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This time of year sees the mayhem of Schoolies Week descend upon Surfers Paradise. But what’s the Gold Coast got to offer those of us for whom school was, ahem, so last century? Here’s our selection of 10 top things to do on the Gold Coast, no matter what your age.
1. TAKE TO THE WATERJust 20 minutes from Surfers by boat, South Stradbroke Island is a great way to enjoy island life during your Gold Coast stay. There’s no accommodation on South Straddie, but there are a number of operators who run return trips and most include meals. For a different approach, you could make the trip aboard a tall ship with activities such as parasailing optional. Visit McLarenslanding Tour Cruise. |
Join a Whales in Paradise tour and come face-to-face with the giants of the sea. Departing from Surfers, the tours run June–October and boast a 100% whale sighting record in all previous seasons of operation. Choose from a morning or sunset tour. Adults $85, kids $50 and families $220. Visit Gold Coast Whale Watching.
For something very different, you could catch your lunch on a Catch-a-Crab tour. You can fish, check the pots for mud crabs and pump for yabbies. The tour runs along the scenic Tweed River and includes all equipment and refreshments. A crab lunch is optional. Visit Catch-a-Crab tour.
If you want the day to be all about you, then head off to a day spa. The Golden Door has an extensive menu of massages and treatments to de-stress and relax even the most wound-up bodies. Change into the luxurious fluffy white robes provided, sip on a herbal tea and try the hot stone massage – a favourite for stars like Gwyneth Paltrow. Warmed basalt rocks are placed on key points on your body to unwind tense muscles and then used with oils to massage you back to good health. Visit The Golden Door Australia or call (07) 5531 3626.
If you are into the rejuvenation of a bathhouse, try Paradise Spa in Surfers Paradise. Based on Japanese, Roman and Turkish traditions, the bathhouse consists of a hot salt pool, cold plunge pool, steam room, sauna and Turkish rasul steam room. There are separate bathhouses for men and women and a wide range of other treatments as well. Visit Paradise Spa or call (07) 5570 6661.
Or, if you’re after some celebrity glamour, head south to Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat where the likes of Hugh Jackman go to get rejuvenated. Visit Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat or call (07) 5589 5000.
| You can go sky high in a variety of ways on the Gold Coast. Jump on an ex-military aircraft and loop and spin above Surfers Paradise with Black Jets’ range of aerobatic and combat flights. Price varies depending on flight type. Visit Black Jet.
History buffs might prefer a joy ride over the hinterland in a 1930’s Tiger Moth open cockpit biplane. Visit Tiger Moth Joy Rides. Or, for one of the oldest forms of aviation, try a romantic hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast. Adults $285 and children $200. Visit Balloon Down Under. |
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If flying’s not your thing you can witness some stunning views with a trip to the 77th floor observation deck of the Q1 tower; take in 360 degree views from Brissie to Byron. Cost $16.50 adults and $9.50 children. Visit Q1 Tower.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a truly peaceful oasis – even the animals seem totally chilled. The sanctuary is home to over 1400 birds, mammals and reptiles, many of which roam about freely looking for a spot to laze in the sun.
You can walk among roos and emus, and through the largest rainforest aviary in the southern hemisphere. And if you have a question, ask one of the friendly guides. You can also join a Behind the Scenes or Wildnight After Dark tour to watch the nocturnal animals swing into action. Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
If you’re into water-loving beasts, then make a beeline to Sea World. You’ll find seals, dolphins, sharks, polar bears and plenty of marine critters. There are also regular dolphin shows, and if you’re game you can swim with the sharks at Shark Bay. Visit Sea World.
As a Member you get a discount on the price of tickets if you pre-purchase with NRMA. Visit NRMA Travel or call 13 11 22.
This is where you go for serious kid action. The Gold Coast is home to the two biggest theme parks in Australia – Warner’s Village Theme Parks, which comprise Movie World and Wet’n’Wild (as well as Sea World), and Dreamworld, which is about to open White Water World. They’re just across the road (OK, the Pacific Motorway) from each other and they bring out the child in all of us.
