Surfers Paradise is a suburb on the Gold Coast. The suburb has a population of around 20,000. Colloquially known as 'Surfers', the suburb has many high-rise apartment buildings and a wide surf beach. The feature of the central business district is Cavill Mall, which runs…Read More

Surfers Paradise is a suburb on the Gold Coast. The suburb has a population of around 20,000. Colloquially known as 'Surfers', the suburb has many high-rise apartment buildings and a wide surf beach. The feature of the central business district is Cavill Mall, which runs through the shopping precinct. Cavill Avenue, named after Jim Cavill, an early hotel owner, is one of the busiest shopping strips in Queensland, and the centre of activity for night life.

While Surfers Paradise is a high-rise heaven today, less than eighty years ago it was virgin beachfront land in an area called Elston. In 1917, a land auction was held by a Brisbane real estate company to sell subdivided blocks in Elston as the 'Surfers' Paradise Estate', but the auction failed because access was difficult. This was the first recorded reference to Surfers Paradise. Elston began to get more visitors after the opening of Jubilee Bridge and the extension of the South Coast Road in 1925. The area was serviced before then only by Meyer's Ferry at the Nerang River. Elston was no longer cut off by the river and speculators began buying land. Estates down the coast were promoted and hotels opened to accommodate tourists and investors.

Brisbane hotelier Jim Cavill opened Surfers Paradise Hotel that year, and the town had its first landmark. Located between the ferry jetty and the white surf beach off the South Coast Road, it became popular and shops and services sprang up around it. In the following years Cavill pushed to have the name Elston changed to the more marketable Surfers' Paradise and in 1933 the town acquired its present name.

The boom of the 1950s and 1960s was centred on this area and the first of the tall apartment buildings were constructed in the decades that followed. The early subdivision pattern remains, although later reclamation of the islands in the Nerang River as housing estates, and the bridges to those islands, have created a contrast. Some early remnants survived such as Budd's Beach — a low-scale open area on the river which even in the early history of the area was a centre for boating, fishing and swimming.

Surfers Paradise is the jewel of Queensland's Gold Coast and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Australia. Surfers Paradise is where you'll find the fusion of city and beach lifestyles set amidst a spectacular skyline and brilliant stretch of coast. Vibrant and eclectic, Surfers Paradise provides non-stop action. We have stopped here several times and have never been disappointed. You do have to be careful after midnight, however, as there always seem to be a few troublemakers around. With an abundance of theme parks and family attractions all in easy access, you're never short of finding things to do. The trouble instead may be finding enough time to do everything.

Surfers Paradise invites exploration. It’s fun to wander through the winding streets lined with alfresco dining restaurants or to browse the art galleries that showcase local artists' works and Aboriginal exhibitions. There are the numerous shopping options from top-end designers to outlet bargains and Friday night beachfront markets. When nightfall comes, Surfers bursts into action with a different type of excitement. Bars and nightclubs start pumping with live music and dance beats, while non-stop events keep you entertained. And of course, there are the car races, which jumpstarts Surfers Paradise into action every October.

Then on the next day when you're tired from all of the action, grab your towel and hit the beach. It’s the perfect cure.
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It was the beach that first brought the Gold Coast into prominence and it is still one of the highlights for many visitors. Whether it’s for a stroll at sunset, beach fishing at dusk, a leisurely swim, an adventure packed scuba dive or even if…Read More

It was the beach that first brought the Gold Coast into prominence and it is still one of the highlights for many visitors. Whether it’s for a stroll at sunset, beach fishing at dusk, a leisurely swim, an adventure packed scuba dive or even if it's to take on the swell with your board, the Gold Coast's numerous beaches are famous for their clean, warm, blue waters, golden sand and never ending sunshine. The most popular of the 21 patrolled beaches on the Gold Coast include Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Miami & Nobby Beach. Here is a quick summary.

