| You've seen it on TV, you've heard all the | | | | elaborate, American-style theme parks. |
| rumours and everyone you know has been | | | | Dreamworld is probably the most popular of |
| there... isn't it about time you took yourself to the | | | | these and is home to some of the highest and |
| Gold Coast to see what all the fuss is about? The | | | | fastest amusement rides in the world. Test your |
| chances of leaving disappointed are very slim, if | | | | mettle on the Big Drop, or opt for some of the |
| non existent. The Gold Coast represents a | | | | slower family-oriented rides. Once paying your |
| convergence of everything you would want out | | | | entry, all the rides are free so fit in as many as |
| of a holiday. Kilometres of pristine beaches boast | | | | you can in your fun filled day of adventure! |
| hundreds of surfing hotspots, and are also safe | | | | Movieworld is just across the highway, and is |
| for swimming with lifeguard patrols up much of | | | | known as 'Hollywood on the Gold Coast'. It has a |
| their length. The bright lights of Surfers Paradise | | | | strong movie theme on all the rides, and the kids |
| are a mecca for shoppers and have a vibrant | | | | will love meeting all their favourite cartoon |
| nightlife with plenty of restaurants and clubs. And | | | | characters in the flesh. The third park in the area |
| if the coast becomes too much, then head into | | | | is Wet n' Wild, a collection of water slides, rides |
| the lush green hinterland and re acquaint yourself | | | | and pools that are exciting and refreshing. Its a |
| with Australian nature! | | | | great break from the hot Queensland sun that |
| The selling point of tourism on the Gold Coast is | | | | the whole family will enjoy. All these parks are in |
| Surfers Paradise, where the tall skyscrapers of | | | | the same area which is about a half hour drive |
| the CBD converge onto the white sands of the | | | | from Surfers. Be aware that you will not be able |
| lifeguard patrolled beach. There are all types of | | | | to do them all in one day, and should assign a day |
| accommodation here, from ritzy hotels to | | | | for each park. |
| backpacker lodges, and it is a central point for | | | | If you want to balance out the blue of the ocean |
| visitors to the area. When the sun sets the | | | | with a bit of green, head into the Gold Coast |
| streets come alive with revellers roaming | | | | hinterland for a couple of days. Made up of the |
| between the nightclubs, and during the day bikini | | | | amazing Mcpherson Range of mountains, the quiet |
| and board shorts clad sun-seekers wander | | | | hinterland is worlds away from the bustle of the |
| between the city and the beach. The atmosphere | | | | Gold Coast and Brisbane. Draped in green |
| is fun and vibrant whatever time it is, with | | | | rainforest and divided up into numerous National |
| everyone strictly in relaxed holiday mode. But for | | | | Parks that are home to an abundance of |
| some people the bright lights and busy streets of | | | | Australian wildlife, you cannot help but relax in |
| Surfers are a bit too hectic for a holiday, and | | | | these breezy climes. One of the most popular |
| they feel the urge to move somewhere a bit | | | | places to visit is Mount Tambourine, which is the |
| quieter. The beauty of the Gold Coast is that | | | | easiest part of the range to reach. The views |
| they can do exactly that without having to travel | | | | from here are spectacular, and it's a great place |
| very far at all. | | | | to pick up something to eat before heading on in |
| About 20 minutes south of Surfers is the beach | | | | your hirecar to explore the rest of the hinterland. |
| side suburb of Burleigh Heads. The headland | | | | Throughout the mountains and the forests there |
| protruding into the ocean has superb views of the | | | | are plenty of places to camp, and guesthouses |
| beach beside it, and also provides a world | | | | and lodges are also scattered amongst the forest. |
| renowned point break that attracts surfers from | | | | Its a perfect retreat that really allows you to |
| all over the globe. The suburb is leafy and shady, | | | | appreciate the beauty of the Australian wild. |
| and alongside the beach are barbecue and picnic | | | | With thousands of reasons to visit the Gold |
| facilities that are very popular over the weekends. | | | | Coast, and not a single legitimate one not to, its |
| There are hotels in Burleigh, but a common option | | | | about time you started planning your holiday. A |
| is to book into one of the many self catering | | | | hire car will give you the freedom to explore the |
| seaside chalets or flats. Further south of Burleigh | | | | coast to its fullest potential, and seek out those |
| lies the last town on the Queensland coast, | | | | secluded coves and beaches away from the |
| Coolangatta. Also immersed in the surfing culture, | | | | crowds. It will also open up the hinterland and its |
| Coolangatta boasts a beautiful bay bordered by a | | | | National parks to you, and place the amusement |
| sandy white beach that is perfect for lounging | | | | parks within easy reach. Whatever your choice of |
| around for a day. Cafes and restaurants line the | | | | holiday, you can find it on the Gold Coast- and |
| esplanade that runs up the beach, so refreshment | | | | don't forget to bring the whole family, as there |
| from the hot sun is just a few steps away. | | | | really is something for everyone here! |
| The Gold Coast is also famous for its large, | | | | |