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 Residences Kirra Point. 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 10 guests. 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 10, 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: Miles Residences Kirra Point, 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.
Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.
The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.
Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.
Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.
Exploring K’gari
Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)
This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.
If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.
The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.
Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)
If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.
While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.
The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.
Unwind at sunset
Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)
As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.
The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.
When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.
Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.
Indulge and disconnect
Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)
Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.
The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.
Getting there
The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)
Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.
