Tag: Local loves

Miss Galaxy Australia National Finalist 2025

When we caught up with Sofia earlier this month, she was fresh off competing in the Miss Grand Australia National Finals at the Gold Coast’s Imperial Hotel, against contestants from all over the country.

Sofia was crowned Miss Congeniality 2025, an award given to the girl who was voted by her contestants as the most kind, helpful, positive, charismatic contestant.

“I learnt what true pageantry is about,” says Sofia. “It is about uplifting each other. Being positive, kind, empowering and feeling empowered.”

The pageant is held in support of Destiny Rescue, a charity which supports undercover operations to rescue children from trafficking and exploitation.

“Spreading awareness about this is so important and will really help children all over the world,” says Sofia. “In total the Miss Grand Australia finalists raised $23,000 for this charity. Almost 13 children can be saved.”

Which suburb do you call home? 

Robina.

What makes that suburb the best on the GC? 

The location has a different quality of life, I find. The people are kind and the opportunities, accessibility and activities are abundant.

Favourite place to stop, relax for 20 mins and enjoy a morning cuppa? And what treat is on the plate next to it? 

Paddock Bakery in Burleigh is the best place to have a good cup of coffee or a fresh juice with any of their delicious sweet treats like their crème brûlée donut.

The best place to grab a low-key lunch or dinner on the Gold Coast? What’s the best thing on the menu?

Kathmandu Momo in Surfers Paradise has the best Nepalese dumplings and noodles. They are open everyday, from 12.30pm to 12am.

You’re planning a fun, local night out with your mates: Which three locations top your list and why?

Burleigh Heads, Miami, Broadbeach. They are the more vibey, nicer parts of the GC at night. There are a lot of great restaurants, concerts and just overall entertainment happening in these locations.

Your Saturday morning is totally free: How are you spending it?

I would start with a sunrise swim at the beach and bible study, then walk my dogs and head to a dog-friendly cafe like Paddock Bakery.

Favourite Gold Coast shopping destination? 

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

You need to rest and recharge: Where do you go/what do you do?

Head to the nearest beach and go for a swim or walk at Burleigh, Nobby, Mermaid or Miami.

Complete this sentence: Only a Gold Coast local knows…

The best spots for a picnic.

Love hearing from Gold Coast locals? You’ll love our Local Loves segment – a place for us to catch up with notable locals and chat all things Gold Coast.

Indoor Skydiver

Which suburb do you call home?
Pacific Pines.

What makes it the best on the GC?

You will find lots of parks and skate parks, and it’s just a quick walk to go get myself a slushy or an ice cream.

Favourite place to stop, relax for 20 min and enjoy a morning cuppa? And what treat is on the plate next to it? 

As a 15-year-old, my time to relax in the morning is my 20-minute ride to school, while I drink my Voomie (local GC company) in hot chocolate or smoothie. Once I get to school, I’m lucky enough to be served a hot breakfast before class starts. My favourite is pancake day.

The best place to grab a low-key lunch or dinner on the Gold Coast? What’s the best thing on the menu?

Best low-key lunch is an early lunch at Seaway Kiosk. My go to on the menu is a take-away acai bowl, so I can go eat it at the benches by the water.

You’re planning a fun, Local night out with your mates: which three locations top your list and why? 

I’m not your typical ‘out all night’ teen. My idea of a fun night out is hanging out with my best friend at her house or going to iFLY for training and grabbing take out or an ice cream on the way home.

Your Saturday morning is totally free: How are you spending it? 

I’m spending my free Saturday morning sleeping till midday, or getting up for an early morning session at iFLY for some training – by early, I mean about 10am.

Favourite Gold Coast shopping destinations?

Robina and Pacific Fair.

You need to rest and recharge: where do you go/what do you do? 

Bed, Netflix, blankets and doing absolutely nothing. That’s how I rest and recharge.

Complete this sentence: Only a Gold Coast local knows …

It’s the best place to live. It has the best of everything so close – beaches, mountains, good food and lots to do. It feels like a holiday all the time.

I’m an ARMY brat; I have lived in lots of places. The Gold Coast is the best, and all the locals know that.

Love hearing from Gold Coast locals? You’ll love our Local Loves segment – a place for us to catch up with notable locals and chat all things Gold Coast.

Podcast hosts of Australia’s number one teen podcast ‘Move Over Mama’

Which suburb do you call home?

Ashmore

What makes that suburb the best on the GC?

Our unpopular opinion is that it’s not perfect yet, but it has potential. We live here because its affordable, close to our work and great schools, and 10 minutes from the beach and highway.

It’s the convenience and price of property of the suburb that attracted us, but personally believe it’s in a growth stage and better amenities are coming. We need an updated and fresh restaurant precinct to bring us together. We tend to search other neighbouring suburbs for that.

Favourite place to stop, relax for 20 minutes and enjoy a morning cuppa? And what treat is on the plate next to it? 

We don’t really stop and relax like that – as an ADHD family we are big on moving to help our brains. So, we grab a drink and go for big walks on the Oceanway, sipping away enjoying the sunshine and sound of the beach.

The best place to grab a low-key lunch or dinner on the gold coast? What’s the best thing on the menu?

Shiraz Persian restaurant in Surfers is our favourite. Such simple delicious food that the whole family is a fan of. We all fight over the succulent lamb chops and have to order more.

You’re planning a fun, local night out with your mates: which three locations top your list and why?

1. Roy’s by Gemelli in Bundall is one of our favourites. The food quality is consistent, the vibe is wonderful, and the gelato is next-level good.
2. El Porton Spanish Kitchen in Benowa is new. The service and food are perfection.
3. Hideaway Kitchen and Bar in Broadbeach is always fun, colourful and delicious.

