It’s a time of year locals love; eating and drinking the very best of what the Gold Coast has to offer over a weekend free of judgement and filled with over-indulgence.

The Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival is on again with another jam-packed program showcasing a variety of restaurants, wineries, artists and food trucks from across the city.

Here are eight not-to-be-missed experiences to fill your days and stretch your stomachs.

Friday 2nd June

Local Flavour at Burleigh Brewing
Local flavour will combine three of the Gold Coast’s most loved elements – craft beer, street food trucks and live music from local artists – into one epic feast for the senses. There’ll also be brewery tours at set times throughout the day.
LOCATION: Burleigh Brewing, 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads
TIME: 3pm to 8pm
COST: Free

Live Art x Live Food
A night of interactive, experimental and exciting art including murals, live body art and street art all created to a soundtrack of the Gold Coast’s emerging musicians and all exploring the relationship between food and art. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of global flavours from night market stalls while exploring and engaging with artists.
LOCATION: NightQuarter, 1 Town Centre Drive, Helensvale
TIME: 4pm – 10pm
TICKETS: $3 entry to NightQuarter

7 Course Degustation
An impressive 7 course fine dining experience created by Sirromet’s Executive Chef Andrew Mirosch and Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman. Together they have put together a menu using the freshest local and seasonal produce matched perfectly with Sirromet’s award-winning wines.
LOCATION: Sirromet Winery, 850-938 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton
TIME: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
COST: $115 per person

Saturday 3rd June

Distillery Tastings
Tamborine Mountain Distillery is Australia’s most awarded distillery with more than 300 international awards. A boutique distillery hidden away in the Gold Coast hinterland they manufacture fine liqueurs, schnapps, vodka, eau de vie and liqueur chocolates, all of which you can wrap your tastebuds around as part of the festival.
LOCATION: 89 Beacon Rd, Tamborine Mountain
TIME: From 10am to 3pm
COST: $5 per tasting

The Long Table at Tamborine Mountain
Mt Tamborine is THE Gold Coast destination for foodies and wine lovers. At this event Witches Chase Cheese, Long Road Bistro, Fortitude Brewery and Heritage Wines are collaborating to celebrate the Hinterland’s unique produce. Dine at a long table with views of the cheese factory in full production while sampling award winning cheese, paté, terrines and cured meats, all paired with wine and craft beer tastings.
LOCATION: Witches Chase and Long Rd Bistro, 165-183 Long Road, Eagle Heights
TIME: From 12.30pm
COST: $55 per person

Taste of the Gold Coast – Food and Wine Tour
Experience a progressive dinner with a difference. Explore the sophistication and style reinventing the dining scene on the Gold Coast. The event will be a four-stop experience of canapés, food-making, local ingredients and wine tastings as well as a delicious five star desserts and cocktails.
LOCATION: Secret, confirmed with ticket purchase
TIME: 2pm to 7pm (approx.)
COST: $189 per person

Wine and Dining Degustation
Indulge in a stunning six course degustation at the beautifully appointed Balthazar Wine and Dining. Six courses will be perfectly matched with local and global wines, specifically selected by their expert sommelier.
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza, 2807 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
TIME: 6pm to 10pm
COST: $120 per person

Sunday 4th June

Picnic in the Park
Dine on local treats from your favourite Surfers Paradise restaurants delivered by UberEats. Pack your picnic blanket, listen to live music, share a bottle of wine and catch up with friends as the sun sets over the Gold Coast.
LOCATION: Lionel Perry Park, Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
TIME: 12pm to 8pm
COST: $2 entry

By Amy Merridan

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.

It’s been a long few months and although of course we are lucky to live in paradise, the escapism feels are real at this point in time.

Excitingly, we’re allowed to venture out of this city of ours from now on and even more excitingly, we don’t actually have to venture very far to experience something completely different from the norm.

And here are five ways to do exactly that.

Cruise around Springbrook National Park
Take a drive through Springbrook National Park for an ample fill of dreamy views, winding roads and fresh country air. If you head toward Purlingbrook Falls, at the top of Mt Cougal National Park, you’ll find Dancing Waters Café, the cutest little cottage overlooking the rainforest where you can enjoy a wholesome, healthy lunch or some cake and a steaming cup of coffee. The Purlingbrook Falls lookout is right next door for your token road trip snaps and if (read: when) you fall in love with the place stay overnight in the cosy cottage accommodation (there’s a claw foot bathtub for ultimate chill time).
Where: Dancing Waters Café, 33 Forestry Road, Springbrook

Soak up the serenity at Spiral Beach
Just past Duranbah Beach, Spiral is somewhat of a locals’ secret making it the perfect spot to enjoy some solitude. No matter the season, there is usually some sun to be had so pack up your umbrella, a good book and your best do-nothing vibes and prepare for sweet serenity. Spiral Beach is also the perfect place for snorkeling around these parts due to the abundance of colourful coral and magical marine life. Get in quick before the water gets too chilly.
Where: Around the Corner from D’bah Beach, near Coolangatta (see, secretive)

Mount a steed at Gold Coast Equestrian Centre
There’s something so peaceful about sitting atop a horse with the wind in your hair and a world of adventure at your fingertips. The Gold Coast Equestrian Centre is the perfect place to experience exactly that whether you’re a beginner or simply in need of an activity where all you have to do is sit back and be carted around. Located in Guanaba, just 15 minutes from Helensvale Shopping Centre, the property is 50 acres of beautiful bushland and offers trail rides along the river and an Olympic-sized dressage area for those who know what they’re doing.
Where: 212 Stewart Road, Guanaba

Have a beer at The Wallaby Hotel
The Wallaby Hotel in Mudgeeraba, is one of Queensland’s oldest and most rustic hotels. Heritage listed, it opened in 1884 and was a watering hole for both horses and patrons and became the centerpiece for the Mudgeeraba township. Today, it’s the perfect place to escape the city for an afternoon coldie, a spot of live music and delicious pub-style eats. Bonus; if you find you’re having too good a time to come home, you can always stay the night.
Where: 45 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba

Hike the Witches Chase Track at Mt Tamborine
For those with energy to spare after a long working week, the Witches Chase track is for you. It’s a moderately difficult track that’s about a two hour round trip. The track descends through rainforest to Witches Falls and continues along the cliff to Witches Chase, passing big, beautiful red cedar trees and through the eucalypt forest and of course, there’s plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for. You’ll be famished once you’ve made it back so pack a picnic or some BBQ supplies and put your feet up and relax for awhile before you head home.
Where: The Witches Chase Track starts from the picnic area on Main Western Road, Mt Tamborine

Words by Kirra Smith