How to spend 24 hours in Broadbeach

13TH FEBRUARY 2018

Once the little sister of Queensland’s glitzy Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach – or Broadie, as it’s known to locals – has come into its own. Residents and tourists are attracted to the beachside town’s outdoor lifestyle, wide range of eateries, shopping complexes and beautiful parks and beaches.

Glenys McKennariey has been coming to Broadbeach for a holiday every year for 35 years.

“Back then it was a sleepy hollow with only one or two places to eat,” she says. “People would just come here for the beach. But after Surfers became too touristy, Broadbeach was recognised as the gem it is and more people began flocking here.”

Work out or unwind

The beauty of the Broadbeach lifestyle, McKennariey says, is you can make it as busy or as relaxing as you want.

“You can start your day by walking, running or riding your bike on the 2-kilometre boardwalk,” she says. “Then you can breakfast by the beach in one of the many eateries – where you never have to queue – and make plans for your day, depending on whether you feel like being reclusive or active.”

The active can choose from a number of activities including swimming, surfing and shopping. Nearby Pacific Fair is one of the biggest shopping centres in Australia and also a popular dining destination. The complex is served by a free shuttle service and is close to the light-rail station.

Shopping and dining

A walk down Broadbeach Mall highlights a number of street artists, quirky shops and alfresco dining venues that range from bistros to brasseries.

“The good thing about Broadbeach is you can walk everywhere,” McKennariey says. “Wherever we’re staying, we just leave our car and walk to where we want to go. This means you can shop in the morning at Pacific Fair or at the Oasis complex and walk to wherever you decide you want to have lunch.”

McKennariey says the eating options are very affordable. “We go to Koi Dining often as we always get a good meal there,” she says. “There is Moo Moo for the best steaks or The Cuban for drinks and dinner.” She says a number of high-end restaurants and cocktail lounges have opened up and there is also The Star casino, which attracts international performers.

Recent revival

Jason Sintome has lived in the area for 20 years and worked at Broadbeach for three. “It is a fantastic environment for business with many smaller ones moving in,” he says. “There is a real community spirit and a constant flow of visitors.”

Sintome says one of the advantages of working here is being two minutes away from the beach. “You can get out at lunchtime and swim or just look out at the horizon,” he says. “Even on the weekends, as a family we prefer to come to Broadbeach rather than nearby Surfers Paradise.”

He says the main street and thoroughfare have undergone a massive transformation in the past 18 months. “It caused a lot of disruption at the time but the end result has been worth it,” he says. “It’s made Broadbeach into a place where you can work during the day and stay to enjoy what it has to offer at night. It’s such a great lifestyle.”

Signature Broadbeach

Reflecting this outdoor lifestyle is a new premier development. Signature Broadbeach offers 263 apartments across 35 levels with each orientated to capture spectacular ocean views.

Leighton Pyke is the development director for Little Projects, Signature’s developer. He says Signature is designed to be like a mini Broadbeach.

“The development has so much to offer both in terms of its amenities and its location,” he says. “Away from the site, the casino is expanding all the time, which is going to be a huge centrepiece for the area. You also have the Kurrawa patrolled beach nearby with four flagged areas.”

Pyke says the fact so many facilities are within 500 metres of Signature is unheard of in Australia. “Meanwhile, inside the building, its amenity mimics what’s outside,” he says. “Given the outdoor culture, we thought what better way to add to it than by building a beautiful 50-metre infinity edge pool that is situated on the north side of the podium enhancing its solar access.”

There is an onsite cafe, state-of-the-art full-size gym, cinema, a plush lounge, a dining space that can be booked for parties and includes barbecues and a teppanyaki area, and a huge green lawn where kids can run around, as well as a spa, steam room and sauna.

Pyke says the location gives residents an opt-in or opt-out lifestyle. “This means they can either walk out and within one street they’re in the heart of Broadbeach or go back the other way and be in, what’s essentially, a residential pocket,” he says. “I think this is an inviting aspect to our development.”

Domain.com.au

Publication : domain.com.au