Tag: Hervey Bay

April 2019 – Food and dining on the Fraser Coast

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I’ve been horrified to discover that an entire year has passed since I last posted here. Interestingly – though not surprisingly – my lack of writing coincided with a full-time employment contract (which has now finished).

I’m actually hoping to co-opt a few friends into sharing some content so things might pick up again.

At the moment, however, it seems like an apt time to catch up on everything I’ve missed over the past year or so…

Starting with food and dining on the Fraser Coast:

Maryborough

As a coeliac, I’ve enjoyed Cheryl Lyn’s Cafe, in Adelaide Street which caters to those (like me) with allergies. Alowishus Delicious continues to offer one of the more satisfying ambiences in the borough, making it a good place to catch up with friends. I’ve only briefly tried Parkside on Adelaide but though service was lovely there weren’t as many gluten-free options available to fussy ol’ me.

On the daytime dining front, my mother regularly meets groups of friends at both Norma Jean’s Organic Tea and Coffee House at Tinana and Homewares from Everywhere in Baddow.

Coffee lovers seem to continue to be drawn to Retro Espresso Coffee in Tiaro, SIP Espresso Bar (in two locations in Maryborough), Mad Mule Espresso Bar (currently in Tinana on the way into town but about to move) and the new drive through Fast Lane Drive Thru Coffee.

When it comes to ‘finer’ dining, 71 Wharf has changed hands and is now again open Friday and Saturday nights and Ebb & Flow at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough seems to be popular.

I know some are looking forward to the opening of the re-vamped Carriers Arms in the next week or so and it, along with Westside Tavern remains a popular choice amongst Maryborough’s pub dining options, along with the Maryborough RSL (which has recently started weekend breakfasts).  I’m often surprised also by the popularity of The Maryborough Sports Club (Sporties) on the ‘north side of town (as you’re heading to Hervey Bay) which I’m told offers excellent value for money. 

Hervey Bay

There’s been more movement in Hervey Bay. We already had some new cuisines popping up with Japanese at Tanto, Two Ducks Cafe & Asian Grocery at Urangan, Tres Salsas (for a great atmosphere) and Mexican food on the Esplanade at Torquay; and more recently Mee Mee Japanese Sushi and Korean Fried Chicken has opened at the Bay Plaza Shopping Centre.

food and dining on the fraser coast

From Tres Salsas’ FB page: Octopus paella topped with a chilli, lime rocket salad.

The Front Room, Bayaroma, Salt Cafe, Dan & Steph’s EAT, Vinvero’s and Bean Beat remain popular breakfast options and their esplanade locations help reflect their laid-back ambience. Of course the two eateries (and bars) RIGHT on the beach, Aquavue Cafe & Watersports and Enzo’s on the Beach have the upper-hand when it comes to ocean views. I’m still loving Enzo’s beanbags and vibe though struggle a bit more there on the gluten-free options front.

Along with The Front Room (at Torquay), I’ve heard great things about Su Jus Bar (& Lifestyle Kiosk) at Pialba Place – for those of us with allergies, or the ultra-healthy.

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From Su Jus Bar FB: 6 superfood bowls

As for coffee-loving peeps (other than cafes already mentioned) I know Cody’s Coffee Shack on the esplanade at Torquay seems popular and a drive thru cafe, Miss Cocoa’s has just opened on Boat Harbour Drive at Pialba (next to the new Shell Service Station).

COAST and The Vinyard Wine Bar and Restaurant are still the go-to fancy dinner spots, though I’m keen to also try the ($35 two-course plus wine) lunch The Vinyard has on offer; as its location is just perfect. Of course The Dock and Cafe Balaena at the Urangan Marina as well as Santini’s and Wild Lotus  in Torquay all continue to be popular choices for special occasions or a night out.

This post is becoming epic already (takeaway food will definitely need its own post) as I’ve not even touched on the pub and club dining scene.

I did recently however have a nice lunch at Beach House Hotel at Scarness. It, along with the Hervey Bay RSL both offer kids’ clubs that are draw-cards for my friends with children. I think Hog’s Breath and others also offer free kids’ meals on certain nights so that would be worth checking out. I know as well that The Bayswater at Urangan has recently changed its menu and now offers lunchtime specials throughout the week.

