The Gold Coast… Australia’s sixth largest city and without doubt Australia’s most popular beach holiday location . It’s incredible 42 km string of pristine beaches extend from Runaway Bay in the north to the New South Wales border in the south . The beaches are the jewel in the Gold Coast crown and are the major reason why this region has been attracting holiday makers for generations. With an average of more than 300 days of sunlight per year it’s no wonder people are attracted from all over the world.
Inland from the coastal surf and sand lies the “Green behind The Gold”, a rich, elevated hinterland of rainforests, wildlife, panoramic views, trails and National Parks . This is one of the Gold Coast’s most popular day trip destinations.
Popular Gold Coast Locations
Southport & Main Beach – The location of the Sea World theme park and the nearby Marina Mirage with it’s distinctive while sails . The Southport Broadwater attracts water sports devotees with its broad expanse of calm water. Main Beach provides most of the holiday accommodation for this area which is rapidly becoming a major tourist destination for the northern end of the Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise – Surfers remains the focal point of the Gold Coast.and is often mistakenly described as being the Gold Coast. Surfers has more restaurants per square kilometre than anywhere else in Australia. Surfers has several large shopping centres and provides the bulk of Gold Coast holiday accommodation .
Broadbeach – One of the major destinations for holiday makers on the Gold Coast and just a few kilometres south from Surfers Paradise. Much of the newest, contemporary resorts and apartment blocks are to be found here . The beaches are excellent and regularly host some of Australia’s major surf life saving carnivals. There is an excellent variety of restaurants and shopping options.
Burleigh Heads – This one of the Gold Coast’s most popular surfing locations and it’s quiet, laid back village atmosphere make it one of the more popular holiday locations for families. There is a short 3 km walking track in a little national Park with excellent panoramic views of the surrounding coastline . Fleays Fauna Centre is located just a few kilometres west of the town.
Currumbin – While best known for the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the feeding of the rainbow lorrikeets, this is another Gold Coast location with excellent beaches that is popular with holiday makers wanting to bypass the hustle and bustle of the more built-up centres .
Coolangatta – This is the southern end of the Gold Coast where it meets the border with New South Wales . Coolangatta and the neighbouring Tweed Heads have grown into a single urban area but retain their twin towns status. The beaches at Coolangatta and the adjacent areas of Greenmount and Rainbow Bay are some of the best on the Gold Coast.
Tips For Gold Coast Visitors
The Gold Coast extends over 50 km in length and to fully appreciate it all, visitors should consider a Gold Coast rental car if they are not travelling with their own vehicle. Taking into account the costs of airport transfers, getting to and from theme parks, day trip costs etc, then a vehicle rental becomes a very viable option.
The Gold Coast is home to an amazing collection of resorts and apartment style accommodation that meets the needs of the flood of tourists and holiday makers . The accommodation choices range from economy backpacker through to 5 star luxury and everything in between . Advance bookings are essential for all resorts and apartments on the Gold Coast especially in the high season period from mid December to mid January.
Visitors who only need accommodation for one or two nights will find an excellent choice of Gold Coast hotels. The total number of hotels is not that great as the majority of accommodation targets self catering holiday guests. Gold Coast hotels are nearly all located in the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach areas.
Gold Coast Attractions
The major Gold Coast theme parks are actually not on the Gold Coast , and are a 25-30 minute drive from Surfers Paradise along the highway towards Brisbane. Dreamworld and White Water World are both near Coomera which is 56 km south of Brisbane .
Warner Bros Movie World is just a few klms away near Oxenford and is a working movie studio plus entertainment park that also provides stunt shows and movie and cartoon characters to entertain the kids . Wet ‘n Wild is an adjacent park with twisters, wave pools and toboggans as well as facilities for younger children .
Located on the Spit at Southport, Seaworld is Australia’s largest aquatic park. Its locationt makes it a lot more accessible to visitors staying on the Gold Coast. The park attractions include performing dolphins, whales and seals together with waterskiing and aquaballet displays. The park also has a series of roller-coaster rides.
The Hinterland has always been a favourite day trip destination for Gold Coast holiday makers. This is a region of scenic lookouts and lodges set amongst rugged countryside with narrow, winding roads . For a self drive outing, take the circular route starting from Coolangatta south to Murwillumbah and swing north through Crystal Creek, Chillingham, Numinbah, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Mudgeeraba and finally back to the coast.
Another option is to detour from Nerang and head west through Tamborine National Parks taking in Wilson’s Lookout, Thunderbird Park and Cedar Creek Falls before rejoining the highway at Beenleigh.
So when it’s time plan your next Australian holiday, make sure the Gold Coast is on the . You won’t be sorry!
