We’re strong believers in stretching celebrations out so they can go on as long as possible. Birthdays? A month is good. Long weekends? Make that at least a full week off please. And the ART conference? A few days is ideal. So we’ve created a weekender itinerary to make your trip back to Brisbane (and, ultimately, to the airport if that's where you're flying out) as long and drawn-out as you can manage. Because, with beaches this sparkly, forests this lush and food this tasty, what’s the rush to leave?
Take the scenic route out of Tweed, through Murwillumbah and the beautiful hinterlands, up through Coolangatta and the Gold Coast, through the rainforests of Tamborine Mountain and, finally, through the city streets of Brisbane. And savour every moment along the way.
For breakfast Tweed-style, Mockingbird at Kingscliff Beach is laid-back beachfront spot, making a great way to start the day. Head north from your accommodation at ART over Cudgen Creek until you hit Kingscliff Beach, which has managed to keep all its local charm even though it’s turned into a popular holiday destination. Mockingbird is an example of some of that local charm that isn’t going to go away any time soon. It’s not just eggs bene and avo on toast here, with a menu that is known for having some unusual but extremely tasty combinations. The menu is put together using the freshest local produce, often grown in the cafe’s garden, and organic where possible with ethical meats and eggs. There’s plenty of gluten free, vege and vegan options too. They bake their own bread, their bees make honey for the cafe and the million-dollar view won’t cost you a cent. Or if you’re up for a stroll to Mockingbird it will take you about 30 minutes one way with half of it along the beachfront.
For a madly memorable wildlife encounter in the Tweed, Cook Island (no, not those Cook Islands) should be top of your list. Just 600m out from Fingal Head, Cook Island is a volcanic outcrop that may be lacking in size above water, but is certainly not lacking anything when it comes to what lies below the waves. Home to a huge population of green turtles, as well as clownfish, octopus, puffer fish (do you think maybe Finding Nemo was cast here?), and plenty of other species who live amongst the colourful coral, Cook Island is a too-good-to-be-true marine paradise. But the turtles are the real stars here, popping up every which way you turn to be included in your underwater selfies and play around with you.
Watersports Guru run daily tours to Cook Island, where, after a 15-minute boat ride across the big old blue, you will be free to roam below sea level with all your undersea friends. They provide wetsuits and all the necessary snorkelling gear, as well as handy access to a snorkelling instructor in case you are an absolute rookie, so just bring along your swimmers and a towel and jump on in.
If you like your mid-morning coffee or orange juice to have a bit of character, House of Gabriel is your spot. Located on the banks of the Tweed River at Tumbulgum, it’s a 25 minute drive to House of Gabriel, a historic old homestead and former bakery which has been standing for over 120 years. Talk about aging well. The building also houses a boutique gift shop and art gallery, so you won’t be bored for a second whilst waiting for your brew. It’s the ultimate spot for a mid-drive break actually, as the alfresco tables and expansive river views have a real sense of calmness to them, just what you need whilst trying to navigate unfamiliar territory, perhaps. That is, before you start to feel the effects of the liquid gold of course. Then you’ll be more than ready to hit the road again.
The cultural (and almost geographical) heart of the Tweed can be found in Murwillumbah, an unfairly picturesque country town located amongst beautiful rolling hills with panoramic views of Wollumbin Mount Warning. The creative hub of this is the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, which is home to six dedicated spaces of beautifully-curated touring and permanent exhibitions. It’s hard to work out what to look at more, the first-rate art or priceless views of the valley and river from the gallery. Either way, it can’t be argued that this stunning gallery brings a world class collection to the Tweed. If only you could take this visual feast home with you.
Well, one thing you can feast on is the menu at the adjoining Tweed Art Gallery Café, where you can have lunch on the balcony accompanied by the equally tasty views of Wollumbin Mt Warning and the Tweed River. Give those legs of yours a break after all your art perusing with a sit-down meal, and a pretty great one at that. With a mouth-watering range of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as meals to suit any non-dietary-requirement diets, the Gallery Café will fill just about anyone’s belly, with style. Um, how good does Goats Feta and Caramelised Red Onion Tart sound? We’ll take the lot, thanks.
