Sanctuary Cove is a completely self-contained gated community on Hope Island in the Gold Coast. It has entertainment facilities, its own shopping centre, boating marina, and golf courses.
Launched in 1986, Sanctuary Cove was the first of its type of developments in Australia. It has expanded over the years to include a holiday resort and golf courses.
Sanctuary Cove’s Marine Village is the home of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, held annually since 1988. Hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products are displayed.
The Marine Village has a holiday vibe with a range of speciality shops, art galleries, the village theatre, and IGA supermarket. The village theatre is currently showing the Matt Hollywood Illusions Show, a magic show and illusionist.
Food outlets offer a range of dining options, with restaurants, cafes, and taverns.
The marina has 8 piers with boardwalks around the village lookout out to the water and the piers. Near Pier A is a children’s playground, and a deck looking between Pier A and Pier B across to the waterside residential areas.
The marina is an obvious theme at Sanctuary Cove. Just as obvious is the golfing theme, with golf buggies running around everywhere and provisions for parking golf buggies around the village. We had a look at the Hummer X, an enclosed Hummer styled golf buggy for sale outside the Carts n Parts store.
There are two championship golf courses at Sanctuary Cove. The Pines, a private 18-hole golf course with an AGU rating of 76, one of Australia’s most challenging courses. The public can book to go on The Palms, the second golf course. The Palms is a shorter yet challenging course.
While Sanctuary Cove was designed as a gated community, you can stay at Sanctuary Cove at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort 
, or at one of the many holiday homes . The resort has close access to Sanctuary Cove’s Marine Village, as well as its own set of facilities and features, such as the lagoon beach pool.
To get there:
From the Bruce Hwy, take the exit for Hope Island Road (Exit 57) and head towards Hope Island. Follow Hope Island Rd for 4.1km and turn left at the roundabout onto Santa Barbara Rd with the brown sign for Sanctuary Cove. Follow Santa Barbara Rd for 750m and go straight ahead at the roundabout towards Sanctuary Cove. The road continues along a small lake on the right. Continue for 1.8km to arrive at the parking area for Sanctuary Cove Marine Village.
If coming from Harbour Town 
, Runaway Bay, Paradise Point, head north along Oxley
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime
Toilets: Yes
Bins: Yes
Tables: Yes
Seating: Yes
Water: Yes
Food: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pets: No
BBQ: No
Playground: Yes
