Things To See and Do

Australia's Gold Coast Attractions - experiences that continue to evolve every day. It is an offering which has been built over generations as a tourist destination that receives millions of visitors each year.

Enjoying an ideal year round climate and an amazing variety of natural landscapes, including 70 kilometres of famous beach and 100,000 hectares of world heritage-listed rainforest, the region has been attracting visitors since first settlement.

Today, natural wonders are complemented by the largest selection of family theme parks, golfing greens, shopping centres and restaurants

Family favourites such as Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild and WhiteWater World are sure to please, Warner Bros. Movie World and the Australian Outback Spectacular provide their own unique feel, and while Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary creates a never ending interactive experience with nature’s many creatures.

A city jam-packed with adrenaline rides, jet boating on the Broadwater, whale watching and themed attractions, including Dracula’s Haunted House and Infinity’s multidimensional maze located in the city centre, offer yet another opportunity to create some exciting holiday memories.

Internationally regarded golfing experiences are also in easy reach of the weekend hacker or the serious swinger with more than 40 championship and resort golf courses located throughout the region.

Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach

Just across the river from Southport lies Main Beach, one of the Gold Coast’s most adored districts. Blessed with café lined boulevards and boutique shopping and all within a short strut of the celebrated sands of the beach. Main Beach offers a vista of multi-million dollar elegance as the calm water area hosts an array of extraordinary vessels and unrivalled residences.

And a just a short stroll south is Surfers Paradise, the playground of the Gold Coast, featuring an abundance of memorable experiences set amid a spectacular skyline and brilliant stretch of coast. To gain a truly unique perspective on this city centre, venture over to the world’s tallest residential apartment building. Topping 80 levels and with a visitor observation lounge on the 78th floor, it is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Gold Coast and beyond.

Then there’s Broadbeach, one of Queensland’s most plentiful shopping districts. Many of the Gold Coast’s most modern dining establishments and premier nightlife venues are based in the Broadbeach precinct, giving the area a contemporary feel and an absolutely distinctive style.

Main Beach

Main Beach is just north of Surfers Paradise and boasts a sophisticated, yet casual, beach lifestyle. It's one of the Gold Coast's best beaches.

Main Beach offers a beachfront park perfect for an afternoon barbeque or game of Frisbee. And just a block from the beach, is a lovely area filled with alfresco restaurants and cafes where you can relax to the sounds of live music and enjoy watching a variety of luxury cars drive by.

Main Beach is located near a long sandbar known as the Spit. The Spit divides the Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean and is popular with surfers and fisherman alike. The Spit is also home to the Sea World theme park and several fabulous shopping and dining experiences. There are also some dive sites nearby including the Scottish Prince shipwreck.

Surfers Paradise

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 perfect fusion of city and beach lifestyles set amidst a spectacular skyline and brilliant stretch of coast. Once you arrive, you'll soon feel that you've literally arrived in paradise.

Vibrant and eclectic, Surfers Paradise provides non-stop action. 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. Whether it's through the winding streets lined with alfresco dining restaurants or the art galleries that showcase local artists' works and Aboriginal exhibitions. There's the unending shopping options from top-end designers to factory outlet bargains and night-time beachfront markets. Surfers Paradise is enticing in every way imaginable.

And when nightfall comes, Surfers bursts into action with 24-hour excitement. Bars and nightclubs start pumping with live music and dance beats, while non-stop events keep you entertained. And of course, there's the Gold Coast 600, which jumpstarts Surfers Paradise into action every October and with the Crest Apartments being with in the Gold Coast 600 precinct, it makes for a perfect place to stay track side & indulge in all of the action & excitement this event has to offer .

And the next day when you're tired from all of the action, grab your towel and hit the beach. Learn how to surf or watch the pros make it look so easy. If you're around in March, you'll be able to witness incredibly fit athletes competing in the Quicksilver Pro-Surfing Competition and the Surf Life Saving Championships. It's all in a hard day's work at Surfers Paradise. So now, it's time for you to come to experience 'Australia's playground' for yourself...Surfers Paradise.

