🍵 Gold Coast Part 2 - 8km of Coffee, Sunrises, and Small Joys

Read Part 1 Here ➡️ Gold Coast Part 1: Rainy Romance & Rogue Dairy

From darkness to sunrise, this loop was a masterclass in savouring the little things.

4:30 AM.

Eyes open.

Mind alert.

Body ready for the promise of caffeine.

Unlike the misty, cinematic gloom of the day before, today was different.

Perfect walking weather.

No rain. No damp pavement. Just the cool, quiet promise of a new day unfolding — and I wasn’t about to waste it.

☕ Shop 3: Buoy

Smooth like butter, gone before I knew it.

This day started like any other.

4:30 AM. Eyes open. Mind alert. Body ready for the promise of caffeine.

Unlike the day before — which was all misty rain and cinematic gloom — today was clear. Perfect walking weather.

And with that realization, I knew exactly where I was headed.

I’d been seeing Buoy on everyone’s Instagram stories.

The aesthetic? Immaculate.

The vibe? Intriguing.

The need to experience it for myself? Urgent.

So I stepped outside at 5:00 AM, fearless in the pitch-black quiet, and set off toward my destination.

The Walk

The air was cool, carrying a slight breeze that brushed against my skin — the kind of breeze that feels like a soft nudge, saying,

“Take your time. Enjoy this.”

Everything was tranquil. Peaceful.

I was completely immersed in the moment — the darkness giving me a sense of solitude, the silence allowing my mind to wander.

But then — a rustle in the trees.

My heart leapt.

For a moment, I was convinced it was someone lurking in the shadows, ready to end my iced long black adventures before they even began.

But no.

It was just the wind.

My pulse settled as I approached the main road, where groups of runners passed by me, their synchronized footsteps echoing a sense of safety.

Safety in numbers.

I took my time strolling, stopping at every picturesque spot to capture the sunrise and soak in the beauty of the ocean at dawn.

I was in no rush.

Just exploring.

Just being.

The Arrival

By the time I finally saw “The Oxley Atrium” gleaming in bold, gold lettering, I was ready.

Thirsty. Craving caffeine.

The anticipation had been building with every step, and when I walked inside, I wasn’t disappointed.

Lush green foliage sprawled across the space, creating a scene that felt both natural and elegant. The deep greens contrasted against the crisp white architecture, giving the entire atrium a clean, modern aesthetic.

So many little stores tucked into the space — each one adding to the charm.

And right there, in the middle of it all, was Buoy.

The café looked like it belonged in a glossy travel magazine, with its minimalist charm and laid-back energy.

The Ritual

The barista greeted me with a warm smile — bright, bubbly, and radiating good vibes.

And yes, she even complimented my sport set.

(I promise I’m not calling her nice just because she said I looked cute, but… it didn’t hurt.)

The Coffee

I ordered my usual: decaf Iced Long Black.

And this time? No dairy misadventures. No rogue lattes trying to crash the party.

Just smooth, dark perfection in a cup.

The coffee itself was medium to dark roast, with a subtle acidity that gave it just enough bite to keep things interesting.

It was strong — bolder than I expected — and I liked it.

But the cup? Small.

Too small.

The Walk Back

I took my first sip as I stepped back out into the morning light, and instantly, I knew.

This was the good stuff.

Smooth, bold, and dangerously drinkable.

I sipped slowly, letting the flavor linger, but it was disappearing too fast.

And as I walked back toward my hotel, I couldn’t help but think of the lyrics from BTS’ “Butter”:

"Smooth like butter, pull you in like no other…”

That was this coffee.

Gone by the 1.5 km mark.

I looked down at my empty cup and thought,

“Damn. That was fast.”

The coffee didn’t even give me a chance to savor it properly. It slipped away, leaving me wanting more.

The Vibe

As I sipped, the day slowly rose around me.

The sunlight stretched across the sky, painting everything in shades of gold and pink.

The world was awake now, but for those quiet moments with my coffee, I was still in my own bubble of tranquility.

Every step felt lighter. Every breath felt easier.

It was the kind of peaceful joy that comes from being fully present — just me, my coffee, and the world slowly waking up around me.

☕ Shop 4: Milkmans Daughter

A detour through Greece, with a side of caffeine and calm.

6:30 AM.

