Bleach Surfing the Fringe Festival, Gold Coast

Gold Coast surf culture celebrated the birth of its very own festival in 2012, with the Bleach Surfing the Fringe festival taking place in Currumbin.  From February 11 to 26, the beaches were alive with the art, music, fashion and culture of the surf world, and everything connected with the ocean was celebrated under a bright friendly sun.

Beach art

The festival was a huge hit among beach-goers and art lovers alike. Bleach Surfing the Fringe boasted over 80 artists and musicians, many of them local, who presented astounding works of art, music, film, photography, fashion and theatre, all inspired by sun, sea and sand. There’s no question the inaugural Bleach Surfing the Fringe Theatre was a success, as the Surfer and the Mermaid play was overrun by hundreds of eager youngsters. Another unique feature of the festival was the display of visual surf art inside shipping containers dotted along the gorgeous beaches of the Gold Coast.

Location

Of course, this awesome festival had to take place on the beach, and Bleach Surfing the Fringe did its best to spread out as much as possible. The festival in 2012 stretched 10 kilometres, from Coolangatta to Currumbin, so you had your choice of home base from which to access the fun. The Gold Coast airport is located near Kirra, and from there you can easily access accommodation, local attractions and other sights by car, bus, bike or hike.

Accommodation

The Gold Coast offers the full spectrum when it comes to accommodation, from luxury resort rooms, self-contained apartments and spacious beachfront units to bed and breakfasts and hostels. Best of all, most of them are just minutes away from the Gold Coast airport. If you want to get good prices on accommodation and rentals you had better get in early, as it can fill up quickly. Book your vacations as early as possible to be sure to get decent accommodation in Surfers Paradise or a good deal on holiday apartments on the Gold Coast.

Local attractions

There are a lot of local attractions aside from the surf to enjoy while you’re on the Gold Coast. You can go to Currumbin Alley and roam among the rock pools or visit the popular surf beach enclosed by Elephant Rock and Currumbin Rock. There is also the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which has the largest collection of Australian native wildlife in the world with 1400 birds and animals. At the Sanctuary, dare to take the Green Challenge, an amazing treetop course that takes you into the jungle in a way you never dreamed. If you’re still searching for something to do on the Gold Coast, try skydiving, scuba diving, and whale, turtle or bird watching — and of course, the beaches and swimming options aren’t half bad either.

Next year, take your holidays outside of the rush of peak season and head to the Gold Coast in February for the fantastic Bleach Surfing the Fringe festival. Bring your partner, your crew or your family, and you’re sure to have one of your best trips ever.