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Category: Suburb Spotlight

Home Category: Suburb Spotlight

Tweed Heads

Okay, technically Tweed isn’t part of the Gold Coast – but it’s one of the last places you’ll find the old Gold Coast. Sitting just over the border, this laid-back beach town has kept its retro charm while quietly becoming one of the coolest spots to spend a slow weekend. Here’s what to eat, shop and do while you’re there.

Things to do

Start your day with a reformer or mat class at Bay Studio – we promise, the burn just feels better in a beautiful studio. Especially when you know it will be followed by a pastry and a cold brew.

When you’re ready to explore, take a slow stroll through Tweed’s streets. Don’t forget to snap a few photos in front of Tweed icons like the Las Vegas Motel, Tweed Tenpin, and the border monument. There’s a nostalgic kind of charm to the old shopfronts and neon motel signs that’s hard to find on the Gold Coast.

What to eat

No visit to Tweed Heads is complete without stopping by Sun Devil, where the cold brew has gone viral for good reason (and trust us, the pistachio cold foam deserves the hype). This cosy little café tucked inside Strange Days Vintage – more on them in a moment – has become a cult favourite for its minimal, yet delicious, menu and retro aesthetic befitting of a border town.

Hungry? Grab something flaky and fresh from Bread Social, a local favourite for its pastries, sourdough and focaccias. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, line up early for Public Supply – their cinnamon rolls are the stuff of legend. No wonder they sell out so fast.

Where to shop

For vintage lovers, Strange Days Vintage is a treasure trove of European and American finds — with a particularly enviable lineup of cowboy boots. A former Palm Beach favourite that’s moved south, Strange Days is a curated wonderland of retro denim, leather jackets and perfectly worn-in tees (check out our full interview with the founders right here).

Continue the shopping spree with a visit to Badlands Vinyl, a haven for music collectors, and Emte Boutique, which stocks all the brands you wish your wardrobe was full of.

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Tamborine Mountain in a day

The Gold Coast is best known for sun, surf and sand, but many more wonders await you if you head into the hinterland – particularly, one tiny town with a tonne of personality. These are our favourite things to do in Tamborine.

Stop to admire the view

Depending on where you start from, the trek to Tamborine takes about an hour from the Gold Coast – but your drive won’t be boring. When you get to the top, make sure you pull over at Rob Sowter Lookout (just up from the Polish Palace). It’s here that paragliders launch off Tamborine Mountain itself and watching them glide down into the valley below is a pretty spectacular sight. The earlier you arrive, the better.

Start with a bite to eat

After a big drive up the mountain, you need to refuel, right? A trip to Franquette is the best way to start the day. Situated in the centre of town, along Gallery Walk, Franquette offers everything you’re looking for in a French bakery. Crunchy baguettes, flaky pastries and tasty beverages (try the chai latte). There will likely be a line, but it’s totally worth the wait.

If you can, head to the market

Love a country market? You’ll love the Tamborine Mountain State School Markets. They take place on the last Sunday of every month and offer a selection of vintage finds, handmade pieces and bric-a-brac – you could spend hours picking through each stall. There’s also live music from local performers, food trucks and even plants for sale.

Enjoy a stroll through nature

One of the things we love most about this part of the Gold Coast is its natural beauty, and there’s no better place to soak it in than at the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens. It’s just so peaceful. From the Japanese garden to the plant nursery, there are so many quiet corners to explore. We recommend bringing a book and a blanket and parking up on the grass to soak up the sun and serenity.

Grab lunch with a view

Okay, by now you’ve really earned your lunch – and there’s one place in particular that needs to be seen to be believed. St Bernards Hotel is modelled after a classic English pub (both inside and out) and offers a panoramic view of the coastline from the back deck. But that’s not even the best part. This restaurant gets its name from its two most important staff members – St Bernard dogs Syrah and Cooper.

Don’t leave without a sweet treat

You’ve had your fun – now it’s time to head back down the mountain. But you can’t leave Tamborine without the suburb’s most delectable delicacy: fudge. There are a few fudge shops to choose from (all claiming to offer the ‘world’s best’ or ‘most famous’ fudge) and you really can’t go wrong.

