{"id":1076,"date":"2020-12-09T15:14:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T05:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.wordpress.com\/?page_id=1076"},"modified":"2023-12-07T07:57:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T21:57:05","slug":"rugby-and-visiting-the-gold-coast-while-waiting-for-snow","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/rugby-and-visiting-the-gold-coast-while-waiting-for-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby and visiting the Gold Coast….while waiting for snow?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After 6 months of being \u2018locked down\u2019 within the Queensland borders and sailing in the Airlie Beach Race Week became a non event due to major rig failure, I needed a gulp of fresh air and a new focus.
Could a Rugby Test and a visit to the infamous \u201dGold Coast\u201d beaches do this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Let’s start here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Being a Kiwi who lives in Australia (many do) a grudge match between the All Blacks and the Wallaby’s\u2019 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium must be fun, testy and inevitably tough test rugby?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Busy train to Brisbane?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ready to rescue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I arrived in Brisbane by train from Nambour, after enjoying three days of \u2018beach life\u2019 on the Sunshine Coast. Dressed in black, (of course) and enjoyed my pre match dinner and drinks at the casual Sushi Edo restaurant in the Barracks Entertainment Precinct near the Suncorp Stadium.
With Caxton Street closed off, everyone walked to the Stadium en mass and the \u201cAussie Aussie Aussie\u201d gold and green human art was…perhaps, just a bit more prevalent than them in \u201cAll Black\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alexandra Headland at the Sunshine Coast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My pre booked seat was well located behind the goal posts and mid way up the stairway to heaven, or hell if you purchased the cheapest seats?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With some Covid 19 restrictions still in place (social distancing etc.) and no NZ. travellers, the stadium was about 60% full, and became very rowdy after the game exploded into an electric tussle between the two teams. Eventually, producing two RED cards followed by two YELLOW cards and both teams playing \u20182 men down\u2019 for a while at a FRANTIC pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, I was surrounded by Kiwi Black, and all the girls (and some guys) provided great rhythmic and raunchy dancing, and chanting every time the Boys in Black controlled the play. Drinking, Eating, Gesturing and more….it was FUN to be there and in the moment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two points isn\u2019t much. But on the night the Wallaby’s deserved their win and the crowd seemed content with the final score. Stunned, we eventually moved out of the stadium to see both barracker\u2019s camps happy and encouraging their ongoing rivalry and friendship with boisterous rugby chat and more beers in the balmy summer evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caxton Street then became \u201cparty central\u201d and I was lucky enough to squeeze onto the front of the grid at the stylish Gambaro Hotel to enjoy the human mayhem.
(and avoid the snake like queues to all the other post-event parties). Then the Pop was perky, the skirts short, and the stylish finger foods just yummy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After my tasteless \u201closer’s brekkie\u201d I caught a train from Brisbane Central to Helensville and connected with the Gold Coast light rail to my final destination Broardbeach South Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Front row at Broadbeach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWalk towards the beach, turn right (south), find the Kurrawa Surf Club and then look up\u201d said Sis? The stylish apartment tower was on the front row, with uninterrupted ocean views over the manicured foreshore park and about 200 metres from the rolling breakers. Nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The view over Broadbeach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cGOLD COAST\u201d is a sun worshippers beach paradise and waterway region edging on the Pacific Ocean (about 58 ks long). With squeaky silicon sand and a restless rolling surf break from the Gold Coast Seaway down to Rainbow Bay-Point Danger on the border of New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Surfers Paradise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are 21 different beach areas with the distinctive Red and Yellow flagged Surf Life Saving Club patrolled areas positioned daily and always subject to tides, rips and surf breaks etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Surfers Paradise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There is also an excellent Light Rail and local Buses plying the region day and night and most of the beaches can be joined by walking at the waters edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Main Beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course my travels are always \u201cGypsy\u201d with little focus nor logic but ensures the less obvious creates surprises of intrigue and opportunity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beach patrol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Main Beach fronts the schmick Southport Marina and is also close to the rather opulent and nouveau Palazzo Versace and the \u2018nearly interesting\u2019 Marina Mirage Mall and yacht charter hire. Main Beach streets are also where the popular Gold Coast V8 Motor Racing event is held, an ear shattering and spectacular crash n\u2019 bash three day event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kurrawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Surfers Paradise may have coined the original generic name but its large commercial centre and now somewhat corny shopping mall looks a little jaded, and definitely lacked a tourist throng and hustle and bustle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally I found the smaller but vibrant Broardbeach shopping Oasis and plazas more welcoming, stylish and certainly busier with the Queensland Only residents and locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Miami Beach- Burleigh Heads<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And the popular Kurrawa Surf Club fronting Broadbeach is the busiest Restaurant and Bar (with killer ocean views) and a vibrant All Day Cafe down stairs leading to the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jumping off the bus at Miami Beach- Burleigh Heads proved enlightening, (as I had secretly made an appointment to see \u201ca man about a car\u201d, unfortunately sold three days earlier…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway I found other great needs in life (not) including the original UGG Boot factory, the interesting \u2018beach style\u2019 Trader Trove furniture warehouse and a delicious breakfast and lunch restaurant \u201cThe Paddock Bakery\u201d with it\u2019s funky Horse Float coffee and take away bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the horse float take-away bar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was Brunch time and busy as, (on a Monday?) but they squeezed us in on the breezy patio to indulge. Starting with a refreshing Aperol Spritz and then Doughnut French Toast topped with Maple Bacon and finally a cold Corona for more classic car chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the Currumbin Surf Club on elephant rock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To finish the day off I researched the \u2018hot\u2019 new water sport Hydrofoiling- eFoiling at the Foil Centre in Christine Ave, Miami Beach. They are similar but shorter than a paddle board, battery powered and have a hand held blue tooth remote to operate the speed and functions of the deep fixed-leg propeller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch this Site for my learners review of E-Foiling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being based in Broardbeach was beaut. And each day I focused on a vague trip somewhere and always with my \u2018eyes wide open\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Welcome to Surf World.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Currumbin looked a good day out, with a popular Beach, Wild life Sanctuary and the Surf World Museum, but I missed the stop and ended up at Tugun Village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the 60’s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The early evolution.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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the jet board?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then walked the beach back to the iconic Currumbin Surf Club on Elephant Rock with… perhaps the best water view restaurant-cafe on the planet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being the original Sandy Surfer (a.k.1961 on \u2018popout\u2019 long boards in kiwi land) The World Surf Museum was an amazing experience for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kirra Beach, looking south.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The comprehensive displays are generationally grouped with historic and important Australian surf boards, personal memorabilia, classic photography and other beach stuff from the leading Australian riders of the evolving eras. Including my late 60\u2019s skiing buddy and ex World Champion surfer, Nat Young\u2019s contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WOW! This museum is a must for all surfing babes and Grom\u2019s of every generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the famous Rainbow Bay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It also deserves a more prominent and visual location on the Gold Coast to record all Australian beach culture, art, design, fashions and life style choices enjoyed in the \u2018down-under\u2019 Surfing and Beach evolution. (that\u2019s about 120+ years).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My final \u201cGoldie\u201d beach tour was south to the Coolangatta region near the International Gold Coast Airport. Here the important beach towers and safety flags flutter beyond the sand hills of Kirra Beach, Coolangatta Beach, and in the cute Rainbow Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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dine between the flags!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Including the famous Snapper Rocks surf break before Point Danger and the New South Wales boarder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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walking to Point Danger.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a pleasant walk up to Point Danger and the endless pacific view, to watch the surfers and spy the southern beaches past Tweed Heads towards Byron Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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spying the southern beaches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, I wandered back down the hill and arrived at cool n\u2019 casual MALI Coffee and Bakery in the Little Rainbow Bay precinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mali coffee and bakery. Little Rainbow Bay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Their fresh pastries, highly charged coffee and friendly service completed the day and are highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The \u201clast supper\u201d or \u201cthe best brunch\u201d is always a carefully orchestrated event and on this soiree of \u201cRugby and Gold Coast Beaches\u201d it was was at the Hare Krishna CARDAMOM POD Restaurant. Nestled beside the tranquil park and opposite the globally trendy and illuminated B R O A D B E A C H sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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enjoy as much as you need.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vegetarian, veganish, and refreshingly stylish and unpretentious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their popular evening \u2018eat as much as you need\u2019 menu is also an interesting catch and gave me the opportunity to enjoy small servings and a return plate to sample all the flavours of their four fresh and seasonal main dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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stylish and tasty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Including the brilliant Pasta n\u2019 Pesto Salad, Roasted Vegetable Mix, a Vegan Lasagne and the yummy Tofu Curry. Then add a grilled Potato n\u2019 Cheese slice, Kofta Balls (with Nepalese sauce) and aromatic Basmati Rice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the famous Cardamon Pod Restaurant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All Perfectly balanced with a decorative and deliciously fresh, made to order \u201cStrawberry Fields Smoothie\u201d….strawberry + mango + banana + protein powder + dates!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life is good on the Gold Coast and the ocean breeze (and air con) keep\u2019s it livable, and the many brochure promoted tourist activities are very accessible, if somewhat \u201cold school\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cake and Coffee?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Broardbeach is central and civilised, but my return pick is Burleigh Heads or Currumbin for Fun in the Sun and a more relaxed Flip-Flop, Slop-n\u2019-Slap and e Foiling good times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the pretty Gold Coast Light Rail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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Murray Sandman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After 6 months of being \u2018locked down\u2019 within the Queensland borders and sailing in the Airlie Beach Race Week became a non event due to major rig failure, I needed a gulp of fresh air and a new focus.Could a Rugby Test and a visit to the infamous \u201dGold Coast\u201d beaches do this? Being a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1076","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1076"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3712,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1076\/revisions\/3712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}