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#ExperienceTheGoldCoast: The Top 10 Reasons Australia’s Gold Coast Should Be Your Next Vacation

Australia’s Gold Coast sparkles with not only unmatched natural beauty, but a wide array of exciting events and activities that make it a destination worthy of a spot on your 2018 travel bucket list. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of live sports, catching a wave or lazing on a white sand beach, exploring the flora and fauna in the hinterland rainforest, or getting up close with Aussie wildlife, a trip to the Gold Coast will give you all of this and more. Add in a range of accommodations options from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a reason not to book a vacation to the Gold Coast.

Check out the top 10 reasons to #ExperienceTheGoldCoast below:

Reason #1: Sun, Sand, & Sea
The Gold Coast boasts picturesque beaches that invite you to stretch out with a good book and only rising from your spot in the sun to take a dip in the sea.

Whether you’re bound for Burleigh Heads with its fragrant foreshore of towering pines or to the spectacular stretch of strand and laid-back vibes of Palm Beach, there is no shortage of sunbaking and water sports to suit every desire. A highlight is diving and exploring Nine Mile Reef off of Tweed Heads in Coolangatta -- a known “sharky” spot where you can encounter leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, turtles, stingrays (including an occasional manta ray!), and admire an array of soft and hard corals.

Reason #2: Wine & Dine Aussie Style
If the foodie in you is seeking an authentic Aussie dining experience, look no further than the neighborhood of Palm Beach. Cited by locals as an emerging culinary destination, Palm Beach has everything on offer from tapas-style eateries, to local bars, to farm-to-table dining options. Over 50 restaurants and cafés dot Palm Beach and embrace the coastal lifestyle through creative cuisine and an emphasis on local ingredients. Mermaid Beach is also another wonderful destination for foodies as well and is home to the Mermaid Beach Surf Club where you can enjoy a drink

perched atop the club’s balcony which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Hedges Avenue, known locally as “Millionaire’s Row” with its gorgeous beachfront mansions. Also, not to miss are the trendy roof-top cocktail bars of Burleigh Heads – either before, after, or better yet, in addition to–  enjoying a fantastic local meal.

Reason #3: Take in the View from the Top (Tree top, that is!)
Don’t let the moniker fool you – in addition to the gorgeous beaches of the Gold Coast, it’s an absolute must that you set aside some time to explore the region’s resplendent rainforest as well. O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk gives you the chance to take in the flowering (and fruiting!) trees of the canopy along with its local residents of indigenous birds and other wildlife. The walk is made up of nine suspension bridges that let you stroll through the canopy 50 feet above the ground. Two observation decks, the highest of which is approximately 110 feet above the ground, combined with well-placarded information stanchions detailing the flora and fauna you encounter on your walk, make this a not-to-miss highlight of your Gold Coast tour. And to top it off, entrance is free of charge.

 

Reason #4: Surf Above All Else: Hang Ten & Other Aquatic Adventures
Surf culture is a core part of the Australian ethos and the Gold Coast is widely considered the country’s premier spot to catch a wave and the consummate Surfer’s Paradise. Take a lesson from an expert instructor (who has likely spent more time in the water than out of it!) and take your adrenaline levels to new heights. If hanging ten isn’t your thing, try your balance with stand-up paddle boarding or don a pair of flippers and a mask and snorkel with the sea turtles.

Reason #5: Koalas, Kangaroos, & More
Add an educational element to your Gold Coast itinerary with a trip to some of the region’s famed zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries. Learn about conservation efforts with a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which is a not-for-profit organization that reinvests all proceeds back into wildlife and conservation programs. Set within 66 acres of Currumbin rainforest, a trip to this iconic sanctuary gives visitors the chance to feed kangaroos, cuddle a koala or two, take one of the park’s three Alpine dingoes for a stroll, or take part in the Free Flight Bird Show that educates visitors on the tips and tricks of training free flight birds, among many, many other opportunities. If you’re feeling brave, be sure to book an
encounter at the Crocodile Live Show and feed a 15-foot saltwater crocodile his lunch.

Reason #6: Indulge Your Inner Child
Who doesn’t love a day at the amusement park? Lightheartedness awaits at the many theme and amusement parks of the Gold Coast. Perhaps the coolest theme park experience on the Gold Coast is the Holoverse where you can enjoy a futuristic, holographic adventure to worlds beyond your wildest imaginings. If you’ve got a need for speed be sure to check out the new indoor go-kart course at Slideways Go-Karting. Slideways offers a three-story indoor race track that is 1,558 feet of ramps, tunnels, hairpin turns and more to get your heart racing.

Reason #7: Have A Whale of a Time
Get a front row seat for an experience of a lifetime when you embark on a whale watching tour and get acquainted with one of the world’s most majestic creatures, the humpback whale. Humpback whales weigh in at 40 tons and range in size from 48 to 62 feet long. Renowned for their ethereal “singing”, humpback whales travel in pods and the Gold Coast offers travelers a multitude of tour options from large groups to small expeditions that let visitors get up close and personal with these larger-than-life marine mammals. Whale watching is an absolute must on the Gold Coast— be sure to bring a great camera to catch the crème de la crème of whale watching moments - a full breach!

Reason #8: Find Your Moment of Zen
With all the running around and adventure that is to be had during a trip to the Gold Coast, it’s nice to take some time to unwind. Be sure to set aside some time for pampering at one of the Gold Coast’s many spas and indulge in a variety of wellness activities. Whether your idea of wellness includes taking in a massage at a luxurious day spa, candlelit meditation, or maybe even a hike to the Gold Coast hinterland that leaves all your digital distractions behind, you’ll be sure to be saying ‘ohm’. A not-to-miss destination in your quest for Zen is the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, a multi award winning, ecotourism-certified wellness facility set within 494 acres of pristine hinterland. Gwinganna offers a variety of programs ranging from two to seven days, that help restore inner balance.

Reason #9: Retail Therapy: Luxury Shopping to Arts & Crafts Markets
The Gold Coast has something for everyone for a day spent browsing the shops. Whether you’re looking to splurge on designer goods, take home an authentic, handmade craft or piece of art, or even if you’re simply looking to window-shop, there’s no shortage of retail therapy options to suit every kind of shopper. Head over to the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre if you’re looking for a bit of luxury or head out to the arts and
crafts markets of Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta, and Broadbeach for not only handmade goods, but fresh produce, baked treats, and more. Also, be sure to stop by the Carrara Markets, Australia’s biggest permanent market, with over 400 stalls spread over 10 acres to find those unique souvenirs for friends and family back home.

Reason #10: Feel the Rush at the XXI Commonwealth Games

6,600 athletes from 70 commonwealth nations will descend upon the Gold Coast from April 4 – 15, 2018 for a tour de force of sporting events running the gamut from rugby and basketball, to cycling, gymnastics, diving and everything in between. Be sure to secure tickets in advance to take in the energy and excitement of this limited-time event.

The Gold Coast is a destination unto itself and a true hidden gem of Australia. Offering in equal parts exciting adventures and relaxing sojourns all along one magnificent coastline, the Gold Coast is a not-to-miss destination in your 2018 travels.

The editorial staff had no role in this post's creation.