So we’re allowed to venture up to 150 kilometres away but we live on the Gold Coast so we already live in paradise. We’re also very keen for an adventure and to see something a little bit different than what we’ve been looking at for the past two months. What are we to do?

How about a little day trip (or spend the whole weekend if you wish) to Mount Tamborine? An absolutely stunning spot that’s only about 45 minutes away and offers more good times than you can probably jam into just one day honestly.

Let’s discuss. The drive itself is lovely and relaxing, winding up the mountain into the lush greenery and watching the city recede behind you. Once there, you’ll find yourself in a sweet little mountaintop village, surrounded by rainforest and on chillier days, with a low fog descending from above.

Now there are so many things to do once you get there, starting with tea and scones obviously. The Gallery Café has long been a favourite with an impressive array of teas (we’re quite partial to the Devonshire variety) plus of course, some warm, fluffy, freshly baked scones to kick things off. If it’s a bit on the nippy side up there, you can snuggle by the fireplace and not even venture outside.

You should though because you’re next stop is one of the many rainforest walks around the place including the Curtis Falls Walk (a fave) which yes has a waterfall at the end and is just a little 2km round trip. The Sandy Creek Circuit is also a beauty with views out over the Scenic Rim and also at a not-too-taxing 2.6km round trip.

Once you’ve sweated a bit, pop over to Lemon Lovers Gelato (across the road from the entrance to Curtis Falls) for a refreshing treat – they have over 20 flavours to choose from – and if you’re in a treat yo’self mood, Australian Outback Opals is right there filled with sparkly goodies too. How good are opals.

Right, so now you might like to wander up and down The Gallery Walk in the village, there are lots of quirky shops to peek into including fashion, jewellery, arts and crafts, produce, cellar door outlets, chocolate, fudge and cafes. All the best things.

One absolute must-visit is Granny Mac’s Famous Fudges because not only can you take home some of the yummiest fudge in the world, in pretty much any flavour you can think of, you can also stock up on an array of your favourite lollies (including some you forgot existed) for the trip home.

For a late lunch you need to head to Cedar Creek Estate where you can grab a picnic basket and set up on the lawn. For just $85, you’ll get an antipasto plate, a cheese plate, salads and warm dishes, muffins and chocolate and a basket and throw rug that you can take home. Enjoy all that while overlooking the stunning surrounds and that’s pretty much the most relaxing time there is.

Once you’re done there, head to Fortitude Brewing for some locally brewed, takeaway beers to enjoy once you get back home and right next door you’ll find Witches Chase Cheese who offer a huge variety of delicious goodness (including French and Italian flavours) you’ll absolutely want to stock up on. If wine is more your thing, pop over to Witches Falls Winery to grab a few bottles to take home.

Hopefully you went on a big enough stroll to not feel too full because that’s a lot of eating and drinking. Our fave. Finish the day off by watching one of the most magical sunsets you’ll ever see from Rotary Lookout. Perfection

Of course you can stay overnight on Mount Tamborine and find plenty more fun things to fill your time but well worth a day trip if that’s all you have.

Happy getting away from home for a bit.

Words by Kirra Smith

Every January the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) bestows upon us its much anticipated Chef Hat Awards, a discerning and definitive ranking of culinary excellence. Aka, the foodie holy grail. For hardcore dining devotees, it feels a lot like Christmas morning. Our very own cheat sheet to work our way, hungry caterpillar style, around the most esteemed and decorated local destinations.

Our Northern Rivers neighbours, in particular, are giving us plenty of reasons to pack our appetites and venture south for some serious nosh. Here are 11 of this year’s most road trip worthy restaurants.

Pipit
Founded by former Paper Daisy chef, Pipit owner Ben Devlin is no stranger to the art of crafting exquisite eats – nor has he pulled any punches when it comes to his first solo venture. And AGFG clearly agrees, with Pottsville’s Coronation Avenue darling taking out the coveted top spot among this year’s most noteworthy Northern Rivers Hat recipients.

Pipit’s superb score of 16/20 propels them to pole position on our day trip priority list and also, according to the AGFG, ‘ worth a detour’ designation.

Set aside a few hours and treat yourself to the revelatory set menu dining experience, a curated sequence of flavours, textures and ideas spanning over several hours, one which Ben likens to ‘a day trip around the Northern Rivers’ in and of itself.
Where: 8 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville

Rae’s Dining Room
Coming in second place with a score of 15 is Byron Bay institution, Raes on Wategos. Headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby, the restaurant serves modern Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence deemed ‘Quite Out of the Ordinary’ by AGFG- we wholeheartedly agree.

The chic, boutique retreat, an icon set amongst Byron’s idyllic beaches, delivers a fine dining experience in its Dining Room, headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby. A culinary showcase of the region, curated with Mediterranean influences, the menu offers Caviar service, 3-course a la carte and Tasting Menu options.

