There are very few things in the world better than coffee but the experience of consuming the magical liquid can of course be enhanced.
How can it be better I hear you ask? Well, by the location at which you’re consuming it for one thing and drinking more than one cup at a time for another. And let’s be honest, coffee with a view of the beach or the bush should be mandatory when you’re living on the Gold Coast!

Black Dingo Cafe
Tucked beneath the iconic lighthouse, find Coolangatta’s latest lurking mere meters from where sand meets sea, overlooking Point Danger’s sweeping outlook. Creating a venue that ‘celebrates the beauty of the ocean and the joy of sharing it with loved ones’, there’s certainly more to Black Dingo than meets the tastebuds – though the allure of an especially tantalising all-day eats selection sure won’t hurt the cause in the slightest!
Where: 1 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta (Point Danger lighthouse)

Café Catalina
Found on the Broadwater up Southport way, Café Catalina overlooks well, the Broadwater and all the fancy yachts you can never afford. They also have tasty eats and you can take your doggo for a puppychino if that’s his/her thing.
Where: 10/11 Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Highway, Southport

Sandbar
Overlooking Surfers Paradise beach and with abundant people watching opportunities, Sandbar is the perfect spot for a coffee or two. In the last year, they’ve had quite the revamp so you can go from breaky to lunch and from coffee to cocktails.
Where: 52 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Custard Canteen
Custard Canteen delivers on epic coffee right by one of the Coast’s most beautiful beaches – Tallebudgera Creek. They’re pet friendly so you can take your pooch for a long walk on the beach post-caffeine fix and if you’re craving a sweet treat, you can’t go past their iconic Portuguese Tarts.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Dune Café
Watch the paddleboarders cruise by on Currumbin Creek at hidden paradise Dune Café. It’s nestled inside the park (which is epic by the way) and close to the dog beach and with delicious breakfasts and all the laidback vibes, it’s the perfect spot for a coffee or three.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Neptune Kiosk
Tallebudgera Creek’s resident coffee slinger, Neptune Kiosk – recently unveiled its cheery new spruce up to go with the impeccable vibes Talle’s idyllic inlet dishes up daily. Once again churning out Marvell Street coffee, croissants AND hot cinny donuts from its sunshine-y new facadem it’s a triumphant return of the oh-so-convenient caffeine and treat fix creek-goers have grown rather fond of.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Rafiki
It’s earned its status as an institution for good reason – locals can’t get enough of Rafiki. Pooch friendly, ripper coffee (and a cookie on the side, yes please) but it’s also home to their flavour bomb seasoning so you can take home a little taste of the good life.
Where: 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach

MADE
Fronting the corner of Musgrave & Miles St, the cosy 25-pax venue offers a mix of indoor and kerbside seating for Kirra’s peckish perambulators. Frequents whom the cafe gods are looking favourably down upon can either nab a table, or perch up at the bar and watch the world go by in front of the breezy bifold windows which span one wall.
Where: Corner of Musgrave & Miles St, Kirra

The Salt Mill
Home of the most ridiculous acai bowl selection, Salt Mill serves up some of the best coffees around while also being just a hop, skip and a jump from Currumbin Beach. It’s a little space with a whole lot of soul and it’s extremely loved by those who live close by and visitors from further suburbs.
Where: 784 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Tarte Beach House
One of the newer kids on the block, Tarte Beach House has brought the goods from Tarte Burleigh in the Creekside spot on Currumbin Alley. The same brew you know and love but with one of the best views on the Coast, why not pop off for a paddle board after before coming back for a cheeky refuel after – we can never say no to a strawberry muffin top.
Where: 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Kinship
Currumbin can’t stop delivering the goods with this beachfront beauty. You’ll find Kinship right by Currumbin SLSC pumping out coffees until 2pm, with the whole of Currumbin Beach at your feet it’s the perfect spot to take the fam and let the kids run loose.
Where: 766 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

The Galley Café, Boatworks
We’ll forgive you for missing this hidden gem, The Galley Café is the perfect spot for a brew for you Northern Gold Coasters. The marine inspired fit out is a hit for boaties and the kids love it too, bring the fam and keep watch as the yachts cruise through the river all day long.
Where: 1 Boatworks Drive, Coomera

26 & Sunny
Sip away on your coffee right on the beachfront at 26 & Sunny, nestled below The Langham it’s the perfect coffee pitstop for your early morning beach walk. They’ve also got epic eats if you’re craving a bite, bonus point for it being the ultimate spot to dog on the boardwalk watch if you’re sans furry friend.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Bumbles
If you haven’t been to Bumbles, then where have you been? Budds Beach has long been a locals secret but there’s good reason why Gold Coasters have been flocking to this hot spot for 10+ years. Get your coffee fix, some snacks and set up on the edge of Budds Beach for the ultimate start to the day. Yes please.
Where: 19 River Drive, Surfers Paradise

Flying Bean Café
If you’re looking for a different kind of view, Flying Bean Café is the place with sweeping views of the hinterland all the way through to the Gold Coast. Get at one with nature, good coffee and great views at this little gem of the Scenic Rim. Because how could you forget, the Gold Coast isn’t just about those beautiful beaches when we’ve got this lush hinterland at our doorstep.
Where: 1696 Beechmont Rd, Beechmont

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.

