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Queensland Gold Coast Holidays

The Gold Coast is probably Australia's best known holiday region with incredible Gold Coast beaches stretching from Southport at the northern end to the New South Wales border.

The region averages 300 days of sunlight and attracts over 3 million visitors per year.  It has been Australia's #1 beach holiday destination for many generations.

An incredible collection of Gold Coast holiday apartments and resorts is available to service the influx of tourists and holiday makers, with features, facilities and budgets to suit every taste and budget.

Visitors with only a short stop-over or who prefer the convenience of an hotel will find an excellent choice of Gold Coast hotels to meet their every need.

There is tons of entertainment in nightclubs and Jupiters Casino in Broadbeach.  Enjoy boutique shopping in the many malls and shopping centres. Choose from an extensive range of world class Gold Coast golf courses,  entertainment theme parks, cruises, tours, wildlife parks, fine dining... every wish is catered for. Visitors will definitely find find is no shortage of things to do on the Gold Coast.

The jewel in the Gold Coast crown is the unbroken 42 km string of pristine beaches that are the major attraction for Gold Coast holidays. The coastline offers some of the world's best surfing spots as well as secluded calm water estuaries and inlets.

The beaches stretch from Southport in the north, through Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Miami, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra and finally Coolangatta at the New South Wales border. The Gold Coast boasts some world class resort golf courses, played by the world's leading professionals in some of Australia's major tournaments.

Travel just a few minutes inland to the hinterland with its unspoiled rainforests, spectacular views, bush-walking, wildlife and National Parks. Several fine hinterland resorts cater to those wanting to enjoy the region but bypass the sun, sand and sea holiday.

To fully appreciate all that the Gold Coast has to offer, visitors should consider a Gold Coast rental car if they are not travelling with their own vehicle. [See Gold Coast regional map]

Gold Coast Attractions

Most of the attractions are located at the northern end of the Gold Coast and have reasonable access from both the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Dreamworld, an Australian version of Disneyland with rides and attractions, and Koala Town, a nature reserve, are both near Coomera which is 56 km south of Brisbane. Whitewater World is a sister park to Dreamworld and located at the same site.

Warner Bros Movie World is a working movie studio that also provides tourist attractions, stunt shows and movie and cartoon characters to entertain the kids. Wet 'n Wild is a comprehensive mixture of slides, toboggans, wave pools, twisters together with facilities for the younger children. These two attractions are next to each other adjacent the Pacific Highway 3 km south of Oxenford.

The Spit at Southport is home to Seaworld, the largest aquatic park in Australia. Performing dolphins, whales, seals together with waterskiing and aquaballet displays. Also a series of roller-coaster rides.

Places of Interest - Gold Coast

Southport & Main Beach - location of some of the most recent gold Coast developments such as the the Marina Mirage complex. The Sheraton Mirage Hotel and Seaworld. The Broadwater is a popular recreational waterway and rapidly developing into a popular tourist destination servicing the northern end of the Gold Coast. [See Southport & Main Beach regional map]

Surfers Paradise - the major focal point of the Gold Coast and often mistakenly described as being the Gold Coast. Spectacular nightlife and casino and more restaurants per square kilometre than anywhere else in Australia. Several major shopping centres. Heavily developed with resort and apartment complexes, motels and holiday accommodation of all types. 
[See Surfers Paradise regional map]

Broadbeach - just a few kilometres to the south of Surfers Paradise. Now one of the major destinations for holiday makers on the Gold Coast. Noted for its excellent range and variety of restaurants and shopping options. New resorts, apartment complexes and shopping centres dot the skyline. Excellent patrolled beaches and the location for some of Australia's major surf life saving carnivals.  [See Broadbeach regional map]

Burleigh Heads - a headland that hosts a small National Park and koala park. Short 3 km walking track with excellent coastal views. Popular spot with surfers and one of the more popular holiday locations for families. Travel west from the coast to visit Fleays Fauna Centre. [See Burleigh Heads regional map]

Currumbin - best known for the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the feeding of the rainbow lorrikeets which come swooping out of the surrounding bush at feeding times. Has grown from a simple bird sanctuary to a wildlife reserve and various tourist attractions. [See Currumbin regional map]

Coolangatta - the southern end of the Gold Coast at the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Urban sprawl has seen a merging of Coolangatta and neighbouring Tweed Heads into twin towns. [See Coolangatta regional map]

The Hinterland - the "green behind the gold" and a popular day trip destination for Gold Coast holiday makers. An area of  National Parks, rainforests, scenic lookouts and lodges. Rugged country with narrow, steep and winding roads. Drive carefully.
Take the circuit from Coolangatta south to Murwillumbah and swing north through Crystal Creek, Chillingham, Numinbah, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Mudgeeraba and back to the coast. Another option is to take a detour from Nerang and head west through Tamborine National Parks taking in Wilson's Lookout, Thunderbird Park and Cedar Creek Falls before rejoining the highway at Beenleigh. [See Hinterland regional map]

• An introduction to Gold Coast Holiday Apartments at all popular Gold Coast locations

• More Gold Coast Holiday Resorts at the most popular locations

• Superb, absolute beachfront Coolangatta Luxury Apartments

• Premier Surfers Paradise Mantra Accommodation especially for discerning guests

• Premier Broadbeach Mantra Accommodation especially for discerning guests

• Stay in some of the best Luxury Apartments In Broadbeach

• Get the best car hire deals from this Gold Coast Car Hire Comparison Site

• Broadbeach Locality Page provides a visitors introduction to the Broadbeach area

• Surfers Paradise Locality Page provides a visitors introduction to the Surfers Paradise area

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