Laura’s guidebook
Walks near us
If you feel like going for a stroll, there is an easy/medium loop that you can do through the Ernest Junction Railway Tunnel - you can walk from our place (or drive to the entrance - it will take a mere 2 mins in your car).
A round trip from our home will probably take 45 minutes at a modest pace. If walking from our home, you will need to cross the main road, so stop, look and listen for cars.
Up the road you go, and enter the beginning of the track, by heading down the wide gravel track, opposite 797 Ashmore Rd, you will see the tunnel - Disclaimer: it is a bit airy if you are walking by yourself since it is a dark tunnel! But the area is safe, and usually no one around, except the weekends when it picks up a bit of interest with families and travellers.
You're brave, you can do this! Through the tunnel you go, follow the walk way, stop to read a bit of local history, keep following the path you will pass the back of an estate and industrial area, you are still on the right track, eventually the adventure comes to an end and you will see on your right the opening to a dead end street, out you go, this is Marybeth Crescent. Head back to the main road, and voila - phew, you made it!
Now the trick here if you drove, is that you need to head back uphill to collect your car, just remember - it's good for the heart rate!
Please use google maps. I'm a very visual person, so my instructions may not suit everyone :D
Ernest Junction Railway Tunnel
797 Ashmore RoadIf you feel like going for a stroll, there is an easy/medium loop that you can do through the Ernest Junction Railway Tunnel - you can walk from our place (or drive to the entrance - it will take a mere 2 mins in your car).
A round trip from our home will probably take 45 minutes at a modest pace. If walking from our home, you will need to cross the main road, so stop, look and listen for cars.
Up the road you go, and enter the beginning of the track, by heading down the wide gravel track, opposite 797 Ashmore Rd, you will see the tunnel - Disclaimer: it is a bit airy if you are walking by yourself since it is a dark tunnel! But the area is safe, and usually no one around, except the weekends when it picks up a bit of interest with families and travellers.
You're brave, you can do this! Through the tunnel you go, follow the walk way, stop to read a bit of local history, keep following the path you will pass the back of an estate and industrial area, you are still on the right track, eventually the adventure comes to an end and you will see on your right the opening to a dead end street, out you go, this is Marybeth Crescent. Head back to the main road, and voila - phew, you made it!
Now the trick here if you drove, is that you need to head back uphill to collect your car, just remember - it's good for the heart rate!
Please use google maps. I'm a very visual person, so my instructions may not suit everyone :D
Shopping
15 minute drive (+5 min if you are unlucky with parking!)
Great selection of shops, recently undergone a spruce up so many nice eating options are also in the centre, plenty of parking but if going on the weekend I would suggest you get here before 9.30am, weekdays are relatively more quiet.
Great cinema with comfy seats and very well priced to see the latest flicks.
Also a well priced fruit and vege shop here - a MUST if you are looking to stock up on greens.
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Harbour Town Premium Outlets
147-189 Brisbane Rd15 minute drive (+5 min if you are unlucky with parking!)
Great selection of shops, recently undergone a spruce up so many nice eating options are also in the centre, plenty of parking but if going on the weekend I would suggest you get here before 9.30am, weekdays are relatively more quiet.
Great cinema with comfy seats and very well priced to see the latest flicks.
Also a well priced fruit and vege shop here - a MUST if you are looking to stock up on greens.
The Ashmore factory outlets are a 5 minute drive away and probably more aimed to beach wear, surfies looking for a discounted surf board etc, some of the stores include Roxy, Quiksilver, Billabong.
Also in the outlet strip is Good Price Pharmacy, South African Home Foods (Biltong, Chutnies and other goodies).
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Ashmore Factory Outlets
12 Central Park AveThe Ashmore factory outlets are a 5 minute drive away and probably more aimed to beach wear, surfies looking for a discounted surf board etc, some of the stores include Roxy, Quiksilver, Billabong.
Also in the outlet strip is Good Price Pharmacy, South African Home Foods (Biltong, Chutnies and other goodies).
If shopping the latest, greatest and labelled fashion, Pacific Fair (or Pac Fair to the locals) is the place to be. Always a buzz here, with all the stores you can imagine. It's the Gold Coast's largest shopping centre and will take around 20-25 minutes drive. To explore the entire centre you will need the whole day, with plenty of food and restaurant options to refuel, I wish you luck! And happy shopping!