Movie World has all the characters and rides we know from the movies and also has various shows on during the day. Wet’n’Wild conversely is all about getting soaked – the kids can float all day on a lifesaver or barrel down water spouts, tubes and slides. During the summer months they even show movies and your chair is a lilo floating on a massive pool.
Dreamworld has a bunch of attractions for all ages – from Wiggles World for the littlies and Nick Central for the kids to FlowRider and Imax Theatre for the teens. The new White Water World, due to open in December, is said to offer some of the most extreme waterslides and is a tribute to Australia’s surf, sand and sea.
As a Member you get 10% off the price of entry to all these attractions when you pre-purchase your tickets through NRMA. Visit NRMA Travel or call 13 11 22.
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There’s any number of pubs and nightclubs on the Gold Coast; it’s just a matter of your taste and budget. But how about taking in a show? Tempo Rouge at Conrad Jupiters is a mix of colour, music, acrobats, dance and comedy. Contortionist Hugo Zamoratte will make your eyes water as he wriggles his way into a glass bottle, as will juggler Justino Zoppe who flings about everything from swords to lit torches. Visit Conrad Jupiter's. |
For something more rustic head out to the Australian Outback Spectacular. The show combines slapstick and stories with amazing horseriding feats, sheep mustering and audience participation to give you a great taste of the bush. And watch how efficiently the staff serves you, and the rest of the 1000-strong crowd, a three-course meal (included in the price) during the show. Visit Australian Outback Spectacular.
As a Member you get special discounts on the price of tickets for both these shows if you pre-purchase tickets through NRMA. (Show only and Dinner packages also available for Tempo Rouge.) Visit NRMA Travel or call 13 11 22.
The Gold Coast has restaurants with dishes from around the world – from an English fry-up for breakfast to Vietnamese noodles for lunch and Italian pasta for dinner. But if you’re a foodie, or just want to splash out, then there are some seriously good options.
The plush Palazzo Versace puts on a sumptuous high tea in elegant surrounds. For dinner, Michelin-star chef Meyjitte Boughenout (he also won Young Chef of the Year in his native France) has recently opened Absynthe. Try the champagne cocktail, a sorbet of absinthe, coriander, ginger, vodka and lime topped with French sparkling wine. Then go for the degustation menu, which is not only heaven for the tastebuds but sheer art in its presentation. Call (07) 5504 6466.
If you journey up to the hinterland, take in lunch or dinner at Songbirds. Partly indoors, partly outdoors, and sitting under a canopy among the rainforest, the food is out of this world. It won Gold Coast Restaurant of the Year in 2005 and 2006 with chef Philip Edwards’ mouthwatering dishes like pan-fried salmon on blue swimmer crab and vegetable risotto with kaffir lime emulsion. Call (07) 5545 2563.
If you need to work off all that good food, there are plenty of ways.
You can go for a hike in the rainforest of Mount Tamborine. Tamborine National Park has a number of walks, and is a great way to see this beautiful area. Most walks can be done within a few hours and are relatively easy, although some have short, steep grades. The Curtis Falls walk, for example, takes you through rainforest before descending to steep stairs and a large pool at the base of Curtis Falls. The track continues from the falls, along a piccabeen palm-fringed creek to a giant strangler fig. For more walks, info and a downloadable map, visit Mount Tamborine.
The Gold Coast is also renowned for its golf courses with up to 10 courses in and around the area, including Hope Island Golf Club which is one of three at Sanctuary Cove, 25 minutes from Surfers. Visit ‘Things to See & Do’ on VeryGC.
