Who would have thought that in 2020, hopping across the border would become a treat?

Not us. But here we are friends treating ourselves to exactly that and for very good reason.

A visit to our spectacular southern neighbour Cabarita in fact, for the opening of a stunning newbie you’re going to want to spend some time in at the earliest possible opportunity.

It’s called Nectar and it’s a stunning juice and sandwich bar by the gals who created Burleigh’s Cedar and Stone Botanicals and we are considering moving to Caba so we can visit every single day.

Found on the main strip in the beachside village, Nectar is as beautiful as you’d imagine.

A long, narrow space with white block walls, the prettiest pink tiled bar and touches of magic everywhere you look.

Shelves line one wall, stacked with take home goodies like Cedar and Stones’ range of face and body goodies, incense by This is Incense, cocktail mixers by Mr Consistent, candles by Maison Blanc, coffee table books and dried flowers to name a few things.

All of our favourites are there.

Art lines the walls, including a piece at the front by Anna and Kate’s Mum, made up of a print book the girls cut up.

It’s a space that we would absolutely love to model our home off thank you very much.

Now to eat, as we mentioned there are sandwiches and they are almost certainly the very best you’ve ever sampled.

Choose from a menu filled with options like The Janis Joplin (made with smoked chicken, lettuce, celery, cheese and roasted garlic aioli), The Johnny Cash – with salami, Swiss cheese, tomato and cashew cream cheese or The Janet Jackson with pulled jackfruit,  greens, cucumber, sprouts, avocado and mayo. There are others but we’ll let you discover them for yourself.

Of course, you can also choose your own adventure and build the sandwich of your dreams.

All the produce at Nectar is sourced from local farms so you know it’s the absolute goods.

To drink, there are some delightful smoothies including the Lunar Love with Nutra Organics lunar latte powder, banana, coconut mylk, vanilla protein and honey and the Summer Time with mango, orange, passion fruit, honey, coconut water and crushed ice. Plenty more where they came from too.

There are Cold Pressed juices, detox shots and coffee by the gang at Fonzie Abbott.

So basically all the best things can be found at Nectar, including the ocean just a few steps away.

We’re BIG fans.

Jump that border and find out for yourself. Why not make a day of it, Cabarita is the goods.

See ya there.

LOCATION: 34 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita
HOURS: Coffee from 6am and food from 7am until 3pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

More and more these days we, the people, love knowing everything there is to know about local businesses. How they were created, how they operate, what goes into creating something that works.

Luckily for us, there are many an incredible local business popping up both on the Gold Coast and within the local surrounds that have interesting stories to tell, the latest of which is Husk Distillers.

Creators of Ink Gin (you know the magical purple elixir that changes colour), Husk Virgin Cane Rum and Spiced Bam Bam (spiced rum, love you), Husk Distillers was born in Tumbulgum, tiny little northern NSW town now home to a quite big, much-loved local brand.

Now, the impressive paddock to bottle brand have announced the opening of Husk Farm Distillery and it’s set to be an absolute must-visit destination.

Set on the Messenger family’s farmland with the stunning Wollumbin (Mt Warning) as the backdrop, the cellar door, bar and café will be open to the public in mid-June and, as you’d expect, there will be many a tasty treat.

The cocktail and café menus will showcase local produce, along with Blackboard coffee, gin and rum infused chocolates, local cheese/charcuterie boards and tasting paddles made from old barrel staves.

So all of the very best things. Plus of course, you can take home a bottle of Ink Gin or three for the cabinet slash that nights’ drinking shenanigans.

In case you haven’t heard the story; Husk is the baby of the aforementioned Messenger family, inspired by their love of all things rum and the culture of Caribbean, the family began their adventure in 2012, creating a plantation distiller on their cattle and cane farm.

Production began with their first paddock to bottle agricole rum, made with their homegrown sugar cane and capturing the flavours of the region.

The cane harvest is restricted to August – November and the months off over summer made way for the development of the ever-popular Ink Gin. Meanwhile, Husk Virgin Cane Rum and spiced rum, Spiced Bam Bam, quietly matured on oak in the background.

