Harry Potter and the 3D Surcharge

Recently, Blake went away on a work conference and when he came home, he had one gift for me for each day he'd been gone. One of those gifts was two vouchers for Gold Class cinema and this weekend, we redeemed them for a session of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 3D.

To begin our movie ticket booking, I first went to the website to check the session times and see if the vouchers could be redeemed online. It turned out you could redeem online but it was going to incur a $12 booking fee! No way! That is ridiculous! So we decided to just chance it, afterall, we were going to a 10.40am session on a Monday - surely it won't be full. When we arrived at the ticket counter with our vouchers, the guy behind the desk advised that there was a $3 per person surcharge to see Harry Potter in 3D. My jaw dropped. Sure, it's only a couple of bucks but I couldn't see why such a thing should apply. When asked why the surcharge existed, he advised that, "It costs the cinemas more money to screen a 3D movie so we charge customers extra." So you pay to redeem online and then when you get there you have to pay a surcharge for 3D anyway... madness!

Now for anyone who knows me, you'd know it's an effort to get me in the front door of a cinema anyway - it's not my favourite thing to do - this just made it all the more painful. In a world of illegal downloading, economic crisis and home cinemas, you would have thought the commercial movie theatres would be jumping over a barrel to get you in to see their latest flicks - in particular those in 3D that they are flogging on the telly. But that's their plan you see, you can't do 3D at home so they slug you with a surcharge.

We both loved the film, but having two disappointing booking experiences (three if you count having to pay for the 3D glasses as well) our date left a rather goblin piss-like taste in our mouths.

Verdict: LEAVE (you won't see me inside Event Cinemas ever again!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was great though!

Mount MasterChef

If you're anything like me and have been watching MasterChef Australia purely for the cooking techniques and are not interested in the drama that goes with it, then you can imagine how excited I was when I embarked on a master class of my own with a group of friends on the weekend, at the Tamborine Cooking School in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

We spent the perfect afternoon, slicing, mixing, segmenting, ravioli making and of course relaxing in qualified French chef Terri's gourmet kitchen as she shared with us her tricks of the trade in vegetarian Italian cuisine. Unlike other cooking classes in commercial kitchens, the homely, country-style property set overlooking the valley from picturesque Mount Tamborine made this lesson even more special, and allowed us to enjoy the tasting part with a glass of wine and great conversation.

One thing Terri taught us, that I have been waiting three years to see unfold on the telly, is the best way to finely chop an onion. As a self-confessed 'home cook' I tend to do things my way, or as best I can, but actually learning how to achieve this basic skill has changed my life forever! The food we prepared was delicious and matched to Witches Falls wines – another local treasure on the mountain. The stand outs for me were a cheeseless risotto (having been witness to greyish-blue goo in the past, this was a nifty trick), artichoke and olive tapenade (sans achovy equals yum) and for the first time in almost a decade, I took the plunge and tasted mushroom again, purely out of curiosity to sample our honey, rosemary and ricotta-stuffed funghi. And to polish off, homemade tiramisu! What's not to love?

Verdict: Amore!

Tamborine Cooking School. 690 Main Western Road (South), Mount Tamborine.

Bewatched by whales

There are many places one can watch whales in the wild – from the shoreline, lookout or lighthouse, but the only true way to witness these majestic wonders of the ocean is to let them watch you, waving your arms furiously from aboard a charter boat at Hervey Bay. Curious by nature, the humpbacks that migrate south down the coast of Queensland each year from July to November, put on a spectacular show, well aware of their appreciative audience.


Blake and I took Friday off work and moseyed up to Hervey Bay, taking in lunch on the Sunshine Coast along the way. Hervey Bay isn't that far away from Brisbane, really. A generous 3.5 hours, but the journey does feel like a long haul unless you find something to amuse yourself – like spotting familiar childhood landmarks and cursing the ridiculous highway speed zones (unfortunately there's no Gympie bypass yet) and so we made it in casual fashion and didn't mind the drive.

Early Saturday morning we boarded our whale watching catamaran and set course for the humpbacks' hang out. It's a beautiful sail out, along the coast of Fraser Island – the world's largest sand island spanning a distance equal to the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast. We even spotted a dingo on the beach, drinking from a freshwater stream.

