Australia – Regina Chow

Travel, Uncategorized

Travel: Scenic Day Trips from Gold Coast

July 20, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

If you have had enough of the beach and theme parks are not your cup of tea, you can consider taking a day trip from Gold Coast to get closer to nature. These are just some of the day trips (and super easy hikes) that we took during our recent trip in May. There are many more hidden gems within the Gold Coast hinterland so go on, take the road less traveled and explore to your heart’s content!

1. Cedar Creek Falls & Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain is home to several waterfalls and rockpools. To get there, head north from Gold Coast. Tamborine Mountain is 36km from Southpart via the Pacific Highway and Oxenford-Tamborine Road or 28km from Nerang via Nerang-Beaudesert Road.

Cedar Creek Falls is very accessible and only a short 30-minute hike from the carpark. The path is well paved with wooden steps and is an easy route for non-hikers too.

You can even take a dip or swim here if you like but do watch out for danger signs as parts of the falls are not meant for swimming.

On the way to Cedar Creek Falls, you can also stop by Mt Tamorine Village for a quick bite at one of the cafes within these quaint and pretty houses.

2. Byron Bay

Byron Bay needs
little to no introduction. A popular spot among locals and tourists
alike, I’ve heard so much about its beauty long before I visited its
iconic lighthouse.

It takes just slightly over an hour’s drive from Gold Coast via the Pacific Motorway and is very accessible by car. There is a little ice-cream parlour near the lighthouse, so you can just sit back and relax with dessert (who says no to ice-cream??) as you take in the beautiful panoramic views atop Byron Bay.

3. Natural Bridge

Pictures do not do Natural Bridge justice, and you really have to be there physically to witness the beauty bestowed upon us by Mother Nature in its full glory.

Located at Springbrook National Park, the easy hike which only spans about 30 minutes to and fro is an absolutely rewarding one especially when you approach Natural Bridge, a natural phenomenon formed by the force of the waterfall over an erosive basalt cave.

To get to Springbrook National Park from Gold Coast, use the Pacific Motorway, exit at Mudgeeraba and follow the Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.

If you love scenic drives, you have to drive up to Springbrook National Park. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed the drive as the breathtaking scenery along the way reminded us of New Zealand and Southern France.

Planning a trip to Gold Coast? I hope you found this post useful.

Here are my previous posts on Gold Coast too for your reference:

Beaches in Gold Coast

Cafes: Elk Espresso in Gold Coast

Have fun!

Travel, Uncategorized

Travel: Commune Cafe in Gold Coast

July 2, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Waking up early for breakfast is usually a tall order for me, but not when I’m in Australia because the day starts early here. Cafes open as early as 6am and seats start filling fast from 7-8 am, so it is true when they say the early bird catches the worm.

We stopped by Commune Cafe before our day trip to Mount Tamborine. If you’re interested, I will be writing a separate post about some day trips you could do from Gold Coast, especially if you’re a nature lover.

Commune Cafe is located at Burleigh Heads, right beside Gold Coast Highway. We actually passed by this quaint little cafe on our way to our apartment from the airport on our very first day and made a mental note to come back for a visit.

I have a soft spot for corn fritters and chai latte. If I see them on the menu, I’ll definitely place an order for these two items. And that was exactly what I did at Commune Cafe. What I like about the food here is that everything is made from natural, organic ingredients, so you can be sure that you are feeding your body with nothing but the best.

The corn fritters here come with generous servings of avocado, rocket salad and a tangy thai chilli sauce dip, which goes surprisingly well with the star of the show. I loved it.

The chai latte is freshly brewed from tea leaves and served to you in a little metal pot, which makes the experience all the more authentic.

What did JW have? Well, he is just as predictable as I am when it comes to breakfast. Eggs Benedict is his Archilles’ heel and he orders this all the time whenever we go to a cafe for breakfast or brunch.

Outdoor seats
here are aplenty and this is one cafe where you can sit all day long, bask in the sun and soak up the good vibes with a cup of coffee and some delicious yet healthy organic food in
tow. It is a beautiful spot to relax and chill with fellow friendly
cafe-goers who never fail to wear a warm smile on their faces.

Commune Cafe

Address:

1844 Gold Coast Highway

Burleigh Heads

QLD 4220

Opening Hours:

6.30am – 3.00 pm

Travel, Uncategorized

Travel: Beaches in Gold Coast

June 25, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

Other than theme parks, Gold Coast is known for their beautiful beaches that stretch on forever. Sunny yet cool, the beautiful weather all year round, even in winter, makes Gold Coast the perfect beach destination in Australia.

