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Top 5 natural Gold Coast gems

Summer is for exploring.

We’re not good with secrets. Maybe you know some of these, maybe you don’t. Here we’ve listed our top five hidden gems on the Gold Coast.

Tallebudgera Creek – Ocean Parade
Most of you will be familiar with Tallebudgera Creek, the once hidden oasis that is not so hidden anymore. However, there are some secret spots along the Creek that not many people know of (not even the locals)! I would recommend taking a car but if you’re good on your feet or love riding your bike, a short stroll along the Creek will also get you to Ocean Parade’s secret beach.
Where: If you’re on the Gold Coast Highway coming from Palm Beach take a left at Ikkina Rd and follow the road until you head onto Elanora Dr. From there take a right onto Pindari Ave (turns into Ocean Pde) and follow all the way up. From the West Burleigh Road side, head onto Tabilban St and take the second right onto Ocean Pde. Park your car at the crossing Ocean Pde/Vantage Point Dr’ and go discover this hidden gem for yourself.

Tugun Lookout – Burleigh Heads National Park
It’s no secret Burleigh Heads is one of the more popular suburbs on the Coast. From James Street offering countless breakfast options and little boutiques to Burleigh Point, it’s the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday arvo watching the surf and having a picnic with family and friends. But there are also some ‘not-so-known’ places in Burleigh and if you are looking for some exercise go hike up Burleigh Heads National Park. Don’t take the obvious track towards Tallebudgera Beach though, take a right through the rainforest and walk up to Tugun Lookout which will take you no longer than 10 minutes, if you’re lucky you can spot Humpback Whales in winter and spring or white-bellied Sea Eagles riding the ridge updrafts. Whether it’s overcast or sunny, Tugun Lookout always offers breathtaking views over Surfers Paradise’ Skyline to the north or Coolangatta to the south.

Little Dbah
Duranbah beach or “Deebah” is the most northerly beach in NSW and located in Tweed Heads, right next to famous “Snapper Rocks” and the Captain Cook Memorial Lookout.  Dbah is well-known amongst surfers and you might be lucky to spot Mick Fanning or Joel Parkinson doing their thing at their local surf break. If you’re not a big fan of surfing or you’re looking for a calm and quiet beach get away, then our third secret oasis is exactly what you’re looking for: Little Dbah beach. Situated between Duranbah beach and the mouth of the Tweed River, this spot is surprisingly peaceful with barely ever any waves, which makes it a popular destination for families with little kids. Bring your snorkelling gear and discover little Dbah’s flourishing under-water world or just sit back, relax and enjoy this untouched and uncrowded secret oasis.

Burleigh Hill (Image: © 2019 Kirra Smith Photography)
Burleigh Hill (Image: © 2019 Kirra Smith Photography)

Currumbin Valley Rock Pools
Away from the coast and into the green. If you’re looking for something more adventurous and exciting to do, Currumbin Rock Pools are exactly what you’re looking for. The beautiful scenic drive through Currumbin Valley is almost enough of an attraction in itself, taking you straight to the hidden natural swimming pool located just next to Currumbin Valley Primary School. The destination offers a wide variety of activities. Whether you just want to cool down and splash in the clear, blue watering hole or enjoy some family time over a BBQ at the designated picnic area, you decide!

Mt Cougal Cascades
A mere 10 minutes further down the road from Currumbin Valley Rock Pools you’ll end up at Mt Cougals Cascade, where you can walk along a 1.6km track to an old 1940’s sawmill, have a swim in the cascading waterfalls below or jump into the rock pools from one of the rope swings hanging in the trees. Toilets and a picnic area are located next to the car park.
Where: It only takes 20 minutes to get here from the M1. Just follow Currumbin Creek Rd to its end.

By Louisa von Ingelheim

7 local Insta-worthy spots

Image by Art-work Agency

If your Insta game’s not strong, are you even a Gold Coaster? With a herd of Insta-worthy spots across our stunning city, there’s no excuse for not rocking an A-lister Instagram account.

