JenOZ

Hi,

This is really a great site! Found it from Google and love it...

I'll be going to Sydney for 1 week (I read lots of posting for great places to go - have printed them out) and Gold Coast for 1 week (6 days, to be exact).

Not many postings about Gold Coast though - just wondering if anyone can give me suggestions of great places to visit.

I've been there once when I was really young - but my husband has not, so I decide to go again this time.

The problem is, I bought a free & easy package, so it includes 5 nights of accom in Surfers Paradise, which means at most I can only go for day tour and come back to my hotel at night.

I will spend 1 day in Movie World, not sure about the other 2 parks yet - other than that, still undecided.

I have few queries here, hope someone can help:
1. Any part of Gold Coast that I should not give a miss to?
2. Is there a coach/ bus serving Surfers - Sunshine Coast? Read about day tour to Sunshine Coast, but can we actually go there ourselves without the tour? I've been searching high and low for the bus service but cant find any from internet
3. Other than Sunshine Coast, is there any nearby town/ park/ sites worth visiting, not too far and accessible from Gold Coast?
4. It's winter, but it wont go sub zero rite? One pullover and one jacket would suffice, I assume?

Thanks very much!

Jen
*^^17 days to go^^*

lizF

Firstly there is so much to do and see on the Gold Coast that I think going to the Sunshine Coast would be pointless. Its a long bus ride for a day and when you get to the Sunshine Coast the transport system will let you down in that it does not "do the rounds of attractions" but just goes and comes back. The best you could do would be see Underwater World at Mooloolaba and walk around there.
I would do a search of Gold Coast and Hinterland to see what is on offer here as there is so much on offer that it would be hard to list them all and it really depends on what you want to see and what you like to see and do.
I was on the Gold Coast last night and I was wearing Polyester slacks and a similiar jacket and was plenty warm enough - that is not to say that it will be that way in one week but no, it will not be sub zero - more like 14 deg celcuis as a min perhaps.
Just one note though, Movie World in my view is a big rip off. It really is more for kids. If compared with say, Sea World which is a World class venue and Dream World which is also a fun place but with much more going for it, it really does not stack up.
You could also do a search of the Gold Coast in the above search facility and that should bring up some interesting things. Other than that if you leave it till you arrive there will be brochures coming out your ears of things to see and do and you can decide then on what you want. Don't forget the Carrara Markets on a Saturday and Sunday but do get there early to avoid the crowds and have breaky there as well - always a great place to go.

JenOZ

Liz,

Thanks so much for the advice. In this case, I guess I will forego Sunshine Coast then if the journey itself takes long hours.

Really interested in the weekend market - will take note of it. Is it somewhere near Cavill (I'm staying a few blocks away from Cavill Mall)? or it's in another part of GC (Broadbeach/Main Beach) or?

Thanks again, will find out more about the hinterland from the net - take care!

Jen
*16 days and counting*

JenOZ

Liz,

Just finished reading like 30 posts about Gold Coast from this site and compiled these places to visit/ event not to miss (other than Carrara Market you mentioned earlier):

1. Outback Extravaganza (show + dinner)
2. Currumbin Bird Sanctuary
3. Mt. Tamborine (glowworm cave)
4. O'Reilly's
5. Tropical Fruit World + Tumbulgum Pub
6. Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin) - is this in Sunshine Coast actually?

Plus Sea (or Dream) World, should keep myself + hubby quite busy.


Jen

Toshie

I agree, give Movie World a miss nothing very exciting there for adults, we loved SeaWorld and I would recommend spending a full day there.
The last time we were at the Gold Coast it was late June and the weather was cold - by that I happily wore a jumper/windcheater during the night - my husband was comfortable just wearing a shirt - so really depends on whether you feel the cold or not, certainly won't need a coat.
Currumbin bird Sanctuary was great when I last went there which was a long time ago, also have heard great reports about Steve Irwins (although it doesn't interest me personally). Have a great time, I am sure you will find loads of things to do once you are there. One other place we did go and loved, did one night only takes about an hour tops, is go to Infinity at Chevron Renaissance Centre - check out - http://www.infinitygc.com.au/enterta...gold-coast.htm

have a great holiday

lizF

If you happen to be around on the second Sunday of the month or the last Sunday of the month then make that the time to visit Tamborine Mountain as both of those days have little markets ( the second Sunday being the best one at the showgrounds). Then apart from the Gloworm cave there are 6 wineries either on or around the mountain, 1 boutique distillery which has won awards against the best the world has to offer, a Cheese factory, about 50 lovely little craft shops in one area, some lovely eateries, 6 National Parks ( mostly rainforest) - the best being Palm Grove National park which will take about 2 hours to walk around and will mean that you don''t need to drive to O'Rielly's to see that same) Thunderbird Park which has Thunder Eggs ( Agate) you can see or fossic for yourself, some wild life and other activities. There is a trolley which you can take a ticket for all the day and get dropped off at all the different locations and picked up again when you are ready.
Carrara markets on the Gold Coast are at Carrara a suburb west of Broadbeach but there are busses that pick people up from hotels for free and drop you there. The only problem with that is you don't get there early enough and I am not sure if you get to stay there for as long or as short a time as you want either. I would just get a cab there and have your breakfast at one of the breakfast places - don't just pick the first one you come to but have a look around as well first. I used to enjoy a Phillipino breakfast of Halo Halo drink and something special to eat. You will find plently of night life as well on the Coast and check out the performances at Twin Towns Club or Seagulls on the border as they usually have some pretty good stuff showing. The Casino is in Broadbeach which is not far from where you are staying and you can get the monorail over to some nice restaurants at Broadbeach from there although the Chinese Restaurant used to be lovely at the Casino but I have not been there for a long time. Where are you going for a rest after your week at the Coast?

JenOZ

Toshie and Liz,

Thx for the advice. Really appreciate as we only have 6 days in the coast and want to make the most out of our time!

Just checked out the Infinity website, looks really futuristic and all, Thanks Toshie, I dont really find this even in Google when I searched for "Gold Coast"

And Liz, if you dont mind, how do I get to Tamborine Mt from Surfers? You mentioned "Trolley" but I assume that's within Palm Grove Park only, right? Is there a bus (surfside busline?) or any other public transportation that can bring us to Tamborine Mt. from Surfers? Or do you think renting a car will be worthwhile? I understand there are many day-tours to this place but it will be great if we can explore it by ourselves without any time constraint. And Liz, if you can recommend a good place for lunch/ dinner there

In this case, my itinerary so far looks like this:
Day 1: Reach in the afternoon, probably sightseeing around the beach + nice dinner
Day 2: Sea World (full day) +
Day 3: Mt. Tamborine
Day 4: Currumbin Sanctuary + performance
Day 5: ?? + Casino & show
Day 6: Carrara Market (morning) + ?? (flight at 8 pm)

Not sure if I want to go to the following, will appreciate advice:
1. Tropical Fruit World (is it meant for kids only) but heard that the nearby Tumbulgum Pub offers good meal
2. Aussie Farm Tour (www.paradisecountry.com.au)
3. Outback Spectacular

Anyone mind recommending good (affordable) restaurant serving local food? Read from one of the post that Omeros Brothers seafood restaurant is really good. Will probably drop a visit there.

Well, after the Coast, sadly I have to leave the country back to Singapore. However will come back again next year to explore other places (Cairns and Tasmania probably)

Thanks for everything, cant wait to be there!


Jen
*15 more days to go!!!*

lizF

I would rent a car as the tours are pathetic - like herding sheep off and on busses and they usually only go to places that give a kick back to the bus company. You will find many different car rental places and you don't have to go for the dearest either. Therefore you can get up to Tamborine and take yourself around. Go to the tourist information place which is in Doherty Park - I mention that name because there is another tourist information place but that only gives you tourist information on places that are part of their paid system and therefore biased. For a lovely lunch the Heritage Winery is lovely with beautiful views and a nice set up. They sell their own " Moonshine Madness" liquour which is yummy. Another place is Albert River Winery which is off the mountain but you can get directions to it from the tourist office. Another lovely spot for a meal is Songbirds BUT I think it is overpriced by miles and when I was there I did not appreciate being given a Champagne started from the menu i.e. French Champagne at $8 glass then being charged $25 glass because the girl gave us the wrong one. Also someone did not tell the chef that you do NOT cook ladyfinger bananas in a banana tartine ( sp??) or cook them at all, any time.
While on the Coast, go to Sanctuary Cove for lunch one day and dine at George's Paragon Restaruant as its half price for lunch and is always good. Spend a little time walking around Sanctuary Cove.
Tropical Fruit World will be like home from home if you are from Singapore as they show you around the tropical fruit plantations and you can sample them - something you probably do every day, things like Mama Sapote, Black Sapote, Soursop ( guanbano - spelling???) Rambutans, lichees etc etc so you could count that out.
The trolley goes all around Tamborine Mountain to all the different spots and you just get off and get on when you want. I am not sure though if it runs other than weekends.
If you want and have the time there is always Harbour Town Shopping Centre which is a factory Outlet shopping Centre where you may find some fantastic bargains.
Also on the Gold Coast there used to be a Malaysian/Singaporean Hawker stall which I always used to frequent so ask around for directions as I cannot remember the name of it if you happen to get the urge for some of your own food as that place was as good as any at Newton's Circus in Singapore which I make a bee line for each night when I am there.
Anyway have a great time in both places and I hope our weather will not be too cold for you. At least we are so short of rain that its as dry as it can be ( unfortunately for us)

JenOZ

Liz,

Thanks again so much. Now I feel that there's so little time and so much to do

So you've been to Singapore...when was that? I myself do not frequent Newton Circus as I feel the seafood is a bit overpriced, probably because it's frequented by tourists most of the time. If for any reason you come here again, there is hawker (similar to Newton) centre by the beach in East Coast which serves good seafood at good price too

Well well, now my itinerary is really packed. I totally agree with you about guided tour - I once took a guided tour to the highland in Scotland and was very very disappointed - the schedule was extremely stifling. Will rent a car to Tamborine Mt. and hope I will have enough time to see those things you mentioned - I have printed them all out..

