GOLD COAST – THE AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLER GUIDE

Not your typical family guesthouse O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park, Qld Surrounded by Lamington National Park, this family-owned and operated property (in the O’Reilly family for over 100 years now), is all about high-end accommodation in a pristine setting.

One coastline, thirty degrees, two million holidaying Australians. It might sound like a nightmare to some but, says Jo Hegerty, there’s a lot to love around the Gold Coast – you’ve just got to know where to look.   It’s almost seven o’clock and day is bleeding into night. We’re spread out on the grass at Burleigh Heads, surreptitiously eyeing off the girls in tiny shorts who roll by on skateboards, and the surfers nimbly skipping over rocks only to disappear into the frothy sea. Greasy fingers with the tang of vinegar and chicken salt; a deep sense of belonging,...

Alissa Jenkins heads to the latest luxury digs in Surfers… Well, she will if she can find it   It’s a rocky start. Lapping up and down The Esplanade of Surfers Paradise, shouting my best Lara Bingle “Where the bloody hell are ya?” impersonations at the GPS, my introduction to the newest Sea Temple hotel is not as smooth as I’d hoped. This is the third addition to the Sea Temple kingdom in Australia, a brand that so far has relied on the pillars of resort-style luxury and seclusion to tempt guests – and I’m curious to know just how they’ve...

Gold Coast Be it a family holiday, couple’s escape or girls’ getaway, the Gold Coast has drawn big summer crowds for years. Theme parks are an obvious lure for families, certainly, but you also love the sunshine and golden sands, vibrant atmosphere and shopping. As one reader said, “there’s plenty to do and see, an all-rounder holiday destination for both the young and not so young”. Although the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast, particularly Surfers Paradise, has copped some flack in the past, responses largely suggest that the area is cleaning up its act. And who could hate...

There are two new high-rise accommodation options on the Gold Coast – both under the Hilton brand. But which is the better choice for a holiday? Quentin Long finds out  There are a few things I don’t understand about the Hilton Surfers Paradise. Don’t get me wrong – I actually really like it and will definitely return next time I’m at the northern end of the Gold Coast. But I’m confused. For starters, there is the Hilton Surfers Paradise hotel (which opened in September this year) and the Hilton Surfers Paradise Residences (which opened in December last year). When it...

Where is it? Q1 Resort, Surfers Paradise How to see it for yourself? The SkyPoint observation deck of Q1 Resort can only be reached on the SkyPoint Climb, Australia’s highest external building walk. You take the lift to the 77th floor, then climb 300 external steps to the peak. Why I love it “It’s not just the view, but the feeling of accomplishment when you reach the summit.” – Melinda Lloyd, Dreamworld Image by Matt McIntyre...

Where is it? About 65km south of Brisbane How to see it for yourself? Hot Air Ballooning rides drift across the Kerry Valley. Tours leave from Beaudesert and Canungra and include a champagne breakfast at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead and vineyard. Why I love it “Being in a balloon here is like you’re floating back in time, before there were highways and skyscrapers. You’ve gotta love the Gold Coast hinterland!” – Rachel Casey, Hot Air Ballooning Gold Coast Image by Hot Air Balloon, Gold Coast...

At ten years old, Palazzo Versace is no spring chicken, but the glitzy hotel recently won Best Luxury Hotel at the 2011 Australian Traveller Reader Awards. Chris Smith sees what all the fuss is about. A little over a decade ago, when the Gold Coast’s latest themed five star hotel, Palazzo Versace, rose from the docks of The Broadwater, the critics called it “gaudy”, “naff” and even “repulsive”. Sometimes the worse the write-up, the better it is for bookings. That’s what drew me to staying at Palazzo Versace soon after it opened in 2001. What was this brazen brand, which...

Tiana Templeman tests the old adage that a restaurant with a view falls short on the food, on Queensland's Gold Coast.  Holiday dining is sometimes like a beach picnic: it only takes a few gritty bits to spoil an otherwise enjoyable experience. Things like poor service, lacklustre meals and overpriced drinks are guaranteed to bring on a “tropical depression” that even a perfect summer’s day can’t fix. Especially when you’ve forked out for babysitting to enjoy some precious time alone. With just a few hours for lunch on the Gold Coast without a little one in tow, my husband wants...

Queensland's Affordable Accommodation - Backpacker  Where is it? Surfers Paradise, Qld South Coast. Centrally located one block from Surfers Paradise Beach, Islander Resort Hotel is within close walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars; a solid base from which to explore the area. What’s it like? Islander encompasses a three-star resort as well as an adjoining backpacker hostel, providing a range of budget accommodation. The property includes a restaurant, bar and gaming lounge in one named ‘Vegas in Paradise’, and a range of other facilities such as internet cafés, on-site bottle shop, car-rental desk, outdoor pool, heated spa, steam room,...

 Where is it? McPherson Range, 110km south of Brisbane. Be eye to eye with the birds in Lamington National Park, as you walk 15m above ground on a series of suspension bridges through the forest canopy at  O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk. The 180m-long walk takes you past ferns and enormous strangler figs, with Mount Tamborine as a backdrop.

AT's guide to the best cheap accommodation for summer and Christmas holidays Coolangatta Why do we rate it? The Gold Coast can assault the senses. If you want the attractions without the crowds, Coolangatta and the Southern Gold Coast is the best compromise. It’s the part that most resembles a sleepy seaside town. Where is it? It’s 100km south of Brisbane, or a 1hr 30min drive. The Gold Coast Airport is here. Where to stay The beauty of the GC is that there’s so much accommodation to choose from. The Komune is the pick for single females and the young...

With so much to see and do on the GC, even contemplating a weekend there can be enough to leave you drained. So, to simplify things and give you the confidence that you’re not missing out on anything, we’ve laid out a roadmap of must-dos – the hottest places to stay and play in the entertainment capital of the sunshine state. For Romantic Couples 1. Arguably the most glamorous place to be seen on the Gold Coast, Palazzo Versace pulls out all the stops with a selection of year-round romance packages. The best of these is Scarlett Seduction, which includes...