Homewares are equally the love of our lives and an unhealthy obsession we should probably nip in the bud. Won’t though, because pretty cushions are life and we’re home ALOT these days.

Not to mention the fact that the Gold Coast is home to an unfair amount of homewares stores filled with absolutely beautiful things we definitely need and will make us happy. You too? Thought so.

Here’s a list of ten local homewares stores to get in your life, next time a shopping spree is in order.

St Barts
From Mongolia to Morocco, Denmark to India and Asia to Africa, St Barts have travelled across the world collecting beautiful pieces designed to invoke a sense of wanderlust and adventure within the home. St Barts opened their Ferry Rd Markets store in May 2010 and expanded their empire to Burleigh in September 2019 (with the neat addition of Next Door Espresso attached) and since then, have delighted the good folks of the Gold Coast with their inspiring and perfectly on trend range. It’s a store you could spend the rest of your days gushing over (and spending up a storm in).
Where: The Brickworks, 107 Ferry Road, Southport and 24 Junction Road, West Burleigh

The Beach Furniture
Unique, handmade pieces in raw, natural colours, perfect for anyone who’s keen on the beautiful, laidback things in life is how we feel about The Beach Furniture’s collection of goodies. Unpolished wooden tables, whitewashed cabinets and consoles and an array of homewares in the prettiest of pastel shades are the perfect match for any home, particularly on the Gold Coast (lucky). No matter what you may need for your abode, you’ll find it at The Beach Furniture and it will be oh so beautiful.
Where: 48 Bundall Road, Bundall and 74 Kortum Drive, Burleigh 

Village Stores
One of the original and the best, Village Stores have been around for quite some time and it’s not hard to see why. Their collection of perfectly Pinterest-worthy pieces will make your space absolutely pop (and be the envy of all your friends). From furniture to photographs and everything in between, Village Stores offer an eclectic range of homewares including tribal-inspired pieces and stunning rattan pendant lights. Oh, and their rugs are some of the most beautiful around too.
Where: Shop 1/54 Bundall Road, Bundall

Three Balls Red
The ladies at Three Balls Red know what’s up when it comes to absolutely stunning homewares, you won’t find anywhere else. What began as a beautiful lighting and tile store in Bundall, not long ago became a homewares store stocking primarily local brands and we are absolutely obsessed. From linen bedding to award-winning leather chairs, art, rugs, cushion, everything, you will no doubt find at least 35 things you want for your home. If you’re not sure what you need, the gals are very knowledgeable so they can point you in the right direction. Don’t miss grabbing a coffee from next door coffee shop Roller Door Espresso!
Where: 2/85 Ashmore Rd, Bundall

Kira & Kira
A game changer to the Gold Coast homewares store game is Kira & Kira (so nice they named it twice) in Miami. The absolutely stunning store is a workshop and retail space dedicated to the design and development of furniture and interior pieces. Each piece is made with the highest quality materials and inspired by a mid-century modern aesthetic, celebrating functionality, clean lines and beautiful finishes. We absolutely love every single thing in there and would very much appreciate being stylish enough to include them all in our home. Please.
Where: Cnr Gold Coast Highway and Kratzman Avenue, Miami 

Trader Trove
Oh Moroccan-inspired homewares, how you have our hearts (and a lot of our money) with thanks, in no small part, to the impeccably styled space that is Trader Trove. With new and vintage wares, sourced both locally and from around the globe, it is the homewares store of our dreams and there is not a thing in there we would not love to own. Brightly coloured Turkish cushions are artfully placed next to Moroccan grass baskets and beside intricately woven rugs and it’s all absolute perfection.
Where: 22 Christine Avenue, Miami

Maison & Maison
A bohemian-inspired beauty you’ve no doubt wandered past in your travels around Burleigh, Maison & Maison is filled with an eclectic range of tapestry cushions, leather pouffes, carved buffalo skulls and throw rugs. The pieces here are also inspired by the beauty of the world and sure to ignite some wanderlust within your holiday-hungry soul. They want you to imagine meandering through the streets of Istanbul, with a cocktail in hand and tropical living on your mind. But in Burleigh. Don’t mind if we do.
Where: 53 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Emporium on James
Expect to find all the delightful things at Emporium on James. There’s beautiful wicker furniture, Mongolian sheepskin throws, hanging chairs, Maison Blanche candles and the loveliest gifts. All of which will definitely tickle your fancy. There’s also a pretzel shaped bottle opener that we simply must have. If quirky, unique pieces in natural colours and textures are your thing, Emporium on James is the one for you.
Where: 1/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads 

