Macadamias, Gold Coast, Australia

One of the few foods native to Australia, the macadamia has to be one of the tastiest nuts around. Expensive if you buy them from the store, but quite reasonable if you purchase a bag from the roadside. Keep your eye out for signs while driving the back roads on the outskirts of the Gold Coast or on your way to Mt. Tamborine or O'Reilly's. Simply pull up to the gate, leave your money in the box and take a bag. Be prepared with a hefty nut cracker or hammer though as these things are tough to crack.

On the side of the road

Queensland, Australia

Witches Falls Winery, Mt. Tamborine, Gold Coast, Australia

Witches Falls is the only working winery on Mt. Tamborine and has been named by a number of wine critics as the best on the mountaintop. Besides the obvious reason to visit (Aussie wine), the scenery is juicy green and stunning. Beautiful gardens border the vineyards and an archway of vines guide your entrance to the tasting bar. Most grapes are sourced from Stanthorpe a few hours south, while a small percentage are also grown onsite. The winery showcases a number of wines scoring over 90 points and has been given 4 1/2 stars (out of a possible 5) by Australian wine critic, James Halliday. Out of the 12 or more wines I sampled I would have happily taken home any number of bottles (luggage allowing). Having to choose though, my pick of the whites was the 2011 Coinoculated Verdelho fermented with two strains of yeast producing a light easy drinking wine perfect for an afternoon barbie or happily quaffed unaccompanied. Of the reds I relished the 2008 Granite Belt Prophecy Syrah, scoring 94 points with a bright peppery finish. And... no wine tasting would be complete without some dessert and fortified wines thrown in the mix. My all time favourite dessert wine for years has been the Noble One Botrytis Semillon. Witches Falls, however has added another to my list - their 2008 Granite Belt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Botrytis - with its syrupy stone fruit nose, viscous palate and apricot, honey and marmalade undertones - we have a new winner. Lastly the Granite Belt Classic Tawny was fitting for the season completely filling the mouth with a lush Christmas cake sweetness and a long smooth finish. They say it gets better with age, but with my enthusiasm for wine I guess that is something I will never know ;-) 

Witches Falls Winery
79 Main Western Road
North Tamborine
Queensland, 4272
Australia
+ 61 07 5545 2609
www.witchesfalls.com.au

Aussie Pubs for Hearty Food, Australia

 Eagle Heights pub, family and dog friendly. :-)

Spectacular views included.

Benowa Tavern - also bringing nature into the dining room.

As mentioned in previous posts, Australia is not the cheapest place to eat out. Aussie pubs though often offer big meals at not so big prices. If you're willing to go with the daily specials you could easily get a hearty budget meal everyday of the week. For example, on the days we dined the two hotels pictured above had $10 deals - one for steak and dessert and the other for roast pork and veges. Pubs are generally family friendly, with indoor and outdoor eating sections. Kids are taken care of with simple child pleasers such as the burger and chips or spaghetti shown above. Often included for the little ones are juice, an ice cream and even an activities bag with colouring pages and games. Many pubs are in prime locations with attractive views such as Eagle Heights (first photos) overlooking the Gold Coast, and the Benowa Tavern (last photos) with fresh river breezes and a water vista. Every suburb has their own watering hole. The best way to decide on which one to head to is to ask a local.

Eagle Heights Hotel

1683 Tamborine Oxenford Rd

Eagle Heights

QLD 4271

Australia

+ 61 07 5545 3388

www.eagleheightshotel.com.au

Benowa Tavern

117 Ashmore Rd

Benoa

QLD 4217

Australia

+61 07 5557 9090

wwwbenowatavern.com.au

Fudge Heaven, Mt. Tamborine, Gold Coast, Australia

A revisit to Fudge Heaven on Tamborine Mountain confirmed my opinion that fudge is a gift from the gods. A few new awards on the wall and a caramelized nut stand are recent additions but the primary reason for coming remains the same - splendiferous confection. See last year's post for more info.

Fudge Heaven

130 Long Road

EAGLE HEIGHTS 

Mt. Tamborine

QLD 4271 

Australia

Ph: 07 5545 1074

http://www.fudgeheaven.com.au

Dinner & Show, Jupiter's Casino, Gold Coast, Australia

The best value meal on the Gold Coast can be found at Jupiter's casino.  Buy tickets for a show, add ten bucks and you'll get a two course meal as part of the experience.  I'm not saying the food is worth going for on its own but it sure is a filling meal for $10.  Pictured above are the pumpkin soup, Thai red curry soup, lamb shank and haloumi salad.  Currently showing is the toe tapping Stomp.

Jupiter's Casino

Casino Drive

Broadbeach

QLD 4218

Australia

Jupiter's Box Office

+61  5592 8303

http://www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au/