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Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
32 Hooker BlvdIf shopping the latest, greatest and labelled fashion, Pacific Fair (or Pac Fair to the locals) is the place to be. Always a buzz here, with all the stores you can imagine. It's the Gold Coast's largest shopping centre and will take around 20-25 minutes drive. To explore the entire centre you will need the whole day, with plenty of food and restaurant options to refuel, I wish you luck! And happy shopping!
A quick 4 minute drive away is a hidden Salvos store Molendinar (it's spelt wrong on Googlemaps which erks me, but anyhow) if you love op shopping make sure to pop by this little hidden gem. It's a large warehouse space usually plenty of clothes on offer.
Open Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm - please double check the website/Google for opening hours to avoid any disappointment.
It is also on the way to the M1 heading toward Brisbane, so if you are heading north, drop by for a sneak peak.
Salvos Stores Monendinar
542 Precision DrA quick 4 minute drive away is a hidden Salvos store Molendinar (it's spelt wrong on Googlemaps which erks me, but anyhow) if you love op shopping make sure to pop by this little hidden gem. It's a large warehouse space usually plenty of clothes on offer.
Open Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm - please double check the website/Google for opening hours to avoid any disappointment.
It is also on the way to the M1 heading toward Brisbane, so if you are heading north, drop by for a sneak peak.
Hair & Beauty
If you need a great hair cut, blow wave or style, your nails done or eyelashes this local gem has it all. Be sure to ring to book if you need something quick smart, the senior stylists are hot in demand. You can also book online via Google or their Facebook page.
Tree House Salon
39 Ashmore RdIf you need a great hair cut, blow wave or style, your nails done or eyelashes this local gem has it all. Be sure to ring to book if you need something quick smart, the senior stylists are hot in demand. You can also book online via Google or their Facebook page.
Food scene
Delicious fresh sushi, my absolute favourite, available on Menulog for at home dining, or no fuss dine in option that is a 5 minute drive away.
Mr Sushi Ashmore
406 Southport Nerang RoadDelicious fresh sushi, my absolute favourite, available on Menulog for at home dining, or no fuss dine in option that is a 5 minute drive away.
Known to the local workers, this place is devine! If you love Thai food that will give your taste buds a burst of delight make sure to visit Lui and his team, not into Thai? (Firstly, you're crazy) But they also make delicious burgers - highly recommend the chicken!
Open Mon to Fri only, this one is targeted for the local workers, but enjoyed by all the locals. If you are looking for a weekend dine, then head to Boonchu Thai in Broadbeach (the same owner!)
The Brick Cafe
27 Industrial AveKnown to the local workers, this place is devine! If you love Thai food that will give your taste buds a burst of delight make sure to visit Lui and his team, not into Thai? (Firstly, you're crazy) But they also make delicious burgers - highly recommend the chicken!
Open Mon to Fri only, this one is targeted for the local workers, but enjoyed by all the locals. If you are looking for a weekend dine, then head to Boonchu Thai in Broadbeach (the same owner!)
Gnocchi Gnocchi has made it's way to the GC - thank goodness! We are big fans of this place, a lovely atmosphere to dine in (also available for delivery). Would recommend their Wild Mushroom and Truffle, and the Creamy Lobster and Barramundi - Nonna's Lemon Cake is delish, but you will definitely need your own, this isn't one for sharing.
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Southport
2 Nexus WayGnocchi Gnocchi has made it's way to the GC - thank goodness! We are big fans of this place, a lovely atmosphere to dine in (also available for delivery). Would recommend their Wild Mushroom and Truffle, and the Creamy Lobster and Barramundi - Nonna's Lemon Cake is delish, but you will definitely need your own, this isn't one for sharing.
Love an amazing woodfire pizza and cocktails? Me too. A 10 minute drive away is a small price to pay for great tasting pizza and cocktails that you don't mind paying for! You will need to book in for this beauty, with its stunner views and great food and drinks (and have a boogey downstairs if you feel like it), it's a popular local place to dine and dance without having to trudge into the slightly creepy after hours Surfers Paradise scene.
