LIST: New southern Gold Coast restaurants, cafes, arcades
The southern Gold Coast is set come alive as border restrictions ease this Thursday. Here’s a few new restaurants, cafes and arcades to check out.
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COOLANGATTA operators can’t wait for the border bubble to burst ahead of school holidays.
Controversial border restrictions will ease from October 1 when Queensland reopens to northern NSW council areas — another 152,000 people – and it’s music to Dean Saul’s ears.
The owner of Cafe Kirra and new Greenmount venue Vanilla Lily said he was “prepping to party” since the announcement on September 23, which will allow more than 152,000 potential northern New South Wales to visit the Coast during the spring school holiday season.
“The border closure hit us hard but the new rules has made the hospitality community so excited and will set us up well for school holiday period,” he said.
“Most people in Tweed and Uki have given up travelling to the Coast because it’s been a real hassle, so we are excited to finally welcome them back for a coffee.”
Mr Saul and his family opened Vanilla Lily — a sophisticated beachside cafe and soon-to-be bar — on September 12.
The Instagram-worthy venue on Marine Parade is steps away from the beach. The interior features handmade wooden tables, concrete walls and a rose quartz counter. The menu is a modern, fresh spin your breakfast favourites and the coffee is identical to Cafe Kirra’s Byron Bay blend.
Foodies will also be able to enjoy Sydney rock oysters, cheese platters and cocktails on the deck soon.
“We’ve been serving customers at Cafe Kirra for more than five years, and it was nerve-racking opening a new venue in this climate. I am now feeling positive about the future.”
The new restrictions mean residents from Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glenn Innes shire will be able travel north to Brisbane or further afield for work.
Queensland and NSW residents from the designated postcodes will also be able to travel for recreation purposes.
Mr Saul, a Terranora resident, is concerned “nightmare border traffic” will reappear but Timezone Coolangatta manager Bettina Gorton said a wait at the border was a “small price to pay for grand benefits”.
“Patronage has been down but we praying for a rush as New South Wales school holidays kick off on Monday. We can’t wait to party.”
After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Timezone has reopened with a new “winner vault” shop and arcade games.
Other revamped southern Coast venues include Rattlesnake Motel and Bassk Kirra, which is now a pizza and pasta eatery known as Bassk Italian.
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