Meet Coco Loberg, a quirky, highly accomplished local tattooist from Tweed. Coco is known for her insanely gorgeous delicate fine line tattoos. She recently collaborated with Toblerone to create bespoke temporary tattoo designs inspired by Aussie’s distinct and endearing quirks about each other.

Coco’s artist pursuits are not limited to the skin. She also paints, and is a keen photographer and poet. We chatted with this super talented Gold Coaster about her career thus far and what she’s working on next.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I was born on the Coast, raised in England, the States and a little bit of Indonesia and India.

I get to do a lot of travelling with my family but we’ve always come back to the Coast so it feels like home.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Like the little bars and laidback lifestyle the coast has. Some of the best beaches too.

What’s been your journey to becoming an artist? 
I’ve always had a pencil in my hand since I could grip, haha. Dad and Mum are both creatives so growing up in that environment I always knew I’d do something along those lines for a living.

The tattoo studio is actually a family one. We’ve had the studio for about 18 years now, although actually, I didn’t want to tattoo for a couple of years prior to starting.

I was heavily into photography and videography at the time and was working for a water sports company in Kingscliff while I was in school, then onward to help/learn for my Dad’s music business at the time in LA. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I first picked up a machine and gave my friend a tattoo for the fun of it and thought how much of a goof I was for not wanting to do it.

How would you describe your work?
Minimalism, Sketchbook style. I like that a lot of my designs look like doodles you’d do in the back of a school book.

What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge so far for you?
I’ve been really lucky to have a lot of wild opportunities, I don’t really know that’d I’d be able to pick a favourite. I’m super grateful and always looking forward to more adventures.

The most challenging project would have to be a show I was working on with some friends. I was super interested in film/tv before tattooing and wrote a script with some friends. I then tried to direct, film and edit the whole thing myself, with less than 30 bucks a day between us. The three of us lived on a Starbucks breakfast roll each and a couple of beers and coffees a day. It was pretty rough, but one of the funniest and most enjoyable experiences looking back. I can’t wait to dive more into that stuff (tv/film) properly further along in my life.

What’s on the cards for the rest of 2023?
I’ll be going to LA in April to start the next collection of paintings and have an exhibition while I’m over there. I’m super excited to get this collection going. I’ll also be chipping away at my next poetry book.

What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
Do what’s true to you. Don’t try to please everyone, your style shouldn’t be for everyone, turn down the stuff that doesn’t feel right, even if you think you need it at the time.

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: All Time coffee, Tarte bakery
Restaurant: Lupo
Bar or place for a drink: Rosella’s
Beach: Mermaid

How do you choose to spend your days off?
My ideal day is a book, a drive somewhere, a bit of painting, a bit of writing, and maybe some music in a bar to wrap it up.

Some might call it the heart of the Gold Coast. Mermaid locals will call it the only suburb worth visiting. While we aren’t ones to pick favourite children – I mean, suburbs – Mermaid Beach is definitely up there with the best of the best.

And when you’ve got these spots right on your doorstep, we can kind of understand why. So come with us and explore what locals love so much about our beachside beauty, Mermaid Beach.

Little Truffle
It’s back baby and we might just say, better than ever. Little Truffle had the glowiest of glow ups last year and we’re just oh so glad those glamorous doors are officially open again. The food is just as fancy as you remember it was but elevated to a whole new level with the mastermind chefs behind the icon among us. If you haven’t been back since Little Truffle got her face lift, it’s time to rekindle your love…
Where: 2444 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Cheese Me Baby
They say sweet dreams are made of cheese, or something like that anyway. So what’s sweeter than a place dedicated to the humble cheese toastie. Okay so Cheese Me Baby actually brings a whole lot more to the table than just cheese toasies, but it’s practically illegal to not get around their signature three-cheese blend sando at least once. If you’re not about the carb load (sorry, we’re judging you) then their breakfast boards and acai bowls have your name all over them.
Where: The Pod, Mermaid Beach Village, 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Six Tricks
Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us. But take that up to Six-Tricks? Now you’re talking. The Six-Tricks Distilling Co. is the ultimate new addition to the GC and Mermaid distillery scene, a carnival of cocktails it’s our favourite local haunt to settle in and sip on some spirits with their menu of seriously spirited flavour combos. Sip back, relax and soak up the great booze and good vibes all day long.
Where: 3 Brightlands Court, Mermaid Waters

