‘The Only Oktoberfest’: Popular brisbane event to make Gold Coast debut

With international travel off the cards for the foreseeable future, organisers of a much-loved Brisbane festival say now is the perfect time to launch a sister event on the Glitter Strip. WHAT’S ON >>>

A SEA of steins and pretzels will soon take over a Gold Coast sports stadium as a much-loved Brisbane festival makes its debut on The Glitter Strip.

For the first time ever, the team behind Oktoberfest Brisbane is bringing its reimagined event ‘The Only Oktoberfest’ to the Gold Coast – 13 years after launching in the state’s capital.

Festival Directors Kim and Boris Zoulek said it was time the much-loved festival established a presence down south, especially with overseas travel off the cards for the foreseeable future.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to fulfil our dream of bringing Australia’s biggest and most authentic annual German celebration to even more Australians and the Gold Coast is our first stop,” said Mr Zoulek.

Festival Directors Kim and Boris Zoulek are bringing Australia’s largest Oktoberfest celebration to the Gold Coast. Picture: supplied

Mrs Zoulek added: “For obvious reasons, it’s not possible to travel to Germany at the moment to enjoy a traditional German Bier or reliably import Bier from our usual partners.

“This is all the more reason to experience the best of Germany in our own backyard.”

In a major win for the region, Burleigh Brewing Co has been selected to exclusively brew and supply all the tasty Biers for this year’s Festivals.

Burleigh Brewing Co-Founder and brew master Brennan Fielding said it was an honour to be selected to serve up all biers for the three-day festival in October.

“The Germans are masters of brewing and are renowned for their exacting traditional methods that produce some of the finest Biers in the world.

“We are honoured to be working with The Only Oktoberfest to exclusively supply traditional Bier containing all-German ingredients brewed right here on the Gold Coast,” Mr Fielding said.

Punters will be treated to live entertainment provided by a traditional Bavarian Oompah band over the three-day even. Picture: supplied

The event is tipped to provide much-needed work for many locals, performers, food suppliers and event staff impacted by the pandemic.

“Serving Bier brewed using traditional German methods has always been incredibly important to us. It’s part of our commitment to delivering authentic cultural experiences,” Mr Zoulek said.

Punters to the event will be treated to a similar set-up to the Brisbane festival – a Bavarian village with food and drinks of offer, live entertainment provided by the traditional Oompah band as well as a Miss Oktoberfest competition.

EVENT DETAILS

When: October 29-31 from midday to late

Where: Carrara Sports Precinct – Nerang Broadbeach Road, Carrara

Tickets: On sale now at Oktoberfestgoldcoast.com.au/tickets

Cost: General Admission from $35 on Friday & Saturday and from $25 on Sunday.

Coast superfood cafe launches second location

August 7, 2021

THE owners of a popular wellness cafe have expanded within the southern Gold Coast as demand for superfood eateries surges.

Adrian and Alex Whan last week opened a Protein Shake store in the Currumbin Waters industrial precinct. Their flagship smoothie and juice bar has been a mainstay in Coolangatta for seven years.

Mrs Whan said there were no plans to deviate from their original menu: “We’ll still have the salted caramel, peanut butter smoothie and the plant power. We definitely won’t be getting rid of those” she laughed.

And while most businesses appear to be scaling back amid the pandemic, Mrs Whan said there proved to be no better – albeit “weird time” – for the duo to expand.

“We looked at this place (in Currumbin) just before Covid hit, then I fell pregnant with our daughter who is one now. We just thought now is the time to believe in ourselves and open it up.”

Owners Alex and Adrian Whan of Coolangatta eatery Protein Shake have opened their second location in Currumbin Waters selling delicious smoothies and acai bowls among other things. Picture Glenn Hampson

Goodies on the menu include 16 protein smoothies and cold-pressed juices include organic coffee and a variety of raw treats.

“We wanted to bring healthy smoothies to Currumbin, but keep true to our roots too.”

The Traders Way shopfront is in good company, joining neighbouring businesses such as Chinese restaurant Zipang’s, Balter Brewery, Dust Temple and Portside Coffee.

“We’ve had a lot of familiar face comes in and make us feel right at home. The community have been really welcoming since we opened on Tuesday, and we really want to appeal to the businesses and residents in the area.

“It’s more locals that we’re targeting at Currumbin – the businesses, cross-fit gyms as opposed to the tourists in Coolangatta which we see more of there.”

Protein Shake is located at 3A/31 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters and operates from 7.30am-4pm Monday to Saturday.

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