I could just laze my day away at the beach all day with a book, feeling the powdery soft sand between my toes and listening to the roar of the crashing waves. When I get bored of sitting down, up I go to take a walk along the beach, where the finely milled sand makes you feel like you’re walking on silk.

How divine.

Some of you may know that I typically avoid the sun like the plague, and the only time I am willing to get out in the sun is when I am at the beach, not without slathering on sunblock of course. I love beaches and during my recent trip to Gold Coast, I visited several of them.Here are some of the beaches that left a deep impression on me:

1) Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is the most popular beach in Gold Coast, which also makes it the most touristy. It stretches over 3 kilometres and depending on your preference, you could either join in the crowd and people watch or find a quiet spot to indulge in a little me-time, all against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers.

Just so you know, none of these photos in this post required any editing on my part. Yes, the gorgeous deep blue gradients, dramatic cloud formations and beautiful beaches are all real.

Pretty amazing isn’t it?

Romper from Alice McCall

If you stay till the evenings on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, you can also visit the beachfront
markets and check out the fresh bakes (I loveee fudge!), produce, art
and craft and souvenirs. While you are at Surfers Paradise, I would also highly recommend that you visit SkyPoint Observation Deck for a bird’s eye view of Gold Coast. Aside from its glowing beaches, you will be treated to a breathtaking view of Gold Coast’s waterways. Fun fact of the day: Did you know that Gold Coast has more waterways and canals than Venice?

General admission tickets are priced at A$22 for adults and A$13 for children. There’s also a family pass for 2 Adults + 2 Children priced at A$57.

If you are up for some adrenalin-pumping action, try the SkyPoint Climb. The climb is conducted outdoors and takes you right to the top of the building. We were all ready to book a slot but eventually decided against it because we found out that no cameras are allowed, which we thought was quite a waste.

If you are interested, tickets are priced at A$69 for adults (Day Climb) and A$49 for children (Day Climb), and A$80 for adults (Twilight Climb) and A$69 for children (Twilight Climb).

*****

SkyPoint Observatory Deck

Address:

Level 77 of Q1 Resort
9 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Queensland, 4217 Australia

Website:

http://www.skypoint.com.au

Tel:

+61 7 5582 2700

*****

2) Nobby Beach

If a little peace and quiet is what you are after, head over to Nobby beach. An oasis of calm and serenity, there’s hardly anyone around at all. If I were staying in Gold Coast, I would come here everyday just to chill out and unwind after a long day at work.

Nobby beach gets extra bonus points as one of our favourite restaurants, Sparrow Eating House (owned by the same people behind Elk Espresso) is located just a stone’s throw away.

3) Coolangatta Beach

Coolangatta beach is the nearest beach to the airport and is located close to several cafes and shops.

We were in Coolangatta for breakfast at The Black Sheep, which serves up delicious meals and good coffee. After the hearty meal, we really needed to walk it off and it didn’t take long before we found ourselves on Coolangatta beach. We hadn’t planned on visiting the beach that day, hence my rather inappropriate attire drew curious stares from the beach-goers lining the shore.

This beach seemed very popular among families and the locals so if you want to feel like a local, this is the beach to go. We also chanced upon an interesting cluster of rocks which provided a great backdrop for my OOTD pictures.

4) Broad Beach

We visited Broad Beach slightly before 6 a.m. on the last day of our trip and was greeted by vibrant shades of orange, red and blue as the sun peeked out from the horizon. .

Broad Beach is relatively quieter than Surfers Paradise but I was amazed to see many joggers along the beach early in the morning. Foodies will also be happy to know that Broad Beach is close to popular restaurants such as RockSalt Modern Dining (we had dinner there and the food was delicious!), Social Eating House, Verve and many others.

The waves are generally too
strong for swimming in Gold Coast, but you have to visit the beaches here if surfing is your cup of tea. No idea how to surf? Surf schools are aplenty so if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always take up surfing lessons and ride the waves. Even if you don’t wish to enter the sea, take a walk
towards the waves, twiddle your toes and enjoy the moment as the waves crash onto shore and
break into delightful white foam at your feet. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Travel, Uncategorized

Travel: Elk Espresso Cafe in Gold Coast

June 16, 2015 by Regina Chow No Comments

I was under the impression that cafes in Gold Coast pale in comparison to those in Sydney and Melbourne, but my recent trip to this sunny city proved me wrong.In fact, JW and I came across quite a number of good cafes thanks to recommendations from Urbanspoon, now known as Zomato (the Australian equivalent of Hungrygowhere) and Elk Espresso at Broadbeach was one of our favourite spots. If you ever visit Gold Coast, you have to come here for breakfast or brunch.

