Alice and Kelly went on a girls’ trip – and found FAR more than they expected in Australia’s Gold Coast!
When I think of a holiday to the Gold Coast, it’s maybe quite similar to what you’re conjuring up in your mind right now: a great family holiday spot with theme parks, high-rise hotels, busy beaches and plenty of sunshine. And while that can make for an excellent (but very exhausting?!) family holiday, Kelly and I recently discovered there’s actually a hell of a lot more to the Gold Coast than what we thought.
So much so, that when the idea came up of doing a Destination Dupes story – heading to the Gold Coast instead of the likes of Italy, Spain, France, Palm Springs or Hawaii, I nearly choked on my coffee. Gold Coast and Venice?! Um… really!?!
Well, as it turns out, yes, really. For a fraction of the cost (and the time spent travelling) you can transport yourself to the other side of the globe – and with arguably better weather, no matter the time of year you pop over.
Yes, while a shop-till-you-drop holiday in Surfer’s Paradise or hopping from theme park to theme park can be ridiculously fun – we found lots of hidden (and not so hidden!) gems all over the Gold Coast. We’re talking incredible dining spots, vineyards and distilleries, plus so many places to relax and unwind in nature (we only saw one snake, and it barely even moved, it was more interested in soaking up the sun and digesting its unlucky dinner – thank god). We drove up mountains! We found quiet, beautiful beaches. And on more than one occasion we looked at each other and said, “Wait. Where are we again?!”
If you want a holiday with a bit of a different twist we have all the spots you need to see – or, just try peppering a few of these into your girls shopping trip/family theme park holiday to have a holiday with it all.
Are We In… Europe?!
As Kelly and I started walking down the Gallery Walk, high up in Tamborine Mountain, it was the first time we said, “Wait, where are we?!?”.
You’ll notice the temperature drop pretty significantly from down in balmy Surfer’s Paradise – so bring something warm. But, that’s not all that’s confusing. This street is a mish-mash of every European nation you can think of. There’s the German Cuckoo Clock Nest, the famous French Franquette Bakery (you have to be quick to get one of their croissants filled with smooth ricotta cheese and a drizzle of local macadamia honey!), George’s Paragon (a beautiful little white and blue tavern selling local seafood delights), Swedish schnapps, plus so much more. There’s a year-round Christmas store (definitely worth a look through), plus plenty of little stores selling crystals, knick-knacks or tarot card readings.
While the Gallery Walk in Tamborine provides a smorgasbord of European offerings in one location, there’s plenty of pockets of Europe all throughout the Gold Coast. Here are some top spots:
Head to Italy
For that taste of Venice I mentioned earlier, you’ve got to get yourself onto a punt with Gold Coast Gondolas. When I first heard the name, I pictured one of gondolas we have here ferrying us up to Mount Cavendish in Christchurch or the Luge in Rotorua, but no, this is the real Venetian deal – a gondola you glide through the canals of Surfers Paradise and Main Beach.
It’s surprisingly relaxing and such a unique way to take in the Gold Coast.
They’re comfy and soundproof (thank God, because after a couple of glasses of bubbles we started singing along to the hilarious soundtrack of Ed Sheeran and Michael Bublé). We went out at sunset (you can bring along your own beverages and food) and slowly watched darkness fall and all the lights of the city turn on. It’s pretty magical – which is probably why they’re a hot spot for proposals.
Book yourself in for the night at the Imperial Hotel – you may know it from its former days as the Versace hotel. It’s completely OTT and just fabulous (as well as being a GREAT place to people watch). The entire hotel makes you feel as though you’ve transported yourself to Italy, from the cobblestoned entrance surrounded by marble pillars to the rooms, where everything down to the final touches screams Italy. Many rooms come with a Juliette balcony and fully marble bathrooms – some with spa baths so big, you could go for a swim. Downstairs you’ll find award-winning restaurants, an incredible pool (that has a sandy beach entrance), plus the first water salon cabana experience in Australia, if you’re really looking to indulge.
If you have time on your way back to the airport, drive through Emerald Lakes Village – it’s quite bizarre, but is another little slice of Venice. There’s Venetian style apartments lining the man-made lagoons and even a giant replica statue of David in the main street.
Head to Spain
Sitting in the sundeck of Lucia Tapas, you could easily be on the other side of the world, listening to music, watching the night fall and taking in the best tastes of Spain. Settle in at Happy Hour and you won’t regret grabbing some Papa Bravas, Cazuela de Champinones, Calamares Fritos and a margarita, sangria or one of their signature cocktails.