Main Beach
Main Beach gets its name from the fact that it was the main surf beach for the town of Southport which was the earliest surveyed town in the immediate area. It’s located on the eastern side of the Nerang River estuary (The Broadwater) and is bounded to the north by The Spit and by a narrow isthmus extending to Surfers Paradise in the south. Stop in and grab a snack at Main Beach's historic bathing pavilion, or drop in to the surf lifesaving club and beach snack bar where you can enjoy light refreshments.

Surfers Paradise
Once known as Elston, Surfers Paradise had a name change in the 1920's. Even though Surfers Paradise is a busy beach, the hum of activity doesn't take any of its amazing natural beauty away. This famous stretch of the ocean is a perfect swimming beach where you can casually join others in a game of social volleyball on the sand or if you'd prefer, there's plenty of room for you take out your favourite gun surfboard and have a slash in the waves. Nearby, cafes and shopping areas are just a short walk away and every Friday night the beachfront markets operate where you can pick up that special memory from your special trip away!

Broadbeach
Broadbeach was named in 1934 when a new subdivision was surveyed for the area. There are some beautiful parks along the foreshore of this long stretch of beach. The parks are well equipped with sheltered picnic areas, ample BBQ's and great playgrounds for the kids. The surfing is consistent at Broadbeach, albeit small at times.

Mermaid Beach
Situated south of the town centre the beach is somewhat quieter than Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. With the small swell, sheltered picnic areas, bike tracks and children’s playground you could say this is the perfect family beach!

Miami & Nobby Beach
Nobby beach is a quiet beach for the family to relax. Miami has a peaceful and relaxing beachfront as well as good BBQ and picnic areas. If you're looking for some action, you can take a leisurely stroll up to the cliff top and take in the breathtaking views up and down the coast.

Currumbin Beach / Bilinga Beach / Tugun Beach.
Currumbin, Tugun and Bilinga Beaches are situated at the southern end of the Gold Coast. The area is popular with families who are looking for somewhere away from the action of some of their northern neighbours. There are surf clubs at Corrumbin, Tugun & Bilinga and all three beaches are patrolled. Currumbin Beach has some special rock pools and the surf is small enough for leisurely swimming.

Kirra Beach
Kirra Point is the Gold Coast's most famous board riding beach. Experienced surfers will find challenging waves and beginners will enjoy the smaller waves that break in closer to the shore. Kirra is a very popular surf break and it works best in solid east and northeast swells during the cyclone season, although you can get good waves throughout the year.

Coolangatta & Greenmount Beach
Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay are the Gold Coast's only North facing beaches providing sheltered conditions for swimming. A walk around the point to Snapper Rocks improves your chances of seeing the whales on their annual migration throughout the cooler parts of the year.
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Since Brisbane has a relatively decent transport system, in which you can get pretty much anywhere you need in the city given enough time and a propensity to change modes of transport (given it's not past midnight, in which case you’re screwed), I was amazed…Read More

Since Brisbane has a relatively decent transport system, in which you can get pretty much anywhere you need in the city given enough time and a propensity to change modes of transport (given it's not past midnight, in which case you’re screwed), I was amazed to see how poor the Gold Coast’s transportation system was in comparison. Coming from Houston, I don’t ask for much—just something to get me from point A to point B without having to have a car. I mean, Houston is the home of the most brilliant public transport system in the world—a whole 7 miles of light rail.

Getting to the Gold Coast area from Brisbane is pretty simple. All one has to do is jump on the Gold Coast express train, anywhere between the airport and South Bank (most people catch it at Roma Street or Central Station), and after about an hour, you are in the Gold Coast area. However, just like going north of Brisbane, for some reason the train lines go pretty far inland, so a bus is required to get to anything resembling “coast”. If you have a clear idea of exactly where you want to go—for instance, Dreamworld, which lies just along the line in Coomera and has a courtesy shuttle, or Surfer’s Paradise, where most of the bus lines at the train station terminate, you’re fine. However, if you want to go anywhere off the beaten path, like the Australian Women’s Hardcourts tournament at the local golf and tennis resort, you’re in for a bit more of an exciting journey.

