Back in the Neighbourshood: Lilly Van Der Meer heads home for the Gold Coast TV Week Logie Awards

Gold Coast Neighbours star Lilly Van Der Meer, back from Melbourne to walk the red carpet at the Logies, plans to go for a surf before she frocks up and steps out for TV's night of nights.

IT’S fair to say no one is more thrilled to see the Logies move to the Gold Coast than Neighbours star Lilly Van Der Meer.

The Melbourne-based actress, who plays Xanthe Canning on the long-running Channel 10 soap, heads home to the Coast today to attend the awards.

“Hearing the Logies were being held in my hometown just fills my heart with so much passion and love,” she said.

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“It’s so exciting to see the Gold Coast have the recognition it deserves.

“We have so many talented artists. I’m so excited to see them up on the stage, hopefully accepting awards.

“My plan is to go for a nice surf in the morning to relax and focus before the big day/night ahead.”

Van Der Meer said her Logies gown was inspired by our “beautiful beaches”.

“I’m working with a beautiful stylist, Suzy Eskander, and we’re collaborating with the wonderful Sam Oglialoro from Oglialoro Couture,” she said.

“Sam has created a stunning, elegant piece. I’m so excited to see it all come together.”

Touted by many as the next Margot Robbie, Van Der Meer, 18, says Neighbours fans are about to see some “incredibly intense” storylines involving Xanthe.

Gold Coast actress Lilly Van Der Meer plays Xanthe Canning in Neighbours. Picture Glenn Hampson

“My character is run over by an old ‘lover’ and knocked unconscious,” she said.

“Let’s just say I’ve been coma acting and having seizures for quite a while now.”

Van Der Meer said she enjoyed being in control of “my character’s thoughts and motivations”.

“No one understands Xanthe better than I do. She’s vastly different to me in real life, which creates a nice dynamic for me,” she said.

Van Der Meer, who joined the Neighbours cast in January 2016, was nominated for best new talent at last year’s Logies.

“It’s always such an honour to be invited to this event,” she said.

“The vibe inside the room is incredibly positive. Everyone’s super proud of the content they’ve created over the past year.”