A word of warning, though – after tasting dishes like Australian Bay Lobster (bug), glazed in fermented chilli, hand-rolled fregola pasta, and the Lemon Meringue Bombe, served with lemon aspen sorbet and lemon myrtle semifreddo, you might just want to move in.
Where: 6 – 8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay

Tweed River House
Murwillumbah’s aptly named Tweed River House, perched just a stone’s throw from its banks, also scored a hat – earning a rating of 14 for its gastronomic bistro and bar experience. Shout out to master chef Dayron Perugorria.

The venue, housed in a spruced up, century-old colonial-style mansion – offers a panoramic river vantage flanked by wraparound verandas, and elevated eats to match.

The luxurious and immaculately appointed interiors alone make it worth filling your tank. Still, decadent dishes like Ratatouille made with confit eggplant, tomato consommé, roasted zucchini, condiment puree and tapenade and the Citrus Bavarois with lime & gin biscuit, orange gel, lemongrass powder and macadamia certainly sweeten the deal.
Where: 131 River St, South Murwillumbah

Bistro Livi
Another noshery deemed to be one of the best in the Northern Rivers Restaurant category is Murwillumbah’s Bistro Livi, scoring the prestigious hat accolade with its total of 14.

A short 30km trek from Cooly and one of the fresher faces among its culinary cohort – if you’re yet to be acquainted with Livi, it’s an easy one to tick off the list when you’re looking for a low effort adventure snap you out of the Sunday lazies (or scaries).

Tucked within the arts precinct of the tight-knit Murbah community – the European-inspired venue radiates romance with rustic textures and an inviting, intimate ambience, while Spanish influences inform the menu. It’s certainly not just the AGFG critics that this regional gem has succeeded in winning over… #swoon.
Where: 1A 1-3 Brisbane St, Murwillumbah

Frida’s Field
If long, lazy farm lunches are your vibe, Frida’s Field is a must. Set on 120 dreamy acres just outside Bangalow, this paddock-to-plate gem dishes up a seasonal feast that scored 13/20. Award-winning chef Alastair Waddell lets Northern Rivers produce shine with a modern Australian menu that changes every six weeks—think wood-fired meats, farm-fresh veggies and big, bold flavours.

With only three long lunches a week (Friday to Sunday), this is a slow-food experience in every sense—one sitting per service, plenty of time to sip, savor, and soak up the Byron hinterland views. Whether you go omnivore or veg, you’re in for a next-level spread that might just ruin you for regular dining forever.
Where: 76 Booyong Road, Nashua

The Hut Byron Bay
This Possum Creek gem scored 13, shocking absolutely no one who’s ever eaten there. Set in a literal old-school setting (the former OPossum Creek Public School), it pairs Southern European flavors with Byron hinterland charm.

Soak up garden views through airy white windows as you dive into fresh oysters or Burrata with grilled zucchini, bottarga, and pistachios. For mains, expect delights such as  Pappardelle al Ragù, beef and pork ragù, fresh radicchio and Parmigiano Reggiano and whole butterflied snapper with fish with tahini butter, fried capers and olive crumb.

Rustic, refined, and ridiculously good—this is one lesson in good taste you won’t want to skip.
Where: 471 Friday Hut Road, Possum Creek

Beach Byron Bay
With a score of 13 and front-row seats to Clarkes Beach, Beach Byron Bay is a local fave for good reason. Their seafood-focused, hyper-seasonal menu celebrates Northern Rivers produce and their wine list is equally well-curated.

Start with the Byron Bay ricotta, local figs, honey, almond, sourdough crackers before moving on to the Duck breast with hazelnut, muscat grape, and watercress. For dessert, don’t restrain yourself, there’s Mille Feuille with peach custard, lemon myrtle, and vanilla mousse to be had!
Where: Clarkes Beach, 2 Massinger Street, Byron Bay

Shelter
For a long, leisurely meal in a ridiculously scenic spot, Shelter is the move. with a score of 13, an award-winning wine list, and bi-fold windows framing 7 Mile Beach, it’s got everything going for it—top-tier food, service, and views.

From sunrise to sunset, they’re serving up seasonal, sustainable, and ethically sourced goodness. Kick off your morning with spiced falafel, whipped tahini, poached eggs, pomegranate, pistachio, herbs and roti or swing by later for gems like local sashimi, ginger, bonito vinegar, lemon oil, followed by 350g Rangers Valley porterhouse steak, black sesame and roasted miso emulsion. Don’t skip the smashed chat potatoes with togarashi mayo and paprika salt. Trust us.
Where: 41 Pacific Parade, Lennox Head

Paper Daisy
Halcyon House’s beloved Paper Daisy of course also earned itself a nod, with an honourable 14. The esteemed and elegant eatery, sitting pretty against Cabarita Beach’s stunning shores – is not just reserved for sandy-footed in-house guests.

We’re all invited to see what the fuss is about courtesy of the bar, open from 3pm, or for dinner. Led by Andrew Milford, the kitchen shoots for ‘sophisticated simplicity’, where you can expect to delight in inventive and delectable dishes like Local Hiramasa kingfish, cos, radish, pea, brown rice vinegar butter or Rangers Valley Wagyu flank MB5+, poblano pepper, potato confit, whey & mustard.