As my last coffee went down smooth like butter, I found myself walking slower than usual — savoring the aftertaste of caffeine and serenity.

The sun was rising, runners passed by in rhythmic consistency, and I was just… existing.

Sipping peacefully. Watching the world wake up around me.

That’s when the thought struck me.

“Aren’t I close to that other café?”

The detour wasn’t planned. But when you’re already riding the caffeine-induced euphoria of a perfect morning, why not keep the good vibes rolling?

The Arrival

By the time I reached Milkmans Daughter, I was buzzing with quiet excitement.

It felt like walking into a tiny piece of Greece, tucked away in Mermaid Beach.

Terracotta stone beneath my feet.

Smooth arches carved from stone, framing the space.

Crisp white walls reflecting the soft morning light.

I haven’t been to Greece (yet), but this?

Close enough.

The Ritual

The barista greeted me with a smooth, no-fuss energy.

She took my order quickly, but I could tell she was mentally willing me to order more — eyeing the tempting indulgences that filled the menu.

But I stayed loyal.

Decaf Iced Long Black.

No matcha affogato.

No vegan dulce de leche.

Just me and my one true love.

The Walk Back

Coffee in hand, I resumed my slow, peaceful stroll back toward familiar territory.

The breeze was gentle, the world was waking up, and I was… content.

Sipping. Walking. Letting the moment linger.

☕ Shop 5: Elk Espresso

The end of an 8km loop — rewarded by caffeine, cranberries, and the comfort of familiarity.

It was the grand finale of my 8km loop.

By the time I reached Elk Espresso, the sun was barely up, and I had already downed two decaf Iced Long Blacks with no food to fuel me.

Rookie mistake.

Walking 8km on coffee fumes and good intentions had me feeling ravenous — the kind of hunger where even an oat bowl sounds like a life-or-death situation.

And as luck would have it, Elk was just a one-minute walk from the hotel.

I was too tired, too hungry, and way too invested in the idea of finishing off their autumn menu to venture any further.

I followed the siren call of familiarity.

And honestly? I had no regrets.

The Mood Walking In

Relief.

That was the first thing I felt.

Relief that it wasn’t packed yet.

Relief that I could walk in, place my order in peace, and not feel like I was about to enter a gladiator match for a table.

I was excited but also just… ready to eat.

The Barista Moment

The barista was nice, friendly, and efficient — but there was a moment of… let’s call it gentle judgment.

I asked for my usual:

Decaf Iced Long Black. Takeaway cup.

(Yes, I know I’m dining in. But I like it in a takeaway cup. Let me live.)

But then he gave me the look.

And the classic line:

“You know the takeaway cup is the same price, but slightly smaller, right?”

Cue the awkward justification.

I had to explain my aesthetic preferences while simultaneously acknowledging that I was actively choosing to be not eco-friendly.

The shame.

But listen — I have commitment issues with dine-in cups.

I like the familiarity of a flat-top takeaway lid and the feeling of having the option to leave, even if I don’t.

So, yes. Same price. Smaller cup. And no regrets.

The Feast

By the time my food arrived, I was ready.

I didn’t even think twice about the oat bowl or the granola.

(Okay, maybe I did. But I stole half of my mum’s oat bowl later, so technically I got the best of both worlds.)

My choice?

The Brekkie Bowl.

A salad of roasted pumpkin, quinoa, and toasted almonds, topped with sunny-side-up eggs and — the true star — dried cranberries.

Why do cranberries make everything taste better?

Every time I have them in a dish, I’m like:

“OMG. Goals. Love it.”

It’s like they sneak in this perfect blend of tart and sweet that makes me appreciate food on a spiritual level.

And as I sat there, perched at the high-top chair, overlooking the café…

I had a moment.

The “everything the light touches is our kingdom” kind of moment.

Peak main character energy.

Was I implying that the other guests were my subjects?

No, of course not.

But did I feel like I had the best view of my tiny breakfast kingdom?

Absolutely.

The Loop

8km.

Three cafés.

One unforgettable sunrise.

Every step of the journey was a reminder that sometimes, the best moments are the ones that unfold slowly — like the sun stretching across the sky, or the last sip of coffee that lingers just a little too long.

☕ Final Sip

Three coffees. One sunrise. Endless moments to savor.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely.

But next time?

Maybe… just maybe… I’ll get a bigger cup.

Let’s sip. 🍵🥶