Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi All,

I will be going GC next week and will be staying at paradise resort.
Have include the following places in my itinerary:

1) Theme Parks - Movie World and Dreamworld
2) Surfers Paradise (shopping areas like cavill mall)
3) QDeck observatory deck
4) Pacific Mall / Harbour front Mall/Australia fair
5) Central Park: Billabong Factory
6) Gold Coast Hinterland - includes Mt Tamborine, Lamington park
7) Brisbane City Sights

Any other places I should go and should not miss or I should actually give it a miss?

For 6 and 7, I was thinking of signing up with tour operator. Any tour operators for recommendations? Is Scenic Hinterland Holiday Day Tours good?

Thanks

Personally, I would not put too much stock in visiting the malls and factory shops etc. I'd rather visit Sea World and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. You can also go zorbing on the Gold Coast, which is lots of fun. Remember, the theme parks may take up an entire day each. In other words, three theme parks will account for three out of your seven days.

Many of the beaches along the GC are beautiful, such as Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach. Factor that in if you like swimming, sunbathing or surfing.

Remember to visit O'Reilly's when you go to Lamington.

well I was looking to see where you are from and your interests which always helps to answer a question asked.
We like to go to Wharf to look at all the yachts and if you drive on past Seaworld near Southport there is a fish and chip shop where you can sit out side and look at the water.Just for a moment you forget the crowds.
There is Tweed Heads just over the border in NSW too and nearby Twin Services Club where there is dancing and entertainment.

It does not take the place of the bush but RM Williams "Outback Spectacular" is very popular.Must book.
You will find a bit of night life at Jupiters Casino and places to eat. Plenty of security there.
I just forget what is in the other reply but there is a bird sanctuary at Currumbin. There would be horse riding too.Great way to see a bit of country side.
Your resort will have details of how to get where.

Pacific Fair is about the only shopping mall I would consider worth visiting or maybe Harbour Town which has several factory outlets. It's a little bit out of the way however,(Runaway Bay) unless you have a car. Definitely give Australia Fair a big miss, there is nothing there.

Maryimelda mentions Pacific Fair and it is across the busy road from Jupiters Casino Broadbeach and there are buses there...to both places.

Depends where you are from...watch the traffic.....which side of the road are you used to.

Thanks! :)
How abt any tour operators for recommendations for Gold Coast Hinterland - includes Mt Tamborine, Lamington park and Brisbane City Sights ? anyone tried Scenic Hinterland Holiday Day Tours?

I don't have any experience of Scenic Hinterland Holiday Day tours, but if you are staying at a resort, you should be able to get good recommendations from the office there. You will probably find that they will make a booking for you, once you decide where you want to go.

I second Johan's Currumbin Bird Sanctuary idea & O'Reilly's and Margaret's suggestion re the Club at Tweed Heads is a good idea too. I preferred Pacific Fair to Australia Fair and Seaworld is the closest theme park if you wanted to make a choice. If you want to see beautiful beaches then I'd go south of Tweed Heads to Cabaritta and Hastings Point...but you'll need a car for them.

Have a wonderful holiday!!
Cheers, Ann.