Melbourne-born Maddi Turner has been holidaying on the Gold Coast with her family for years. At the end of 2021, Maddi felt an irresistible urge to pack up and move where she felt happier and things felt a little easier and more comfortable. That place was Burleigh Heads. After an unsuccessful mission to find a plant-based sandwich, it became apparent there was a glaring gap in Burleigh’s famed foodie scene. Right then and there, she decided to take matters into her own hands and set about creating Piknik. Unlike many of the decisions we make on a whim with no real idea on how to make it a reality, Maddi’s family have owned and operated a successful cafe in Ferntree Gully for the past 11 years so they knew precisely where to start. The idea behind Piknik is to create a spot where everyone can grab a bite, whether you’re coeliac, plant-based, health focussed or you’re just in the mood for something delicious. With the why and the what sorted, it just came down to finding a suitable location which Maddi says presented itself through some targeted manifesting. “I wrote down ‘a small white shop within the 4220 postcode’ and here it is,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be in Burleigh, it’s always felt like my home away from home and has that niche market that we’re looking for.”

Maddi’s background is in the fitness industry, so when it came to the all-important task of menu creation, it was important to ensure the menu is healthy and balanced with fats and proteins. Despite the misconception of plant-based cuisine consisting of unsatisfying salads, Piknik is here to prove quite the opposite. “Being foodies, it  sparked our imagination as to how we can show people that you can eat plant based every now and then and be full and satisfied,” says Maddi. Lining the cabinet, you’ll find an array of fresh sandwiches including the one that started it all – The Burleigh Basic (lettuce, beetroot, carrot, avocado, tomato, cucumber, sprouts, red onion and a swathe of relish) alongside The Scrambled Tofu, which is Piknik’s take on the egg-and-lettuce combo. Those who prefer their sandwiches toasted can sink their teeth into meat-free morsels including The JT Special (tomato, spinach, pineapple, vegan cheese and barbecue sauce) named after Maddi’s dad and The Beans In Toast (house-made beans, cheese, onions and spinach). Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy The Sweetie, a decadent combination of peanut butter, banana, jam and hemp seeds. Piknik uses a combination of The Paddock Bakery and The Bread Social for the all-important base. When asked what it takes to make the perfect sandwich, Maddie replies with “simple, healthy with filling fillings on good bread, made with love.” That’s precisely what you will find at Piknik. Wash it down with a smoothie or a Julius Meinl coffee on your favourite milk-alternative. Heading out for a picnic? Pop in and pre-order your Piknik box to enjoy on the hill or keep an eye on DoorDash as they’ll pop-up there oh-so-soon.

Piknik is now open! Hit our Stumble Guide for opening days and times.