Enjoy a sundowner (or a nightcap)

Loborn (short for ‘locally born’) is the hidden gem making waves in the world of aperitifs. From vermouth to gin – not to mention the star of the show, their amaro – this distillery is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. Sip cocktails at the tasting bar every Friday and Saturday from 11am to 7pm, and Sundays until 3pm.

And if you want to, stay the night

Want to keep the fun going? Check into the talk of the town (or at least, the mountain), The Tamborine. The beloved Tamborine Motel has been lovingly upgraded, retaining its 1978 hacienda-style charm while adding some luxurious extras. While you’re there, book in for a massage or facial, soak in the mineral pool and soak up the mountainous view.

Hungry for more? Check out our ‘Suburb Spotlight’ on Tamborine Mountain.

Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens
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Main Beach

PERFECTLY POSITIONED BETWEEN THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF SURFERS PARADISE IN THE SOUTH AND THE SERENITY OF THE SPIT IN THE NORTH, MAIN BEACH IS A DESTINATION IN ITS OWN RIGHT – AND A GLAMOROUS ONE AT THAT.

SIP

Sit back, relax and soak up all that Main Beach has to offer at the Southport Yacht Club – which, despite what its name suggests, is definitely located in Main Beach! Watch the yachts come and go along the waterway as you indulge in seafood delicacies at the SYC, or head beachside for a drink at the Gold Coast’s best surf club, the heritage-listed Southport SLSC. On Tedder Avenue (the suburb’s ritzy shopping street), you can enjoy a smorgasbord of seafood at Shuck, washed down with a few selections from their impressive wine list. And, if you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up, you can’t go past a coffee from the Main Beach Bakery.

SHOP

Proximity to the beach and local walking trails aren’t the only reasons we love Tedder Avenue – it’s a shopping Mecca, too. Whether you’re in the market for fancy footwear or dazzling jewels, you’ll find something to take home on Tedder Avenue – and plenty of spots to stop and refuel as you hunt for them. Further north, the waterfront Marina Mirage is a mall like no other. Boasting panoramic views of the Gold Coast Broadwater and a plethora of big brands and boutiques, you could happily spend the day (and a good portion of your holiday spending budget) here.

SEE

Or should we say, “sea”? We couldn’t talk about Main Beach without first mentioning its most iconic attraction, Sea World. Beloved by generations of Gold Coasters and tourists for bringing us up close and personal with magical marine animals (and doing incredible rescue work at the same time) Sea World is more than a theme park. Why not spend the night at the on-site resort, or hop aboard a whale watching cruise to see the spectacular sea creatures in their natural habitat? Other unique ways to see the area include the Aquaduck Safari and Gold Coast Parasailing, both of which depart from Main Beach.

 

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Coolangatta

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When people talk about ‘saving the best for last’, they’re obviously talking about Coolangatta. The last stop on the Gold Coast before you hit New South Wales, Cooly has the feel of a tiny town with a big personality.

What to Eat

Surf club lunches are a favourite Gold Coast pastime, and Coolangatta gives you not one but four options to choose from. While the Kirra SLSC does technically belong to Kirra, it’s a short drive from Coolangatta’s main street and well worth the journey. If you’re after something a few hundred metres closer to Cooly central, the Coolangatta Surf Club and Greenmount Beach Surf Club bookend Greenmount Beach and both offer spectacular views – and even better service. Looking for the most Instagrammable dining destination? You can’t go past the Rainbow Bay Surf Club Bar. Perched above Snapper Rocks, you’re guaranteed a side of panoramic views when you drink or dine on the historic verandah.

If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, cosy Bar Evelyn has become a Coolangatta institution. What their menu lacks in length, it more than makes up for in taste (the vodka pasta is a must have). Next door, Baskk is another venue doing Italian differently – with a Bali-esque fit out, it doesn’t look like the type of place that would serve up a mean carbonara. And yet…

What to see

While the atmosphere at Coolangatta is typically pretty laidback, there are a few key events big enough to wake the suburb from its restful slumber. Lovers of all things retro can’t miss Cooly Rocks On, the two-week 1950s and 60s nostalgia festival that fills the main street with restored cars, revival bands and pin up girls every June. And, for the surfing mad, hang around Snapper Rocks in May for the Gold Coast’s premier surfing festival, the Gold Coast Pro. You’re sure to catch a glimpse of local and international surfing stars, and probably see a few records smashed in the process.