After checking out the jewel in Murwillumbah’s crown, spend a bit of time checking out the rest of the town, which is dotted with the most incredible art deco architecture. Wander around the area, being sure to make your way to the Caldera Art Gallery, where you will find an unbelievable 20-metre long mural depicting the 360° panorama of the Green Cauldron Caldera from the summit of Wollumbin Mt Warning. Saves you having to trek up there to see it yourself, right? Bowerbird Emporium is also worth a visit, a wacky store of unique and beautiful treasures that you could get lost in for hours.
"360° panorama of the Green Cauldron Caldera from the summit of Wollumbin Mt Warning." — Photo Credit: Caldera Art
Need another coffee? Same. Luckily Murwillumbah has plenty of groovy options for a mid-afternoon breather, with the two caffeinated kingpins of the town being Keith (a very staunchly-named coffee shop and bar) and The Modern Grocer (a stylish deli and cafe). The Modern Grocer is a foodie haven, chock full of tasty deli items and treats, and a brew even the biggest coffee snob would give a tick of approval. This would also be a top spot for lunch if you were keen for something more laid back than the Gallery Café, but with just as fab food.
Keith is a friendly retro joint with extra good coffee, and a range of pies which are often heralded as the best in town. If you feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can also get your mane tamed whilst you sip a cup of joe at Keith, as the coffee shop doubles as a barber shop. Not a bad combo, we reckon.
If you are craving a bit more rural, inland magic, a trip out to Mavis’s Kitchen & Cabins is just what the doctor ordered. Dinner at Mavis’s is not just about the food, it’s as much about everything else that is going on around you. The World Heritage rainforest surroundings, the peaceful beauty of the veranda, the organic and locally-grown (most of which is grown in their very own garden) ingredients. It is a nature-enclosed sanctuary, filled with the love of food and the natural environment. We’re suckers for a good duck liver pate, and Mavis’s slow cooked lamb shank w paprika mash is one for the ages, so take it from us, as much as Mavis’s Kitchen isn’t about the food, it is so all about the food. They also have a wine to match every single menu item, so you could hardly go wrong.
And once you’ve tried a few of these matches, it’s probably a good idea to check in to one of their gorgeous accommodation options. Beautifully-decorated, with a cosy, homely feel, Mavis’s farmhouse, log cabin or old dairy accommodations are just the treat you need after a long week of conference-ing. Pre-order a breakfast hamper so the luxury can continue in the morning, and you can have that slow start you so deserve.
After your delicious Mavis’s Kitchen breakfast hamper, head back to the coast and into Queensland territory, leaving the lovely Tweed behind. Swing around to Coolangatta’s Point Danger so you can get out of the car, stretch the legs, and see what this epic headland has to offer. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot, from world-famous surf breaks to quaint rocky beaches to incredible whale-watching opportunities. Walk all the way around the coastal walkway to Duranbah Beach, enjoying some pretty alright ocean views along the way. With Duranbah Beach actually being part of NSW, not only will you be walking from state to state, if you visit between October and April, you’ll even be stepping through time zones. That’s some Marty McFly business!
It’s been a while since breakfast, so if you’re feeling a little thirsty (or peckish) after a brisk headland walk, the only place you need to know about in Coolangatta is Café Dbar, who serve up the most unbelievable smoothies, milkshakes and juices. Freakishly yummy and freakishly good-looking (especially those green juices), it’s hard to know whether to take a pic for the ‘gram or just tuck straight in. I mean, how good does the Salted Caramel ‘Claim to Fame’ sound - chock full of butterscotch salted caramel and vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream and crushed tim tams. Just perfect for a mid-morning treat, in our books.
