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Sandbar Celebrates 20 Years in Surfers Paradise!

Surfers Paradise, an iconic destination that’s always offered beach fun by day and urban buzz by night, has seen countless bars and restaurants come and go over the years. However, some of the most beloved are still going strong, proudly standing the unpredictable test of tourism time. This Father’s Day, we celebrate Sandbar, a hospitality stalwart that’s played a lead role in this vibrant scene for over 20 years, operating under its aptly coined slogan“Good times, all the time”. It’s a journey filled with incredible memories and seaside nostalgia, and we’re excited to share it with you!

In 1998, Jo-Anne and Greg Short operated the Boardwalk Cafe on behalf of John Gardner’s Strand Resorts. Like many others, they’d moved north from the New South Wales Central Coast with a young family — Jo-Anne, a career restauranteur, and Greg, a successful engineer. The venue initially operated as a traditional bar-bistro with their famous “Surfers All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast,” a major hit with thrifty tourists out for a big brekky deal.

Fast forward to today, and the Short family decided it was time to transform the restaurant into an uber-chic venue, with siblings Liah, Casey and Jake also now integral cogs in the hospitality wheels. The team knew social-savvy foodies eagerly sought fresh, local dishes, on-point cocktails, artisan craft beers, worldly wines and barista-brewed coffee. Another must on the renovation bucket list: an Insta-worthy experience boasting a Hamptons-style fit-out, sensational beach views, vibrant food presentation and chilled-out atmosphere, including live local artists and bands on weekends.

Tantalisingly tasty new menus were crafted by Executive Chef Maxie Hill, a protégé of celebrity chef Rick Stein. Maxie and Jo-Anne integrated seaside inventiveness into flavoursome dishes featuring ingredients from the region’s best farmers, seafood wholesalers and organic produce providores. Customer favourites now include super-healthy poke bowls, gourmet burgers, classic fish’n’chips, flame-grilled steaks and an eclectic selection of internationally inspired delicacies. The epic cocktail list is an artistic fusion of free-flowing flair, with the well-stocked bar boasting the most extensive beer selection on the Gold Coast — around 100 craft brews on rotation at any one time!

The all-new Sandbar perfectly captures the quintessential charm of vintage Surfers Paradise, beautifully blended into a new era of casual dining sophistication. Jo-Anne sums it up perfectly: “After two decades of serving guests in Surfers Paradise, our family and staff (of 500+ over the years) have added a significant contribution to the city in both economic and tourism terms, and as locals, we’re very proud of that achievement”. Join Sandbar’s 20^th Birthday Celebration as we plan a huge party to say “thank you!” to all the wonderful locals and visitors who’ve supported our hospitality dream and ongoing success on the legendary glitter strip. Keep an eye out for the upcoming event details on Instagram. @sandbargc

RICHARD JAY AND XEROS BEAD CLEANING

 A Fresh Partnership is Leading a Cleaning Revolution.

Richard Jay has led the way in the Australian laundry industry for decades due to a clean and straightforward approach — embracing global innovations to deliver loads of client benefits. The company is thrilled to announce its latest partnership with world-leading laundry technicians Xeros and introduce Australia’s most advanced commercial laundry cleaning technology in over 60 years. The ground-breaking Xeros Bead Cleaning System is now on our shores to offer a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable cleaning solution for ecologically responsible Australian laundry operators looking for a competitive edge.

When the Richard Jay team experienced the power of this revolutionary commercial laundry system first-hand, they set about securing exclusive Australian rights, opening up a literal laundry list of exciting opportunities for loyal clients. Using scientifically engineered polymer beads to absorb garment dirt and stains, water is only needed to move the beads, not wash clothing, resulting in substantial water savings of up to 80%. Furthermore, with a bead life of over 100 washes and an integrated greywater reclamation system, money saved is now effectively money earned, significantly boosting clients’ bottom line. The gentle washing action also cares for garments to preserve wear life and structural integrity — of utmost importance when it comes to safety uniforms such as firefighter ensembles and protective industrial clothing.

