Travel guide Gold Coast & Hinterlands

In a tranquil valley in the Gold Coast hinterland is a rural gem. The pretty country town of Canungra has the feel of yesteryear with the amenities of today. Plenty of old-fashioned hospitality awaits in this delightful destination, where you can choose to kick back your feet and soak in the atmosphere, or float over the region in a hot air balloon or hang glider.   When people move here, they tend to stay. Many descendents of the original pioneers live in the area, although industry has changed somewhat. The town started with timber as its primary industry, but by the 1940s that era came to an end when the mills closed. Instead of departing the area, many chose to try their hand at dairy farming, beef cattle, and eventually – vineyards. Today, Canungra boasts a variety of del... Read more

Imagine a winter's day surrounded by bush, horse paddocks and flat grassy areas overlooking a beautiful green valley. Then at night, sitting by the log fire sipping a wine (with your pet safely beside you) enjoying the quiet and serenty of nature. Imagine a balmy summer day, visiting our resident horse for a pat, playing outdoor games on the grass, exploring the bushy surroundings and swimming in the salt water pool. Then at night, enjoying a barbecue and bringing out the boardgames supplied or watching your favourite DVD. Knotsofarcottage is this perfect holiday of peace and privacy and yet is still only 10 minutes away from fully patrolled beautiful beaches plus all the lively activities in the Gold Coast. We also have our own 2 gorgeous German shepherds and always welcome well behave... Read more

What else can I say but 'absolutely fantastic'. Just the 3 kids and me (hubby was working, poor fellow) camping for 4 nights... gosh we had a ball... Read more

Judi and Peter, husband and wife team, locals of the area, winners of 2001, 2002, 2003 tourism awards and the Queensland State Finalist for 2008 - Queensland Tourism Awards, are the first and only exclusive wine tour operators who will take you on a small group but intimate and personalised wine tour experience!Cork'n Fork Winery Tours will pick you up from your accommodation or private home on the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Coolangatta, visit five different wineries, and the Tamborine Mountain Distillery, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch within one of these prestigious wineries, or visit the Scenic Rim wineries with pick up from Brisbane only.Cork'n Fork Winery Tours specialise in running team building days for companies, hen's day out, special events, get away for couples, birthdays, anniversari... Read more

If sparkling waterfalls and rainforests with colourful plants and birds are your idea of a delightful destination, then you’ll love visiting the town of Tamborine Mountain. Combining the welcoming feel of a country town with the wonders of nature, Tamborine Mountain has the perfect combination of eco-tourism and comfort. In Tamborine Mountain, you get warm sunshine most of the year, quaint holiday homes and cottages, and a selection of fascinating attractions to enjoy. Things to do: 1.    Nature walks and parks: There are plenty of amazing places to explore, including Curtis Falls walk (an easy 1.5km walk with a viewing platform and beautiful waterfall), and walks of all difficulty levels in McDonald National Park, Palm Grove National Park, The Knoll National Park,... Read more

As parts of Australia are moving towards the cooler weather, it is worth remembering that the Gold Coast is a great destination all year round, with autumn temperatures hovering around 25 degrees C and even in winter it is a balmy average of 21 degrees C.  Yes, you say, but it is water temperature that dictates a great autumn/winter beach holiday, right?  Right – and even in winter the average water temperature on the Gold Coast only drops to about 20 degrees C. So why all the figures?  Well, some of us believe that summer should never end, and if you holiday at Wings Resort & Spa, you will find out that it doesn’t have to!  This is one of the most contemporary apartment complexes on the Gold Coast and all deluxe rooms have panoramic ocean views and ... Read more

The closest point north of Brisbane to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the Town of 1770 is a haven for exploring the magnificent Queensland coastline and surfing its most northern surf beaches. 1770 is also an ideal place to escape the winter chills of more southern points in Australia. The Town of 1770 was named after the year that James Cook landed on nearby shores. As a result, it is claimed as being the 'Birthplace' of Queensland. Things to Do and See Surfing Agnes Water, 6 km to the south of 1770 is home to the northern-most surf beach in Queensland. Both surfboards and bodyboards are available for hire and there's even a surf school to accommodate beginners. Fishing Both estuary and reef fishing are possible in the area, either in Round Hill Creek or on the ... Read more

Ideal for anyone who wants a good time, the Gold Coast is packed with enough fun for everyone in Australia, and then some. This stretch of golden beach on the southeast of Queensland offers sunshine, surf, exciting theme parks, extreme sports, and loads of shopping opportunities. Slightly to the west is the peaceful hinterland with rainforests and eco-friendly getaways.  These contrasts of calm rainforest and action-packed beach cities form a perfect getaway where visitors can have the best of everything – thrills when they want them, and serenity when they need it. Things to do It’s impossible to be bored on the Gold Coast. The list of things to do would be endless – skydiving, surfing, water-skiing, bush walking, vineyard tours, museums, dolphin encounters, gou... Read more

If you visit the Sunshine Coast, you may never want to leave. The stretch of towns from Caloundra to Rainbow Beach boast exceptional weather, sunrises you'll actually want to wake up to watch, beaches perfect for surfing as well as beaches ideal for people who hate surfing, vineyards, scenic vistas of Glasshouse Mountains and even dolphins. The list of reasons to visit has barely started. The truth is, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect holiday destination for honeymooners, families, retirees, singles, mates, couples, professionals, blue-collar workers, domestic gods and goddesses, dogs, SCUBA divers, yobbos, fishermen, bush-walkers, wine connoisseurs, greenies, and even accountants. It should be illegal to go there and not have a good time.   Family fun If your family needs more... Read more

Natural Bridge is a tiny village in a fold of the mountains of the Mount Warning volcanic caldera. Located in the Gold Coast and Hinterlands on the border of NSW and Queensland, it is a scenic wonderland surrounded by World Heritage National Parks. Not just one, there is Springbrook National Park which includes the Natural Bridge section famous for its waterfall cave forming the Natural Bridge, and its glow-worms in the evenings; Lamington National Park; and Border Ranges National Park on the NSW side of the border. For enthusiastic bushwalkers, or casual travellers there are a multitude of tracks, mountain lookouts and scenic attractions taking in the World Heritage grandeur of massive strangler figs, ancient rainforest, rare and endangered flora and fauna dating from prehisto... Read more