Iconic Couran Cove Island Resort holds a very special place in the hearts of so many Gold Coasters, especially passionate boaties – so many special memories, such an inspiring place to cruise on in and play for a day, or stay for a well-deserved holiday.
Today – much to the relief of Couran Cove’s existing property owners, bodies corporate and the Gold Coast community itself – the 354-room resort and its amazing facilities have been totally transformed. Finally, the vision of establishing a permanent community is starting to come together.
“Let’s get straight to the point: Couran Cove Island Resort is definitely NOT turning into a retirement village,” says managing director Greg Rekers. “What it WILL be is everything it was always meant to be, and even more.”
Back in 1998, when the late, great Olympian Ron Clarke was driving development of the multiple award-winning resort, a completely separate community of permanent residents was always a key element of the overall vision.
This community was always meant to underpin the long-term sustainability of the resort. There is existing approval for some 300 approved strata-titled dwellings.
Fast-forward to December 2015
For myriad reasons, this very special piece of South Stradbroke Island was in desperate need of a great deal of tender loving care. Indeed, Couran Cove was crying out for people with the passion, foresight, unwavering belief and proven credentials to help it reach its true potential.
Enter Gold Coast entrepreneur Mr Rekers and ASX-listed Eureka Group Holdings – who have most certainly got the whole town and the tourism industry talking.
A new lease of life
The new-look Couran Cove Island Resort is the result of many months of hard work by a large group of tradesmen. The waterfront Marlin Bar tavern is now open, pools have been meticulously cleaned, the iconic South Staddie Surf Club is re-opened, boardwalk timbers have been replaced, playgrounds have been lovingly brought back to life, and an array of sports equipment has been purchased for the enjoyment of guests.
Yet, that is just scratching the surface of everything that has been happening.
“Come and see for yourself,” says Mr Rekers. “It’s then that you’ll know just how serious we are about re-establishing Couran Cove Island Resort as a premiere Gold Coast tourist destination.”
Cruise on in
Upon arrival, whether guests come in their own boats, a water taxi or the resort ferry, they are warmly welcomed at resort reception. Day visitors are welcomed to register and enjoy an impressive array of facilities and activities — a great number of them for free!
A passionate boatie himself, Mr Rekers recognises that day visitors are valuable patrons of The Shingle Inn coffee shop, the waterfront Marlin Bar tavern, the Poolside Restaurant on Spa Island and The Dunes Restaurant just a short train ride away at the iconic South Straddie Surf Club.
He says a range of new incentives will encourage local boaties to cruise on in with their families and friends to create the type of memories that they will treasure for a lifetime.
“Most people appreciate that the marina and the resort are privately owned. We rely on guests dining in our restaurants, enjoying a drink in the tavern, or having coffee overlooking the marina to remain viable,” says Mr Rekers. “Given we provide vouchers for our boaties to redeem throughout the resort, the mooring fees are extremely reasonable and if you choose to stay overnight in one of our luxurious waterfront apartments, the mooring fees are refunded in full.”
Heading in the right direction
If you have not been across to Couran Cove of late, it is well worth the effort now so you can see how far it has come, and begin to appreciate where it is headed next.
“For years, a succession of operators wanted to distance Couran Cove from the Gold Coast. But it is very much a part of the Gold Coast. We are a suburb of the Gold Coast. Surfers Paradise is right there, down the beach,” said Mr Rekers.
“As we continue to build our population of permanent residents, we will open a supermarket, a takeaway store, and a medical centre. And the people who choose to reside here will live a very comfortable and connected lifestyle. We will have ferry services to Southport three times a day. We are in talks with Marina Mirage to stop there too. There will be more beach dinner barbecues and fantastic events. It will boast a very real and very unique community vibe.”
Eureka successfully operates 30 retirement villages around Australia and is very successful in doing so. However, the new Couran Village will be home to a wide demographic of permanent residents—resort workers, active retirees and others who own their dwellings and choose to use it as a holiday home that offers all the amenities of a world-class resort, and more.
“Eureka is primarily an asset manager and that’s what we do best,” said Mr Rekers. “Couran Cove Island Resort and the new Couran Village will have the experienced management is was always meant to have, and the means to be all it was meant to be. This beautiful destination will not only be a very relaxing place to come and stay. It will also be a very rewarding place to live.”