To make life easier and ensure you’re the envy of all your mates, here are our list of local Insta-worthy spots.

Surfers Paradise Sign
It’s on every Gold Coast tourists’ bucket list and makes the perfect background for a ‘look where I am’ pic. The Surfers Paradise sign is located right where bustling Cavill Ave meets the beach. Try to make it for sunrise (whether you get up, or stay up, we won’t judge!).
Where: The top of Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Natural Bridge
Springbrook National Park offers you a couple of great Insta pic locations, the most beautiful and unique being the Natural Bridge rock arch.  When you get the right angle and the light hits the water running through the cave, it’s a guaranteed winner! So make sure your battery is fully charged and get ready for a rainforest adventure (watch out for the cave dwelling bats!).
Where: Springbrook National Park, Numinbah Road

Miami Hill
It’s a fitness junkie’s kryptonite but the top of the hill also gives you great views of Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta. You may snap some great pics during the day, but we urge you to make the effort and go during sunrise or sunset – it’s mind blowing and no filter necessary.
Where: The southern end of Miami

Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park (image supplied)
Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park (image supplied)

Burleigh Hill
It’s safe to say that we’ve all snapped shots on Burleigh Hill at some point. A sweet location with balmy breezes and picture-perfect views of Surfers Paradise’ skyline. If you’re lucky enough, you might even spy a whale breaching!
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Tallebudgera Creek
If taken from the right angle, a picture at Talle Creek can easily be mistaken for a beach in Thailand or the Caribbean (but it’s on the Coast and that’s even better). The calm waters and palm trees are nothing short of #paradise!
Where: Awoonga Avenue, Burleigh Heads (northside) and Murlong Crescent, Palm Beach (southside)

Elephant Rock
There is not just one but two huge rocks at Currumbin Beach and they’re the perfect natural objects for your next Instagram pic! Who doesn’t love a great scenic shot of the deep blue sea? Hot tip: Visit during Swell Sculpture Festival (held in September) and take pictures of the abstract outdoor sculpture gallery against the ocean.
Where: Currumbin Beach, Currumbin

Waterfalls
With so many waterfalls and rock pools to choose from, it’s not easy to decide which ones to visit. You should probably just go see them all, but we’ve created a list of our faves right here.
Where: Various locations

Don’t forget to tag us in your pics using #insidegoldcoast and @insidegoldcoast.

The Undercurrent in Nobby's (image supplied)
The Undercurrent in Nobby's (image supplied)

6 scenic spots for a weekend drive

Weekend trip (image courtesy of Unsplash)
Weekend trip (image courtesy of Unsplash)

Now is it just us, or is a weekend road trip taking in the best of what the GC and our Northern NSW neighbours have to offer good for the soul? This just in: nope it’s not just us, as every year countless locals cancel their boozy Saturday and/or Sunday BBQ’s in favour of a chilled drive to marvel at our abundant natural beauty.

On that note, we’ve rounded up the best local scenic spots perfect for a spot of unwinding and resetting, allowing you to just ‘be’. Everybody exhale…..

Lost World Valley
A true rugged wilderness by the dramatic Razorback Mountain and Lamington Plateau, the Lost World is as enchanting as it sounds. Decompress and slow the pace along the scenic Lost World Tourist Drive through the Kerry Valley, Lost World, Lamington Gorge and Christmas Creek. Channel your inner farmhand at Tommerup’s Dairy and stock up on the freshest produce at Farm Gate Trails. Feel that? Yep, it’s your stress level plummeting.
Where: Christmas Creek Road, Lamington National Park

Lost World Valley (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Lost World Valley (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Advancetown to Murwillumbah
Fancy winding your way through tree-lined hills and lush green paddocks and oops, you’ve suddenly crossed the border into NSW and don’t you love it when that happens?! Let this journey give you a healthy hit of zen as you switch out the rat race for the simpler pleasures. There’s plenty to see, plus a tonne of eats icons like the majestic hat-winning Tweed River House.
Where: Southbound out of Advancetown on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road

