The ten day festival offers lots of elements relating to film. It aspires to show case many genre and pop culture movies, inspire film makers and give people insights to the nuances of making films.
So far I have gone over three days attending three totally different events.
On Friday I attended the Gold Coast Women in Film day and listened to upcoming producer and actor, Gracie Otto. It was a wonderful lunch that was inspiring. Bizaare at QT is one of my favorite lunch time buffets, the talks were good and the crowd better. Mingling and chatting to women in film, about the lack of female presence and influence in Australian Film was interesting, topical and made me more determined to get my documentary about Nepal off the ground sooner.
Grace Otto and me at The Gold Coast Women in Film Lunch
On Saturday I took my son to the Gold Coast Art Centre, where we went to a couple of workshops about film production. One on crowd funding, and the other on being a director for the first time. Good to hear from people who have been through the process and their pearls of wisdom.
And tonight was superb. The night is called SIPfest – multiple short movies shown on the beach in Surfers Paradise.
It was a spectacular night, warm and comfortable.
Well supervised by the police, not that they were needed, it was a really cool crowd, the audience were invited to vote for their favorite.
Tonight a short film called Upside Down Feeling won the awards.
I am looking forward to more. To find out what’s on check out the program here.
A special place hidden away in the Gold Coast Hinterland is OReilly’s.
Established in the early 1900s as a family homestead and place people could come to do bushwalks, the history remains very much a part of the land.
The old homestead still exists and host dinners, the reception, the discovery centre, the library (with books, a fireside and piano).
There is a lot to explore with bird feeding which delights kids as they come and sit on your head, arms, anywhere, very comfortably. I remember bringing my children here and them loving the bird experience.
There is also a birds of prey experience which runs every day at 1pm. The bird handlers and birds themselves are magnificent. Swooping from behind people in the crowd, eating and landing with incredible accuracy the show is worth seeing and it will leave you with a new perspective and adoration for the hunters of the skies.
From the main guest house there are a myriad of walks. The famous border walk which goes to Binna Burra is currently closed due to bush fires affecting Binna Burra in 2019. There are however many of other extensive walks, you just have to chose how long you want to walk for.
Waterfalls, creeks, rock formations there is a lot to see.
One hour, 2 hour, half day and full day walks are all easily to find and well signed.
For the shorter walks you can get away with sneakers but proper walking gear is a bonus for the longer walks.
The Tree Top Walk is a must for day trippers and is suitable for children and adults.
It is hard to describe the enormity and stillness in the rainforest. O’Reilly’s is in the Lamington National Part and is one of the oldest rainforests in Australia.
The forest is beautiful and soft with bright green leaves sprinkled amongst Australian natives and the fern undergrowth. When one looks up you can see elkhorns, stag horns and crows nests all growing juxtaposed to tree trunks and nestled in branches.
I love looking up in the rainforest and letting my eyes dance with birds, trees and leaves.
Birds and wildlife are prolific at O’Reilly’s and there are many of animal encounters offered throughout the day and a fantastic way to see Australian wildlife if you aren’t in Australia for long, or if you have children.
Oh and on the subject of kids, if the walks aren’t enough, the birds, there are also two pools, a spa (when covid restrictions are lifted), a kids club, a plane relic, documentaries to watch, and at night there are glow worms.
There are only a handful of options for eating. Guests can order their breakfast or eat in the cafe when it opens.
Lunch can be purchased at the cafe, or there are many picnic spots and you can BYO.
Dinner is only available to guests in the dining room.
Seeing as the drive is around 1hour45mins from the Gold Coast, it can be a long day, or if you stay a welcomed escape. It is only a thirty minute drive from the Gold Coast to Canungra but from there it is approximately an hour mainly due to the single lane, winding road. It can be scary for first timers so take it slowly.
There are a couple of styles of accommodation starting with a basic hotel room. Whilst the interiors are warm, they are pretty basic and small.
There are newer rooms for higher rates but not necessarily worth it if you are mainly here to walk and explore.
The newish villas are very nicely appointed but book out especially in school holidays. These are the best option if you have children as they can house a large family, including a large deck, BBQ facilities, bedrooms, kitchen etc.
I love O’Reilly’s and will continue to come here as long as I can and hopefully bringing my grandchildren and great grandchildren one day. It’s that sort of place.
You know when you hear mixed revues about a restaurant, rather than inspire it tends to make you pause to race there? This was my response to Balboa. A silly trap that I have fallen into before which only has lead to denial of a wonderful Italian restaurant boasting very good food.
