A Halal-friendly guide to Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Get ready for a Halal-friendly journey to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Queensland has a diverse and beautiful landscape that is filled with lush rainforests, sparse deserts, mountains and islands. Its coastline has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches as well as exciting island escapes just minutes from the mainland. Most Queenslanders live in the capital city, Brisbane, and its neighbouring city the Gold Coast, a town with a large list of Halal-certified eating options.
Play
Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Queensland © Brisbane Marketing
Brisbane is a stylish city built beside a winding river. Visit South Bank, Brisbane’s cultural precinct, where you’ll find the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and GOMA: Gallery of Modern Art as well as restaurants, live entertainment and picturesque parks. For a bite to eat, head to the far end of South Bank Parklands where you will find Mado restaurant.
For a close experience with wildlife, take the ferry to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island. Every evening, a pod of dolphins swims up to the white-sand shores every evening to be hand fed by resort guests.
Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Queensland © Dreamworld
Next head an hour south of Brisbane to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, where a strip of high-rise apartments and hotels overlooks a spectacular beach.
The Gold Coast is Australia’s theme park capital where you can swim with dolphins at Sea World, meet your favourite superheroes at Warner Bros. Movie World and tackle the thrill rides at Australia’s largest theme park, Dreamworld. While just south of the Gold Coast is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 27 hectares (67 acres) of lush forest, where you have the opportunity to meet some of Australia’s famous animals including koalas, kangaroos and crocodiles.
Eat
Mecca Bah, Brisbane, Queensland © Mecca Bah
Queensland is well known for its seafood, fruit and other produce. These champion ingredients are served across the state’s restaurants, resorts and attractions, many of them out of Halal-certified kitchens.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast are home to many fine Halal restaurants. In Brisbane, Dapur Dahlia serves traditional Malaysian cuisine while Halal-certified Sultan’s Restaurant offers authentic Turkish food and live performances. On the Gold Coast, try Middle Eastern and Moroccan eatery Mecca Bah or one of the finest Halal restaurants in the state, Shiraz Authentic Persian Restaurant. Halal meals are also available at Movie World and Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast.
Shop
Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, Queensland © Visit Brisbane
Brisbane’s premier shopping precinct is The City, home to Queen Street Mall and over 1000 stores. Head to Fortitude Valley for local designers and high-end fashion at James Street and the Emporium; Woolloongabba for antiques and collectables and Paddington for homewares, books and designer fashions. For unique art, fashion and accessories by local designers head to Fortitude Valley Markets held every weekend.
While on the Gold Coast, head to Pacific Fair at Broadbeach, with 300 stores, cafés and restaurants. Other shopping destinations include Harbour Town, Australia’s largest outlet shopping centre with over 220 clearance stores.
For a unique shopping experience under the stars visit The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets held on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights. As well as a relaxed, Bohemian atmosphere, you’ll discover fashion, jewellery, artworks, beauty products and homewares.
Pray
There are many mosques within Brisbane; the closest to the city is the beautiful and oldest mosque in Australia Holland Park Mosque. Also nearby is Kuraby Mosque.
Alternatively if you’re staying on the Gold Coast, many of the 5000 Muslims that live in the city attend Jum’ah prayer at the Islamic Society of Gold Coast. You’ll also find prayer rooms at popular attractions including Sea World and Harbour Town.
