Xavier Rudd
43, musician, Sunshine Coast
What time do you wake up on a Saturday?
Most days I seem to wake up between 6 and 7 no matter what time I go to bed, no alarm, just as soon as it’s light and the birds are singing I’m up.
Best place to go with kids?
Beach. Nothing better than when the surf’s on and the kids are around and we can load up the truck with boards and dogs and go hang on the beach. That’s livin’ I reckon.
Favourite park?
Tough one … so many amazing parks in Australia. Although it can get busy, the Noosa National Park on Kabi Kabi country is so incredibly special and when the surf is on it’s something else.
Local coffee haunt?
Don’t drink coffee, but I love a Nature’s Cuppa tea from my own kettle with a bit of soy milk and honey.
Best spot for date night?
Me and Ashy seem to always gravitate to a riverbank somewhere when we get time to us. We got married on a riverbank and we seem to head to one no matter where we are for a date. Maybe wine and food on a rug, possibly a margarita, depends on the vibe.
Favourite takeaway?
Look I could list a bunch of options here. Being an international touring musician you tend to do plenty of takeaway around the world. So I’d have to say that, since I was a kid, I’ve always been partial to hot chips, especially when you’ve been wet for whatever reason and you’re hungry there’s nothing better than a feed of hot chips, ay!
Where and when do you exercise?
Most days I go for a run, or do some kind of workout at home. Boxing, Hiit training (F45 I did for a bit) but I always like to run, especially on tour. It’s a great way to have a look around and I’ve actually written a lot of music in my head while running.
Best hidden treasure in Queensland?
So many. But Canal Creek is a beautiful, little freshwater creek on the Tele Track (Old Telegraph Track, Cape York). There’s a bunch of beautiful waterfalls around it and it’s a cracking place to camp when it’s not busy.
Favourite place to holiday in Queensland?
Love K’gari on Butchulla country (Fraser Island). For us it’s fairly quick to get to and we have a Troopy that’s all kitted out and perfect for it. It really is one of the most magical islands on the planet, so diverse and so special.
What’s your idea of the perfect Saturday?
Loading up the truck with family, food and boards etc and cruising up the beach to hang in the corner at Double Island when the sun is shining and the winds are off shore with a little swell, that’s a bloody good Saturday!
Rudd plays Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, tonight; Maryborough on May 31; Rockhampton June 1; Mackay June 2; Townsville June 3, and Cairns June 4 as part of a national tour. xavierrudd.com Interview: Amy Price