Just 40 minutes from Brisbane, the Gold Coast has it all. Australia's Gold Coast is famous for its stunning beaches, subtropical rainforests and great entertainment options. The Gold Coast also has more theme parks than any other holiday destination in the southern hemisphere.
It is difficult to put a time limit on how long to spend on the Gold Coast. Rather than setting an itinerary, it is best to choose from the following attractions and set your own schedule.
Theme Parks
Warner Bros Movie World
Sea World
Wet'n'Wild Water World
Dreamworld.
Shopping
Surfers Paradise is home to a wide range of shopping centres, boutique-lined boulevards, duty free stores and alfresco dining. Located in the heart of the city is the Paradise Centre featuring a range of novel specialty stores and fashion outlets. Here you can find a bagful of bargains - trendy accessories, surf fashion plus family entertainment and the Hard Rock Cafe. There's also Raptis Plaza and Cavill Mall where you'll discover quirky gift shops, fashion outlets, cafes, restaurants and Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum.
Waterways
The Gold Coast is famous for its stunning beaches. With 70 kilometres of uninterrupted coastline, the Gold Coast beaches have something for everyone.
The Gold Coast's 35 beaches are all patrolled to ensure families can relax at the beach because they know they are safe in the water.
Nature
A visit to Mount Tamborine, Tamborine Village North Tamborine and Eagle Heights will keep you busy for hours with cosy tea houses and beautiful art galleries. Tamborine even has its own award winning winery. Stroll down Gallery Walk, the main road through Eagle Heights and visit some of the area's treasured art and craft galleries, antique shops and eating spots. The western side of Tamborine Mountain has breathtaking views of the Great Dividing Range or Scenic Rim.
Queensland's first national park, Witches Falls, is a lovely spot for families and features picnic facilities with electric barbecues and a 4km walk. The 1km walk to Curtis Falls and back in the Joalah National Park is also good for small children.
Totally immerse yourself in the rainforest by staying in a guest house or camping at O'Reilly's Plateau, part of the World Heritage listed Lamington National Park. O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse offers morning bird walks where native birds feed from your hand, as well as other educational activities for kids. Don't miss the tree-top boardwalk which is free for day trippers. After dinner, take a walk around outdoors with a torch to catch glimpses of local wildlife. O'Reilly's Plateau is about a one-and-a-half hour drive from the centre of the Gold Coast. |