I jumped on a bus at Nerang station that went through Broadbeach Pac Fair, which went along a road mentioned in the directions in the resort’s website. However, the bus was either an express without me knowing it, or the bus driver was just not in a good mood that day, but when I saw the sign stating “Royal Pines Resort 1km”, I pushed the “STOP” button…and the bus stopped when it got to the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Not very helpful.

I decided that, having been to Pac Fair once before and remembering a visitor’s centre there, I would seek help. When I arrived at the visitor’s centre, I found that no one working there had the first clue of how I would make it to the resort without having my own car. They finally gave me a brochure of a bus line they felt might take me reasonably close, so I headed back to the bus stop.

Once at the bus stop, I tried to board the bus of the correct number, yet the driver told me rather rudely that he went nowhere near the resort and didn’t know who did. I then proceeded to wait and board every bus going in the right direction, yet no bus driver said they would drop me at the resort, but all of them were full of useful information like what other bus number had a driver I could harass. Each of these subsequent buses yielded no further results, even the one sporting a “Tennis Australia” sticker.

I finally gave in and, had I not have already bought my ticket, probably would have just given up and gone to sit on the beach for the rest of the day. But, since I didn’t want to just dump $30 down the drain and the starting time for the first match had already passed, I decided to fork out the money and get in a taxi cab. The driver was really nice and actually knew where he was going, which I was starting to wonder if anyone on the Gold Coast was capable of doing. He also assured me that it wasn’t just me that was incapable of navigating the Gold Coast’s transport system and that it really is crap.

After the matches were over, my day got even more interesting. I decided that, instead of tossing another $20 at a taxi driver, I would find my way back to the main road to Nerang, where I would either catch one of the buses that might drive by or walk to the Nerang station, which wasn’t all that far away. However, I somehow got mixed up and turned the wrong way when leaving the resort. When I got to the next main road crossing mine, I happened to see a bus labeled “Surfer’s Paradise” so I headed in the opposite direction. It should have clued me in that perhaps this was not a heavily pedestrian trafficked road when I had to cross the road to find a sidewalk, but I continued walking since I kept seeing signs for Nerang.

I walked, and walked, and walked. There was mostly nothing, not even many cars, and every once in a while a couple buses, although I never saw any stops for them to actually stop at. My one map that I had been given at the visitor’s centre wasn’t much good, since it only showed the bus route which I had obviously slightly deviated from. I was absolutely, totally lost, with only the road signs to help me on my way—and those signs didn’t have any distances or anything other than a name and an arrow, which was just enough to give me false hope that Nerang might just be around the next corner.

After a good hour, my legs were threatening to give out on me. It was the middle of the summer and therefore rather warm, and I was already dehydrated from sitting outside watching tennis for the entire afternoon. Most importantly, the sun was moving closer and closer to the hills, and I didn’t particularly want to be in a rather uninhabited area, totally lost, in the dark. Luckily, I soon stumbled upon a bit of civilization—at least, a large intersection with a BP station. I walked into the station and asked them how I would get to Nerang, and the attendants told me that it would be really simple to just drive up the highway a couple exits and I’d be there. When I asked them how I would get there without a car, since I didn’t particularly feel like walking down the Pacific Highway, they just gave me a strange look. Apparently people don’t really walk to Nerang or something…

I had actually walked in the opposite direction from Nerang when leaving the tennis club, and while I was taking the road to Nerang, I was taking the extremely long way around. I felt absolutely shattered when I was told this—how was I supposed to get back to Brizzy at all? Luckily, one of the attendants was just finishing her shift and offered to give me a lift to the station, which took a whole 5 minutes. In this period of time, she managed to tell me about how much the Gold Coast transport system sucks as well. I hadn’t noticed. Thank god for her, because I have no clue what I would have done otherwise.

