BEAT BRAT BOREDOM
COOL THINGS TO DO THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Beaches, theme parks, skyscrapers, Hinterland and hidden cafes ... the Gold Coast has all of this and more. We’ve listed the coolest things to do on the Coast perfect for tourists, families, couples, kids and yes, even the locals. Here’s part 1 of 4.
1 INFINITY
Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, 3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, infinitygc.com.au Challenge your senses and ignite your imagination – Infinity in Surfers Paradise is a fun house of wonder and intrigue that will have all the family entertained.
2 RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise, ripleys.com Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise is a self-guided adventure where you come face-to-face with relics and rare treasures from around the world. With almost 9000 sq m to explore, you will discover 350 genuine artefacts, amazing stories of history and adventure, magic, mystery, illusions, interactive games, life-size figurines of unusual characters who actually lived and unbelievable movies.
3 TOOLONA CREEK CIRCUIT
Lamington National Park, visitbrisbane.com.au The Tooloona Creek circuit at Canungra combines the best Lamington National Park has to offer. Scenic waterfalls, boulder-strewn creeks, tall rainforests, gnarled Antarctic beech trees, views over Byron Bay and the World Heritage-listed rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales.
4 Q1 SKYPOINT OBSERVATION DECK
9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise, skypoint.com.au Enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding coast at SkyPoint Observation Deck where you can indulge in meals at The Seventy 7 Cafe and Bar or grab a drink and watch the sun set.
5 Q1 SKY POINT CLIMB
9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise, skypoint.com.au If you’re feeling brave you can do the SkyPoint Climb, a 90minute climb of the Q1 tower, which is 270m tall and Australia’s highest external building climb. You’ll experience amazing views from the beaches to the Hinterland.
6 STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
Tallebudgera Creek, 1544 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach, goldcoasttouristparks.com.au
Also known as ‘SUPing’ to the locals. If you haven’t been stand up paddle boarding, put it on your bucket list and tick it off on the Gold Coast. Tallebudgera Creek is a hotspot for the inexpensive activity with crystal-clear waters, flat conditions and lifesavers in the area. Forestry Road, Springbrook, goldcoastpoint.com.au The little creek known as Purling Brook, peacefully winds its way under roads and over rocks before finding itself in a terrifying 100m drop off the mountain, into the valley below. The Purling Brook Falls are situated within the central section of Springbrook National Park as part of the Shield Volcano Group, at Springbrook which is part of the Gold Coast Hinterland, southwest of Surfers Paradise.
8 TRY A SYRINGE DOUGHNUT
Blackboard Coffee, 7/240 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes You’ve seen them all over Instagram, now it’s time to try a caramel or nutella-filled doughnut at the cafe that started the trend. It also serves up some of the Coast’s best coffee.
9 NIGHTQUARTER MARKETS
1 Town Centre Drive, Westfield Helensvale, nightquarter.com.au
The NightQuarter markets are a favourite among locals. Featuring food, drink, live music and activities, this is one for the whole family.
10 RIDE THE G: LINK
Central Gold Coast, ridetheg.com.au Move over Melbourne, the Gold Coast is all grown up with its own light rail. Hop on board the G: Link for a trafficfree trip into Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.
11 THE SPIT
Main Beach, goldcoastinfo.net The Spit is perfect for: a day at the beach; a trip to the dog beach with your pup; or to dog spot cute canines. Plus, films like Pirates of the Carribbean have been filmed at this iconic Gold Coast location.
12 NATURAL BRIDGE Springbrook, queensland.com
The Springbrook National Park’s Natural Bridge rock formation – once formed by the force of the waterfall over the erosive basalt cave – is easily accessible from the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road car park. Start the short one kilometre subtropical circuit clockwise and descend through ancient Gondwana rainforest to the Natural Bridge rock arch.
13 PACIFIC FAIR SHOPPING CENTRE
Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach, pacificfair.com.au Whether you need to pick up groceries, buy a new top or run an errand, make a day of it at Pacific Fair (or, Pac Fair as the locals would say). Designer stores, world-class restaurants, a cinema and five hours free parking. What more could you want from a shopping centre?
14 CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
28 Tomewin St, Currumbin, currumbinsanctuary.com.au It’s been around forever and there’s a reason why. The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a Gold Coast institution. Experience Australian wildlife by feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas. There are bird shows, sheep shearings, Aboriginal performances and tree-top ropes courses.
15 THUNDERBIRD PARK
Tamborine Mountain Rd & Cedar Creek Falls Rd, thunderbirdpark.com
This hidden spot on Tamborine Mountain is a Gold Coast must (you can’t call yourself a local until you’ve been here at least once). The Thunderbird Park offers high ropes courses with phenomenal views, a number of attractions, and you can even camp overnight.
16 ADRENALIN PARK SURFERS PARADISE
6 Palm Ave, Surfers Paradise, funtime.com.au If you can’t afford to keep visiting theme parks but the kids need an adrenaline hit, visit Adrenalin Park in Surfers Paradise for amusement and thrill rides like the Vomatron and the Sling Shot. Inexpensive rides that will have the kids laughing, or maybe spewing, for hours.
17 HOT AIR BALLOON
23 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise, hotair.com.au Ditch the typical restaurant date and relight the flame with a romantic hot air balloon ride. Float over the majestic Gold Coast Hinterland with a glass of wine and your significant other. Book through Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast.
18 THE KITCHENS Robina Town Centre, robinatowncentre.com.au
Eat your way around the world minus the expensive plane ticket. The Kitchens at Robina Town Centre offers all types of cuisine, free cooking demonstrations and classes for kids. It’s a total multi-sensory, culinary concept.
19 CURRUMBIN ROCK POOLS Currumbin Creek Road, goldcoast.qld.gov.au
A local’s secret in the Currumbin Valley, the Currumbin Rock Pools is nestled a fair distance away and tourists know nothing about it. Plunging waterfalls, rock slides, grass areas and massive pools to swim in. The best part? It’s totally free.
20 O’REILLY’S RETREAT
3582 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra, oreillys.com.au Wine tasting sells itself, but instead of remaining couped up indoors, take the activity outside into the vineyards and have a picnic overlooking the blue skies and green mountains.
21 TROPICAL FRUIT WORLD
29 Duranbah Rd, Duranbah, tropicalfruitworld.com.au Technically, this little gem is just over the border, but the family owned and operated Tropical Fruit World is such an interesting find. Take a guided tour of more than 500 varieties of exotic fruit.
22 DRACULAS COMEDY CABARET RESTAURANT
1 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach, draculas.com.au Draculas are constantly reinventing their shows, so what you saw two years ago won’t be what you see if you visit again. Throw some excitement into your dinner schedule and book a table for their latest production, Spiderlash. From July 4, a new show Terrorbyte with a vampire theme kicks in.
23 BOTANICAL GARDENS
230 Ashmore Rd, Benowa, goldcoast.qld.gov.au Take a stroll around the Gold Coast Regional Botanical Gardens while the kids hit the playground. Make a day of it and pack a picnic.
24 MIAMI MARKETTA
23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami, miamimarketta.com Bring the family to enjoy live music, performers and delicious food with gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and raw food options for your healthconscious friends.
25 HARBOUR TOWN
147-189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters, harbourtowngoldcoast.com.au The outlet shopping centre at Biggera Waters stocks some of the biggest names in fashion including Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Victoria’s Secret. The best part? You can get it all at outlet prices.