Which suburb do you call home, and what’s the vibe like in your neighbourhood?
We live in Currumbin, a short stroll from Currumbin Creek. The vibe is really laid back – a lot of young families.
Walk us through your ideal Gold Coast morning. Where do you end up, what are you sipping on, and who’s there?
A morning run along the beach front is always a great way to start the day. We’re lucky to have Aperitivo at the end of our street which does great coffee and focaccia, so you’ll often find us there! We also love heading down to Golden Times in Bilinga for a coffee and a swim when we can.
Where do you take friends and family when you want to show off the Gold Coast?
Currumbin Alley is a short walk from our house, so that’s usually the first stop for a morning dip. Currumbin Vikings Surf Club has one of the best views on the Gold Coast and is a great place for an afternoon beer. Driving into the valley, via The Grounds Café (for best cheesecake and lemon meringue pie), to Cougal Cascades to chase some waterfalls is another fun activity.
Take us to your favourite place to grab a low-key meal. What do you love about the venue, and what food is on the table?
Costa Taco is a favourite of ours, serving up delicious Mexican food – they have the best nachos, and a very generous portion size, too.
We also love Francs Pizza. Unfortunately their Cooly shop had a fire and is closed, but it’s still worth the drive up to their Nobby’s venue (editor’s note: or their new Palm Beach location!). Alex is gluten free and they have the best GF bases. The hot honey peperoni and mushroom pizzas are our favs.
If we’re staying local, some nibbles and a beer at Bruce Currumbin or poke bowls at Hi Poke are always great options.
When you’re having a fun night out, where do you always end up?
We’re don’t head out too often these days, but we love heading to Cinebar Coolangatta for a movie.
If we’re having a few drinks, maybe to the Kirra Beach Hotel or Burleigh Town Hotel. The Southern Gold Coast is definitely short a few fun spots to go out!
Your Saturday is completely free. How are you spending it, from the moment you wake up to when you go to bed?
Jackson would be up at 5am to get the first tee time at Tallebudgera Golf Course, while Alex would probably enjoy a sleep in, followed by a walk to the beach via Salt Mill for a coffee.
Next on the list would be a trip to the Palm Beach farmers markets to pick up our weekly produce and a couple of treats – maybe some banana bread, kombucha and a MiO Wrap.
Then a drive down south into the Northern Rivers to explore some new spots and a nature walk. We’d come back via the Brunswick Hotel for a beer and some live music to finish off the day.
Where do you love to shop, and what’s been your best find there?
We love Fox’s Pantry and are in there almost every other day! They have an awesome range of local healthy foods – Loco Love Chocolate and Dona Cholita Avocado Oil corn chips are most frequently purchased. Even a sourdough cookie if we’re feeling a little naughty.
What’s the most Gold Coast thing about you?
Probably that bare feet are our most common footwear of choice!
What do you think people get wrong about the Gold Coast?
Some people see the Gold Coast as Surfers Paradise and theme parks, but there’s so much more to it than that. Apart from the plethora of beaches to explore, there’s so much to do inland, with creeks, waterfalls and hiking trails only a short drive away.
Complete this sentence: You’re not really a Gold Coast local until…
You are comfortable walking into a shop, shirtless and barefoot without a care in the world. No one even thinks twice here, but anywhere else and you’d probably get asked to leave!
Keen to hear more from Jackson and Alex? Check out ‘The story behind: The Chilly Bin’ right here.