Why Elk Espresso? In a nutshell, the casual, laid-back Australian vibe and friendly service at Elk Espresso go hand-in-hand with its unpretentious yet absolutely delicious food to give you an experience that you’ll never forget. No wonder it is so popular with the locals!One of the most popular items on its breakfast/brunch menu is the very photogenic French Toast which comes with a medley of poached pears, salted caramel and dehydrated berries with vanilla bean mascarpone (A$17.50). Its prepossessing appearance is bound to brighten up any instagram feed.

The salted caramel sauce adds just a hint of sweetness to the french toast while allowing the natural flavours of the fruits and berries to shine through. I loved the refreshing touch of vanilla bean mascarpone which further enhances the party of flavours in your mouth, giving a new dimension to the overall taste.

To complement the comparatively sweeter french toast, we ordered a savoury breakfast favourite – Potato Hash with bacon, avocado, rocket, free-range eggs, hollandaise sauce, garlic, thyme and mushrooms (A$17). What a mouthful, literally, but this makes such a hearty and satisfying breakfast.

Aside from seasoned chefs, there is just something special about the eggs in Australia. They are always perfectly poached,with bright orange yolks that ooze out like liquid gold when you cut into it.

The portions are very generous and despite the temptation, we were way too full by the end of the meal to add anything else to our order.

Well, except that a cafe experience is never complete without a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and he had to have his coffee and me, my hot chocolate.

The cafe latte (A$3.60) is good by Australian standards (usually much higher than Singapore’s) but in comparison to the hot chocolate that I tried at Lindt Cafe in Sydney, I felt that the Lindt Hot Chocolate (A$5.50) here could be richer. Don’t get me wrong though, it was gratifying nonetheless.

We had such an enjoyable experience at Elk Espresso that we headed over to the owners’ new restaurant, Sparrow Eating House at Nobby Beach for dinner during our stay.

If you were wondering, yes, we gave two thumbs up for both establishments, and I can assure you that you wouldn’t want to miss them for the world.

*****

Elk Espresso

Address:

16 Chelsea Avenue

Broadbeach QLD 4218, Australia

Tel:

+61 7 5592 2888

Website:

http://www.elkespresso.com

Instagram:

@elkespresso

Opening Hours:

6am – 4pm

Uncategorized

Hunter Valley Gardens

May 27, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

We woke up to a splendid morning with azure blue skies and a blanket of huge, fluffy clouds. The clouds looked deceivingly 3-dimensional, and for just a split second, I actually contemplated reaching out my arms to touch them.

The plan for the day was to visit Hunter Valley Gardens, home to 10 feature gardens spanning over 25 acres. We love taking long walks in the park and admiring the glorious blooms while taking in the alluring scents and captivating sights. Flowers are natural mood lifters and we felt instantly refreshed.

One garden that I particularly liked was the Formal Garden. Infused with French and English influences, this magnificent garden features beautifully manicured hedges and lawns. It brought back fond memories of our travels in Europe, where we used to spend at least a month out of the entire year in our favourite continent.

Wanderlust is an incurable addiction, and as I am penning this post, I am reminiscing about Versailles in Paris, Eagle’s Nest in Austria, Sagrada Familia in Spain and Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic. There are many parts of Europe left unexplored, and I hope to return soon to visit Switzerland and Greece.

Daydreams aside, I remember it was an absolute joy to be surrounded by abundant flowers, shrubs and trees. The picturesque gardens make spectacular photography backdrops, but nothing beats being there in real life.

This trail of poppies was a hot favourite among avid photographers, who stood there for what seemed like an eternity, trying to perfect each and every shot. As you can tell, I was more interested in using the lovely poppies as my backdrop haha.

The Rose Garden was probably where I belonged that day. My outfit was completely unplanned and coincidentally, the rose on my sleeve is just as huge as the real roses in the garden!

Cherry Blossoms are a familiar sight in Australia in Spring too. I remember the road leading up to my apartment was lined with glorious cherry blossoms from September all the way till about early November. Ah, the perks of living in a country with four seasons.

I am infatuated with dandelions too. I know they are pests, but I would marvel at these fuzzy, cottony plants with childlike wonder without fail, every time. I love blowing on them, seeing the little seeds take flight and parachute to the ground.

