Recovery firmly under our belts, the next stop on our travels was the surf town of Coolangatta, a chilled out beach town brimming with surf beaches and upcoming cafes. The perfect spot to relax.
Hotel Komune was the accommodation of choice, a hotel come hostel and a beach club popular with locals and tourists. Not your typical backpacker resort, the hotel has a “cool” vibe going on, flamingos adorn the walls in this kitsch environment with cosy cabanas, an outdoor cinema and free brekkie for travellers. Lucky enough to catch the band Sunday session, a recommended spot for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Surfers or those on a longer trip up the coast.
What better way to see this seaside town and nearby beach breaks than by bike, for a mere $20 for four hours a cycle up to Burleigh Heads took around an hour and a half, stopping off to take in the surfers catching afternoon waves. As a post bike break, a fresh juice and rice paper rolls from new Kirra cafe Niche & Co. Having only been open two weeks, the cafe offers a wide selection of coffee, raw food, acai bowls and smoothies.Owner Haines even chucked in extra greens for me to combat the post-splendour cold. Definitely worth a visit if you’re on the East Coast.
So from Cooly to the neon lights of Surfers Paradise, the final stop on the trip, I was lucky enough to stay in the retro inspired QT Gold Coast. Described as Miami catwalk cool means surfer chic, it was all about the tongue in cheek details. The Ocean View Suite was a dream and definitely had the WOW factor offering up a welcome lemonade tray in the room on arrival.
Many of the items in the suite could be purchased in the onsite QBoutique, from the Cockatoo lamp, to metal cups, even the tea. The QT boasts three restaurant bars, Stingray a cocktail bar that is buzzing most nights of the week, Yamagen a teppanyaki restaurant and Bazaar restaurant, an electic marketplace style dining experience.
At the Qspa I was lucky enough to experience the essential focus facial and tension target massage, which was exactly what was needed after carrying two heavy rucksacks around for nearly two weeks. The staff were both professional and endearing looking after my every need. 
The QT experience signed off the East Coast travels, with a wink and a kiss as they would say. Photos are author’s own and QT Gold Coast.
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