Anyone for a staycation?
Anyone for a staycation?
Wow, Palm Beach you’ve done it again.
With avant-garde dining spaces and luxury tower blocks popping up aplenty; it’s a pleasant and warm welcome for The Mysa Motel (pronounced Mee-sa) to the Palm Beach scene. As the coast’s very first sustainable, boutique luxury motel you know we had to check it out for ourselves.
Let’s not make any mistakes here, the property that was here before, the old Palm Trees Motel, was lacking a bit of attention and looking a tad dated. Enter husband-and-wife-duo Eliza and Jason Raine who have painstakingly refurbished the site into a sustainable, seven-room oasis with severe aesthetic appeal.
If soft pastels and carefully considered architectural lines are your thing – you’re going to absolutely swoon for this place when you lay eyes on it.
So if out-of-towners are asking for your advice on somewhere to stay – we strongly suggest you add The Mysa Motel to your repertoire of suggestions.
The approach to renovating the space was certainly not taken in any hurry. “It’s been over two years since we bought the old Palm Trees Motel and we’ve worked tirelessly to create a space that not only encapsulates a modern twist on retro Gold Coast; but one that incorporates a local flavour and supports local businesses,” Jason muses.
Each of the motel’s light-filled rooms is kitted out with vintage images of Gold Coast attractions and destinations, shot by internationally-acclaimed and locally-based photographer Trent Mitchell.
By scouring the Gold Coast for old breeze blocks, glass mosaic for the bathrooms and pool lounge recliners from local building sites, The Mysa is indeed a local herself. By heavily using upcycled materials, they have managed to reinvent an icon with as minimal impact as possible. And the results speak for themselves.
Complementing its recycled materials, the motel relies on rainwater tanks for toilets and gardens and over 60 solar panels for energy mean all electrical requirements are covered. Surplus electricity is expected to be fed right back into the local grid. Good on ya, guys!
With 7 differing rooms for you to choose from, you are spoilt for choice. There’s the option for double, twin and even a two-storey suite that accommodates four guests. Should you have a squad of around 16 people, well, guess what — you can book the entire thing for yourselves!
At the forefront is also ensuring guests and their well-being are being looked after. That’s why you’ll find self-filtering taps in every room, and the original vintage kidney-shaped swimming pool is enriched with magnesium mineral water. Just what you need after a tequila-soaked night in the local vicinity.
It’s no secret that Palm Beach enjoys a great location here in our city. By being merely a stroll from the world-class beaches, plus popular dining and nightlife offerings, The Mysa Motel balances a relaxed eco-friendly coastal attitude with an evolving urban spirit.
Where: 1100 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson and photos by Trent Mitchell – supplied by venue.
Over the past couple of years Palm Beach (or Palmy as it’s affectionately known) has well and truly been embracing it’s new found cool kid status.
While we can’t pinpoint the exact moment it officially transformed to ‘it’ suburb, lucky locals have been living large of late, with the emergence of all the beachside haunts to frolic between (though they do have to compete a little more for parking these days).
While in years gone by, the only thing reliably making Palmy a ‘must stop’ destination was a quiet-ish (albeit stunning) beach, and the high chance of catching a red on the way through. With an influx of laidback eateries, noteworthy restaurants, swanky bars and luxe boutiques popping up left right and centre, there’s never any shortage of things to do. These days, we can think of at least 17 epic reasons that make this buzzing suburb THE place to be.
Las Palmas
Overlooking the ocean with the perfect pastel palette, Las Palmas is bringing Latin America to Palm Beach with a share-style menu, made up of mouthwatering flavours and a fresh cocktail list to match. Head in there for a Sunday arvo session or long lunch with your loves. It’ll be your new summer fave for sure.
Where: Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Scottish Prince
Tucked away, all moody low-lit with wild times written all over it, The Scottish Prince, sister venue of The Cambus Wallace and is one of the best drinking holes we have here on the Coast. It’s primarily a whisky bar boasting over 300 varieties of the tasty tipple plus a perfectly complementary menu including Steak & Ale Pies, Scotch fillets, fish and chips and on Sunday nights, an authentic Taste of Scotland tasting menu. All the very best things. Get in.
Where: 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Palm Beach Farmers Market
The Gold Coast is home to many an impressive farmers market and one of our absolute favourites can be found in Palmy on Saturday mornings. From 6am at Palm Beach Currumbin High School you’ll find fresh local produce, artisan foods, specialty coffee, epic doughnuts, flowers, dog treats, the lot. The perfect way to spend a weekend morning.
Where: Thrower Drive, Palm Beach
Frida Sol
Margaritas and Mexi-eats are some of our favourite things and happily, they’re on offer at Palmy’s delightful upstairs space, Frida Sol. There’s a chilli margarita that’ll knock your socks off and if you perch outside on the deck, a balmy ocean breeze – the combination of which will remind you exactly why you live on the Gold Coast. The perfect time.
