Sun and Sand in Southport (Gold Coast, Queensland)

On my second day in the Gold Coast, there was a buzz in the air. I would have to spend the day on my own because Girlie had to work. The plan was to take me to the central business district (CBD) which is Southport, just north of Surfer’s Paradise. Then I could explore. I was quite excited how I'd find the place, spend my first Australian dollar; meet the locals, and wrestle with the accents. There's so much to do. In this suburb, there are several beaches, a parkland, the waterways, Sea World and shopping malls, particularly the aptly named Australia Fair.

I was dropped off at the colorful children’s trampoline called "The Jumping Pillow" (left) then walked eastward to the coast. Compared to Surfer’s Paradise, the sand bar was narrower, and almost deserted, except for a few people running; a couple playing football, a grandfather taking his tots for a ride, etc.

The park had a variety of features that it was hard to get bored even when you’re alone. The ANZAC Park had a solitary statue of a soldier representing those who enlisted during the Great War of 1914 to 1919. Other features: a lagoon, a play area, The Spine, The Rockpools, a Visitor’s Centre, the Southport Pier, Urban Wetland, a Mangrove Walk and the Pandanus Point.

I was mesmerized by a sunny day cloaked under a blue, almost cloudless sky. But something enchanted me more. I sat by the foreshore facing west just gazing at a crane sweeping down the sky and into the Broadwater, scooping what my eyes couldn't see. The mechanics of nature was as appealing as any other man-made pleasures.

What’s curiously absent: little shops to buy drinks for when you’re sun-drenched and need to hydrate. Being Australia, there are no ambulant vendors here. If this were anywhere Asia, I’m sure there’d be touts selling la variety of stuff. The solution to this was just to head west, cross the road and go to the nearby mall.

A flower-filled garden called The Old Seawall Park carried an explanation about soil erosion that had subsequently moved the nearby sand bar by 4 kilometers north from its original 1918 site. Another of its interesting features was an ascending land mass called The Hill which we’ll feature separately on our next post. For now, this post will bask on the sun and the sand of Southport.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The beach has a great view of the Broadwater and Southport Spit.

Further north is Runaway Bay

Southport Spit has its share of high rise. The Spit divides the salty Broadwater from the Pacific.

Pandanus Palms

At Pandanus Point (above and below)

Southport Pier

When getting a tan looked painful...

Having fun with grandpa.

For the soldiers in the Great War of 1914.

The soldier at ANZAC Park. This photo only courtesy of wikipedia.

Going towards the shopping malls.

The Hill

Southport population: 28,500

Southport. The park we visited is located at the inland shores (right side of the photo) separated from The Spit by a bridge and the meandering Broadwater, a sea water that's part of the Pacific, but got caught within the sandbar. The open sea (left) is the Pacific.

Paradise Point's Park Grounds and the Perfect Fish and Chips - Queensland Visits

From Mount Tamborine, we headed towards the coast, crossing bridges until we reached Paradise Point. These Australians know how to pick out names. Of course I was waiting to be swept off my feet, but the suburb by the waters was more austere than its descriptive name.

Lying on the northern end of the Broadwater, with the Coomera River flowing lackadaisically, the suburb was breezy in the evening. Beautifully lit trees stood like proud taxonomic specimen.

Nearby were bridges linking Paradise Point to Sovereign Island's posh mansions and Ephraim Island's condo dwellings. Paradise Point is likewise an upscale residential suburb, although the surrounding park fronting the esplanade doesn't seem to indicate this.

We were there for dinner - and "Fish in the Park" was our shop of destination. I'm sure it was my request. I have missed England's Fish and Chips. We each had one, peppered with rock salt. London would spice their fish and chips with salt and vinegar, not rock salt aka "halite", the mineral form of sodium chloride or table salt. Why we're partaking mineral salt on our food is beyond me, but it sure added "zing" to our battered cod. And the serving of chips could feed a community in Burkina Faso.

The Esplanade is a row of shops with very few customers at sun down. Either that or we visited on the wrong night. Right across the shops is a nondescript park with lit trees, barbecue spots and picnic areas. That night, there was chill as though winter beckoned. But, in mid-November, summer was upon Australia.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Fish in the Park for that mouth watering Fish and Chips.

Fish and chips, lemon and a dash of rock salt at $13.50. That's PhP560 without the drink! Australia isn't cheap.

The Esplanade

The jetty . At the background is Ephraim island's residences.

The bridge to Ephraim Island.

They light their trees when many major roads aren't even lit in Manila. Go figure.

The jetty overlooking Sovereign Island (left) and Ephraim Island (right). This photo only care of Gert Stobbe's flickr.

The electric fan in my room. This design is seldom found in the Philippines. I think I've recently seen one in Cebu.

Mount Tamborine's Cool Scenic Rim - Queensland Visits

It was past 4 PM when we finally decided to get to Mount Tamborine, a quaint suburb of the Gold Coast Hinterland located 55 kilometers northwest from Burleigh Heads. The sun was starting to set and we were worried we wouldn't find anything open by the time we get there. But we braved it anyway. With an elevation of 1722.50 feet (525 meters) and a population of just under 1,200 in the heart of a 28 square kilometer plateau, I had an idea what to expect. Cool winds, rich foliage of pines and flowers, and vacation chalets on scenic drives. Winding roads and dense forest characterize the area. It's the perfect drive to listen music to. Less than an hour later, we were there.

True enough, many of the shops along Gallery Walk, the so-called "center of town", were closed and those still open were largely deserted. The activities around here center on the town's industry: wineries, vineyards, chocolate and candy production, dining and tourism.

I saw a shop selling "fudge", but I wasn't sure if this was the fudge that I know. In fact, there was a schedule for "fudging" pasted near a sidewalk. Farm visits could be arranged, but it was too late for one so we just took a walk by the roadside, checking out shops and restaurants.

With its cool climate, this should be a favorite retreat for sun-drenched Queenslanders. One of the shops that caught my attention was aptly named "Bygone Days" selling bric-a-brac and souvenir items. How poetic can you get. I half expected a shop selling tamborine, that percussion instrument with jingling bells, but the county's name wasn't derived from anything musical. It was aboriginal in origin. Another interesting find was a shop selling clocks - cuckoo and grandfather clocks, to be specific. There's a Glow-worm Cave nearby, but this necessitated a walk on a rain-forest. While the idea was inviting, we were out of time and it was late.

Flowers were abloom, but there was this familiar purplish flower dropping down from Jacaranda trees and found all over the county. With its sea of purples embracing the lanes, it was almost like stepping into a fairy tale scene. There wasn't much to do at the close of day so we decided to leave.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The road to Mount Tamborine

White picket fences and a wooden postal box constitute Australian "country".

Bygone Days

Mount Tamborine Vineyard and Winery (above and below).

Idyllic Vallard House in the heart of town. It's an art gallery, not a guesthouse as I originally thought.

Jacaranda tree and its purple flowers light the dimly lit skies.

Five-lobed blue corolla from a Jacaranda tree which seems endemic in Mount Tamborine. 

German Cuckoo Clock Nest (above and below)

A gorgeous postal box

Pansies

There's a cafe somewhere.

Whispers, a house of fashion.

Beware! You can only fudge during these times! ;)

This sign post gives you a clue how to spend a day in Mount Tamborine.

Chocolates and wines. What a combination.

A cup of coffee for $2.90 (P119).

Nel's On the Walk, a toy store and souvenir shop.

Chameleon Glass Art

Site map of Tamborine Mountain from the eastern coastline.