Gold Coast, Australia

May 22, 2008 – 11:04 am

Gold Coast is a city located in the southeastern part of Queensland. It is known for its sunny climate that complements its beautiful beaches and hinterland attractions.

The city celebrates several huge events that bring visitors from all over the state. The Wintersun Festival, a rock festival that is held every June in the suburbs of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads brings rock music lovers from all over the state and the country. In October, the famous Gold Coast Indy 300 is held in Surfers Paradise, a suburb of the city. The same suburb also plays host to the largest Schoolies Week celebration in Australia. Done every November, it attracts high school graduates from all over for a week of partying, dancing, and concerts.

The hinterland parts of Gold Coast are also excellent destinations for those who love the outdoors and wish to experience it to the fullest. The Lamington National Park is a World Heritage site that features a lot of bush trails that lead to excellent vantage points. Some of these trails are quite easy to follow at leisurely pace, while some cater to the more vigorous trekkers who can handle hiking through the bush land for several hours. Apart from Lamington, other outdoor destinations include the Springbrook National Park, the Burleigh Heads National Park, Mount Cougal, Mount Warning and Mount Tamborine. A lot of tour companies offer numerous tour packages that last for half a day to several days of exploring these exciting areas. And for those who do have the time to stay for a night or more in the hinterlands, there are a lot of mountain resorts they can choose from for accommodations.

Gold Coast is also home to several large shopping centers, including the largest in Queensland. The Pacific Fair is located in Broadbeach and is the converging point of local beachgoers and visiting holidaymakers. Another major retail establishment is the Robina Town Centre which is known as the fashion center of the city. For those who yearn for a good bargain, there’s the Harbour Town located in Biggera Waters.

And of course, a visit to the Gold Coast would not be complete without dropping by its beaches, it most popular tourist attractions. Most of its beaches are patrolled during the better part of the year and are quite safe to swim in. Surfing is also a popular pastime in the beaches of Gold Coast. In fact, hundreds of avid surfing enthusiasts flock to the area several times a year, hoping to ride the perfect waves. Gold Coast also enjoys abundant sunshine all throughout the year, making a day at the beach quite enjoyable for strolling or just lounging around.