Day 1: Reach in the afternoon, probably sightseeing around the beach + nice dinner
Day 2: Sea World (full day) + ??
Day 3: Mt. Tamborine
Day 4: Currumbin Sanctuary + performance
Day 5: Sanctuary Cove + Casino & Tempo Rouge show
Day 6: Carrara Market (morning) + last minute shopping (flight at 8 pm)

Finally, will appreciate some advice on what to do at night. I'm not into partying or drinking, but dont mind nice place to hang around.

Thanks for everything, will appreciate any other advice that you think will be helpful.

Take care!
Jen
14 more days!

lizF

I would leave it till you get here to decide on what to do at night as there will be quite a bit on between Sanctuary Cove and say, Twin Towns at Tweed Heads but as I don't buy the local paper I have no idea what is on offer. You may like Dracula's for dinner which is near Broadbeach, you may just like to walk around and sightsee.
Yes I have been to Singapore about 10 times over the years and used to love going to the "Old" Sate Club near the cricket grounds for dinner but when that changed I opted for Newton's Circus but I don't go for the sea-food. I was with my daughter a couple of years ago and we ate at the changed "Sate Club" which was lovely sate but it was not the old place and lacked the fun I thought. We also went to Newton's Circus and ate a beautiful meal of Sate and noodles there but also had a wonderful meal at a smaller hawker area which was devine as well. In other words I have never had a bad meal in Singapore and even in the Qantas Club there I enjoyed a Singapore version of Paw paw salad with noodles - or Thai Papaya salad. My only gripe about Singapore is that the more modern it becomes the more I miss the Old Singapore and the Old Raffles Hotel which I was fortunate to stay in and will remain one of those "best hotel stays in my life" even though when it rained I had to put the pot plants under the drips. The new Raffles may be magnificent but it does not have that Somerset Maugham feeling about it - does this show how old I am??????? I had a kind of "old connection with Raffles " as my step father had been in Changi prison in the war and on release they all went to Raffles - he apparently stole/ souvenired some cutlery from there and I was given this cutlery to take back to Raffles by his, very proper, sister when I first went to Singapore! No I didn't take the cutlery back as it had been something like 30 years past and I did not want to look that silly, however his sister thought that I had and she was happy at least!
So leave yourself some ad hoc time on the Coast here and have a wonderful holiday.

backpackerhire_com

The most popular places to visit (from customer feedback) are currumbin sanctuary, tropical fruit world and day trips to byron bay.

Surfside does offer buses to the theme parks they are currently advertising free buses to dreamworld QOUTE '
Just purchase your Dreamworld ticket from any attended Citytrain station or on board Surfside Buslines on the day, and we'll cover the ride.'

see: http://www.translink.com.au/qt/Trans...L_MRDreamworld

if you chose this park to visit it could be worth it,though the problem with buses is your stuck with their timetable and a cab fare back if you dont like to wait would reach at least $50 to $70, if you have a lot of places you want to see then hiring a car can work out a lot cheaper.

If your not interested in the night club or casino scene, Try the arts centre http://www.gcac.com.au/ for night time entertainment.

lizF

backpackerhire, I have to disagree with you about the Taxi fare of $50 - $70 at least. I would be very surprised if it was more than $25 at any time of day. Other than that you can always get the train and go to eitherHelensvale, Nerang Station or Robina and then catch a cab which if it was from Nerang then that would keep the cost way down. Else if you did not want to stay until the bus came you could always get the train to Helensvale and go to Harbourtown for some shopping. Also I would dispute your customer feedback unless of course you are only talking about feedback from Backpackers which is not really a cross section of the community or age group. I would say that Sea World would be the top attraction on the Gold Coast followed by Dreamworld, Wet and Wild ( in summer) then Movie World, Currumbin and way down the list would be Tropical Fruit World - it is only a farm.

JamesA

Jen, I have found using Yahoo7 very good for Australia, there seem to be far more local websites, the same applies to us in Asia, Yahoo Thailand or Yahoo Singapore give us much better local results than the old G !.
http://au.yahoo.com/

I get really upset trying to find local websites these days but if you can get into those local versions I think you will find more 'local' wesbites appearing.