Gold Coast Excursion (Australia, Queensland) – Do you love it? Favorite!
My favorite city in Australia, ✓ clean, neat and tidy, ✓ coastal city – madly beautiful, wonderful waves, great beach activities, ✓ lots of theme parks, ✓ interesting museums, zoos and parks, ✓ good public transport
× ✓ good public transportation ✓ if you want to fly overseas, you have to go to Brisbane, ✓ can’t get to the national parks without your own car =(
I’ve been to the Gold Coast twice, in April 2018 and February 2019, but have already bought tickets back – will be going back there this August. I’m going back to this town for a reason: I absolutely love it here. I’m a huge fan of Australia’s Gold Coast – it’s my (so far) favorite city. I could hardly live here (dragging myself to Brisbane every time I want to fly overseas. No way!), but I love to relax on the Gold Coast. It’s a great city for total relaxation. And now I’ll share my love with you. 
You can fly here from almost any city in Australia. Gold Coast Airport is nice, clean and clear and it’s right by the ocean and it’s a thirty minute drive from downtown. If you don’t have a car, you can rent one right at the airport – or you can take public transportation.
I like the public transportation system on the Gold Coast. There are buses and streetcars. Both the buses and streetcars are clean and spacious. The streetcars are the bomb. The trams are so neat you want to ride them every day. You just have to buy a TransLink card to use public transportation.
You can top up your TransLink card and ride all the public transportation you want. Where can you buy a card? At 7/11, it’s easy. You’ll find them on every corner of the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast is a coastal city. An insanely beautiful city that stands right by the ocean and which delights tourists. a huge number of theme parks.
But before I share my impressions about the theme parks, I would like to show you the city itself, its center. What are the buildings here, what is unusual, memorable and interesting.
The Gold Coast is a small town. In principle, if you want, you can walk around it in a day – unless, of course, you go to museums, galleries, and theme parks. If you want to go shopping, google Surfers Paradise. It’s Gold Coast’s main shopping district, an insanely hyped – all over Australia – place.
There’s not a lot of history in Australia. There’s no historical buildings to impress you with their mystical atmosphere, incredible architecture and tall columns. By and large, the architecture is very modern. But funny cute pubs (Clock Hotel in the photo above) are next to such centers like in the photo below:
The next picture and the previous one were taken in Broadbeach, a nice, upscale neighborhood I lived in in February of this year. I loved the look of the neighborhood – malls, stores, cafes, pubs and restaurants, business centers – all right on the oceanfront.
It’s quiet and peaceful on the Gold Coast. There are VERY few people here – which is one of the reasons why I like to vacation on the Gold Coast so much. You can really relax here. You don’t have to rush anywhere. You don’t have to run for the buses, they come on time. You don’t have to chase the trams-they’ll be on time, too. You don’t have to run somewhere to get in line – there will be no line here. Because there are almost no people here.)
There are funny decorations scattered here and there around the city – I call them “Gold Coast dwellers.” Some you have already seen in my texts, some I am showing you just now. Here, for example, are the “fountain” fish from the Broadbeach area:
If you like gambling, you can play at The Star Casino. The casino was right across the street from my February hotel, the Meriton Suites Broadbeach. I visited there, took a look around. I like the interior of The Star in Sydney a little better, but for the sake of interest it is worth going to this casino.
In Sydney I often swear at the traffic lights – they are too slow; I swore at the Gold Coast too, but not as often. Downtown, you don’t have to wait for traffic lights to cross the road, because there just aren’t any cars). But in Broadbeach, there are a couple of disgusting traffic lights where I got stuck for an hour.
But the “government” cares about its citizens:
You are reminded at every turn that you must cross the street carefully. And according to the rules.
Anyone want to play miniature golf?
The Gold Coast is built on canals. There’s water everywhere. That’s one of the reasons the Gold Coast always refreshes me. There’s a lot of water.
There are a lot of events held here. Last year it was sports games. This year, various art festivals. I unfortunately didn’t make it to the art festival this February, but I haven’t given up hope of going to the Gold Coast someday for an exhibition or concert.