I have to say, I don’t plan on going back to the Gold Coast without someone that owns a car for a very long time, unless I have a foolproof way of getting to wherever I need to go. While it was great exercise, I would have much preferred just hopping on a bus to a central point, like you can in Brisbane, and then finding my way from there, rather than wandering aimlessly and feeling totally helpless. Even a few more stops than simply “Broadbeach Pac Fair” and “Surfer’s Paradise” would do. So, when traveling on Gold Coast transport, I simply say good luck.   Close

You can fly to either Gold Coast Airport (located 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car) or Brisbane Airport (50 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car) and transport from there can either be via taxi, rental, bus or limousine. Pre booking airport transfers is almost…Read More

You can fly to either Gold Coast Airport (located 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car) or Brisbane Airport (50 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car) and transport from there can either be via taxi, rental, bus or limousine. Pre booking airport transfers is almost a must.

Public transport is provided by buses which run on a regular time table throughout the area and a train service runs from Robina to Brisbane.

The Gold Coast is popular for its famous nightclubs located on Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue in Surfers Paradise where you can party to the early hours. Popular nightclubs are Melba's, Shooters and the Drink. Popular bars include O'Malleys Irish Bar, the Avenue and the Surfers Paradise Beer Garden.

There are also two world class nightclubs, the Quest and Platinum, located in Broadbeach as well as a large casino and convention centre.

Palazo Versace is Australia's only six star resort and is located at Marina Mirage nearby to Main Beach.

Other popular hotels and resorts include the Sheraton located at Main Beach, Marriot at Surfers Paradise, Crowne Plaza in between Surfers and Broadbeach and The Sofitel at Broadbeach.

A lot of backpackers choose to stay at the Islander in Surfers Paradise due to its central location in Surfers.

Inland from the Gold Coast is three magnificent National Parks - Springbrook, Lamington and Tamborine which feature beautiful rainforests, picnic areas, nature walks and spectacular lookouts. Also located through the area is a number of growing wineries.

Four theme parks provide hours and hours if not days of entertainment value with something for everyone. The four theme parks are Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild, Sea World and Dreamworld located between Southport and Coomera. Dreamworld is also the home of Big Brother in Australia.

Main Beach and Broadbeach are popular for their main streets lined with quality restaurants serving for all tastes in ambient relaxing surroundings.

Popular restaurants include Manos at Main Beach and Volare, Sapranos and George's located at Broadbeach.

Surf Clubs are also a popular destination due to their location on the beach.

Shoppers should not go past Pacific Fair which is Australia's largest shopping centre or Harbor Town for discount shopping.

Regular local arts and crafts markets are held at Surfers on the beach front every Friday night. There is also a large market held at Carrrara every Sunday.

This is the best thing about the Gold Coast! Pacific Fair is absolutely huge -- a fantastic place to shop, where you have quite a lot of big-brand shops -- Myer, Kmart, Target, Kohls, Toys R Us, the Nike shop -- lots of jewellery shops, shoe…Read More

This is the best thing about the Gold Coast!

Pacific Fair is absolutely huge -- a fantastic place to shop, where you have quite a lot of big-brand shops -- Myer, Kmart, Target, Kohls, Toys R Us, the Nike shop -- lots of jewellery shops, shoe shops, etc, and they also have a fantastic crepe place on the secound floor by the food court -- yum!

Robina Town Centre has David Jones and a large variety of big-name and other stores. Robina also has a fantastic food court.

Harbour Town is a cut-price, big-brand shopping centre. An excellent place to shop for those on a budget. It also has a fantastic movie theatre, the higlight of which is the Regency Cinalounge, which is state-of-the-art cinema with LaZboys, refill drinks and popcorn, and you can also order a meal, which is brought to you very quietly while you relax and watch your movie. Very nice indeed! Other shopping centres are also located everywhere, all over the Gold Coast.

There's something for everyone at Sandy Point Beach Resort. Sandy Point Beach Resort offers a wide range of activities and resort facilities for all to enjoy. Units are spacious, with all necessary amenities; however, I would strongly recommend venturing out to the resort grounds, where the…Read More

There's something for everyone at Sandy Point Beach Resort.

Sandy Point Beach Resort offers a wide range of activities and resort facilities for all to enjoy. Units are spacious, with all necessary amenities; however, I would strongly recommend venturing out to the resort grounds, where the whole family can enjoy a BBQ in the playground area or relax by the pool or spa. There's an array of activities for children and those young at heart, including giant chess, tennis courts, sauna, gym, a beautiful magic garden, and putt-putt.

