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GOLD COASTSHOP

IT’S a gloriously sunny Saturday afternoon and the bunch of chic 20-somethings is all shopped out. They

have bags from Scanlan Theodore, Chanel, Michael Kors, Sephora, H&M and Sneakerboy, and now they’re making the seemingly tough decision as to which hip restaurant – rooftop or garden bar, apparently – they should go for cocktails and a late lunch. This is not a scene from Australian fashion capitals Sydney or Melbourne, but Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Not so long ago, the Gold Coast was best known for its theme parks, beaches and the Surfers Paradise glitter strip, but the city has

AUSTRALIA’S GLITZ CITY IS EMERGING AS A FASHION CAPITAL WITH AN INTERNATIONAL VIBE

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transformed into an exciting, creative and entrepreneurial mecca. With the Gold Coast gearing up for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, upmarket eateries, fine-dining restaurants, designer markets and cool pop-up bars opening every week, and premium global brands opening their doors in the city, the ‘Goldie’, as locals a!ectionately call it, has grown up.

Gold Coast

QUEENSLAND

the ‘Goldie’, as locals a!ectionately call it, has grown up

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“There’s a new confidence here,” says restaurateur Simon Gloftis, the man behind Greek institution Hellenika and the iconic The Fish House, which he recently sold to work on a top-secret project.

“There comes a point where a city matures and the Gold Coast is at that crucial point now. We’ve hit critical mass population-wise, we have the airports, the sporting teams, the shopping – we have everything all coming together.”

Along with the burgeoning culinary, arts and music scenes, one of the most dramatic changes in recent months is the retail landscape.

While Gold Coasters once had to visit southern states for a serious fashion fix, the city is fast becoming a world-class shopping hub. And where better to start your retail therapy than at shopping giant Pacific Fair, which is in the final stages of a $670 million redevelopment.

Here you will find a mix of global brands including Givenchy, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Louboutin and Chanel, international chains such as H&M and Zara, plus Australian designer faves Zimmermann, Scanlan Theodore, Aje, Alice McCall, Sass and Bide and Manning Cartell.

If in doubt of where

to start, head to The Resort, an open-air retail precinct filled with palm trees, water features and cabanas. There are good restaurants and cafés in the dining precinct, or try hot-spot Garden Kitchen and Bar across the road at Jupiters Gold Coast.

Over at Robina Town Centre, shoppers will be in foodie heaven when urban marketplace and culinary playground The Kitchens opens this month. The $160 million two-level, industrial-style space is a melting pot of fresh-food retailers, cafés, fine-dining restaurants, bars and street food options including MasterChef judge George Calombaris’ souvlaki bar, Jimmy Grants, and reality star-turned-Naked Treaties entrepreneur Jemma Gawned’s organic, raw, sugar-free desserts and superfood smoothies.

If you want a village atmosphere and spot of boutique shopping,

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Pacific Fair Resort; Marissa Bowden and Sarah Schoeller from The Village Markets; house-smoked salmon salad from Garden Kitchen & Bar; rack of denim at Bikini and Me.

...an open-air retail precinct, filled with palm trees, water features and cabanas

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Burleigh Heads’ James Street is a must – don’t forget your Birkenstocks and denim shorts.

Once lined with banks, hair salons and souvenir stores, James Street is now a charming seaside enclave boasting myriad boutiques, cool cafés, juice bars and organic stores.

After a strong brew from Canteen Co!ee, visit Sean Scott Boutique for eclectic labels such as One Teaspoon, Goldie brand-turned-

international success story Valley Eyewear and Rolla’s denim. Bikini & Me is the spot for Bassike and Tigerlily swimwear, while Anuk Boutique stocks Zulu & Zephyr, We Are Kindred, Alice McCall and Bec and Bridge.

Over the road in the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, lovers of bohemian luxe can source cult Byron Bay brands Spell, Free People, FallenBrokenStreet and Brixton hats at The Freedom State.