This list is far from exhaustive. I also kinda went off-script given I’d just planned to share a few new arrivals. It’s hard however NOT to mention some old faithfuls as well.

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From @frasercoast_eats on Instagram. Read it and weep. No… look at their feed and drool!

To keep an eye on dining options on the Fraser Coast I’d recommend following my favourite Instagram account – which has introduced me to MANY new eateries, @frasercoast_eats, as well as @frasercoast_foodies.

Feel free to leave any tips below about places I’ve missed. I really don’t get out that much and my allergies make it a bit more difficult.

* The post includes Facebook or website links to all of the cafes I’ve listed.

 

Things I’m loving on the Fraser Coast – February 2018

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I’ve been ridiculously slack on the blogging front here – despite having planned to write about some great experiences I’ve had over the past few months.

What is it they say in the ad on TV? Life’s v.busy? (Or is it v.messy?) Whatever…

Instead I thought I’d try to regularly share a few snippets of the stuff I’ve been getting up to / enjoying, OR… (more importantly cos I’m hermit-like, lazy and sometimes hate being around people), stuff I hear about.

Massage therapy

I walked out of Complete Wellness Holistic Therapy  yesterday and was only capable of sending a group of friends the très eloquent message, O. M. F. G.

I’d had my second massage with Gabby – the first being a gift from a friend for my recent birthday – and I was floating on air. She’s amazing. She achieves that balance between a massage being therapeutic and pampering (ie. I’m not in excruciating pain, but she hits the sore spots and equally makes me feel blissed-out). She also helps me relax with breathing exercises and finishes with a singing bowl thingy that is just magic and leaves me a little tingly… and no, not in THAT way, but in a ‘life is good’ kinda way.

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I never want the bliss massage to finish so plan my next one as I lie there getting my back and shoulders unknotted!

Cruising

I spent almost 5yrs back on the Fraser Coast before heading out on the water. In a boat. (And longer by foot, but that’s another story). A friend held her 40th birthday party on Whalesong Cruises last winter and the champagne and sunset cruise was a magical experience. We received a drink on arrival (and can buy more obviously) and A LOT of delicious food is included in the price. Like LOTS. I’m coeliac and they had an entire array of stuff especially for me.

Fast forward a few months and I went whale watching with my local bestie and godson. Obviously there are a plethora of options here in Hervey Bay, so we based our choice on price and the fact we really only wanted a half-day cruise in case the just-turned-6yr old got bored. We went with Hervey Bay Whale Watch (which offers a ‘locals’ discount) and had a great day. The crew were fabulous with 6yr old birthday boy Pickle and let him hang about in the captain’s cabin. A basic morning tea was served and other snacks and drinks were able to be purchased.

And then…. I hosted friends aboard a champagne and sunset cruise for my 50th birthday just after Christmas. Because I wanted to book the entire boat, have limited friends and budget, and had heard great things about their catamaran I went with Blue Dolphin Tours. Jodie and Peter were fabulous (& flexible) as I was nervous about the weather and so forth. The cruise is basically the same price as Whalesong, though there’s less distance travelled – you cruise for a while and then are moored somewhere between Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. The nibbles are fairly basic but guests are offered ‘unlimited’ alcohol. Which was perfect for the 90minute cruise. It’s certainly one of the best days of my life and one of my favourite experiences. EVER.

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Cafes and restaurants galore

The Dock Bar & Restaurant opened a while ago now and I had THREE events there over the Christmas period. I love the atmosphere and it’s a great plate-sharing / tapas type venue.

Everyone I know who enjoys healthy food has fallen in love with The Front Room. Offering vegan and organic food it’s perfectly located on the Esplanade in Torquay and is an acai-bowl / raw pizza-lovers delight.

Close friends of mine visited the new (Friday and Saturday night) Taco & Tequila Bar at EAT at Dan & Steph’s this past weekend and couldn’t have loved it more. They’re foodies and from all accounts the food and drinks on offer were fabulous.

I’ve not been there yet but am desperate to go to Alowishus Delicious in Maryborough just because it looks so BLOODY amazing. Screen Shot 2018-02-18 at 11.20.35

Mary Ryan’s bookstore – more than a bookshop

I interviewed Cate Akaveka – owner of Mary Ryan’s Hervey Bay – a while ago, and she’s a friend of mine. Since that interview, Mary Ryan’s has moved to the esplanade and certainly has taken on a whole different vibe. I suspect they’ve kept a lot of their old customer base but gained more.