Where: Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Pirate Park
Those with little ones will attest to the fact that the Pirate Park is up there with the best on the Coast. Located right near the water, the park far exceeds anything you ever got to play on as a kid with a pirate ship stuck in the sand and upended wine barrels perfect for all day climbing. If you don’t have any babes, Dune Café is close by as is the sparkling ocean and a dog beach on Currumbin Creek that’s always good for a laugh.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach (on the left before the Currumbin Creek bridge)
The Collective
No doubt you’ve already set foot inside The Collective more than once and why wouldn’t you with five restaurants to choose from? Open for lunch and dinner, you can stay all day and, as it’s a communal dining setting, you’re bound to make some new friends along the way. So, if you’re in the mood for pizza and tacos, head to The Collective, order both and wash it all down with a cocktail at the rooftop bar.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
White Bohemian
It’s every local boho babe’s dream come true. Opened in 2013, White Bohemian stocks all your favourite hippy-esque labels including GD brand Kivari, Byron Bay cult-fave labels SPELL and Arnhem. These guys were one of the first to bring us the magic of the laid-back luxe aesthetic before the #boho trend took over the world (and our wallets), so we trust them and their epic curation of all things effortless style endlessly. There’s homewares too so, you know, prepare to spend up.
Where: Cnr Seventh Avenue and Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Balboa Italian
It goes without saying that if you’ve ever driven through Palm Beach, you’ve definitely laid eyes on Balboa Italian. The beautifully appointed double-storey brick building is in a class of its own serving classic Italian dishes with modern interpretations and the freshest of flavours. It’s worth a visit just to experience the fitout, complete with overhead Vespa and exposed brick walls. The cocktails are unique and the wine selection varied. It’s all good to be honest, get down there.
Where:1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Espresso Moto
It’s a cafe crossed with a motorbike workshop and the home of the best banana smoothies on the Gold Coast. That’s right, the best. There is not a single thing not to love about Espresso Moto from their very delicious breakfast goods (the brekky burritos are the bomb), to their use of Allpress coffee and the ever-friendly staff who always say g’day. There’s also a communal dog bed and the beach is right around the corner. So yeah, it’s the best.
Where: 1389 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Suga
A somewhat secret cocktail bar, tucked away on the Gold Coast Hwy, Suga specialises in rum and good times and if you’re keen on either or both of those you should absolutely get down there. They have an impressive cocktail menu plus plenty of epic wines (pet nats, yes please) and beers so no matter what, you’re gonna love it.
Where: 1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Good Day Coffee Palm Beach
Launching a cafe in a hip and happening suburb surrounded by competition stiffer than a morning espresso is not for the faint of heart – but ever since they branched out from their OG Tugun location late last year, locals and weary travellers alike have unanimously agreed it’s always a good day for Good Day Coffee Palm Beach. Friendly faces serving Blackboard coffee and other staples like pastries and goat’s fetta laden smashed avo toast – we could easily eat and drink here every day. The epitome of simple eats, and great coffee, done well.
Where: 1073 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Ritual Yoga & Pilates
Found upstairs in a sunlit space oozing chill vibes is Ritual Yoga & Pilates. Owned by sisters Rose and Sophie, Ritual is only a couple of years old but has already become a favourite amongst both Palm Beach locals and those who reside in surrounding suburbs. If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation (or a solid sweat session), Ritual is calling your name.
Where: 9b Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Palm Beach Ave
PBA is one of those gems that so quickly won our hearts that we seem to forget this pretty-in-pink art deco stunner is only relatively new to Palmy’s ever-growing strip of uber-cool beachside hangouts. One of those venues where it’s 10’s all round, the tropical luxe, chandelier-laden interiors have us swooning every time, and we can never seem to get enough of the knockout food and cocktails (no matter how much we regret it the next morning). Plus they do bottomless brunch, so, need we say more?
Where: 6 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Tank Bar & Dining
We can never seem to talk about Tank without the urge to get, well… tanked, which is some fairly genius subliminal marketing if you ask us. In our defense, what else are we supposed to do in a cracking little craft beer bar? We’re certainly not there to lick stamps.
The 10 rotating craft beer taps offers a nice mix of local and international brews, and the laid-back vibes of a modern beach shack style bar a hops, skip and a jump from the ocean are pretty hard to beat. Plus, with two levels, there’s plenty of primo spots to perch up, catch the sea breeze and watch the GC Hwy go by.
Where: 1166 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Toro’s Pizza
As we’ve probably already well established by this point, us Gold Coasters are big suckers for a cute fit-out. It’s hard to tell if it’s the perfectly peachy-pink interiors, or the Italian aromas wafting from the kitchen that keep us coming back to Toro’s Pizza like moths to a flame. And spoiler alert: it’s definitely the latter, since there are few smells that compare to that of a freshly baked, still bubbling wood-fired pizza. Carbs, cheese, more cheese, and BYO – this place is what Italian dreams are made of.
Where: Shop 7/2 Eighth Ave, Palm Beach
Costa Taco
Overcoming the momentary temptation to leave this one out (in hopes of greedily keeping more of those highly coveted tables all for ourselves) – but no list about epic Palmy spots would be complete with such a glaring omission. Dishing up authentic Mexican eats, the menu is short but sweet, sticking only to their specialities with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Any day featuring beachside, street-style tacos like the zesty Birria Beef (complete with signature consommé to dip), and a coconut marg (because marg) is a very bueno day indeed.
