Dust Temple Cafe – Currumbin Waters – Gold Coast – Queensland – May 2021

Tags

Australia, dining with family, Dust Temple Cafe, Gold Coast, Vegan food

Back in the days when I could leave Canberra, I drove up to the Gold Coast to visit my family for a month. It was one of those holidays where I didn’t really need to go sightseeing or do anything really apart from visit my family as have been to the Gold Coast many times, but I did want to try a few nice cafes and restaurants. One cafe Dust Temple Cafe was in the suburb where my father, brother and nephew live; Currumbin Waters.

This cafe is actually located right in the middle of industry and I must say if I would not of found it but lucky for me, my brother had found it and knew I would love it. He was right, I loved it from the moment I got out of the car. The outside is gorgeous with huge wrought iron gates, fabulous wooden lampshades and incredible wooden/glass hinged doors and wooden barn doors that allow the flow of air inside the cafe.

Inside is even more amazing. The whole place is an old warehouse with polished cement floors. You walk through huge open wooden/glass doors into the coffee/drinks/pre packaged food area then once you have ordered your food, you walk through to a huge room converted into an art gallery with sculptures and artwork on display. There are also large long tables to enjoy a coffee and something to eat.

I ordered the fresh tomato, fresh basil and balsamic on toasted sourdough and a turmeric, coconut milk, banana and mango drink. My brother ordered the housemade toasted banana and coconut bread with butter and the watermelon, pink lady apple, pear, rhubarb and lime juice. Everything here came so beautifully presented with little flowers and the my meal was so incredibly fresh – I loved it! And as for the turmeric drink – it was absolutely delicious.

Whilst waiting for my meal, I took my camera around the warehouse and took some photos. There are fabulous old lounges and chairs to relax in and borrow a book to read whilst enjoying a coffee or alcoholic drink and an outside area with tables and benches, covered by umbrellas to relax in the sun or shade.

There is even a second floor up wooden stairs with a wrought iron balustrade but I guess the owners are still working on that area as it contained paintings against the wall still wrapped and very little else. But like everywhere else in this amazing place, art lined the walls of the stairs.

Even the kitchen area has an old armchair to sit and relax and do some people watching!

This was definitely my favourite cafe on the Gold Coast and yes, I did visit again during my stay!

A day visit to Jugiong – New South Wales – Australia – October 2020

Tags

Jugiong, Lunch with friends, New South Wales

We have been in Lockdown here in Canberra for nearly six weeks’ and will continue for another three weeks’ until 15 October; well hopefully that will be our end date! So whilst I can’t leave the ACT or travel very far from my home, I have been looking at old photos of places I have been lucky enough to visit. One place is a lovely little country town called Jugiong which is located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River about an hour and half drive from Canberra. The drive is mainly highway but once you veer off towards Jugiong, there are lovely homes and interesting sculptures on the road.

Such a gorgeous little township which has a population of around 150 people. I think its major draw card is The Sir George hotel which is the main reason we visited. We had booked lunch but had left Canberra early so that I could take a walk around the town; must say this only took about half an hour but the shops were really sweet with lots to buy.

Our first stop was the Long Track Jam Factory, a lovely little store that sold…well jams…but also a range of condiments, tea towels and kitchen utensils. I love raspberry jam so bought a jar along with a few other condiments because you can never have enough condiments!

Our next stop was the Long Track Cafe & Pantry followed by the Lickety Splits Gelato Bar. Whilst I didn’t buy anything from the gelato bar, I certainly did buy a few items from the pantry including chocolates for friends and a few household items for myself.

It was then time for lunch. Our walk only took us two minutes but arriving at this beautifully restored hotel was something wonderful. We took a quick walk around the grounds and smelt the purple wisteria and checked out the barns which are available to stay overnight.

We ate lunch inside the restored 1852 stone pub as the courtyard was already booked. But I wasn’t disappointed as the interior was so lovely. We started off with a bottle of bubbles and I ordered a medley of vegetables and the boys ordered a haloumi burger which came with thick chips and a salmon dish with a pesto dressing and vegetables.

After our lunch we walked a little more around the grounds where we met a few of the resident goats and enjoyed fabulous views of the local countryside.

Once we had spent enough time walking the grounds our last stop was the Jugiong Wine Cellar which sells great local wines. My friends bought some sparkling as had previously tasted and loved.

Then it was time to drive home…a great afternoon visiting local areas and being able to contribute to the local community is great as well as spending time with my dear friends Wayne and Jef.