At first I thought this was going to be a day of whale waiting rather than watching, as an hour and a half had passed and still not a marine mammal in sight. I convinced myself to remain patient – everyone knows what it's like when you're working with kids and animals! The anticipation of expecting something to launch out of the calm, blue waters is suspenseful yet frustrating. Will this be the one time there are no whales? After taking up multiple positions on the many decks of the cruise boat, my patience paid off and a pod of active humpbacks was located nearby and we floated over to check them out. What came next was just short of exhilarating, as the gentle waves of the protected bay were broken with an almighty breach of an adult male humpback. The whales had seen us and were keen to get a closer look, swimming over to the boat, within 2 metres of the vessel. Hearing stories from people who have been whale watching before, I was in awe of the performance these creatures were giving us, having never imagined we'd be able to get so close to these amazing beasts! The stand out feature of the whales in Hervey Bay is that they rest, play and engage with their watchers unlike anywhere else in the world.

We spent the afternoon at the Hervey Bay Whale Festival – a celebration to mark the opening of the whale season. It was a wonderful community event with stalls, rides, showbags and loads of activities such as candle making, tie dying, knot tying and painting – perfect for families with little ones.



Once the sun had set, the Esplanade was lined with people on either side for the Lantern Parade. We stood at a local pub as bagpipe and drum bands, dancers and floats decorated by community organsiations and local businesses marched by, all getting into the spirit of the pending flurry of tourists about to hit their town. Then it was off to Enzo's by the beach for canapes and wine whilst watching the fireworks.

NEED TO KNOW

SNUG – Alexander Lakeside B&B
Nestled in a quiet suburban location, a short walk from the beach and nearby cafes and shops is Alexander Lakeside B&B, our resting place for the weekend. We were warmly greeted by owner Sharon Lagan who introduced us to the local area and the local turtles and birdlife that reside in the freshwater lake at the rear of the property. The room was comfortable and inviting, self contained and peaceful – the perfect relaxation spot for a weekend packed full of action.

FEED – Coast
Newly opened restaurant Coast serves a traditional English-style home cooked menu with seaside influences and fresh ideas. We shared the Bourbon-glazed beef ribs main &ndash the meat just falling off the bone and melting in the mouth. The atmosphere is gorgeous, service exemplary and food divine. My favourite was the grilled prawns topped with cannellini beans, pancetta and watercress. A must if you go to Hervey Bay!

LOVE – Tasman Venture whale tours
What's so special about whale watching in Hervey Bay is the attention to detail the operators give to the experience. The on-board commentary by the crew of Tasman Venture was excellent. They provided great information on the whales, their history in the area and we even listened to some whalesong. Plus, a free DVD to take home – everyone loves a parting gift!

LEAVE
Whilst we encountered very few negatives during our weekend, neither Blake or I were thrilled with Pavilion Restaurant. The menu appealed to us greatly, and two bottles of pinot gris we drank kept us in good spirit, but both our mains (lamb cutlets and pork belly) were over-cooked.

Verdict: Love to go back again later in the season to see the larger whales and mothers with calves pass through and also explore more of the Fraser Coast, including Fraser and Lady Elliot islands.

Alexander Lakeside B&B. 29 Lido Parade, Urangan.
Tasman Venture.
Coast Restaurant & Bar. 469 Esplanade, Hervey Bay.

Meal mirage

No, I'm not seeing things... that is an eye fillet the size of my fist with a mountain of seafood piled on top! That was my first instinct when my main meal cam to the table at Saks Restaurant. After the initial shock of my duck spring rolls, three of them the size of kranskies, I had hoped for a more modest main – to the contrary.

Everyone's meal was quite large and there's plenty to eat, however, the dining experience would be much nicer if the portion sizes were a bit smaller and the cost a little cheaper.

If you're looking for a quiet, intimate evening out then Sak's is not for you. It is clearly designed for open spaces, overlooking the marina with large glass doors that, in summer, most likely open out to allow the sea breeze permeate the dining area. We however went in winter and the restaurant was quite noisy and busy. Service wasn't that great either. We waited about 20 minutes once seated just to get a wine list.

The Sak's Special (my eye fillet main) was topped with a Moreton Bay bug, barbeque prawns and seared scallops. Sounds to die for in theory however it was way too much food, the seafood was a little over-cooked and the steak needed seasoning. The wine list was also not as breathtaking as it could be and there's a certain disconnect between cuisine and the wines.

I'm not sure if it happens every Saturday night, but at 9pm, the upper level turned into a nightclub. Definitely won't need to go there again, unless I'm really hungry and get a pay rise!

