Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi, Me and my sis are planning to the gold coast for 7 days but the more i read about it makes me think its really cheesy? Would Noosa be better? Looking for a relaxing holiday but also want some social activity, and to do surf lessons and visit a theme park as well. Is noosa really quiet, or is there good nightlife as well?
Thanks

From my experience Noosa is a pretty quiet place, & probably more suited for families. And the Gold Coast probably isn't as cheesy as you might think, it's really just like a Miami Beach. So I'm thinking Gold Coast might be the better option.
- Dakota, TravelersDigest.com

I would not say Noosa particually, but I certainly prefer the Sunshine coast to to the Gold coast. Have a look at some of the pages here for Caloundra, Marochydore, and the surrounding area's, you might be able to judge better. Many of the Sunshine coast beaches are surf beaches, are less crowded than the Gold coast ones and also have surfing lessons if you are looking for these.

I agree with Steve regarding the Sunshine Coast (Caloundra and Maroochydore) there is also plenty of nightlife in Mooloolaba. No theme parks as such, on the Sunshine Coast, but you can go to Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's Crocodile Park)which is reasonably close by. For the big theme parks you need to go to the Gold Coast where you have, Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n Wild etc. The Gold Coast has plenty going on all the time especially in Surfer's Paradise at night, but for beaches and a bit of peace and quiet, I would choose the Sunshine Coast, but not Noosa, stick with beaches on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast as stated - Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands, Currumundi, etc.

Pardon my ignorance (I am an "oldie" after all) but what is "cheesy"?

Enjoy your trip!

Hi I have been to both over the last 3 years, I prefer Noosa as I am not into clubs & theme parks. Most young people would get more out of the Gold Coast and Coolangatta. Check out pages on VT and you will get a good idea of what is available.

Good Luck,
Mike

Yeah, there's always the debate about Sunshine Coast vs. Gold Coast. I think both offer a lot. There's little to choose between beaches on either the SC or GC. Previous posters have correctly identified the Sunshine Coast beaches.
On the Gold Coast you have similarly spectacular seaside locations such as Tallebudgera Creek, Palm Beach, Kirra Beach, Burleigh Heads etc.
Perhaps you need to identify what else you're interested in, which may allow for more detailed advice. For example, if you like mountains, the Gold Coast Hinterland provides interesting daytrips (Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's to feed Crimson Rosellas).
The Sunshine Coast has the Glasshouse Mountains, which is a relatively interesting geographic phenomenon.
Look for pics about these places on Google images or Cooliris and see what appeals to your taste.
Hope you enjoy!

Hey there :) Some good advice up above...

In addition - I'd really avoid Surfers Paradise if you head to the GCoast adn want to avoid 'cheesey'. If you do stay there, stay in BroadBeach - there are some cool restaurants/cocktail spots to hit that are pretty nice. Surfers is full of r'n'b bars and slushie alcohol drinks with fast food joints galore. Last, I know I'm in the minority, but I find the Gold Coast endless stretch of sandy beaches lacking character.

I've been to Noosa once and it was great, great place. 7 days might be a bit much as it is pretty quiet...but there is some great hiking, stunning little beaches, and you can get to Australian Zoo from there quite easily. Noosa nightlife? A bit limited on that front.

Hope that helps a bit, and happy travels!

Mike

My suggestion is the Gold Coast. There's tons of stuff to do there and it's probably a better recommendation for first time visitors to Australia. You don't mention where you come from?

Sure, the main drag of Surfers could be classed as cheesy. But it's where you go to do the gift shopping....stop into Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and in general experience the excitement of being in the husstle & bustle amoungst the other tourists and people watching :o)

But you don't need to stay in Surfers....in fact I would recommend accommodation a bit south along Tugun beach or Coolangatta....which btw is the local airport.

The main reason I suggest the Gold Coast is for the following things to do -

Theme Parks
Shopping at Marina Mirage & Pacific Fair
Car day trip to the Hinterland with O'Reillys & Natural Arch as Johan as already suggested.
Car day trip to the beaches south of the QLD border such as Cabaritta & Hastings Point & a secret one just south of Pottsville called Black Rock where you will most likely have the beach to yourself
Currumbin Bird Sanctuary
Evening dinner cruise
Car day trip to Byron Bay for markets & maybe whale watching
Car day trip to Nimbin for a cultural experience
Train trip to Brisbane & do Elma Park Zoo by ferry & Southbank
Hike up Mt Warning if you are into strenuous exercise :o)

So that is my reason for choosing the Gold Coast.

