The Gold Coast Needs You
The Coast is struggling a bit with lack of
Asian visitors, so there are deals a plenty. Bums on beaches is what we need.
One word of warning...no-one should visit during Schoolies week in November. The
place is just awful.
Surfers Notes.
Arise early (you will) and walk the Beach North or South. Then a big Aussie breakfast
at Surfers or Broadbeach. Cheap and cheerful!
Cavill Mall has plenty of cafes, and the Paradise centre. Good for kids with plenty
of games and activities. Ripley's Believe it or Not is still a goer.
The Chevron Renaissance is an excellent shopping venue, although reasonably select
stores. Hard Rock Cafe is still good, and many restaurants offer two main meals for
the price of one, or a complimentary bottle of wine.
Coles and Woolworths shopper's dockets also offer plenty of similar deals for coffees
etc. Don't laugh...they are great value!
There are the canal tours of the rich and famous, and a trip round the bay in the
amphibious 'Duck' looks fun. There are Friday night markets near the Beach opposite
Cavill Mall too!
Restaurants right in Surfers can be expensive...walk to the end of the lights and
there are great Italian, Thai etc. restaurants at good prices. A top Pizza for two
at genuine Italian Restaurant should cost under $20. B.Y.O is everywhere, even in
licenced joints.
Plenty of touts around to help you spend. Downtown is a bit tired, but good to visit
with plenty of action day and night! Tedder Avenue down the road a bit is the upper
class dining street. Astons and Ferraris parked outside for effect. Big prices though!
Broadbeach:
Close to Jupiters Casino (linked by monorail) look out for Cafe Columbus for brilliant
coffees and nice, cheap nibbles in Oasis Centre.
Good email centre on the(Oasis) second floor (Computers Direct) reasonably priced
and busy. Not too many internet cafes around, strangely.
Read the free papers in all the cafes and plan you day. Broadbeach is full of restaurants....we
like Martini's. BYO and great food (especially the fish and mussel chowder). Irish
bar, plenty of action and sidewalk dining. Once again, go around the block from the
Main Street, and halve your food bill. Lots of colour, and different identities from
all around the World.
 Jupiters is a Casino. If that's you, then fine, but the live show is
world class and shouldn't be missed. The best deal is show and dinner package. Good
bars and plenty of live music at the Casino too. Watch all the big rollers throw
money at the machines for free!! Take the monorail back across to Broadbeach for
a coffee or drink. Cost of ticket...$2.00.
Bus system on Gold Coast is excellent and cheap, as are rentals. Book them when you
arrive to save (except on public holidays when they can become a bit scarce). Lots
of music at B/Beach...blues festival on at Mall at present. No charge for this!!
Pacific Fair: Shoppers Mecca....opposite Broadbeach and Jupiters. Hundreds of shops
with all the name retailers.
Plenty of parking and public transport to and from. Girls must see, and OK for boys
too. The Myer store is well worth a look.
Robina Shopping Centre: Very popular with a superb, uncrowded David Jones. Nicer
than the Sydney store, and more accessible. Good shopping at Robina, not as many
people as Pac Fair, although popularity is growing. Some excellent restaurants in
the complex who specialise in good $10 meals. South African, Indian etc. Great value
and a good place for relaxed shopping with all the labels. The boys can have a go
at the golf driving competition over the water too!
Burleigh and Beach:
Our favourite swimming beach by quaint Australian shopping village. Good coffees
and meals again at reasonable prices. Watch the best surfers strutting their stuff
while you dine at Daniell's overlooking the water. Magic view, and two can share
a wood-fired pizza for $20. Silver service included, with wines by the glass and
nice wait people. Next door is Mermaids who have regular live music, and a good wine
list. Food looks great, if a little expensive. The views are worth it.
