Get to know your 2018 Australian Open venues
With over 4,500 matches played each year at the Australian Open, the 13 supportive host clubs within the Gold Coast region are crucial in delivering the ‘World’s Biggest Bowls Festival’. With over 4,500 matches played each year at the Australian Open, the 13 supportive host clubs within the Gold Coast region are crucial in delivering the ‘World’s Biggest Bowls Festival’.
See below for a venue by venue profile:
Broadbeach Bowls Club
Broadbeach Bowls and Community Club is located in the heart of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, just 50 metres from the beautiful white sandy beach.
As the only four green club on the Gold Coast, Broadbeach has enjoyed a busy period as the host venue for the recent 2018 Commonwealth Games and will again host more international bowls with the World Championships in 2020.
With a thriving social bowls program, world-class greens, fantastic location and friendly staff, the Broadbeach Bowls & Community Club promises to again be a fantastic host for the event.
Key Facts:
Address: 169 Surf Parade, Broadbeach, QLD 4217
Greens: 4 grass
Website: www.broadbeachbowlsclub.com
Facebook: Broadbeach Bowls Club
Other: Free WiFi, pokies, bar, restaurant
Burleigh Heads Bowls Club
Located a stones’ throw away from the picturesque Burleigh Heads beach, the Burleigh Heads Bowls Club is not only one of the most idyllic bowls locations on the Gold Coast, but throughout Australia.
Given the fantastic location, the club runs one of the most successful and popular social bowls programs in the area on its two grass greens and one synthetic four rink green.
The club also runs a thriving entertainment schedule, social events, a fully licensed bar and gaming area and is a great spot to enjoy the Gold Coast lifestyle.
Key Facts:
Address: Connor Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Greens: 2 grass, 1 synthetic (4 rinks)
Website: www.burleighbowls.org.au
Facebook: Burleigh Heads Bowls Club
Other: Free WiFi, gaming, bar, regular entertainment
Club Helensvale
Club Helensvale has long been a heavyweight club on the Gold Coast, and indeed throughout Australia.
Currently boasting a number of Australian Jackaroos, Helensvale talent pathway has proved successful over many years.
With its magnificent facilities, the club has been a host to many state, national and international events, including the World Champion of Champions Singles in 2015 and 2016, and will be a host club for the World Championships in 2020 alongside Musgrave Hill and Broadbeach.
The club runs three immaculate greens, with two being floodlight. The club doubles as one of the Gold Coast’s premiere entertainment precincts, with the Blu Bistro restaurant operating daily and the smaller Cafe 22 operating on site for breakfast, lunch and snacks as well as a large gaming precinct.
Key Details:
Address: 20-28 Discovery Drive, Helensvale QLD 4212
Greens: 3 grass (2 lit)
Website: clubhelensvale.com.au
Facebook: Club Helensvale
Other: Free WiFi, fully licensed bar, pokies, limited parking, courtesy bus
Club Robina
Nestled in the suburbs out of the hustle and bustle of the main Gold Coast strip, Club Robina is a short drive from the lovely Burleigh Heads beaches and a fifteen-minute drive from Broadbeach.
With it’s three greens widely rated as some of the best on the Gold Coast and it’s distinctive Robina hedge, the club also serves as a major event venue within the area and prides itself on being the ‘friendly community club’.
Key Details:
Address: 263 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina QLD 4226
Greens: 3 grass (1 lit)
Website: clubrobina.com.au
Facebook: Club Robina
Other: Fully licensed bar, gaming, limited parking; WiFi available
Coolangatta Bowls Club
The club is located in the heart of Coolangatta, off the lovely Goodwin Park, running three pristine greens, an on-site Chinese restaurant (Feng Shui), bar, Keno, and pokies within its spacious clubhouse.
Given its location and it’s status as one of the Gold Coast’s larger clubs, many high-class bowlers have passed through the club throughout its history.
Iconic names and former Australian representatives such as Kelvin Kerkow, the great Rob Parrella, Ian Schuback and Helen Bosisto have represented Coolangatta at stages in their careers.
Key Details:
Address: Scott Street, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Greens: 3 grass
Website: www.coolangattabowlsclub.com
Other: bar, Chinese restaurant, gaming
Gold Coast Bowls & Community Club
Located within the picturesque Broadbeach Waters, a small distance from the main beach at Broadbeach, this small but friendly club features multiple grass greens commonly rated as some of the best on the coast.
Having hosted a large number of matches during previous Australian Opens, the club will again be a fixture throughout the 2018 event.
The club features fully licensed bar facilities and other amenities, including a large car park.
