🌀 Tropical Cyclone Alfred incoming
Volume 104: GC's G8 hits $1 billion, big human population decline, alternatives to big tech billionaire apps, Hinterland heroes celebrated and more!
Where’d that week/month go?
It’s Thursday again, and somehow already February 27.
Today's newsletter is 1,228 words, a 6.5-minute read.
In today's email
One Big Thing: Wotif snubs Gold Coast in top towns list
The Harvest is brewing down in: Cudgen, join the Celebration!
A celebration of community spirit and: Hinterland heroes
Dreamworld finally hits a: High note
Trending: Haunted Mount Tamborine 👻
Around the web (Snippets): G8 cracks $1 billion, Cook Islands controversial China deal, Operation Whiskey returns and heaps more
Upcoming events: GC festival of golf, Green Day at CBUS Stadium + others
🚨 Cyclone Alert: Hold onto your hats; weather is on the way!
Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving southwards in the Coral Sea and is looking like whipping up 4.7-metre waves, which are forecast off the GC.
Or, ‘Cyclone Albo’ as we refer to it as, due to the official name being changed from ‘Anthony’ a few days ago because of confusion with the Prime Minister..
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Wotif snubs Gold Coast in top towns list
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Despite being one of Australia’s most visited destinations, the Gold Coast didn’t get a mention in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards.
Why It Matters: The Gold Coast is a tourism giant, yet it’s been overlooked for more minor regional spots this time around.
Instead, Port Stephens took the crown, with Cairns and Mandurah rounding out the top three.
By the Numbers
• 28% of Aussies want to visit new destinations in 2025.
• 3–5-day trips remain the sweet spot for domestic travel.
• Rankings are based on affordability, quality, and traveller satisfaction.
What The People Say
“Wotif’s awards celebrate world-class travel experiences in our own backyard,” says Wotif’s Rebecca Hurley.
What To Look For Next: The full Top 10 at the link below👇
🆓 Dig the dig? We’ve got rewards for sharing 🙌
We’ve updated our referral program to make it heaps easier to get a few little freebies.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here 👇
2. The Harvest is brewing down in Cudgen – Join the Celebration!
What’s Happening: Earth Beer Company is launching The Harvest Red Ale on March 8, with an event celebrating the Aussie hop harvest that will be full of craft beer, live music, and food trucks.
Why It Matters: With this special beer having won gold at the 2022 Australian Independent Beer Awards, the event is an opportunity to celebrate the industry’s pivotal season along with top-quality local ingredients that go into their brewing efforts and deliciously icy cold beers.
By the Numbers:
Gold Medal Winner – 2022 Australian Independent Beer Awards
207 breweries competed
One seasonal brew (on this occasion) is being released that is in reference to the local red soils found among the southern Gold Coast and Northern Rivers regions
Local Impact: With Earth Beer Company’s beers becoming more frequently seen on bar taps up and down the East Coast, this event is an opportunity to enjoy some locally produced craft beverages and the shift from summer to autumn.
Sip While You Can: The Harvest Red Ale is a limited release, and this event will get pretty busy so check out their website to reserve a spot while you can.
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This week - Calling all NRL diehards! SEN is chasing an Executive Producer for Sportsday & Crunch Time NRL to wrangle footy talk, talent, and top-tier content.
If you know your way around a soundboard, can clip, pod, and post like a pro, and have a black book of sports contacts longer than back-to-back sin bins, this Coolangatta-based role is your golden ticket.
Monday to Sunday (with a breather in between), you’ll produce Sportsday with Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers, plus Crunch Time and an NRL game. It's so sick!
Expect a front-row seat to the action, plus the chance to shape the conversation.
Paying circa $150,000,00+ (according to Seek filters….), it’s game on, so apply now.
Want to advertise a job here?
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5. Trending
6. Around The Web (Snippets)
The Cook Islands signed a very: Controversial and concerning deal with China that invites them to our coastline for maritime cooperation and seabed mineral development
Police have charged a 17-year-old boy following: Investigations into a robbery with violence at an Ashmore residence on Monday, February 24, during which a Porsche and Land Rover were allegedly stolen.
Global population growth is rapidly: Declining, and here’s why
Here’s a list of: Alternatives to popular apps that help you reclaim your online life from billionaires and surveillance
Operation Whiskey Legion is having to: Return to the Gold Coast with specialist police units collaborating to target high-risk offenders, drug and property crime, and anti-social behaviour.
Here’s a list of: Alternatives to popular apps that help you reclaim your online life from billionaires and surveillance
7. Upcoming Events
🕯 The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight: February 28 at 8 pm; experience Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits performed live by candlelight at the The Star Theatre
🎸 Amy Shark – The Solo Acoustic "Songs & Stories" Tour: March 1 at 7:00 pm; Gold Coast's own Amy Shark presents an intimate acoustic set, sharing stories behind her songs at HOTA
🚗 Carrara Markets Car Boot Sale: March 2 from 6 am – 9: am; discover hidden treasures and great bargains at Queensland’s biggest weekly car boot sale at Carrara Markets.
🌏 Clean Up Australia Day: March 3; join the nationwide effort to clean up parks, beaches, and streets across the Gold Coast to make a difference for the environment
🔥 Green Day – The Saviors Tour: March 5 at 7:30 pm; global punk rock superstars Green Day perform their iconic albums "Dookie" and "American Idiot" in full at Cbus Super Stadium in Robina
⛳️ Gold Coast Festival of Golf: March 6–9 from 9 am to 6pm: an ultimate celebration of golf featuring live music, pop-up bars, interactive experiences, and the Australian WPGA Championship at Sanctuary Cove
🏆 Australian WPGA Championship: March 6–9 from 6 am to 5 pm; witness top Australian and international female golfers compete for the Karrie Webb Cup at Sanctuary Cove