Good morning, Robina.
Big week in Robina. Exit 82 funding has finally been confirmed, and the comments section said everything you need to know about how long locals have been waiting for that one.
The NRLW Preliminary Final lands at Cbus Super Stadium this Sunday, with road closures and bus replacements to plan around. Speaking of buses, the train line is going bus replacement for three weeks from September 21, so worth adjusting your commute now. And a local vet clinic made national news for successfully treating a Tasmanian devil.
Only in Robina. Let's get into it.
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THIS WEEK IN ROBINA
Mary the Tasmanian Devil made it, and Robina's emergency vet is why
IMAGE: goldcoastbulletin.com.au
Not every good news story around here involves a person, and this one's a genuine ripper. Mary, a Tasmanian devil from Paradise Country, fell critically ill with brain inflammation and ended up spending six days in critical care at SASH Emergency Vet in Robina.
After six days in critical care, Mary made a remarkable recovery. She's since been returned to her habitat, back to doing whatever it is Tasmanian devils do when they're not scaring the daylights out of small children at the zoo.
It's a nice reminder of what sits behind those clinic doors day to day, treating everything from household pets to, apparently, one of Australia's most distinctive marsupials. Welcome home, Mary.
Would You Inject Something If You Didn’t Know Where It Came From?
Peptides are everywhere right now. But there’s one question worth asking before putting anything into your body: do you actually know what’s in the vial?
Australia’s TGA has warned about unapproved peptide products being sold online. Some can arrive in poorly labelled or even unmarked vials, making it difficult to know exactly what they contain, how strong they are or whether they’re safe to inject.
That’s why Apex Metabolic Health takes a doctor-led approach.
Apex operates Australia-wide through telehealth, with consultations conducted by AHPRA-registered medical practitioners. Treatment starts with blood testing and a doctor consultation before any personalised treatment plan is considered. Prescriptions are then filled through an accredited compounding pharmacy partner, rather than grey-market suppliers.
Because when it comes to your health, it matters what you’re taking, where it came from and who is looking after you.
Exit 82 upgrade funding finally confirmed, and locals are letting it all out
IMAGE: Facebook - Councillor Dan Doran
Anyone who's sat through the double roundabout crawl at Exit 82 already knows the pain. Funding for the long awaited upgrade was confirmed on Wednesday, and the comments section absolutely erupted.
Years of frustration came pouring out, with locals calling the fix grossly overdue, and honestly, fair enough. That stretch outside Robina Town Centre has been a genuine daily headache for anyone commuting on or off the M1.
No firm start date yet on works, but the funding being locked in is the bit that actually matters. This one's been talked about for years, so don't be surprised if the cheering keeps going for a while yet.
Two weeknights. Two very good reasons to book dinner.
At Fornello Pizza & Bar, Tuesdays mean 15% off all pasta, plus $8 glasses of wine. Wednesdays mean 15% off all pizzas, again with $8 glasses of wine.
With hand-stretched pizzas, Italian-inspired dishes and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s an easy excuse to turn a regular weeknight into dinner you’ll actually look forward to.
Don’t wait for the weekend. Pick your night, book your table and make the most of 15% off before the week gets away from you.
Tuesday = pasta. Wednesday = pizza. Which one are you booking?
Fornello Pizza & Bar
Shop A1/201 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
Book your table and check the menu at fornellopizza.com.au
NRLW finals footy lands at Cbus this Sunday, and it'll snarl the streets
The Titans host the NRLW Preliminary Final at Cbus Super Stadium this Sunday, September 27, gates open midday for a 1.05pm kick off. A free community fan zone kicks things off from 10am if you want to make a morning of it.
Worth planning ahead if you live near the stadium. Stadium Drive runs its usual event day contra flow, locking out non permit holders around Vue, Riverlily and Woody Views Way, and with zero public parking at the venue, expect the surrounding streets to cop the overflow.
Getting there by train is trickier than usual too, with the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines both closed for the weekend as part of ongoing trackwork. Replacement railbuses run between Boggo Road and Varsity Lakes, and from midday, routes R762 and R770 shift to depart from the eastern taxi zone off Robina Station Road instead. Ticket holders travel free from 9.05am.
Robina locals, take your pup for a walk and get a free puppuccino.
LillyPad Cottage at Lakehouse Corporate Space could be the perfect excuse to get out for a stroll with your four-legged friend.
Grab your coffee, pick up something sweet and settle into the outdoor seating while your pup enjoys a free puppuccino too. Pets are part of the LillyPad Cottage experience, so don’t be surprised if your coffee stop comes with a few furry visitors.
For locals nearby, it’s an easy walk to turn into a little morning or afternoon outing. Bring your pup, smile and come say hi!
You can also order online if you want to grab your coffee and treats along the way.
Hope to see you and your pooch with your free puppuccinos!
LillyPad Cottage
34–36 Glenferrie Drive, Robina
Instagram: lillypadcottage
Facebook: LillyPad Cottage
Robina's train line is going bus replacement for three weeks
IMAGE: translink.com.au
If you catch the train out of Robina Station, clear some extra time in your morning from Monday September 21 through to Sunday October 11. Buses will replace trains between Varsity Lakes and Boggo Road for most of that stretch, as Translink works through major track upgrades on the Gold Coast line.
It runs in blocks. From September 21 to October 2, it's straight bus replacement. Then from October 6, the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines combine and run only as far as Banoon, with no trains at all between Banoon and Boggo Road until October 11.