Verdict: Leave

Saks Restaurant and Bar. Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach.

An Australian pilgrimage

Since my last post I've decided to introduce a new concept for my travel blogs: Snug, Feed, Love, Leave – which I'll include at the end of each post for those who want to get a quick snapshot of where I stayed, where I ate, what I loved and what I'd leave out. And there is no better place to start than my recent trip to Australia's red centre – a true bullseye, Uluru should be on every Australian's must-do list!


Arriving at Ayers Rock airport, I could see Uluru as I stepped off the plane and instantly felt a strange but wonderful feeling: a strong connection to our culture and overwhelming, emotional pride. You'll read from this article that I've never felt this way about anywhere I've been in Australia. We took the self-drive option and hired a car which I think works best to see everything at your own pace and spend time learning about the cultural significance of this place and be swept away by the sheer beauty and tranquility of the Western Desert – the traditional land of Anangu. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are recognised by their UNESCO listing as a World Heritage area for both their cultural and natural values. And is the home of Anangu, the world's oldest living culture in existence.

We spent three days, based at Yulara, and were able to see everything at a moderate pace, though an extra day would allow more time to experience all the walks and join a tour. Without giving too much away, the honest value in a visit here is to experience the significance of our national indigenous culture alive at a uniquely spiritual place.

A visit to the Cultural Centre within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was first on our list. There's loads of information on how best to tackle exploring the park and also on where to find stories about its meaning to Anangu and how to respect the land. Here we saw members of the local Aboriginal community painting, preparing bush foods and making spears. There are four main businesses within the Cultural Centre including two art galleries and place to get something to eat and drink.

Head out at dawn and watch the sunrise on Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the newly opened viewing area at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku. This experience was truly breathtaking! There are also two walks you can do from here – Watiku (men's walk) and Minymaku (women's walk) offering stunning views from every angle.

Take a short stroll along the Kuniya walk and see caves containing rock art by Anangu ancestors and the still, calmness of the crystal clear Mutitjulu waterhole, a place of cultural significance and home of a wanampi, a legendary water snake, known to most non-indigenous Australians as 'The Rainbow Serpent'. This was so beautiful and really got us thirsty for more seeing such wonders at the base of Uluru.

Drive to Kata Tjuta (many heads) about 50 kilometres from Uluru and venture on the Valley of the Winds Walk to witness an amazing vista of these impressive rock formations and boulders, an important sacred men's site. A highlight of the day was the walk through Walpa Gorge down to an eerily silent creek bed with lush green plants, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world, capped off by a magical sunset, watching the rocks' colours change before your eyes and the Earth's shadow rising up behind them.

NEED TO KNOW

SNUG – Sails in the Desert
We stayed at this 5-star hotel but accommodation options are plenty to suit your budget. Staying here was not really worth the money since we spent most of our time in the national park and I'd have preferred the rustic charm of the Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge or a cabin in the camping area, and had some extra cash to join an Anangu Tour. Service at the hotel was also fairly ordinary. If you're wanting all the luxury trimmings of overly priced dining, swimming pool and spa treatments, then it's your only option. But we agreed it wasn't overly impressive.

FEED – Sounds of Silence
This multi award-winning tourism concept is an absolute must during your stay at Ayers Rock Resort. Drive by coach to a remote site and watch the sunset on Uluru whilst sipping wine and nibbling canapes on the lookout before walking down a winding trail to a secluded outdoor dining area under the evening desert sky. Enjoy a full buffet dinner and all beers and wine are included. We were joined at our table by Sydney-siders Ned and Sana who we met at the viewing area and had such a fantastic evening with them, accompanied by creation story-telling, songs and a guide to some of Australia's brightest stars. I was completely blown away by seeing Saturn through a telescope!

LOVE – Mala Walk
We joined Ranger Vince for a guided walking tour of some of the important Anangu sites along the base of Uluru. We saw more cave paintings, carbon-dated as being used 25,000 years ago for educating the boys about Tjukurpa – the foundation of Anangu culture, its laws and creation stories. Along this trail are also the areas used for kitchens, Katju Gorge and Warayuki, a sacred site for women. It's a free tour and well-worth it for getting an insight into Uluru and Anangu culture. After the walk you can continue on a circuit around Uluru which takes about 2 hours.