Take a walk through the National Park next to beach (fifteen minutes) to Palm Beach
and see the Bush Turkeys, and brilliant water views. As good as anything, anywhere!! |
Hinterland:
Take a drive up the Springbrook Road to get into rural Oz just a few minutes from
Surfers! Take a look at Wallaby Bob's Hotel (1880ish) just off the Pacific Highway
at Mudgeeraba, then keep heading up toward Springbrook. Stop for lunch at Polly's
Kitchen where you can have a great, fresh country meal for about $12. They also have
regular weekend BBQ's outside on their block which runs down to classic Oz stream
with birds and platypus. The BBQ with Country Duo is $10!! Views, peace and quiet
(twenty five minutes from Surfers) are free.
Accommodation is also available at famous O'Reilly's Lodge with superb meals and
bush walks for those who wish to take a break from the City. On the way back to town,
take a look at the Boomerang Golf Course. Totally unique anywhere, and play 9 or
eighteen holes if you can. You won't regret! Plenty of Wallabies/Roos to watch you
as well!
Loads of other world-class courses at $80-120 per round, but try the Parkwood course
for a round, $30 walking. Plenty of Cockatoos etc. to keep you interested and a nice
course to play. Helensvale and Gold Coast Country Clubs are similarly priced. Treat
yourself at Lakelands if you can run to the $$$.
 Also, Mount Tamborine for arts and crafts and wineries. Great drive up
the Mountain, with lots of restaurants and brilliant views. Hang gliding from the
Mountain is a thrill to watch at weekends.
Other treats:
Australia Fair at Southport for busy shopping Mall, good food court and the kebabs
are to die for at $5/6! Excellent views over the Broadwater too.
The Spit: Marina Mirage has shops, restaurants and happy hour at Saks from 5.00-7.00
is a must. Glass of bubbly for $1, and Stella on tap for $3. Good little gaming room
too for a flutter, and several big TV screens naturally. Saks is next to the 6 star
Versace Hotel which can be accessed by the public. Have a coffee at the Versace,
or a glass of wine. A little expensive, but worth a look at the decor. Even the loos
are worth a visit. You have to be seen at the V. Carrera Markets at the weekends
for zillions of bargains are very popular, as is the Latin dancing at Margaritas
in Southport.
Some Restaurant and Cafe Recommendations
Lovely Italian at Mudgeeraba, Replete. Run by an Italian couple,she does the cooking, gorgeous
food and atmosphere. BYO too.
The Woodchopper at Mudgee, very good, not expensive, music on the weekends and views
across the hills or you can sit on the deck. A good lunchtime choice. Of course,
Wallaby Bob's must get a mention, just for the style and age of the pub!!!
Broadbeach has Giulio's, good Italian, where Scorpio play some Friday nights.
Some of the restaurants at Broadbeach have half-price deals at lunchtime which is
an attraction to tourists.
George's Paragon Restaurant at Surfers
and Sanctuary Cove both offer half price lunches.
The one at Sanctuary Cove overlooks the water and is very popular.
Lemongrass On Tedder at Main Beach is very nice Thai as is Changmai Thai on the Gold Coast Highway.
This looks beautiful lit up at night with purple fairy-lights and huge elephants
out the front of the restaurant.
The ultimate dining experience would be Fellini's at Marina Mirage (Italian). Dinners say
'it was superb!'. Also in the more exclusive bracket would be Versace. The hotel
looks divine at night all lit up and I believe the food is excellent but beware the
wine!!! They sell by the glass, but most expensive. Volare (another Italian) on the
Gold Coast Highway is great for a special occasion. It's beautifully appointed and
white tablecloth service etc.
For something completely different try the Elephant Rock Cafe at Currumbin. Splendid
views over the sea and an interesting menu, used to be vegetarian but isn't anymore.
Has wine etc but you can BYO.
Melba's on The Park at Surfers has a $10 lunch menu and is a relaxing location, good service,
licensed and turns into a night club at night, very popular with the young set. Plenty
of night life in Surfers, you just have to wander around.
Casual fun dining at Montezumas (Mexican). Buy a jug of Sangria and enjoy the busy
atmosphere. Three locations, Surfers,
Broadbeach and Labrador.
The Grand Hotel at Labrador has a great reputation as a restaurant and there are
others in the same complex that look interesting too. We have often enjoyed a latte
overlooking the Broadwater here, it's great spot. |