Gather Store
Gather is a beautiful little home goods and gallery store filled with thoughtfully curated goodies with a strong emphasis on raw, crafted and botanical. The gals are passionate about supporting local artisans and brands AND they even have a micro nursery with a hand-picked selection of indoor and patio plants. We absolutely LOVE the range of handmade ceramics on offer and may have quite the collection in our house already. It’s the perfect place to find an incredible gift for a loved one or, of course, to treat yo’self. Located next to Dust Temple, pop in for your art gallery fix too!
Where: Shop 1, 56 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin

Salt Living
Perfectly representative of the coastal life we know and love, Salt Living has been filling the homes of Gold Coasters since 2014. With a love of relaxed, beachside vibes and high quality, handmade and ethically produced pieces from around the world, the space itself is all white, shades of blue and golden accents and it’s as pretty as you could ever hope your house to be. The store also stocks some incredible artworks, slides from everyone’s (our) fave brand St. Agni and swimwear by local brand peony. So all the best things. Love this place.
Where: The Strand, 72 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Kirra Smith

There are many things we Gold Coasters are fond of. A new beachside eggs benny brunch spot. Bottomless long lunches. Farmers Markets. Finding the last park at Burleigh Hill on a Sunday. Heading out on the town in a brand new ‘fit #thanksitsnew.

We’re pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to local boutiques frilled to the brim with incredible Aussie designers and labels #luckyus. Plus, we get the added warm and fuzzy feels of supporting local small biz #winwin. So, we’ve rounded up 9 of our fave GC boutiques for your spending pleasure. We’re not sure what’s harder, narrowing this list down to just 9, or walking out of any of the below empty handed.

GIRLS ONLY

Halo & Grace
Creating a boutique that both appeals to and attracts women of all ages is quite the undertaking, but Halo & Grace have done just that. Nailing that sweet spot of timeless, luxe slow fashion from fancy trackside frocks through to your fave new farmers market ‘fit – their brand new, and downright stunning Mermaid digs are chock full of goodies for you and your abode.
Where: 43 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach

Homebodii
What could bring a better night’s sleep than your fave pjs? Perhaps knowing they were consciously created right here on the GC (oh, and the fact that they’re cute AF sure doesn’t hurt). Making their debut in 2012 with luxe bridal loungewear, and Homebodii has been keeping us chic, cute and cosy ever since, with their range quickly expanding to sleepwear, intimates and effortless basics. Weekend sleep ins never looked so good.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Shop 2708, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach

About a Girl
About a Girl boutique is all about YOU! They always have the cutest threads for every occasion AND if there’s anything you can’t find or a product or label you’re dying to get your hands on, let them know and they will try their best to track it down for you. Extra good.
Where: 2/2211-2215 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

The Freedom State
The Freedom State is a women’s clothing store that is inspired by bohemian creativity (because boho is life y’all) with a gypsy attitude of freedom. The team has carefully curated labels to offer a stunning selection of women’s fashion inspiring you to show off your very best self.
Where: Shop 12/50 James St, Burleigh Heads

Bird on a Wire
Bird on a Wire is set amongst the exceptional coffee shops on the Lower Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh. The chic boho boutique offers a diverse range of beautiful but affordable fashion and homewares and is the perfect stop after a swim and a coffee.
Where: 5/1840 Lower Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Emte
A must visit store in the Burleigh area, Emte Boutique was founded by a Gold Coast girl who felt that there was a gap to be filled for fashion jewellery and accessories that are cutting edge, stylish, on trend and affordable. We concur. And also spend a lot of dollars here.
Where: 3 James St, Burleigh Heads

White Bohemian
As the name suggests, White Bohemian is all about boho style. Clothing, accessories, bohemian inspired homewares and the very best gifts for the free spirited gypsy wanderer. Love all the things.
Where: 1160 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

BOYS ONLY

Alfred’s Apartment
While we’re still sad Alfred’s Diner is no more, the lads are still providing our local men with an ever growing range of curated fashion and accessories. Plus they do serve great coffee and Milkman’s cookies, so we mostly forgive them #beingbacktheburrito. Even the fussiest of men will love their limited-release tees.
Where: 2225 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

UNISEX

Sean Scott Boutique
A fave little boutique in James Street, the space showcases Sean Scott’s breathtaking photography as well as clothing and accessories for the fashion forward folks. You can also find one of the biggest displays of (local legends) Valley Eyewear sunnies here on the Coast.
Where: 21c James St, Burleigh Heads