For another taste of the Med head to The Tropic in Burleigh Heads. If the weather is on your side, you can sit outside, right above the waves crashing onto the beach, with views that stretch back to the high rises of Main Beach. The menu is outrageously good – you have to try the oysters, the tuna & avocado (THIS one you MUST try), the babaganoush and the puffed spice bread. Heaven.
Head to Greece
Get yourself to La Luna MARE. This modern Mediterranean restaurant sits in the heart of the Marina Mirage – it’s where Mykonos luxury meets bohemian heaven. Many people come here for lunch to graze and wind up staying until late. Would highly recommend anything from the cold bar (particularly the crudo), crispy zucchini flowers or the black angus striploin.
Head to London
What can be more British than a spot of High Tea in the decadent surroundings of The Langham? In the lobby you’ll find Palm Court, a beautiful space overlooking the lagoon pool – which is where you’ll find the iconic Langham Afternoon Tea, with its delectable savouries and pastries created by its stellar in-house pastry chefs. The hotel is currently a Paddington Themed Afternoon Tea, which sounds exquisite. Or you can settle in for lunch and a glass of bubbles like we did. We’d definitely recommend the Crudo of Hiramasa Kingfish (with passionfruit, jalapeno, avocado and finger lime), the Wagu Steak Tartare (with macadamia, egg yolk and potato crisps) plus the Line-Caught Market Fish (cooked over charcoal with avruga caviar and sauce vierge).
Are We In… the States?
There are moments in the Gold Coast where it feels as though you could easily be in Hawaii. There’s of course that similar comparison between Main Beach and Waikiki – and perhaps, to a lesser extent, Burleigh Heads and Oahu’s North Shore (although I’m not sure many surfers would attest to this!).
And, if you head to Palm Springs – the cutest, most delicious little eatery in Burleigh Heads, it really feels like you’ve been transported to its namesake. There’s palm trees and cacti throughout the beautiful white-walled eatery that’s complete with a 70’s style ‘Welcome to Palm Springs’ sign. There’s everything from Acai bowls, to tacos, to chicken and waffles on the menu. But, I downed the Elote Crunch Bowl and it was magnificent – honestly one of the very best things I ate on this entire trip. It’s filled with local leaves and herbs, quinoa, charred corn, mango, cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, kidney beans, crushed tortillas and a chipotle lime dressing, finished off with a fried egg on top. I would consider doing the whole trip again just to eat this again.
For more of a taste of Hawaii though, head to Finn Poke, also in Burleigh Heads, where you can make your own bowl or trust the experts with one of their expertly designed combinations.
From there, you can try your hand at surfing, or take in nature more inland on one of the many walks on offer. If you’re heading to Tamborine Mountain, you’ll find the Curtis Falls Track – a free, fairly easy walk that winds you down to a waterfall. Nearby you’ll also find the Tamborine Rainforest Walk, where you’ll find a one-of-a-kind experience walking amongst the canopy of the rainforest. It’s incredibly relaxing.
Rest your head at the Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh, where you can wake to the crashing of the waves just across the street, and have your morning coffee basked in sunlight on the balcony.
If you’re really needing some R&R, book in a few nights at Gwinganna – an incredible, award-winning spa (Hugh Jackman is one of the investors), that is sure to leave you feeling floating on air. Retreats are available for a minimum of two nights and everything is taken care of – all your meals, plus a diverse range of activities and a massage. From there, your only difficult choices are which additional spa treatments to indulge in. We were lucky enough to get a sneak look around and test out the spa, which was heavenly.
I would definitely recommend the ‘Spirit of Sound’ experience, which I actually don’t even know how to explain. It’s a massage, but not as you know it. It’s choreographed to a bespoke selection of music – some of it being live drums and percussion music. The expert masseuse incorporates the music into the massage (sometimes letting the vibrations of the drum do the work!), using Kahuna bodywork and heated Basalt stones. It’s incredible.
Or, try the more traditional Hawaiian Bodywork massage, where the hypnotic rhythm of the massage will bring you a deep sense of relaxation. Bliss.
Has this piqued your interest and you’re keen to check out a Gold Coast holiday for yourself? Well we have done the word for you with the PERFECT Gold Coast holiday itinerary all ready to go – head here!