Gold Coast Adventures #3: Breakfast On The Broadwaters

We are indulging in a hearty breakfast at Bumbles Café & Catering, seated under a large umbrella facing the Broadwaters. Four hundred and forty-six kilometres of canals weave through the Gold Coast providing an entirely different waterscape. Man-made during the ’60s, these canals are nine times the length of the Venice canals. Waterfront canal living is a feature of the Gold Coast, and most canal frontage homes have pontoons.

Bacon and eggs, avocado and poached eggs, French toast and bacon, you name it this quaint café with the bright blue and pink walls and white-painted furniture and chandeliers, has it all. We are already quite addicted to the ‘flat white’ (coffee with milk) and can indulge in several cups. Breakfast over, we arrive at SUP in Paradise on Budd’s Beach for beginner lessons in Stand Up Paddle Boarding, an activity that is great for core fitness, whilst virtually silently cruising the picturesque waterways. An excellent activity for the whole family, some people even have their dogs on the boards with them!

We are now in for yet another adventure – Paradise Jet Boating. Operating in areas of the Gold Coast Broadwater and Moreton Bay Marine Park exclusive to Paradise Jet Boating, the rides are famous for their unique combination of jet boat thrills and sightseeing. We gape at Sovereign Island’s exclusive multi-million dollar mansions, even while experiencing full 360 degree spins, high speed drifting, incredible beach buzzing and other exciting manoeuvres.

Thrills over for the day, we explore Marina Mirage, a shopping centre in the heart of Surfers Paradise for some healing retail therapy discovering, besides international brands like Hermes, some great local designers. Carla Zampatti whose body-con dresses and flowy blouses are ever so sexy; Camilla, with its embroidered dresses, kaftans and swimwear; Zimmernan with its everyday wear and the ultra-casual Seed. There are galleries with local artists and curios. The popular restaurant-with-a-view on Level One, Fellini Ristorante, offers flavours from all over Italy.

A hop from Marina Mirage is Palazzo Versace, with its ambience of pure glamour. Touted as a ‘destination within a destination’ here on Australia’s premiere playground of the Gold Coast, the world’s first fashion-branded hotel is part of the history of the Gold Coast, according to the newly-appointed, dynamic general manager, Subash Basrur, who started his career as a chef at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Hotel at Rendezvous and Menage a trois and has been working around the world since. This is Versace at its most opulent and yet wonderfully restrained. The mosaic flooring is evocative of a delicate grandeur, the flower arrangements are stunning, the furnishings opulent and lunch at the Vie Bar & Grill — fresh progressive cuisine with views across the sparkling Broadwater — is truly inspiring.

Read about #1 Surfers Paradise here.

Read about #2 Tambourine Mountain here.

Stay tuned for more Gold Coast Adventures.