Sanctuary Cove is a waterfront resort community on the northern Gold Coast, and its Marine Village is the part most visitors come for: restaurants, shops and a marina full of boats. It is about 55 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD, so it works well as a long lunch or a wander before the theme parks.
Sanctuary Cove opened in 1988 inside the suburb of Hope Island and is still best known for its marina, its golf and the International Boat Show. For the wider suburb, with its public parks and river swimming spot, see our Hope Island guide.
The Marine Village
The Marine Village is the heart of Sanctuary Cove, on Masthead Way beside the marina. It brings together shopping, dining, beauty and wellness, and specialist services such as marine and auto businesses. There is free Wi-Fi through the precinct.
Plan on a slow stroll rather than a big shopping trip: the village is as much about the waterfront setting as what you buy.
Sanctuary Cove restaurants and cafes
Sanctuary Cove’s own dining list names about 20 venues, which makes it one of the easier places on the northern Gold Coast to find a table. A sample of what is listed:
- Pizza, seafood and wine bars: George’s Paragon Pizza Wine Bar, George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant and Destino, a Mediterranean-inspired wine bar.
- Asian: Chim Thai, Dragon Cove Chinese Restaurant, Kuroki Teppanyaki and Tara Far East Dining.
- Mexican and pub food: Pablito’s Mexican and Tequilaria and Cove Tavern.
- Cafes, bakery and dessert: Cafe Bravo, Native Harvest Cafe, Rise Bakery and Rose Gelateria, which is open seven days.
Some evenings have live entertainment: Destino has a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 pm, Pablito’s has live music on Fridays from 6:30 pm and Cove Tavern has live music on Sundays. The Sanctuary Cove dining page has the full list, and each venue sets its own hours and bookings.
Sanctuary Cove Marina
The marina has 481 berths, taking everything from jet skis to superyachts up to 150 feet. You can walk the village edge and look at the boats without owning one, but the berth areas are for boat owners and guests, who receive an access fob on arrival.
The marina also has a public fuel wharf open 24 hours by card, and the village lists Cove Cruises and jet ski hire among its experiences. See the What’s On page for what is running.
Golf at Sanctuary Cove
Sanctuary Cove has two championship courses, The Pines and The Palms. The golf club describes The Pines as members only and The Palms as open to members and their guests, with a separate page for public golf bookings. Call the club on 07 5699 9000 or visit the Sanctuary Cove Golf website to check whether you can play.
Christmas and events
Sanctuary Cove runs a month of festive events each Christmas, and the Festival of Golf, the Australian WPGA Championship, is on 5 to 7 March 2027. The What’s On page lists the current events.
Planning your visit
- How long: Two to three hours for a meal and a wander along the waterfront.
- Cost: Walking around is free. Meals, shopping and cruises are extra.
- Dogs: The Marine Village describes itself as a dog-friendly environment. Check with each venue before sitting down with a dog.
- Wi-Fi: Free through the Marine Village precinct, though signal can vary.
- Nearby theme parks: Warner Bros. Movie World is a short drive away, so Sanctuary Cove suits a quieter end to a park day.
Getting to Sanctuary Cove and parking
By car, Sanctuary Cove is about 55 minutes from Brisbane CBD. Follow the signs for Sanctuary Cove and Masthead Way. The Marine Village lists complimentary parking.
The InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort car park is separate. Day visitors get the first hour free, then pay at the boom gate: $5 up to 2 hours, $10 up to 3 hours, $15 up to 4 hours, $20 up to 5 hours and $25 for longer. Diners at The Fireplace restaurant get up to 4 hours validated. The marina’s two car parks are boom gated and are for marina users.
By public transport, take the Gold Coast train line to Coomera or Hope Island station, then catch bus 725, which runs Coomera station to Sanctuary Cove via Hope Island station and finishes at Masthead Way. On the Saturday timetable checked, buses left Coomera station about once an hour, and the Masthead Way stop was drop-off only on that run. Plan your trip with Translink route 725 or call 13 12 30.
Nearby
- Hope Island – canal parks, a river swimming spot and a public golf course in the suburb around Sanctuary Cove.
- Warner Bros. Movie World – the film-themed park, a short drive away.
- Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast – the water park in the same theme park precinct.
- Paradise Country Gold Coast – farm animals and shows.
- Paradise Point – a Broadwater beach and park suburb further south.
- Southport Broadwater Parklands – rockpools and playgrounds on the Broadwater.
- Things to do on the Gold Coast, plus the restaurants and Gold Coast pages.
Quick answers
What is Sanctuary Cove?
A waterfront resort community on the northern Gold Coast, with a marina, a Marine Village of restaurants and shops, golf courses and a resort hotel.
Where is Sanctuary Cove?
On Masthead Way in the suburb of Hope Island, about 55 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD.
Can the public visit the Sanctuary Cove Marine Village?
Yes. The Marine Village is a dining and shopping precinct with free Wi-Fi and complimentary parking, and Sanctuary Cove promotes it for day visits.
Is parking free at Sanctuary Cove?
The Marine Village lists complimentary parking. The resort car park gives day visitors the first hour free, then charges.
Can you get to Sanctuary Cove by public transport?
Yes. Take the train to Coomera or Hope Island station, then bus 725 to Masthead Way.
Is Sanctuary Cove dog friendly?
The Marine Village describes itself as dog friendly. Check individual venues before you go.
Can you play golf at Sanctuary Cove?
The Pines is members only and The Palms is for members and their guests. The club has a public bookings page, so check with the club first.
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