The North Room
The North Room is one of our favourite spots not just in Mermaid, but the whole Coast for that signature, relaxed, fine-dining feel. An intimate restaurant serving up some absolutely stunning contemporary dishes that you’ll want to wrap your mouth around ASAP. Bookings are essential and they open for lunch Friday and Saturday and dinner Thursday to Saturday so you’ll want to get in quick to snag a spot. Huge fans of this place.
Where: 1/2527 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

La Macelleria
Filling the gelato-shaped hole in our hearts (and stomachs), La Macelleria has been a very welcome addition to Mermaid Beach. Don’t just listen to us waffle on about it, we’ve given you the scoop now taste it for yourself. Made onsite at La Macelleria, you can watch your gelato churn, baby, churn before they dish up your flavour of choice – which is obviously pistachio, right? It’s legen-dairy.
Where: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters

Little Mermaid
There’s a lot to be said about infusing a space with tropical, feel-good vibes and Little Mermaid, on the highway, has done exactly that. Decked out with plenty of greenery, a laidback beachy feel, and tons of space for all your friends this is the place to be. The bar and restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the vibe is always pumping so it’s our go-to when you’re looking for a guaranteed good time. We can’t go past the classic beachy fit-out and epic cocktails, you know it’s good when the venue lasts the test of time like these guys have.
Where: 2557 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Mermaid Beach Surf Club
Have we every mentioned how Gold Coast surf clubs have the best views in town? Mermaid’s is no exception, with uninterrupted ocean views, delicious meals that will fill you right up, and of course, a sweet selection of drinks to sip on. It’s an amazing spot to watch the sun go down with the crew and always provides a quality atmosphere with a buzz of people – bonus if you manage to go home with a cheeky meat tray in tow.
Where: 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach

The Borrowed Nursery
Never before has a plant nursery gained such a cult-like following so quickly (or perhaps ever), it’s the Gold Coast’s go-to for a hint of (green) retail therapy. The Borrowed Nursery draws plant lovers and photographers in droves due to its ‘gramworthy aesthetics and bespoke greenery. Fusing in a mix of uber chic homewares, pots for said plants and more to make the ultimate gift for you or a loved one, there’s something for all – no green thumb required. The stunning space also hosts workshops and yoga classes amongst the leafy greens but if that’s not your jam at least pop in for some healthy retail therapy and an Insta-snap.
Where: 42-44 Cronulla Ave, Mermaid Beach

Easy Street Diner
Blink and you might miss this beauty along the Gold Coast Hwy, so keep your eye peeled! What these guys knock out of their kitchen will have you coming back time after time. Menu items such as Jalapeño Bites, Pickle Poppers and their infamous Pork Belly Nuggets are absolute crowd-pleasers. But who are we to take the shine off their fantastic lineup of burgers, Give us the Royale with Cheese all the way!
Where: 12/2563 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Soak Bathhouse
Did someone say R&R? The team at Soak Bathhouse have it down to an art, bringing the ultimate oasis for recovery and tranquillity, right in the heart of bustling Mermaid Beach. With magnesium pools, massage rooms, tradition and infared saunas, steam room spa and a cold plunge pool if you’re brave, pop in for an hour or stay for the day and really treat yourself – you’ve earned it.
Where: 2532 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

The Glenelg Public House
Serving up premium steak and boutique wine (among other delicious things), The Glenelg Public House is an absolute must-visit in Mermaid Beach and just generally on the Gold Coast. If for some reason you’re not into steak (it’s okay, we won’t tell anyone), everything on the menu is top-notch and they have a selection of some of the best seafood and sides we’ve ever sampled. If you’re partial to a solid serving of cheese then you must try to raclette with pear, fig relish and hazelnuts. Keen to try something a little different? The roast bone marrow with onion jam, mustard and toast is next level. Just. Trust. Us.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Bonita Bonita
Mexican eats at their absolute finest can be found at Bonita Bonita. One of the longest standing taco joints on the Coast, their Taco Thursdays are a favourite amongst the locals and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options should that be your thing. Right next door is Bon Bon Bar so head in there for a cheeky margi before sampling all of the epic eats on offer. Our marg of choice? Well the Mezcal Margarita of course.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.

