Throwing axes, drinking beers and sharing war (read: work) stories with friends might sound like a plot summary of an episode of Vikings, but this is exactly what you can expect at the Gold Coast’s newest axe-throwing venue, MANIAX. Created by Adam Schilling and his wife Renee in their backyard in Sydney back in 2014, MANIAX has grown to include a number of venues across Australia, with Surfers Paradise the eight instalment of the ever-growing company. The Cavill Avenue venue is nothing if not gawk-worthy – it has 15 axe throwing lanes (11 single and four double lanes), which offer plenty of heart-pumping action. Before you get throwing, the cheery MANIAX crew will take you through a safety demonstration on how to throw an axe properly, and there are different sizes available, so don’t fret if it’s your first time. Perhaps the most impressive feature of MANIAX is its Vikings-themed bar called Ragnar & Sons, which serves a selection of craft beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic options with views over the ocean. They even have Viking-style horns you can fill with icy-cold brews from the likes of local boozemakers like Burleigh Brewing, Precinct Brewing Co, Black Hops Brewing and Lost Palms Brewing Co.