The purpose built Balboa Italian situated on the Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach opened only a few years ago.
Sporting a healthy clientele and return customers because of their pizzas, (they look amazing), the pasta (apparently the gnocchi is to die for) and the al la carte.
I was super impressed by the table service which in a country like Australia is often lacking.
We order an Italian chardonnay – I’m not sure that is was a true chardonnay but a delicate light white, more like a chablis from France. Perfect for our meal.
Scallops for entree which were delicious, light and tasty.
The calamari salad also delicious and could be a meal in its own right. Light, tasty healthy.
For mains we share the lamb shoulder which is delicately served on a bed of puree, beans and tomatoes.
We accompany this with the house made potato chips and aolii and broccolini.
The cocktails are wonderful and my partner orders an old fashion which is served with the smoke trapped inside the glass.
I can highly recommend it. Service 5/5, food 5/5 overall 10/10.
Synonomous with healthy eating, beach side dining and long standing awards and reputation is Coolangatta’s Japanese favourite, OSushi.
Whilst this restaurant has a sushi train it is far from just a sushi joint. The place has an extensive hot menu too offering many styles of Japanese dining, including the popular poke bowls, udon noodle bowls, sashimi and other styles.
The layout is simple and welcoming. The happy bustling staff make your experience memorable as well as high quality food.
Position opposite the main beach at Coolangatta beside the Cooly pub it draws a diverse crowd. Lunch time vacay goers can stagger off the beach, and score a great snack. Night time diners can have a myriad of choice. Either dining at the sushi train or sitting outside with the sea breeze gently cooling the evening.
On this night we have kingfish cerviche. The fish is fresh and the tastes infuse well on my palette.
For mains we share a sashimi platter with comes with seaweed salad. I look sashimi and the salmon is buttery and fresh.
The best thing about this restaurant aside from the great food, friendly staff and ideal location, is that is serves a variety of alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices.
Opened us recently by the owners of the funky Mexican eatery, Bonita Bonita, is Mermaid Beach’s very own Poke Poke cafe.
The poke poke concept is one adopted from Hawaii. Big bowls, typically a shelled coconut, is filled with fresh salad delights with add-ons. Such as sushimi tuna, salmon, chicken, endamame, sea weed, nuts, seeds, condiments of all sorts.
It’s one of those places though where you find a favourite style and stick with it for life.
I found my fav poke on the first visit. It is called Tuna Me On. Sashimi grade tuna w soy & sesame, avocado, crispy shallots, pickled cabbage, edamame, onion & wasabi mayo on brown rice.
The variety of food is good. They even offer curries, vegetarian dishes and sides.
The side of endamame and pee dip with wonton crackers, was humongous and scrummy.
They are licensed as well, so a cheeky cocktail with lunch is very doable! My fav type of eatery…
Go to the beach down the road, have a swim or surf, slide back for a healthy feed and feel pumped and healthy.
There’s something very Ned Kelly about Binna Burra and the Gold Coast Hinterland.
I am always surprised more people don’t visit as it is so close to the coast and yet, offers a totally different perspective of Australiana. Green bush, misty fog, a cooler climate – it is actually like leaving Queensland for the day and entering into a southern alpine region and stepping back in time. Well so I play out in my mind.
Today I just wanted to escape the four walls of my office and clear my head around some work planning.
The drive up requires concentration as it does weave and swerve but once up the top of Beechmont Mountain Range the views are inspiring and the traffic light.
A few of the tracks are closed at the moment – still from the floods and land slides we had at the beginning of the year. You can check on what is open when you get up there or on the QLD National Parks website here.
I like the Cave walk but it is closed today – so I have to settle for the border walk and just turn around after I am satisfied my brain is clear!
Pademelons bounce around the bush, whip birds send their amazing “whip” sound into the air and trees with hundreds of years wisdom groan in unison. I really love the Aussie bush.
Today a koala perches in a tree – a friendly reminder that wild life still dominates the Australian Bush.
The Binna Burra Lodge is a beautiful place to relax. Upstairs is a loft – the library lounge, and I have done much work up there over the years.
The cafe is OK. Nothing special and most of the menu contains gluten which is a shame.
I have been going to Binna Burra for years and it used to thrive where as no days it is much quieter. The midweek crowd is the tourist bushwalker and the grey rinse brigade.
And me! I still love it and will continue to go.