For laundry operators, Xeros Bead Cleaning is super-easy to use, with no confusing multi-settings required when programming specific commercial laundry cycles. Depending on clients’ unique load needs, a fully trained Richard Jay technician can pre-program custom wash settings that start at the simple push of a button. Richard Jay also offers Xeros Sbeady Care for complete peace of mind because they know a stalled washing program means valuable time and money is quickly lost down the drain. From a Xeros Bead Cleaning maintenance perspective, scheduled servicing has never been more straightforward. These high-tech machines allow the Richard Jay team to anticipate clients’ monthly cleaning needs, with real-time data sent directly to a digital dashboard displaying load tallies, wash hours, detergent use, water consumption and other essential information. All these game-changing features jointly equate to next-level service, operational efficiencies, financial gains, and, most importantly, increased client satisfaction.

Richard Jay proudly stands behind Xeros Bead Cleaning, a fresh prospect for future-ready commercial laundry operators. Like the superior laundry products and services Richard Jay is renowned for, this sensational addition is set to take the company to new cleaning heights, with clients and the environment being the ultimate winners.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

Five Fabulous Gold Coast and Scenic Rim Glamping Sites.

The Gold Coast skyline is synonymous with its strip of luxury high-rise apartments cascading down the Pacific blue coastline. In recent years, however, many eco-inspired visitors have sought somewhat simpler yet sophisticated accommodation options from the beautiful beachside up to the stunning scenic rim. Local tourism operators have acknowledged this globally shared desire for a more naturally connected experience with a discerning degree of luxe still ever-present in the itinerary. Enter the beautifully juxtaposed world of “glamping” — the modern-day phenomenon that ingeniously mixes a five-star stay with camping’s grounded freedom. It’s going off-grid without the grit. Unplugging without disconnecting. Going back to basics but in an elevated kind of way. Travellers can take in the beauty of their natural surroundings while kicking back in a deluxe tent complete with a clawfoot bath, plush double bed and front deck overlooking native Australian rainforest — gourmet food service and champagne on ice thrown in the mix for those who don’t see reason to hold back when “roughing it” 2022 style. If there’s a getaway experience that epitomises the saying “less is more”, then glamping captures its essence by allowing nature-loving luxury seekers to have their cake and eat it too. So, let’s load up the virtual backpack and explore some of the Gold Coast’s best glamping options that don’t disappoint when spoiling guests, beach to bush.

Nightfall Camp

Scenic Rim glamping — soothe the soul.

Nestled away quietly in the dense remoteness of Lamington National Park sits the elegantly poised Nightfall Camp. A pioneering accommodation vision brought to life in the enchanting Scenic Rim, this luxurious collection of architecturally designed safari tents is a fantastic insitu achievement carefully engineered by a team who were diligent not to disturb the immediate environmental footprint. And frankly, this is precisely why Nightfall Camp is an inspiring ecotourism masterpiece boasting a swathe of renowned industry awards.

Spacious, artisan-crafted tents sit calmly alongside Christmas Creek’s crystal-clear headwaters and rockpools — the bubbling brook, rustling canopy and singing birds harmonising in the soothing soundtrack of nature. Stepping in from your front deck, refined luxury awaits with rustic timber floors, twin vintage bathtubs and a central rotating fireplace culminating in an authentic cabin feel with retractable canvas walls inviting the outside in should you like. Plush bedding, comfy day beds and natural fibre blankets add a homey feel tailor-made for a mid-afternoon forest nap. A modest kitchenette with a fridge is handy to keep tipples and goodies nearby while also making for a more intimate seclusion.

Culinary-speaking, this is a fully catered experience with a delightful menu of delicious, organic meals served by your hosts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fresh produce is sourced from the Nightfall Camp garden, nearby growers and South East Queensland-based markets, keeping this eco-experience quintessentially local. Order the generous lunch backpack for a fantastic on-the-go picnic option if you’d like to hit the trail and explore some famous Lamington National Park waterholes and rainforests. Activities are also available, including a relaxing massage in your tent or down by the creek and a private yoga lesson on the front deck if you feel like reconnecting in the heart of World Heritage Listing goodness.

With only four luxury tents available, this bespoke eco experience is in high demand, so book early to secure your glamping getaway at the breathtaking Nightfall Camp.

Where: 3009 Christmas Creek Rd, Lamington, QLD 4285.