Surrender to the siren call of the coast at this swish five-bedroom stay in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Kirra.
The sun is setting. The barbecue is sizzling. Mirror-smooth waters stretch endlessly across the horizon beyond a sprawling rooftop complex. It’s the kind of holiday scene you wish you could bottle – and one that is written into a stay at the Gold Coast’s latest luxury address.
Suspended above the up-and-coming beachside neighbourhood of Kirra – less than five minutes’ drive from the Gold Coast airport and home to a brewing wave of trendy venues, RISE Kirra Point is an all-new penthouse stay at Miles Kirra Point Residences. The five-suite abode feels lifted from the Mediterranean, its contemporary architecture embraced by panoramic sea views across Kirra’s world-class surf break and the Point Danger headland.
RISE Kirra Point was made for golden-hour moments. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
Offering more than 760 square metres of internal and external living space designed for connection, the penthouse is primed for groups and families seeking a sophisticated coastal hideaway. It offers a warm residential feel, along with chic high-end furnishings that make it one of the most elevated Gold Coast accommodations.
Kick back in the plunge pool and outdoor lounge. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
Store your favourite drops in the wine cellar. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
Step outside and you’ll be met with a private north-facing terrace, where we guarantee you’ll be spending the majority of your time. An outdoor dining area is complemented by a wood-fired pizza oven and lounge seating embellished with retro-tiled coffee tables. The cherry on top? A stunning heated plunge pool for afternoon spritzes and leisurely conversation.
Inside, all five of RISE Kirra Point’s suites are king-sized and come with their own ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. The design is pared-back coastal chic with subtle accents of warm brown and peach tones.
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The master ensuite boasts a breathtaking bath. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
The bedrooms are chic and understated. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
Each suite has its own ensuite. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
The grand kitchen and outward-looking living area are finished with timber surfaces, curved edges and sheer curtains – letting the dreamy coastal scenes beyond shine. The formal dining space is made for hosting, seating up to 12 guests, with a private wine cellar adding to the appeal.
And if you’re not in the mood to make dinner yourself? Staff are on hand to recommend local gem restaurants – or you can make use of the house’s fully equipped chef’s scullery, ideal for caterers and events
Enjoy your own media room. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
The entertainment continues with a media room and adjoining children’s playroom, plus an upstairs lounge with a pool table. For those who don’t have the luxury of switching off completely, the house even has a private office.
With Kirra emerging as a trendy Gold Coast pocket, the arrival of RISE Kirra Point feels impeccably timed. It joins a fresh wave of contemporary hospitality – from new diners to a revitalised beachfront precinct – bringing a little more buzz to the chilled-out seaside neighbourhood.
Relax in the recreation room. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
The house has its own office. (Credit: Aaron Chapman)
The details
Best for: groups of up to 12, families and multi-generational travellers seeking a chic coastal stay with a residential feel Number of rooms: five king-sized suites, each with an ensuite Location: 4 Miles St, Coolangatta, Qld 4225 Price: from $4700 per night
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
