Property Details

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 Restaurant Bed and Breakfast 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 the 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 bed and breakfast.



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.

This is not a place to grab some takeaway and rush to your next appointment. Forget fast food. It is a place to be savoured and enjoyed. A place to sit, relax, breath deeply and shrug off the worries of the world. Within a short time you will feel yourself slowing down, a pleasant lethargy will invade your body and it will feel good to be alive.

Paddymelons boasts an extensive lunch menu and an even more exciting dinner menu. We believe that food should taste good and be well presented but not a “work of art�. Food is to be enjoyed for its taste colour and flavour and there should always be an elegant sufficiency.

The alfresco café offers the pleasure of sitting beneath the open sky enjoying the sunshine or shade, listening to the birds and taking in the grounds the gardens. The resident peacock my wander over and say hello or if the chooks have escaped it could be a chicken (we serve fresh eggs for our all day breakfast).

If it’s been raining (Springbrook is a high rainfall area) or the temperature has dropped then the restaurant boats some comfortable armchairs and of course a traditional fireplace.


Indulge yourself in some tea and home baked scones with fresh cream and jam or something a little more substantial. There is always a variety of home made soups which are served with home made damper.

Perhaps a cappuccino or a short black is more your style before switching to a pinot noir or a Johnny Walker on the rocks.

It’s very easy to settle in, but if you are having alcohol and not staying with us, remember you will have to drive home not wobble home, so take care as it is very easy to settle in.

Paddymelons is the perfect venue for a romantic dinner for two or just lunch with friends.

For those extra special occasions talk to George or Melissa, your hosts for suggestions and inspirations.

Remember if it’s not on the menu it doesn’t mean that it’s not available, particularly with some prior notice.

We do cater for functions and small groups and conferences, an ideal spot for your special event.

Our detached cottage will accommodate approximately 40 persons and the main restaurant can cater for up to 60 people.

Paddymelons is also pleased to offer accommodation by way of bed and breakfast.

Each room has a balcony, queen size bed and is warm cosy. All our B&B's are located in a detached section of the building with two shared bathroom facilities.

Guests have a private lounge/library with complimentary tea and coffee making facilities provided. A nice place to sit and read a book, catch up on yesterday’s news, play a round of cards or enjoy a game of chess.

Of course if you really enjoy port or liqueur then………. you will probably not be in too inclined to sample the walks, trails, waterfalls, birdlife and rare plants but may be tempted by the local winery.

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 both 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.

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.


What better place to start your adventure than at Paddymelons Restaurant and what better place to return to our Bed and Breakfast 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

Local Area Details

Brisbane Airport - 70 minutes Coolangatta Airport - 45 minutes. Surfers Paradise 45 Minutes
Nearest Golf Course - 30 minutes.
Beaches - 40 Minutes
Theme Parks - 45 minutes

Contact Information

Name:	George
Telephone:	+617-5533-5126
Alt Telephone:	--
Fax:	+617-5591-5583
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