Broadbeach & Southern Beaches - Surfers Paradise - Gold Coast Accommodation
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There is so much to see and do on the Gold Coast that even the locals find it difficult to keep up. Many of the best things are for free of course,
like going to the beach and enjoying our great weather. Here are
some suggestions for what to do: |
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- Popular Events for Visitors to the Gold Coast - January to December
January: Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Carnival - The Gold Coast hosts a spectacular program of racing, parties, dinners and yearling sales, including the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Raceday featuring the $1.5 million 2YO Classic and the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Trophy.
February (alternating with NSW) : Warriors on Water is an annual four-day interstate Surf Life Saving series between Queensland and NSW and showcases some of the states best lifesaving talent.
February: ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort is the biggest women's golfing event in the southern hemisphere. The event attracts 150 of the best LPGA golfers each year and is telecast to a vast international audience.
March : The world’s best surfers battle for supremacy at the spectacular events staged annually on Australia’s Gold Coast.
May: The Prime Minister’s Cup has run on the Gold Coast continuously for 29 years. The Feature Day carries metropolitan status.
May: Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. One of the most prestigious boat shows in the Asia-Pacific region is held on the Gold Coast each May. There’s a cluster of significant boating events scheduled around Sanctuary Cove’s show including the Australian Marine Awards managed by the Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF).
May : Blues on Broadbeach. A program packed with leading Australian blues acts and studded with international guests. We have no doubt that the annual Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival will meet everyone's high expectations. Read more about this event here .... (external link).
June: Wintersun Festival, Australia's Leading Rock & Roll Nostalgia Retro Event to be held in Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. Featuring over 1000 Hot Rods, Custom and Classic Cars, more than 100 bands and performers, dancing, movies, street parade and competitions.
July: Gold Coast Marathon - this event was a 2005 finalist in the Best Major Festivals and Events Category of the 2005 Queensland Tourism Awards. Entries are open here ... (external link).
August: Feast your senses at Tastes of Gold Coast, an annual festival of food and wine, showcasing the very best of what the Gold Coast has to offer.
September: The Australian International Movie Convention is the largest of its kind in the Australian movie industry and one that grows in size and stature each year. The event brings together distributors, producers, exhibitors and allied trade to Queensland.
September: The Australian University Games, one of the nations largest annual multi-sport festivals, is renowned for providing a friendly but competitive environment. The games will be back on the Gold Coast in 2009.
October: The classic Coolangatta Gold is back on the calendar. The 46 km race is expected to include a 23 km Ski Leg from Surfers Paradise to Greenmount Beach. Next is a run of 650 metres up the beach to Coolangatta, a 3.5 km swim to Bilinga, a 4 km beach run to Currumbin, and a 5.5km board paddle to Burleigh Heads. The final leg is a 10km beach run to finish where it started on Surfers Paradise Beach.
October: You can be part of the action for every moment of Australia’s biggest motor sport event or you can feel the buzz for just one thrilling day. From a 1 Day General Admission ticket to a 4 Day Platinum Grandstand seat, the Nikon SuperGP has ticket options to suit every style and pocket.
November: The Pan Pacific Masters Games have been held on the Gold Coast every two years since 1998. The next event will be held 1-14 November 2010. Pan Pacific Masters Games is an international multi-sport event attracting 10,000 participants across 34 sports.
November: Gold Coast Schoolies Week. This is a "phenomenon" of young people celebrating their end of Year 12. Typically, because the three eastern states of Qld, NSW and Victorian have separate party weeks, the event may last for 3 weeks from mid November to early December.
December: Surfers Paradise International Cycling Grand Prix, a 100 km race from South Bank Brisbane to Surfers Paradise.
- The Gold Coast Theme Parks.
Dreamworld - WhiteWater World
Dreamworld - so many worlds in one, this is the ultimate action packed adventure for the whole family. Test your ticker on the Big 5 thrill rides including Giant Drop, Tower of Terror, Cyclone Rollercoaster, Whipeout and The Claw. Nick Central is bursting with 16 rides, attractions and your favourite characters. Meet the Wiggles Friends at Wiggles World, or ride the reality wave at Big Brother.
Get ready for the water powered WOW factor of one of the most technologically advanced water ride parks on earth. Brought to you by Dreamworld, WhiteWater World is a brand new, $60 million development combining adrenaline pumping thrills with family style fun in the ultimate Aussie beach paradise.
You can save time by purchasing tickets online for Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, or the combined 2-day World Pass tickets for both parks. The World Pass even lets you hop between Dreamworld & WhiteWater World as often as you like, so you can experience Dreamworld in the morning and cool off at WhiteWater World in the afternoon .... (more).
