Sanctuary Cove Marine Village, Queensland

If you are spending some time on the Gold Coast and want a peaceful spot to relax for a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, then Sanctuary Cove might be the spot for you.

Sanctuary Cove is a beautiful community built around the water ways of the Gold Coast. Although it is home to some of our more wealthy Gold Coast residents, the Marine Village has a relaxed and friendly vibe to it.

It is the perfect spot to meet friends for breakfast or lunch as there are several different dining options around the village. It also plays host to annual events like the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show and the Winter Wine Fest. There are also some lovely shops to browse through and not all of them are expensive. Outdoor markets are also held there once a month and that’s where I headed to recently.

MUMMY TREE MARKETS

The Mummy Tree Markets are held at Sanctuary Cove on the first Saturday of the month. These markets don’t just sell baby items. They have a great range of unique gifts that you can’t find in shops. Much of it is handmade which is nice. I found several lovely stalls and I thought the prices were quite reasonable. I bought a pretty hand made card and little ‘snuggle’ mat to include in a baby shower gift.

There were also activities for kids so it would make a great family morning out. There were pony rides, a small petting zoo and a lady singing nursery rhymes with a group of adoring fans sitting at her feet.

MORNING TEA TIME

There are plenty of spots to eat in Sanctuary Cove. My favourite is Cafe Nineteen which is great for morning or afternoon tea, breakfast or lunch. This time I decided to try somewhere different and opted for Quay Street Cafe and Bar. Although it was busy, there were plenty of table both inside and outside and the service was reasonably fast. I had a coffee and a piece of pear and raspberry loaf which was delicious!

Other dining options at Sanctuary Cove include George’s Paragon – beautiful meals with an extensive menu or if you want to go really up-market you can head to the Black Angus Bar and Grill. Prices start at about $18.00 for an entree up to $120.00 for a Seafood Platter for two.

If you fancy a beer or two in a relaxing setting check out the Cove Bar, which also has dining available.

SHOPPING

There are some great shops in Sanctuary Cove. Yes lots of them are rather expensive but others are reasonably priced. Either way I do enjoy looking at pretty things even if I’m not buying. On this visit I found a beautiful home wares shop called Hampton’s Style. Not a lot in there that would fit in a caravan but lovely none the less.

A shop that I have found a gift or two in is called Tango Lima. It sells a mix of items including candles, bags and accessories. Or you could check out the range at The Bach which sells a range of beach inspired home wares.

WHERE TO STAY

If you really wanted to splurge on accommodation then the place to stay is the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort. Set in lush tropical style gardens with a huge lagoon style pool as it’s centerpiece I’m sure a stay here would be divine! The resort building has a real colonial feel to it and would be perfect during our hot summer months.

Rooms start at around the $260.00 a night mark so it is not out of reach, especially if it was for a special occasion! There are three different room types available as well as several dining choices.

Why don’t you put Sanctuary Cove on your list of places to visit!

Happy Travels…..Melissa