🔥 Suspicious fire rips through Burleigh Heads National Park
Volume 133: GC pet owners to take dogs on planes | Albania's world-first AI Minister | GC500 works commence, NASA’s response to an advanced alien spacecraft and heaps more
Good afternoooon GC, and welcome back to another ripper Thursday.
A big congratulations to the GC Suns who put up a mighty finals fight last week, you did us all proud, and we can’t wait to see you back there again next season.
It’s September 18.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Traffic slows as pace ramps up for GC500
Discover thundereggs and drive diggers behind: The GC at Thunderbird Park
Big blaze scars: Burleigh Headland in suspected arson
Trending: Nerang’s best-kept secret?
Around the web: A vid on how property prices have changed since 2011, NASA’s response to an advanced alien spacecraft?, Virgin to allow dogs on planes, Albania announces the world’s first-ever AI Minister (to fight corruption) and heaps more!
Upcoming events
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🎥 What To Watch: Love Slow Horses? Season 5 drops on September 25 and is said to be the funniest outing yet, and the best so far
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Traffic slows as pace ramps up for GC500
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: The annual traffic snarl created by the Gold Coast 500 has started with crews now setting up the 2.96km Surfers Paradise circuit.
Why It Matters: More than a motorsport spectacle, it's a cornerstone of local GC events that delivers a multimillion-dollar injection into the local economy every time it runs.
By the Numbers:
$58 million: Was the boost added to the local economy in 2024
200,000+: Fans expected trackside this year
6km: Barriers and fencing are being installed for the 2.96km circuit
Local Impact: With just under 40 days ahead of the Supercars’ biggest part, the mammoth construction job started on Monday.
Fast Lanes and Full Houses: Groove Armada headlines Saturday night, while the Stafford Brothers and Brooke Evers light up Friday.
What The People Say:
Event Manager Matthew Ramsden said the track build always marked an exciting shift for the city as anticipation for the iconic race ramps up.
“For the next six weeks, the Surfers Paradise precinct will take on a whole new character,’’ Mr Ramsden said.
“Last year, the event contributed over $58m to the local Gold Coast economy. As always, we encourage fans who want a sneak peek of the circuit to get in and support the local businesses that play such a critical role in the success of this event every year
Gold Coast Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said he encouraged Gold Coasters to show patience as work gets underway through Main Beach and Paradise Waters.
“Next month, we will welcome more than 200,000 race fans to one of the biggest events on our annual calendar so the short-term restrictions on traffic movement will be well worth it when the chequered flag drops,’’ Cr Hammel said.
What To Look For Next
With nearly all corporate box and grandstand tickets all sold out, find the link in the full article to buy yours today.
2.
Discover thundereggs and drive diggers behind the GC at Thunderbird Park
What’s happening?
Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain is inviting families to step into the shoes of modern-day explorers these school holidays.
Visitors can fossick for treasures at the world’s largest Thunderegg Crystal Mine before heading next door to Dig IT, Australia’s first mini-excavator park.
3. Blaze scars Burleigh Headland in suspected arson
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: A suspicious fire tore through Burleigh Heads National Park on Tuesday night, burning much of the eastern side of the iconic headland and prompting a major emergency response.
Why It Matters: The park, which is one of the most visited parks in the region, suffered significant damage in the blaze, according to State Member for Burleigh Hermann Vorster.
By the Numbers:
75%: Of grass beneath boulder clusters has been burnt away
1886: Is when the headland was first set aside for public purposes, officially gazetted a national park in 1947
27 hectares: Is the size of the national park
Local Impact: The headland walking track is closed, koala habitat has been scorched, and significant natural and cultural heritage has been put at risk.
What The People Say:
Mr Vorster thanked firefighters and National Park wildlife service rangers for protecting the community.
Nobody was injured during the blaze and no houses were at risk.
What To Look For Next: The full article below.
Recent newsletters
4. Trending
Nerang’s best-kept secret?
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Albania just announced that its new: Corruption Minister will be an AI chatbot named Diella (Albanian for sun..)
Meta just unveiled its new: Oaklet Meta Vanguard smart glasses for athletes
NASA responds to claims that: Interstellar object3I/ATLAS is an advanced alien spacecraft
Several GC SUNS are nearing a return to: AFLW action as the 2025 season nears its halfway point.
Sealink and the Brisbane Bullets are: Showcasing Straddie
A quick vid on how Aussie property: Prices have changed since 2011 👇 Not so ‘Sunny Days’ if you’re not in the market @ABSStats..
Weekly Dream Gig
This week: Homecorp Constructions is building buzz with a full-time Social Media and Content Creator role in Benowa, Gold Coast.
From Instagram Reels to TikTok trends, you’ll capture on-site moments, craft scroll-stopping posts, and give one of Australia’s Top 20 Residential Builders a digital voice that pops.
Perks? Monthly sunset drinks, quarterly socials, birthday cake (every month!) and staff perks on new home builds, plus the chance to turn construction dust into content gold.
Paying over $100,000.00 (according to Seek filters), if you’re a creative all-rounder with 4+ years’ experience and the hustle to shape a brand’s digital story, this gig has your name all over it.
6. Upcoming Events
🌊 SWELL Sculpture Festival — Thu Sep 18 (all day & into evening); Australia’s biggest outdoor sculpture exhibition transforms Currumbin Beach with 80+ artworks across 1.2km, plus twilight walks and fringe activations. Free, beachside at Currumbin Alley–Kropp Park.
🛍️ Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets — Fri Sep 19, 4–9 pm; stroll 100+ local maker stalls along The Esplanade with live tunes and sea breezes; an iconic GC night market experience.
🎗️ Sky Racing Pink Ribbon Raceday — Sat Sep 20, 10 am–5:30 pm, Dress in pink for Australia’s largest community fundraiser raceday at Aquis Park (Bundall) supporting NBCF; trackside action, fashions & hospitality.
✨ Astra Lumina Night Walk — Sat Sep 20 (evening sessions); Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary lights up after dark with an immersive, cosmic trail through the bushland; family-friendly and magical.
🏉 AFLW: Gold Coast SUNS vs Adelaide Crows — Sun Sep 21, 5:05 pm
AFLW Round 6 at People First Stadium (Robina); kids U18 go free. Gates 4:15 pm—get around the SUNS at home.
🤸 National Clubs Gymnastics Carnival — Mon Sep 22 to Wed Sep 24 (daily sessions); Australia’s biggest multi-gym sport carnival continues at Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre (Carrara) with athletes from around the country.
🚀 HOTA Kids Take Over (launch day) — Wed Sep 24 (various times); School-holiday takeover kicks off at HOTA with shows like Intergalactic Pizzeria, workshops and family activities across the precinct.
