Coastal Retreats -

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is located 900km north of Sydney and 100 km south of Sydney, a city with an area of 1,402 km². The Gold Coast has many things to do for an action packed holiday or a romantic getaway. The Gold Coast is Australia's entertainment and leisure capital, a superb combination of wide open spaces, valleys, waterways, wilderness, national parks and beaches. But the Gold Coast is truly famous for its surfing beaches with beaches such as Currumbin Alley, Snapper Rocks and Kirra known as the best waves in Australia to practise the sport. The Gold Coast is backdropped by heritage listed mountains and rainforests and set along 70km of pristine coastline. The Gold Coast has one of the largest population growth rates in Australia with just under half a million people. Shopping is one of the most popular activities on the Gold Coast with a large range of ritzy and expensive shops. Getting from the Gold Coast for theme park transfers, group golf transfers, Brisbane Airport transfers or Gold Coast Airport transfers is easy. The Gold Coast has some of the best multicultural food available with a dazzling array of places to eat and is recognised internationally for Australian cuisine.

The Gold Coast's best hotels include Marriott, Hyatt Regency, the Palazzo Versace and Q1 Resort and Spa providing 5 start service and breathtaking views. But the Gold Coast accommodation is for everyone's budget from resorts, roadside motels, luxury self-contained apartments and 5 star hotels. Family accommodation ranges from five-star international hotels, self-contained apartments to camping reserves. Coolangatta has some of the best family accommodation available in this stylish town from apartments, hotels and resorts. Coolangatta is the ideal place for a family holiday located at the end of Queensland's coast.

The capital of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, an entertainment and shopper's paradise. From the Cavill Avenue shopping outlets to the Orchid Avenue bars, restaurants and nightclubs, Surfers Paradise runs 24 hours a day and never sleeps. Broadbeach, south of Surfers Paradise, is a family favourite offering fairground rides, children's playground equipment and a wide pavement shopping area. North of Surfers Paradise are the suburbs Paradise Point, Runaway Bay and Labrador which are right in front of Stradbroke Island.

Many of the Gold Coast's beaches run along approximately 860km of tidal waterways and approximately 287 days of sunshine to enjoy it on. The Gold Coast's most popular beaches out of 21 include Rainbow Bay, Greenmount Beach, Bilinga, Tugun, Currumbin , Main Beach, Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads and Surfers Paradise. Main beach is a haven for fishermen and surfers or just laying on the beach soaking up the sun. Currumbin, Bilinga and Tugun beaches are popular with families and located at the southern end of the Gold Coast. Rainbow Bay and Greenmount Beach provide good shelter for swimming facing a Northern direction. The Gold Coast is the Coast with the Most offering nightlife, shopping, theme parks, World Heritage rainforests and 70 km of sun-drenched beaches.

There are 160km of walking trails through the Gold Coast hinterland. Lamington National Park is a part of the Gold Coast hinterland and visitors can enjoy scenic picnic spots, 4WD day tours, bird watching, swimming in natural rock pools and bush walking. More than 23 million years ago an ancient volcano erupted and formed the Mount Warning, Nightcap, Border Ranges, Springbrook and Laminton National Parks which are spread across an area of some 7000 square km throughout the hinterland. The hinterland offers wine testing, bush walking and arts and craft boutiques.

The Gold Coast's famous theme parks include Wet'n'Wild, White Water World, Seaworld, Dreamworld and Movieworld which offer fun for all ages. Dreamworld is home of the Australian Big Brother House and popular tiger zoo. Wet'n'Wild has 'dive-in movies' at night, the wave pool, water park slides and heaps more. Seaworld was the first and oldest theme park in Australia which was first opened in 1958 and moved to its present site in 1971.

The Gold Coast Airport is located 20 minutes drive south of the Gold Coast in Coolangatta which was formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, and is serviced by international and domestic flights. Brisbane's domestic and international airports are located one hour north of The Gold Coast Airport. Within 30 minutes drive of The Gold Coast you can reach The Gold Coast airport, Tamborine Mountain and the famous theme parks. The Brisbane airport is a 60 minute drive away from the Gold Coast airport, a 6 minute drive to Robina Shopping Centre and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, an 8 minute drive away to Broadbeach Mall, a 15 minute drive to Surfers Paradise, a 20 minute drive to Seaworld and Movieworld, a 25 minute drive to Dreamworld and a 1 hour drive to Brisbane city or Brisbane airport.

The Gold Coast is a magical place with the blue of the Pacific Ocean, fresh sea breezes and loads of sunshine. The Gold Coast has more recreation choices than anywhere else in Australia and is considered Australia's favourite holiday playground. The Gold Coast has musical spectaculars, the Indy motor racing and other all - year round special events. The Gold Coast has something for everyone from the beautiful hinterland wilderness to the adventurous theme parks.

Gold Coast Caravan Parks / Backpackers

  Gold Coast Caravan Parks

Gold Coast Hostels / Cabins

Gold Coast Weather

Gold Coast Map