If you’re a regular visitor to the abundant farmers markets we have around the Coast, you’ll know all about the great produce the leagues of green-fingered souls bring before us to enjoy. Plump fruit and vibrantly coloured vegetables galore. And if you’re the type of person to purposely go to these markets on an empty stomach in the hopes of grabbing a tasty bite, you may well have acquainted yourself with Cheese Me Baby.

Deliciously decadent cheese toasties on a whole other level. If you know, you know — and if you don’t, you should change that pronto. Now, you can taste their fare outside of the weekend markets as they’ve opened a fabulous street-side eatery within the bustling Mermaid Beach Village complex.

The small size venue comes across as the love child of a Basque country pintxos bar with an edgy inner-city bar you might find in Melbourne. Repurposed wood is used throughout with dark, dramatic feature walls and carefully selected European antiques, adding to the feel you’ve taken a step inside somewhere quite removed from Mermaid Beach. There’s a scattering of stools inside, but the ample-sized sitting space with added hanging plants outside is the perfect spot to enjoy what’s on offer.

The entire ethos behind the venue is to give customers surprising but straightforward food that is entirely local with beaming warmth behind every dish — that simple. Cheese is the mainstay with an array of toasties featuring delicious produce such as mixed mushrooms, slow-roasted pork belly whilst pairing up their signature 3 cheese blend toasty with a house-made tomato soup. Pixel Bakehouse is supplying the breads and cheeses are coming from as close by as Nimbin Valley and as far afield as Spain. Be assured if you’re a strong advocate of cheese; this may very well be your idea of heaven.

Tartines, or deconstructed sandwiches, will feature other exemplary flavours like scorched figs or fresh strawberries and toasted hazelnuts. Attention to detail is poured into every humble dish here at Cheese Me Baby. After all, their motto is we butter right to the edges. — Now ya talkin’.

For those who feel like coming down on the weekend and slowly grazing through the morning or afternoon, you’ll be smitten with their breakfast and cheese boards. Should the call of the beach be too strong to resist, then grabbing their picnic box with a plethora of mouth-watering small goods is also an option.

With regard to drinks, Social Espresso is poured from 6am most mornings right through until the early afternoon. For those deserving of something stronger, you’ll come across a tightly put together (from our new Nobby’s friends at Somm Wine) — but extremely pleasing — wine offering. With moniker styles like Prosecco, Provence rosé, and Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir — put simply, you’re spoilt for choice.

Having opened to a stampede of hungry and muchly satisfied customers last weekend, the venue has already settled into their Mermaid Beach Village spot quite comfortably. People are encouraged to come to chill on the grass out the front, or even park up your pushbike, while you and your friends mingle over toasties, cheese and wine!

Insider tip: do yourself a favour and watch out for further Sunday sessions and upcoming evening services.

On Saturday the 28th of August, the guys are throwing their official opening night with the talented Gold Coast tattooist/artist Daniel Pap, as he displays his latest and unseen collection. This homegrown creative will be hosted by This Is Art as they launch their exciting new Art Series. After studying fine art in Brisbane, Daniel has spent his time absorbed in his craft, which has given him his unique and removed style.

Local duo Buff Girls will be providing the soundtrack for the evening in the form of vinyl, and a fully licensed bar and limited menu will be available for the night. So do yourself a favour and clear your social calendar.

Where: The Pod, Mermaid Beach Village, 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Hours: 6am – 3pm, Tuesday — Sunday

Words by Alex Mitcheson.