The three-day dance party bender headed for the Gold Coast

A 72-hour European-style dance festival is headed for the Gold Coast two weeks before Schoolies, bringing more than 3000 revellers with it.

Get ready for a wild party. PICTURE: RossumMedia, Michel van Rossum

A EUROPEAN dance party organiser is bringing a three-day festival to the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise two weeks before Schoolies.

The Hard Island and Hi Life Australia bender is booked in on land, a boat and in Surfers nightclubs, expected to attract 3000 revellers.

The 72-hour event this Friday, Saturday and Sunday covers nine separate parties and 50 DJs including Darude.

The organisers of Hard Island Australia are bringing a three-day dance music party coming to the Gold Coast next weekend. PICTURE: RossumMedia, Michel van Rossum

The schedule is:

* starting in Surfers Paradise nightclubs Melbas and Havana on Friday, both from 9pm to 3am;

* an all-day beach stage party at McLarens Landing, South Stradbroke Island, on Saturday from 11am to 10pm;

* two Saturday afterparties at Havana (10pm to 4am) and Melbas (10pm to 4am);

* another all-day beach party at McLarens Landing on Sunday from 1pm to 9pm;

* a Sunday boat cruise party from 5.30pm to 8.30pm;

* closing parties on Sunday night at Shooters in two different areas of the club from 10pm to 4am.

This is what revellers can expect to see PICTURE: RossumMedia, Michel van Rossum

Organiser Josko Perkovic, who has developed a similar concept called Hard Island Croatia where it is a week-long festival said Australia’s tourism party capital was the perfect spot for his concept.

“It’s a weekend getaway, a three-day, non-stop party — club parties, island beach parties, boat paries, after parties, side parties, it’s full on.”

The festival comes a fortnight after GC600 and a fortnight before Schoolies hits Surfers Paradise when thousands of school leavers descend on the visitor hub.

Mr Perkovic said he made the mistake of trying a McLarens Landing party last year the same weekend as GC600.

The dance festival veteran of 15 years said his Croatian event, also on an island, attracted a lot of Australians so it prompted him to visit.

More than 3000 people are expected to attend the event PICTURE: RossumMedia, Michel van Rossum

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“I thought ‘Let’s check, see how people are and check the Gold Coast’. It’s the big tourism party capital of Australia and maybe we get lucky with a place to do an event.

“The weather will be awesome, our brand is a summer brand. We’ll have a police, medical presence,” he said, adding a back-up boat would also be on standby.

“Our main preoccupation is for our patrons to be safe.”

Hard Island Australia also offers accommodation packages, partnering with Mantra properties Legends, Towers of Chevron and Circle on Cavill in Surfers Paradise.

Melbas marketing boss Joey Lamattina who started in the role recently said it was already a done deal prior to his arrival to the nightclub.

The festival will be held just before Schoolies. PICTURE: RossumMedia, Michel van Rossum

But Mr Lamattina said: “I’m looking forward to having these guys and being associated with this great event.

“I’ve done some research and they have done some really good stuff and they have a half-decent line up too.

“I can’t remember the Gold Coast hosting anything like this over three days.”

Tickets start from $39 for after parties to multi-event tickets for $169 or $199.