Gold Coast Travel Forum

Hi to all fellow VTers!!

We are planning to spend a week in the Gold Coast as part of our Australian Holiday. We have 3 children in our group aged 15,12 and 8. I'd love to have some suggestions about how we could spend our week. I mean which theme parks are really good and what are the other attractions in the Gold Coast which should not be misssed?? Any suggestions for hiking spots??

Thanx!!

Nazima.

RM Williams have an Outback Spectacular but you need to book ahead. They pick up and deliver for an extra fee. This is at night (not sure about a matinee) but gives you some idea of the Outback .It includes a meal served as you watch the show. The seats are tiered so the view is good.

As for theme parks my grandkids go to Sea World as a rule.

There is a bird sanctuary at Currumbin worth a visit. Then there is the Hinterland area which includes Mount Tamborine. I think you could still go horse riding here. Marg

Mate, all the theme parks are good! Places you should consider and possibly include in your itinerary would be:

Sea World: lots of sea life (including polar bears), some rides, a few shows.
Movie World: Hollywood near the coast, plenty of rides, 3D movies, excellent shows.
Dreamworld: hair-raising rides, white tigers, other animal life.
Zorb: getting into a big plastic ball and rolling down a hill!
Gold Coast Hinterland: particularly Binna Burra and O'Reilly's; feed the rainbow lorikeet!
Gold Coast beaches: Palm Beach and Tallebudgera are my favourites.
Q1 building (in Surfers Paradise): tallest residential in the world (I think); go to the top for amazing views of the Gold Coast.
Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise: for all the typical touristy shops, attractions.
The Spit: where locals take their dogs onto the off-lead beach.
Whale watch or fishing tours.
Tropical Fruit World: just across the border into NSW; try the chocolate fruit!

Some ideas to get you started!

For hiking, Lamington National Park is not that far away but you need a car to get there.
Try http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Documents/Scene/trmen.htm

I have 3 children and they are not so keen on movie world theme park as they don't have as many rides as the other theme parks. Favourites are Dreamworld (loads of rides) and Wet'n'Wild (waterpark). These can be very expensive when taking 3 children especially the food inside the parks. Wet'n'Wild has barbecues available for you to use so I recommend making use of these (take meat etc with you). All the theme parks have lockers for hire for a small fee so if you pack a lunch or even just drinks you can store them in the lockers.
Also if you are planning on going to more than one of the theme parks I suggest you check out their multi passes which will get you in to 3 parks for a reduced cost.