An icon for an icon. Sandbar celebrates 20 years in Surfers Paradise.

Surfers Paradise, an iconic destination offering beach fun by day and urban buzz by night, has seen hundreds of bars and restaurants come and go over the years. Some of the most beloved are still standing strong, however, proudly serving their own taste of paradise in what can be an up-and-down tourism market. This Father’s Day, one such hospitality stalwart continues to lead this vibrant scene, celebrating 20 years under its aptly coined slogan, “Good times, all the time”. Sandbar offers a culinary journey filled with incredible memories and seaside nostalgia, and they’re excited to share this double-decade milestone 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 moved north from the New South Wales Central Coast with a young family — Jo-Anne, a career restaurateur, and Greg, a successful engineer. The venue initially operated as a traditional bar-bistro with its 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 reinvent the restaurant into an uber-chic venue, with siblings Liah, Casey and Jake now integral cogs in the hospitality wheels. The team knew social-savvy foodies eagerly sought fresh, local dishes, on-point cocktails, craft beers, a world of wines and artisan-brewed coffee. Another must on the relaunch bucket list: an Insta-worthy visual experience boasting a Hamptons-style fit-out, sensational beach views, vibrant food presentation and chilled-out atmosphere, including live music on weekends.

Executive Chef Maxie Hill, a protégé of celebrity chef Rick Stein, crafted tantalisingly tasty new menus. Maxie and Jo-Anne blended seaside inventiveness and classic favourites into flavourful dishes featuring ingredients from the region’s best farmers, seafood wholesalers and organic produce providers. Customer hits 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 follows suit as an artistic fusion of free-flowing flair, with the well-stocked bar pouring the most extensive beer selection on the Gold Coast — around 100 craft brews on rotation at any one time.

The all-new bar perfectly captures the quintessential charm of vintage Surfers Paradise, reimagined through a contemporary palette of casual dining sophistication. Jo-Anne sums it up perfectly: “After two decades of serving guests in Surfers Paradise, our family and staff have made 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 Celebrations as they plan a huge party to say “thank you” to all the wonderful locals and visitors who’ve supported their hospitality dream and ongoing success on the legendary coastal strip. Keep an eye on their socials for upcoming event details. @sandbargc.

Richard Jay and Xeros Bead Cleaning: a fresh partnership leading a cleaning revolution.

Richard Jay has led the Australian laundry industry for decades with a clean, inspired approach that embraces global innovations to deliver real client results. 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 also looking for a competitive edge.

When the Richard Jay team experienced the power of this revolutionary commercial washing system first-hand, they set about securing exclusive Australian rights, opening up a literal laundry list of exciting opportunities for new and current 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, which is 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 dedicated commercial laundry cycles. Depending on clients’ unique load needs, a fully trained Richard Jay technician can pre-program custom wash settings that start with a simple button press. 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 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 performance 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 products and services Richard Jay is renowned for, this sensational addition will take the company to new cleaning heights, with clients and the environment as 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 simpler yet sophisticated accommodation options from the beautiful beachside to the stunning Scenic Rim. Astute local 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 perfectly juxtaposed world of “glamping” — the modern-day phenomenon that ingeniously infuses 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 direct 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 fare and an ice bucket of champagne for those who see no reason to hold back when “roughing it” in the wild. If there’s a new style of getaway that epitomises the notion of “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 pack the virtual backpack and explore some of the Gold Coast’s best glamping options that don’t disappoint when it comes to spoiling guests, from beach to bush.

Nightfall Camp

Scenic Rim glamping to soothe the soul.

Remotely nestled away quietly in the lush 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 in situ achievement, carefully assembled by a team diligent about minimising its environmental footprint. And frankly, this is why Nightfall Camp is an inspiring ecotourism masterpiece, backed by a range 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 a soothing soundtrack of nature. Stepping in from your front deck, refined luxury awaits with rustic timber floors, twin vintage bathtubs and a central fireplace creating a cosy cabin feel, with retractable canvas walls inviting you to let the outside in. Plush bedding, cushion-filled day beds and natural fibre blankets add a homey feel tailor-made for a mid-afternoon forest nap. A functional kitchenette with a fridge keeps tipples and goodies nearby, while keeping your stay more self-contained and secluded if that’s your holiday intention.

Culinary-speaking, this is a fully catered experience with a delightful menu of delicious, organic meals served by your hosts across breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fresh produce is sourced from the Nightfall Camp garden, nearby growers and South East Queensland-based markets, keeping this authentic eco-experience quintessentially local. Review tip: order the generous lunch backpack for an on-the-go picnic, then hit the trail to explore Lamington National Park’s idyllic rainforests and waterholes. Add a relaxing massage in your tent or creekside, or a private yoga lesson on the front deck, to de-stress and reconnect in the heart of World Heritage-listed serenity.

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.