Australia - Gold Coast anyone?

[honeygirl]

I tried a search and didn't see any info on the Gold Coast region of Australia.

I'm headed there in a couple weeks for a last minute trip to Australia. I've never been to Australia and know very little about the area. I got some travel books, but was wondering if any CC ladies have been there.

If you have been there what are some of your recommendations?

Thank you!

[alisong]

I'm from Australia, but haven't been to the Gold Coast since I was 18. What are you wanting to know? Restaurants and the like?

Honestly, my impression of the Gold Coast isn't terribly positive - it's where droves of young Australians go to party. So there are lots of bars, and tons of drunk kids. The beaches are pretty nice, and the water is warm. It probably won't be so bad this time of year, as the young 'uns should be in school.

[honeygirl]

Thanks Alisong, yes I'm interested in restaurants and things to do. I looked up the weather and it seems to be in the 70's, not exactly swimming weather. Hopefully there are other things besides beaches and drinking to do. :)

Any ideas? I like museums, shopping, water-activities, horseback riding and of course relaxing.

TIA!

[bellabonga]

I have been there once but that was in 1998, so it´s been quite a while. And we didn´t stay there long since we drove from Sydney to Cairns/Port Douglas. I remember that there was a nice mall called Pacific Fair in Surfers Paradise. The beaches were nice. We stayed in Tweed Heads which wasn´t as busy as Surfers Paradise. There was another small town called Coolangatta which had a nice beach, too. I can´t remember that there were many cool things to do - there was a Ripley´s believe it or not in Surfers Paradise and much gambling and karaoke. Then there was a Warner Bros Movie Park and something like Sealife. But you can always drive to Brisbane since it´s not that far away and there are lots of malls, restaurants and things to do. Should you go to Brisbane, I would advise to go to Lone Pine and see the kangaroos and koalas.

[Squee]

Havnt been there for a few years and usually stay in brisbane. We usually take a day trip or two to surfers tho and go to the theme parks.
Theme parks are
Dreamworld (http://www.dreamworld.com.au/content/home_v4.asp?name=Home)

Seaworld (http://www.seaworld.com.au/home/homepage.cfm)

Movie World (http://www.movieworld.com.au/home/homepage.cfm)- My brother went not long ago and said he would reccomend this place over dream world.

Other stuff;
SIL just went to this and loved it!
Dracluas Cabaret Resturant (http://www.draculas.com.au/goldcoast_queensland/faqs.asp)

Havnt been here but when was there last loved it! Get a taset of Oz animals
Alma Park Zoo (http://www.almaparkzoo.com.au/)

Googled thing to do and got this place. It might be helpful
Things to do (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Australia/State_of_Queensland/Gold_Coast-1875847/Things_To_Do-Gold_Coast-TG-C-1.html)

Hope that helps. Sorry I couldnt have been more help. Its a nice place but yes it will be a bit cooler over there at the moment.

[honeygirl]

Thanks so much Squee and bellabonga. I appreciate the advice. I'm keeping an open mind and am sure I'll have a lovely time no matter what we do. At the least we'll be staying in a nice hotel so I can enjoy their ammenities. :)

I'll update when I get back in case anyone else asks in the future.

[Squee]

Have a great trip!

[honeygirl]

I'm back from Australia and we had a great time. We were in Queensland, the Surfer's Paradise area. We stayed at Royal Pines which is about 10 min outside of town but has views of the coast and the mountains. The hotel was beautiful and our room (a junior suite) had great views and a marble bathroom with HUGE jacuzzi tub (I love bubble baths).

http://www.royalpines.com.au/index.htm

http://www.royalpines.com.au/images/main_images_gif/junior_2.gif

My favorites from the trip were looking around Surfer's Paradise and collecting beautiful shells on the beach, shopping and just relaxing. Our hotel had huge windows and in the mornings I could see hot air balloons in the distance.

My absolute favorite activity was going to the Australia Zoo. It was about 2 hrs from where we were staying (we took a bus charter) up the Sunshine Coast. The zoo is the one made famous by Steve Irwin (the crocodile hunter) and is seen on the Discovery channel. We were able to see and touch many animals including koalas, kangaroos, walabees (sp?) and snakes. :) They had kangaroos all over the place and you could just walk up and touch them, take your picture with them, sit next to them, etc. That was an amazing experience! We also saw (and touched) lots of Koalas.

http://www.crocodilehunter.com/australia_zoo/index.html

http://www.crocodilehunter.com/australia_zoo/amazing_animals/amazing_animals/profiles/Matilda89_250.jpg

Overall it was a great trip and I appreciated how kind and friendly the Australia people were! Thanks again for the help ladies.