Shopping

Born from a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences through stunning floral artistry, Studio Ohara has quickly established itself as one of the Gold Coast’s premier florists. 

Janine Edwards has landed in the heart of Mermaid Beach, bringing premium denim and sought-after fashion labels to The Oxley precinct.

Adjoining the iconic Cafe DBar, dramatically perched atop Point Danger, is where you’ll find the Gold Coast’s dreamy new boutique, Arche. A delicate revamp of the classic old 1925 Queenslander cottage has transformed the previous gallery into a luxurious lifestyle and design space. 

A homegrown success story, Homebodii is one of Australia’s favourite bridal and loungewear labels. Sold in David Jones, Nordstrom, The Iconic, Anthropologie and Revolve Clothing and making its New York Fashion Week debut in 2016, Homebodii is bringing the brand back to where it all started, opening its first permanent retail store at Pacific Fair. 

St Barts—a brand that’s synonymous with flawless interior style and design—has revealed its third store and new headquarters: a two-storey homewares, furniture and fine art showroom in the Burleigh industrial estate, with an adjoining cafe by the team from Next Door Espresso.

Nestled in our favourite fashion hub of James Street, lies Emte, a boutique that will ensure you empty your wallet after just one visit to the change room. Sleek and minimalist, this little gem offers a curated selection of Aussie fashion and accessory labels, like Byron’s F + H Jewellery and Quay Sunglasses as well as dreamy pieces from Finders Keepers, Steele and C/MEO Collective. 

Step inside this moody, monochromatic store and you’ll be sure to find something unique and classic. A crisp white shirt from Viktoria+Woods or perhaps the softest Italian leather bag from Dylan Kain; these brands and many more sit in harmony within Moelleux’s slick designer walls. They stock something for the ladies AND something for the fellas, including a big range of Aussie designers which always brings a smile to our dial. Just be prepared to clean out your wallet and your savings and your entire bank account—ok you get the point—when you stop by because this shop is so damn lust-worthy. 

Ladies, brace yourself for an ovary explosion the second you step foot inside Halo & Horns Company. This totally adorbs childrenswear boutique, located in The Strand at Coolangatta, is stocked with the cutest clothes, just perfect for the special mini-me in your life. 

An adorable addition to the Cornerstone Stores precinct is Little Loves Studio. Little Loves brings together local and national kidswear brands including Children of the Tribe, Sweet Child of Mine, Kaisea Swim, Two Tykes, Pop Ya Tot, Our Folk and the Scared Bundle bassinets of your mummy dreams. They can help you out with a sweet selection of nursery finds for all those upcoming baby showers too. 

If you’re the kind of person who won’t add anything to a space without some serious thought, or who puts in hours of contemplation for that perfect birthday gift, Kind Curations is your store. Minimalist yet perfectly pieced together, Tugun local Kasey is bringing a bunch of new-to-the-Coast brands together under one roof. Such as LA’s Garrett Leight eyewear, Stone Cold Fox and the only Australian stockist of Christy Dawn womenswear. You’ll also lust over footwear by Woven Palm, ceramics by locals Jo Norton, Hunchmark and Sunny Coaster Kim Wallace, or glass wear and candles by Maison Balzac. Yep, we’re already coveting wayyy too much for our bank balance.

Fitness mavens, if you’re lurking around the southern end and NEED a new something-something for your activewear collection, this one is for you! Walk through the doors at Prae Store in the beautiful Cornerstone Stores precinct, and you’ll be whisked into a calming boutique lined with hand-selected active wear pieces from P.E. Nation, First Base and Nimble. Together with a range of teas, incense and natural skin care ranges; Prae Store stocks make up by Inika, serums and creams by Cedar + Stone and Edible Beauty, plus more. Not forgetting a wellness-focussed collection of fine jewellery and stones from By Charlotte and Violet Grey, respected for their therapeutic characteristics, and you’re practically gliding into an I-want-to-buy-everything dream. 