When you go for a walk in the rain you have to check yourself for leeches and when it is dry ticks. And of course like any Aussie bush carry a stick in case of snakes… and don’t touch spiders and watch out for boobie traps! The last one was a joke.
The kids have taken themselves off to explore and I am happily reading up about this lovely property.
The sparkling white is a delight!
Months ago I purchased one of those 50% off on-line deals for lunch here. The expiry date for the voucher long came and went but the winery still obliged and honoured the voucher. Feeling very grateful and happy today is lovely.
They normally have a lunch time special; 2 courses for $35 or 3 courses for $45. Accompanying the specials menu (yummy soup, pork belly, and calamari for entree today, Chicken rolled in proscioto/parmesan , barramundi or vegetarian rissotto) and delicious desserts.
Surf Life Saving Clubs are an iconic landmark scattered around the Australian coast line.
In Queensland some of the best locations to eat over looking the surf are in surf clubs.
By far my favourite is Rainbow Bay Surf Club which over looks the infamous Snapper Rocks. Snapper, as it is known by locals, hosts the annual World Surf League Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro.
The QuickSilver Pro has been drawing the world’s best surfers for years, and my all time fav Kelly Slater carves up the waves only meters in front of you! Definitely worth going down to watch if you are around Late February, early March.
At other times of the year, it is still worth drifting down to the southern end of the Gold Coast to have lunch at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club.
The food at this surf club is OK. It’s a kin to a good counter meal. Most the surf clubs are similar. Rainbow does offer lunch time specials so for a reasonable price you can grab a beer and feed, or wine and feed overlooking one of Australia’s most amazing ocean views from which to eat above.
These are “clubs” but visitors are welcome. You will be asked to sign in on arrival or join, which is a nominal fee of around $5.
It’s a glorious winter’s day and it’s school holidays on the Gold Coast.
I’m up on Mt Tamborine which is about a 45 minute drive from central Gold Coast. There are a few ways to the summit and the ridge along the top is scattered with vineyards, restaurants, coffee houses, walks, a sky walk and the part where my daughter is going, Thunderbird park.
I drop her off to do the tree top challenge and I head off to a vineyard to do some work.
My friend owns Cedar Creek Wineries and their sparkling white is fantastic. Unfortunately they are booked out for lunch so I head next door to Mason Wineries.
I am pleasantly surprised!
Run by a worldly couple Dylan and Suraya, the vineyard has a happy feel.
I love trying new places and it turns out so do many other Gold Coasters.
The latest place to try on the glitz beach strip is Hideaway Kitchen & Bar in Broadbeach.
These photos are from my iphone so I will have to go back during the day and take my camera.
Friends at Hideaway Kitchen FUN!
Tonight is packed and it’s only the second week this new creation of Bine and Ex Nobby’s Arc owner has been open.
I recognise many of my favorite waitresses and bar tenders from around the coast and as expected the chef (ex Etsu) concocts amazing food bites.
The menu is extensive and delicious. I don’t think you can go wrong and it’s the place to lash out and be adventurous.
We try a variety of “street foods” which is the gist of the place.
The pork belly and lettuce cups at Hideaway Kitchen
We start with Beef Cheek Rendang done with coconut cream and Crispy Prawns with jalepeno salsa. Delicious and enough to wet our appetites. I want more.
I am a little overwhelmed with the menu to be honest and struggle to settle on one item so happily hand it over to my friends who have at least 2-3 things they all want to try.
Our tasters are followed by Pork Belly with apple and cabbage, served in lettuce cups and so much fun. I love getting down and dirty with food and having the sauces drip down my sleeve as I eat makes me feel alive and in love with food.
The Mooloolaba Prawns are delicious with Asian sauce and the boys fill up with a pad thai.
Lately I have become a big fan of cocktails . The Kama Sutra is devine. It’s a vodka, elderflower, lime concoction – elegant and not over the top.
The wine however takes the winning drink award tonight. It is a Tomich chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills and is served chilled to perfection.
Surrounding the incredible food action is a bustling vibe, loads of energy and movement. The restaurant does capture a “street” vibe. Clad with graffiti and funky umbrellas outside I feel like the Gold Coast is finally catching up with swankier and adventurous Asian districts like Hong Kong.
Oh and for some fun, have a drink on one of the bars funky swinging chairs. And I am sure you could pop in for a fun cocktail on your way to else where.
This is a definite place to book ahead as you won’t get a table.
