LIVE PERFORMANCE
Where every show finds its stage. From sold-out concerts under the stars to intimate theatre and headline touring productions, HOTA's purpose-built venues bring live experiences to life against the iconic backdrop of Surfers Paradise.
Stages built for live performance
From first note to final encore, there’s no better place to bring live experiences to life than HOTA.
Whether you’re staging an intimate theatre performance, a national tour, festival experience or a one-night-only event, HOTA offers a stage worthy of the moment. Set against the iconic Surfers Paradise skyline and surrounded by lush parklands, HOTA is one of Australia’s most dynamic cultural destinations — purpose-built for unforgettable live experiences. From sold-out concerts and theatrical productions to comedy, cabaret, contemporary performance and large-scale outdoor events, HOTA has earned its reputation as the Gold Coast’s home for live entertainment, delivering exceptional experiences for artists, promoters and audiences alike.
Our diverse collection of performance spaces offers something for every scale and creative ambition — from intimate and character filled venues like The Basement and Theatre 2 for cabaret, comedy and emerging artists, through to the scale of the 1,121-seat Theatre 1, designed for major touring productions, headline performances and theatrical experiences built for main stage musicals, dance and award shows. Beyond the theatre walls, the award-winning Outdoor Stage transforms into a spectacular open-air setting for concerts and festivals of up to 5,000 guests, while versatile spaces like the Lakeside Room offer unique hybrid opportunities for live music, cabaret and bespoke event formats. HOTA’s venues range from traditional theatres and black box spaces to large-scale outdoor performance sites, designed to support performances of every genre and size.
From Qld Ballet to Opera Australia, the award winning La Clique to the AACTA Awards, alongside headline music artists like Jack Johnson, Nick Cave, Paul Kelly, and Amy Shark have all taken to HOTA stages, reinforcing its standing as a destination audiences trust and seek out. But what truly sets HOTA apart is the experience behind the scenes: a dedicated full-service delivery model with in-house production, event management, technical expertise, turnkey ticketing services and catering all working seamlessly to bring ambitious creative ideas to life. Whether you’re a promoter seeking a venue that elevates your event or an artist wanting a world-class stage, HOTA offers the infrastructure, expertise and atmosphere to make it happen.
From intimate to epic, emerging or world-class, HOTA is where exceptional live experiences find their stage.
At a glance
All Venues| Venue | Stage dimensions | Floor size | Capacity | Stage type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOTA Outdoor Stage | 20×20×1m (W×D×H) | tbc | Mode: Standing: 5,000 Chill Out: 3,000 Banquet: Up to 144 Cocktail: Up to 800 | Proscenium arch | View Venue |
| Theatre 1 | 16.03×23.05 (W×D) | tbc | Full Theatre: 1,121 Stalls: 719 Balcony: 374 AABB Rows: 28 Cocktail: 250 Banquet: 180 | Proscenium arch | View Venue |
| Theatre 2 | 10m wide × 6m deep (60m²) | 108m² | Up to 105 (configurable layouts) | Flexible / black box | View Venue |
| Lakeside Room and Lakeside Terrace | 7.94 x 7.90 x .93m (WxDxH) | Full Room: 368m2 Half Room: 182m2 Outdoor Terrace: 182m2 | Full Room Theatre 480 staggered seating 500 non-staggered seating Banquet 350 Cabaret 280 Cocktail 550 Half Room Theatre 200 Banquet 150 Cocktail 250 Cabaret 120 Outdoor Terrace Cocktail 100 | tbc | View Venue |
| Basement | 4.2m x 2.8m x 0.2m (WxDxH) | 126m² | Theatre Style: 100 Cocktail: 150 Banquet: 60 Caberet: 48 U-Shape: 24 | tbc | View Venue |
| Studio 1 | tbc | 214m² | 200 | tbc | View Venue |
| Cinema 1 | tbc | tbc | 218 | tbc | View Venue |
| Cinema 2 | tbc | tbc | 148 | tbc | View Venue |
Venue hire and events
Submit your details to enquire about hiring a venue or booking an event.