Gold Coast ranked among Time Magazine’s 100 greatest places in the world 2021 list

The Gold Coast has been named one of the 100 greatest places in the world alongside the iconic historic capitals of Europe, and it’s all because of the HOTA gallery and development in Palm Beach.

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THE Gold Coast has been named one of the 100 greatest places in the world alongside the iconic historic capitals of Europe.

In a major boost to the city’s reputation, Time Magazine has ranked the city alongside such locations as Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Cannes and Dubai.

The Gold Coast, the only Australian location to make the list, is declared a “surfers’ playground” with the new Home of the Arts (HOTA) art gallery helping to secure its place on the list.

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The new Gold Coast HOTA art gallery Photo: Des Houghton

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Mayor Tom Tate said he was delighted to see the city’s listing, declaring it was “blue skies ahead for the Goldie”.

“I love it as it confirms what every Gold Coaster knows - we’ve got it all,” he said.

“To be the only Australian city named in the worldwide report is one thing but to have our new HOTA gallery feature prominently just shows how our investment in arts and culture is adding another layer to our social and economy fabric.”

The $60 million HOTA gallery opened in May after more than four years of planning and has already established itself as a major tourist attraction, with crowds flocking in to see its debut collection.

It’s next collection will be the Contemporary Masters from New York exhibition which will feature the work of iconic artists Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

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Mysa Motel. Picture: Trent Mitchell

The exhibit will bring to Australia for the first time 70 pieces from the collection of Jose Mugrabi, the New York-based Israeli businessman, who is the world’s leading Warhol collector.

Time’s description of the Coast reads like a brochure advertising the city: “think perennially warm water, some of the world’s best surf and a reputation for glitz and glamour.”

It talks up new development on the southern Gold Coast including Palm Beach’s Mysa Motel and the Hugh Jackman co-owned Gwinganna health retreat in the Tallebudgera Valley.

Gwinganna Health Retreat, Tallebudgera Valley

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Gold Coast tourism leaders have welcomed the prestigious listing, saying it will help whet the appetite for international visitors to return to the city.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said it was “global acknowledgment that is this is the best place in the world to be.”

“Whether it is being a proud Gold Coaster or a visiting holiday maker, we have a such an amazing lifestyle and most of Australia’s iconic natural assets are here for all to enjoy,” she said.

“ From beaches to hinterland, to our water ways and everything else in between, this is a very special place and we are proud that it has been acknowledge in this article.”

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