My family and I haven't holidayed together on the Gold Coast since I was a teenager. We'd make the annual pilgrimage north to Surfers Paradise, the quintessential Aussie beach holiday destination, passing the iconic Pink Poodle for a week in our beachside apartment. My childhood days were spent on the waterslide at Grundy's, playing at Magic Mountain and navigating the remote controlled boats at Pacific Fair. It was a simple life, an idyllic life, before the high-rises infiltrated the skyline casting shadows on the beach.
So it was a trip down memory lane this week when we descended on the Gold Coast, this time to Burleigh Heads where the true Gold Coast can still be found. With its beachside esplanade lined with Norfolk pines rather than high-rises, Burleigh retains its endless summer vibe.
Under the shade of the Norfolk pines we browse the Burleigh Markets, popping up on the last Sunday of the month from 8am-2.30pm. They're surprising low on kitsch and high on coastal style, farm fresh produce and sweet treats. Nearby James Street is filled with some notable gourmet providores including Golosi Food Emporium, James Street Deli and Burleigh Baker. We gather our goodies and check in to our seaside digs.
Bujerum Apartments is the ideal base to explore everything Burleigh has to offer. The boutique luxury complex has just 5 stylish apartments directly opposite Burleigh Beach. We stayed in a ground floor two-bedroom one-bathroom apartment, which is furnished in fresh, contemporary coastal cool décor. The bonus to the ground floor apartments are not having to navigate stairs but the drawbacks are anytime a van parked out front, they blocked your view.
When instant coffee just won't do, get your morning caffeine fix across the road at Nook Espresso. Literally a hole-in-the-wall spot with a couple of surfer dudes cheerily crammed in and turning out a superb daily brew. They seem to know everyone by name and I long to be a local too.
Everyone we encounter is cheery, chatty and interested to hear where we're from, which makes for a welcoming and super relaxed holiday vibe.
Brunching options are endless, but we opt for the charming converted Queenslander Paddock Bakery with the most retro sounding address – Hibiscus Haven, Miami! There's plenty of outdoor dining under the shady trees, surrounded by beautiful gardens to enjoy your spoils, which come served in little cardboard boxes giving the whole experience a casual, garden party feel.
With bellies full from brunch we head up to Broadbeach to the newly redeveloped Pacific Fair. The motorised boats are long gone and replaced with 'the resort' a haven of sun beds, shimmering water and relaxation pods; a respite from the incredible array of shops on offer, it's a fashionistas paradise! It's truly a destination in itself, with flagship stores to make even Melbournians envious.
Our family celebrations culminated in a late Sunday lunch at The Fish House. It's really a flawless dining experience, with professional waitstaff anticipating your every whim; exceptional food & wine and a million dollar view overlooking Burleigh. This fine dining experience comes at a price though and I'm somewhat shocked that the 300g whiting 'special' comes with a $66 price tag. Our Petuna Ocean Trout (pictured above) oven baked,soft herbs & macadamia is from the a la carte menu and more reasonably priced at $42.
It's not all fine dining in Burleigh, we head out to Justin Lane for midweek pizza and find it a bustling joint with noticeably good-looking staff. It looks as though it's grown a life of it's own, taking over several shopfronts, an old arcade and rooftop terrace drawn together with cool white interiors accented with brass lights and swinging bulbs and the unpretentious tagline of "eat, drink & be messy". The rooftop bar is a must-visit, with a great cocktail list and views overlooking Burleigh. Our 'love & lemons' cocktail was a perfectly balanced combination of vanilla vodka, limoncello and prosecco – the ideal sundowner for hot summer days.
As the sun sets on Burleigh, with the Surfers Paradise skyline glistening across the ocean I'm pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of Burleigh locals out walking along the foreshore, picnicking on the shoreline and generally taking full advantage of this incredible beachside suburb. They clearly understand what a gem they're blessed to live in and aren't taking it for granted. The secrets out, a holiday in Burleigh Heads is a nostalgic nod to the Gold Coast endless summer of the past with a cool, contemporary vibe that's all Burleigh.
Where to Stay:
Bujerum Apartments
26 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
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Image credit: IG @alluxia
