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The best bowls clubs on the Gold Coast

After weeks of long lunches and late nights, we’re all a little over partying – but not ready to become total hermits. Enter the best bowls clubs on the Gold Coast: laid-back, outdoorsy and social without the late nights, they’re the perfect way to see out the rest of summer.

Club Broadbeach

You’ve definitely driven past it, but have you ever kicked your shoes off and hit the green? Barefoot bowls here is $10 per person for two hours, Tuesday to Sunday, with four floodlit championship greens that can host big groups with ease. Add finger food, BBQ options and classic pub drinks, and you’ve got an ideal reunion spot – plus, it’s dog friendly.

www.broadbeachbowlsclub.com.au

Burleigh Bowls

An icon for good reason. Barefoot bowls are $5 on weekdays and $10 Friday to Sunday, with beach views, big greens and a soundtrack of crowd-pleasing hits. Don’t miss ‘Bowls, Beats & Brews’ on the last Sunday of each month, with DJs, cocktails and an outdoor bar.

www.burleighbowls.org.au

Cooly Bowls Club

A laid-back favourite near the border, offering barefoot bowls from 10am daily (except Mondays). It’s $5 for non-members plus a $10 green fee, with easy online bookings. Stick around for live music on Fridays and Sundays, and dinner at on-site Chinese restaurant Feng Shui.

www.coolybowls.com

Club Mermaid

Perfect for first-timers, Club Mermaid keeps things fun and fuss-free with staff on hand to help you get started. Expect natural grass greens, a fully outdoor setup and a classic bowls-club vibe. Bowls cost $7 on weekdays and $10 Friday to Sunday, with themed platters available.

www.clubmermaid.com.au

Tugun Bowls Club

Community-minded and effortlessly cool, Tugun Bowls shines on Sundays with barefoot bowls, rotating street-food trucks and live music. The garden bar pours craft beers, spritzes and cocktails, with bowls priced at $15 per rink. Family-friendly, welcoming and perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

www.tugunbowls.com.au
Club Musgrave

Formerly Musgrave Hill Bowls Club, this Southport institution has been delivering good times for over 60 years. Barefoot bowls are $10 per person across three greens, with a fully licensed clubhouse and regular events like trivia nights and live music making it an easy crowd-pleaser.

www.clubmusgrave.com
Club Helensvale

Modern, polished and group-friendly, Club Helensvale offers tailored catering packages for everything from birthdays to corporate events. Barefoot bowls run at $10 on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, with bookings essential. As they say themselves: lawn bowls, redefined.

www.clubhelensvale.com.au

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The scout six: Toasties

There’s nothing quite like a toastie – crispy bread, tasty toppings, gooey cheese… They’re perfect at any time of the day. So next time you’re out and about, looking for a meal that’s not too big, not too small, not too fussy, but totally delicious, use this guide to track down one of the six best toasties on the Gold Coast.

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Lyra Café, Coolangatta

If you’re down by the border and craving a top-quality toastie, look no further than Lyra – Griffith Street’s best kept secret (until now). Owners Anna and Chey have transformed what was once Koffee at Tiffany’s into a cute, cosy café reflective of their combined 40 years in hospitality.

Since re-opening in June 2025 as Lyra (the harp constellation, a nod to their shared love of music), Anna and Chey have set about nailing their offering. Good coffee, specialty drinks and tried-and-true breakfast favourites are what they’re all about.

Their standout menu item? Definitely the toasties. Best described as classic with a twist – with options including turkey, cranberry and brie with fresh avo, ham and cheese with pickles, and truffle mushroom – they’re all served up on slices from Bread Social, and pair perfectly with their selection of sweet treats (favourites from Fuel Bakehouse and housemade muffins alike).

So no, you don’t need to queue for a cold foam latte or a delicious grab-and-go breakfast next time you’re down south. Just head to Lyra!

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kōst Corner, Broadbeach

By night, it’s one of Broadbeach’s best dining destinations – by day, kōst Corner slings coffees, elevated toasties and pastries with a twist. Crowd favourites include the kōst Monsieur (smoked ham and gruyére), the truffle mushroom with caramelised onion, and a smoked chicken and jalapeño combo that’s like nothing you’ve tasted before.

www.instagram.com

Rafiki, Mermaid Beach

Rafiki specialises in toasties turned up to eleven. Expect fully loaded creations like pulled pork and caramelised onion, delicious haloumi and Moroccan pesto chicken, all dusted with their signature ‘Flavour Bomb’. They’re tasty, flavourful and seriously satisfying – so bring your appetite.

www.instagram.com

MC’s Sandwich House, Burleigh Heads

MC’s shines with old-school favourites done… differently. Think kimchi Reuben, three-cheese and jalapeño and a classic tuna melt, all served up on their thick, crispy bread and sprinkled with chunky salt flakes. Pressed just right, generously filled and endlessly craveable. Yum.