Before I entered Hunter Valley Gardens, I heard about its Storybook Garden, where you’ll find characters from Alice in Wonderland and other fairytales as well as nursery rhymes. That piqued my curiosity and the long walk through the other feature gardens only served to build up my excitement as I waited eagerly in anticipation for the storybook characters to be unveiled.

A huge storybook stood with its pages open, marking the entrance of the garden.

On the other end
of the entrance sat a pile of equally ginormous books stacked carelessly
in a haphazard fashion, one on top of the other. Cuteness overload!

The childlike spirit in us manifested as we hopped from one nursery rhyme display to another, with silly smiles plastered on our faces, completely oblivious to our surroundings.

Humpty Dumpty was the most popular display and it was perpetually surrounded with children attempting to climb on top of its egg of a head. LOL.

I loved the Jack and Jill display as I thought it captured the essence of the nursery rhyme. The expressions on the statues’ faces are priceless!

Hey diddle diddle,
The Cat and the fiddle,
The Cow jumped over the moon,
The little Dog laughed to see such sport,
And the Dish ran away with the Spoon.

JW really looks like he’s running away with the dish and the spoon! Can you see the spoon looking at him with adoring eyes? Haha

Finally, here’s the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s Tea Party that I was so looking forward to!

Can you spot me?

There we were, playing the fool and pretending to bite into the rock hard chocolate cake! It was quite a surreal experience to be a guest at this fairytale tea party. 😉

Words can’t express how much I love the set, so if you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland (like me!), remember to visit this garden when you’re Hunter Valley!

Top from MDS

Jeans from Mango

Shoes from Rubi

Bag from Louis Vuitton

Uncategorized

Hunter Valley – An Unforgettable Stay

May 26, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

Time flies. Within the blink of an eye, JW and I have been back in Singapore for quite a while now. We’ve been so caught up with work and family commitments that it took a while for us to realize that we’ve left Australia for 6 months. It’s strange though, because it feels like we were just there yesterday.

Looking back at the photos taken in Australia inevitably brings back lovely memories and a sense of longing for the relaxed, idyllic lifestyle which we once enjoyed. If you would like to read more about what I did last year in Australia, click here.

We had several short getaways while we were in Australia, but our stay at Hunter Valley was by far the most unforgettable.

We stayed at the Leisure Inn Polkobin, which was enshrouded in lush greenery and serenity. I absolutely loved waking up to this beautiful view everyday.

The cozy decor of our one bedroom house made us feel right at home. I can’t quite explain it, but there was something about the sense of tranquility here that made us feel unbridled and carefree.

In fact, JW loved this place so much, he kept telling me he wanted to buy it. LOL

We decided to take it slow on our first day at Hunter Valley, and having a leisurely lunch at highly acclaimed restaurant, Amanda’s on the Edge, was the perfect way to start the day.

Amanda’s on the Edge is a quaint fine dining restaurant perched atop a hill overlooking sprawling vineyards and a luscious green garden. Just look at the surroundings! I couldn’t resist taking some outfit shots here.

We were the first to arrive that day and had the whole restaurant to ourselves!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I don’t know what the Romans do these days, but when in Hunter Valley, you have to order wine. 😉 Moscato for me, and red wine for JW.

I had prawn linguine, which was cooked to perfection with fresh herbs and juicy, succulent prawns. A squeeze of lemon was all it took to complete the dish.

JW had the eye fillet steak topped with a generous cube of creamy herb-infused butter. Tender and oozing with juicy goodness, it was nothing short of wonderful.

Besides a smorgasbord of appetizers and main courses that will certainly tantalize your taste buds, Amanda’s on the Edge also offers a delectable selection of the finest desserts, so be sure to leave some room for them!

We went with the Hot Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Tiramisu ice-cream, which was highly recommended by the server. We loved the rich, dark chocolate flavour of the brownie, coupled with its delightfully crunchy texture. The tiramisu ice-cream complemented the brownie very well and lent an interesting dimension to the dessert.

Both of us have a soft spot for creme brulee, so whenever we chance upon it on a dessert menu, we have to order it. We are hopelessly drawn to the gorgeous, caramelized sugar crust, just like bees are to honey.

It is hard to go wrong with creme brulee, and I love breaking the tortoiseshell sugar disc on top to reveal the rich, smooth cream that’s waiting to ooze into my spoon. Yummy!

At the end of the meal, JW was almost drunk. He has a terribly low tolerance for alcohol and almost always ends up talking at the top of his voice after drinking a glass of wine. Yes, one glass is all it takes.

To save us from embarrassment, we politely asked for the bill and left. LOL

After a short nap, it was time to indulge in a cheese platter with drinks while we catch the glorious sunset and wind down for the day.