Ink Gin hit the market with a bang, with lucky sippers getting on board with the smooth Australian taste and quirky colour change of the butterfly pea (from blue to purple) when you add tonic. So great.

And now, after much hard work from the Messenger’s and much gin sampling from us, Husk Farm Distillery is set to be our new favourite destination drinking hole.

Bring on mid-June for bulk roadtrips down south.

LOCATION: Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum

Quite obviously the Gold Coast is home to a growing number of epic eateries that will keep your Instagram feed filled for the rest of time. However, sometimes it’s nice to step outside your comfort zone and taste something slightly further afield.

Upon investigation, it seems there are plenty of epic eateries just outside our pretty city that are guaranteed to knock your socks off (should you be wearing socks due to these slightly chilly temps) now that border restrictions are easing.

Also, how fun are road trips (miss you!). Grab your gang and get out on the open road, your tastebuds will thank you. 

Harvest, Newrybar
Not even where to start to be honest. Harvest is THE GOODS. They weave fresh, local and organic produce into dishes that are the equivalent of Chris Hemsworth in the looks department and as tasty as anything you’ve ever eaten. Anything. Found in a renovated weatherboard cottage and with a deli, bakery and coffee shop on the premises, it’s an absolute must-visit. You need never eat elsewhere again. Where: 18-22 Old Pacific Hwy, Newrybar Village

The Mez Club, Byron Bay
It’s Mediterranean magic at The Mez Club with high ceilings, all of the white walls, wooden furniture and on point rattan seating and light fittings. The vibe is laidback sophistication, the food is share plate style and the cocktails are all the best things in the world. How does a Peach & Thyme Collins sound? Gin, peach liquor, fresh thyme, lemon juice and soda – it sounds like a party in your mouth does it not. GO NOW. Where: 4/85-87 Jonson St, Byron Bay

Federal Doma Café, Federal
It’s Japanese food in the Byron Bay hinterland and it’s some of the best you’ll ever put in your mouth. From hand-rolled salmon cones to the tastiest miso soup there is and Japanese-style burgers, you’d be crazy not to eat one of everything. The produce is fresh, there’s live music on weekends and you can sit outside under the trees, sampling stunning food and contemplating why it is you live in the city when apparently the country is where it’s at. Where: 3-6 Albert St, Federal

Mavis’s Kitchen Restaurant, Uki
Nestled at the base of the Mt Warning is a 25-acre former dairy farm, home to a relaxed country-style restaurant where as much produce as possible is sourced from the organic kitchen garden. The breakfast and a la carte lunch menus are filled with beautiful dishes that taste like your loving Grandma cooked them (if your loving Grandma is Nigella Lawson). If you over-indulge, which you will, you can stay overnight in a pretty little log cabin surrounded by sweet, sweet serenity. Where: 64 Mount Warning Road, Uki 

TOWN Restaurant And Café, Bangalow
It’s the quaint little town known for fresh air, mountain vibes and epic weekend markets but were you aware there is also quite a lot of good food to be taste-tested? Probably since you’re reading this, but let’s power on. TOWN is a modern, one-hatted (for their degustation) restaurant offering next-level contemporary eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cute as a button too (who decided buttons were cute). Where: 33 Byron Street, Bangalow

Spice Den, Casuarina
Oh guys, Spice Den is the business. Just 25 short minutes down the road, it’s an Asian fusion-style establishment serving share-style dishes you definitely won’t want to share though. There’s ridiculous curries, sashimi, whole snappers, scallop shooters – all of the good things. One visit is definitely not enough. Do yourself a favour and order the Grilled Spice Lamb Roti and report back (with samples if you don’t mind). Where: 9 Dianella Drive, Casuarina

Fleet, Brunswick Heads
The tiny Brunswick beauty is perhaps the most stunning venue on the NSW north coast. The ever-changing menu is made up of a series of smaller dishes, each with a focus on a few primary ingredients and each is sleek, refined and packing a flavour punch. Produce is sourced sustainably, as is the wine menu of course and there’s a degustation menu if choosing becomes too much. It’s authentic, local, incredible food that must be tasted to be believed. Where: 16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads

Words by Kirra Smith