Why Everyone Should Take A Gold Coast Holiday
The Gold Coast… Australia’s sixth largest city and undeniably Australia’s most visited beach holiday destination . There is an unbroken string of incredible beaches that extend from Runaway Bay in the north to the New South Wales border . The beaches are the jewel in the Gold Coast crown and are the major reason why this part of Australia has been attracting holiday makers for generations. With an average of over 300 days of sunlight per year it’s no wonder millions of people are attracted from all over the world.
Inland from the coast lies the “Green behind The Gold”, an elevated hinterland of National Parks, panoramic views, rainforests, walking trails and wildlife . The Gold Coast hinterland is one of the Gold Coast’s most popular day trip destinations.
Popular Gold Coast Locations
Southport & Main Beach – The site of the Sea World theme park and nearby Marina Mirage complex . The Broadwater is the favoured spot for water sports devotees with its broad expanse of calm water. Most of the holiday accommodation for this area is at Main Beach which is rapidly becoming a major tourist destination for the northern end of the Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise – often mistakenly described as being the Gold Coast, Surfers remains the focal point of the Gold Coast. Visitors will find 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 most popular 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 have been built here in recent years . There are excellent patrolled beaches that regularly host some of Australia’s major surf life saving carnivals. The Broadbeach Mall is a popular eating spot with a wide variety of restaurants and shopping options.
Burleigh Heads – This is one of the more popular holiday locations for families with it’s quiet, laid back village atmosphere and great surf beach. 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 – Synonomous with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the feeding of the rainbow lorrikeets, this is another Gold Coast location with excellent beaches that is popular with families wanting to bypass the hustle and bustle of the more built-up centres .
Coolangatta – This is considered to be the southern end of the Gold Coast where it meets the border with New South Wales . Coolangatta and the neighbouring Tweed Heads are one urban area but retain their twin towns status. The beaches at Coolangatta and the adjacent areas are some of the best on the Gold Coast.
Tips For Gold Coast Visitors
The Gold Coast covers a large area and to enjoy it all, visitors should seriously consider a Gold Coast rental car if they do not have 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 incredible collection of holiday accommodation in apartments and resorts that meets the needs of the flood of visitors . The accommodation choices range from backpacker budget to 5 star luxury . Advance bookings are essential for all resorts and apartments on the Gold Coast especially in the high season peak demand period from mid December to mid January.
Visitors who prefer the convenience of an hotel, or who only have a one or two night stop-over will find an excellent choice of Gold Coast hotels. There are not all that many hotels 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 not on the Gold Coast at all , but 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 that also provides cartoon and movies characters as well as stunt shows . Wet ‘n Wild is an adjacent park with slides, wave pools, toboggans and twisters as well as facilities for younger children .
Seaworld is the largest aquatic park in Australia and is located on The Spit at Southport. This makes it a lot easier to get to for 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 circuit from Coolangatta south to Murwillumbah and swing north through Crystal Creek, Chillingham, Numinbah, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Mudgeeraba and back to the coast.
Another hinterland tour route is to detour from Nerang and head west through Tamborine National Parks to enjoy Wilson’s Lookout, Thunderbird Park and Cedar Creek Falls before rejoining the highway at Beenleigh.
So when you sit down to plan tour next Australian holiday, make sure the Gold Coast is on the . You won’t be sorry!
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