No prizes for guessing who had coffee this time. 😉

Isn’t it beautiful? Bliss is being able to enjoy these quiet moments at sunset with your loved one. 🙂

More on Hunter Valley Gardens, cheese factory tours and wine tours in a bit!

Uncategorized

Fashion Trend: Are you up for Scarves?

December 6, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments

Scarves are perhaps the most versatile accessories anyone could have. Ornate, standout prints are great for jazzing up a plain top or dress, and the best part is, you can wear them in more ways than one! I started incorporating scarves into my wardrobe lately and I am happy to report that I am more than satisfied with the number of styles I can create with just a handful of scarves!

Scarf and Hat from Forever New

Black pumps from Chanel

Black Tank from Bangkok

Ruffle Skirt given by Sushi

I went for a preppy chic look with my newly acquired Forever New scarf tied in the style of a girl scout. And just like that, it single-handedly transformed my otherwise boring black tank top into a cute and stylish one! I carried my fashion experiment further by pairing the top and scarf with a ruffle skirt given to me by Sushi and voila, I looked like I put on a fancy little dress. The next time you think you’re running out of clothes to wear, remember that a scarf may just be what you need! 😉

Uncategorized

A Walk in Fagan Park

December 5, 2012 by Regina Chow No Comments

By the time you read this, I would already be in New Zealand for a 15-day trip. I am a city girl at heart, but I am just as awed by the beauty of nature and the sense of serenity it evokes. A concrete jungle lined with rows of retail shops may be my cup of tea, but sometimes, I just want to get away from the main artery of the city and retreat into a land where all I see are trees, flowers and birds.

Sydney is perhaps the most bustling city in Australia, but it has its fair share of sprawling nature parks and trails, mere steps away from the horrendous traffic. One such park is Fagan Park, located in the neighbourhood of Dural.

It’s incredible how quiet and tranquil this part of the city is. There was hardly anyone in sight!

Fagan Park pays homage to gardens from different countries. The gardens aren’t particularly well-maintained, but I do like the fact that they’re very secluded and you can just while your afternoon away in the company of nature.

Uncategorized

Strawberry and Watermelon Cake

December 3, 2012 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

Nestled in a quiet spot away from the heaving Newtown traffic, Black Star Pastry is home to an assortment of delightful pies and desserts. My favourite dessert here is its popular strawberry and watermelon cake, sprinkled with slivered pistachios and rose petals.

It’s hard not to fall in love with such a beautiful yet wholesome cake, especially when it is devoid of sinful layers of sweet cream. Made of two layers of almond dacquoise, succulent strawberries and watermelon laced with just a hint of whipped cream, this cake definitely aims to please. More importantly, it tastes refreshingly light and every bite sends you to dessert nirvana.

Just thinking about it now makes me salivate. Need I say more? 🙂

Black Star Pastry
277 Australia Street, Newtown
Tel: +61 (02) 9557 8656

Uncategorized

Family in Town!

December 1, 2012 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

My inlaws were in town last week, with my sis-in-law being the first to arrive. The first couple of days were spent shopping, eating and camwhoring all over town. I know, I’m a girl, but the boundless energy that we girls have when it comes to shopping never fails to amaze me.

Birkenhead Point is a must for all shopaholics in Sydney, because that’s where they house outlet stores for Australian brands such as Alannah Hill, Forever New, Witchery, Mimco and Review, just to name a few. We spent hours there on the second day, much to the dismay of the hubs.

Camwhoring at Forever New, Birkenhead Point

Sportsgirl was having a massive sale, and that was where we spent the bulk of our time along George Street.

It was an eventful day, to say the least, culminating in dinner with Pei at Darling Harbour followed by obligatory shots along the Harbour.

I think everyone except JW had a ball of a time because most of our time was spent shopping and taking photos (he’s the default photographer although he has absolutely no interest in it whatsoever). To his credit, his photography skills are improving by leaps and bounds! He deserves a pat on the back for sure! Ok, I’ll throw in a massage too.

Outfit from Dip Drops

Boots from random shop in Bondi

Page 1 of 312 3 »

Travel: Scenic Day Trips from Gold Coast

Travel: Commune Cafe in Gold Coast

Travel: Beaches in Gold Coast

Travel: Elk Espresso Cafe in Gold Coast

Hunter Valley Gardens

Hunter Valley – An Unforgettable Stay

Fashion Trend: Are you up for Scarves?

A Walk in Fagan Park

Strawberry and Watermelon Cake

Family in Town!

About Me

Searching for a post?

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Meta