The Gold Coast features 40km of sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queenslands capital city, Brisbane, and 947kms North the capital of New south Wales, Sydney. It has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia's seventh largest city.
It is also Australia's favorite tourist destination with a favorable climate, diversity of attractions, sophisticated nightlife and dining, safe enviroment and world class resorts. 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.
Climate:
The Gold Coast has a comfortable sub-tropical climate averaging in the 20's.
Summer - December to Febuary - 20-28 degrees C.
Autumn - March - May - 15-25 degrees C.
Winter - June - August - 11-21 degrees C.
Spring - September to November - 15-25 degrees C.
Attractions:
One of the Gold Coasts greatest attractions is it's natural ones including 40km of golden sandy beaches, Eco tourism throughout the Hinterland and National Parks, onshore and offshore fishing, diving and sailing. There is also two wild life parks located at Currumbin and Burliegh. The Hinterland is also popular for it's growing wine and vineyard industry.
Adventure attractions include motor bike tours, parasailing, sky diving, hot air ballooning, jet skiing, power boating, helicopter tours, go karting and motor racing.
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.
Nightlife:
The Gold Coast is popular for it's famous nightclubs located on Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue where you can party to the early hours. There are also two world class nightclubs located in Broadbeach as well as a large casino and convention centre.
Dining:
Main Beach and Broadbeach are popular for their main streets lined with quality restuarants serving for all tastes in ambient relaxing surroundings.
Accommodation:
The Gold Coast there are over 13,000 rooms available from Coolangatta through to Hope Island including Motels, Guest Houses, Appartments and Hotels. Resorts are first class and the big names include the Palazzo Versace, Marriot, Sheraton Mirage, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Conrad Jupiters and the Sofitel. Most of these are centrally located in Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Main Beach with most having water and or Hinterland views.
Choosing the right accommodation for you depends on budget, number of people and what you would like to be close to.
Transport:
You can fly to either Gold Coast Airport (30mins from Surfers) or Brisbane Airport(50mins from Surfers) and transport from there can either be via taxi, rental, bus or limousine. Buses run on a regular time table throughout the area and a train runs from Robina to Brisbane.
Major Events:
The Indy championship is one of the major events on the calender as well as the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, the Magic Millions Horse Racing Carnival, Schoolies Festival and Surf Carnivals. |