AFTER 11 YEARS IN SYDNEY, FORMER WEEKEND TODAY NEWS PRESENTER WENDY HAS RECENTLY RETURNED TO HER HOMETOWN WITH HER HUSBAND DAVID AND THREE CHILDREN. THE NEWSREADER AT NINE GOLD COAST REVEALS HER LOCAL FAVOURITES.

MY GOLD COAST: WENDY KINGSTON

Where are your top three places to shop on the Gold Coast?I think Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre (pictured below) are becoming equal, if not better, to what’s on offer in Sydney or Melbourne. I spend most of my shopping hours there. For something special or eclectic you can’t go past The Village Markets in Burleigh. We found some great art the other day.

There is a sense of excitement on the Gold Coast at the moment. What are your thoughts on the cultural shift?There’s a huge cultural shift. Once the Gold Coast was only known for its Glitter Strip – now it’s so much more. We have become a destination for shoppers and food lovers who also like spending time at the beach. The difference is what’s on offer – better restaurants, more cultural events and the fact we are going to host the Commonwealth Games – it suggests the Coast is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

We have the tram line that has changed the way people travel, renovations to our big shopping centres, plus a surge in our café and restaurant culture. Beach suburbs such as Palm Beach and Burleigh have become hotspots, with more small bars and more restaurants, but both still retain a great local vibe.

If you had a child-free evening, where would you go?On a (rare) child-free night, I’ve been to Hellenika in Nobby Beach and had a beautiful meal. Pablo Pablo in Palm Beach is amazing and so are the pizzas at Justin Lane at Burleigh.

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On the first and third Sunday of the month, head to The Village Markets in Burleigh Heads. The brainchild of former marketing executives Marissa Bowden and Sarah Schoeller, TVM, as the cool kids call it, has helped brands such as Byron Bay’s Children of the Tribe, Peony Swimwear and Kivari go global. Its 100-plus stalls showcase fashion, homewares, swimwear, jewellery, children’s wear, art and collectibles.

“There is an abundance of creative talent here,” Marissa says. “Part of the reason we started TVM was that there was nowhere on the Gold Coast for these small businesses to showcase their designs. Small brands can’t necessarily a!ord to open a bricks-and-mortar shop so we were able to provide that platform, which in turn prevents local talent from moving to Sydney or Melbourne.”

For those after a more-

bargain-than-boutique experience, Harbour Town, Australia’s largest outlet shopping centre, will appeal. The Biggera Waters outlet mecca o!ers up to 70 per cent o! labels such as Coach, Tigerlily, Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Oroton and Nike. There’s a free tourist shuttle bus and plenty of cafés for sustenance in between bargains, including Goldie icon Zarra!a’s Co!ee.

If you’ve still got stamina, there are pockets of hidden gems across the Gold Coast. Palm Beach, or ‘Palmy’, is undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis and is

now home to a slew of hip cafés and boutiques such as White Bohemian and Hendrixx Espresso, with at least six new restaurants and bars set to open in coming months.

Surfers’ haven Coolangatta is worth a visit for great homewares and boutique shopping: stop by the chic Moelleux Store for Australian, New Zealand and European menswear. Grab a treat from Gelato Messina after.

If you don’t get to every place on your list, it’s the perfect excuse to return ... once your credit card has recovered from the workout.

Jetstar has great low fares to the Gold Coast from

across the network.

To book, visit JETSTAR.COM

Travel info

The pool at Jupiters Gold Coast.TOP LEFT AND BELOW: Harbour Town exterior, and inside Coach at Harbour Town.

Right next to Pacific Fair and across from the bustling Broadbeach dining precinct, Jupiters Gold Coast is the perfect retreat after a shopping marathon. As part of its $345 million transformation, the hotel and casino has unveiled newly refurbished executive floors and deluxe rooms. It wouldn’t be the Gold Coast without a sprawling pool area with private cabanas, poolside bungalows and an outdoor spa. After a day in that famous Gold Coast sun, indulge at Chase Kojima’s izakaya-style Japanese restaurant, Kiyomi, enjoy an Italian feast at the lively Cucina Vivo or treat yourself to a drink or lunch on the lawn at Garden Kitchen.

Where to stay

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