Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
The Gold Coast is Australia’s sunshine paradise and number one holiday destination. Stretching from Brisbane to the NSW border, ’The Coast’, as it is known locally, has more than 70km of popular, pristine surf beaches, entertaining nightlife, electrifying theme parks and plenty of sun-kissed locals. The region has lots more to offer than just exciting nightlife though. The relaxed, southern beachside suburbs of Burleigh Heads and Currumbin, home to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, offer a slice of laidback lifestyle, while the hidden hinterland forests are ripe for retreat.
Click here for a map of the Gold Coast
Coolangatta
International gateway to the spectacular Gold Coast region, Coolangatta lies at the southern end of the coast on the border with NSW. Here you will find some of the best swimming and surfing beaches, particularly Snapper Rocks, Kirra (also great a great dive spot) and Rainbow Bay. Part of the Coast’s 36kms of walking and bike tracks can also be found along the foreshore joining the headland and Rainbow Bay, allowing you to explore the area at your own pace, to your hearts content. You’ll also find an abundance of restaurants and alfresco dining opportunities, cafes, shops, beachfront markets and live entertainment.
At the border point between Queensland and New South Wales is the Point Danger headland, separating the famous surf break of Snapper Rocks to the north and Tweed River to the south. It’s here you’ll find the Captain Cook Memorial (large pillars enclosing a large bronze globe) and a lighthouse which chronicles the voyages of the legendary explorer around the southern hemisphere. Also, at the top of the headland is a park and lookout, which provides the perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse of dolphins, see native birds, spot migrating humpback whales and take in the mesmerizing jagged coastline.
The Coolangatta famous surf breaks are among the best in the world and regularly attract the planet’s best big name surfers. The wave can at times be ridden for over a kilometre, making it one of the longest, as well as one of the most hollow and consistent in the world.
Recommended Accommodation
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise, entertainment capital of Queensland, is the major hub for visitors to the Gold Coast region. Located an easy 30 minutes drive north of Coolangatta airport, this glitzy fun-filled playground is home to over 40% of the Gold Coasts accommodation, as well as a large array of shopping centres, restaurants, bars, clubs and casinos.
If you’re in town on Wednesday or Friday night, head down to the beachfront markets open between 5:30pm and 10:00pm. Here you’ll find more than 120 market stalls, stretch across half a kilometre of beachfront promenade. Showcasing a selection of locally produced goods ranging from accessories, jewellery, crafts and artworks, to beauty products, homewares and music.
Nearby Broadbeach is also well worth a visit, its pristine beach is world class and Surf Parade (the towns main strip) is home to award-winning restaurants and fashionable coffee houses, or why not spoil yourself in one of the many chic boutiques or champagne salons. Broadbeach’s village atmosphere offers an escape from the bustle of Surfers Paradise, for those looking for a more European feel.
Recommended Accommodation
Hinterland
The Gold Coast Hinterland is an area of stunning natural beauty, protected rainforests, rare bird species and small hillside villages. Springbrook National Park, Mount Lamington National Park and Mt Tamborine are the hinterlands best-known reserves. There are some fabulous lookouts across the NSW border to World Heritage Mt Warning around the small settlement of Springbrook, as well as many spectacular waterfalls and cave pools. The walking trails in Natural Bridge National Park are a must, as is the glow-worm cave at Cave Creek - home to Australia’s largest glow-worm colony.
Springbrook National Park
Most well known for it’s beautiful waterfalls, including the famous Purlingbrook Falls, Springbrook National Park is nature lovers paradise, home Antarctic Beech trees and a host of native wildlife.
The walking trails in Natural Bridge National Park are also a must, as is the glow-worm cave at Cave Creek - home to Australia’s largest glow-worm colony. Time and weather permitting, Waringa Pool, at the base of the creek is great and refreshing swimming hole.
There are some fabulous lookouts across the NSW border to World Heritage Mt Warning around the small settlement of Springbrook, as well as many spectacular waterfalls and cave pools.
Lamington National Park
The most well-known and visited Hinterland region, the World Heritage listed Lamington National Park is part of the MacPherson Ranges and is home to the unique and famous O’Reilly Rainforest Retreat. Covering an enormous 20,500 hectares, the Lamington National Park is located 100kms south west of Brisbane and is home to an abundance of native flora and fauna.
At the base and gateway to the national park is Canungra. It’s relaxing country atmosphere and old fashioned hospitality is a step back in time that will have you feeling worlds away from action packed high rises of Surfers Paradise. Small shops and cafes line the main street, as well as, a monthly country market (4th Saturday) offering fresh produce, arts and crafts. Well known for it’s wineries, you can relax to the sounds of blues and jazz in the Canungra Valley Vineyards each Sunday afternoon, a popular activity for both locals and tourists in the know.
Mount Tamborine National Park
A short 30 minutes from the central Gold Coast, Mount Tamborine National Park is Queensland’s first national park reserve. A favourite for romance, the area is full of boutique B&B’s and cosy hideaways, as well as, day spas and wedding venues.
Here you’ll find a an array of eye catching waterfalls including the magnificent Cameron Falls, Cedar Creek Falls and the Witches Falls, all well worth a visit, especially after rainfall when they truly come into their own, with the surrounding mountain top covered with mist. The result of an outpouring of lava from Mount Warning, has also resulted in unusual cycads, relics of plants from 150 million years ago, that can be found still growing on the mountain.
Beautiful views exist on both sides of the ranges, out over the splendid surrounding scenery, as well as out over the Gold Coast, to Brisbane and Mount Warning.
Recommended Accommodation
RECOMMENDED TOURING
Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon - Sunrise Flight Experience
Currumbin Sanctuary - Experience Pass
Southern Cross - Window to Winlderness Hinterland Day Tour
To book, call 0845 643 6548
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX101824.
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