This isn't your teenage son's Gold Coast long weekend.
- Tim Bond
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
In our last dispatch, we used Mantra on Salt Beach as the ideal hub to unlock the authentic heart of the Tweed Valley. It was a lesson in using a brilliant base to escape the noise. But what happens when the goal isn't to escape the noise, but to dive right into the heart of it, on your own terms?
Welcome to Surfers Paradise.
It’s a town that has never learned to use its indoor voice.
But beneath the neon glow, there's a different, more sophisticated Gold Coast waiting to be discovered. The secret to finding it is choosing the right place to stay, somewhere that puts you in the heart of the action, while giving you the space to curate your own experience.
Our strategy for a Gold Coast Long Weekend escape is built around Mantra Circle on Cavill. It’s not on the beach; it’s right in the middle of the vibrant, humming centre of Surfers. This is its superpower. With spacious, self-contained apartments, three incredible swimming pools, and the G:link tram nearly on your doorstep, it’s the perfect, high-value launchpad for a proper Gold Coast weekend.
Night One: For your first night, you don't need to go far. A short stroll and you’re at Peppers Soul, home to Hyde Paradiso. Start on their stunning open-air balcony with a glass of champagne and a plate of Pacific oysters with a jalapeño mignonette, enjoy people-watching on the new pedestrian mall with a side of beach views.
Then, move inside to the breezy dining room for a procession of delicious share plates: a surprisingly battered and deep fried Moreton Bay bug on a brioche bun, charred baba ghanoush with smoked tomato and labneh, and crispy chicken tenders, finishing with a selection of dessert favourites. It’s classy and a little indulgent, the perfect, walkable introduction to the best of modern Surfers.
Night Two: For a different kind of "big night out," jump on the G:link tram near Mantra Circle on Cavill and head five stops south to The Star Gold Coast. Forget the casino floor; the complex is now a world-class dining and entertainment precinct, home to some of the city's best restaurants, from the stunning Japanese at Kiyomi to the rooftop glamour of Nineteen at The Star. It's the perfect, car-free way to have a memorable evening.
This is the key to doing Surfers right: using your central, convenient location to access the good stuff. You can have the best of both worlds—the buzz of the city at your fingertips, and the authentic experiences just a short ride, or walk, away.
And at the end of the day, you come back to a comfortable apartment, a terrific choice of pools, and the feeling that you’ve cracked the code. (not to mention the very nice boxed breakfast you can have delivered to your door, the morning after)
The Insider's Tip:
This is a brilliant little secret we stumbled upon. Tucked away within the hotel is a private "Rec Room" that is available to all guests, but that almost no one seems to know about. Your room key unlocks the door to a quiet, peaceful lounge where you can sit and read a book and just chill out. It's the ideal, secret escape from the energy of the city, right in your own hotel. Just ask at the lobby for directions.
The final word on a Gold Coast Long Weekend??
Mantra Circle on Cavill is the smart way to do Surfers Paradise. It’s a high-value hub that gives you the keys to the city, allowing you to bypass the tourist traps and design your own, more personalised escape.
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