Backyard tourist: Why Chirn Park is a great spot to hang out on the Gold Coast
Yes, the Gold Coast actually has a village. Its main drag has pretty much everything you need including a pharmacy, cafes, deli and bakery — plus it’s within walking distance to a dog park and the water.
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ONE of my favourite little spots to hang out for a relaxing morning is at Chirn Park.
Haven’t heard of it? You’re not alone, despite the fact it has long been part of the Gold Coast landscape.
This cute little village is squished between Labrador and Southport, but has its own distinct flavour with just about anything you need on its quaint main street.
Well, except a Kmart or Ikea.
Anyway, the main hub of Chirn Park is pretty cute, with a massage parlour, a deli, bakery, cafes, restaurant, cocktail bar, flower shop, pharmacist, liquor store, fish and chips shop and a supermarket. There’s even an alternative store there complete with psychic readings.
And there is a cool mural by Coast graffiti artist John Kaye next to the pharmacy which leads to some parking spots.
The great thing about Chirn Park is that it’s just a hop, skip and jump from the Broadwater and, for pet owners, it’s in walking distance of the Musgrave Ave off-leash dog park, so you can easily kill two birds with one stone.
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You can start the morning off at Mitchell Park, next to the Broadwater Tourist Park.
Just relax on the beach, pop the kids on the fun playground or settle in at the picnic tables.
There’s even a cute bench where you can sit – next to a sculpture of a blue and white woman – to gaze over the Broadwater.
Alternatively, start off at the Musgrave Ave park to stretch your legs.
To get to Chirn Park, head up Stevens St or Musgrave Ave until you hit the shops.
Whether you need a shot of caffeine, a meal, your legs waxed or your hair done, you’ll find something there to help.
Seriously, this little spot is a gem.
DISCOVER
I HAVE recently become a bit of a plant fanatic and couldn’t help myself heading into florist Moss N Stone.
This great little store not only has a bunch of interesting plants, but beautiful flowers of course.
Displays outside the shop always look so inviting and the plants they showcase mean I am tempted to buy something every time I go past.
The shop also has a bunch of small gift ideas and gifts for babies. They can make you up a bouquet of flowers for a set amount of dollars.
EAT AND DRINK
SET in a cosy spot on the main drag, Tonic on Chirn is a great stopover for a bite to eat.
And of course a cocktail.
Think gin or vodka martinis, whiskey sour, the Manhattan and the margarita with tequila and fresh lime.
They have inside seating as well as outside high seating so you can people watch while you chow down on some fare.
They have share plates of goodies such as mushroom arancini balls with basil pesto, grilled prawn gyoza dumplings or fried chicken with chipotle mayo.
They also cater for vegetarians and those on a gluten-free diet.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE … DO
OKAY, it’s just outside of Chirn Park, but Len Fox Park at Labrador is pretty cool.
You can pop over there for a walk, to do some yoga on the lawn and – nerd alert – even to battle Pokemon Go gyms.
Some days the Broadwater there is so still and breeze-free that it looks like glass.
The park winds its way north until it hits Ian Dipple Lagoon next to Charis Seafoods.
For those a little bit more adventurous, you can take kitesurfing lessons there too.
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