Coming to the Gold Coast this month and beyond? Here’s what’s new and what’s happening.
Gold Coast’s favourite after-dark cabaret unveils its newest production
Dracula’s Gold Coast will premiere its newest production, ABYSS, on Wednesday 19 August – a full-scale live show that chews up cabaret and spits out something darker. Devoid of light. High in pressure. ABYSS submerges audiences into an underworld of live rock music, aerial acrobatics, and Dracula’s signature mayhem.
This two-week long kids’ festival is the only school holiday itinerary
Gold Coast’s HOTA, Home of the Arts, will transform into the ultimate destination for family fun these September school holidays as the annual kids’ festival returns with an exciting program of theatre, circus, music and free interactive experiences designed to ignite young imaginations. From internationally acclaimed performances and larger-than-life illuminated artworks to free festivals, environmental workshops, cultural experiences and interactive play, the program offers something for every age while celebrating creativity, sustainability and the joy of spending time together outdoors. Kids Take Over runs throughout the September–October school holidays at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Australia’s favourite coastal country festival has just dropped its 2026 lineup
Broadbeach is set to come alive this October as Groundwater Country Music Festival returns from 16–18 October with another blockbuster lineup of homegrown legends, international stars and rising talent. Headlined by Australian country icon Kasey Chambers and New Zealand powerhouse Kaylee Bell, the free three-day festival will also feature The Wolfe Brothers, Beccy Cole, James Blundell, Lane Pittman, Hayley Jensen, Kingswood and more, transforming the Broadbeach foreshore into Australia’s ultimate beachside country music celebration.
Amaya is Broadbeach’s newest premium holiday apartment collection
Broadbeach has just scored a new suite of luxury holiday apartments, set within walking distance to the famed beachfront and Gold Coast’s highest concentration of chef-hatted restaurants. Amaya’s sprawling two and three-bedroom apartments offer ocean and hinterland views and are designed to provide guests with the comforts of home alongside premium resort-style amenities.
Gold Coast’s first Westin hotel set to elevate city’s luxury hotel scene
The Gold Coast will welcome its first Westin hotel when the new-build property opens in late 2029. The hotel will occupy 20 levels of a mixed-use development, featuring 115 premium guest rooms and 23 suites with sweeping views across the Pacific Ocean and Gold Coast hinterland. Guests can expect a signature restaurant and bar, conference and meeting facilities, an infinity pool and pool bar, the WestinWorkout Fitness Studio and the brand’s renowned Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Surfers’ stunning new social resort is officially open
The Gold Coast’s accommodation scene is getting a major upgrade with the official opening of Bounce Surfers. Rising seven storeys over the riverside at 10 Pine Avenue, Budds Beach, Surfers Paradise, this 94-room, 470-bed hybrid social hotel seamlessly combines the high-end design of a boutique hotel with the vibrant energy of a social resort. A mediterranean-style rooftop pool club crowns the hotel, wrapping a cascade pool deck in terracotta and pink tones, complete with resident DJs and restaurant and bar. Facing the hinterland, the rooftop oasis delivers unmatched panoramic sunset views over Surfers Paradise.
The Gold Coast’s newest sky-high stay is now open
The Star Gold Coast has officially opened bookings for its newest accommodation offering – The Star Residences Tower Two. The 65-storey offering blends apartment-style living with luxury hotel services, giving travellers access to spacious self-contained stays, premium wellness facilities and the precinct’s award-winning restaurants, bars and entertainment. Positioned within walking distance of Pacific Fair, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and Broadbeach’s beaches, the new tower offers guests direct access to some of the city’s most sought-after lifestyle and entertainment experiences.
The Gold Coast’s hottest dining precinct is about to score a French bistro
The team behind acclaimed Lars Bar and Grill is expanding its Nobby Beach footprint with Bistro Margaux, a classic French neighbourhood bistro opening this August. Inspired by the warmth of Paris and the laid-back rhythm of the Gold Coast, the new venue will bring timeless French cuisine, an exceptional wine list and all-day neighbourhood charm to one of the city’s favourite dining precincts.
Pacific Fair is officially a pastry-lover’s paradise
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has become the Gold Coast’s newest destination for pastry lovers, with the city’s first Lune Croissanterie now open and a pop-up from cult favourite Paddock Bakery popped up in early August. Lune has brought its acclaimed Melbourne pastries to an alfresco pavilion in the heart of the centre, serving its signature croissants, pain au chocolat, almond croissants, lemon-curd cruffins and ham and Gruyère croissants, alongside rotating monthly specials.