There are several monuments and statues and figures downtown – all very different, dedicated to different people and events, but they all complement and beautify the city beautifully.
This composition, for example, is located in the heart of Surfers Paradise:
As for souvenirs, there are plenty of stores here. There are some heavily discounted stores, but there – by and large – souvenirs are extremely basic, which can be found in all cities in Australia. And there are stores that are more expensive, but more interesting. It depends on what you like.
I decided to give you two pictures with different souvenirs – just as an example.
In the middle of Surfers Paradise there is a throne like this:
It cheers me up terribly).
I come to Surfers Paradise a lot. It’s a great tourist area and at the same time the center of the city. Lots of things that are unusual, interesting and beautiful. But not all the attractions of the city are collected in the center. Theme parks, for example, are in completely different neighborhoods. SeaWorld, my favorite Gold Coast park, is in the Southport neighborhood:
Why did I like it here so much? It’s the most wonderful park I’ve ever seen. But I am, shall we say, a little biased. The fact is that my favorite TV series, H2O Just Add Water, was filmed here. The story of Ricky, Clio and Emma – in many of its parts – unfolded here. So I was already going into this park with my spirits up.
SeaWorld didn’t disappoint, it just fell in love with me. I think I will visit more than once. There are a lot of attractions for adults and children, a lot of bright spots, there is a carousel – just recently opened a new attraction! I would love to go for a ride! Wonderful sea creatures – and an opportunity to get acquainted with them.
And the coolest aquarium in the world (this is where the underwater mermaids were filmed):
The park is beautiful. And worthy of a visit.
Another theme park that you might like is Warner Bros. Movie World, a huge number of attractions with a hint of a movie:
I was able to visit both theme parks in one day. But you won’t get around more than two parks in a day! Gold Coast is a city of theme parks. These two are not the only ones. There’s another amusement park that I didn’t go to, two water parks, and several zoos. for every taste!
Of the zoos, I would recommend Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is near the airport. Lurking next to it is the Surfing Museum, which may also be of interest to tourists.
Why Currumbin? Because animals are helped here. Because it’s bright. It’s fun. It’s interesting. A whole bunch of educational shows that draw huge audiences.
Kangaroos can be greeted, parrots can be fed, pelicans can be cheered on.The park is so kind, neat and big that you don’t want to leave here!
If you like art, then pay attention to the gallery NOTA. Even though the gallery isn’t very big, it’s surrounded by an art park, and even though some of the art objects are extremely strange, you still get a lot of impressions.
I’ve only been here once. That’s how art can be:
But don’t immediately snort and say that it’s utter nonsense. There are interesting art pieces in the gallery that are sure to find fans. And admission to the gallery is free.
One of my favorite Gold Coast residents is Bigfoot in McIntosh Park. I didn’t even know he was there until I suddenly stumbled upon his cave. it’s one of the kindest city parks I’ve ever been to.
There are several different koalas to be found in town! This one, for example, is at the entrance to the Nota Gallery:
And Borobi is the mascot for last year’s sports games. While there are hardly any souvenirs with him left in any store, Borobi himself can be seen in several different locations throughout the city:
Another koala I came across in a city park by the ocean in the Broadbeach neighborhood. The comic book koala, in my opinion, is incredibly cool. I am extremely sympathetic to these kinds of city dwellers.
And here’s a mermaid from Mermaid Beach, a neighborhood in Broadbeach, by the way. There is a bakery there, Bam Bam Bakehouse, with which I have a very complicated but interesting relationship. In August, after visiting the bakery again, I will write a separate review about it.
But theme parks, galleries, and downtown are one thing. What else is on the Gold Coast? There’s a beautiful botanical garden where you can walk around, enjoy the outdoors and our nature. One problem: getting to it by public transportation is problematic. The bus stop is too far from the entrance to the park.
One of my favorite Australian malls, Pacific Fair, welcomes you to the Gold Coast:
Why a favorite? How can a mall be a favorite? What’s so special about it? Everything. It’s not just a mall, it’s an island of joy. It’s a town. It’s a villa. It’s a retreat.