There is a bar in the resort; however, The Grand Hotel is situated only metres away and offers a selection of great dining options and evening entertainment. Located in Labrador on the Gold Coast, this resort is central to most areas, including Surfer's Paradise, restaurants, theme parks, and entertainment. Also, the broadwater is located only a few minutes' walk away. This is perfect for relaxing walks along the water and is safe for children to swim in.

If you have a family and would like to experience a Gold Coast holiday without the hustle and bustle of Surfer's Paradise, I recommend Sandy Point Beach Resort, where you will find something for everyone!

After a hideous, extended home renovation, my sister-in-law and her family were desperate for a break, so we gave them a guest voucher for a week's holiday 'somewhere in Australia'. Although availablity was limited when they went to book, they happily chose Cedar Lakes, a…Read More

After a hideous, extended home renovation, my sister-in-law and her family were desperate for a break, so we gave them a guest voucher for a week's holiday 'somewhere in Australia'. Although availablity was limited when they went to book, they happily chose Cedar Lakes, a family-oriented resort in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland, not far from our own home.

Although the hinterland is only a 20-minute drive away from the bustle and beaches of the coast, it offers a completely different experience. Up there, the emphasis is on nature and relaxation, where darkness falls quickly and the night stays quiet, apart from the gentle sounds of small creatures going about their business. If you like quiet, Cedar Lakes will be right for you, and if it's a no-fuss family holiday you seek, then you've come to the right place too.

My husband and I visited the resort the week before the family was due to arrive, so we could let them know what to expect. We were welcomed courteously and invited to have a look around at our leisure. There are three groups of adjoining units, spread wide across the sweeping lawns of the resort and all overlooking the lake and bush-clad hills. The central building houses the reception area, a restaurant, and a bar with an open fireplace. There is ample parking, although you may have to carry your belongings a short way to your unit.

The accommodation at Cedar Lakes is a little tired, but the units are well-equipped and quite spacious, with plenty of room for a couple and two children. Some have interconnecting doors, so if you are travelling with others, you can easily double your living space.

Facilities, such as the restaurant, are a bit past their prime in a charming, old-fashioned sort of way, and the menu is serviceable and inexpensive. The central building reminded us of a comfortable old holiday house, with rustic furniture, an open fireplace, and plenty of kid-friendly spaces, including one sectioned-off area in the restaurant where you can drop off the kids while you eat and chat in peace.

Nearby is a large, safely fenced pool and spa, a game room, and a jetty with access to paddle-boat things. Guests are also encouraged to feed the local wildlife, and meeting the very sociable tortoises in the stream, who rushed to greet us (and wait hopefully for food), were an unexpected delight.

Having reported favourably, we were all dismayed when the Gold Coast was hit with torrential storms the week of the planned visit. The pretty lake turned into a huge butterscotch-coloured sea, the well-behaved stream became more aggressive than a teenage son, and on the second day, suddenly the plumbing and electricity couldn't cope. We called in for a visit to find 11 inches of extra water in the lake, none in the unit, the TV off-air, and a row of sauce pans lined up on the lawn to catch rainwater for drinking! Even more inconvenient, we had to drive down to the main building to use the shower and toilet -- no fun at all with a grumpy one-year-old and toddler in tow.

Still, it was holiday time, and events that would be considered disasters at home were turned into a bit of a laugh at Cedar Lakes. With all credit to the managers, the problems were fixed quickly, and a day or two later, the sun returned to the usually sunny Gold Coast.

You will definitely need a car if you're staying at Cedar Lakes, and we also recommend that you stock up with provisions before heading up to the resort. The hinterland is dotted with little villages, arts-and-crafts markets, and natural streams. Behind the resort is an equestrian centre, if you fancy a bit of horseback riding, and just down the road is Hinze Dam, source of the Gold Coast's main water supply, where you can enjoy a picnic and and bush walk. But a word of caution: despite the recent storms, the Gold Coast has been in the grip of a severe drought for several years, and strict water and fire restrictions are in place. Please check if barbeques are permitted before you light a match and never, ever light a fire outside a proper fireplace. Every year, devastating fires tear through parts of Queensland, and more often than not, they are casued by arsonists or careless holidaymakers.

