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Your ultimate guide to an elevated summer on the Gold Coast

Sun-bathed days, dazzling beaches and a fun-loving culture which is always up for a good time; the Gold Coast is everything you could want from your summer holiday hit list. With its front-and-centre locale and an invitation to relish the moment, the stylish Dorsett Gold Coast warmly welcomes guests with sleek design-led interiors, direct access to a world of entertainment and the incredibly Instagrammable Isoletto Pool Club.

This is your all-in-one guide to uncovering the city, so check in to chill out, frock up and dive into everything that glitters on the Gold Coast.

Dorsett Gold Coast Exterior
Take advantage of Dorsett Gold Coast’s central locale.

Where to stay

If you’re here for a good time, and, well, who doesn’t come to the Gold Coast for that? Then Dorsett is the only place to stay. Throw yourself onto the generous bed in your ultra-stylish room and take in the surrounding scene of refined interiors, astonishing city vistas and your centre-of-the-action Broadbeach location.

Dorsett Gold coast Deluxe King Panoramic Bedroom
Soak in the views from your Deluxe King room.

Set within The Star Gold Coast’s leisure precinct and an easy five-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach and Broadbeach’s dining precinct and across the road from Pacific Fair shopping centre – Dorsett Gold Coast is at the beating heart of a truly vibrant playground.

Go all in and book an Executive Room to level up the luxe on your stay and unlock access to the loftily located Executive Lounge on level 19. Here you can take in sweeping Gold Coast panoramas and indulge in complimentary daily sunset canapes, evening drinks and a bespoke buffet breakfast.

breakfast at dorsett gold coast executive lounge
Level up to the Executive Lounge breakfast.

Things to do

Gold Coast days can’t get more idyllic than at Dorsett Gold Coast’s covetable Isoletto Pool Club. Slide onto a submerged ‘wet’ sun lounge and dangle your toes in the water as you take in this perfectly styled scene.

Here in this sky-high oasis with front-row seats to the city skyline, the hours drift easily away. Spend them slipping in and out of the pool, sipping cocktails on the deck (the sunset spritz or a margarita pop are particular favourites) and grazing on light dishes of a Californian Prawn Cocktail or Nourish Bowl to fuel your moment in the sun.

When the draw of the ocean lures you away from Isoletto, pack your beach umbrella and head across to Kurrawa Beach to plunge into glassy waves and watch the parade of people flitting between the sea and sand.

Or travel a little further to explore the Gold Coast’s string of glittering beaches from Surfers Paradise in the north, all the way down to Coolangatta on the southern end. Beloved Burleigh Heads is in the middle.

The Isoletto Pool Club
Take a dip at the picture-perfect Isoletto Pool Club.

Should you require a new outfit befitting a glamorous night on the town, you needn’t look too far. Across the way from Dorsett Gold Coast is the sprawling mall, Pacific Fair. You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped onto a cruise ship at this resort-inspired shopping centre that houses everything from favourite high-street fashion to luxury labels, such as Balenciaga, Burberry and Bvlgari. You’ll also find a cinema and casual dining.

Of course, if you’re after a bit of classic Gold Coast fun, you can always spend a day at one of the many theme parks. From Seaworld Marine Park and Warner Bros. Movie World to splash-tastic fun at Wet ’n’ Wild, there are thrills aplenty. Or keep the adrenaline levels low and spend some time meeting adorable local wildlife at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

After amassing some incredible Gold Coast experiences, it may be time for a little more relaxation back at Dorsett Gold Coast. Book yourself in to recalibrate body and mind at Azure Spa & Fitness, where you can put your wellbeing first in one of the six treatment rooms or gym. To lean right into the indulgence, opt for a couples massage in one of the Azure cabanas.

aerial view of surfer's paradise gold coast
Explore the famous Surfer’s Paradise. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Where to eat

Inside Dorsett Gold Coast is Jin Bar & Cafe, where you can drop in for everything from a morning coffee and pastry to a cocktail or two and a sharing platter come aperitivo hour. This secret gem is the place to sink into a plush lounge and let the night begin.

An elevator ride away from the gastronomic checklist of The Star’s dining collection, a stay at Dorsett places incredible culinary experiences within easy reach of ravenous appetites.

dorsett gold coast jin bar and cafe
Indulge in a tempting array of delicious bites at Jin Bar.

Take your place at the table for intricately crafted Japanese delights at Kiyomi, or tuck into a trolley-load of treats for a yum cha session at Uncle Su. Also find the elevated 19 at The Star, where a well-finessed cocktail at the lounge bar is a Gold Coast must-do and well worth dressing up in your finery to enjoy. If only carbs will suffice, settle in for a wood-fired pizza at Cucina Vivo.

For evenings slightly further afield, it’s a quick walk to Broadbeach’s buffet of world-class restaurants, such as the warm-hued Miss Moneypenny’s and the intimate fine-dining Social Eating House.

chef putting pizza into woodfired oven at Cucina Vivo
Settle in for classic Italian at Cucina Vivo. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)
Start planning your luxe, summer Gold Coast getaway at dorsetthotels.com
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

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Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp
Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts
Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.