LEAVE
There's not much I can say that is bad about this place but there are some subtle things to look out for.
Shopping
When buying souvenirs check to see if they are unique as many items give sale revenue back to the artist whilst others are literally cheap 'Made in China' knock-offs. There are gift shops in most locations, prices vary a little within the resort but I found it cheaper to buy from the Cultural Centre.
Climbing the rock
It speaks for itself, but Anangu ask that you don't climb Uluru out of recognition of its significance to their culture. It is not Anangu way to forbid anyone from climbing Uluru, they want us to figure it our for ourselves, but as a guest on their land they ask that you respect their wishes and don't risk your life to climb Uluru. No guides are permitted to take you up or enter the climbing site and there are severe danger warnings about the climb. Sadly, after Japanese tourists, the next demographic most likely to climb Uluru are white Australian males.
Dining
Skip the 'fancy' restaurants in the hotels for dining &nash; they're not worth it. Winkiku is quite expensive. We dined at Kuniya Restaurant which was fine and probably the best in terms of quality and value. The resort has an IGA where you can buy groceries to prepare your own meals, however Sails in the Desert doesn't have microwaves or a kitchenette in the room but the other sites have self-contained facilities or communal kitchens.
Tours
There are several tour companies that operate within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, however, I'd opt for an authentic experience with Anangu Tours, an internationally award-winning company and an Australian Tourism Hall of Famer. Plus, they have Aboriginal guides and all profits go back into the community.

Verdict: Love to bits and am itching to learn more about the amazing Western Desert landscape and people on a return visit.

For hotel and Sounds of Silence bookings:
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. www.voyages.com.au
For tours and cultural information:
Anangu Tours. ananguwaai.com.au

See it all

When you think of the Gold Coast, your memory scans its banks for images of busty meter maids, bronze-bodied surfers with rippling muscles, schoolies week trash parties and that iconic coastal skyline we often see on tv in B-grade films and cheesy commercials, but one thing you don't recall is the surrounding attractions, waterways and bays, and lavish inland suburban hubs. So for a different perspective of the popular beach holiday destination, shoot 230 metres above ground to the observation deck at SkyPoint.

Whilst it's not the tallest building in the world, it is the only place in Australia where you can view 180 degrees of the ocean from such a height. Expecting it to be just another look out (having celebrated my 30th birthday a couple of years ago in high style at the Observation Deck atop the Rialto in Melbourne) I was pleasantly surprised to see so much of the Gold Coast region I never knew existed, and the scenic vista of the coastline is mesmerising. You get a full 360 degree view from the enclosed platform and it also includes some great static displays covering everything from the best surfing spots on the south coast to ideal mountain hideaways and drives in the hinterland. Sip an afternoon cocktail from the fully functioning bar with each table setting affording a picturesque view.

There's a lot to learn and a lot to see and most people I wager wouldn't think to go up on a normal trip to Surfers, but if you went up years ago when it first opened and weren't that thrilled, I'd recommend a return visit due largely to the recent refurbishment and improved atmosphere. I chatted to a group of tourists from north Queensland who holiday on the Gold Coast each year, one of them commenting, "We wouldn't come up here each time, but then again, the landscape changes so much around here I don't think we'd get tired of the view."

But here's the bit I really like. We're coming into humpback whale season here on the coast of Queensland and I am told that watching these giants from SkyPoint is a truly wonderful experience, with the vibe of everyone peering through the glass, 'Oohing and ahhing' together in harmony. You can picture it, can't you? So if you are going to make a trip anytime soon, the next few months should be when you spot them.

Verdict: Love (to the point of perhaps a south-east Queensland version of a Sleepless in Seattle proposal or even greater, I'll put it in my diary for perhaps my 40th birthday).

SkyPoint. Level 77 of Q1 Resort, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise.

Absolutely one of the coolest capitals in the world

Most Aussies would be forgiven for not making a trip to New Zealand a high priority, especially when we live in such isolation from the rest of the world – and it’s easier to get the European working holiday visa out of the way when you’re young before prioritising a visit to our trans Tasman neighbours. But for a long weekend away, with very competitive fare prices, Wellington, the ‘coolest little capital in the world’ according to Lonely Planet recently, is well worth putting on the radar.

Whilst Auckland can be compared to Sydney or LA, Wellington is the much cooler Melbourne or San Francisco; funky designed cafes, cool galleries and hip nightlife support the unique urban feel of the city’s streetscape and surrounding hillside architecture. Distinct precincts are punctuated with dormant walls brought to life. Buildings splattered with colourful murals, public art pieces on restored maritime and historic sites and modern sculpture and art deco architecture are woven throughout Wellington, bursting with character and loaded with things to see and do.