Cheers,
Ann :o)

Oh I forgot....another fun thing to do on the Gold Coast is to go to Draculas Theme Restaurant in Broadbeach across the road from Pacific Fair shopping centre. Here's the link -

http://www.draculas.com.au/goldcoast_queensland/index.asp

Great Gold Coast tips from Aussirose above.

I love both areas, they are so different. Another difference between the two, I find that it is much easier to use public transport in the Gold Coast. The bus system takes you almost everywhere you need, but up Sunshine Coast way, things are spread further apart, so having your own transport makes things easier.

Things that I love on the Sunshine Coast:

- Eumundi Markets
- Ginger Factory at Yandina
- Australia Zoo near Beerwah
- A drive up to the Blackall Range visiting Maleny, Montville & Mapleton
- Kondalilla Falls near Flaxton for a picnic or BBQ (watch those Kookaburras)
- Also the other side of the Blackall's - Kenilworth cheese factory
- On the coast-Moolooaba Underwater World Aquarium
- Maroochydore-Cottontree beach. My childhood favourite
- Tewantin-park your car & catch the ferry into Noosa Heads
- Hiking around Noosa National Park
- The view of the Glasshouse Mountains from Mary Cairncross Park (near Maleny)
- The historic Majestic Theatre at Pomona (silent movies)

If you have the time, you should try to visit both. A few cheesy theme parks & Surfer's nightlife, then some peace futher up north (but Mooloolaba probably has the best nightlife on the Sunshine Coast)
Betty

Cotton Tree Betty...now that rings a bell. We used to go there :o)
....but I forgot where it is?
Have you been to Tin Can Bay? .... love that place!!

Cottontree is right in Maroochydore, just inside the heads. It was always our favourite beach as kids & Ash loved it when I took him up a few years ago. There can be strong currents there though.
We used to stay with an Aunty & Uncle who lived across the road from Chambers Island (also Maroochydore) and used to walk across the footbridge to go fishing. Maroochydore was a lovely sleepy little place back in the 60's.

Havn't been to Tin Can Bay Ann, but we did drive up to Rainbow Beach to see the coloured sands etc. that was a lovely day. Had a great meal at the local club with a view to die for :o)

Ahhh Maroochydore Betty....I remember. I grew up in Brissy and loved going to Maroochydore, Coolum & Tin Can Bay....but that was when it was not so built out lol. We even took the old bomb onto the beach at the coloured sands...got bogged...fixed that and then Dad had to fill the coolant up with sea water to keep us going lol....and the the old girl still went :o)

I'm going to be spending christmas at Gold Coast probably, I'm a backpacker from England, and was wondering which is the better option to stay - Coolangatta or Surfer's Paradise or not on Surfer's itself but Southport. I don't want somewhere that is quiet as I will be away from all of my family for the first time ever - can anyone recommend anywhere? I'm also on a pretty tight budget so if anyone can recommend any other cheaper areas for the festive period I am open to suggestion...

Thanks

Cat xx

Coolangatta would be your cheapest option. It has a good bus service into Surfers plus it's near the airport. Coolangatta has pretty good nightlife.

Hi Cat,
I agree with Ann, Coolangatta might be a little better than Surfer's for Christmas. Still fun, but not so frantic. You can always go up there for New Years Eve, it's not that far. Have you organised accomodation yet? If not, try to sort it out soon. It does get very busy & hard to find decent places if you leave it too late. If you like wildlife, try to stop by Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It's a favourite of mine. The bus service on the Gold Coast is not bad if you have no transport, it will get you everywhere you need, including the theme parks if that's your thing. Enjoy!

Betty, hubby used to work at Currumbin Bird Sanctuary :o) & I agree! ....it is a great place to visit.

Wow Ann, that would be a dream job to me... I love birds so much! I've got some great pics of Ash with lorikeets climbing all over him....must do a Gold Coast page one day!

You certainly should Betty. Hubby is a horticulturist and helped landscape quite a few of the bird enclosures there :o) We used to get into the place free and spent quite a few good days there :o) I've got a few pix on my Gold Coast page...I think :o)

You have some fabulous photos in your Gold Coast travelogues, Ann. And you are "TOP 5" too, well done.
How I wish that I knew about O'Reilly's when I was there! Well, a good excuse for going back....
Hey - I love the "Dylan loved the Roos" pic, ha ha how time flys eh?

I know Betty :o) .....time does fly hey :o)

Yeh I know....I'm probably only top 5 because I've been on vt for a long time and my page was probably one of the first Gold Coast pages here haha. I'm the first to admit that it doesn't warrant a top 5 lol. There's no doubt heaps of better ones out there. I can never understand the ratings thingy.