Dorsett Gold Coast: Inside the Glitter Strip’s most glamorous stay

Laser-focused on instilling calm among the chaos, Dorsett Gold Coast invigorates before popping you at the foot of round-the-clock action.

Countless water sports, top-shelf restaurants and Australia’s most prolific theme parks – the Gold Coast guarantees a good time, every time. I live here and the options still astonish me, particularly in the city centre where Dorsett Gold Coast dazzles like a rhinestone-studded bikini strutting down Cavill Avenue. What I didn’t know prior to check-in, however, was just how peaceful a stay could prove. Scattered with spoils, Dorsett Gold Coast encourages mental and physical revitalisation while keeping you in the heart of an iconic holiday haven.

Where is Dorsett Gold Coast?

an aerial view of Dorsett Gold Coast — The stylish hotel is set within The Star Gold Coast’s leisure precinct.

I’m a southern Gold Coast resident so I take back streets to avoid a construction-riddled Gold Coast Highway (the city’s Light Rail project is set to wrap by mid-2026) and cruise from Palm Beach to Broadbeach’s The Star Gold Coast complex – home to Dorsett Gold Coast – within 30 minutes. If you’re coming from Gold Coast Airport in Coolangatta, expect an Uber to navigate the roadworks (or back streets, if you request) in about 45 minutes. Once I’m there, I’m across the road from the city’s most tempting retail therapy, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre , plus a short walk away a patrolled section of Broadbeach’s Main Beach, plenty of bars and eateries, and the G:Link light rail up to Helensvale where connecting to the city’s alluring theme parks is a cinch.

What is the style and character of Dorsett Gold Coast?

inside the lobby of Dorsett Gold Coast — The metallic-gold ceiling reflects Gold Coast glitz.

The lobby envelops me in signature Gold Coast glitz, including a partially metallic-gold ceiling with dozens of pendant lights, small gold-hued tables with plush leather chairs and gold-painted elevator doors. It’s bold yet restrained as marble check-in counters, soft marbled artworks and warm white walls bring the bling into the modern era. Dorsett Gold Coast is coastal-cool throughout, while never neglecting its notorious razzle dazzle roots.

What are the rooms and suites at Dorsett Gold Coast like?

city views from the deluxe king room at Dorsett Gold Coast — Take in sweeping Gold Coast panoramas from your room.

I enter Executive King Suite 1721, on the 17th floor, and immediately love what I see. While touches of gold continue through sleek light fixtures and a side table, the palette is significantly warmer than Dorsett Gold Coast’s grand entrance. A fluffy carpet nods to palm leaves in subtle blue and caramel (it’s far less intense than the rich ocean hues of the lobby’s statement rug) while the hotel’s tropical surroundings are also reflected in above-the-bed artwork. It mixes in soft pink walls and pops of turquoise to create a playful yet soothing space.

From my balcony, I can see the ocean between other skyrises and a crystal-clear outdoor pool (more on that below) dotted with holiday makers, while the other side offers glimpses of the Gold Coast Hinterland. Back inside, the bed is firm and sheeted to white downy bliss. The room is somewhat tight – just one drawer to unpack my belongings  but an enormous bathroom wins points for its ultra-spacious shower fitted with a rain showerhead (with excellent pressure) and wall-fixed Elemis body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

city vistas from the Executive King Suite Balcony — Level up the luxe at the Executive King Suite.

A generous vanity kit is spread in the corner of my single-sink vanity, offering a toothbrush kit, nail care kit, shaving set, shower cap, sanitary bag, sewing kit and more. As for creature comforts, I spy a Vittoria Coffee ‘Espressotoria’ machine with pods above the bar fridge, two complimentary bottles of drinking water, tea and tea-making facilities, fluffy white robes, slippers and a wall-mounted TV in the room, while unlimited wi-fi flows. My every need catered for means I seamlessly sink into total relaxation. And did I mention check-out time is 11am? No alarm necessary.

What facilities does Dorsett Gold Coast have?

the Executive Lounge at Dorsett Gold Coast — Indulge in a bespoke buffet breakfast in the Executive Lounge.