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Junior’s Deli, Mudgeeraba

At Junior’s, sandwiches are kind of their thing – so it follows that they serve up some standout toasties, too. From their grilled mortadella (or halloumi, for the vegos), to the hot salami on toasted sourdough, it’s comfort food through and through – warm, filling and reliably good.

www.instagram.com

Side Piece, Varsity Lakes

Side Piece is known for their generous, Instagram-able breakfasts, but they also have a refined selection of café toasties for when you’re on the go (or saving room for one of their baked goods). Take your pick between a classic bacon and egg toastie or a tried-and-true ham and cheese. You really can’t go wrong.

www.instagram.com

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The best waterfalls and rock pools on (and around) the Gold Coast

If you’re averse to salt water, waves or cabanas, we’ve got good news – our region offers more places to swim than just the beach. The Gold Coast, and especially nearby Northern Rivers, is home to the best waterfalls and rock pools, all waiting to be explored. You just need to know where to look…

Currumbin Rock Pools

One of the most accessible watering holes on this list, the Currumbin Rock Pools are perfect for those looking for an easy alternative to a beach day. With a carpark, public toilet and even its own café across the road, you don’t need to battle through bushland to enjoy the cool oasis of the rockpools – though you probably will have to battle a crowd. Honestly, worth it!

Cougal Cascades

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more secluded, but still easy to access, keep driving up Currumbin Creek Road to the Cougal Cascade Carpark. From there, it’s a short walk to the cascades themselves – a series of short waterfalls that pool into rocky craters as far as the eye can see. Go for a wander to the Historic Sawmill, or pick a flat rock and unwind in the sun. You’ll feel like you’re a world away.

Bexhill Quarry

Vast, calm and impossibly blue, Bexhill Quarry was once something of a local secret – now, it’s become so popular that the local council is in talks to turn it into a proper swimming site. Until then, you’ll have to trudge along the beaten bath, navigate the narrow banks and dodge discarded cars and building materials – all the fun that comes with swimming in an abandoned quarry.

Check out our guide to Bexhill Quarry, right here

Tosha Falls

Just outside Alstonville (which is, in turn, just outside Ballina), you’ll find Tosha Falls. One of many waterfalls in the area, there’s something about Tosha that keeps us coming back. It’s the Goldilocks of waterfalls – not too tall, not too busy, not too hard to get to, everything about Tosha Falls is just right. And after a dip and a lounge in the sun, the perfect lunch spot – the Eltham Hotel – is less than 15 minutes away. Perfect.

Killen Falls

Chasing waterfalls? You’re in luck. Just a 15-minute drive from Tosha Falls is Killen Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the area (for good reason). Part of a patch of rainforest called the Big Scrub, Killen Falls is only a few hundred metres from the carpark – though it feels perfectly secluded. Take a (cautious) dip in the water, then round the bank to the cave behind the falls to see them in a whole new light.

Whian Whian Falls

A collection of falls, rather than just one, Whian Whian offers options depending on your mood and energy levels – from short walks to peaceful lookouts, to longer tracks that lead to wide, clear pools perfect for a post-hike swim. It’s greener, quieter and a little wilder than some of the more popular Northern Rivers waterfalls, making it ideal if you’re craving space, shade and that “how is this only an hour from the Gold Coast?” feeling.

Minyon Falls

Last, but certainly not least, is Minyon Falls – certainly the grandest waterfall on this list. Located between Byron Bay and Nimbin in the waterfall-dense Nightcap National Park, Minyon Falls is famous for a reason. If you’re willing to take the hike, you’ll be rewarded with views from all angles – from the dizzying 100-metre lookout to the lower walking tracks – and a cooling swim at the base of the falls.

Editor’s note: Be careful when exploring these areas. Wildlife, submerged objects and slippery surfaces are just some of the hazards you’re likely to encounter, so go slow, stay shallow and never jump into murky water.

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Our 2026 summer reading list

The Silly Season is over and we’re (kind of) back in the swing of things, but we’re still looking for ways to keep that holiday feeling going a little bit longer. Our solution? A great book. Here are some of the buzziest titles to add to your reading list this summer.

