The end of May was my Mum’s 60th birthday. She, like most mums, is always going out of her way to support her friends and extended family so this year was our opportunity to do something special for her.

For the last few years mum has celebrated her birthday by spending a weekend away at the Blues on Broadbeach music festival on the Gold Coast. Mum’s original request was that the whole family join her and her friends for the weekend but, mum being mum, she didn’t want my brother and I to go to the expense of travelling to the Gold Coast with our respective families. So… My brother and I decided to surprise her and left partners with the kids back at home in Sydney.

I had no idea how many great Blues musicians were on the bill at the festival and I was completely blown away that not only were there internationally renowned artists but it was all free! From Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges to Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Russell Morris to Juzzie Smith the quality of the music was amazing.

The stages are dotted around the outdoor malls in Broadbeach and music runs from 10am, throughout the day and into the night so there is always something to see. I was, however, one of the few festival goers with no grey hair (I guess I was there to celebrate a 60th birthday!) but it was fantastic to see so ‘mature’ people able to enjoy the festival without a heap of young people overwhelming them in the crowd.

The weather was amazing so we chose to mix roaming the festival stages with walks along the beautiful Broadbeach, browsing the beachside markets and fish & chips on the balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

On our final night we dined at Mecca Bah. This was the second time I’ve dined here and it did not disappoint. I love Moroccan food & the banquet was delicious!

Although it was only a long weekend, it felt like much longer. It was such a great time with family and with cheap flights to the Gold Coast, shared accommodation, free music festival, markets and the beach it was still a very economical weekend away and a great way to celebrate my Mum’s 60th birthday