And by the way, it’s a great place to celebrate holidays. I was at the celebration of the Chinese New Year – my teeth hurt from joy when I remember the day of celebration. Fun and interesting!
And, of course, the beaches. The ocean that stretches along the city. Or vice versa, it’s the city that stretches along the ocean. All the beaches of Gold Coast are perfect. They are perfectly clean and perfectly maintained. All beaches are monitored by lifeguards. The sand is soft. The waves are soft. Swimming is a pleasure.
When to come here? The Gold Coast is beautiful at any time of year. Queensland has a different climate to New South Wales. You can practically always swim in the Gold Coast! In April, the water was hot, in February, respectively. we’ll see what happens in August).
Each beach has a different, unique view of downtown. From each beach, the Gold Coast reveals a new side to me. And each time I am convinced that I love this city madly.
I would sincerely advise all tourists going to Australia to check out the Gold Coast. Theme parks and zoos, galleries and cultural events, surfing and swimming in gentle waves, national parks and city parks, shopping and food – almost everything is perfect here.
And there’s great public transportation (with one caveat: there are no buses or trains to several national parks – and how to get there. ), it’s quiet and peaceful, you want to relax here.
Here are a few more pictures from the city and I hope you enjoyed the Gold Coast as much as I did. It’s not much different from Sydney or Brisbane, so plan your budget well in advance – Australia is expensive. But it’s worth it.
А. Also, check out the Q1 tower. You can see the whole city from there. And maybe that’s where you’ll agree with my opinion – that the Gold Coast is, in fact, just beautiful.
The Gold Coast
In the southeast of the state of Queensland in Australia lies the city of the Gold Coast. It’s a much loved holiday destination for Aboriginal people and many foreigners alike, thanks to its many gorgeous beaches and theme parks.
A little history of the Gold Coast
The area of today’s Gold Coast was originally inhabited by the Yugambe Aboriginal tribes. In 1770 the continent was first visited by people from Europe, led by Captain James Cook. This event marked the settlement of Europeans in the new, uninhabited land. The next important stage in the development of the city was the construction of a rest home, which in 1885, Governor Anthony Musgrave of the state, thus giving life to tourism in these places. By 1889 the region had acquired a railroad, leading to a dramatic increase in the town’s population. The dawn of the Gold Coast as an Australian tourist destination came in 1925, when the coastal road was opened, connecting the city with the more developed Brisbane and Southport. In 1935, much of the coastline near the Gold Coast was built up with hotels and hotels, the city began to attract tourists not only from Australia but also from other countries.
Climate and weather in the Gold Coast
The proximity of the Coral Sea is reflected in the Gold Coast’s climate, which is subtropical with hot summers and high rainfall and mild warm winters. The highest temperatures are recorded in January and February, when thermometers record a mark of + 32 ° C, and it often rains, accompanied by storms and thunderstorms. The Gold Coast is coolest in June and July when the ambient temperature is less than 15 degrees Celsius. In August, however, the temperature can really spike. Precipitation is infrequent during this time. You can visit the city at any time of the year, but remember to keep in mind the purpose of your visit.
Gold Coast sights
The main attractions of the city of Gold Coast in Australia are considered a variety of theme parks. We will tell you about the most unusual and interesting ones.
Sea World Oceanarium. opened in 1971, offers visitors the exploration of the marine world of the planet, as well as many attractions and entertainment with the use of pyrotechnics, optical illusions, excellent work of stuntmen and animators. If you wish, you can visit the water park, equipped with a swimming pool and multilevel slides.
The World of Dreams theme park is the best on the continent and boasts rides, first-class roller coasters, water slides and a giant Ferris wheel that offers views of the Gold Coast and the surrounding area. Visitors can stroll through the eucalyptus forest and feed and pet its resident koalas and kangaroos. In addition, there is an opportunity to travel by steamboat, walk along an old cable car, ride on the train, built in the XIX century. Fans of extreme will appreciate the motor-ramp 605 meters high and the “Tower of Horror” attraction, offering a jump from a 40-story building.