The Granite Belt
It may be a bit of drive but it’s well worth the fuel (quite a statement right now). There are amazing wineries to visit (just a glass of course – you’re driving remember!),…and umm, case closed coz #vino. The crisp air, endless sky and big flavours of the Granite Belt are only matched by the divine locally made cheese and artisan products, perfect for a romantic picnic among the vines.
Where: Head out west toward Beaudesert, then on to Warwick, and follow the signs from there

Golden Grove Estate, Ballandean, Southern Queensland Country - Wineries & Granite Belt (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Channon
Famous for its epic monthly craft market, The Channon is a delightful village with artistic flare, friendly folk, and country charm in spades. The village has tea rooms, craft shops, galleries and a historic tav, not to mention the rainforest walk to end all rainforest walks in the spectacular Protestor Falls on Terania Creek Road. Don that Fitbit…or don’t, and just take it allllll in.
Where: Southbound on the M1 before exiting towards Lismore

Brunswick Heads
Okay if you haven’t visited Brunswick Heads, quite frankly #RemedyThisNOW. A quaint, lush and unspoilt coastal village just 15 minutes north of Byron, happy snaps of its stunning beaches and spectacular river will set your socials alight. Also, when one visits this area, one MUST check out ‘The Brunswick’. Full stop. Exclamation mark. You’re welcome.
Where: Southbound on the M1, about half an hour away

Brunswick Heads (image courtesy of Unsplash)
Brunswick Heads (image courtesy of Unsplash)

Angourie
Just 5km south of popular big sister Yamba, its famous point-breaks have made it a must-see with the world’s top surfers. Explore the renowned Yuraygir Coastal Walk, which kicks off here and take a dip (or a photo this time of year brrrr) of Mara Creek, Back Beach, Lake Arragan, and the Shelley headland caves. If you’re lucky, you may even spot Free Willy (well, close-ish) frolicking in the beautiful waters.
Where: Southbound on the M1, between Ballina and Yamba.

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Angourie walking track, Yuraygir National Park (image supplied)
Angourie walking track, Yuraygir National Park (image supplied)

10 road trip worthy restaurants

Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach (image supplied by Destination NSW)
Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach (image supplied by Destination NSW)

Every January the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) bestows upon us its much anticipated Chef Hat Awards, a discerning and definitive ranking of culinary excellence. Aka, the foodie holy grail. For hardcore dining devotees, it feels a lot like Christmas morning. Our very own cheat sheet to work our way, hungry caterpillar style, around the most esteemed and decorated local destinations.

It leaves us with a lot to unpack and, in the case of our neighbouring Northern Rivers hat recipients, plenty of reasons to pack… our appetites and venture south, post-haste. Here are 10 of this year’s most road trip worthy restaurants.

Pipit, Pottsville (image supplied)
Pipit, Pottsville (image supplied)

Pipit
Founded by former Paper Daisy chef, Pipit owner Ben Devlin is no stranger to the art of crafting exquisite eats – nor has he pulled any punches when it comes to his first solo venture. And AGFG clearly agrees, with Pottsville’s Coronation Avenue darling taking out the coveted top spot among this year’s most noteworthy Northern Rivers Hat recipients.

Pipit’s near-perfect 17/20 score (an elusive 20/20 has never been seen in the award’s history) immediately propels it to pole position on the day trip priority list in our books, and also according to the AGFG ‘worth a detour’ designation.

