Travel Guide Gold Coast, QLD
With a coastline that stretches 42 km and some of the best waves in the world it’s not hard to see why millions flock to the Gold Coast every year. If visitors tire of sand between the toes they can head inland to explore the rainforests and waterfalls of the lush hinterland or get the pulse racing at one of four theme parks. The Gold Coast is 80km from Brisbane and incorporates the towns of Surfers Paradise, Southport, Broadbeach and Coolangatta. The locals are laid back and embrace al fresco living with open-air malls and markets, and beachside dining.
Broadbeach looking north Photographer: Murray Waite & Associates courtesy of Tourism Queensland
For sun, surf and stacks head to Jupiters Hotel and Casino for the Gold Coast Poker Championship held from October 13-16. The complex is set on one of the longest strips of beach in the world on Broadbeach Island in the heart of the Gold Coast. The hotel boasts 594 superbly appointed guest rooms, including 29 suites and two penthouses with private balconies or sun terraces. Guests can refuel and relax in the seven restaurants and five bars or catch a show at the in-house theatre. Jupiters Casino is open every day of the year and offers 70 table games and 1400 gaming machines. For the ultimate in private gaming visit one of two exclusive rooms – The Suite on the 5th floor for Black and Pearl Absolute Rewards members and The Club on the 7th floor for VIPs and members only. From Freerolls to Rapid Fire, Bounty Hunter and Deep Stack tournaments, Jupiters’ Poker Room caters for all bank- rolls. There’s also plenty of action for cash players with No Limit Texas Hold’em ring games available daily from noon. Buy-ins start at $60 and extend to $2000 with higher limits available on request.
Visit www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au for details on regular tournaments Jupiters Casino at night, photographer Peter Lik, courtesy Tourism Queensland
Things to do Hang ten Ironically the waves directly off Surfers Paradise are not great for surfing even if you’re a beginner. But head north about 10 minutes to The Spit and you’ll find a break wall that creates the perfect environment for learners. Book a lesson with Gold Coast Surf School and you’ll master the waves in no time. Cost: private 90 minute lesson $100 one adult, $150 two adults, $200 three adults, two hour group lesson (maximum of six people) $50 an adult.
Details: www.surfinparadise.com.au
Surfing lessons at The Spit, Main Beach, photographer Murray Waite & Associates, courtesy Tourism Queensland
Retail therapy Sun-seeking fashionistas can combine their quest for vitamin D with their love of shopping at open-air malls. Pacific Fair Shopping Centre at Broadbeach has 300 stores and a 12 Senstadium Cinema Complex with digital and 3D projection. The centre is five minutes from Jupiters. Pick up your visitor discount guide at the Arcade Customer Service Desk and enjoy up to 100 offers. Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, photographer Peter Lik, courtesy Queensland Tourism
Details: www.pacificfair.com.au
Hole in one
Tee off at Royal Pines Resort, which is ranked among the top 60 public courses in Australia, or Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club. 18 holes at Royal Pines is $135 for non-members.
Details: www.royalpinesresort.com.au Sanctuary Cove has two courses, The Pines and The Palms. Both are private but members of golf clubs with Golf Link numbers can gain access. Rounds at both courses come with a GPS golf cart and cost from $150. Details: www.sanctuarycove.com/golf
The Palms Golf Course, photographer Paul Ewart, courtesy Queensland Tourism
Day Trips Bird-watching
The beaches aren’t the only place for bird watching on the Gold Coast. About an hour’s drive inland from Jupiters is the world heritage listed Lamington National Park, home to 120 bird species. Explore the pristine sub-tropical rainforest independently via a series of trails that offer easy access to unspoiled streams and waterfalls and palm-filled valleys. Or, book a place on the popular Gold Coast Hinterland 4WD tour. The day-long adventure includes visits to the park, O’Reilly’s Guesthouse, the Tree Top (canopy) Walk, and Tamborine Mountain, guided rainforest walks, banquet BBQ lunch and pick up and drop off from Gold Coast hotels and shopping centres.