Warner Bros. World of Movies theme park resembles a factory that is busy making movies. Visitors get involved in the filming process, become participants in street performances using recognizable cartoon characters, and learn the secrets of directing. In addition, there are rides in the park: karting, trampolines, roller coasters.
Wet `n Wild Water World” water park offers visitors all sorts of entertainment on the water. The park has 15 water slides, 4 swimming pools and thematic rides that can impress anyone.
Nearby the Gold Coast is Lamington National Park, whose main feature is considered unique nature, rare and endangered plants and animals.
Entertainment & Leisure
Perhaps the most beloved recreation in the Gold Coast is the beach. The coast of the city is dotted with excellent recreation areas with white sand and clear water. The most famous beaches are Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broad Beach. The surrounding area is built in luxury hotels, amazing malls, casinos and everything you need for an unforgettable vacation.
Active recreation in Gold Coast is represented by surfing, windsurfing, rope diving, paraflating, water skiing. There are golf courses. The most popular is Sanctuary Cove.
As for excursions, there are many places of interest in and out of town that are a must-see, such as:
The nightlife of the Gold Coast is vibrant and diverse. As Australia’s tourist hub, the city is dotted with nightclubs, bars and outdoor discos, making the Gold Coast particularly appealing to young people.
Accommodation in the city
You can find accommodations on the Gold Coast in comfort and it takes no time at all to find the right accommodation with over 400 hotels, inns, villas, apartments and guest houses. The best hotels on the Gold Coast are Sheraton Mirage and Palazzo Versace, offering a wide range of services and distinguished by luxury and sophistication. Guests looking for privacy and a budget can choose lesser-known hotels.
Gold Coast Cuisine
The Gold Coast is teeming with restaurants and cafes where you can grab a quick bite, or spend an evening enjoying the good surroundings and fine dining. Verve Restaurant Cafe and Bar, Sage Cafe Restaurant, East Restaurant & Lounge Bar are the most popular.
Catering outlets in the city offer European cuisine and national Australian dishes, which are prepared from seafood or meat, with lots of vegetables and all kinds of greens. The indigenous population prefers to eat fried fish, meat pies, and Melbourne chicken.
The favorite drink of the inhabitants of the Gold Coast is the usual drinking water, but on special occasions they enjoy drinking local beer and wines, which do not differ much from the famous wines of Spain and France.
Transportation in the city
The most convenient mode of transport in the Gold Coast is considered a car. The municipality has allocated an impressive amount of money to improve the roads of the city, so the movement by car will be comfortable, fast and safe. In Gold Coast there are highways, for the passage of which you must pay.
Public transportation is less popular, but still the bus service covers and connects all areas of the city, and the cost of the fare is symbolic and is 2 Australian dollars per trip. City transport runs on the roads until 10 p.m. local time.
Another way to get around the Gold Coast is by ferries, which carry passengers from coastal areas of the city, which is very convenient. Ferries sail every 30 minutes and the fare is no more than A$3.
How to get to the Gold Coast?
There are two ways to get to the Gold Coast. First, the international airport located in Brisbane will help you get to your destination. On arrival, you’ll have to cover another 80 kilometers separating the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Secondly, next to the Gold Coast in Culangatta is the local airport, which takes no more than 20 minutes to get there. The only disadvantages of the airport Culangatta is small passenger traffic and limited routes, which are taken only from major cities (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns).
The most attractive in terms of shopping is Hastings Street. There are numerous boutiques, malls, souvenir shops offering all sorts of goods from expensive jewelry to penny trinkets. The most popular souvenirs amongst tourists visiting the Gold Coast are boomerangs, clay crockery, sheep wool, and gold jewelry.
Safety
Gold Coast, like other Australian cities, is considered quite safe for holidaymakers. Here very rarely are fixed serious offenses, so, observing basic rules of personal safety, it is quite realistic not to cloud the rest, wasting time looking for criminals who encroached on your life and savings.
