Gold Coast

If you prefer a more cosmopolitan atmosphere, you must head south to the Gold Coast. With 300 days of sun, this Coast offers a variety of beaches, theme parks and resorts.

Coomera Region Dreamworld

If you are traveling with the family or are a kid at heart, you must check out DreamWorld. This park offers many rides including roller coasters and water related rides. Visit Tiger Island during your visit and watch Bengal tigers in their environment. The park also offers an animal sanctuary which houses more than 800 species. View the cute but ferocious Tasmanian devil or the cute and cuddly koala bears.

Visit Dreamworld

 

Seaworld: Main Beach  

Located in Main Beach is Seaworld, Australia’s biggest marine park. The park gives visitors the chance to interact with various animals including polar bears, fairy penguins and many more. The park is also home to many other animals such as sharks, fish and sting rays. Interact with animals, go on rides and ride on cable cars. If you are a lover of aquatic animals then you and your family should come visit the park, you will not be disappointed.

Visit Seaworld

 

Surfers Paradise

A very popular destination in the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, whom many assume only offers surfing but there’s more to this great place. Imagine Miami, high-rises, fine dining, cafes, exciting nightlife and excellent shopping, this is Surfers Paradise! With excitement around every corner, this is sure to be a great place to visit whether you are with the family or a romantic partner. Be sure to check out the beachfront markets held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night. Whether you are searching for artwork, souvenirs and clothing, you will be sure to find it here. There is never a dull moment in this tropical paradise, come and see for yourself.

Come to Surfer’s Paradise

 

Sunshine Coast

Only an hour drive north of Brisbane lies the 60km coast known as the Sunshine Coast. This area is not only composed of beautiful beaches but offers pristine nature and many national parks. Quaint beach side towns make up most of the coastline offering many lavish lodging options. If you are seeking a tranquil get away filled with beaches and outdoor adventure then the Sunshine Coast is a must visit on your trip to Australia.

Visit Sunshine Coast

Beaches,Beaches,Beaches

Many tourists head to the Sunshine coast for its pristine beaches which not only captures the attention of families and lovers but also surfers who are looking to catch gnarly waves! Listed below are two very popular beaches in two different regions of this coast.

Located in the northern coast is Noosa region, this area is very popular for its surf, restaurants and resort properties. If you are planning to stay in this area then you must go to the Sunshine Beach. Take a dip in its crystal blue waters which are patrolled by life guards all year, or sit back and watch surfers catch swells and ride the waves. If you are not wanting to swim, the beach also hosts great fishing spots and there are fish in season all year round. There is something for everyone whether you want to lounge on the beach, surf the waves, swim, fish or walk the 16km of coast and watch the breathtaking sunset or sunrise.

 

The region of Caloundra is home to 9 beaches, and one of the most popular is King’s Beach, which is the closest to Brisbane. It is a perfect location for day trips or to spend a few nights in Caloundra region. Imagine yourself basking in the warm sun while swimming in a saltwater pool that overlooks the calming waters of the Pacific Ocean. This is just one of the many features this beach offers. Take a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk, or dine in at a seaside bistro. Sip coffee at a local café and watch as the sun sets on the water, the options are endless. This beach also offers playgrounds and picnic areas which is great if you are traveling with the family.

 

 

Cairns

Located in the northern part of Queensland, Australia, the town of Cairns is mainly known for its prevalent prawn and fish industries. Today, Cairns is seen as a very popular tourist destination with the main attractions being the Daintree Rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, and last but certainly not least, the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is also known for its lavish nightlife as it is filled with an endless array of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and cafes for all budgets.

The best time of the year for tourists to visit would be the months of June to August which is their Winter. Temperatures rarely dip below 22°C around this time which is ideal when visiting this beautiful city. The monsoonal wet season spans between November and December where heavy rain and high humidity make it a more difficult destination to visit, but not entirely off limits. This season would be the perfect time for those seeking to explore the rain forest regions as this kind of weather pattern provides the visitor with a more lush forest, which is also known as “Green” season. During the winter months, tourists can partake in various wildlife and nature tours such as barefoot tours, van tours, as well as exploring the Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon.

A great day trip for those seeking adventure would be visiting the Fitzroy Island where they can participate in activities such as canyoning, sea kayaking, and hot air balloon rides. Another amazing island that is a must for tourists is Port Douglas. Port Douglas offers visitors all sorts of amazing natural attractions such as the Opal Reef which is easily accessible via boat tour. Another attraction in Port Douglas that may entice the everyday beach-goer is Four Mile Beach which has been praised as being one of the most tranquil beaches in the world.  Snorkeling and scuba is also a staple when visiting the island, whether guests decide to visit the Agincourt Reef or Opal Reef. Lastly, the best day trip one can do when visiting Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef. Check out our Great Barrier Reef Post to find out more!

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world made up of almost 1,000 islands and 3,000 reefs. The Reef stretches just over 2,300 kilometers and is located in the Coral Sea just off the coast of Queensland. It is so vast and vibrant that it can be seen from space and is also known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. It is also home to around 2,000 species of fish, 400 species of coral, and 4,000 mollusks.

Things to do
At the reef, there is a plethora of things to do and places to see at this world renowned natural site. Scuba and snorkeling is an absolute must when visiting the reefs which can be done while cruising in one of the many great boat tours. Scuba is a very popular with visiting families because of the Pixar classic movies Find Nemo and Finding Dory where a lot of the films scenes were based off the natural scenery of the Great Barrier Reef.  Another stunning attraction that tourists might find themselves visiting is Whitehaven Beach which is located in Whitsunday Island. It is considered by most to be one of the world’s most spectacular beaches and is also uninhabited which keeps the beach in pristine shape. There are also many natural and wildlife tours throughout the Great Barrier Reef such as tropical tours, scuba diving tours, ocean rafting tours, boat tours, and even jet ski tours!