Having lived in the Gold Coast for almost 5 years, I have to say that one of the things I miss are morning hikes along the coast. Waking up bright & early, salty sea air, happy Aussie joggers & their equally happy dogs, chilling by the beach and spending a lazy rest-of-the-day at one of the GC's many raw food cafes.
My go to is exploring the Burleigh Heads National Park trails. They are really easy 2km+ trails through eucalyptus and rainforests, and beachy terrain. It is a nice mix with well-paved paths and excellent photo spots. At the park entrance, you'll find grassy slopes overlooking the sea, and towards the end of the trails you'll find Echo Beach - a quiet, sunny spot with still waters. Both are lovely spots for sandwiches & sunbathing. I have to say that this is more of a "pretty" hike than a challenging one so if you are looking for a proper hike you're better off going to Springbrook or Mt Warning. Nevertheless, Burleigh Heads is still my weekend fave to soak in some sunshine & unwind.
Hungry afterwards? There are heaps of beachy cafes nearby around Burleigh Heads or Mermaid Beach.
My top three are:
1. BSKT Cafe, Mermaid Beach
Zuchinni noodles, cocowhip, matcha latte with soy - I LOVE this place. It is one of the few places that does raw/paleo food right. You get a good choice of traditional brunch food (with healthier substitutes thrown in), along with Asian & Mexican fusion dishes. The food is fantastic, the waiters are friendly and it is right beside the beach! The only downside is that it's usually full so you may have to wait to get a table (quite rare in laid-back GC). Also, I haven't got a clue as to how to say the name right - is it Biscuit? Basket? Just plain B-S-K-T?
2. Commune, Burleigh Heads
I come here for one thing - the caramelised banana pancakes with nutella, strawberries, caramelised walnuts, and a BEAUTIFUL organic coconut ice cream. HEAVEN. These pancakes aren't regular pancakes, I can't put my finger on it but they taste healthier (Nope, I'm not just telling myself that) and don't have that typical white-flour aftertaste you get at commercial pancake houses. Commune is another hippie cafe in the GC with vintage slash recycled furniture and an alternative vibe, good coffee, healthy food, perfect eggs & green juice. If you have to pick just *one* boho cafe during your stay, go with Commune.
3. The Paddock Bakery, Miami
Paddock caught me by surprise. First of all, it is not that easy to find - in the middle of a quiet housing area, along Hibiscus Haven (isn't that the prettiest street name?) in Miami. But it is most definitely worth the hunt! Paddock is reminiscent of a mini Grounds of Alexandria (Sydney) and the pastries & acai bowls are TO DIE FOR. And speaking of acai bowls, no trip to the GC is complete without some delicious acai goodness. The Paddock Bakery is a whitewashed wooden house encircled by a picket fence, and you can eat inside or under the trees outside (get a table outside if you can!). Unfortunately, there is always a line so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
Well, there you go - what was initially supposed to be a post about hiking has turned into a post about food!
Enjoy ♥
Enjoy ♥
0 comments:
Post a Comment