Celestial Nights

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort invites guests to look beyond the horizon with Celestial Nights: Under the Stars with Gold Coast Astronomy. The limited-series dining experience blending exceptional food, stargazing and storytelling beneath some of the Gold Coast’s clearest night skies on July 24, 31 & August 7.

Taking place across 24 July, 31 July and 7 August 2026, the special event transforms the resort’s Fountain Terrace into an open-air observatory, where guests dine beneath the stars while exploring the wonders of the Southern sky.

The evening begins with a signature Celestial Nights cocktail before guests take their place at a beautifully styled long table for a multi-course menu curated by 2026 Chef of the Year, Hamish Watt.

Between courses, local Gold Coast Astronomy Guide John McDonald guides guests through the cosmos using professional-grade telescopes, revealing constellations, planets and seasonal celestial highlights visible above Sanctuary Cove - where science and mythology intertwine through stories that have connected humanity to the night sky for centuries.

Created exclusively for the series, Chef Watt’s menu draws inspiration from the night sky itself. Stellar Veil pairs creamy Byron Bay burrata with vibrant pomegranate and beetroot, while Ember Meridian showcases a beautifully char-grilled sirloin that reflects the warmth and intensity of distant stars. 

For dessert, Halley’s Comet delivers a refined finale of rum and vanilla panna cotta - light, elegant and designed to leave a lasting impression.

Celestial Nights offers a rare opportunity to experience the Gold Coast after dark where fine dining, discovery and the beauty of the universe come together in an unforgettable winter escape.

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