The Gold Coast

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Probably Australia's best known holiday region with incredible beaches stretching from Southport at the northern end to the New South Wales border. Averages 300 days of sunlight per year and attracts 3 million visitors per year.

Tons of entertainment in nightclubs and the Casino, boutique shopping in the many malls and shopping centres, an extensive range of world class golf courses,  entertainment theme parks, cruises, tours, wildlife parks, fine dining... every wish is catered for, even if you just want peace and quiet. 
An unbroken string, over 40 km long and of, despite of the heavy development, unpolluted surf beaches stretching from Southport at the northern end, through Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Waters, Miami, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra and finally Coolangatta at the New South Wales border. 

Patrolled surf beaches and bather amenities are available at all of these locations.

Travel just a few minutes inland to the hinterland with its unspoiled rainforests, spectacular views, bush-walking, wildlife and National Parks. Several fine hinterland resorts cater to those wanting to enjoy the region but bypass the sun, sand and sea holiday.

About The Places....

• Southport - location of some of the most recent gold Coast developments such as the the Marina Mirage complex. The Sheraton Mirage Hotel and Seaworld. The Broadwater is a popular recreational waterway.
  

• Surfers Paradise - the major focal point of the Gold Coast and often mistakenly described as being the Gold Coast. Spectacular nightlife and casino and more restaurants per square kilometre than anywhere else in Australia. Several major shopping centres. Heavily developed with resort and apartment complexes, motels and holiday accommodation of all types.
  

• Broadbeach - just a few kilometres to the south of Surfers Paradise. Now one of the major destinations for holiday makers on the Gold Coast. Noted for its excellent range and variety of restaurants and shopping options. New resorts, apartment complexes and shopping centres dot the skyline. Excellent patrolled beaches and the location for some of Australia's major surf life saving carnivals.  Home of Conrad Jupiters Casino.
  

• Burleigh Heads - a headland that hosts a small National Park and koala park. Short 3 km walking track with excellent coastal views. Popular spot with surfers. Travel west from the coast to visit Fleays Fauna Centre.
  

• Currumbin - best known for the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the feeding of the rainbow lorrikeets which come swooping out of the surrounding bush at feeding times. Has grown from a simple bird sanctuary to a wildlife reserve and various tourist attractions.
  

• Coolangatta - the southern end of the Gold Coast at the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Urban sprawl has seen a merging of Coolangatta and neighbouring Tweed Heads into twin towns.
  

Most of the attractions are located at the northern end of the Gold Coast and have reasonable access from both the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Dreamworld, an Australian version of Disneyland with rides and attractions, and Koala Town, a nature reserve, are both near Coomera which is 56 km south of Brisbane.


Warner Bros Movie World is a working movie studio that also provides tourist attractions, stunt shows and movie and cartoon characters to entertain the kids. Wet 'n Wild is a comprehensive mixture of slides, toboggans, wave pools, twisters together with facilities for the younger children. These two attractions are next to each other adjacent the Pacific Highway 3 km south of Oxenford.


The Spit at Southport is home to Seaworld, the largest aquatic park in Australia. Performing dolphins, whales, seals together with waterskiing and aquaballet displays. Also a series of roller-coaster rides.

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Surfers Paradise a.... surfers paradise

As the name suggests, Surfers Paradise is one of the many great surfing areas on the eastern coast of Australia. You don’t have to be able to show off Hawaii Five-O style to try it out. There are plenty of rental shops and instructional camps for all levels. Alternatively, you can use a boogie board or just plain body surf. The best surfing is beyond the sandbar that is just a short swim from the beach. Keep in mind though, the swim back to shore can be difficult, especially after an active day of surfing.

Lonely Planet Queensland

Accomodation

When to go

Note: the costs are from late 2000.

Gold Coast  Weather:

Surfers is busiest during the Australian summer season, which is December – February.
In addition to being the most crowded, the summer months can get very hot and humid with an occasional rain-shower.