off on Thursday night at Balter Brewing Company. Pick up your Slices and Schooners ticket for 35 smackaroos and chomp down an endless supply of woodfired pizzas, a drink on entry and tunes by none other than Sarah Archer.
When: Thursday 30 August; 5:30pm-9pm
Where: Balter Brewing Company; 14 Traders Way, Currumbin Waters
Cost: $35
For more information, click here.
All You Can Eat Pizza At Salt Meats Cheese
Friday you get a sleep in, so why not stuff your face with too much vegan pizza and sink a ridiculous number of cold ones? Salt Meats Cheese is hosting an all you can eat Vegan Pizza night this Thursday and plant-lovers are going nuts. Head down from 5pm to pick up a belly full of pizza for just $20.
When: Thursday 30 August; 5pm-10pm
Where: Salt Meats Cheese; The 4217, 10 Beach Road Surfers Paradise
Cost: $20
For more information, click here.
Head To The Gold Coast Show
Duh! We would be cray cray to leave the Gold Coast Show off of our list of must-dos this long weekend. This year sees the first free entry perk, so if you haven’t been before, there’s no better time. Drop by for an extended patting sesh with the cutest baby animals, a spin on whizzing rides, toe tapping to live local acts and dazzling pyrotechnic displays. Make a tram trip of it and scoot down with your inner kid on the ready. Overindulging in carnie food is a given. We’re looking at you double dipped dagwood dogs.
When: All long weekend
Where: Broadwater Parklands; Marine Parade, Southport
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
Join A Flash Mob
Is this the best way ever to work off that fairy floss bucket you just devoured or what? The cats from Swing On In will be flash mobbing their pants off (quite possibly literally) all Gold Coast Show Long Weekend. Catch them at Broadwater Parklands shaking their groove things, spinning about and occasionally backflipping Friday to Sunday. Grab your darlin’ and join right in for an epic day of fun and knicker-flashing.
When: All long weekend
Where: Broadwater Parklands; Marine Parade, Southport
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
Groove To The Wet Fish At Miami Marketta
We can always count on Miami Marketta to take our long weekends nek level. Crooning tunes from Wet Fish, street food vendors dishing up international tasties and racks spilling with unique fashion—sign us up! Wanna know the best part? Entry is free! So those pennies of yours can be guiltlessly splurged on boutique beers, too many cocktails and perhaps a late-night wine to top it all off. Head down from 5pm for an epic Friday night filled with all of your favourite things.
When: Friday 31 August, 5pm-10pm
Where: Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
Long lunch At Labart
While loads of places will be closing their doors this Friday for the long weekend, the gang at swanky eatery Restaurant Labart are welcoming everyone in for a delish long lunch—because really, a day off is made for stuffing our faces and boozing. Swing by for a cocktail at their adorbs bar or settle in for their mouth-watering set menu featuring veal tartare, seared blue-eye trevalla and Wagyu rump steak.
When: Friday 31 August, from 12pm
Where: Restaurant Labart, 8 West Street, Burleigh
Cost: Set menu is $65 per person
For more information, click here.
Head To The Sample Food Festival
If you just want to escape the GC all together then why not jump in the car and head to Byron for the Sample Food Fest. The one-day event celebrates the diverse and rich produce, chefs and artisans the Northern Rivers are renowned for. Expect $5 and $10 tasting places from the menus of 26 epic restaurants including Harvest as No Bones, as well as 100 market stalls, plus live music, kids activities and cooking demos.
When: Saturday 1 September, 8am till 4pm
Where: Bangalow Showgrounds, 1 Market Street, Bangalow
Cost: $5 per person, kids are free
For more information, click here.
Chow Down On $2 Tacos At Lost Palms Brewing
If you just want to scoff down loads of Mexican with the big fella on Father’s Day, head to Lost Palms Brewing for $2 Tacos. We’re not ones to brag, but our record is 20 of these bad boys #tacobouthungry. Paired with interesting boutique bevvies brewed on site, you’re in for a ripper Sunday to make you forget all about the long weekend being over the next day.
When: Sunday 2 September, 12noon-7pm
Where: Lost Palms Brewing Company; 11 Oak Avenue, Miami
Cost: $2 per taco
For more information, click here.
Check Out The Village Markets
We love a good old-fashioned rummage. Geddit, vintage? Bursting with talented local designers, food vans to satisfy the hungries and smooth acoustic musicians fluttering your heart, The Village Markets is where it’s at this Gold Coast Show long weekend.
When: Sunday 2 September, 8:30am-1pm
Where: The Village Markets; Burleigh Heads State School, Burleigh Heads
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
Looking for more things to do? Check out our round up of free (or really cheap) things to do on the Gold Coast.
Image Credit: Unsplash