Where to go

We’re blessed with pristine beaches up and down the Gold Coast, but Coolangatta locals are particularly spoilt. Claiming much of Kirra Beach within its borders, you don’t have to travel far to make use of the world- famous Kirra surf break and Greenmount Beach. On the other side of the headland, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and tiny Froggy Beach are practically on your doorstep. Not only are you spoilt for choice when it comes to oceanfront walkways, lookouts and swimming spots – if you somehow get bored on the Queensland side, you can hop across the border to swim or surf at D’bah.

Feature image: Kirra Smith Photography

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Northern suburbs

Suburbs like Burleigh and Surfers Paradise steal most of our city’s spotlight but the northern end of the Gold Coast’s city limits offer plenty to see and do, too.

PLAY

The Gold Coast is Australia’s theme park capital and all of them can be found in the same general vicinity. Driving south, into the Gold Coast, the hard-to-miss Giant Drop at Dreamworld is enough to get any child – or child-at-heart – excited, and by the time they spot the enormous DC Rivals Hypercoaster at Warner Bros. Movie World just a few kilometres further down the motorway, they’ll be begging you to pull over. Adventure calls Coomera and Oxenford home, and you could easily spend a few days exploring the big four theme parks here – Dreamworld, White Water World, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild – without ever getting to down to the Gold Coast’s city centre. That’s because all four theme parks promise more than just a thrill (although they certainly offer plenty of those, too), with roaming movie and TV characters, wild animal experiences, delicious food, exhibitions and live entertainment that will have you lingering until they close their enormous doors. Stay after dark for special events on select dates – like Dreamworld’s Winterfest on July 6 and Movie World’s ‘Fright Nights’ in October – to keep the fun going all day, and night, long.

If you’re looking for an authentic V8 supercar experience, you’ll find it a little further north-east at Norwell. V8 Supercars Gold Coast is owned by long-time race car driver Paul Morris and is the only experience of its kind that’s officially endorsed by the sport – essentially, it’s the closest rookies will get to actually racing. Burn laps around the track, either as a passenger or behind the wheel yourself, learning how to master the art of braking, turning and steering 360+ horsepower from the pros.

But, if tearing around a racetrack isn’t exactly your speed, take it a little slower at one of the many golf courses in the Gold Coast’s northern suburbs. Making the most of the expansive surrounds and pristine ocean inlets, Hope Island and nearby Sanctuary Cove have become two of the most coveted golfing greens on the Gold Coast, and both ranked amongst Australia’s 100 best golf courses in 2018. Further north, Pimpama’s Gainsborough Greens Clubhouse course is well worth a visit – if not for the greens themselves, then certainly for the Sunday sessions at the on-site restaurant.

EAT

You’d be hard-pressed finding a food icon in these parts bigger than Yatala Pies. Yatala Pies has been a landmark in Yatala for more than 130 years. From humble beginnings as a small pie shop on the Pacific Highway, the company has relocated to large, modern, landscaped premises nearby (exit 38 Yatala North off the M1) and employs 70 staff. From modest sales of about 200 pies a day a little over a decade ago, the company now sells more than 3500 pies a day, as well as hundreds of sweet pastries. Our hot tip for Yatala Pie newbies? Go beyond your plain steak or steak-and-mushie tradition and opt for a Lamb Coconut Curry pie. With a side of the best hot chips on the M1. Delish.

SHOP

Westfield shopping centres are more than just shopping hubs – they are lifestyle destinations. The new Westfield Coomera and its sister centre Westfield Helensvale are both exactly that. At Westfield Coomera, think 140 speciality stores, a Fresh Food Marketplace, outdoor dining precinct and an entertainment precinct that includes Event Cinemas, the first iPlay Adventure Family Entertainment Centre in Australia as well as The Park Coomera which is “a tenpin bowling and mini golf meets beer garden” space. You can easily lose a day there – in the best possible way!

For those who love to squeeze every cent out of a dollar, when is outlet shopping ever a bad idea? You can indulge your outlet shopping requirement at Harbour Town (at Biggera Waters). With more than 240 stores including brand-direct outlets and clearance stores, as well as a host of speciality retailers and delicious alfresco dining options, this is another way to spend a blissful day shopping on the Goldie. Just like their tagline, Harbour Town is a ‘friend with benefits’. Credit cards at the ready, people!

 

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