Lamington National Park, Photographer: Murray Waite & Associates, courtesy Queensland Tourism
Cost: from $77-$147. Bookings: www.bcl.com.au/goldcoast/goldctours-hinterland.htm
Rev up
Prepare for the upcoming Gold Coast 600 by getting behind the wheel of a V8 race car at Norwell Park. The V8 drive experience includes a briefing conducted by experienced race drivers, observation laps of the track and the chance to embrace your inner rev-head and drive six laps of the 2.1km track in a V8 Commodore or Falcon. Cost: $299 Bookings/details: www.adrenalin.com.au
Wild ride
The Gold Coast is theme park heaven with five major parks in the region. Cool off at Wet’n’Wld ($35-$60), swim with dolphins at Seaworld ($50-$80), rub shoulders with celluloid favourites at Movie World ($50-$80) or brave the Big 6 Thrill Rides at Dream World (from $49.99). Visit Seaworld, Wet’n’Wild and Movie World with a Super Pass – valid for 14 days and offering unlimited entry. Cost: $150 (adults) $100 (children 3-13 yrs). Bookings: www.goldcoast.com.au Terror Canyon, Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World, courtesy Warner Village Theme Parks and Tourism Queensland
From the airport
Jupiters Hotel and Casino is 20 minutes drive from Gold Coast (Coolangatta) Airport or an hour’s drive from Brisbane Airport. Limousine – Royale Travel runs transfers from Gold Coast airport to Jupiters Hotel and Casino for about $70. Details: www.royaletravel.com.au Taxi – $40-50 to Jupiters from Gold Coast Airport Gold Coast Shuttle – transfers from Gold Coast Domestic Terminal to Jupiters $19 (adult, one way), $10 (child, one way) $47 (family – two adults, two children, one way) Look out for the customer service desk at the airport, visit www.gcshuttle.com.au or phone 1300 655 655. Ask about the theme park transfer and Freedom Pass.
Restaurants The main tourist strips in Broadbeach, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh and Coolangatta are bristling with restaurants. Not surprisingly fresh seafood is a staple on menus across the Gold Coast, whether it’s fish and chips on the beach or a seafood platter in an up-market eatery. The region is also known for its Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Italian cuisine.
Jupiters Hotel & Casino Charters Towers
Zen
Lobby level overlooking the atrium Contemporary Queensland cuisine featuring fine seafood
Casino level, adjacent the Convention Centre Chinese with Cantonese, Szechuan and Peking flavours
Telephone: (07) 5592 8443
Andiamo
Telephone: (07) 5592 8443
Lobby level right of the lifts Authentic Italian using fresh local produce
Telephone: (07) 5592 8181
Food Fantasy
Telephone: (07) 5592 8443
Casino level, adjacent to main entrance Give in to temptation at this buffet
Caught ’n’ cooked Telephone: (07) 5679 1797
Victoria Square 15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
Fresh fish, open kitchen, choice of cooking styles and BYO with no corkage
The Fish
www.thefish.com.au
Telephone: (07) 5572 8181
7/2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
The Fish Hut
Fish and chips, photographer Barry Goodwin, courtesy Tourism Queensland
Telephone: (07) 5535 6469
1/1716 Gold Coast Highway Burleigh Heads
Known for its hand-made chips
Weather
Spring is a great time to visit the Gold Coast with average maximum temperatures of 25C and average minimums of 15C. Humidity is relatively low compared to othwr times of the year and there is little rain.
Restaurants
Broadbeach Lauxes
www.lauxes.com.au Telephone: (07) 5531 5555 Shop 1, 2685 Gold Coast Hwy Broadbeach
Modern Australian cuisine with Japanese influences
Main Beach Omeros BROS.
www.omerosbros.com Telephone: (07) 5591 7222 4 Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive Main Beach
Multi-award winning seafood restaurant
Surfers Paradise Fourwinds Revolving Restaurant
www.fourwindsrestaurant.com.au Telephone: (07) 5592 9906 Crowne Plaza 2807 Gold Coast Highway Surfers Paradise
Seafood buffet with Asian influence and stunning views from the 26th floor
Fourwinds Revolving Restaurant, Crowne Plaza, Murray Waite & Associates, courtesy Tourism Queensland
Omero’s, photographer Amber Toms courtesy Tourism Queensland
After dark Gold Coast locals are spoilt for choice when it comes to after dark entertainment. Fridays tend to be quiet, with most locals heading to the pub. But on Saturdays and Sundays the clubs are packed with party goers who have often queued for more than an hour to get in. With five bars the Jupiters complex is the perfect place for a night out. Get the night started with a tequila and some people watching at The Atrium, or settle in with some beers and your favourite code on the big screen at The PA. If you want to keep the action rolling on the casino floor, grab a drink between games at JBar.
