Gold Coast/ Brisbane - where to go? what to see?

[little_kitsch]

Hello Everyone..

I am moving to the Gold Coast in 3 weeks and am looking for other locals from the area, or even people 'in the know' to tell me the best places for:
good bookstores
homewares
design/ fashion/ accessories
coffee shops
fabric and craft shops
galleries
markets
anything independent!!
I need your help, I had a little search on here and its all melbourne and sydney...

oh and hello I am new to the forums, and would love to hear anyones ideas..x

[Emmarose]

Welcome Little K you will have to talk to Little Orchard on the fourm here, she lives in Brisbane somewhere... I am central Qld (Rockhampton).

However, do check out the Brisbane Markets on at South Bank (Saturday's I think) and the current Picasso exhibition in the Brisbane Art Gallery - that's what I'm planning next time I'm in Brisbane.

Welcome to Madeit by the way, there are heaps of cool crafters and artists here (and a few more Queenslander's wouldn't hurt teehee!)

[thelittleorchard]

Hey Little Kitsch...

I dont know mush about the gold coast...

As far as brisbane goes...

Bookshops, Folio on Albert St (brisbane city), one of the best, Borders, corner elizabeth and albert, I much prefer our borders to the one in Sydney on Pitt St. Avid Reader, in West End, cant currently think of the street name. American Bookstore on Elizabeth Street is fairly decent (I worked there briefly), they used to order absolutely anything for you including second hand books. McGills was excellent, but it closed down.

There is a fabric shop on Adelaide street, otherwise the best place is spotlight (there is one at the Ikea Centre in Logan.

Galleries, GOMA and QAG at Southbank. Other than that we have a few small ones, mainly on the outskirts of the valley.

Hangouts of the alternative/poser/gigs nature The Zoo, and lots of places in the Valley...Ummnn The Valley is Brunswick Street station.

I will have to think about other places...

[karasmith]

Hey there,

I lived in Brisbane but moved back 1 year ago. We still go up to see my partners parents who have retired to the Gold Coast.

It's still a little 'bleak' in terms of culture but there is some fun things happening here and there, you just have to find them! Paddington and West End, some new expo of craft is happening out at Ipswich, find out about the little independent galleries as well as the big ones in the city.

There is some interesting designer stores opening up on the Gold Coast so you have to find them too. Frankie mag is up there so it might be a good first contact to find out whats happening there...

K

[little_kitsch]

thanks everyone for your help! I'll be sure to check those places out x

[Pedrosprout]

Hi Little Kitsch,

I'm in West End, Brisbane!

You might want to check out this blog which was put together by a small group of crafty ladies living in Brisbane and surrounds-
http://brisstyle.blogspot.com/

The Servo markets are great too (Every Sunday 9-2pm, Latrobe Tce, Paddington).

The Avid Reader Little Craft Market on the last Friday of the month from 5.30pm (very, very small market at the back of the book shop. Boundary St, West End).

If I think of anything else. I'll let you know.
I don't know the Gold Coast that well but the hinterland has some really beautiful scenery and waterfalls worth checking out.

Have fun exploring!

Regards,
Michelle.

[moe moe]

It really depends were you are living as the Gold Coast is about 45km long, this is stuff in my area

Nobby’s beach/ mermaid beach there is a few great cafes:
The best I think is the Cavern, they have live music, a few nights a week, a really fun trivia night on Tues and a good locals vibe, a few shops down is a really good dress shop called, "I hate my skirt".

A very Gold Coast thing to do on a Sunday arvo is to go to the surf club, the one called "Nobby’s Beach" surf club is the one to go to at the moment on Sunday arvo it is crazy busy and heeeaaapppss of fun, also amazing views of beach.

There is also a cafe called Piccolo on Miami Beach front under the Miami surf club, they have great coffee, views and fabulous staff.

There is a gorgeous bar that closes at 12 called Swinging Safari in Broad Beach, A very cute old Queenslander style house has been converted, it is by far the best place to go if you are wanting to drink before heading into surfers on a Fri or Sat night. In my opinion the only club worth going to in Surfers is called element.

The best shop for house stuff is called "found", it is in Palm Beach on the beach side of GC HWY at the northern end away from main shops. Also a cool dress shop in Palm Beach is "Dot wears a dress" that is in main shopping strip

if you like nature stuff: Walk around Burleigh Point, it is beautiful and takes 1/2 hr, beautiful beach views and rainforest, also go to Currumbin rock pools up Currumbin valley about 20 mins from Burleigh

There is also a great art gallery in northern NSW, tweed regional gallery/ nice coffee shop, they have contemporary jewellery showing at the mo