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, gourmet dining, and of course…theme parks.
Even if the idea of going to a theme park makes you baulk, you really need to try at least one. They are just so much fun and the kids love them!
Dream World: A fun place for everyone, whether you are a family with young kids, older kids, or out with your mates. This theme park is actually a series of parks, made up of such places as preschooler heaven, “Wiggles World,” as well as whole sections of thrill rides, kiddy rides, shows, and such attractions as “Big Brother” for your inner reality-TV junkie. Dream World also owns the theme park White Water World and it is possible to buy tickets from Dream World that covers several different parks or events.
Sea World: Get up close and personal with dolphins, sharks and polar bears. This theme park offers heaps of excitement for everyone, with just the right mixture of thrill rides, shows, exhibits, and animal encounters. This is a must-see for your next Gold Coast adventure.
Warner Bros Movie World: The ultimate combination of fast-paced entertainment with heart-stopping thrill rides; visitors can have fun living as though they’re in the movies. Kids will love seeing all their cartoon favourites on parade and in shows, bigger kids and grown ups can pretend they’re on real movie sets with their favourite action heroes, and then plunge themselves into some serious action. Families, groups and couples will have a blast.
Wet ‘n ‘Wild: Sometimes it’s just too hot to visit normal theme parks and you want to have all the thrills while cooling off in a spray of water. Wet ‘n’ Wild offers everyone the chance to ride waterslides at their comfort level, watch “dive-in” movies, splash around in a giant wave pool and try every other manmade water attraction imaginable. The park is open year-round and offers everyone a great day out.
Once you’ve had enough of the theme parks, consider trying tours of the nearby vineyards, laze on a beach, explore the hinterland, or read a good book by the pool. If you are the type of person who can never get enough action, evenings can be filled with the nightclubs of Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, or you can take in a show and try your luck at Conrad Jupiter’s Casino or enjoy one of the many other theatres and restaurants in the area.
When to go
The Gold Coast is a load of fun year-round. Winters are mild, with average temperatures generally between 9 and 21 degrees Celsius, and summers offer averages of 19 to 29 degrees.
How to get there
You can easily travel to the Gold Coast by train, plain, car or coach.
Fly straight into Gold Coast International Airport, or to Brisbane and then catch the “airtrain” service to the Gold Coast. All of the major airlines have daily flights, some with several per day depending on your departure city.
It’s an easy drive along the Pacific Highway from the north or south of the Gold Coast. Inter and intrastate coach services will take you straight to the action at Surfer’s Paradise Transit Centre.
Accommodation
Want something truly unusual? Consider staying in the world’s largest residential tower and enjoy spectacular views. Or maybe a houseboat or “floating apartment”. If you want to completely escape the glitz and glam or the region, you could spend your evenings in a private rainforest chalet. In contrast, if you want non-stop action, there are endless choices including sleeping right in Sea World Resort.
The accommodation choices on the Gold Coast are just as varied and interesting as the activities, so whether you are a single, couple, family, friends, a large or small group, you will find options perfect for you at TakeABreak.com.au
Ideal length of visit
You’ll need at least a week to enjoy all the attractions, with a bit of time to bask on the beaches. If you live closer by, you could also enjoy fun-filled mini-breaks.
Further information
There are handy coupons for many attractions available.
Find out everything you need to know about shopping, relaxing, partying and thrill-seeking in the Gold Coast at Queensland Holidays.
Kylie-Jane Degeling -Author
Kylie-Jane Degeling is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide,Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, sheworked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a frequent rotating basis.
Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveler, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.”
Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.