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All That's New and Exciting from Australia's Gold Coast - March 2016

  • Written by Chelsea Hauschka



All the latest news from the Gold Coast: Bleach* Festival illuminates the Gold Coast, official dedication of the Gold Coast as the 8th World Surfing Reserve, Balter Brewery opens its doors to the public in April, award-winning eco-tourism pioneers O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat celebrate 90-year milestone, and many other story ideas.

BLEACH* FESTIVAL

Bleach* Festival (4-20 March) illuminates the Gold Coast with contemporary music, theatre and dance performances, innovative art installations, outdoor events and much more. The events utilise the Gold Coast's world famous natural landscapes as unconventional venues, stages and canvases. As the Gold Coast's signature arts and cultural festival, Bleach* Festival connects creativity, culture and community.

Highlights of this year's event include: Horizon with Angels (4-5 March), Shifting Sands (12-13 March), Luminaries by Craig Walsh (various dates and locations), Opera Selvaggio at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (12 March) and The Last Blast (18-20 March).

WHAT'S ON

STORY IDEAS

  • Currumbin's new craft brewery, Balter Brewery, will open its doors next month. Founded by local World Champion surfers Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning along with surfers Josh Kerr and Bede Durbidge, the brewery is set to start pouring to the public in April. Read more.
  • The announcement of the Gold Coast as the 8th World Surfing Reserve (WSR) further cements the Gold Coast's position as the home of Australia's surfing. On 8 March 2016, on the eve of the Quicksilver and Roxy Pro, the Gold Coast from Burleigh to Snapper Rocks will receive official dedication as the 8th WSR - one of only two in Australia. Click here for more information and images.
  • Award winning eco-tourism pioneers O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat this year celebrate a momentous 90-year milestone since first swinging open their guest house doors and slab huts to nature lovers back in 1926. The original timber Retreat and newer addition Villa precinct – once Herb O'Reilly's dairy farm - remain surrounded by 20,000 sub-tropical hectares of ancient Gondwana rainforest, 160 kilometres of walking trails, over 500 waterfalls and 250 species of Australian wildlife.
  • Dreamworld launched a $7million dollar redevelopment of the park's iconic Tiger Island. Home to 14 tigers, Dreamworld through the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation is the largest zoological contributor to tiger conservation worldwide, raising funds through tiger experiences and donations to save wild tigers, now critically endangered. The redevelopment includes world-class tiger exhibits with extended accommodation, a new stadium, interpretive areas, improved viewing areas and splash pools with underwater viewing and much more. 

NEW EXPERIENCES

  • O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat launched a new Sunset Experience: Enjoy magnificent sunset views over the western McPherson Ranges from the cliff side at Luke's Bluff or Moonlight Crag, bubbles in hand.
  • Glow in the Dark Flying Fox at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat: Challenge your instincts by strapping into a harness and launching 25m above the rainforest canopy to zip along the 180m zip line – all by the light of your glow stick.
  • Get your Monster on at Gold Coast City Gallery: John Cox's Creature Workshop brings fascinating 'behind the scenes' exhibition How to Make a Monster: the art and technology of animatronics to audiences from 26 March – 12 June
  • AWOL Adventures launched their 'Road Less Travelled Tour' from Coolangatta to Byron (return). The tour travels through the Currumbin Valley and Tweed Caldera and visitors will get the chance to experience the rainforest, hidden gems and Byron Bay.
  • Timezone has officially opened its new 3,000 m² entertainment centre at The Strand in Coolangatta.

CURRENT & FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

  • Work has begun on the Gold Coast's first fully serviced beachfront event space – Kurrawa Terrace - at Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach.
  • Gold Coast Airport has received approval of the Major Development Plan for Project LIFT (Let's Invest for Tomorrow). Stage one includes two new wide-bodied aircraft stands and a three level terminal development, with four aerobridges and improved ground transport facilities.
  • The Star Entertainment Group unveiled an additional proposal to develop a new 200m hotel tower at Jupiters Gold Coast which would house approx. 700 hotel rooms and apartments. For more information on the property's current transformation, click here.

NEW: AVIATION

  • Gold Coast Tourism, Gold Coast Airport and Hong Kong Airlines announced year-around flights from Hong Kong to the Gold Coast, commencing from early April 2016.

OTHER NEWS

  • Paradox Kitchen & Bar now open for dinner at The 4217: the menu is an eclectic mix of shared plates with a focus on quality meat, seafood and vegetables from the grill.