At Endota Spa - de-stress and get your trip off to an invigorating start. Facials, body wraps and scrubs are just some of the many treatments; try the relaxation massage - absolute bliss. The therapists use the latest beauty creams/products including Dermalogica and Endota organic.
LUNCH
At Social Eating House - a fusion of local flavours and international cuisine, every little sharing dish is sublime, the barramundi fish cooked to perfection slipped easily on to my list of favourite ever meals, just mind the squid ink decoration. Don't leave without trying the lemon meringue deconstructed dessert: sharp and tangy lemon curd and melt-in-the-mouth meringue.
The deconstructed lemon meringue at Social Eating House. Photo / Ellie Mitchell
EXPLORE
Some of the many picturesque, calm waterways aboard a Duffy tour. The 22ft electric luxury boats take a maximum of 12 people. Duffy can cater and skipper for you or you can BYO food, drink and iPod and self-drive (no licence required). With only five in the fleet, it is a popular activity so best to book in advance. The owner and fellow Kiwi Gordon says if you are lucky you can even interact with marine life, maybe sighting salt water crocs, whales, dolphins or sea turtles. Park up the boat and hop in for a swim or sit back, relax and take in how the other half live as you glide pass Jackie Chan's home and the Adams Family Mansion, to name but two. If you fancy a longer trip you can even stay overnight: the luxury boats have a two-berth bedroom, TV and fridge.
PEOPLE-WATCH
At OSKARS on Burleigh, a high-end restaurant with spectacular beach views. Try a less formal lunchtime visit and you can watch the surfers and take in the laid-back vibe as you choose from a fantastic menu. You may even spot a whale. Try the yellowfin tuna cooked perfectly and, for those with a sweet tooth, don't miss the chocolate fondant with chocolate sand, really decadent.
Dine at Oskars on Burleigh. Photo / Supplied
DRINK
Craft beer. Award-winning brewer Brennan Fielding at Burleigh Heads Brewery has a unique and witty range of beers to suit every taste; for the ladies try the BigHead carb-free beer and for the guys, give the FigJam a go. Take a tour to learn about the art of brewing and some of the tricks of the trade.
Quench your thirst with Brennan Fielding's craft beers. Photo / Supplied
EXERCISE
Try stand-up paddle boarding at world champion Jamie Mitchell's school on the calm and tranquil waters of Currumbin Creek and Surfers Paradise. Not only is it fun and relaxing, it does have exercise benefits too as balancing means that everything is worked. If you are lucky you might get paid a visit by local dolphins or spot a stingray gliding along the bottom.
BREAKFAST
If there's one place you must go for breakfast on the Gold Coast it's Providore in Marina Village. Choose from a variety of juices to make you feel instantly healthy and revitalised and browse the products in their deli range while you wait - perhaps buy a delicious cake or home-made pizza for later. It is situated in the Marina Village, with its wonderful array of shops - as they don't open until 10 there's time to relax or stroll around the marina. Many of the day trips depart from here.
VISIT
For an alternative shopping experience, be inspired by the non-profit, multi-arts hub Rabbit and Cocoon, once a derelict block but now a creative precinct. Each quirky warehouse has its own unique identity, from internet-based rabbit radio, the Shed coffee hub, versatile spaces for local artists and fashion designers, art classes for children and even health advice. With workshops by day and markets and live entertainment by night it's a hive of activity.
Shop at the Rabbit and Cocoon arts hub. Photo / Ellie Mitchell
Ellie Mitchell travelled as a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland.
