Baked goods are life. There is nothing more we want or need than a sweet, crispy pastry and a perfectly brewed coffee on a Saturday morning. Except maybe a water view and an after-pastry side of avo on toast.

And where better to indulge in all of those things than right here, just over the border, Tweed Heads to be exact. Baked at Ancora opened just a short while ago, bringing an edgy, delightful eatery to the northern side of already much-loved wedding venue Ancora.

Baked is the baby of Gavin Rudd (head baker) and restaurateur Mark Wilson, who has gifted us with Osteria, Taverna and Bombay Cricketers Club – all southern beauties and the newbie is of equally exceptional quality (but also maybe better because, pastries).

It’s a long space with huge windows overlooking the sparkly Tweed River running up one side, naturally-inspired tables and chairs and, of course, plenty of greenery hanging overhead. An interior window allows you to peer in at the chefs working their magic and, the best bit, a neon sign shining out from inside reads “currently getting baked” and let us in on that please.

The food, as you would expect from local restaurant royalty, is absolutely exceptional and you may either sit inside and soak up the good vibes or grab a picnic rug and recline on the grassy outside area, which is both perfect for kiddies to run around on and for dealing with food coma type situations.

The a la carte menu is made up of all the very best breakfast and lunch dishes including said Avo Toast (but tastier than your usual) plus Bacon and Egg Benedict Rolls, Pork Belly Burgers and (a personal fave) House Made Sausage Rolls made with organic pork, Granny Smith apples, fennel and thyme. All the things are things you’ll want to eat time and time again.

You may also enjoy baguettes with Salami, Butter and Pickles (GIMME) among other epic flavour combinations and there are take home bread options such as Pain aux Olives with Kalamata olives, rosemary, oregano and black pepper. YUM.

Sweets-wise The Custard Pie is all your dreams come true, as is the Apple Breton Tarte Tatin and the Chocolate Praline Tart. We recommend sampling one of each and also taking one of each home for later.

Oh and their signature (read: perfect) croissants will have you dreaming of sweet Parisian mornings and you’ll probably never stop eating them. Same.

Summer’s (almost) over, it’s fine.

The philosophy of the crew at Baked at Ancora is a simple one; to bring loved ones together over good food and great coffee which, unsurprisingly, is pretty much life goals for us.

How good.

Love you baked (at Ancora) goods.

LOCATION: 118 Wharf St, Tweed Heads
HOURS: Daily from 7am until 1.30pm

Words by Kirra Smith

“Stunning… Exquisite… Divine…”

These murmured variations on the same theme – perhaps punctuated by the occasional intake of breath – are the sounds every bride secretly hopes will echo her footsteps, as she glides down the aisle.

At The Bower Estate however, nestled in the Gold Coast Hinterland on the Queensland / New South Wales border, nuptials tend to take different turn. Here, it’s the estate’s spectacular setting, surrounded by soaring mountain ranges and lush, untouched rainforest, that’s typically the first sight to render a congregation dumbstruck.

And understandably so. The Bower Estate’s 120, lovingly restored acres, neighbour some of Queensland’s most stunning National Parks. It’s a setting so ethereal and other-worldly, that any bride who has always dreamed of a fairy tale wedding, will likely be unperturbed if Mother Nature is first to send guests’ hearts aflutter.

Just 50 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise and 50 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport, The Bower Estate is the living embodiment of one family’s passion for preserving world heritage rainforest and wildlife corridors.

Approaching the estate, the family’s hand is immediately evident in the sea of emerald green, perfectly manicured lawn, which stretches out to the horizon. There it is met by rows of towering hoop pines, planted over a decade ago by the family and now matured into colossal sentinels which mark the edge of the estate, enhancing its sense of seclusion and privacy.

Walking up the graded driveway, it’s impossible not to fall under the spell of such a regal setting. As you emerge on to the breathtaking ceremonial plateau, it feels completely plausible that this could be the type of place a girl might casually lose a glass slipper, or grow her hair long enough to hoist suitors up to her chamber.

With billion dollar views, a real ‘wishing well’ and lawn games to occupy guests in between photographs, the lookout plateau is the perfect place to exchange vows and take wow-factor photos, before meandering up the gently sloping drive to the reception area.

Here guests will be blown away yet again, as they wander in to the slightly unexpected, but straight-out-of-a-storybook, rainforest clearing. Fairy-light-wrapped trees and elegant festoon lights provide a glittering back drop for canapes, champagne and entertainment – be it a band or solo performer. The estate has a charming stage and all AV equipment ready to go, so the choice is yours.

By Camilla Jones