Temporary hostel made of sand built on Gold Coast beach
It might not be the castle that Jimi Hendrix once sung about, but the Gold Coast is the temporary home of a hostel made of sand.
World champion sand sculptor Dennis Massoud built the sand structure on the Gold Coast beach using about 24 tonnes of sand as a joint initiative for accommodation website Hostelworld and Gold Coast Tourism.
The hostel, which is open to the public for three days from September 20 to 22, also hosted a handful of guests who got to experience what it was like to sleep on the famous beach with many more mod cons than just a beach towel and a hangover.
It features one eight-person dorm and one double room, with a select few guests paying just $5 for the experience. A public bar was also available.
The initiative – reportedly the first of its kind in the world – was designed to change stereotypes about hostels, as well as the Gold Coast, according to Hostelworld.
The bar area in the ”hostel”. Photo: Hostelworld
”Hostels are unique to any other form of accommodation – they are not only affordable but they are also social hubs where people from all corners of the world come together to make unforgettable memories,” Niall Walsh, head of acquisition at Hostelworld, said.
“In the same way as people have outdated perceptions about hostels, the Gold Coast also battles with certain stereotypes and we wanted to come together to bust them and showcase what both hostels and the Gold Coast are really all about.”
Located on Kurrawa Terrace, the Sand Hostel was designed and created by Lively Worldwide, alongside production designer Jon Dowding, whose feature film credits include Mad Max and The Blue Lagoon.
The bunk room in the building sleeps eight. Photo: Hostelworld
“We wanted to create something that was totally unique and that had never been done before whilst also showcasing both the modern hostelling experience and all the incredible things on offer on the Gold Coast,” Mr Walsh said.
Dean Gould, Gold Coast Tourism’s executive director corporate affairs and strategy, said the project was a way to show the famous holiday destination to a new generation of young travellers.
Patrons at the hostel’s bar, Sammy Pearse-Marmont, left, and Freya Leete. Photo: Hostelworld
“Joining with Hostelworld was a natural fit to show young travellers the real Gold Coast experience, through modern hostelling,” he said.
“There is an inexplicable energy that lives here and we invite young travellers to see how the Gold Coast has evolved.
“Our unique coastal culture, emerging street food and craft beer hubs, iconic beaches and lush hinterland sets the scene for truly memorable experiences.”