Your Saturday morning is totally free: how are you spending it?

Emily Jade: A walk on the beach with my girlfriends, it’s my favourite thing on a Saturday morning when I get the chance.

Millie: Shopping at Pacific Fair

Favourite Gold Coast shopping destination? 

Pacific Fair, its Millie’s spiritual home.

You need to rest and recharge: where do you go/what do you do? 

Home… We are out so often, and I just want to be at home snuggling on the couch watching movies.

Complete this sentence: only a gold coast local knows…

That if you get stung by a blue bottle weeing on the sting is the best thing for it.

Click here to learn more about ‘Move Over Mama’

Love hearing from Gold Coast locals? You’ll love our Local Loves segment – a place for us to catch up with notable locals and chat all things Gold Coast.

Stand-up Comedian

Which suburb do you call home?

I’m Māori and I was born in Aotearoa New Zealand, so naturally I live in Upper Coomera.

What makes that suburb the best on the GC?

Coomera has the largest Māori and Kiwi population outside Aotearoa New Zealand because it sounds like the Māori word for sweet potato. We people of the Pacific have very healthy appetites (just ask Captain Cook!).

Favourite place to stop, relax for 20 mins and enjoy a morning cuppa? And what treat is on the plate next to it?

With only 20min to spare – it’s not fancy, but the staff at Brumby’s Upper Coomera are as warm as the fresh cinnamon donuts that come out of their ovens around 9am!

The best place to grab a low-key lunch or dinner on the Gold Coast? What’s the best thing on the menu?

I could eat Mexican all day long, so nothing beats a chilled Sunday arvo catching some live music over a spicy margarita and a couple of tempura prawn tacos at Pablito’s Sanctuary Cove. Great vibes and top value.

You’re planning a fun, local night out with your mates: Which three locations top your list and why?

I’d start with sundowners at the Eagle Heights Hotel with its spectacular views from Tamborine Mountain, watching the skyscrapers of Surfer’s Paradise change colour, followed by dinner at the nostalgic bush restaurant Stanley’s Barn – Upper Coomera’s best kept secret right next door to the Gold Coast Motor Museum. And to finish the night off, I’d hit up one of our local open mic comedy nights and check out the new talent. They’re on nearly every night of the week, in a variety of venues right along the coast, but my top pick is The Henchman in Miami.

Your Saturday morning is totally free: How are you spending it?

I’m a man of extremes, so with my season pass, I’d pop in to Warner Bros. Movie World as soon as it opens to beat the crowds to the DC Rivals Hypercoaster for a quick adrenaline shot, then grab a Krispy Kreme (yes, I have a donut problem) and a freshly-squeezed juice (for balance) on my way to find a quiet spot along one of the endless stretches of uninhabited beach, and just take in the fresh sea air while letting the waves wash the worries of the world away. Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson were right: the best things in life are free!

Favourite Gold Coast shopping destination?

Hands down, it has to be Harbour Town Outlets – I can’t go past a good bargain, and their 24hr fruit and veg market is the best value fresh food around (apart from stealing fresh homegrown rocket and lettuce from my cousin’s garden).

You need to rest and recharge: Where do you go/what do you do?

If a day at the beach still hasn’t taken the edge off, I head to City Cave Coomera for a floatation tank – I’ve got ADHD and autism so I’m easily overstimulated and complete sensory isolation provides a whole new level of relaxation. Plus, the salts in the water relieve my tense muscles like nothing else. It’s like returning to the womb for an hour.

Complete this sentence: Only a Gold Coast local knows…

Elly Eldridge at Next International Salon in Upper Coomera is the most talented – and best value – hair colourist in town! She keeps my signature blue/green/purple hair on point.

Love hearing from Gold Coast locals? You’ll love our Local Loves segment – a place for us to catch up with notable locals and chat all things Gold Coast.

Owner of small fashion brand The Good Day Project

Which suburb do you call home?

Robina

What makes that suburb the best on the GC?

Everything is so central. I can be down at the beach in under 10 minutes and do all my groceries around the corner.

Favourite place to stop, relax for 20 mins and enjoy a morning cuppa? And what treat is on the plate next to it?

A coffee or fresh juice from BSKT and a morning beach walk at Miami with our dogs, Storm (our black lab) and Sunnie (our white golden retriever). I am a big sweet tooth… so any sweet treat is tempting for me, haha!

The best place to grab a low-key lunch or dinner on the Gold Coast? What’s the best thing on the menu?

We love a low-key early dinner. Our go-to would be Lucky Bao. It never disappoints, and I can never leave without ordering the crispy eggplant – even though I never finish it, it’s so big!

You’re planning a fun, local night out with your mates: Which three locations top your list and why?

It’s usually a long boozy lunch with our group. Mexicali have a great bottomless margi deal. After that usually down the road at Nobby’s Arc then head to Justin Lane for a dance or a pub for some live music.

Your Saturday morning is totally free: How are you spending it?

Up early for a home workout, do some work, a beach walk and brekky with my other half, and usually a catch up with mum for a coffee.

Favourite Gold Coast shopping destination?

James Street in Burleigh. My go-to’s are Emte and Sean Scott.

Complete this sentence: Only a Gold Coast local knows…

The feeling coming home from holidays and realising this really is the best place to live. That, and the Dippy Eggs at Paddock are elite!

Love hearing from Gold Coast locals? You’ll love our Local Loves segment – a place for us to catch up with notable locals and chat all things Gold Coast.