I take the elevator up two levels to find the Executive Lounge on level 19 – one of the highlights of my stay. Sliding in just in time for sunset canapes (though missing out on a coveted chair by the window to catch staggering skyline views), I pluck a few oysters, fresh prawns, cured meat cuts and soft cheeses off a marbled benchtop before a courteous team member pours me a glass of sparkling brut and I find a spot amid the crowd. As daily Canapé Hour (read: complimentary drinks) runs from 5pm to 6:30pm, I’m surprised by how delicious my bubbles are. There’s no skimping, evidently.

Additionally, once I dust off my nibbles, I tackle multiple sushi and fruit platters, a tier of mushroom tarts, and pork and prawn wontons. The Executive Lounge is a delightful bonus for guests who stay in an Executive room or suite, and it’s also home to a daily buffet breakfast which equally impresses. I recommend asking for extra mushrooms in your morning omelette – they’re next-level plump and juicy, and chefs go overboard in packing them in.

the Isoletto Pool Club at Dorsett Gold Coast — Enjoy sunny days at the sensational Isoletto Pool.

Then there’s that sensational pool. While the hotel’s famed submerged lounges had been stripped from the pool’s ground prior to my visit (I hear it’s due to planned maintenance), the Isoletto Pool Club remains a total vibe. I show it plenty of love in the morning before the sun gets too hot and a 12-metre viewing wall offers a great vantage point to the action below. There are enough pool lounges (and a scattering of highly sought-after cushioned daybeds) to satisfy thick crowds, and while the bar was shut during my visit, I was able to order snacks off QR codes placed beside seating throughout.

Elsewhere in Dorsett Gold Coast, there’s Jin Cafe and Bar located beside the lobby’s check-in counters, which opens during the day for tea, coffee and a small menu of toasties, wraps, breakfast cups and sweets. Don’t want to leave your room? Dorsett Dash invites you to phone or text through a snack order, spanning nuts, chips, chocolates, a cheeseboard and drinks, for in-room delivery, plus you can choose from limited menus crafted by The Star Gold Coast’s restaurants (external to Dorsett Gold Coast) for fast delivery. My pasta from Cucini Vivo arrived in less than 20 minutes and it was piping-hot delicious.

Other facilities include access to The Star Gold Coast’s Azure Spa & Fitness, which encompasses a fully stocked gym and day spa, plus secure underground parking for $20 per night.

Does Dorsett Gold Coast offer access for guests with disabilities?

It certainly does, including the Isoletto Pool Club which features both ambulant toilets and disabled bathrooms. Even better, the club is well-planned to ensure ample space as guests with access needs saunter from pool to lounge and back again. I saw several prams navigate the entire outdoor area with ease, and I also learned there was a wheelchair crane upon request. Additionally, Dorsett Gold Coast is home to six rooms that cater for mobility aids and wheelchairs, and feature fold-down seats in the showers.

Is Dorsett Gold Coast family-friendly?

the Isoletto Pool Club, Dorsett Gold Coast — Isoletto Pool Club is the ultimate kid magnet.

From newborns to energy-plus teens, kids and their parents were enjoying Dorsett Gold Coast wherever I looked, including the Executive Lounge which offered tailored children’s snacks. Impressive. Isoletto Pool Club is the ultimate kid magnet, however, as multiple shallow areas in the pool encourage safe splashing and gelato glistens on the food and drink menu. The best bit for solo travellers and couples? The communal spaces at this hotel are so big that even when little ones do invade, there’s no imposition on your Zen. As a parent who ditched the kids for an overnight of freedom, I mean solitude, I consider it arguably the highlight of this ridiculous restorative destination.

The details

city views from the Executive Lounge at Dorsett Gold Coast — Be at the centre of Gold Coast action in this ultra-stylish stay.

Best for: A slow stay in the centre of the Gold Coast’s action

Address: 5 The Darling Avenue, Broadbeach

Price: Rates start from $229 per night

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.