Spec and I hit the pavement for a Zest walking foodie tour of the city hotspots with our guide Wilma, a Dutch migrant with the same penchant for coffee and food as us. Wellington boasts 16 coffee roasters (more than London) all with their own techniques, blends and flavours. Courtenay Place in downtown Wellington and adjoining Allen and Blair Streets are dotted with tiny cafes, boutique galleries and eateries. We visited Kura Gallery that buys from 300 local artists all using homegrown materials to create weaves, wood carvings and pounaum (green stone) sculpture and jewellry. On our tour we also stopped in at produce store Moore Wilson. Here, you can pick up anything from Persian saffron fairy floss to fresh live ‘hairy’ mussels and an ample selection from the cheese room, from gouda and gruyere to aged cheddar and my favourite the Hawke’s Bay’s ‘Te Menta’ Kidnappers brie.

Having both spent most of our adult life in Melbourne, we felt right at home with the café culture Wellington has to offer. We met with Jess at Caffe L’Affare a passionate barrister, foiling the recent trend toward a light roast and showing us beans being roasted into coffee that is all about darkness, body and acidity. We never drank a bad coffee whilst we were there and some of the cafes had that characteristic where you could see yourself sitting in the sun reading the paper on a weekend morning.

Culturally, locals are respectful for the country’s heritage, familiar with Maori language and respectful of traditional custom. We were so impressed with the preservation and integration of the national traditional people of New Zealand and felt quite strongly that we as a nation are so far behind the New Zealanders in terms of cultural acceptance and respect for the Aboriginal people. We may have, in fact, gone on and on about this subject at dinner we were so passionate about it! A visit to Te Papa Tongarewa – the national museum despite teeming with inquisitive primary schoolers discovering the interactive exhibits, simulated rides and taking a peek at the colossus squid, was actually quite great - especially coming from me – a self-admitting museum-hater. Te Papa is enormous and its collections vary from the traditional to the contemporary. Our tour guide Richard was fantastic. He showed us Te Marae (Meeting Place) where two tribes come to meet each other in ceremony, discussions, celebration – a very spiritual experience, for us both, ending with kai (food), menu items including pikopiko pesto, horopito aioli and manuka honey, all ingredients picked from plants in the museum’s ‘Bush City’ outdoor garden space.

Dinner at Pravda in the CBD had a wide selection of tapas-style tasting plates and continental mains, all using fresh local produce, matched with crisp white wines from the region’s famed vineyards. Afterward we wandered down to Foxglove, one of the district’s popular after work haunts. One of our stand out favourites of the trip was trying to find the secret entrance to a cool, relaxed wine bar from inside. Very cute.

Unless you have large, leathery hobbit feet, slip into pair of comfy walking shoes that aren’t afraid of a bit of mud and walk the Wellington Lord Of The Rings tour. Stand in frame of some of the iconic scenes from the movies and tred the very paths used by Frodo and his mates on their quest in Middle Earth. Even if you’re not a huge fan of the films, the tour is worth it just for the eerie and magical scenery the forests provide. End your trip at the WETA Cave in the heart of the city’s filmmaking hub, controversially labeled Wellywood. See sculptures, costume and collectibles from the movies and watch how the fascinating make-up, armoury and prosthetics processes come to life on screen.

Step back in time to the Roxy cinema, a recently restored movie hall with the original façade intact – you can grab a bite to eat from the restaurant before catching an early evening flick. It’s a popular spot with the locals and the food is gorgeous. Plus, we met Johnny, a man who knows his cocktails, in particular he told us the secret to sipping the perfect martini. Our lives are changed forever!

Overall, we both felt that two days just wasn’t long enough and that we needed a third to really settle in and try out more of the watering holes and inner-city cafes. The vibe of the place is truly inviting and a return visit is definitely on the cards.

Verdict: Love Wellington!

Zest Food Tours of New Zealand. www.zestfoodtours.co.nz
Kura Gallery. 19 Allen Street, Wellington (off Courtenay Place).
Moore Wilson. Corner of Tory and College Streets, Wellington.
Caffe L’Affare. 27 College Street, Wellington.
Te Papa Tongarewa. Cable Street, Wellington.
Pravda. 107 Customhouse Quay, Wellington.
Foxglove. 33 Queens Wharf, Wellington.
Wellington Rings Tour. www.wellingtonsights.co.nz
WETA Cave. Corner of Camperdown Road and Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington.
Roxy Cinema. 5 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington.

