Gold Coast

Gold coast is just south of Brisbane which will take you around 30min by car from Brisbane central. For accurate driving directions, approximate time and distance for your destination try using morzilla firefox and enter the web address “whereis.com.au”

shopping

1. Harbor town

Harbor Town is the ultimate shopping heaven in Gold Coast apart from surfers paradise, Cheap branded shopping outlets can be found here as well as Souvenirs shops. You can go by car which is the easiest way to travel around or by public transport. ( check my previous blog post on using public transport in Brisbane)

2. Surfers paradise

This is a popular destination for tourists because of the beautiful sandy beach and a long stretch of shops opposite the beach which includes souvenir shops and luxury brands. You might even spot a couple of golden bikini ladies called meter maids who in history, feed coins into expired parking tickets around surfers paradise to beat the bad image to tourist caused by installation of parking meters . A gold coin donation is necessary if you would like to take a picture with them.

Attractions

1. Movie world” , sea world “, dream world and wet and wild

For all these attractions, you would get all the information you need on the address, ticket prices and opening hours on this website http://www.tourismgoldcoast.com/tours_themeparks.html#sea. Be mindful that you will require a whole day for each attraction and eat some food to refuel. 

The ticket prices are rather expensive but you should get discounts like double pass discount or if you have an Australian friend, ask them if they have any discount dockets for any of this world. You can also purchase something from Woolworth and if you are luck, you will get the discounts at the back of your receipts. This docket entitles adult to enter using the kids price which is a save up to 24aud each.


          A) Movie World 

To plan a trip for movie world I would say it is a whole day trip which you should start from the time it’s opened till it closes. Better to go on weekdays as there won’t be that many people and you can get on the rides easily without having to get in a long queue. Your time will be spent on rides, shows and strolling around shops and restaurants. For Muslims, you can find a halal restaurant to take a rest and refuel as well as a prayer room. 

Most important is to watch the parade where all the characters will come out and present themselves at usually 3.30pm ( the white printed sheet of paper you get when entering will give you the information). And don’t forget the shrek 4d adventure (I think this is just so great) and any other shows that you might think is fun for you to watch, make sure organize a little of your time to stroll at the kids section too as I find it rather cute : ). 


  general admission for Adults :- 69.00aud
  general admission for Kids:- 45aud
  opening hours : :- RIDES & ATTRACTIONS OPEN 10:00am
                                         RIDES & ATTRACTIONS CLOSE 5:00pm
                                         GATES CLOSE 5:30pm
  Website: http://korean.movieworld.com.au/visitor_info/hours.cfm
  http://movieworld.myfun.com.au/


          B) Wet and wild

I thought wet and wild is just another amusement park in Brisbane but I was wrong indeed. We had super duper fun!!!! Getting on the rides : ). 4 in a group is the exact number you will needed because some rides are for 2, and some are for 5 which made our day so fun and exciting. The closing times vary throughout the year so we were lucky as some rides are open till 9.pm so we saved the night rides till we got bored with the other rides that close at 5pm.  

Ticket price:- General Admission 
Adult $49.00
Child $32.00
Website:- http://wetnwild.myfun.com.au/Attractions.htm
Opening Hours: opens at 10.00am every day, closing times vary throughout the year - as follows:

27 December - 25 January: 9.00pm
26 January - 30 April: 5.00pm*
01 May - 31 August: 4.00pm
01 September - 26 December: 5.00pm*

*On Saturday nights - Dive-in-movie nights - the movie screens at dusk and the park closes at the end of the movie

             C) Sea world 

A perfect day for kids to spend watching marine animals up-close, Watch the dolphin show , pet a starfish, some rides and a chance to meet cartoon characters like the power puff girls. It will be a fun filled experience for kids.

General Admission: - Adult $69.00
                                   :- Child $45.00 (3-13 years)
Children: under 3 years are free of charge
Website:- http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/Attractions.htm
Opening hours:- 10am - 5.00pm all year round.

              D) Dream world

My memory on Dream World is quite vague since the last time I went there was 4 years ago and at that time I find it rather dull. So instead of spending my money at dream world I will go to movie world but if you are rides enthusiast dream world is your preferable choice. If you have to make a choice between movie world and dream world I would suggest movie world.

Website:- http://www.dreamworld.com.au/content/drw_2008_home.asp?
Ticket price:- Adults $69.00
                     : - Children (4-13yrs inclusive) $45.00


2. Super Bee Honey world

You will get the chance to taste different types of honey for free as well as the chance to learn some insights about honey making process, how honey is extracted and interesting facts on bees.

Entrance: - free
Live Bee Show: - aud5.00 
Shows held from 10am to 4pm - duration 30min
Address: - 35 Tomewin Street, Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Australia
Website: - http://www.superbee.com.au/

3. Whale watching

It was a memorable experience indeed to get to see whales swimming in front of your eyes but you do need great patience of course to wait for the whale to suddenly emerge from under the water.

This trip was sometime in august 2007 I think. I can’t remember the companies name or any other extra information because I didn’t have in mind that I will be writing a blog. From what I know whales can be spotted in the gold coast between June and end of October, although my trip was on of the last because whales are migrating back we were lucky to spot a few although they were quite a distance away.  

Price: I paid 50aud but the price has increased now
Website:http://www.about-australia.com/travel-guides/queensland/gold-coast/tours-cruises/half-day/spirit-of-gold-coast-whale-watching/
What to bring:- A hat, sunglass, drinking water and have some sunscreen on

4. Orileys

Lamington national park, I wanted to go to this park so much because I came to know there is a history behind this park when I did my prac where I had to teach about rainforest to year 7 kids. 

Basically in 1937 an airline called the stinson airline disappeared from a flight from Brisbane to Sydney. This disapearence was the talk of the country where search and rescue went on for days. a week after the plane went missing, a man called Bernard O’Reily decided to investigate where he soon found 2 men alive after 10 days on the top of a mountain.

Out of the 7 men on the plane, 3 survived the crash and they were Jim Westrey, Joe Binstead and John Proud. One of the survivor, Jim Westrey who had the least injury as result to the crash volunteered to find help which in the end he himself died at was buried next to a creek in the rain forest. 

Its an amazing story because they had survived for many days injured, with very little to no food and water.

You will have the choice to hike to the crash site or just spent a day walking on some path in the rainforest and climb the canopy ! really scary , not for the faint hearted : ). 

on your way down heading back to the city, dont forget to stop over Kamarun lookout... they have a very nice view of mountains and trees.

Website: - http://www.oreillys.com.au/lamington-national-park/

Others that I have not been to but would love to:-

1. Currambin wildlife sanctuary

Just opposite Honey wworld is the currambin wildlife sanctuary. Have not been there, but will hopefull get the chance to go. Better go with my nieces and nephews.

Website:- http://www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au/content/home.asp?

2. Tropical Fruit world farm

Website:- http://www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au/