Food
Since I first moved to the Gold Coast as a child, its food scene has evolved. You can find great little restaurants in every suburb. I’m often in Burleigh Heads, near my studio, and one of my favorite restaurants is Oi Izakaya. It has funky Japanese food – like nori tacos or okonomiyaki. There’s also a good whisky list and cocktails. We go there a lot.
I like to go there in the morning. It’s a cafe/art space located in an old surfboard-shaping factory with art studios at the back. The breakfasts are good, and the coffee is great. For a flat white in the morning, I go to Portside, also in Currumbin. The coffee is a bit hidden, but worth the search for the best on the coast.
Enjoy the Inspiration
Dust Temple is worth mentioning again. There is a gallery, but there are also regular live music performances and life drawings every two weeks. This creative hub is what helped transform Currumbin Creek from an industrial area into a vibrant little community.
Home Of The Arts is a great venue for large events. The new building, which is inspired by William Robinson’s landscape paintings of Queensland and Northern NSW, has hosted some amazing exhibitions.
There’s an amazing grassroots art scene on the Gold Coast. I am a member of Mint Art House in Burleigh Heads, an artist-run gallery and studio. Just down the road, Art-Work Agency is a creative agency with a gallery that hosts regular exhibitions.
Neighbourhood
Currumbin occupies a sweet spot between the busy northern coast and the calmer southern suburbs. The lower the building heights get, the further south you travel – I enjoy the slower pace.
Currumbin Surf Club offers the best view of the coast – literally, you sit on the edge of the ocean. This is also one of the most beautiful stretches of sand within the city. It’s best to visit during the Swell Sculpture Festival, which is held at Currumbin Beach every September.
Stable Cafe & Kitchen and other shops are located in Cornerstone Stores.
Green space
The Gold Coast as a city is a long stretch of coast that runs from Queensland to New South Wales, so nature is always close by.
Tallebudgera Valley has always been one of my favorite places. To relax, I ride my motorbike through the bush along the Tallebudgera Creek Road. You can drive all the way to the end and walk up the creek, where you will hear a variety of birds. On a hot summer day, the water is perfect for a dip.
Nightlife
James Street is a great place to go in Burleigh. There’s no hustle and bustle in Surfers Paradise so you can enjoy a night out with friends.
You can find many little bars in the alleys. Lockwood has a lot of whisky and dimly lit rooms. You can always count on someone to create a delicious cocktail.
Earlier in the evening, I may go to Paloma – a sophisticated little wine bar owned by Alex and Karla Labart of Restaurant Labart. We will often be in the studio, and someone will suggest that we go to Paloma and have some wine and snacks.
Stay in touch with us.
I would always recommend that you stay at the Pink Hotel Coolangatta. The rooms are beautifully decorated and have a classic Gold Coast feel. The hotel has Eddie’s Grub House, which serves a delicious chicken burger with live music and is located on the ground level. There’s also a tiny bar named Janitor’s Closet.