Further north, walk amongst the wildlife at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where 27 hectares of open space and rainforest are home to some of the cutest, freakiest and strangest animal species Australia is known for. The open park means you are free to stroll through enclosures, having close-up experiences with all sorts of animals on the way. We’re talking cuddles with wallabies, capybara encounters, taking dingos for a walk and much more, all in a day’s work. The sanctuary is also home to an incredible wildlife hospital which does hugely important treatment and rehabilitation work throughout the year, so these people really know their stuff, to say the least. The best part is, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organisation, with all proceeds going back into conservation projects, meaning there will be Tasmanian devils and quokka and cotton-top tamarins around for us to visit for many years to come.
We get it, the Gold Coast may seem like it’s just one big long beach and it doesn’t matter where you prop up your towel because it’s all the same anyway… But hear us out okay? There are actually some nuances to each sandy stretch that make a whole lot of difference, and there is no more important task than choosing which suits you better. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but understanding the pros and cons of each section mean you’ll get a whole lot more out of your Gold Coast beachin’ experience. Nobby Beach may sound a bit laughable, but the stretch of sand it encompasses is anything but. Bordered by a headland on one end, Nobbies is a sheltered beach perfect for both swimming and lazing in the sun, with a line of bars, shops and eateries to fulfill all your beachside fantasies. Win, win and win.
This may be one of the Gold Coast’s most well-known cafes, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost any of the pure charm that earned it that popularity in the first place. Elk Espresso is always worth a visit, especially given its dreamy positioning on the beachfront of the Oasis Shopping Centre, a total score in our eyes. Their mint-green decor and lush plant arrangements make it a happy place for almost any type of person (or at least any person that we would get on well with), not to mention their beautiful coffee that would put a smile on any caffeine-deprived being. Their walk-in policy does mean you might have to wait for a table, but boy will it be worth it if it means getting to sample their seasonal goodies. And if their current (spring) menu is anything to go by, we wouldn’t trade a seat at their table for the world. We’re putting in an advanced order for the Crispy Skin Salmon with garden pea crème, shaved zucchini, salted pepitas, snow peas and rhubarb paste. You with us?
On your way up towards Brisbane, peel off inland towards Tamborine Mountain, which is a treasure trove of outdoorsy adventure. For this trip, we suggest a visit to the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, where you can explore the rainforest from 30 metres skywards. Tiptoe amongst the treetops along a 1.5 km walk, which takes you along the forest floor as well as up along elevated boardwalks. You’ll be experiencing nature the way the birds and butterflies do, just maybe with a few more feet on somewhat-solid ground. That feeling of being one with nature, it’s only going to get better as you walk out along their 40 metre long cantilever bridge, bringing you out to a breathtaking platform high amongst the rainforest canopy. And we mean literally breathtaking… It’s a fair bet you’ll be holding your breath on this one.
If it’s shaping into a toasty evening (when isn’t it in Brissie?), escape the heat from the pavement and head to South Bank, where you can enjoy the best of beachside hangs right in the middle of the city. This man-made lagoon is an oasis of relaxation, with sparkling waters, white sand beaches and tropical plants, open all year round with qualified lifeguards on patrol. We don’t think we could imagine any better way to wind down a weekender roadie than laxing by the beach, surrounded by palm trees with Brisbane’s skyline popping through the top. There’s enough water to fill five Olympic-sized swimming pools, which means a whole lot of space to have the time of your life, without having to worry about anyone else who’s had the same idea. Plus, they’re trucking 80 tonnes of sand there every year to make this summer bliss for sweaty Brisbanites, so best make the most of it, right?
Oh boy, does Brisbane have a stonking good list of places for nighttime eats. The issue that comes with that? Having to choose which to pull up at and devour your most important meal of the day (breakfast who?). Because, even worse than food envy, there could be no greater disappointment than spending your hard-earned cash at a restaurant that just doesn't cut the mustard. Well, Eat Street Northshore is here to save you from that ordeal, with its whole community of fab food stalls and vibrant dining atmosphere. Everyone can pick and choose what they want to eat, from burgers to pizzas to curry… Even freshly-shucked oysters if that floats your boat! There’s no need to compromise here, and that is totally the best part. Or maybe the best part is the buzzing Hamilton Wharf location. Or the street performers and live music? Scratch that, the best part is every part.
