The Exhibitionist Bar at HOTA.
Only a few years ago,this meant the Gold Coast was a ghost town mid-week. But that was before it became one of the country’s top culinary destinations outside a capital city. The occasional bar and restaurant still won’t open its doors until Thursday night,but in 2024 most do,with just the right amount of patrons,minus the queues … and many offer discounts to entice locals out.
I’m staying at The Star Gold Coast in Broadbeach on a Tuesday night. The hotel’s signature restaurant,Kiyomi,helmed by executive chef Chase Kojima (who has led kitchens across the world for the Nobu chain),is one of Queensland’s most popular Japanese restaurants,but I’m dining on a weeknight and I didn’t have a booking (and I have a dining credit for staying mid-week).
There are discounted mid-week options all over the Gold Coast in winter for those who know where to look. Next day I travel to HOTA – Home Of The Arts – to cash in on another. This cultural precinct located just behind Surfers Paradise is home to the largest public art gallery in Australia outside a capital city.
Italian Renaissance Alive is at HOTA until August 4.
It’s exhibiting Italian Renaissance Alive,a digital multi-sensory gallery featuring the most famous works of Michelangelo,da Vinci,Botticelli and co,accompanied by an operatic musical score,until August 4. Afterwards,I head up for one-off Renaissance-inspired cocktails at the precinct’s cocktail bar on the top floor,followed by an eight-course degustation Italian feast in Palette Restaurant.
And at other top-rated eateries,I’m able to easily find a table,and mid-week specials,including at Paloma Wine Bar in Burleigh Heads,run by the region’s most celebrated chef,Alex Munoz (former head chef of Sydney’s Monopole and Cirrus Dining) and recently voted Australia’s best wine bar.
Though it’s not just bars and restaurants that should draw you here mid-week. Some of the Gold Coast’s best attractions are also only half-full and are offering discounted entry. I take a lift to the 77th floor of the Q1 Resort for Australia’s highest external building climb with barely a handful of climbers in time to see the first pods of what will be 35,000 humpback whales swimming past over winter.