Day Trip To Kingscliff and Markets, Northern New South Wales. Australia
Late decision we jumped out of bed early for a 90-minute drive south of the Brisbane, to Kingscliff which boasts all the natural beauty of the Gold Coast without the crowds. The beaches in this part of the world are pretty spectacular, with clean white sand and blue-green waves spanning as far as the eye can see.
Early Morning Photography Session Southport, Gold Coast. Australia
Waking up early and watching the sunrise is one of the most grounding and enjoyable ways to start the day. Sure, you’ve got to get up while it’s still dark and sacrifice a sleep-in, but it’s definitely worth the early start. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself and the world around you and see something naturally beautiful. If you’re a budding photographer, it’s also a great time to practice your skills.
Aren't we so lucky to live at the Brisbane?! This beautiful city of ours is such an awesome location half-way between the Sunshine and Gold Coast with great backdrops for landscape photography. Whether you’re into nature, greenery, urban settings or beaches, there’s a beautiful location that’s bound to compliment your branding. After rain and showers for the last couple of days, I risked the 3am drive down the M1 to capture sunrise at The Spit, Southport.
The Spit is hands down one of my favourite Gold Coast beaches to shoot at. Starting the day with your toes in the sand is pretty much ideal. Maritime landmark The Southport Spit isn’t just a favourite for local fishermen throwing in a line. There’s beautiful beach paths with greenery, there’s a rock wall, jetty, dunes with long grass and of course the beautiful ocean. But make your way to the permanent sand spit that separates Southport Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean at sunrise, and you’ll see one of the district’s best vistas. Budding photographers can’t afford to forget their camera; the jetty and its population of local fishing fans make excellent subject matter.
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I then quickly headed further down to Main Beach which is the most photogenic stretch of sand in the 57 kilometers of coastline running along the city of Gold Coast, though it’s much more than a pretty postcard. The beach itself contains many hidden delights and overlooked sights dotted up and down the Spit, such as the old bathing pavilion, Pavilion 34 which has been refitted as a casual beach cafe.
I then headed high on the hill at Currumbin, the type of impossible incline that induces lactic acid in even the most experienced athletes. At this hour, frilled lizards frolic up here, while down below in Currumbin Alley, surfers and paddlers squeeze for the early sun’s rays. I headed down to Currumbin’s Elephant Rock, home to the iconic annual Anzac Day dawn service and climbed the steep steps to capture a few shots
Day Trip To Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia.
Up
early we headed to the Sunshine Coast for breakfast at The Velo Project Café
which has our vote as one of the best cafes in Mooloolaba. The Velo Project was
on our wish list for a long time and we caught up with friends Stuart and Kate
for a long, lazy weekend brekkie.
Locals
may have a go at us for sharing this neighbourhood gem, but we live by the
“sharing is caring” motto, so regulars, if you’re reading, please don’t hate
us. Tucked in the residential area of Mooloolaba, you won’t come by this café
unless you hunt it down, which we highly recommend doing. Set in a converted
garage and decked out with retro furniture and knick knacks, this home-style
eatery is as far away from bland and sterile as you can get.
The
service is swift and super friendly, and as soon as we’re sitting, we’re
presented with menus, glued onto the pages within old encyclopedias, lemon
water, and our coffee orders taken. Poured and served within minutes, we get
the feeling that these guys know what it’s like to have a serious caffeine
habit that needs to be looked after. Quickly sipping on smooth, strong coffees,
we’re already becoming fast fans. If you can rip your eyes away from the
shelves adorned with vintage world globes, worn board games and teapots
sprouting greenery, you’ll be rewarded with a peek at the menu and a whiff of what’s
to come.
The Velo
Project focuses on supporting local farmers and local suppliers of produce and
in doing so the food and drinks they put in front of you are always guaranteed
to be the highest of quality; freshest they could find and sourced locally
rather than abroad. Between us we ordered the Bae Watch, served with local free
range bacon, fried eggs, baby spinach & house-made tomato chutney on a
toasted brioche bun and Ninja’s in Paris with cracked pepper, leek & pork
sausage, roasted field mushrooms, double smoked ham, fresh baby spinach,
house-made tomato chutney, toasted ciabatta & a poached egg.
There
is a dog menu. Isn’t that all that needs to be said? This café has a scrumptious
selection of human meals, but truly takes the dog biscuit with its pet friendly
menu. We order Shari a Poochy Chino which we lapped up with seconds.
The
Mooloolaba Collective Markets are in the same vicinity as The Velo Project, so
a good brekkie and then a relaxing outdoor shopping experience would surely not
go amiss. I would highly recommend this quirky out-of-the-way venue for its
top-notch service, creative decor and more-ish food delights.
DISCLAIMER: We went
to the Velo Project on our own free will and paid in full for our meals and
coffee. We think this place is a real gem and you should check it out for
yourself.
THE VELO PROJECT
19 Careela St, Mooloolaba
OPEN: Mon – Sun 7am – 3pm
PH: 07 5444 8693
After
breakfast we took a walk along the Mooloolaba Esplanade to bask in the sunshine
as Kim and Kate visited a wealth of retail outlets. Where else can you enjoy
such amazing seaside views while making holiday purchases from such an
extensive range?
First
Avenue in Mooloolaba has also emerged of late as an upmarket shopping precinct
of designer products from Australia and around the world. While the Sunshine
Coast may have the persistent reputation as a small coastal town, the local
fashion scene is close on the heels of our city neighbours.
We then
finished up at The Wharf Mooloolaba which offers a unique experience in one of
Queensland’s most beautiful settings. Overlooking the Mooloolah River, visitors
have the option to partake in various water-based activities, enjoy local produce
at their 15 different restaurants, cafes and bars, shop at unique fashion and
homewares boutiques like Meraki Thread Co, Bedouin Traders, Mikimi Resortwear
and Gingers Boutique or stroll around the boardwalk taking in the Marina and
river views.
The
Wharf precinct plays a big role in the area offering attractions such as SEA
LIFE Sunshine Coast, scuba diving, cruises, whale watching and fishing charters
for locals and visitors to the region, as well as some great dining and
entertainment options. If you are feeling a little more adventurous you can
hire jet skis, paddle boards, fishing boats or kayaks and explore the waterways
for yourself.
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About Us
Tony & Kim Outdoor Adventures
At Tony & Kim Outdoor Adventures, we share our passion for travel, exploration, and storytelling through authentic, experience–driven content. Based in Queensland, Australia, we document our journeys across the country and around the world — from scenic coastal drives and national parks to vibrant cities and international escapes.
Our mission is simple:
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We’re Tony and Kim, the travel duo behind the adventures, often accompanied by our loyal pup Shari. What began as a personal way to record our trips has grown into a dedicated space where we showcase destinations, highlight unique experiences, and provide practical insights for fellow travellers.
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