Where: 1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Canvas Palm Beach
Who doesn’t love starting their day with a visit to their friendly local barista, with a leisurely peruse of some hand crafted homewares on the side #theperfectmorningdoesexist. And hey, if some of the latter – such as a candle that smells like bliss in a jar, or some cute ceramics – happen to come home with us along with a great cup of coffee, we’ll happily take the dopamine hit while we’re doing out bit to #supportsmall.
For Palmy locals the cute digs and delightful café fare are a definite draw card, but for parents the park proximity makes this spot unparalleled – along with the blissful moment’s peace and quiet babycino buys.
(And yes, we stopped being cool right around the same time we started caring about babycinos and where the good parks are.)
Where: Shop 3, Magnoli Building, 1338 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Words by Kellie Leader.
Seems like 2020 isn’t a total bust after all.
Gold Coasters, we have been saved by the humble potato – a beautiful, versatile vegetable that brings us happiness in oh so many ways.
The latest of which is that Mr Potato has opened up in Palm Beach so you can eat life-changing, loaded roast potatoes every day forever. See, things are looking up.
The newbie can be found on the Gold Coast Highway opposite Balboa, all white with pops of bright pink and orange, greenery of course and a sign that reads like the story of our lives with unchecked boxes next to single and taken and a ticked one next to the words ‘eating potatoes, getting fit, setting goals, hustling, building an empire, loving life and being grateful’. Check.
If Mr Potato says it’s okay, we’re going with it.
The premise of the place is fresh, fast, healthy loaded potatoes and could there be anything better? We think not.
It’s the work of South Australian gal Shanay who now calls Palmy home and we are very happy about it.
Now, to the potatoes.
There’s a menu from which you can choose pre-thought out potato toppings but first, you must decide whether you want an IQ spud (25% less carbs than your average white potato) or a sweet potato.
Then there are topping options like The Lady Peeler with a choice of protein, spinach, bacon, roast capsicum, quinoa, tabouli, avocado and salsa and The ‘Aussie’ Tator with beef ragu, bacon, kale-slaw or coleslaw, beetroot, carrot and pineapple and The Medi-tator with tofu cauliflower, peas n corn, red onion, kale-slaw, avocado, salsa, vegan sour cream and vegan cheese.
All of which we tasted and all of which are absolute taste sensations.
Of course if you’re more of a choose-your-own-adventure type, you may opt to load your own with protein, healthy toppings, cheese and sauces. What a time to be alive.
To drink, there’s organic kombucha, cold pressed juices and soft drink and yes, it’s all on UberEATS if you’re in the area.
Looks like summer is going to be spent eating so many potatoes we turn into a potato. How good.
LOCATION: Shop 2, 1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
HOURS: 10.30am until 9pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Not only is the Gold Coast becoming THE place to be for epic eateries, cool cultural events and all things art and entertainment, we are also embracing all things sustainable and zero waste at a rapid pace and it’s so exciting to see.
In the last year or so we’ve had a couple of sustainable product stores pop up around the place and they have been welcomed with open arms by us locals.
Happily, there’s a new kid in town and this one can be found right in the heart of Burleigh Heads. It’s called The Good Lane and it’s a zero-waste, plant-based marketplace where you can stock up on all things good-for-the-planet.
Owner Elijah McQuinn was the man behind Sustainable Social, a zero-waste, plant-based market on the Coast; but wanted a retail space so he could bring local makers together and hold events for the public too.
What kind of things you ask? Well Gold Coasters, pretty much everything.
You can treat your skin to something special with clay masks, deodorant pastes and bath soaks by local brand Rustic Peppermint.
There are kitchen goodies like coconut bowls, bamboo straws, cutlery kits, produce bags, dish brushes, lunch boxes and drink bottles.
Of course, you can also get eco-friendly tote bags and produce bags.
There are also hand-crafted ceramics including incense holders and ritual dishes from Blue House Pottery plus prints and macrame for your walls by local artists.
Stock up on (hot commodity) loo paper by the legends at Who Gives a Crap or a beautiful thrifted / upcycled piece of clothing .
The Good Lane is also a micro nursery so you can take home some (yes, more) greenery for your house as well as candles by The Glass Half Full and there’s also a selection of stunning vintage homeware, carefully curated by the team.
That’s not even all of it.
You can pretty much find anything you need and all within the pretty, light-filled space and it’s all made by locals from Northern NSW to Brisbane. How good.
If you’re thinking you might like to spend a bit of extra time in there, you’re in luck.
Events like watercolour art classes, sound healing sessions and cacao ceremonies are all on offer throughout the week. Sounds like the perfect place to us.
Head down there to check it all out for yourself and pick up some sweet, sustainable goodies to fill your home with and keep an eye out for shop pup Chase, he’s a fluffy little sweetheart.
LOCATION: 73 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday & Sunday’s 10am to 3pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
