Paddymelons
Restaurant - Alfresco Café - Romantic Accommodation
Paddymelons Restaurant is located on the Springbrook Plateau of the Springbrook National Park in South East Queensland, Australia.
It dominates the skyline west of the Gold Coast and is prominent from the famous beaches of Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta.
Built in the 1920’s “Paddymelons” is named after the local species of kangaroo (spelt “pademelon”). Paddymelons is located at the beginning of the Springbrook Plateau and is directly opposite the world heritage Wunburra Lookout, the first and oldest lookout in Springbrook. It enjoys spectacular views of the Gold Coast and Little Nerang Dam.
In the early days bullock teams pulled felled lumber down the mountain and the only access was as a single lane road cut through a rocky precipice. The treacherous road was open to upwards traffic in the morning and downwards traffic after lunch.
Paddymelons
became a rest stop for travellers waiting to leave Springbrook (or “the
mountain” as we locals all it). 
Bullockies and would sit and chat and from Wunburra lookout take in the view of the ocean to the right (the Gold Coast and accompanying high-rise did not exist back then) and Purlingbrook gorge to the left. Of course there was nothing better than enjoying a freshly brewed tea or coffee and a bite to eat, whittling away the time until the road was opened to downwards traffic in the afternoon.
Over the years what was an original settler’s cottage was gradually rebuilt with successive owners until it became a proper teahouse then later a gallery and teahouse and most recently a licensed restaurant, alfresco café and now some very very nice accommodation.
Despite the evolution Paddymelons has been able to maintain a warm and friendly atmosphere with old world charm. Its owners Melissa and George provide that personal touch and it is difficult not to feel at home from almost the minute you arrive.
When you visit Springbrook you visit an area recognised the Unesco World Heritage Committee as one of the most outstanding and valuable places in the world.
The Springbrook Plateau has international recognition of the conservation value of this area and its unique zoology, sub tropical and cool temperate rainforest and rare floral and fauna.
At Springbrook you can escape the summer heat (sometimes the temperatures at Springbrook are some 8 degrees cooler than on the Gold Coast) and enjoy a diversity of cool rainforest, eucalypt forest, bubbling mountain streams which cascade in to huge waterfalls which then empty in to deep palm filled valleys. With a wide range of walking tracks from easy to challenging which wind their way through ancient forests across sparkling mountain streams and through tunnels of vegetation so thick that in some places block the sky only to open on to a viewing platform with such spectacular views that will take your breath away.
Located some
900 metres above sea level and receiving some 3000mm of rain a year you can feel
the temperature drop and the climatic change as you make your way up the windy
picturesque drive up the “mountain” whether you come through Mudgeeraba or
through Nerang or Murwillumbah all of which will take you through the Numinbah
Valley.
More than 100 bird species live in the Park including rare and threatened animals like the Richmond Bird Wing which rely on Springbrook’s forest for their survival.
Ten percent (10% ) of the plants are only found locally.
You can take short walks or simply relax in the bush where you might see cascade tree frogs, green frogs, bush turkeys, goannas, satin bowerbirds, regent bowerbirds, noisy minors, crimson rosellas, king parrots, black cockatoos the occasional dingo, kangaroos and of course pademelons.
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency nicely sums Springbrook as follows:-
“Springbrook National Park dominating the skyline west of the Gold Coast, Springbrooks Plateaus, cool rainforests, fresh mountain streams and eucalypt forest and montane heath offers the visitor a contrast to the urbanised low lands.
View impressive landscapes and walk in subtropical warmth and cool temperate rainforest, open eucalypt forest and mountain heath. Explore forest habitats and encounter diverse wildlife – including rare and endangered and primitive specifies”.
What better place to start your adventure than at Paddymelons and what better place to return to our welcoming accommodation to share your experiences and to toast another glorious and successful day.
Say hello to our cockatoos or watch our friendly peacock strut his stuff. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a black cockatoo whilst sipping your espresso.
You can hear the currawong’s call or watch the rosellas fight over whose turn it is to be on guard while the others duck in to the feeder.
Just remember this is a place to slow down relax and forget the daily grind.
We invite you to enjoy our hospitality and welcome you to Springbrook.
Links
Springbrook National Park - Springbrook Information - Local - Springbrook School - Queensland Holidays -