Aviary Rooftop Bar
5 Melia CtLove an amazing woodfire pizza and cocktails? Me too. A 10 minute drive away is a small price to pay for great tasting pizza and cocktails that you don't mind paying for! You will need to book in for this beauty, with its stunner views and great food and drinks (and have a boogey downstairs if you feel like it), it's a popular local place to dine and dance without having to trudge into the slightly creepy after hours Surfers Paradise scene.
Have to give this Korean delight it's own mention, yummy fresh dishes at reasonable prices, quick and friendly service. Limited seating, given the size of the store, it's more of a quick fix and convenient than a luxury dine in.
Next to Freedom Fuels who 98% of the time are the cheaper fuel option in our area, and Aldi, this is always a bustling area with the locals.
K Cuisine
560 Olsen AvenueHave to give this Korean delight it's own mention, yummy fresh dishes at reasonable prices, quick and friendly service. Limited seating, given the size of the store, it's more of a quick fix and convenient than a luxury dine in.
Next to Freedom Fuels who 98% of the time are the cheaper fuel option in our area, and Aldi, this is always a bustling area with the locals.
Grocery Stores
Woolies Smith Collective is very close (2mins) away from the Griffith Uni and Hospital. Quite a modern building, built just before the Common Wealth Games, my usual go-to for groceries because it is better stocked than the Woolies in Ashmore (both have around the same drive time).
Woolworths Smith Collective
Knowledge streetWoolies Smith Collective is very close (2mins) away from the Griffith Uni and Hospital. Quite a modern building, built just before the Common Wealth Games, my usual go-to for groceries because it is better stocked than the Woolies in Ashmore (both have around the same drive time).
If you are more of a Coles person, this is a bustling option, I do find it harder to find a park here but it is the more well stocked Coles option in the area, again a 10 minute drive away.
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Coles Benowa Village
11 Ross StIf you are more of a Coles person, this is a bustling option, I do find it harder to find a park here but it is the more well stocked Coles option in the area, again a 10 minute drive away.
If 10 minutes, is 10 minutes too long, Drakes Ashmore will save you 4 minutes in driving time. A snazzy 6 minute drive, usually plenty of parking, but the drive way in and out are a bit windy and awkward to navigate.
Drakes Ashmore
Southport Nerang RoadIf 10 minutes, is 10 minutes too long, Drakes Ashmore will save you 4 minutes in driving time. A snazzy 6 minute drive, usually plenty of parking, but the drive way in and out are a bit windy and awkward to navigate.
Bellissimo! My favourite local gem is hidden inside the Ashmore Plaza, owned by the friendliest Italian butcher, you might find yourself having good old chat as well as buying some delicious treats - we are big fans of his salamis, porchetta, jerky, bacon... did I mention the very traditionally made Italian porchetta?
Grobnik European Delicatessen
206 Currumburra RdBellissimo! My favourite local gem is hidden inside the Ashmore Plaza, owned by the friendliest Italian butcher, you might find yourself having good old chat as well as buying some delicious treats - we are big fans of his salamis, porchetta, jerky, bacon... did I mention the very traditionally made Italian porchetta?
What more can I say, this is our local Aldi store, where you get everything from a garden hose to tissues to blow your nose.
Conveniently located next to Freedom Fuels (usually the cheapest station locally, hence it is always busy) and also K-Cuisine, delish Korean dishes at reasonable prices, always receiving great reviews.
ALDI Molendinar
562 Olsen AveWhat more can I say, this is our local Aldi store, where you get everything from a garden hose to tissues to blow your nose.
Conveniently located next to Freedom Fuels (usually the cheapest station locally, hence it is always busy) and also K-Cuisine, delish Korean dishes at reasonable prices, always receiving great reviews.
Beaches
Well, well, well... Beach you say? Surfers Paradise is the closest to us, 20-25 minutes drive and you have soft sand at your feet, waves crashing, surfers surfing, bikini babes babe'n, shops galore, tourists galore, Sunday markets, you are in the hub of it all! Welcome to Surfers!
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Surfers Paradise Beer Garden
Orchid AvenueWell, well, well... Beach you say? Surfers Paradise is the closest to us, 20-25 minutes drive and you have soft sand at your feet, waves crashing, surfers surfing, bikini babes babe'n, shops galore, tourists galore, Sunday markets, you are in the hub of it all! Welcome to Surfers!