Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast
• 3 zucchinis
• 2 carrots
• 1 litre of chicken stock
• 1 onion
• 1 garlic
• 1 sprig of parsley
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Method

Finely dice the onion, crush the garlic and peel and dice the carrots. Cut the chicken into strips and set aside. Place a large saucepan on the stove over a medium heat and add the olive oil. Saute the onion & garlic for 3 minutes then add the chicken stock. Add the diced carrot, chicken and sprig of parsley. Simmer on the stove with a lid on the saucepan for 20 minutes. In the meantime, peel the zucchini to remove the green skin. Spiralise the zucchini and set aside. When the soup is cooked add the zucchini noodles let the soup rest for 5 minutes. Serve into four large bowls.

For more great recipes by Gold Coast local Caralee Caldwell, check out her page here.

Is there anything more romantic than spending a weekend tucked away with your nearest and dearest? Picture the scene: you’re both mountainside snuggled up in front of a crackling fire, glass of red wine in hand and soft jazz caressing your ears. Sounds almost too good to be true? It’s all yours for the taking though, come the impending — albeit short — winter ahead! So it’s time to pull out that roll neck jumper (that, let’s face it, hasn’t been used much) and get planning! To help you along the way, we’ve found the six most romantic cabins and mountain lodges for you, right at our doorstep in the Hinterland.

Cedar Creek Lodges
A mere 40-minute drive from Surfers Paradise, but once you arrive you will feel like you’ve entered an entirely whole new world. Welcome to stunning Tamborine Mountain! Cedar Creek Lodges provide you with a full range of options. The 2, 3 or 4 bedroom self-contatined lodges are situated on your own private section of the gurgling and beautiful Cedar Creek — the perfect romantic getaway to immerse yourself in nature! But if glamping is more your style, look no further than their brand new Lotus Tents taking glamping to the next level with an ensuite allowing you to shower under the stars. The adjacent Thunderbird Park also offers horseback riding for the more adventurous romantics among you. We’re confident when it comes time to check out; you won’t want to leave.

Binna Burra Mountain Lodges
You may recognise the name, as in the 2019 bushfires, most of the property was sadly lost to fires. But where there is a will, there is a way. Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, the newly rebuilt and renovated Binna Burra is an authentic heritage-listed lodge offering one of a few genuine Australian experiences in nature. Just imagine, the lodge has been welcoming guests since the early 1930s and still retains its original charm and character. They’ve also been listed in the top 10 eco-lodges and green hotels globally with their unique isolation. If you’re after the perfect escape from everyday life and a chance to get back to basics, leave your phone at home and look no further.

Witches Falls Cottages
Total privacy is the maxim at Witches Falls Cottages. Sip on a glass of wine (from nearby Witches Falls Winery, of course) in your private courtyard garden, relax in front of your cosy fireplace with a book, or just soak away in your own double sized spa bath and reconnect with that special someone. A traditional style breakfast is even part of your stay and delivered to the door — including fresh homemade bread — so you won’t have to leave your room if you don’t fancy it.

Edges Lodge
Another romantic Tamborine Mountain retreat is Edges Lodge, the faultless suggestion for a well-deserved getaway with your lover. Sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and our Gold Coast skyline will have you captivated from the moment you arrive. The lodge itself is shared between three deluxe suites, but fear not, the large, sophisticated communal areas are more than enough for you to escape to and feel tranquil — or feel free to socialise if you want to. There is a long list of extras for you to enjoy, but our suggestion is you arrange a massage in the privacy of your room! Sign us up!

The Polish Place Cottages
Your romantic stay on Tamborine Mountain starts at these charming European-style chalets only an hour from the beach and surrounded by a myriad of walking trails, waterfalls, and wineries: a hidden gem — within an hour of arriving, you will feel any stress disappear as you take in the spectacular view overlooking the Scenic Rim! How does a cosy woodfire fireplace within a loft-style chalet with private balcony, double sized spa (in your lounge room no less) and full breakfast basket provided daily sound like to you? Idyllic, no? Well don’t forget that at The Polish Place, wildlife, lorikeets and birds come to say hi on your balcony. Add to this the amazing onsite restaurant serving up all your favourite Polish winter warmer dishes like their famous Roast Duck for two with cherries (trust us, order it!) accompanied by a couple of Polish beer or vodkas, you’ll be glad checkout isn’t till 12pm!

O’Reilly’s Safari Tents
If staying at the base of a world heritage listed rainforest is at the top of your list, you’ll be happy to know, you can do that only an hour from the surf. A the end of 2020, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat launched 17 safari tents within their new campground found at the Green Mountains Camping Area in Lamington National Park. The new world class ecotourism attraction is set amongst the rainforest of World Heritage Lamington National Park meaning you get to soak up the mountain magic in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Being right at the doorstep of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat certainly has it’s advantages, you’ll have access to all the same experiences and adventures you love about O’Reilly’s including hikes, romantic rainforest picnics, visiting O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards for a tipple or two (where you can also now have a picnic with the alpacas!) or just kick back together and breathe in the fresh air.

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Great news cheese lovers, world famous Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts is coming to Pacific Fair!

The combination of a crunchy, shortcrust base, a creamy three-cheese filling, with a deliciousaroma has captured the hearts and tastebuds of countless Aussies and, in mid-July, we get to experience the magic for ourselves.

The Pacific Fair store will also offer their new chocolate tart made with a super secret recipe featuring creamy chocolate goodness encased in the perfectly sweet and savoury house-made pastry and with crushed almonds on top.

The Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart kiosks boast a compact, luxury aesthetic, featuring marble bench top displays and low-slung designer lighting. Perfectly matched to the chic aesthetic of Pacific Fair.

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart first opened in Australia in 2016 to nationwide excitement, and fans queued up to get their cheese tart fix at each of the store openings.

Five stores have launched in Australia in the past four months proving the popularity of the humble cheesy treat.

Inspired by the distinct cheesy taste of Hokkaido dairy, and using a traditional recipe from Japan’s dairy heartland, it is not surprising that the famed ‘Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart’ has been a huge hit throughout Asia having successfully launched in Shanghai, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia.

After tireless taste testing using local ingredients, the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart has succeeded in recreating a Hokkaido cheese flavour perfectly.

Get ‘em while they’re hot.

LOCATION: Pacific Fair, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach