Your Complete Guide to the Gold Coast Theme Parks
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Surfers Paradise
Gold Coast
Theme parks and the glitzy strip of Surfers Paradise aside, the Gold Coast is harbouring micro-breweries, beloved surf breaks and communities of creatives all along its sun-soaked shores. With swish high-rises, stunning beaches and a peaceful Hinterland, the region is ideal for those looking for a nature-filled escape with all the glamorous extras.
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Places to stay
Stretching from Tweed Heads to Paradise Point, the Gold Coast has, deservedly, been a well-loved holiday destination for years. But with its recent revitalisation, there are now even more accommodation options on offer, no matter what kind of holiday you want to have. For beach lovers, there are no shortages of places to stay. Airbnbs are aplenty with gorgeous homes, revamped retro holiday houses and cute beach shacks scattered along the sandy southern shores of Tugun, Bilinga and Cabarita.
Want to stay somewhere luxe and lavish? The hotel scene in Broadbeach is full of fabulous and flashy mega hotels, like The Star and Peppers, while the throwback retro-surfy vibes of the QT in Surfers Paradise is a refreshing addition to the city’s hotel scene. If all you need is a place to rest your head between epic swells, try Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park, Burleigh Beach Tourist Park or Ocean Beach Tourist Park in Miami which all offer camping that comes with excellent complimentary surf conditions.
So whether you’re planning on hopping between a few or settling into one, all the accommodation offerings along the Gold Coast come with plenty of sunshine and salty area to keep you cool, calm and content.
Things to do
The typical tourist trappings of the Gold Coast, like the theme parks and the neon-fuelled main drag, haven’t gone anywhere but the suburbs surrounding the city’s ‘glitter strip’ are churning out creative eateries, boutiques and bars as thick and fast as the local surf breaks. Start your day with the sun by heading for a surf at the rolling breaks of the renowned Currumbin Alley or Snapper Rocks, which is also a great place for a swim if you’d prefer to leave the surfing to the professionals. With so many pristine beaches to choose from, swimming up an appetite is easy.
To keep the kids entertained without a theme park in sight, hire a car and set off for the Lamington National Park where you can stroll through the treetops on O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk or stop off for a dip at Elabana Falls. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your sun-soaked days on the Gold Coast.
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21 of the Coolest Things to Do on the Gold Coast
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Queenland’s Hottest Under-the-radar Destination is Right on the Gold Coast
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Southern Gold Coast
In the beachside suburbs of Mermaid Beach, Palm Beach and Burleigh Heads, breakfast is taken as seriously as the surf breaks with Bam Bam Bakehouse, Borough Barista and Paddock Bakery, all offering up wholesome ways to start your day.
Head to James Street, a go-to shopping spot for locals and holidayers. If you happen to be in town on the first and third Sunday of the month, make sure to pay a visit to The Village Markets which plays host to hundreds of stalls and street food.
Nobby Beach
With some of the finest dining out in the area, Nobby Beach is a fantastic precinct to explore. Here you’ll find the fine dining at Hellenika plus an array of boutique bars and restaurants. This local favourite blends a family-friendly atmosphere with an ultra-trendy vibe - all snuggled into this small suburb.
There’s also a burgeoning craft beer scene scattered along the coast with Balter, Lost Palms and Black Hops all brewing up delicious local frothy beverages.
Getting around
From the airport: Coolangatta Airport is located approximately 22 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise. Grab a taxi or arrange an easy Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to take you directly to your hotel.
In and around the city: easily explored by bicycle with safe bike paths available all along the coast. A public bus operates through the city, or the G-Link lightrail can take you between Broadbeach and Southport, passing Surfers Paradise and Main Beach.
To discover the hinterland or drive to Byron Bay, the best option is to rent a car.
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