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Olden Goldies – The Gold Coast isn ’t simply for the young but the young at heart
Olden Goldie’s
The Gold Coast isn’t simply for the young but the young at heart Words by Dorian Mode. Photos by Lydia Thorpe
You know, the Gold Coast isn’t only for the under 30s. It’s wonderful for the over 50s like ewes and me.
The primary reason Mrs Pictures and I keep returning to the Gold Coast is the consistent and enjoyable weather. This fact is often underrated. Sure, you can holiday in Cairns or Townsville but you are swimming in your clothes. Humidity Hell. Also, its proximity to home is attractive to us. It’s just over the NSW border. So if you fret about clots or bad hips on planes, you are in the Gold Coast before they’ve served that terrible instant coffee the airline now charges you for.
Once you arrive in ‘Goldie’ it’s an easy commute to the city proper. You can shuttle-bus it to the light-rail stop then onto town, or do what we do, use Uber. Yes seniors, Uber! If there’s two of you it’s actually cheaper than the shuttle bus, would you believe? The Uber cars are clean. The drivers polite. There’s
often bottled water for passengers. And you know exactly what the trip will cost before you book the fare. No cash. All on the VISA or Mastercard. Download the App and try it. It’s actually ideal for seniors.
We choose to stay at Vibe Hotel – just off the strip at Surfers Paradise. With sweeping views of the Nerang River, it’s a nook of town where you escape the white noise of Surfers Paradise. There’s a lot to like about Vibe for seniors. The rooms are high spec and there’s a wonderful pool with cozy lounge chairs and a relaxing bar for all to enjoy. And being in the heart of Surfers, Vibe is a lazy stroll from the beach, the busy esplanade and an outstanding selection of restaurants. And I mean outstanding! (Psst! Mrs Pictures likes the fact that Vibe is right across from Coles and Liquorland – for those extra treats in your room.) On our first evening we dine at an Indian restaurant called Sher-EPunjab, recommended to us by chums who recently retired to Southport. We Three blocks from the beach and overlooking the Nerang River, this cool senior-friendly hotel is a 6-minute walk from Cavill Avenue tram station and 5 km from Sea World
Airy, modern rooms and suites, some with river views, feature private balconies. All have free (limited) Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, as well as mini bars, and tea and coffee makers. Upgraded rooms add kitchenettes, while suites offer full kitchens and separate sitting areas with sofa beds. Room service is available 24/7.
Amenities include a hip, seasonal poolside bar/ cafe, an outdoor pool with a hot tub, and a bright lobby cocktail lounge. There’s also meeting space and a gym.
The Vibe Hotel is located at 42 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD Phone: (07) 5539 0444
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order the banquet for two. As our pals suggested, the food is so inexpensive and generous, we can’t finish it all. I still have a papadam in my jeans.
The following day we jump the light rail to Main Beach for a sticky beak. Here we breakfast at Hotshots Cafe. Ordering the ‘bagel board’, we again – cannot eat it all. We notice this is a theme on the Gold Coast: enormous servings of quality food at bargain prices. Hey, it’s not like we eat like sparrows. Or should I say lorikeets because later that day we head south to visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Voted one of the Gold Coast’s most popular tourist destinations, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the jewel in the crown of the National Trust of Australia. And is one of Queensland’s earliest nature-based tourist destinations. Maybe you recall visiting it as a child? I remember going there as a kid in the 1960s. I can still remember feeding flocks of shrieking lorikeets, slightly terrified, like Rod Taylor in The Birds. These days there are lots of fab animal shows and indigenous cultural shows. I guess the Nat Trust had to lift its game with the ubiquity of wildlife parks, a la Family Erwin.
Aquaduck
Lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Electric scooter hire
If you’re visiting Goldie you might consider hiring an electric scooter. (Ahem, this is not the kind of scooter some of you more elderly readers of this column are thinking of – see above.) These fun scooters mean you can explore ‘the strip’ without wearing out your sensible shoes. It’s kinda fun. You can expect to get up to 4 hours from the battery on an electric bike and because it’s the anarchy of the Gold Coast, no licence is required for some reason. Another fun activity is the Aquaduck (seniors $37). Pick up is from Cavill Ave right near the Vibe. As the name suggests, this amphibious tour-bus is a city tour and waterways cruise all in one. If you’re computer literate, simply type in “aquaduck Gold Coast” into YouTube to get the full picture. It’s a lot of fun and something a little different: hitting the water from the city streets.