‘The Housemaid’ by Freida McFadden

Still the psychological thriller dominating reading lists, and now firmly back in the spotlight thanks to its much-anticipated film adaptation. Fast, twisty and wildly bingeable, it’s the kind of book you’ll finish in a weekend – then immediately text your friends about.

‘God of the Woods’ by Liz Moore

One of the most critically buzzed literary novels of the moment. Set in 1975 at a summer camp in the Adirondacks, this atmospheric mystery blends family secrets, class and grief with a slow-burn sense of unease. A smart, elevated pick for readers who want something immersive and thoughtful.

‘Nobody’s Girl’ by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

If you’re looking for a light summer read, this certainly isn’t it – instead, it’s a powerful, confronting memoir that has sparked global conversation. Giuffre’s account of survival, justice and speaking truth to power makes this one of the most talked-about non-fiction releases of the year – not light, but undeniably important.

‘Atlas of the Heart’ by Brené Brown

Four years on, this is still one of the most culturally resonant non-fiction titles of recent years. In ‘Atlas of the Heart’, Brené Brown gives us language for the emotions that shape our lives – from joy and grief to belonging and loneliness. Thoughtful without being heavy, it’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of all summer, highlighter in hand.

‘Heated Rivalry’ by Rachel Reid

Yes, that ‘Heated Rivalry’. Still dominating romance charts, this sports romance has become a word-of-mouth phenomenon thanks to its TV adaptation. Fast-paced, addictive and emotionally charged, it’s a summer read that’s as fun as it is bingeable.

‘Wild Dark Shore’ by Charlotte McConaghy

Nature writing meets emotional suspense in this haunting, beautifully written novel. Expect isolation, shifting relationships and McConaghy’s signature environmental undercurrent – perfect for quiet afternoons and long evenings.

‘Beth Is Dead’ by Katie Bernet

A modern, Gen Z–fuelled reimagining of ‘Little Women’ with serious thriller energy. Dark, clever and highly discussable, it’s generating serious buzz among younger readers and book clubs alike.

‘Funny Story’ by Emily Henry

Because no summer reading list is complete without a romance everyone’s already halfway through. Emily Henry’s latest continues her reign as the queen of clever, comforting love stories – perfect poolside reading with just enough emotional depth to linger.

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How to make the most of the 2026 public holidays

We’ve studied the calendar to find out how we can get the most out of our public holidays and annual leave in 2026. And now, we’re sharing our findings with you. Just don’t tell our boss, okay?

Easter

Easter makes it surprisingly easy to turn one week of leave into a 16-day holiday. Take off work from Monday March 30 to Thursday April 2, then Tuesday April 7 to Friday April 10, and you’ll score yourself a decent holiday from Saturday March 28 through to Sunday April 12. Not sure where to go? Our 2026 travel bucket list has some great suggestions for that time of year.

Labour Day

With Anzac Day falling on a Saturday this year, we won’t get a proper weekday public holiday (if you’re starting a petition to change that, let us know – we’ll sign it). But Queensland’s Labour Day public holiday on Monday May 4 is here to save the day. You can take five days of leave (Monday April 27 to Friday May 1) and have yourself a holiday from Saturday April 25 to Monday May 4.

Show Days

The Queensland Show Days are a bit of a minefield – with so many Gold Coasters working in Brisbane, and vice versa, it’s hard to know what to do when our public holidays roll around. If you’re getting one of the Ekka public holidays (remember: they change from council to council), it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the Gold Coast hinterland while the rest of us are working – especially if you take off a couple of days either side and make a mini-break out of it.

For the Gold Coast Show Day on Friday August 28, if you’re not heading to the show itself, drive south – it’s the perfect opportunity to explore usually-busy Byron Bay without the crowds.

King’s Birthday

Falling on Monday October 5 this year, the King’s Birthday public holiday offers an opportunity to enjoy a cruisy nine days off for the price of four annual leave days. Make sure you take October 6to 9 off to get nine days of holidays, from Saturday October 3 to Sunday October 11.

Christmas and New Year’s Day

We know, we know – Christmas feels too far away to plan for. But being organised and carefully coordinating your time off will reward you handsomely when the festive season rolls back around. If you don’t have the time off already, you can take just three days of leave (Tuesday December 29 to Thursday December 31) and get a 10-day holiday, from Christmas Day through to Sunday January 3. Now that’s a gift worth planning for.

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