Overview
With the Gold Coast set to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, south-east Queensland's favourite sun, surf and sand-drenched tourist strip has been starting to look a bit different over the past few years. Light rail, new sports venues, a revamped Pacific Fair, new Jupiter's restaurants and bars — the list goes on, and Australia's largest night market is set to join it.
Due to open in early 2018 before all things sporting take over, but destined to become a permanent fixture, The FareGround will transform an empty two-hectare Carrara block into an dining entertainment precinct. Located near Metricon Stadium, four kilometres up the road from the casino, and based around a 250-year-old Moreton Bay fig tree with a branch span of 40 metres, it aims to combine the best of two beloved worlds: fairgrounds, as the name suggests, and food.
Think rides and sideshow games, dedicated stations for street performers, buskers, circus acts and theatre performers, and a 750-person live venue for local musicians. And as far as eating and drinking is concerned, think 70 semi-permanent vendors including 40 street food kitchens, plus wine, beer and cocktail bars littered around the fully licensed site. 30 spaces for local arts and crafts stalls will also feature.
The project is the brainchild of night market entrepreneurs Michelle Christoe and Ian Van der Woude, who already worked their magic on NightQuarter Helensvale — as well as business identity Terry Morris, who owns the nearby daytime Carrara Markets. Expect it find it up and running from Friday to Sunday once 2018 rolls around (as well as Wednesday and Thursday evenings during school holidays), and expect it to be busy. The FareGround will be able to seat 4000 people, in case you didn't think it sounded massive enough.
For more information about The FareGround, visit their website and Facebook page.