Early Morning Roadtrip Gold Coast, Queensland. Australia

Australia has thousands of kilometers of road linking countless bucket-list destinations and every type of scenery you can imagine, and in Queensland there’s a roadie route to suit every traveler. We take plenty of road trips and over the years we have worked out that leaving home early morning best suits us. From the glistening coastline to the cool hinterland hills, to wine country and rolling countryside, we have had some epic adventures. It’s been on and off raining all week, but we took a chance it cleared overnight for a quick rundown to the Gold Coast. Clouds were hovering but it looked like gamble paid off.

Our first stop was the 5km long Southport Spit, relatively undeveloped for now, sandy isthmus starting at Main Beach and finishing at the seaway where Broadwater meets the Pacific Ocean. Home to Sea World, 5 Star Resorts and some of the Gold Coast's best dining and shopping the Seaway at The Spit has been voted as the best place to fish on the Gold Coast with anglers reeling in year round hauls of yellowtail, kingfish, whitehead and flathead. It's a pretty arduous place to fish with strong currents and rocky conditions. The Sand Pumping Jetty is another local favourite with the Summer and Spring being especially fruitful.

The Southport Spit is a Dog Beach, and is located on the very north-most tip of the Gold Coast. Dog lovers have a couple of options here; they can either hang out in a sizeable cove on the Broadwater, or they are welcome to roam the sands on the tip of Southport. This is one of the best dog beaches on the Gold Coast, so to help narrow things down, be on the lookout for Muriel Henchman Avenue. This is where the dog-friendly area begins.

Location: Muriel Henchman Dr. to Seaway Wall, Seaworld Dr., Southport

 Entrances: To reach the Broadwater, there are a few entrances, marked by car parks to the left off Seaworld Drive. For the beach, head down Seaworld drive almost to the end, and you’ll see a large car park on the right.

After Shari (our pup) had a good run and meet all the local dogs we headed to the sleepy banks of Budds Beach for Breakfast at Bumbles. This café is a gorgeous place for a quick breakfast and coffee and one of our favorites to drop into. The atmosphere is so friendly and inviting; you can't help but linger here. The breakfast menu offers classics (like Granola, corn cakes and bacon and eggs), something special (like Ricotta hot cakes and smoked ocean trout) and dishes for under twelve’s (pancakes, and bacon, eggs and toast). Many come to Bumbles for the range of delicious cakes and sweets, which are in the window to greet you as you walk in.

Bumbles Cafe, at 21 River Drive, Surfers Paradise, overlooks Budds Beach and has a distinctively coastal vibe with its bright and quirky decor.

From Breakfast we took the coastal road though Surfers Paradise onto Miami to Pizzey Park. Pizzey Park is an off leash dog park in Mermaid Waters and one of Shari’s (or pup) favourite places to run. Pizzey Park provides a welcome alternative to the dog friendly beaches on the coast. It is forested and has a freshwater lake along with a fenced in agility area for your dogs to enjoy. There is also a walking circuit around the lake where you can join your pup in their exercise.

Pizzey Park is located 24 Pizzey Dr, Mermaid Waters

Just around the corner we dropped into Ambarella Fine Foods. This enclave of gourmand food and drinks ensures an authentic paddock to plate experience with every visit. This place blew us always when we found it by accident. While down the coast before we head home we sometimes drop in and spent a pleasant time browsing the butcher, deli, fishmonger plus poking around the gourmet groceries. Shopping at Ambarella feels like you are shopping at the Gold Coast markets, except this market-style supermarket is all under one roof.

Ambarella Fine Foods is located 1 Santa Maria Court, Burleigh Waters

Tony and Kim Outdoor Adventures acknowledge and pay respects to the people of the Yugambeh language region of the Gold Coast and all their descendants both past and present. We also acknowledge the many Aboriginal people from other regions as well as Torres Strait and South Sea Islander people who now live in the local area and have made an important contribution to the community.

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Quick Dip Moffat Beach Sunshine Coast. 

Queensland Australia.

Early morning we headed to one of the lesser-known beachfront destinations on the Sunshine Coast, Moffat Beach. Moffat Beach is a distinct vibe that differentiates it from its more famous neighbours like Kings Beach and Dicky Beach.

Leaving the driveway we witnessed nature's morning show first with hints of orange that creep across the sky and develop into a riot of deepest oranges and reds. Getting out of bed early rewards you with a sunrise that lasts but a few minutes. But its beauty can burn in our hearts eternally.

While long popular among locals and beachgoers Moffat Beach has remained a hidden gem off the tourist trail but offers an excellent array safe swimming and plenty of peace and quiet.

Peaceful and serene with shade provided courtesy of the pine and pandanus trees that line the shore, breezy Moffat is one of the Sunshine Coast’s top picnic spots. Picnic shelters and barbecues are available at Eleanor Shipley Memorial Park which provides ocean views over the beach.

The sunny weather on the dog friendly Sunshine Coast is a continuous invitation to adventure outside with your four-legged friend. The Sunshine Coast beaches stretch for over 60km giving dog owners plenty of options for a day out down the beach. Moffat Beach Off-leash access is between 4pm and 8am each day between Lower Neil Street at Dicky Beach (beach access 269) and south to Russell Street where it connects with Shelly Beach.

Our pup (Shari) loves the beach, because it's a new place to explore and run around. Oh the joy of romping on a sandy beach, splashing in the surf, wind blowing in your hair, dogs love the beach. If your pup is one of them, you certainly want to give him the opportunity. Besides, you can have a lot of fun, too.

We walked up to Moffs Café Bar for breakfast and were so impressed. Moffs Café Bar is an amazing new restaurant in Moffat and provides a classic contemporary styled venue serving fresh modern Australian and Mediterranean cuisine. Moffs Café Bar is located along the casual row of bars, cafes and restaurants that line Seaview Terrace with views overlooking Moffat Beach. We sat outside in the alfresco dog friendly area and ordered the Moffs breakfast.  The display cabinet is full of delicious treats and the venue has a strong focus on locally supplied ingredients and beverages served by friendly staffs who are excited to make your dining experience the best it can be.

If you want some top nosh there’s no place nicer than some of the Coast’s southern charmers to get your mouth watering. Also on Seaview Terrace check out:

The Pocket Espresso Bar

The Pocket Espresso Bar is a local favourite that overlooks Moffat Beach and provides some of the tastiest breakfasts in Caloundra. Make sure to pencil The Pocket in for your next weekend breakfast. It has laid-back vibes and stylish décor, with picturesque courtyard featuring local artists’ murals and tropical plants.

At Moffat Beach Brewing Co

At Moffat Beach Brewing Co they have the finest ever-changing menu, championing fresh local produce on the Sunshine Coast, and in fact some of the most highly-awarded beer in Australia. From perennial favourites to seasonal releases, their beers are inspired by the people and places of the Sunshine Coast.

Tony and Kim Outdoor Adventures acknowledges the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples as the traditional custodians of the Sunshine Coast, and wishes to pay respect to their Elders past and present.