And if you’ve got a junior Indy Car racer in the making, let them feel the thrill of racing around a track on a go-kart. The Gold Coast has Queensland’s longest circuit (1.3km) and it’s a good way for the kids to burn off energy (height restrictions apply). Holden buffs, ask about the package that includes a tour of the Holden Museum and hot laps in a Holden V8. Visit Karting in Paradise.
| Did you know the hinterland of the Gold Coast has a burgeoning wine industry? Head up to Mount Tamborine and sample from several cellar doors. There are helpful maps along the roadside that direct you to the wineries in the area. Witches Falls Winery is a family owned and operated business with friendly and helpful staff. Make sure you try their chardonnay. Tamborine Estate produces a selection of whites, reds and specialty wines, and also sells wine-flavoured mustards, vinegars and sauces. |
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Look out also for Cedar Creek Estate Winery and Heritage Wines among others. Or, if spirits are your thing, then stop in at Tamborine Mountain Distillery. Owned and run by Michael and Alla Ward (Alla hand paints each bottle), they make everything from pepper vodka to Jaffa liquer, and have won awards across the world. For details on a food and wine trail in the area, visit Gold Coast Food & Wine Circuit. If you don’t want to risk being over the BAC limit, you might be better off taking a Cork’n Fork Winery Tour. Visit Cork 'n Fork Tour or call (07) 5543 6584.
In Surfers Paradise, why not go straight to the top and stay at Q1 Resort and Spa, the tallest residential tower in the Southern Hemisphere. With 80 floors, the apartments are fully equipped, spacious and have awesome views. Visit Q1 Resort and Spa or call 1300 792 008.
If you’re travelling with the kids, Turtle Beach Resort might be more your thing. It has everything to get them out of your hair – a movie theatre with kid-friendly flicks, games rooms, pools, putting green – so you can escape to the resorts gym or beauty salon. There’s also a cafe if you want to take a holiday from cooking – or make use of one of several BBQ areas. Visit Turtle Beach Resort or call (07) 5595 6666.
For a romantic getaway, you can’t beat Songbirds Rainforest Retreat. You’ll have a villa to yourselves with a spa bath and a divine four-poster king-sized bed. The interiors are painted in rich, opulent colours and you can relax on your own deck overlooking the rainforest while you tuck into the scrummy homemade bickies, or get out and enjoy one of the exclusive walking tracks. Visit Songbirds Rainforest Retreat.
If you’re on a budget, head to NRMA’s Treasure Island Tourist Park where you can stay in your own caravan, hire a cabin, play tennis, swim in one of three pools and more. Visit Treasure Island or call 1800 339 966.
The Gold Coast is well laid out and recent road upgrades have improved matters. If you’re flying in, remember NRMA Members get a 3% discount on all Virgin Blue flights and there are no credit card and phone booking fees. Call 1300 737 800.
If you’re planning a fly/drive trip, then you can rent a car through Hertz rental car, a campervan through Britz or a motorhome through Maui and enjoy a wide range of special offers and discounts. Also, don’t forget to use NRMA’s Travel Planner. It can help map out your route, offers things to do and see along the way and lets you book from a range of accommodation. Visit NRMA's Travel Planner.
Or, if you want to take time out from being behind the wheel, Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle can look after your airport transfers to your accommodation, with options for theme park transfers and unlimited travel anywhere on the Gold Coast. Discounts apply for Members who pre-purchase their tickets. Visit NRMA Travel or call 13 11 22.
For a completely different take on the Gold Coast, particularly if you want to get far from the madding crowd, take a drive up to Tamborine Mountain (the locals don’t seem fussed whether you call it Mt Tamborine or Tamborine Mountain). It’s about one hour and a world away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise.
Take Exit 57 off the Pacific Highway at Oxenford and then Route 95 for the steep and winding climb to Mt Tamborine. The view is so breathtaking it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road with the sparkling blue of the Pacific Ocean to the east and the emerald green of the lowlands fringed by escarpments to the west. It’s easy to see why they call it the green behind the gold. The temperatures are a bit cooler and less humid than the coast, the pace unhurried and national parks takeover from high-rise.
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You can pack a lot into a day trip, but our suggestion is you take your time and spend a few days there. We’ve already mentioned the wineries and bushwalks but there are lots of other things to do. Pop into The Polish Place on Main Western Road for magnificent views served with your homemade strudel.
If shopping is your thing, browse along Gallery Walk at Eagle Heights to find a gift for a friend or a homemade treat. Choose from aboriginal art, homewares, handmade chocolates from The Chocolate Kingdom, antiques and jewellery. And if you’re into flying high, the mountain is a popular launch pad for parapenters and hang-gliders. |
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