Gold Coast : Do together
Gold Coast is bold, brash and cheerful and has developed to unashamedly entertain its visitors. Surfers Paradise is ideal for families with a delightful swimming beach. The free beach volleyball is fun and cafés are handy. The huge Paradise Centre on Cavill Avenue has games and rides. Every Friday night there are craft markets along the front esplanade. There are 35 patrolled, safe, year-round swimming beaches on the Gold Coast, all enjoying a daily average of eight hours of sunshine, 300 days a year. There are also 446km of canals and tidal rivers - nine times longer than the canals of Venice and a darn sight cleaner.
The best beach in this area has the famous The Alley, which is known as a top surfing spot. And there's the not-to-be missed climb to the top of Elephant Rock to see the spectacular view. Right next door is the home of the Viking's Currumbin Surf Club, where you can have a drink on the balcony at sunset. Wow, what a view looking up the coast to Surfers Paradise! It's a picture to send home. This is definitely paradise. RCI has many resorts on the Gold Coast. Several large theme parks, miles and miles of sandy surfing beaches, night clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, casinos, shopping arcades, water sports, theatres and golf courses.
As the sub tropical South Queensland weather is usually good throughout the year, this is a year-round holiday destination which attracts over 4 million annual visitors. There are a several places of interest along the Gold Coast and some of these are described below and in more detail on additional pages.
The Gold Coast can be experienced at its most intense at the original resort - Surfers Paradise. The world famous 'Surfers', a bustling resort which never sleeps, has the renown surf beach, holiday attractions (including Ripleys Believe It or Not), bars, nightclubs, shopping arcades, holiday resorts and also The Gold Coast Arts Centre.
The Gold Coast begins at the New South Wales-Queensland Border at the twin towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta which tends to appeal to people looking for a quieter holiday but still with the big Gold Coast attractions nearby. The sandy strip extends up the coast and includes the resorts of Bilinga, Currumbin, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Miami, Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Sanctuary Cove, Couran Cove and South Stradbroke Island. Each of the towns and resorts has a different character but the underlying theme is the same.
As you approach it, usually the first indication of the 40 km long Gold Coast are the impressive sky rise developments standing proudly against the horizon. As you move closer there is a sense of anticipation and excitement as the towers start to dominate the sky. The Gold Coast and its lifestyle is highly sought after. The already high 'sky scrapers' are set to be joined by the world's tallest residential tower (Q1 at Surfers) such is the demand from people wishing to live and holiday on The Gold Coast.
The Theme Parks on the Gold Coast are simply fabulous and unavoidable if your have children. At Cable Ski World you can try go-carting, cable skiing and slingshot bungee. As well, there are the galleries of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, cool action at Frozen World, the 'space capsule' experience of Bungee Rocket, the free-fall swing of Flycoaster and illusions at Scene to Believe.
Coolangatta
At the southern end of the Gold Coast, Coolangatta has some of the region's prettiest beaches. Coolangatta has its own sheltered beach and nearby picnic area, and further south, Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay beaches are protected coves with gentle surf. Nearby Point Danger is an ideal location to watch the humpback whales as they migrate along the coast during the cooler months.
Stradbroke Island
A 20 minute ferry trip will take you to some of the most beautiful and quite beaches on the Gold Coast. South Stradbroke Island features rainforest areas, native wildlife and vast stretches of surfing beach. Two ferry services operate to South Stradbroke Island from the Runaway Bay Marina, 20 minutes drive north of Surfers Paradise.
Broadbeach
South of Surfers Paradise is Broadbeach. This area is popular with locals and has boomed as a dining and cafe precinct. Broadbeach is home to the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving club, host of the annual Australian Surf Life Saving titles.
Hinterland Highlights
The Gold Coast's hinterland is an unexpected highlight. This national park and rainforest covered region is alive with places of interest. Mount Tamborine has its own award winning winery and features Gallery Walk, an art and craft precinct brimming with Australian crafts, antique shops and eating spots. Mount Tamborine is also an ideal location for spectacular views back towards the Pacific Ocean.
Dominating the skyline west of the coast is Springbrook, a wonderful retreat with its cool air, plentiful waterfalls, bush walks and range of interesting flora and fauna. Tamborine and Springbrook are renowned for their quaint teahouses and wide choice of self-contained cottages and welcoming bed & breakfast lodges.
Lamington National Park
The Gold Coast's hinterland includes World Heritage listed national parks and reserves where visitors can enjoy bush walking (hiking), a swim in natural rock pools, bird watching, 4WD day tours and scenic picnic spots. Lamington National Park, Australia's largest preserved stand of sub-tropical rainforest, offers more than 160km of graded walking tracks.
An ancient volcano active more than 23 million years ago, formed Lamington, Springbrook, Border Ranges, Nightcap and Mount Warning National Parks which are spread across an area of some 7,000 square kilometres throughout the hinterland.
Natural Arch is a highlight of the hinterland, a spectacular waterfall which cascades through the roof of a cave into an icy pool. The cave is home to Australia's largest glow worm colony which is best viewed at night. Most of the Gold Coast's national parks are within a 40 minute drive of major coastal centres - breakfast at the beach and lunch on Lamington.
Beaches & Surfing
The Gold Coast's 35 golden beaches are patrolled year round by professional lifeguards and during the summer, by dedicated volunteers from the Surf Life Saving Clubs. The surf clubs are spread along the coast and create a way of life for members and visitors which center around ocean safety and friendly competition.
Visit one of the clubs for a bite to eat or to find out about local competitions and beach patrols. The parklands adjacent to most beaches offer facilities such as barbecues and picnic areas.
Scattered at the northern and southern ends of the Gold Coast are popular dive sites. Professional dive operators can offer a guide to some of the region's best kept underwater secrets and provide dive training.
Regions in Gold Coast
Northern Gold Coast
Theme park thrills & spills, famous rum distillery and suburbs along the Pacific Highway.
Southport & Broadwater
Commercial Southport to resorts at Runaway Bay, Sanctuary Cove & pristine Sth Stradbroke Island.
Gold Coast Hinterland
Fabulous national parks, walking trails, waterfalls, lush rainforest and, cosy mountain villages.
Central Gold Coast
Man-made waterways, shopping complexes, factory outlets & modern sporting facilities.
Surfers Paradise
Australia's most popular holiday destination. Great beaches, shops, accommodation & entertainment.
Coolangatta & Currumbin
Coolangatta airport, great surfing beaches, shopping, restaurants & resorts.
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