LOCALS LOVE

Live like a local during your Gold Coast winter escape with these immersive insider tips.

WORDS: AMY MILLS

EO: Tell us why you live and work on the Gold Coast.

MH: It's the most beautiful place in the world! I am living here still with all of the friends I grew up with. I love the music, art and culture, we have the most beautiful beaches and there’s always something to do or see. I won't be leaving!

EO: What is one thing people might find surprising about life on the GC?

MH: I guess just how different things are from suburb to suburb. It's a whole different world from the northern end of the Coast down to the southern end, with different cultures and different groups of people.

There's always something new popping up – you can go see a band at a local bar, walk around the corner to grab food at a delicious food truck and then drive 10 minutes to view installations at an art gallery. Although it's a smaller city, there is plenty to experience, you just have to know the right places to look.

EO: What's a dream winter’s day on the GC for an interstate visitor?

MH: Even in winter it’s warm enough to hit up any one of the beautiful beaches – Burleigh is always popular – and then treat yourself at the cafes in the area. After that, you can’t go wrong with parking up at one of the watering holes like Après [Surf] at Burleigh and if you’re lucky, they may have DJs spinning tunes or trivia on a Wednesday night.

EO: Hot tip for a great coffee? Daark Espresso at Labrador is my go-to.

EO: Top spot for a weekend beer?

MH: It often depends where the weekend takes me. If we've got a show or a festival on, the band and I will spend time at the venue with our mates watching local artists perform and having beers. Miami Marketta has been one of our favourite venues to play and they've got a great selection of beverages.

My usual spots for a casual weekend beer are Après at Burleigh, Bine at Nobbys Beach or Mr P.P.'s Deli and Rooftop at Southport.

EO: Best venue for live music?

MH: Mo's Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Bazaar, Elsewhere, Vinnies Dive and Miami Marketta.

EO: The GC has a burgeoning food scene. What are your favourite places for a foodie fix?

MH: Check out Miami Marketta for street food and live music on the weekends as it has something for everyone. My other two favourites would be Mozza Mozza and Etsu Izakaya at Mermaid Beach.

EO: Any creative people, artists or brands we should know about?

MH: Yes, there are so many! Local act Peach Fur are a must to check out. They bring so much energy to their live shows and everyone really gets into it. In terms of brands, my favourite brand to come out of the Gold Coast is definitely Alfred's Apartment. They make some awesome threads that really suit the GC lifestyle, their caps and tees are always cool and I'm beginning to own an excessive amount of them [laughs].

If you're looking for a great artist, Bianca Taylor-Andrews, who runs BINC., does all our graphic design for our new music and merch. She does a lot of illustrating and everything.

EO: You were born and raised on the Gold Coast. What do you love most about the surf city?

SD: I love the laidback culture, the cafes, the nightlife – just the whole atmosphere of the city.

EO: Take us through an itinerary you’d pull together for a winter's day on the GC for a visitor?

SD: A walk along the beach is still beautiful on the Gold Coast in winter, stopping for a hot chocolate somewhere at Burleigh.

EO: Hot tip for a great coffee or a weekend margarita?

SD: Social Brew on James Street at Burleigh for coffee and Bonita Bonita at Mermaid Beach. Then there’s Miami Marketta for great food and live music.

EO: What other hangout spots do you love?

SD: O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat in the mountains is stunning. The Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay is my go-to for wellness and workouts. And I like Proud Poppy at Burleigh for my retail therapy fix.