Key Details:
Address: 14 Kalimna Drive, Broadbeach Waters QLD 4218
Greens: 3 grass
Facebook: Gold Coast Bowls and Community Club
Other: bar, bistro, ample parking
McKenzie Park Nerang Bowls Club
Located within McKenzie Park in leafy Nerang, the club has a strong history of junior development with many of Queensland’s finest recent products being associated with the club.
McKenzie Park Nerang has two greens, one grass, and one synthetic as well as a fully licensed bar, pokies and bistro area running seven days a week. The club also runs a courtesy bus for its patrons.
Key Details:
Address: Cayunga Street, Nerang, QLD 4211
Greens: 1 grass, 1 synthetic
Website: www.nerangbowls.com.au/
Facebook: Nerang Bowls and Community Club
Other: Fully licensed bar & bistro (running 7 days a week), pokies, courtesy bus
Mermaid Beach Bowls Club
Mermaid Beach Bowls Club is a thriving, three green club within a short drive or medium length walk from the Broadbeach area and a stones’ throw from the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.
Dubbed as one of ‘the best-kept secrets’ on the Gold Coast, the club runs a variety of bowls events, including barefoot and social activities throughout the year.
Address: 9 Markeri Street, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Greens: 3 grass
Website: www.mermaidbowls.com.au
Facebook: Mermaid Beach Bowls Club
Other: Gaming, bar facilities, dedicated car park, social events
Mudgereeba Bowls Club
Dubbed the ‘little club with a huge welcome mat’, the Mudgeeraba Bowls Club prides itself on welcoming new members and visitors through its doors.
The current clubhouse actually began its life as a demountable house and has been built up over the years to the current structure.
The club is located around 25 minutes inland from the Broadbeach area and runs two greens all year round.
The club is heavily involved in partnerships with other sporting and community organisations in the area and is located within a busy local sporting precinct.
Key Details:
Address: 1 Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba QLD 4213 (within Firth Park)
Greens: 2 grass
Website: www.mudgeerababowlsclub.com
Facebook: Mudgeeraba Bowls Club
Other: Gaming, bar facilities, ample parking, social events
Musgrave Hill Bowls Club
Located just north of the Southport and Labrador areas, Musgrave Hill Bowls Club is one of the larger clubs on the Gold Coast and boasts world-class greens and a fantastic club facility.
The club has a history of hosting tournaments and events at local, state and national levels, and has been chosen as one of the host clubs for the World Championships in 2020, along with Broadbeach and Helensvale.
Key Details:
Address: Corner Kumbari and Markeri Avenues, Southport QLD 4215
Greens: 3 grass
Website: www.musgravebowls.com
Facebook: Musgrave Hill Bowls Club
Other: Gaming, entertainment, bar, dedicated parking, courtesy bus
Paradise Point Bowls Club
As one of the northernmost host clubs, Paradise Point Bowls Club is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and members, with two grass greens and their spectacular showpiece undercover green.
Paradise Point is a thriving club, with a regular entertainment scheduled to complement its fantastic bar, dining and gaming facilities.
Members and visitors alike are invited to take part in the clubs expansive bowls calendar, which offers something for everyone including social and barefoot bowls.
Key Details:
Address: 22 Thrush Avenue, Paradise Point QLD 4216
Greens: 2 grass, 1 synthetic (covered)
Website: www.paradisepointbowls.com.au
Facebook: Paradise Point Bowls Club
Other: Bar, entertainment, dining, gaming, courtesy bus, ample off and on-street parking
Southport Bowls Club
Located in the heart of the Southport area and surrounded by high rises, Southport Bowls Club was established in 1914 and is the oldest bowls club on the Gold Coast.
Southport is the home to one of the most successful Jack Attack programs in Australia and hosts many social and barefoot bowls events outside of Jack Attack.
Key Details:
Address: 2 Marine Parade, Southport QLD 4215
Greens: 3 grass
Website: www.southportbowls.com.au
Facebook: Southport Bowls Club
Other: Bistro, bar, ample off-street parking, Jack Attack
Tugun Bowls and Community Club
Located at the southern end of the Gold Coast on the outskirts of Gold Coast Airport, the Tugun Bowls and Community Club is a large club with approximately 350 members across it’s three fantastic greens.
The club is also located just under the northern approach to Gold Coast Airport, and bowlers will enjoy one of the most unique sights in the sport with jets passing overhead if the wind is right.
Key Details:
Address: Kaleena Street, Tugun QLD 4224
Greens: 3 grass (2 with lights)
Website: www.tugunbowls.com.au
Facebook: Tugun Bowls Club
Other: Bar, restaurant, gaming, ample off and on-street parking, courtesy bus (Friday – Sunday), WiFi available
