AMONG a raft of entertaining activities and events scattered throughout the southern Gold Coast and northern NSW, the shopping certainly deserves a mention.
Conveniently, Kirra Beach Apartments offers comfortable accommodation handily located just minutes from popular shopping spots. It’s just a short trip from Gold Coast Arts and Craft Markets Coolangatta, The Strand Coolangatta and Tweed Mall and Tweed City Shopping Centres. And, if you’re willing to take a short trip north, the Gold Coast offers a huge variety of options for budget buying or luxurious splurging.
The Arts and Craft Market at Coolangatta features over 150 stalls selling souvenirs, arts and craft, food and a variety of weird and whacky bits and bobs.
Meanwhile, just across the road in Marine Parade you’ll find The Strand Coolangatta. Only recently renovated and renamed, The Strand offers beachside dining, shopping and entertainment in a funky modern location. Locals have been raving about the reinvigorated shopping centre, and for good reason.
If you do pay a visit to The Strand, a stop-off at Max Brenner Coolangatta is highly recommended. The chocolate bar has been expanding across the Gold Coast in recent years and it’s obvious why – the tasty treats on offer are simply phenomenal.
We have already spoke about Bin 72, however we really need to mention this little secret once again. Open at both lunch and dinner, Bin 72’s menu is built around small and large plates, supplemented by specials. Share plates of exciting contemporary food exit the kitchen with seemingly effortless ease.
We share a single Pulled pork taco with pickled wombok (my favorite), sensational Crab-filled fried zucchini flowers, sticky soy pork belly with mustard apple pickle (image attached) and a couple other dishes that were also spectacular. It’s a mere taste of food that will demand many return visits because of its quality and ‘surprise’ factor – it really is in the category of must not miss. – Give it a try.
Tweed Mall and Tweed City, located just over the border in New South Wales, have been a favourite haunt for keen shoppers for years. They host all the large shops you’d expect in a modern shopping centre and also have a wide range of specialty stores selling just about anything you can imagine. Whether you’re chasing down smart new clothes, the latest geeky gadgets or something special for the love in your life, you’re bound to find what you need.
Tweed Mall is located in Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, just a few kilometres from Kirra Beach Apartments, while Tweed City is located in Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South.
If shopping isn’t really your thing and you’re interested in checking out something a little different, why not head about 30 minutes south to Stokers Siding for the village’s quirky Fifteen Minutes of Fame variety show.
It’s held on the first Friday of each month in the Stokers Siding Dunbible Memorial Hall and features local musicians and variety acts belting it out in the historic old venue.
Tickets are just $10 at the door (kids under 16 free) while meals are sold separately. The show starts at 7.30pm.
As a bonus, the drive down through the Tweed Valley is always breathtaking – especially for first timers. Nestled in the caldera of an ancient shield volcano, the region boasts exquisite biodiversity and large patches of untouched rainforest..
For a top spot to stay that’s just a hop, skip and a jump from the Gold Coast and northern NSW’s best shopping, leisure and entertainment experiences, check out the Kirra Beach Apartments.
