Skip the socks – unexpected Father’s Day ideas Dad will actually love

For the foodie dad
If Dad’s happiest with something sizzling over the coals, The Valley Estate’s annual ASADO Father’s Day BBQ should be high on your list. The Currumbin Valley venue is once again firing up the grills for an afternoon centred around premium barbecue, canapes, live music, lawn games and a two-course lunch inside The Manor, complete with a welcome drink. It’s equal parts relaxed family gathering and elevated long lunch.

If a classic steak is more his style, you can’t really go wrong with one of the Gold Coast’s heavy hitters. Bistro Margaux is making a compelling case with perfectly executed steak frites and an all-French wine list, while Lars Bar & Grill continues to deliver the goods when it comes to premium Australian beef. For something a little more laid-back, pull up a seat at Hicksville Smokehouse & Backyard Bar for low-and-slow barbecue and beers, grab a brew at Padre Brewing Co, or head south to Franc Jrs in Palm Beach for Detroit-style pies, cold tins and a guaranteed good time.

You might like

Best Of

The new Gold Coast restaurants, cafes and bars that landed in July

Best Of

Fresh on the scene – the Gold Coast’s best new cafes and eateries to open this year (so far)

For the adventurous dad
If your dad or father figure hates sitting still, rather than another round of golf, why not let him tackle Pebble Beach without leaving Burleigh? Burleigh Bunker pairs TrackMan golf simulators with food, drinks and plenty of healthy competition, while Topgolf remains a guaranteed crowd pleaser whether he takes his swing seriously or not.

For something with a little more adrenaline, Jet Ski Safaris lets Dad take the controls on guided tours ranging from 30 minutes through to four hours, with longer adventures stopping at South Stradbroke Island – a destination only accessible by boat or jet ski. The tours are beginner friendly, the pace is entirely up to you and every ski seats two, so you can bring someone along for the ride.

If you’re looking to up the ante (literally and figuratively), V2 Helicopters has introduced winery flights that swap traffic for sweeping views over the Scenic Rim before touching down at wineries including Sirromet, The Overflow Estate 1895 and Mason Wines. Packages include the scenic flight, with optional long lunches, wine pairings and vineyard picnics making this one Father’s Day he’ll be talking about for years.

For the whisky-loving dad
If Dad appreciates a well-made dram, skip the bottle shop and make an experience of it. Head to Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery for a guided tasting and the chance to sample its award-winning spirits straight from the source, or book into one of The Whisky Lounge’s masterclasses, which dive deeper into exceptional whiskies and the stories behind each pour. Over in Mermaid Beach, Six-Tricks Distilling Co. offers a range of hands-on distillery experiences, from tours and tastings to cocktail-making classes. Whichever route you take, it’s a considerably more memorable way to say cheers to Dad than adding another bottle to the cabinet.

For the dad who deserves to switch off
Let’s retire the idea that self-care is just for mums. Alternate between magnesium pools, hot spas, cold plunges, saunas and steam rooms at Soak Bathhouse, or elevate the experience with a massage. For something a little different, book Dad in for the Full TBB Treatment at The Barber Bar in Broadbeach. More facial than fresh fade, the treatment goes all in with a deep cleanse, exfoliation, hot towels, facial massage and hydrating mask, finished with serums to leave his skin refreshed and revitalised. Starting from $76 for VIP members, it’s the kind of self-care he might not think to book for himself, which is precisely why it makes such a good Father’s Day treat.