Always wanted to sleep in a sandcastle?
For the next few days, a curious pop-up hostel built with 24 tonnes of sand will be attracting constant attention on the golden grounds of Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast. Built over the past three weeks, the impressive structure stands completely decked out with a stage (for live music and DJs), a slick on-the-sand lounge area, art installations, a bar, an 8-bed dorm room and an eclectic private room.
It’s unique by any measure – a world’s first in fact – and with the addition of a volleyball court, food trucks, a local partnership with Burleigh Brewing Co that sees three of their craftiest brews on tap, and free sessions of yoga, surf lessons and sand sculpting, it’s no wonder locals are scrambling for a chance to stay the night in one of the rooms, from which the gentle crashing of waves can be heard.
The four-metre-tall sand hostel is a collaboration between Hostelworld, Gold Coast Tourism and Lively Worldwide, designed with renowned sculptor Denis Masoud and film production designer Jon Dowding, who is known for his work on Mad Max.
Perhaps most surprising is the almost non-existent price it costs for the public to stay the night – $7.50. Though spots to crash at the Sand Hostel sold out within minutes of going live, the public are able to come down and explore the hostel until 10pm both today (Wednesday 20th September) and tomorrow (Thursday 21st September).
Though two more days may not be near enough for this unique hostel, there is apparently a petition going around requesting that this become a permanent fixture on the beach.
———-
