From fire pits to festive feasts – unique winter experiences to try on the Gold Coast
Winter on the Gold Coast might not come with snow-covered streets and sub-zero temperatures, but it does bring something arguably better – a packed calendar of seasonal events that only roll around once a year. From crackling fire pits and cosy igloo dining to Christmas feasts, winter festivals and starlit celebrations, these are the experiences worth adding to your cold-weather bucket list.
Dine inside a winter igloo by the water
For those who prefer their winter experiences with a side of indulgence, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s winter igloos offer a cosy escape from the evening chill. Set beside the resort’s lagoon, the private dining domes pair twinkling lights and plush furnishings with curated food and beverage packages, creating the feeling of an alpine retreat without ever leaving the coast. Whether you’re planning a date night, special celebration or winter catch-up with friends, it’s one of the most atmospheric dining experiences on the Gold Coast. Read more here.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice this weekend
If there’s one event to move to the top of your list, it’s the Burleigh Heads Winter Solstice Festival. Returning this weekend, the annual celebration marks the shortest day of the year with live music, workshops, wellness experiences, markets, food, art and community gatherings. It’s one of the Gold Coast’s most unique winter events and a chance to embrace the season before the days begin growing longer again. With festivities taking place across Burleigh Heads, it’s the kind of event that only comes around once a year, so if you’ve been meaning to check it out, now’s the time.
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Cosy up beside a private fire pit
Winter might look a little different on the Gold Coast, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune to the appeal of a crackling fire and a glass of wine. At Garden Kitchen & Bar, guests can settle into a private fire pit overlooking the lawn with a curated charcuterie spread and a bottle of their chosen tipple, from sparkling and sauvignon blanc to mulled wine and shiraz. Over at Robina Pavilion, the much-loved lakeside fire pits are returning for the season, inviting groups to gather beside the water for two hours of fireside drinks, complimentary marshmallows and winter-worthy catch-ups. Whether you’re grazing under the stars or toasting marshmallows by the lake, these fire-pit experiences prove winter is best enjoyed outdoors. Read more here.
Head south for a night of fire, food and festivities
Returning to The Farm at Byron Bay this July, Burn After Dark is bringing fire pits, live music, roaming performers, winter-inspired food and family-friendly entertainment together for a one-night-only celebration of the season. Expect stilt walkers, glowing installations, cosy corners for mulled drinks and even a kids’ rave cave. Equal parts winter festival and community gathering, it’s worth the drive south. Find out more.
Embrace Christmas in July
Why wait until December? Christmas in July is one of winter’s most enduring traditions, and several venues across the region are getting involved. D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub in Surfers Paradise is once again transforming into a festive wonderland complete with traditional Christmas fare and cosy fireplace dining, making it one of the Gold Coast’s most established Christmas-in-July celebrations. For a hinterland twist, Fox & Hounds Country Inn on Tamborine Mountain is serving up its much-loved Christmas in July lunches throughout the month, with the English-style pub’s cool-climate setting adding to the illusion that you’ve somehow been transported to the British countryside.
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