Set aside a few hours and treat yourself to the revelatory set menu dining experience, a curated sequence of flavours, textures and ideas spanning over several hours, one which Ben likens to ‘a day trip around the Northern Rivers’ in and of itself.
Where: 8 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville

Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach (image supplied by Destination NSW)
Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach (image supplied by Destination NSW)

Paper Daisy
Halcyon House’s beloved Paper Daisy of course also earned itself a nod, with an honourable 14. The esteemed and elegant eatery, sitting pretty against Cabarita Beach’s stunning shores – is mostly reserved for sandy-footed in-house guests, but it’s not all bad news for locals.

If you’ve got an arvo to kill, we’re all invited to see what the fuss is about courtesy of the bar, open from 3pm, or for dinner. Led by Jason Barratt, the kitchen shoots for ‘sophisticated simplicity’, where you can expect to delight in inventive and delectable dishes like Toasted macadamia kangaroo tartare or Riverina lamb rump, served with eggplant, green mango.

We’d recommend packing your appetite (and your towel, because, y’know, Caba #phwoar).
Where: 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach

Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay (image by Madeleine Johnson / Sean Fennessy)
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay (image by Madeleine Johnson / Sean Fennessy)

Rae’s Dining Room
Byron Bay institution, Raes on Wategos came in a close second, with a stellar score of 16, with the astute AGFG gang deeming it to be (very) ‘worth a detour’ – and yes, we did take some liberties with the parenthesis.

The chic, boutique retreat, an icon set amongst Byron’s idyllic beaches, delivers a fine dining experience in its Dining Room, headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby. A culinary showcase of the region, curated with Mediterranean influences, the menu offers Caviar service, 3-course a la carte and 6-course Tasting Menu options.

A word of warning, though – after tasting dishes like Australian Bay Lobster (bug), glazed in fermented chilli, hand-rolled fregola pasta, and the Lemon Meringue Bombe, served with lemon aspen sorbet and lemon myrtle semifreddo, you might just want to move in.
Where: 6 – 8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay

Karkalla, Byron Bay (image supplied by Karkalla Byron Bay)
Karkalla, Byron Bay (image supplied by Karkalla Byron Bay)

Karkalla
Taking home one hat with an impressive score of 14, is Byron’s Modern Australian gem, Karkalla. Though the venue – proudly founded by First Nations chef Mindy Woods – is about so much more than serving tantalising bites alone.

Now AGFG’s first Indigenous Female Chef Hat Winner, Mindy’s cosy, Fletcher Street destination explores themes of culture and connection through native food and flavours.

Showcasing indigenous ingredients such as bush tomato, pepper leaf and wattle seed, the seasonal menu offers share-style, locally sourced bites, Australian wines, native infused cocktails and mocktails – including a lemon myrtle infused Virgin Margarita that’ll knock your socks off, designated day trip driver or not.
Where: 10/8 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay

Mcauley’s Road Beef, Tweed River House (image supplied)
Mcauley’s Road Beef, Tweed River House (image supplied)

Tweed River House
Murwillumbah’s aptly named Tweed River House, perched just a stone’s throw from its banks, also scored a hat – earning a rating of 14 for its gastronomic bistro and bar experience.

The venue, housed in a spruced up, century-old colonial-style mansion – offers a panoramic river vantage flanked by wraparound verandas, and elevated eats to match.

The luxurious and immaculately appointed interiors alone make it worth filling your tank, but decadent dishes like Confit tuna, brandy flambéd Australian Bay Lobster and pan-fried Spatchcock, served with Lyonnaise sauce certainly sweeten the deal.
Where: 131 River St, South Murwillumbah

Bistro Livi, Murwillumbah (image supplied)
Bistro Livi, Murwillumbah (image supplied)

Bistro Livi
Another noshery deemed to be one of the best in the Northern Rivers Restaurant category is Murwillumbah’s Bistro Livi, scoring the prestigious hat accolade with its total of 14.

A short 30km trek from Cooly and one of the fresher faces among its culinary cohort – if you’re yet to be acquainted with Livi, it’s an easy one to tick off the list when you’re looking for a low effort adventure snap you out of the Sunday lazies (or scaries).

