Balter Brewing goes off, Six60 says. Photo / Destination Gold Coast
What’s the one thing about the Gold Coast that surprises you every time you visit?
JI FRASER: The number of fans we have there. Come to think of it, no matter where we go in the world, this always surprises me.
CHRIS MAC: The small village kind of feeling you can have in different areas. There’s a great community vibe when you go beyond the touristy areas. You have the raw beauty of the ocean, and we love Southern GC like Kirra. Also, the feeling of being grounded in nature. It’s a city that continues to evolve.
MARLON: The beach walks from Burleigh to Broadbeach, as well as the Southern beaches, and the amount of coffee shops and cafes.
Kirra shows off the Gold Coast’s raw beauty. Photo / Destination Gold Coast
If you had 24 hours off-duty on the Gold Coast – no soundcheck, no media – how would Six60 spend the day?
JI FRASER: I’d probably go for a walk around the Burleigh headland; [it] is the best. You can watch surfers and in winter, catch the whales migrating. Find somewhere amazing to eat and just enjoy the amazing people and environment.
CHRIS MAC: Beach swim followed by a good pub feed and a few ice-cold yeasty beverages would be my choice.
MARLON: Chill out, and see where the day takes us – [there are] so many activities and experiences, and then catch up with the rest of the band for dinner in Broadbeach.
What Gold Coast experience would you tell New Zealanders they absolutely have to try?
JI FRASER: I’d say hit one of the theme parks, especially if you have kids with you. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit as well; they’ve opened up a nighttime celestial walk called Astra Lumina that we can’t wait to check out when we visit in October.
CHRIS MAC: It’s hard to go past the theme parks. I love Movie World – [I] have been visiting those parks my whole life. I love that Top Golf is out the front as well. You can spend an entire day at Movie World and finish the night at Top Golf.
MARLON: Enjoy the outdoors with beach strolls or hinterland walks; their culinary scene goes off as well – bug rolls at Rick Shores on the beach at Burleigh is a must.
Bleach Arts Festival returns October 1-11. Photo / Destination Gold Coast
What’s your go-to Gold Coast feed after a gig?
JI FRASER: I personally love Nando’s after a show. It’s a tradition that started a few years back on a European tour. But if I can’t get that, then some fish and chips – Peter’s Fish Market is across the road from Main Beach, so you can chill out at the beach.
CHRIS MAC: Can’t go past a chicken parmi when I’m back in Aus. The parmis at the Surf Clubs are unrivalled – Currumbin Vikings Surf Club is a must-visit.
MARLON: Grill’d [Burger] is the best late-night feed.
Currumbin Vikings has Gold Coast’s best parmi. Photo / Destination Gold Coast
How does the Gold Coast influence the way you perform or unwind afterward?
JI FRASER: The weather is usually amazing and pretty hot, so the shows are intense, but enjoying a few drinks and food afterwards is a great way to unwind, considering we’ve sweated out half our body weight.
CHRIS MAC: The energy from fans in the GC is always amazing. It’s hard not to get caught up in that, and seeing HOTA’s concert lawn filled with cheering fans is such a vibe.
MARLON: Gold Coast has a lot of Kiwis who miss home, so it’s a very energetic and emotional show.
If you could import one Gold Coast thing back into New Zealand permanently, what would it be?
JI FRASER: The weather.
CHRIS MAC: Beachside pubs. Is there anything better?
MARLON: The Boardwalk along the beach from Surfers Paradise – you can hire e-bikes and ride for kilometres.
For Kiwi fans coming to see you on the Gold Coast, what makes this the kind of trip worth turning into a full holiday?
JI FRASER: Being a Kiwi, you probably know someone or have family already over here (I do), so making the time to see them and catching up at a Six60 show is a great way to extend your holiday.
CHRIS MAC: Great shopping at Pacific Fair, amazing beaches, multiple theme parks. No brainer to me.
JW Marriott: snorkel with fish right in the pool. Photo / Destination Gold Coast
MARLON: The warm weather and the amazing hotels – there are so many great places to stay, from big hotels like JW Marriott in Surfers Paradise, where you can go snorkelling with fish in the pool, to bespoke accommodation like the Cheshire Cat Motel at Palm Beach
BLEACH* Arts Festival is back October 1-11, 2026. Find out more at hota.com.au/whats-on/live/festivals-and-series/bleach-2026