The poor man’s Mooloolaba
According to journalist, Natascha Mirosch, who writes for the ‘Bites‘ column in the Courier-Mail, Caloundra used to be considered the poor man’s Mooloolaba!?! However, both the skyline and streetscape of Bulcock Beach have changed following an $8.5 million facelift.
“The strip across from one of the most picturesque beaches has been renamed The Waterfront with the hope of making it a dining destination. It’s certainly a pleasant spot to sit and eat al fresco with perfect water views. One of the first to hang their shingle is La Dolce Vita, sister to the popular Park Road, Milton, establishment. Open all day, they’re serving up healthy-sized breakfasts, lunches or just a well-made coffee and delicious custard-filled cannoli made in-house.”
“If your idea of breakfast runs more to an English fry-up with the works, the British style Penefathings Inn will provide, as well as offering traditional Sunday roasts. The Coffee Club and the Hog’s Breath Cafe (which has the added attraction of being able to view swimmers through the portholes in the pool at the Rumba Resort above) are new tenants too.”
“Letting down the side is former footballers Alfie Langer’s trio of businesses - including a fish and chip shop, a cafe and an ice-creamery - that are looking rather run-down in comparison.”
Well, Natascha, if we were that way inclined and wanted to be glorified Yuppies, we’d move up the coast to Noosa, bypassing Mooloolaba and going direct to Yuppiedom itself. We now have no choice, as the Yuppies have come to us, so I suppose we’ll have to give this Park Road merchant and his mates a bit of a go. Speaking for myself, I much preferred Caloundra as it was, quiet (comparitively) and sleepy. Anyway, it boils down to this. If these new arrivals start bunging on $6.50 lattes and $29.50 for fish and chips, it’ll be goodbye time.
Lastly, I made a point of taking a squiz at “The Waterfront” and can say with all honesty that Alfie’s place holds it’s own or betters the new establishments with all their glass and chrome and no blackboard menus to gauge prices.
