Local’s Guide To Currumbin

Crossing Currumbin Bridge as you drive south on Gold Coast Highway, you get a tempting glimpse of paddle boarders cruising across a calm, sparkling estuary and waves rolling into shore on the surf beach beyond. This is your first taste of a suburb that stretches from the beach to the lush hinterland, and exudes the kind of coastal chill that the Gold Coast is famous for. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, fresh produce, fine dining or a beachside stay, Currumbin is the kind of place that can make everyone happy.

From it’s world famous wildlife sanctuary to watersports, there’s a huge variety of activities to try and places to visit. Every September the beach becomes an open air art gallery for Swell Sculpture Festival. The calm waters of Currumbin Creek are a popular spot for kayaking, fishing and SUPing. “The Alley” is the perfect beach for beginner surfers and families. If you’d rather not get wet, you can enjoy the water views from creekside cafes or the Currumbin RSL, or venues with ocean views or Vikings Surf Life Saving Club. Head inland for bushwalks through lush rainforest and a refreshing dip in rock pools that are only 15 minutes drive from the beach but feel a million miles away. 

CURRUMBIN BEACH VIKINGS SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB

 If there’s one thing the Gold Coast does better than any other Australian city, it’s an epic surf club and Vikings at Currumbin is so close to the water you could be forgiven for thinking you’re on a cruise ship. Sitting pretty atop a rugged rock face that juts out into the ocean, the sprawling, wraparound deck offers stunning panoramic views of the famous GC coastline. With a super affordable drinks and food menu (that boasts fresh seafood bites like Balter XPA beer battered snapper, oysters and salt and pepper calamari) and a cracking live music line-up, this is the perfect spot for a get together with mates.
Where: 741 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

DUST TEMPLE

A buzzing hub of coffee, culture and creativity, the Dust Temple is the kind of place you could happily lose hours in. Housed in a converted warehouse in Currumbin’s industrial precinct, on any given day you can peruse an art exhibition, catch a live music performance, check out a poetry reading, partake in a creative workshop or just grab a steaming cuppa and tasty brekky. That’s the beauty of Dust Temple, you never know what you’re going to get.
Where: 54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters

GROUND THE BATHHOUSE

Because everyone deserves a ‘treat yourself’ moment every now and then, book yourself in a soak at Grounds The Bathhouse. Set amongst a lush rainforest in a 100-year-old farmhouse, you’ll feel a world away from your troubles as you bliss out in their red cedar hot tub and wood-fired hot stone sauna. Relax your tired muscles in the luxurious hydrotherapy spa under a canopy of fig trees and if you dare, go for an invigorating dip in the mineral plunge pool and ice baths.
Where: 2 Village Way, Currumbin Valley

CURRUMBIN RSL

An absolute local’s fave, you simply can’t go past an afternoon spent at the Currumbin RSL. Nestled on the banks of the Currumbin Creek, it’s the perfect place to rest your legs after a day at the beach. Snag a table on the deck so you can soak up the views and chill out to the live music that takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And make sure you arrive with an empty stomach. The La Bocca Pizza Kitchen serves mouth-watering thin crust pizzas like the La Ned Kelly (lamb, rosemary, peppers and red onion) and the La Chuck Norris (lemon garlic prawns, roasted capsicum, rocket and aioli).
Where: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin

FREEMAN’S ORGANIC FARM

Fill your pantry with the freshest of fresh produce with a trip to Freemans’ Organic Farm. Nestled in the heart of Currumbin Valley, this gem of a place has been locally run since 1915. Covering over 100 acres, you can fill your basket with everything from organic paw paw and pumpkin to avocados and eggplant, plus a wide range of organic herbs. It’s open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – check out the farm’s café for a cheeky coffee and fresh focaccia roll filled with locally grown ingredients.
Where: 618 Tomewin Mountain Rd, Currumbin Valley

TOMMY’S ITALIAN

A new kid on the block, Tommy’s Italian is already creating serious buzz – and for good reason, the food here is truly bellissima. With a jaw-dropping location on Currumbin’s Pacific Parade, you can’t miss the red and white striped lounges that will transport you straight to the Amalfi Coast. The 120-seat trattoria is slinging modern Italian eats (read: homemade pizza and bowls of moreish pasta) and boasts a mezzanine that’s perfect for sipping your spritz in style.
Where: 818 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Animals lovers are in for a treat with a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Tassie Devils, red pandas, capybaras, lemurs and huge crocs all call this conservation oasis home. You can get up close and personal with a bunch of the sanctuary’s residents including a bucket list breakfast with the koalas, the Wild Skies birds of prey show, or you can stretch your legs with a stroll around the 27 hectare grounds accompanied by three pure Alpine Dingoes. It’s all about choosing your own adventure at this incredible spot.
Where: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin

BAREFOOT BARISTA

Barefoot Barista established local hero status many years ago  in their original Palm Beach venue by serving quality coffee and tasty eats in a lovely, laidback setting. Now they’ve expanded to include this stunning beachfront cafe in Currumbin and it’s proven just as popular. If you’re on a health kick, opt for healthy breakfast options like the wholesome Green Pea Pancake or Acai bowl. Lunch calls for something heartier such as a Steak Sandwich accompanied by a fine ale. Stroll across the road afterwards for a quick dip after your meal.  And of course, the baristas are slinging some seriously satisfying caffeinated concoctions, plus there’s gelato for dessert. Perch at high table on the patio and enjoy views of the ocean while you enjoy everything Barefoot Barista has to offer.
Where: Shop 1, 794 Pacific Parade, Currumbin 

FUEL BAKEHOUSE

Fuel Bakehouse is the carb institution that creates the kind of sweet treats Willy Wonka could only dream about. Made fresh on site daily, the ever changing menu features drool-worthy bites like Ferraro Cruffins oozing Nutella, salted caramel macadamia donuts, and strawberry and cream cronuts. More of a savoury person? They also sling flakey chilli cheese and bacon sausage rolls and hearty pulled beef Aussie bush pepper pies that will surely hit the spot.⠀⠀⠀⠀
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters

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