We’d recommend packing your appetite (and your towel, because, y’know, Caba #phwoar).
Where: 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach

Potager
Capitalising on Carool’s sweeping valley views, Potager – A Kitchen Garden has long been a favourite destination among locals and discerning visitors. The charming nosher is also somewhat of a teacher’s pet, earning a score of 13 for its Modern Australian style eats in this year’s Chef Hat Awards – along with a near-perfect 4.8 score on Google, might we add… and honestly, we’re not sure which is harder to pull off.

Set on a small 10-acre farm, the seasonal menu is informed by locally sourced produce, much of which is grown on the property. Dishes like the Byron Bay burrata served with charred summer stone fruit, basil, evoo and warm focaccia, are a testament to the community-minded culinary experience, while the Alabama apple pie made with apple and rosemary sorbet, Brookies Mac compote, and cinnamon Swiss meringue macadamia gets a mention, because #yum
Where: 502 Carool Rd, Carool

Bar Heather
Perched on Byron Bay’s Jonson Lane, Bar Heather transports its diners to the charm of Paris or New York – at least that’s what it feels like. They lead with an exquisite selection of natural wine, followed by an equally impressive menu, so clearly designed to torture and tantalise you into returning time and time again. It’s no surprise that they, too, were awarded a 13/20.
You must try their mahi mahi with green chilli and brown butter (oh my) and the burnt honey and cardamom ice cream sandwich (oh my, oh my).
Where: 139 Jonson Lane, Byron Bay

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Sunset has to be the best time of the day (some people we know say sunrise, but we wouldn’t know, ahem) — so sunset it is.

Now that spring has sprung, cue the Spotify sunset mix, we’re keen to start enjoying the balmy evenings and appreciate this gorgeous time of day. To get you all inspired, here’s a list of some of the best sunset-chasing adventures on the Gold Coast. Psst — there’s more to do at golden hour than snap the perfect pic (although you must also do that) #everythingiscontent.

Kick back at a rooftop bar
This one’s a no-brainer, but hear us out. Sure, it took the Gold Coast a minute to catch up to our southern pals in the rooftop bar game. Odd, right? Especially considering we’ve got the best weather in the country—no contest. But hey, better late than never! These days, we’re spoiled for choice with rooftop spots all over the Coast. So why not make up for lost time? Pick your favorite perch, grab a drink, and soak in that golden hour glow as the sun sets on another perfect day. We love The Exhibitionist Bar for its ever-evolving and always killer cocktail list or newbie Sandfire for a sophisticated (kids free) sip overlooking the North Burleigh headland.

Overlook the Gold Coast at Mt Tamborine
The Gold Coast hinterland is the perfect spot for a bit of sunset spying. When it comes to breathtaking views, Mt Tamborine offers a vantage point that’s unmatched. Perched high above the Gold Coast, you get a bird’s eye view of the glittering skyline below, framed by lush, green hinterland. As the sun dips towards the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas of fiery oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a magical glow. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely stroll along the scenic trails or just kicking back with a glass of local wine, Mt Tamborine is where you’ll find a slice of sunset paradise that’s truly worth the climb. Why not make a weekend of it and stay a night or two mixing waterfall fuelled adventures with some sunset action?

Get High (on views)
Take things to new heights—literally. Head to SkyPoint Observation Deck, to soak in 360-degree sunset views from the highest vantage point on the Coast. Alternatively, elevate your evening at Horizon Sky Dining, Queensland’s only revolving restaurant. As you rotate, enjoy stunning panoramic views paired with a delicious buffet and handcrafted drinks. These two spots are your best options for soaking in the full circle breathtaking scenery of a Gold Coast sunset

Take a picnic to Burleigh Point
Ah, the iconic Burleigh Hill. It’s a local love and visitors paradise. Having a picnic on this roll of green is an essential activity and must be enjoyed at sunset. Watch as the sky turns its pink hues, and the rays from the descending sun bounce off the glitzy Surfers Paradise towers in the distance. Sounds like a dream if you ask us. You may even spot a whale in passing (this is a known whale-watching location). BYO charcuterie set up (and wine!) or grab a takeaway pizza or fish & chips from one of the many epic options in Burleigh.

Sip frosty beers and bubbles at a surf club
Surf clubs are lifesavers, aren’t they? They’re conveniently located at your local beach, serve affordable drinks and eats, are thong-appropriate, and always know how to deliver a decent palmy. They almost feel like a hoax. Enjoy our opulent ocean-front views, and our savvy b is chilled and affordable. Score! It’s the most laidback Gold Coast-esque way to enjoy yourself a sunset.

Take a dip anywhere
We are spoilt for choice for this one! Take your sunset dip at any of our flawless beaches, creeks or canals, and you won’t go wrong. But what help would we be if we didn’t share a couple of our favourite (and patrolled) gems? Straight up, Kirra would have to be one of the most picturesque spots to take a dip while watching the sun go down. Currumbin and Nobby Beach would follow very closely behind.

Prep your schedules, friends, because another sunset is on its way.

Words by Chelsea Ipsen