About the Gold Coast
Located on the eastern seaboard of Australia, the Gold Coast is Australia’s premier tourist destination featuring 70 km of internationally acclaimed beaches and breathtaking world heritage listed subtropical rainforests.
If you are combining business with pleasure, there is no destination like the Gold Coast.
This dynamic and diverse city embodies all that Australians are passionate about – the great outdoors, sports, a relaxed lifestyle, the beach and the idyllic subtropical climate.
Things to see and do on the Gold Coast:
- Explore the world heritage national parks and rainforests
- Groove to jazz at the Arts Centre
- Explore more than 300 stores at Pacific Fair
- Sample high tea at Palazzo Versace’s Le Jardin
- Dance with the local Aborigines with Aries Tours
- Roll the dice at Jupiters Casino
- Enjoy Champagne and views on the Q1 observation deck
- Discover gourmet delights along the food and wine trail
- Drive hot laps at Holden Performance Driving Centre
- Surf some awesome waves
- Visit the night markets - Beachfront markets are held every Friday night along the Esplanade in Surfers Paradise. You can pick up all sorts of arts and crafts, food & jewellery. It is on from 5.30pm to 10pm.
For families:
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
This Resort is heaven for kids and a paradise for parents. With 4 star facilities including the million dollar themed Z4K (Zone 4 Kids club), tropical pools, restaurants and bar, the whole family will find their perfect holiday haven.
www.paradiseresort.com.au
SeaWorld
Courtesy SeaWorld AustraliaMake contact with marine life wonders like dolphins, seals, sharks and polar bears at Australia's SEA WORLD. Visit the amazing Shark Bay, the world's largest man-made lagoon system, where you can come face-to-face with the most feared species of sharks in the world! Check out the new 4D animated presentation 'Planet SOS' and experience the plight of our fragile planet and its changing environments. Visit Polar Bear Shores, watch the 1960's themed 'Waterski Wipeout' show, visit Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach, enjoy the rides and attractions at Sesame Street Beach, where you can watch Bert & Ernie's live stage show, featuring a full cast of characters singing and dancing up a storm.
Address: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. 3 kilometres north of Surfers Paradise
Opening Hours: 10am - 5.00pm all year round.( Closed Christmas Day, 25 December and ANZAC Day, Australia's National Day of Remembrance on 25 April.
Wet ‘n’ Wild
For splashtacular fun you can't go past WET'N'WILD WATER WORLD, Australia's premier water theme park. Get ready to be spun out by Whirlpool - the unique high-speed attraction that sends guests whirling amidst swirling rapids. Hang ten on the world's first wet roller coaster as you plummet 30 meters through wild water sprays while spinning on a giant surfboard! Ride on Australia's biggest water attraction- Mammoth Falls, dive into the Giant Wave Pool or relax at Calypso Beach. Children (under 10 years of age) can splash and swim in Buccaneer Bay- a playground full of fun and fantasy. The park is patrolled by fully qualified lifeguards and all slides and pools are heated during the cooler months.
Dive-in Movies screen every Saturday night from November to January and every night during December to January school holidays.
Address: Pacific Highway, Oxenford (Exit is clearly signed).
20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 45 Minutes south of Brisbane.
Opening Hours: The park opens at 10.00am every day, closing times vary throughout the year - as follows:
27 December - 25 January: 9.00pm
26 January - 30 April: 5.00pm*
01 May - 31 August: 4.00pm
01 September - 26 December: 5.00pm*
Warner Bros. Movie World
Experience the magic and excitement of a world where EVERYONE'S A STAR - Warner Bros. Movie World! Experience an exhilarating ride like no other on the planet with the Superman Escape - an unprecedented thrill rollercoaster where you travel 100km/h in just two seconds! Take adventure to the next dimension in the DreamWorks® Shrek 4D Adventure™- the attraction that puts you in the action with hair-raising, eye-popping, and butt-busting effects so real all your senses will be on ogre-time. Experience the other heart thumping thrill rides like Lethal Weapon and Wild West Falls, the spine-tingling Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, all the fun of Looney Tunes Village, and the spectacular Main Street Star Parade. Star in and buy your own Hi-5 music DVD at the new 'BE A Hi-5 STAR' Studio! Warner Bros. Movie World is an exciting adventure just waiting for you!