If crowds and nightlife are more to your liking, spend some time wandering through the shops at Surfer's Paradise and enjoying the many open-air restaurants at next-door Broadbeach. From the resort, it's between 30 and 50 minutes' drive to famous Gold Coast attractions, such as the beaches, SeaWorld, DreamWorld, and MovieWorld (with entry fees costing around A$28 for kids under 14 and A$56 for adults).

For my money, the best value, most Australian experience is a day trip to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, at the southern end of the Gold Coast. You can easily spend a day here toodling around on the toy train, watching the animal and bird shows, and getting to know some of the country's more famous native animals. Have your photo taken with a baby crocodile, cuddle a koala, and pat one of the many docile kangaroos. There are food outlets at the sanctuary, but they're basic hot-dog-and-ice-cream-type places, so if you can be bothered carrying it, take your own lunch. Also, the sanctaury is an all-outdoor experience, so be sure to take plenty of sunscreen (or, in our case, umbrellas). We always take visitors to Currumbin at the end of their holidays -- and it seems to be the one thing everyone remembers, even years later. Enjoy!

Clubbing in Paradise Many people visit Queensland’s beautiful Gold Coast for many reasons: miles of golden sandy beaches, world-class theme parks, unlimited shopping, and total relaxation. But for younger visitors to the Gold Coast, the abundance of nightlife is reason enough to visit and return time…Read More

Clubbing in Paradise

Many people visit Queensland’s beautiful Gold Coast for many reasons: miles of golden sandy beaches, world-class theme parks, unlimited shopping, and total relaxation. But for younger visitors to the Gold Coast, the abundance of nightlife is reason enough to visit and return time after time.

Surfers Paradise is in the heart of the Gold Coast and is home to Indy each year. It’s the center of entertainment and nightlife on the Gold Coast. With more than 15 nightclubs on Orchid Ave, Surfers is definitely the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. You can expect to pay from $5 - $10 (AUD) for entry, although there are a few clubs that do not have a cover charge, like ‘Disco’ and ‘Elsewhere’. Most clubs charge around the same price for their drinks which can start at $6.50 (AUD) for a basic spirit. Each club varies from each other and it’s just up to your individual preferences of what type of scene you like. For example, ‘Disco’ situated on Orchid Ave is more of a chill-out club where most people start their long night journey - they play more mellow-out tracks and occasionally have a bongo player or a sax playing to the music, which sounds awesome. ‘Elsewhere’ is similar but more upbeat - this club has more of the nightclub feel to it, with funky artwork. This place gets packed, so you want to be inside before 10pm - otherwise it’s a long wait in a line before you can get in; my tip is make sure you’re wearing funky clothes, enclosed shoes and a collared shirt – otherwise, it’s a no go. Then for something totally different, try ‘Fever’ also located on Orchid Ave. This club is more for you rave fans - they play a lot of techno, again, always making sure you’re in enclosed shoes and collared shirt. Next door - well, it’s actually joined on - you will find ‘Fame.’ This is a chill-out zone for all those crazy ravers next door, So you can dance crazy at ‘Fever’ then when you get all pooped out head next door to ‘Fame’ and go into the Chill Out Zone.

Just to name a few more clubs and pubs, there are Cocktails and Dreams, Bourbon Bar, My Bar, Shooters, Rose and Crown, Melba’s, The Drink, The Party, Pinkk, Gohooleys, So Bar, Sugar Shack, The Avenue, The Pink Elephant, Surfers Beer Garden, Hard Rock. That’s about all I can remember but there are a few more clubs opening in the next couple of months. It is a great time out and each club is different and will appeal to each individual differently. Just remember – covered-in shoes and collared shirt. Have fun clubbing in Paradise.