Broadbeach

Broadbeach is just south of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and offers an inviting beach lifestyle.

Broadbeach is somewhat quieter than Surfers Paradise to the north, but boasts an excellent stretch of beach, dining and shopping options. Broadbeach Mall and Surf Parade are lined with trendy outdoor cafes and restaurants, and beachfront craft markets are held on the first and third Sunday of every month.

But probably the best known attraction at Broadbeach is Conrad Jupiter’s Casino, which thrives with people trying their luck 24 hours a day.

Gold Coast Hinterland

The Gold Coast is a place of wonderful contrast and complement. Journey through a patchwork of rural plantations, vineyards, farmland and livestock estates on the way to more than 100,000 hectares of National Parks and reserves, networked with miles of enchanting bushwalking trails. Quiet country roads, just 30 minutes from the beaches, lead into canyons and valleys with their hidden secrets of natural wonders.

Lamington National Park, Scenic Rim Area

Green Mountains, Lamington National Park, in the hinterland of the Gold Coast and part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its waterfalls, wildlife and wonderful walking tracks. Pick up the latest brochure from the information centre and enjoy walking tracks (from one kilometre to 22 kilometres in length) leading to creeks and lookouts. Stay overnight in the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service's camping area; bring a fuel stove, as campfires are not permitted.

In the picnic area, take photos of crimson rosellas. On the Python walk, listen for the masked mountain frog's popping call. The regent bowerbird, rufous scrub-bird and Antarctic beech tree found here are species that have survived since prehistoric times. The approach to the park, located 36 kilometres south of Canungra, is narrow and winding and unsuitable for caravans.

Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park

Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park is a most unusual geological feature created over millions of years by water tumbling through the roof of a basalt cave. Natural Bridge is home to an amazing colony of glow-worms, whose lights can be seen only after sunset. Lookouts and lush rainforest also grace this part of the Gondwna Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, making it one of the most popular parks in Australia. Take the short circuit walk to the natural arch over Cave Creek, and view the unique waterfall and cave. Enjoy a picnic and relax in cool rainforest. Join a nocturnal tour to see delicate glow-worms. (Remember a torch for the walk, but turn it off once in the cave). On summer nights, see luminous fungi and fireflies. During the day, hear the calls of paradise riflebirds, green catbirds and wompoo fruit-doves.

Tamborine National Park

Towering 560 metres high, Tamborine National Park is a green oasis. The park consists of 14 parcels of land, including Witches Falls (which in 1908 became Queensland's first national park). The mountain features basalt columns, cliffs, rocky outcrops, numerous waterfalls and lush rainforest. It is also home to the rare Albert's lyrebird and shining burrawang. Nine walking tracks lead to some excellent views, beautiful waterfalls, and forests of large red cedars and groves of tall piccabeen palms. At Curtis Falls, sit quietly in the early morning or late afternoon for a chance to spot a platypus. Enjoy a picnic at The Knoll or Witches Falls.

Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain is an idyllic oasis comprised of three heritage communities: Mount Tamborine, North Tamborine and Eagle Heights. Located about an hour south of Brisbane and just inland from Surfers Paradise, Tamborine Mountain offers a quiet respite from busy city life. The Tamborine Mountain communities stretch along the McPherson Range, offering spectacular views to the valleys below and the impressive high-rises of the Gold Coast.

Tamborine Mountain provides many opportunities for holiday enjoyment. Explore the beautiful Tamborine Mountain National Park with its cascading waterfalls, rainforest walking tracks and remarkable coastal vistas. Take time to wander along Gallery Walk, a stretch of shops and galleries with antiques, crafts and fine restaurants. And on the weekends, browse through market stalls to buy locally grown produce (avocado and macadamia nuts especially) and then stop by the festivities at one of many events through the year.

Your choices for accommodation are limitless, with a quaint cottages and classic bed and breakfasts, catering to families and couples alike. And because of this diversity, Tamborine Mountain has established itself as a popular destination for weddings, honeymoons and couples seeking a quiet romantic getaway.

Tamborine Mountain invites you to experience this and more.