Address: Pacific Highway, Oxenford (Exit is clearly signed)
20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 45 Minutes south of Brisbane.
Opening Hours: 10am - 5.00pm all year round. Closed Christmas Day, 25 December and ANZAC Day, Australia's National Day of Remembrance on 25 April.
Australian Outback Spectacular
There is no place on earth like the Australian outback... and no show on earth like Australian Outback Spectacular!
This unique attraction captures the grandeur of the Australian outback, bringing it to life with spectacular audio and visual effects.
The atmosphere is electric, as every twist and turn of the show features a cast of larger than life characters, magnificent horses, stampeding cattle, camels and an array of rough and ready bush vehicles – even a helicopter!
All of this is accompanied by a stirring musical score composed especially for the show, as well as popular country music composed and written by country music legend Lee Kernaghan.
Australians are famous for their competitive spirit and it’s impossible not to become involved in the story, which revolves around the competition that develops between stockmen and women from rival stations.
Who will you barrack for? The stockmen and women of Warrego Station or Bunya Downs?
So 40 stockmen and women will serve up a gourmet Aussie feast with beer, wine or soft drink to every member of the audience – all in record time.
Dreamworld
Regarded as Australia's favourite family theme park, Dreamworld spans 30 hectares and is filled with a variety of rides, shows and attractions. So many worlds in one, Dreamworld is home to The Big 6 Thrill Rides including the Tower of Terror - the world's tallest and fastest thrill ride, the Giant Drop with a freefall from 38 storeys or 'The Claw' where you'll be propelled 9 storeys high, swinging up to 64kmh while spinning 360 degrees for a 90 second adrenalin rush! Enjoy Wiggles World, Nickelodeon Central, The Australian Wildlife Experience, Tiger Island - where magnificent and rare tigers interact with a team of dedicated tiger handlers, V8 Supercars Redine, AVPX - the immersive combat zone pitting Alien vs Predator vs YOU and Australia's first and only Flow Rider - born from the roots of surfing, skateboarding and bodyboarding!
Address: Pacific Highway, Oxenford (Exit is clearly signed).
25 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 40 Minutes south of Brisbane.
Opening Hours: 10am - 5.00pm all year round
(Dec 26 - Jan 26 Dreamworld will be open from 9am* *some rides are not open until 10am).
Open every day of the year, except Christmas Day and Anzac morning (25 April: Open 1pm - 5pm). Hours may be extended during Summer and frequently in Autumn and Spring, and during school holiday periods.
Whitewater World
Brought to you by Dreamworld, WhiteWater World is no ordinary water park - it's the most advanced water ride park on earth. From family friendly attractions to the most extreme waterslides on the planet, WhiteWater World uses cutting edge technology to deliver thrills for all ages.
WhiteWater World mixes adrenaline pumping thrills with family fun in the ultimate Aussie beach paradise. Splash and play at Wiggle Bay, get your fix of Nick at Nickelodeon's Pipeline Plunge and experience Australia's first water based rollercoaster ride. Step inside the launch chamber of WhiteWater World's newest power slide, The Wedgie, cross your arms in near brace position and peer face first over the sissies five-storeys below. It's water-powered WOW!
Address: located right next door to Dreamworld - Pacific Highway, Oxenford.
Centrally located - 25 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 40 minutes south of Brisbane.
Opening Hours: Open 10:00am - 4:00pm (Extended hours may apply in peak periods).
Open every day of the year, except Christmas Day and Anzac morning (25 April: Open 1pm - 5pm). Hours may be extended during Summer and frequently in Autumn and Spring, and during school holiday periods.
National Year of fun! 3 Park $99.00 (unlimited entry until 30th June)
More Information about the Gold Coast
www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/gold_coast
www.goldcoasttourism.com.au
www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
www.goldcoastinformation.com.au