Image Source: Shutterstock
More than 70 kilometres of beautiful beaches and waterways, a thriving restaurant, café and bar scene, world-class cultural offerings, and a great variety of leisure activities, mean that the Gold Coast has something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for family fun, a romantic getaway, a luxury weekend, or an adrenalin-filled adventure, the Gold Coast is a great place to take some time out. Here are some ways to enjoy a weekend getaway in Queensland’s premier holiday destination.
Travel in comfort and style by limousine, helicopter, sports car or luxury power cruiser. For an unforgettable experience, book an early morning flight in a hot air balloon. Enjoy breathtaking scenery while floating serenely over the landscape before toasting your adventure with a glass of bubbles and breakfast on the verandah at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead & Vineyard.
Continue the day on a high note by indulging in some high-fashion shopping and first-class dining at Sanctuary Cove or Marina Mirage. The luxurious precinct overlooking the Broadwater is a great place to stop for a drink -- eyeing off the multi-million-dollar luxury cruisers moored at Marina Mirage inspires envy overload.
Further south, the Pacific Fair shopping centre at Broadbeach has something for everyone, with great shopping and dining options. Also highly recommended is Burleigh Heads, which still has a delightful village feel with lovely boutiques, homewares stores, and interesting bars and cafés.
For a perfect way to end the day, kick back at one of the waterfront restaurants or bars in Burleigh Pavilion and be dazzled by million-dollar views as the sun sets on one of Australia’s most spectacular surfing beaches.
You’ll have no trouble finding a good coffee to kickstart your Sunday as the Gold Coast is blessed with great cafés and coffee spots. The always popular Paddock Bakery is famous for its mouth-watering doughnuts, woodfired sourdough and signature ‘dippy eggs’, served in the shady surrounds of an old Queenslander cottage.
Go for a Sunday drive to the Gold Coast’s lush rainforest hinterland where you can see spectacular cliffs, gorges and waterfalls created over thousands of years of water and volcanic activity. Follow one of the walking trails in Springbrook National Park to see picturesque creeks, tumbling waterfalls and panoramic views.
Breathe in the clear mountain air, hear the pure notes of birdsong, and listen for the call of the Albert’s lyrebird. Walk under a waterfall at Purling Brook Falls or see why Best of All Lookout gets its name. The scenery is as pretty as a picture, providing a splendid backdrop to the Gold Coast high-rises and the coastal strip.
Conveniently located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, minutes from the Esplanade and beautiful sandy beaches, Vibe Hotel Gold Coast is the perfect base for your weekend getaway. With a beachside ambience and picturesque views of the Nerang River, its spacious hotel rooms are the ideal place to return to after a day in the sun and surf.