Worth checking the Translink Journey Planner before you head out, because your usual trip is going to take noticeably longer for a good chunk of these three weeks.
What if karate could help your child feel stronger on and off the mat?
At Goshukan Karate Academy QLD, the focus goes beyond learning kicks and punches. Children are taught self-defence, confidence, discipline and respect, while learning skills in a structured and supportive environment. Classes are available for different ages, from Junior Ninjas through to teens and adults.
The programs include traditional Goju-ryu Karate, pad drills and self-defence training, with more advanced students also working on techniques such as takedowns and grappling in controlled settings.
And if you’ve been thinking about giving karate a try, there’s a great way to start. Their Starter Pack is just $40 and includes 4 classes plus a FREE karate uniform, valued at $120.
With classes at Clear Island Waters and Pimpama Sports Hub, plus 80+ positive Google reviews, it’s an easy way to try something new while helping build skills that can carry well beyond the dojo.
Goshukan Karate Academy QLD
Clear Island Waters & Pimpama
Starter Pack: $40 | 4 Classes + FREE Karate Uniform | $120 Value
Robina Hospital treated crash victims from a Main Beach boat smash
IMAGE: SMH
A serious boating incident up at Main Beach on Saturday night ended up landing patients right here in Robina. A party vessel struck a pylon off Moondarewa Spit, injuring eight passengers on board.
Paramedics treated the group at the scene, with a portion of the casualties diverted down to Robina Hospital for emergency care covering neck and shoulder injuries. It's a decent reminder of just how much Robina's ED covers, well beyond our own suburb's boundaries.
No word yet on exactly what caused the crash, but with eight people injured, it was clearly a serious impact. Hope everyone involved makes a full recovery.
| 21 Collingwood Avenue | $1,850,000 |
| 286 Easthill Drive | $1,350,000 |
| 20 Solitaire Place | $1,340,000 |
| 31/24 Ron Penhaligon Way | $1,250,000 |
| 17 Springvale Street | $1,165,000 |
| 1/10 Peppertree Circuit | $1,150,000 |
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What's on this week
A Bluey appearance, a do-or-die NRLW derby, a free homeschool expo, and Sonic the Hedgehog — it is a big one this weekend.
A free multi-level educational event featuring curriculum suppliers, tutors, resources, and community connections for homeschooling families. Entry tickets are mandatory — reserve in advance via The Home School Hub. The first 300 families through the doors receive a complimentary Family Resource Bag.
A free collaborative living exhibition where visitors add their own marks, colours, or stories to blank canvases — the finalized works will be gifted to community organisations across the Gold Coast. Saturday also features a special Empty Plate Potluck Lunch from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Register via Humanitix.
Free interactive gaming zones, arcade set-ups, photo-ops, and classic console areas running across the weekend. The live character meet-and-greets with Sonic are restricted to Saturday between 10:00am and 1:00pm only — plan accordingly if that is the main draw.
A clean, highly interactive family comedy show relying entirely on audience participation. Door tickets are subject to capacity — buying online beforehand is recommended.
A free state-government-run community celebration honouring local families and new babies. Features live interactive children's entertainment including Bluey and Bingo, creative activities, resources, and food trucks. The first 200 young children to arrive receive a free kids' bucket hat. Families can sign up for a personalised welcome certificate via the Queensland Government Events portal.
A massive do-or-die South East Queensland derby with a grand final spot on the line. Regular-season club memberships do not apply — general public tickets start at $15 via Ticketmaster. Important: due to Gold Coast rail line track closures, expect significant congestion around the Stadium Drive precinct. Pre-arrange alternative transport or pre-book local parking.
Where to play something social within 20 minutes of Robina Town Centre.
Real deals at Robina venues right now.
$25 Steak and Ribs Night
Club Robina
263 Ron Penhaligon Way
Wednesday 2-for-1 Parmigiana night, Thursday Steak & Rib night with a 200g rump steak and juicy ribs topper for $25, Friday from 7:30 PM the $20,000 Blooming Bucks cash draw where lucky members can find the hidden flower and share $2,500 cash weekly.
Court, Cafe and Bar Packages
Racquet Club
Robina Town Centre
The Gold Coast's newest home of padel and pickleball is officially open, boasting 13 high-performance courts, a fully equipped pro-shop, a licensed bar, and an outdoor terrace. Court allocations fill up quickly, so download the Playtomic App to book your match.
Quiz Night
Robina Pavilion
229 Ron Penhaligon Way
Tuesday night Quiz Meisters trivia kicks off at 6:30 PM. Enjoy a rotating selection of local pub classics, dining specials, and craft beer deals while competing for prizes.
Services Robina Locals Recommend:
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DEBATE OF THE WEEK
Pickleball or padel - which racquet sport will take over as Robina's weekend obsession?
With 13 new courts now open right at Robina Town Centre, the suburb is about to find out very quickly. Six pickleball courts versus seven padel courts - and already people are picking sides.
Hit reply and settle it for us.
LEGEND OF THE WEEK:
Know someone in Robina quietly doing something worth recognising? Hit reply and tell us about them. We'd love to feature them in a future edition.
Grow your business with Robina Locals
To keep this newsletter going and the coverage improving, we are opening a small number of paid features to local businesses. If you offer something genuinely useful to Robina residents, we would like to hear from you.
Reply to this email to find out more.
That is a wrap for this week, Robina. Get amongst the debate, have your say in the community corner, and we will catch you next Thursday with more of what is happening around the traps.
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
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