Jupiters Casino and Hotel, photographer Murray Waite and Associates, courtesy of Tourism Queensland
Broadbeach Platinum Nightclub
East
The Gold Coast’s premiere club drawing 1500 party-goers on Saturday nights
Four luxury bars, exclusive booths and lounges and live performances
www.platinumnightclub.com.au 19 Victoria Avenue Broadbeach Mall, Broadbeach
Telephone: (07) 5538 8868 www.platinumnightclub.com.au 88 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Cocktail glasses, photographer Christian Nott, courtesy Queensland Tourism
After dark Surfers Paradise Elsewhere
Vanity
One of the hardest venues on the Gold Coast to get into, this small club specializes in house and electro
A nod to LA, this luxurious club with chandeliers and gold tiles has two dance floors
Level 3, 23 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
www.vanitynightclub.com.au 26 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Knowledge Taxis Gold Coast Cabs – 131 008 or www.gccabs.com.au Daylight Savings Queensland does not observe daylight savings Visitor information centre Gold Coast Tourism Visitor Information Centre - Cavill Walk, Surfers Paradise Supermarket Pacific Fair Shopping Centre – Coles, five minutes walk from Jupiters Hotel and Casino First aid Pacific Fair Shopping Centre - Priceline, Terry White Chemist and Giant Chemist, five-minute walk from Jupiters Casino and Hotel Useful websites: www.tourismgoldcoast.com www.destinationqueensland.com
Sunbathing at Narrow Beach, Main Beach, photographer Alan Jensen, courtesy Queensland Tourism
What’s If the rooftop on light is illuminated, it means the taxi is available for hire. There are also ST established all-night 'Safe City' taxi ranks, with security guards on King Street, outside Seasons in this Station town are defined by the sport de jour. Winter is all about AFL, but come Flinders Street and on Bourke Street. October the footy jumpers and scarves are put aside to make way for fascinators and sharp suits Tolls as Melbournians head to the track forWHAthe RF PDSpring Racing Carnival. Outside Melbourne, A Melbourne the carnival isPass bestisknown ideal iffor you the are first visiting Tuesday the in city November and needwhen to travel the on Melbourne toll roadsCup is GENOA ST (CityLink, held. But, Monash with fiveFreeway, Group 1 race East days Link or in the three Eastern weeks,Freeway) October for is equally a period blessed. of less You thancan 30 MONAC O at Sthe T www.citylink.com.au experience quality racing with all hoopla by attendingbythe Caulfield (October days. Open your Melbourne Pass calling 13 26Guineas 29 or visiting the customer 8), the Thousand centre at Guineas 67 Lorimer (October Street, 12 Dockland. at Caulfield), Caulfield Cup (October 15), Cox Plate MONTE CARLO AV FIRST (October 22 Moonee Valley) or the Victoria DerbyAV (October 29, Flemington). COND Supermarket Victoria is often referred to as the festivalSEState, with good reason. It is home to the AV Southbank –Festival Melbourne IGA Friendly – a major Grocers, multi-arts Shop 1AR festival - 8/ 89 of - 91the City world. Rd Held from October 6-22, the MRICK AV 2011 event will feature dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events BOON ST KILDAand visiting international companies and artists. from renowned and upcoming Australian First aid AV NAhour on For more about24 what’s in Melbourne; Crown Casinopharmacy, T 17,ROSERetail Promenade WOOD AV Melbourne Centre Southbank –Visitor Pharmacy, P14 Southgate Shopping Centre 3 Southgate Avenue A AV Federation Square CHELSE KA RI Cnr Swanston and FlindersNAstreets, Useful websites: CR IA AV BRITTAN Melbourne Visitor Booth www.visitvictoria.com ALLAMB I AV IA AV Bourke Street Mall www.thatsmelbourne.com.au AUSTRAL Btw Swanston and Elizabeth streets
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