On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 28 I March/April 2019 | Page 26

cont. from page 25 order the banquet for two. As our pals suggested, the food is so inexpensive and generous, we can’t finish it all. I still have a papadam in my jeans. The following day we jump the light rail to Main Beach for a sticky beak. Here we breakfast at Hotshots Cafe. Ordering the ‘bagel board’, we again – cannot eat it all. We notice this is a theme on the Gold Coast: enormous servings of quality food at bargain prices. Hey, it’s not like we eat like sparrows. Or should I say lorikeets because later that day we head south to visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Voted one of the Gold Coast’s most popular tourist destinations, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the jewel in the crown of the National Trust of Australia. And is one of Queensland’s earliest nature-based tourist destinations. Maybe you recall visiting it as a child? I remember going there as a kid in the 1960s. I can still remember feeding flocks of shrieking lorikeets, slightly terrified, like Rod Taylor in The Birds. These days there are lots of fab animal shows and indigenous cultural shows. I guess the Nat Trust had to lift its game with the ubiquity of wildlife parks, a la Family Erwin. Aquaduck Lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Electric scooter hire If you’re visiting Goldie you might consider hiring an electric scooter. (Ahem, this is not the kind of scooter some of you more elderly readers of this column are thinking of – see above.) These fun scooters mean you can explore ‘the strip’ without wearing out your sensible shoes. It’s kinda fun. You can expect to get up to 4 hours from the battery on an electric bike and because it’s the anarchy of the Gold Coast, no licence is required for some reason. Another fun activity is the Aquaduck (seniors $37). Pick up is from Cavill Ave right near the Vibe. As the name suggests, this amphibious tour-bus is a city tour and waterways cruise all in one. If you’re computer literate, simply type in “aquaduck Gold Coast” into YouTube to get the full picture. It’s a lot of fun and something a little different: hitting the water from the city streets. A day trip to remember... Ride the Ferry and have lunch at the Davo! Aboriginal dancer at Currumbin That evening we simply return to Vibe Hotel and order the Driftwood Burger and eat by the warm pool, all set against the dappled light of the Nerang River. Happy hour prices mean we enjoy a few too many gin and tonics but we don’t seem to notice – until the sore head the following morning. Psst! Seniors, don’t forget you never ever ever book during that hideous bacchanalian festival known collectively as ‘schoolies’. If you’re not computer literate, pick up the phone and ask the friendly folk at Vibe Hotel when the school kids hit the strip. Don’t forget! Ferry Trip & Lunch Package ONLY $30 per head Only 2 minutes’ walk from Woy Woy station the M.V Saratoga departs Fisherman’s Wharf Monday to Friday at 10.45am and 12.30pm and on the weekends 9.30am, 10.45am or 12.30pm for a relaxing ride on the beautiful Brisbane Waters. There is an option of a 1 ½ hour COCKATOO ferry cruise departing from 10:15am with return on the regular ferry at 1:15pm or 2:15pm. Inform the Boat Captain and he will ring the club prior to your arrival where the bus will pick you up from Davistown Wharf and bring you to Davistown RSL Club. The bus will then depart the club at either 1.00pm and 2.00pm for your return journey home. Bookings are essential. For more information contact Davistown RSL Club on 4363-0103 and Central Coast Ferries on 0418 63 13 13. Email [email protected] 2 Course Menu – Main & Dessert Minimum of 25 people For your next group booking look no further than Davistown RSL with a wide variety of choices. DAVISTOWN RSL CLUB 26 S EN I O R S O N T H E C OA S T Highly Commended 2014 Chef’s Table