As I said in that interview, I love that Mary Ryan’s host a range of events. A friend and I recently attended one of their monthly Philosophy & Coffee sessions (discussing whether ‘romance had ruined love’) and were gobsmacked that there were so many of us (like 30 or so) that we had to break into two groups. It was a fabulously mixed / eclectic bunch and everyone in my group talked about how much they enjoyed ‘deeper’ and more philosophical conversations.

And, as Valentine’s Day was approaching the team at Mary Ryan’s set up a tower of love. Basically it allowed you to go in and buy a book for someone (which they wrapped) and on V.Day, the store messaged the recipient to tell them there was a book there awaiting them. I bought a couple for my godson to leave there and my bestie bought one for me – though it was officially from a ‘secret admirer’. (Of course I have so many I hardly knew WHO it could possibly be!)

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Phew. This has actually been much longer than I intended it to be…. I think I’ll try to make this a monthly thing. Like a newsletter, except in blog post form.

PS. Apologies for the crap pictures. They’re all from Instagram / Facebook and attributed appropriately (as far as possible). I’ve also included website / Facebook links to the places I’ve talked about.

I’d welcome any comments…. massage therapists you’d recommend, places to eat and so forth. 

Second Instameet and new shops in the Borough

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Just over four months ago we held our first Instagram / social media users meet-up here on the Fraser Coast. At the time we vowed we’d do so again and then I kinda procrastinated about the whole thing hoping someone else would initiate it.

Thankfully a few fellow Fraser Coasters ran into each other in some new shops in Maryborough and decided it would be a great spot for the next gathering.

The lovely Katie again did the hard yards and liaised with Sotik Sanderson (from Open City ESS) who is apparently not at all worried by the concept of smart-phone carrying locals tramping all over her lovely shop taking random pictures of themselves, each other and… various pretty things.

Of course I must confess I’m yet to make to the new fabulous shops (Open City, The Burra Bub Co and Hey Posy) in the Adelaide Street laneway (remembered by me as the place we bought my bicycles as a kid!), but I follow all three new shops on Instagram and Facebook. And… because my friend’s just written a blog post about them I’ll send you in the direction of The Daily Recovery to check it out: Laneway Life (258 Adelaide Street Maryborough) and for more information.

Pic via: Gayel / The Daily Recovery website

I for one am really excited about the new shops opening around the Fraser Coast. I know we continue to lose some, but new blood ahem, arrivals are certainly something worth celebrating and supporting.

So… I might see you on Saturday (5 August, 12-2pm)! Drop by for a coffee and say hello!

For non-Instagram users, Katie has set up a FB page you can follow for news of other meet-ups.

And if you’re on Instagram but can’t make it we’ll try to use a sensible hashtag, like #frasercoastinstagrammers, so you can follow along from your deathbed (as there surely can be no other reason for not coming! 😉 )

** You can find Instagram and Facebook links for the great new shops in the Adelaide Street Laneway in The Daily Recovery post **

Karen Andersen: Fraser Coast fine artist

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I’ve become a big fan of Instagram. Sadly I remain exceedingly unartistic myself when it comes to photography and visual art, but I’m discovering some fabulous business and personal accounts on Instagram and – more importantly – some very talented people!

I don’t even know how I stumbled across Maryborough’s Karen M Andersen but I was immediately taken with her art and started planning my eventual purchase of one of her pieces.

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Karen’s gorgeous Instagram feed

Karen’s refreshingly honest online (you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram or check out her website) about her experiences with depression and anxiety. And she openly talks about the benefits of using art as an outlet for her emotions and creative energy.

I had the opportunity recently to meet her and talk about her work.

As Karen notes on her website, she’s always loved art but grew up in the era when it wasn’t really seen as a ‘vocation’. It was a hobby, not something to pursue career-wise. Fortunately Karen was also passionate about biology and science and left her hometown of Maryborough to study at Rockhampton’s Central Queensland University in 1993.

It didn’t entirely work out for Karen and ended up being the first time she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Karen says there was still a lot of stigma around mental illness in the 1990s and anyone over 30 or so will certainly agree that it’s taken a loooong time to recognise its debilitating effects, and the importance of appropriate treatment.

In the meantime Karen started a family (her two children are in their mid teens) and although she continued to pursue her creative interests (drawing and art journalling) during this time, it still wasn’t something she saw as anything other than a hobby.

In 2016 Karen travelled to Rockhampton to a Ken Done exhibition. Inspired she signed up for a Masterclass run by Done – which was the first the popular artist had conducted.

Karen came away from that with a renewed passion for her art and a confidence which surprised her.

“I don’t know where that determination came from,” she said.

Since then Karen’s more vigorously pursued her art (she works with acrylics on canvas and, as a non-artist, I was surprised at the complexities of surfaces, primers, textures and hues).

Karen now sells her magnificent abstract work via her website.

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I admired a piece of Karen’s work recently (via Instagram) but she responded that it was not yet ‘finished’. I was intrigued and wondered how one knows it’s finished? (Did I mention my ignorance when it comes to ‘all things art’?) Is there a temptation to edit and edit and edit – which is something many of us who write struggle with, I asked.

Karen agrees that’s certainly the case. She says she still experiences doubt sometimes, but she heeds Ken Done’s advice that there’s nothing that a bit of white paint can’t fix.

Karen said her confidence in terms of her art has grown in recent times and she’s far less likely to ‘overwork’ her pieces. She also keeps a sketch book to document her ideas and things that inspire her – and it doesn’t allow her to erase any of her work. (Kinda like journalling I realise!)

Though she hasn’t been putting herself or her work ‘out there’ for long, her talent is already starting to be recognised. She recently won second place at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s Hidden Wonders Art Exhibition and her work has been selected for future exhibitions.

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I love that she continues to be inspired by her surrounds – our beaches, rainforests and reefs. And she finds painting therapeutic and a way to express and explore her emotions.

I again confessed my artistic ignorance to Karen in admitting that I just love the colours of her work. I’m not a particularly visual person but even I can tell that Karen adding a patch of white to a vibrant piece somehow improved on what I thought was already finished.

I’d suggest following Karen on social media or checking out her website if you appreciate beautiful things, love colour and take inspiration from other’s creativity and talent.

I look forward to seeing more of Karen’s work on display around the Fraser Coast and beyond.

For more information on Karen or to buy her work, check out her site: Karen M Andersen.

** Big thanks to Karen for her time and letting me pick her brain. **

Pictures all from Karen's Instagram account.

The Fraser Coast Instagrammers meet-up

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I’ve only just realised I didn’t write anything about the social media / Instagram meet-up we held a few weeks ago.

In short, I think a pretty good time was had by all. We had people coming and going and those of us there made sure we were following everyone else we met. Not in a stalkerish way in real life obviously, but on Instagram etc…

Now I’m seeing amazing acai bowls put together by a seriously impressive 16yr old who’s more together than this 40-something year old; and who’s gotten me addicted to #VanLife pictures on social media. I’m also seeing a lot of amazing food on offer around the Fraser Coast, particularly via the fabulous Fraser Coast Foodies  and Fraser Coast Eats accounts.

And I had the opportunity to meet some fit Fraser Coasters who make me feel guilty each day that I scoff my Caramello Koalas and they’re out running or lifting heavy weights and cross-fitting.

And then there are those who share their lovely shots of the beach, shopping trips, meals or whatever they’re up to.

It’s nice to have put faces to names, and names to handles. It was nice to meet people I might not otherwise have met. And it was nice to get pushed outside of my / our comfort zone a little.

Following new people has also introduced me to a range of others and I’m agog at some of the creative and artistic peeps around, and love the positivity and zest for life that I see coming at me through beach pics, sunsets, sunrises, families, dogs and cats. And everything in between.

We’ve talked about attempting to have a similar catch up irregularly… so stay tuned.

Thanks to those who came along and don’t forget to use a #frasercoast (hashtag) or #HerveyBay or #maryborough or similar if you want to find other locals. Thanks also to The Front Room, which is a fabulous venue and cafe and I know you’ve gotten some new customers as a result!

For more information about upcoming meetups follow our new: Fraser Coast Instagram Meet-up account.

***Oops, I just found that I hadn’t posted this when I wrote it on 26th April, so I’m belatedly sharing it. Sorry ’bout that. ***