Gold Coast, a paradise for surfers and theme park lovers. But is that all? Here are the top things to do in this coastal city of Queensland!
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Stay in Gold Coast with Booking.com:
Booking.com1. Surf at Spit Beach, Gold Coast
You can’t really tell anyone you have been to Gold Coast if you did not pick up surfing there. There are many surf courses available for aspiring surfers to pick up, ranging from 2-hour lessons to multi-day Surf Camps.
However, do take note that a 3-day surf course isn’t for everyone as surfing (especially getting used to the ocean) is honestly very tiring for beginners! Beginners who do so may end up wasting their entire afternoons recuperating from the sea.
For us, we picked the 2-hour lesson with Get Wet Surf School. They conduct all lessons with the lowest participant to instructor ratio in Queensland, and our lesson was held at Spit Beach. Outgoing and approachable aren’t enough to describe the instructors at the Get Wet Surf School.
The lesson first begins at the beach where you learn some basic steps to get you standing up on your board in the safest way possible. After a short safety brief, off you go to (attempt to) catch some waves!
2. Take a Relaxing Stroll Along the Gold Coast
Gold coast has one of the longest coastlines in the world and that, my friend, is 70 kilometres of coastline.
Take off your flip flops and go barefooted on this surprisingly clean and picturesque stretch of sand. You can also look at the skyscrapers on the other side of the beach, an impressive display of Gold Coast’s real estate.
Can’t stand the tourist-packed beaches? You can also take a 30-minute drive north to Coolangatta Beach. This beach is a much more peaceful alternative, and you might even have a chance to spot whales and dolphins during the winter months.
Fun fact: Did you know Gold Coast used to be a derogatory word to some locals in the 1950’s? Gold Coast was originally named the South Coast.
3. Village Roadshow Theme Parks – Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild etc.
And of course, what most people are here for – Theme Parks! And not just any theme park, it’s the Warner Bros’ Movie World!
Immerse yourself into the world of your choosing, be it Scooby-Doo, Justice League, Looney Tunes or the Arkham Asylum Villains.
Want more? Purchase the 3-day or 7-day unlimited entry Village Roadshow Pass and explore Sea Wold and Wet’n’Wild too!
4. Gold Coast’s Largest Theme Park – Dreamworld
Source: International Business Times
If you’re in for a thrill, why not go for Dreamworld too (a competitor of MovieWorld).
Dreamworld is Australia’s biggest theme park, where they not only have roller coasters but other thrill rides, shows and animals all in one place.
We found a great deal where you can purchase cheaper Dreamworld pass tickets. Many on Tripadvisor have claimed that this is legitimate. As the legitimacy of the tickets are based on internet reviews, and we are not endorsing it, please book at your own risk.
P.S. Golden Dragon Travel also offers lots of other activities in Australia and New Zealand. The only catch is that almost the entire website is in Chinese. Again, please do so at your own risk!
5. Surfers’ Paradise Beachfront Markets
Source: The Weekend Edition
The Gold Coast’s only beachfront night markets open every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 5 pm.
There are more than 100 market stalls for you to discover as you stroll down the foreshore of the popular tourist precinct. The market offers delicious homemade desserts, local produce, DIY jewellery and even glow-in-dark shirts and trophies!
The Beachfront Markets marquee also sells a Gold Coast Edition of Monopoly!
6. Cavill Avenue – Grab a Bite at Surfers’ Paradise
Source: Queensland
Right behind the Beachfront Markets is Cavill Avenue, a pedestrian mall in Surfers’ Paradise. Here you can bring your kids to the infinity attraction or the arcade.
Lined with shops, night clubs, bars and restaurants, the street is a place suited for all ages. There are lots of surf art and live music performances and even magic shows lining the street at night.
Don’t forget to visit the famous ‘Surfers’ Paradise’ sign next to the beach on The Esplanade.
7. Springbrook National Park – Glowworm Caves
Forget the bright lights and theme parks, the “Green behind the Gold” is definitely worth your time.
Springbrook National Park features Australia’s most well-known glow worm viewing site. Hundreds of people visit the viewing platform at night via the Natural Bridge.
Alternatively, you can head to Mount Tamborine to find man-made glow worm caves to copy the natural habitat of the glow worms.
8. Kirra Hill – Great Little Lookout Near the Airport
If you’re near the Gold Coast Airport, there’s an excellent little lookout at Kirra Hill. The lookout point can be reached by an accessible but uphill walk.
It is rumoured to be one of the best spots in Gold Coast to catch a sunset/sunrise and is popular among the locals.
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