Byron puts the RAIN in rainforest retreat

You know you're heading for a challenging long weekend away when you arrive at your hotel in the pouring rain and dash up to reception to discover there's no power, the plans for the evening dinner have changed and your room can only be accessed by golf cart due to the excessive flooding along the boardwalks. Whilst the rest of the world were rejoicing in the marriage of Wills and Kate this weekend, I was arriving in Byron Bay during a major storm to attend some good friends' wedding at the Byron at Byron. It was off to a rocky start but then somewhere between finding a torch to unpack our bags and rummaging through kitchen cupboards in the dark for a wine glass, the electricity came back on to reveal a gorgeously quaint hotel suite overlooking the lush green trees and a fast flowing lotus-filled stream, and suddenly I could see the light – no need to stress, this is meant to be relaxing!

The room had all the 5-star usuals blended with everyday conveniences and was quite spacious compared to a the typical one bedder including a large sofa, separate dining area and roomy bathroom with a deep, freestanding bath tub. My favourite feature was it had two enclosed balconies on either side of the apartment – one facing in toward the boardwalks and other apartments across the creek beds, the other affording a beautiful rainforest vista. And, we could leave our doors open to let the air breeze through, and just lock the door from the front security entrance. The main building includes a restaurant, function centre and verandahs with large reclining chairs and scattered sofas with tables, overlooking the magnificent pool area nestled below the spectacular rainforest canopy.

And all this seclusion and still only a 5-minute drive into Byron. It's got relaxation written all over it. Prepare to pay a little more to dine and drink in the restaurant but you can relax the next morning with a very tidy 11am check out. The grounds are just gorgeous and the windy walk through the trees to Meditation Point is well worth the stroll. Especially if you're in romance land with a lover!

Verdict: Love (after all we were there for a wedding which made the experience all the more memorable – thank you Nick and Leila!)

Byron at Byron Resort and Spa. 77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay.

Live, love, luxury!

When someone says to you 5-star hotel, what is it that springs to mind? Spa bath in the suite? Swimming pool and sauna complex? Mouth-watering room service perhaps? Well for me, I like to imagine that I'm staying in a hotel room that is so lush, I never want to leave or worry about how much I've spent. For Oceans Hotel at Mooloolaba, their rooms do just that and more. Never before have I stayed in an ocean-front apartment with so much clean, open space with tasteful, modern decor that makes you want to stay a whole week. The notion of luxury suggests that you experience decadence for a limited time and then trudge back to your daily grind. This hotel's suites make you feel like you belong here. I stayed in a 3-bedroom apartment with a sensational kitchen (imagine you're on Masterchef) and superb living space, furniture arranged so that no matter where you sit on the lounge you can watch TV and see the waves crashing behind it. The whole time I found myself saying, 'I could live here' and 'I wonder how much it would cost to buy this apartment'. Signs that the place you're staying in does not disappoint you or fall short of your expectations. No cheesy beach-print canvasses on these walls or white wicker 3-piece setting in the lounge.



Whilst Mooloolaba isn't number one on my list of coastal destinations (it's a little bit family-oriented these days but arguably catered to parties of young people, recently post teens maybe) staying at Oceans made my experience all the more positive as I relaxed eight storeys high above the crowds and enjoyed the unspoiled beach views. The main shopping precinct beneath the hotel has all you need for a quick stroll down the esplanade with a cluster of cafes, a good bakery and a few boutique shops for the ladies to pop down and pick up a dress to wear out to dinner when they decide to stay another night. I recommend Raw Energy for breakfast – it has good coffee and a balanced menu with healthy options and hangover suppressants. Nightlife in Mooloolaba is fairly non-existent but a gathering in your room is never out of the question. Make your own fun I say!

Now for the reality check. Luxury like this does come with a price tag but in my opinion it is more affordable than many others on the Queensland coast. Our room was at the pointy end of price list but for 5-star convenience and class I was not deterred by the dint in my credit card. Book out a higher floor, larger apartment with a group of friends or three couples for a weekend away somewhere different and find yourself at Oceans.

Verdict: This one comes with Love. And thanks to all the gorgeous ladies who made our weekend momentous!

Oceans Mooloolaba Beach. 101-105 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba