Gold Coast’s Elite: Who’s Who in the High-Society Social Scene!

It may not be the classiest joint, but the Gold Coast sure has a lot of cash.

For individuals who prefer a change from the exclusive atmosphere of Sydney and Melbourne’s high society, Queensland offers an ideal, vibrant setting catering to youthful, affluent, and attractive crowds.

The Gold Coast, famous for its clean coastlines, lively evenings, and yearly wave of boisterous Schoolies, also houses some of the nation’s most affluent new wealthy individuals.

However, delving deeper reveals not only those who’ve amassed wealth on platforms like OnlyFans with a permanent tan, but also well-known family names…

We’ve noticed that our recent two categorized lists, available at these links, have received an overwhelming amount of attention. To satisfy your curiosity about who made it onto the A, B, and C lists in our Sunny City, we reached out to our reliable sources across the Gold Coast for some inside scoop.

THE A-LIST

At the peak of the hierarchy is Bianca Rinehart, the daughter of mining tycoon and Australia’s wealthiest individual, Gina Rinehart. Her personal fortune amounts to approximately $2.42 billion, which is a substantial sum, but it pales in comparison to her mother’s staggering $34 billion fortune.

Bianca serves as a caretaker for the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust, an entity that owns a substantial portion of Hancock Prospecting. Notably, Bianca, along with her brothers John, Hope, and Ginia, are among the beneficiaries of this trust.

Not just her; Emily Palmer, a 29-year-old daughter of Clive Palmer and his late first wife Susan (who passed away from cancer in 2006), is also part of the A-list on the Gold Coast.

In 2021, it was announced that Emily had joined the Mineralogy board, and she currently owns a total of six properties, which are quite impressive.

In this piece, I’m thrilled to have Jesinta Campbell (née Franklin), the partner of retired AFL legend Lance “Buddy” Franklin, joining us. After an illustrious 18-year stint with Hawthorn and the Swans, Buddy chose to settle down in Gold Coast following his retirement in 2023, making our community even more vibrant.

As a seasoned lifestyle advisor, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with prestigious brands such as Dior, Lancôme, Seafolly swimwear, Olay skincare, Armani Beauty, and many others in my career.

Tammy Hembrow, an Australian pioneer in social media, maintains a strong, influential spot among the social elite.

The popular fitness personality is said to have a net worth approximated at $50 million, with over 17 million followers on Instagram. In 2020, she splurged $2.88 million to purchase a riverside residence located in Broadbeach Waters.

Alongside fellow celebrity fitness coach Kayla Itsines, she often takes center stage. Kayla gained prominence on the Gold Coast social scene following her move from Adelaide in early 2018.

Completing the distinguished group is Jackie Cross, whose spouse, Billy Cross, manages multiple well-known nightclubs in both Surfers Paradise and Las Vegas.

THE B-LIST

Even though they’re not currently leading the group, these B-list socialites are closely pursuing the influential figures on the Gold Coast.

Yvette Hardy, the creator of Ancient Candle Co, a company specializing in high-end soy wax candles, is the one leading the mid-level tier. She also manages the popular fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog known as Fashion Evolve.

Additionally, Fiona Edwards Bassingthwaighte, a popular fashion blogger and mother of three, has also made it onto the list.

For many years, Ironwoman champion Courtney Hancock is often seen gracing high-profile social gatherings, frequently attending elite social functions.

The athlete, pregnant with Australian cricketer Nick Buchanan’s child, became the first woman to earn four victories at the Coolangatta Gold competition.

Skye Wheatley, another noteworthy figure, gained prominence after appearing on Big Brother in 2014. She then became one of the early Australian celebrities recognized for their popularity on Instagram.

Alli Simpson, the little sister of popular singer-turned-swimmer-turned-singer Cody Simpson, is known among the social elite of the Gold Coast as one of its trendsetting women.

In the mid-level category, we find Lucciana Beynon, a world traveler who models as her profession. She is the daughter of Travers ‘The Candyman’ Beynon, a tobacco magnate, and his first wife, Ninibeth Leal, who was once crowned Miss Venezuela.

When she isn’t working in London or modeling at Miami Swim Week in Florida, she often returns to her father’s flashy Helensvale estate, affectionately known as “The Candy Shop,” for home.

THE C-LIST

These individuals might not be the wealthiest or the most well-known from the Gold Coast, but they are certainly worth watching out for.

DJ Brooke Evers, formerly a model and now married to half of the DJ duo Stafford Brothers, made an appearance on the list.

In the latter part of 2023, Ellie Gonsalves, a notable model and social media influencer, joined my ranks. She gained widespread attention for publicly listing 118 compelling reasons that led her to choose not to procreate.

Amanda Abate is equally well-known within social circles, and her popularity has further expanded after being appointed as an ambassador for Magic Millions, a beloved horse racing event favored by Mike and Zara Tindall.

I embarked on my journalism journey back in 2009, and by 2016, I found myself securing an enviable position as a newscaster for Seven Gold Coast News.

Completing the group often referred to as ‘C’ are figures like Jessika Power, a previous participant of Married at First Sight. She leveraged her television exposure from this show to initiate a profitable OnlyFans account and secure multiple reality TV opportunities, not just in Australia but also in the United Kingdom.