wining and dining on the gold coast...

with another long weekend upon us and no firm plans in place, we were busy bee's out and about on the gold coast this past weekend. our friday started after a leisurely sleep-in and a walk up to the natural bridge in springbrook national park before a great pub lunch up on mount tamborine. we then opted for an afternoon of water skiing and beers on the coomera river. the rest of the weekend was a blur of fishing, eating, playing tennis, hitting the local farmers markets, sipping on amazing wines and enjoying time with family and good friends.

i am always asked by family and friends about some great spots to visit on the gold coast so i am going to name a few of our favourite spots for you to head along to when you are next on the coast, in no particular order.

a long lunch on the water in sanctuary cove is always a safe bet before heading to ferry road markets for a coffee and shop at the amazing bohemian fashion and homeware stores. evening tapas at madam tojo's on a friday night is a fun event followed by drinks at stingray bar in surfers paradise. breakfast at elk in broadbeach is consistently good but busy so if you can't get in, head on over to edgewater at capri on via roma, just around the corner. wines in the garden at manadala organic cafe is a nice way to waste the afternoon away and take in some vegan cuisine.

nobby's beach is a great spot for dinner and drinks on a saturday night. some of our local haunts are the fish house at burleigh heads, hellenika in nobby's beach (both owned by the same peeps), little truffle in mermaid, avvia cafe in palm beach and bumbles on a thursday night is you are after a romantic setting. sundays are always fun if you head to the bundall farmers markets or south to burleigh to the village markets where you can pick up some handmade candles, some vintage clothes, shabby chic furniture or some fresh flowers. finish the weekend by either grabbing some seafood from petes fish markets at marina mirage along with a nice bottle of wine and head over to the beach for a picnic or take a drive up to mount tamborine for an afternoon walk and a cold cider at clancy's and enjoy the open fire place.