Warner Bros. Theme Parks - MovieWorld, SeaWorld, Wet'nWild
MovieWorld - the only Australian movie related theme park. You will experience
a fun-filled, Gold Coast theme park family adventure with all the glitz
and glamour of Hollywood. Meet your favourite stars and enjoy all the
behind-the-scenes action, comedy stunts and exhilarating rides, shows
and attractions!
Web: www.movieworld.com.au
Sea World - Make contact with marine life
wonders and experience a whole world of amazing rides, shows and attractions
at a Gold Coast theme park favourite! More than just a theme park, Sea
World is committed to educating guests about the marine environment, and
playing an active role in Australian marine research and rescue.
Web: www.seaworld.com.au
Wet'n'Wild Water World - Australia's premier water theme park on
the Gold Coast. Enjoy all the fun and excitement of the world's latest
slides, pools and attractions at the largest Australian water theme park.
Experience a day of splashtacular Gold Coast theme park fun for the whole
family.
Web: www.wetnwild.com.au
- Day Trips, Sightseeing and Things to Do on the Gold Coast
Adrenalin Park
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, featuring great amusement rides including the Sling Shot, Vomatron, Flycoaster, Bungy Jumping, Bungy Trampolines, Parashooter and Simulators.
Adventure Parc
Australia’s first and largest outdoor ropes and adventure games venue located in Mount Tamborine. Stretching through ancient towering Eucalyptus trees, experience the 61 adventure games and 7 flying foxes or take the 7m high suspended tree-top walk.
Infinity Attraction
An interactive entertaining journey through 20 high-tech worlds of illusion, that will excite your senses and challenge your perceptions.
Q Deck
Travel to the top of the world’s tallest residential tower in one of the world’s fastest elevators and experience spectacular 360 degree views.
Day trip to O'Reilly's Green Mountains
Great mountain scenery. Visit O'Reilly's homestead, Tambourine Mountain and sample the local wines at Canugra Valley vineyards. All day tour departs from Surfers Paradise.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Animal viewing, bird watching, flora, lorikeet feeding, miniature train ride and theme park. The visit includes kangaroo feeding, Totally Wild show, Snakes Alive show, Free Flight bird show and crocodile wetlands. Open 8am to 5pm.
Adventure Duck
40 minutes or 1 hour amphibious sightseeing tours of the Gold Coast. Daily from Surfers Paradise.
Bluefire Cruise
2.5 hours relaxing sightseeing and dinner cruise. Live entertainment. Tuesday - Sunday from Surfers Paradise.
Sunshine Coast and Noosa
Sunshine coast including the best beaches at Noosa and Mooloolaba. Underwater World entry included. All day tour departs Surfers Paradise at 7am.
Croc Express to Australia Zoo
See the amazing demonstrations including the big crocodile feeding. All day tour departs Surfers Paradise at 8am.
Byron Bay Explorer
Explore Byron Bay at leisure. Visit Cape Byron Lighthouse, Natural Arch and Springbrook National Park. All day tour departs Surfers Paradise at 8.45am.
- Gold Coast Entertainment - Clubs, Shows & Shopping
Clubs
Currumbin RSL in Currumbin - Jupiter’s Casino in Broadbeach - Mermaid Beach Tavern in Mermaid Beach - Seagulls Club in Tweed Heads West - Southport Sharks in Southport - Twin Towns Services Club in Tweed Heads.
Shows
Australian Outback Spectacular: An evening dinner show filled with outback music, drama and action.
Conrad Jupiter's Casino: See a spectacular stage show or live comedy every week, play one of over 70 table games or 1,300 gaming machines, dine in one of six sumptuous restaurants or drink a cocktail in style at any of the five bars.
Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant: A spectacular 2 hour comedy show including a 3-course dinner and exciting entertainment. Also features a cocktail bar and dance dungeon.
Gold Coast Arts Centre: Home to live jazz and blues shows, comedy, live theatre, art galleries, restaurants and cinemas.
Gold Coast Convention Centre: Premier venue which plays host to fantastic entertainment all year round, from concerts, expos, exhibitions, balls, shows, sporting events and more.
Shopping
Australia Fair Shopping Centre in Southport - Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre in Biggera Waters - Marina Mirage in Main Beach - Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach - Robina Town Centrein Robina.
- Gold Coast Beaches - From the Broadwater to Coolangatta
Gold Coast beaches are renowned worldwide for their soft golden sand, pristine rolling waves and endless foreshore walkways – and with over 70kms of coastline and 21 patrolled beaches to choose from, you’ll find the perfect beach whether you’re looking for a safe swimming beach for the kids or the best surf breaks.
Stretching from the Broadwater in the north to Coolangatta in the south,
below is a guide to the Gold Coast’s most popular beaches, and a
list of the Gold Coast’s best surfing beaches ..... (more).