Aboriginal dancer at Currumbin
That evening we simply return to Vibe Hotel and order the Driftwood Burger and eat by the warm pool, all set against the dappled light of the Nerang River. Happy hour prices mean we enjoy a few too many gin and tonics but we don’t seem to notice – until the sore head the following morning.
Psst! Seniors, don’t forget you never ever ever book during that hideous bacchanalian festival known collectively as ‘schoolies’. If you’re not computer literate, pick up the phone and ask the friendly folk at Vibe Hotel when the school kids hit the strip. Don’t forget!
A day trip to remember... Ride the Ferry and have lunch at the Davo!
Ferry Trip & Lunch Package 2 Course Menu – Main & Dessert Minimum of 25 people ONLY $30 per head Only 2 minutes’ walk from Woy Woy station the M.V Saratoga departs Fisherman’s Wharf Monday to Friday at 10.45am and 12.30pm and on the weekends 9.30am, 10.45am or 12.30pm for a relaxing ride on the beautiful Brisbane Waters. There is an option of a 1 ½ hour COCKATOO ferry cruise departing from 10:15am with return on the regular ferry at 1:15pm or 2:15pm. Inform the Boat Captain and he will ring the club prior to your arrival where the bus will pick you up from Davistown Wharf and bring you to Davistown RSL Club. The bus will then depart the club at either 1.00pm and 2.00pm for your return journey home. Bookings are essential. For more information contact Davistown RSL Club on 4363-0103 and Central Coast Ferries on 0418 63 13 13. Email reception@davistownrsl.com.au
For your next group booking look no further than Davistown RSL with a wide variety of choices.
DAVISTOWN RSL CLUB
Did you know Pap Smears have changed to Cervical Screening Tests? Are you confused about the changes and why they have gone from 2 to 5 years?
The Wyong Cervical Screening Outreach Clinic can assist you in providing a free and confidential service for your next cervical screening.
A Cervical Screening Test (CST) prevents cervical cancer by detecting human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the cause of cervical cancer in 99% of cases.
The changes to the Cervical Screening Program, which commenced in December 2017, are due to significant improvements in testing for the presence of HPV. This has reduced the need for testing for most women to 5 years with a Cervical Screening Test (CST) replacing the Pap Smear. All women who have been sexually active at any stage in their lives and are aged between 25 and 74 should have a Cervical Screening Test, even if they have had the HPV vaccination. If you are over 25 and never had a pap smear or it has been longer than 2 years since your last smear you should book in for your CST now. If you are aged between 70 and 74 you should have an exit test two years after your last pap test. At any age if you have any symptoms of unusual bleeding, pain or discharge you
should see a doctor even if you have had a previous normal Pap Smear or CST.
The Cervical Screening Test is performed in the same way as the previous Pap Smear.
If you have been having Pap Smears in the past, then your first CST is due at the time your next smear is usually due i.e. two years if the previous result was normal. If no HPV is found and there have been no previous abnormal smears nor a history of abnormal bleeding, you won’t need another test for five years.
The Wyong Cervical Screening Outreach Clinic is a joint initiative between Central Coast Primary Care Ltd and the Central Coast Local
Health District. The clinic has been operating for several years and is a unique and confidential service provided by female GPs. It is held in the Wyong Community Health Centre every Wednesday. The GPs provide Cervical Screening Tests and breast checks and all services and visits are bulk billed.
If you are due for a CST or if you are eligible for and have never been screened don’t put it off, BOOK YOUR FREE APPOINTMENT TODAY by calling 4365 2294 More information: www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/how-we-help/screening-and-early-detection/
FREE CERVICAL SCREENING CLINIC
Confidential Free Service Provided by Female GPs These services provided are: • HPV test – previously a pap smear • Breast Checks
The Cervical Screening Outreach Clinic Wyong Central Community Health Centre Level 1, 38a Pacific Highway, Wyong Open every Wednesday 9am–4pm The Clinic is a joint initiative between Central Coast Primary Care and the Central Coast Local Health District
Central Coast Primary Care is a Registered Provider for NDIS. Provider # 4050003930
