Gold Coast Travel Forum

i am from singapore. me and my bf will be visiting Goldcoast for a 7 day tour this coming 20th oct to 26 oct... as this is our first time there, we got TOTALLY no idea wat place to visit etc...

as we will be staying over at my friend's place (near surfer's paradise), so we are thinking for the first 3 days, we would spend time in those "world" theme parks... probably movie world, sea world and dream world. is there other theme parks that u guys recommend?

as for the next 4 days, we were planning to go for longer road trips and shopping trips.

so we were thinking should we rent a car from the start for the whole 7 days when we arrive in brisbane airport and drive to gold coast, or should we rent for the last 4 days only for those longer road trips and take airport transfer/public transport for the rest of the days(inclu. the airport transfer to and fro brisbane airport and goldcoast)?

is there any other interesting and must go places in goldcoast/ brisbane?

we are more into a shopping/ sight seeing trip..

really urgently need the help from any kind soul who has answers to my above questions.

thankz so much!!

You've got the theme parks covered, except for Wet 'n Wild - if you're into water fun!
Obviously you've got the beaches along the Gold Coast from the Spit to Cooloongatta. Check out Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/content/home.asp?
Just across the border into NSW, you'll find Tropical Fruit World. Check out http://www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au/
Head into the Gold Coast Hinterland to visit Lamington National Park. Have a look at http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=97
Feed the Rainbow Lorikeets, King Parrots etc at O'Reilly's. They are at http://www.oreillys.com.au/
Whale watching along the Gold Coast is another option you may want to consider.
Don't have to go all the way to NZ to zorb. Check it out at http://www.zorb.com.au/
Some ideas to get you started. Hope it helps!

Johan's advice on places to visit is good particularly the Currumbin and O'Reilly's suggestion. Since you are staying in a friends place you may be better off driving than relying on transfers. If you do you will cross a toll bridge on the way and will need Australian currency to pay this toll (its only $2.90, change given). Also your visit coincides with Gold Coast Indy , so expect road closures and traffic delays in the Gold Coast/Southport area. A day pass on the Sunday to the race might be a good option as well. There are many more General Admission areas than at the Singapore F1 ( I was there). As for shopping, except for beachwear, why bother. It won't be better than Singapore.