Tucked within the arts precinct of the tight-knit Murbah community – the European-inspired venue radiates romance with rustic textures and an inviting, intimate ambience, while Spanish influences inform the menu. It’s certainly not just the AGFG critics that this regional gem has succeeded in winning over… #swoon.
Where: 1A 1-3 Brisbane St, Murwillumbah

Mavis Kitchen (image supplied)
Mavis Kitchen (image supplied)

Mavis Kitchen
Nestled in the foothills of Mt Warning, Mavis Kitchen & Cabins is a Tweed Valley culinary treasure, offering Modern Australian cuisine with a Middle-Eastern twist.

Set in an immaculately restored 120-year-old Queenslander and owned by Tindal Magnus and Sam McCormac – Mavis is the culinary pot of gold that awaits on the other side of a meandering day trip through the postcard-esque rolling hills of Wollumbin National Park.

Equally swoon-worthy are the signature bites, such as Grilled Kangaroo Loin and Tender Chickpea Gnocchi, crafted with love, and scoring the spot a commendable ranking of 12.
Where: 64 Mount Warning Road, Uki

Potager in Carool, in the Tweed hinterland (Liam Hardy Photography)
Potager in Carool, in the Tweed hinterland (Liam Hardy Photography)

Potager
Capitalising on Carool’s sweeping valley views, Potager – A Kitchen Garden has long been a favourite destination among locals and discerning visitors. The charming nosher is also somewhat of a teacher’s pet, earning a score of 13 for its Modern Australian style eats in this year’s Chef Hat Awards – along with a near-perfect 4.8 score on Google, might we add… and honestly, we’re not sure which is harder to pull off.

Set on a small 10-acre farm, the seasonal menu is informed by locally sourced produce, much of which is grown on the property. Dishes like the Macadamia & saltbush crusted Lamb backstrap, served with Stone & Wood pickled onion, are a testament to the community-minded culinary experience, while the Summer Stonefruit “Melba” Pavlova gets a mention, because #yum.
Where: 502 Carool Rd, Carool

Fins Restaurant and Bar, Kingscliff (image by Tweed Coast Guide)
Fins Restaurant and Bar, Kingscliff (image by Tweed Coast Guide)

Fins
Another ‘big fish’ in the Northern Rivers end of town, is Kingscliff’s seafoodie haven, Fins, which also earned another honorary hat for its rack with a ‘commended’ rating of 13.

Located by the beach at Salt, the Tweed Valley institution has been going strong for some 30 years now, netting a slew of awards along the way – officially Australia’s most-awarded regional seafood restaurant, if we’re getting technical.

Specialising in sustainably-minded ocean fare, the famed destination’s Degustation menu is a particular highlight, expertly paired with a curated selection of local and international wines and cocktails, of course.
Where: 5/6 Bells Boulevard, Salt Village, South Kingscliff

Harvest, Newrybar (image supplied)
Harvest, Newrybar (image supplied)

Harvest
Another Modern Australian nosher earning some serious cred is Newrybar’s garden gem, Harvest, awarded a hat, and an accompanying score of 13. Specialising in ‘simple and honest’ dishes with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal produce (are we sensing a theme here?) served with a side of spectacular surroundings.

Harvest’s whimsical, cottage garden residence falls right in the day trip sweet spot for those of us residing this side of the border – a scenic, one hour commute from Cooly, which is exactly enough time to work through a solid assortment of road trip bangers, if you ask us.

With everything from a hefty selection of Housemade digestif to Charred ballina prawns, served with prawn mousse & finger lime on the menu, you’ll want to take your ‘hat off’ to them, too.
18-22 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar Village

Words by Kellie Leader.

Pipit Restaurant in coastal Pottsville, north of Byron Bay (image by Sabine Bannard)
Pipit Restaurant in coastal Pottsville, north of Byron Bay (image by Sabine Bannard)
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