The coast offers many markets along the coast, you can find any type of souvenirs, locally made arts and crafts, or at Bilinga markets they have great hand-painted pottery or alot of aboriginal artifacts. Everyone loves a bargain, so be prepared to do some walking get…Read More

The coast offers many markets along the coast, you can find any type of souvenirs, locally made arts and crafts, or at Bilinga markets they have great hand-painted pottery or alot of aboriginal artifacts. Everyone loves a bargain, so be prepared to do some walking get on your good walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen, take your bottle of water and get ready for a day of cruising. Hire a car is easier if you want to cover more than 2 like Carrara Markets, which are located inland from Surfers Paradise about 10 mins drive. Its very big and is on every weekend. You can get there by a courtesy bus which leaves from Pacific Fair Shopping Town. Some markets ask for a donation others are free. If you go south on the Burleigh Heads beachfront,the last sunday of the month you will find the markets along the footpaths. Further south about 15 klms is Coolangatta on the NSW border, this market is on every every second Sunday. Any time of the year you can find these events on. After shopping just step onto the beach and enjoy a quick dip before heading across the road to have a bite to eat. There are many restaurants and snack bars ranging from a quick sandwich on the run to a sit-down lunch with wine in all areas along the coast Enjoy and shop till you drop.   Close

If you’re looking for a few days of action, you have come to the right place. Get yourself a couple of theme park tickets and hang on for the time of your life. First, right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, visit Australia’s coolest theme…Read More

If you’re looking for a few days of action, you have come to the right place. Get yourself a couple of theme park tickets and hang on for the time of your life. First, right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, visit Australia’s coolest theme park, Sea World, located on the Spit at Main Beach, connected to the Nara Resort. If you are staying there, entry is included from the hotel. Or take a bus from downtown easily - they run very regularly.

It has been voted Australia’s best for the fourth time in a row…what are you waiting for, let’s go! There is something happening every minute here. See the world-famous ski show where some of the world’s best skiers travel at high speed behind a speedboat, and perform high-flying antics on the small man-made lake. See the dolphins fly high into the air as they laugh and play and display their skills.

The underwater theatre is a must - line up early as it is very popular. Sit through one of the most amazing underwater shows and you will see - if this doesn’t make you want to do a diving course, nothing will.

Next on the list is the whales and sea lions show. Watch in awe as these huge creatures hurl themselves out of the water and show off to the trainers all their skills. You can also see where Sea World’s favourite residents, the polar bears, live in a behind-the-scenes tour of Polar Bear Shores. This is possibly the most exhilarating Animal Adventures program of all, as you may come within inches of the world’s largest land carnivore!

The most amazing thing I did was to take a 10-minute ride in a helicopter that took off from Sea World and we flew down the coast to Coolangatta on the boarder of NSW - it was the most amazing sight, I can't describe it. Views to excite you...if you can do it!

Tired yet? If so, take a load off your feet, grab a cold drink or an ice cream and ride the chairlift to see the park from above. It’s an amazing view from the top also over main beach, and it’s a good idea as you will need to rest before moving on to the next show. Fun rides for all the kids and guy big kids, and for us girls, there is plenty of shopping to be done, for that special souvenir. By now you must be ready to head home for a rest…to get ready for tomorrow.

Your local tour operator or reception at your hotel will have all the latest information and brochures on how to get there, what to see, and how much it costs. Fun for all the family - visit Dreamworld; Warner Bros. Movie World is Australia's only movie-based theme park, experience wild exhilarating rides, with lots of shows and attractions…just like Hollywood; and Wet N Wild water parks, which has the world's largest water slides, you'll find lots of pools and dive in movies and only found here…a great place to beat the heat.

Situated north of Surfers Paradise about half an hour away, you will love it, don’t forget to take a hat, plenty of water to drink and a packed lunch if you want to save a few dollars, all parks have everything you want in the way of food and beverages if you want to dine out.

We hired a car, which was good value for around $35.00 a day - it made it easier to get around at our own pace. Otherwise, you can take a bus to the nearest train station at Nerang and get off at Helensvale, then a bus takes you to reach some of Australia’s coolest theme parks.