Indulge in some retail therapy at The Commons Casuarina boutique, Nikkou. The handiwork of uber stylish local lass Tiffany Cooper, Nikkou celebrates femininity through quality designer fashion, accessories and homewares. Perfect for the mindful, modern woman and her equally fashionable babe. Between white walls with blush pink accents, get your shop on and you’ll be divvying up your wardrobe space among Australian favourites and local up-and-comers who you really oughta know. Expect Zulu & Zephyr swimwear and winter knits, Brie Leon accessories, Velvet Canyon sunnies and luxe Estilo Emporio jumpsuits, to name a few. Love locally crafted ceramics, linen homewares or organic baby threads and toys? Scoot into this dreamy boutique and you’ll struggle to come out empty handed.

Cornerstone Stores is a labour of love for a family of long-time locals, who’ve held onto this Gold Coast Highway-side block for the last four years while they planned their build. Among the gorge stores there's Stable Coffee & Kitchen; a new yoga, Pilates and meditation centre by The Body Method; Quince Fromagerie (with a freakin’ walk-in cheese room); organic hairdresser Zanzi Hair; indoor plants by The Borrowed Nursery, Essence of Beauty; Little Loves babyswear; plus curated lifestyle boutiques Kind Curations and Prae Store. 

If you obsess over those boho chic outfits you see on Freepeople’s Instagram, and you wish that overseas shipping didn’t break your wallet, the great news is you can find those hippie bohemian looks in the fabulous Palm Beach fashion boutique, White Bohemian. Founded by free spirited local lass Sharon, this gem is the embodiment of new age hippy fashion; stocking renowned Byron Bay labels such as Arnhem Clothing, Spell Designs and Amilita, while also supporting up-and-coming local brands. So, get your best Kate Bosworth face ready; it’s time to be a beach-y bohemian. 

The sassiest new addition to Mermaid Beach’s highway strip has got to be Lovechild. Just a few shops up from Board Culture Espresso, this boutique beauty will have you weak at the knees. Stocking a range of ethically-sourced apparel, you’ll find only the finest cruelty-free, vegan fashion and beauty products at Lovechild. Slip on some vegan leather boots (yes, that’s a thing!) or a cruelty-free silk tank and walk out completely on trend, while also doing your bit for the planet. Lovechild also hosts a twice monthly vegan market in the neighbouring laneway, overflowing with plant-loving foodie stalls, live DJ and all of the warm and fuzzy feels. 

It’s a Friday or Saturday night and you’ve got no desire to cook dinner. But you’ve only got $20 in the kitty, so heading to your fave sit-down restaurant is a total stretch. So, what’s a hungry, not-keen-to-cook person to do? Two words—Miami Marketta. This long-established gem is held every Friday and Saturday night (and on a smaller scale on Wednesdays) and pulls together some of the best ethnic food stalls from across the Coast. Pair it with an electric vibe, revolving roster of toe-tapping bands and DJs, multiple cocktail bars, a dessert hall, fashion stalls and a buzzing family-friendly crowd, and you’ve got one of the best markets on the Gold Coast.

Life on two wheels goes together like beards and anchor tattoos. Heck, here at The Urban List we’re even part-time bikie chicks ourselves! Currumbin’s Iron & Resin is a bike shop cum coffee stop, but don’t be intimated by the sweet rumbling of Harleys, Cafe Racers and classic moto rebuilds that ebb and flow from the on-street parking. Roll in for a frothy Will & Co. brew and brekkie burgers the size of your head; Sunday mornings are buzzing with live music and are your best bet if you’re looking to pop your Iron & Resin cherry.

Handcrafted wooden skateboards, floppy felt hats, babes on push bikes—who needs Bondi when you’ve got The Village Markets? Since 2008, “TVM” has been silencing the skeptics of the Gold Coast’s blossoming talent pool with their artfully selected round up of boutique fashion and lifestyle stalls. Trading on the first and third Sunday of every month at Burleigh Heads State School from 8.30am until 1pm, their famous “positive Sunday vibes” are always a winner. Pack a picnic blanket; marvel at emerging designers, creatives, and collectors; listen to live music; and eat delicious food. What more could your weekend possibly call for?

Every beach city needs a few epic bikini boutiques so we don’t all end up in the same Triangl bikini and side eyeing each other at the beach. Burleigh boutique, Bikini & Me on James Street is the perfect place to head if you’re into edgy swimwear choices from internationally renowned brands like Tigerlily, Bassike, Seafolly and Zimmerman. That said, it should be renamed “Bikini & More” because Bikini & Me also offers casual apparel, lifestyle wear and gorgeous accessories that will spice up your beach style.