As Queensland’s premier beach hub, the Gold Coast offers holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a wide variety of activities and excursions. Here’s a rundown of 10 things tourists with varying interests and preferences can experience on a beach trip to the area.
1. Hit the Theme Parks
Whether you’re heading to the Gold Coast with your tiny tots or a group of friends, a tour of this seaside paradise would not be complete without exploring its iconic theme parks. Home to not one but 2 mammoth entertainment hotspots – Dreamworld and Warner Bros Movie World – the Gold Coast offers plenty of thrills and fun with these theme parks that should be included in one’s itinerary when visiting the area.
2. Enjoy a Surfing Safari at Broadbeach
Those who are lucky enough to score Gold Coast hotel packages for luxury resort stays on Broadbeach can’t afford to miss the excellent surfing conditions accessible along its shorelines. A stone’s throw away from Avani Broadbeach Residences, the surf spots of this particular coastline include monster rip tides and exciting reef breaks.
3. Take to the Skies
Brunch on a hot air balloon might not be an option for budget travellers, but those with the means to splurge will hardly find a more enchanting way to embark on an outbound excursion than this scenic aerial tour. Jetting off in the bright, clear morning hours, balloon excursions afford visitors more than a passing glimpse of the region’s coastlines, rainforests and the occasional kangaroo from a truly vaulted vantage point.
4. Cuddle a Koala
Located a mere 35 minutes away from the heart of the Gold Coast lies the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Although many cuddly and furry creatures call the reserve home, it’s the venue’s resident koala population that draws most visitors to this verdant enclave.
5. Set Sail
Sailing fanatics bound for the Gold Coast must also sign up for a yacht tour of its pristine waterways, as morning and afternoon cruises offer visitors a glimpse of some of the region’s finest natural and manmade wonders. Departing from the Sanctuary Cove marina, most yacht tours travel along the Coomera River and head over to Broadwater as their final port of call.
6. Tour the HOTA Gallery
Art lovers and creatively inclined visitors holidaying on the Gold Coast must also stop by the HOTA Gallery. As a state-of-the-art institution that’s also the largest regional art gallery in Australia, the venue is a great place to catch local films, theatre productions and marvel at the works of William Robinson and Ben Quilty.
7. Catch the Sunset from Snapper Rocks
While there’s no shortage of sunset viewing hotspots on the Gold Coast’s top beaches, the eastern-facing observation hub known as Snapper Rocks is a destination that’s predominantly frequented by locals.
8. Grab a Pint
Those with an interest in exploring the Gold Coast’s regional craft beer scene must embark on a tour of its most popular breweries. From Balter Brewing to Black Hops Brewery, Burleigh Heads, and Precinct Brewing, the area’s handcrafted beers are among its best-kept secrets.
9. Tee-Off in Style
Golfers heading to the Gold Coast will also find an array of breathtaking courses occupying the shoreline. Gainsborough Greens is arguably the best among the area’s courses despite the fact that baby kangaroos are known to invade its rolling lawns from time to time.
10. Dig into Local Delicacies
Foodies must stop by Mermaid Beach’s Bam Bam Bakehouse to take a bite out of its classic butter croissants, as it is one of the best breakfast options available in the holiday hub. The bakehouse also specialises in Croissant French Toast that’s served with decadent Chantilly cream and maple syrup.
