MAKING MEMORIES

10 EXPERIENCES ALL GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND MAKING MEMORIES

Come and play Long known as THE destination for a holiday, cast your mind back to some of the iconic experiences you had as a child with your parents and grandparents on the Gold Coast. Formerly the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary (now Wildlife Sanctuary), the lorikeet feeding has been a staple of many a trip to the iconic animal park. Further south, head to Point Danger and you may have been lucky enough to visit the Jack Evans Pet Porpoise Pool; now just remnants, but still able to be explored through the cracks and crevices below. Perhaps ‘Avocadoland’ rings a bell – it’s now known Tropical Fruit World just 20 minutes south of the Airport. Accessible and enjoyable across all kinds of generations, here are 10 experiences across the Gold Coast that can be enjoyed by kids, parents, grandparents and beyond!

GOLD COAST BROADWATER

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND 10 EXPERIENCES ALL GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY

10 thunderbird park

2 The spit

2 Main beach

2 Surfers paradise

2 broadbeach 1 Learn to surf or take a dip Teaching the little ones a must-have skill for when they return to the Gold Coast later on, enrol them in a learn-to- 3 miami marketta surf lesson on the southern end of the Coast with the team Paddock Bakery at Walkin’ on Water Surf School. artvo illusions 8 5 1 Operating from the spectacular surrounds of Greenmount David Fleay Wildlife Park 6 Beach in Coolangatta, surf instructors will teach the kids 2 currumbin creek how to paddle, balance and stand up on a surfboard in the whitewash as you cheer on from the sand. After all of 7 currumbin wildlife sanctuary the hard work in the ocean, grab a bite to eat for lunch 1 Greenmount beach or afternoon tea from the Greenmount Beach Surf Club overlooking the stunning beach. Alternatively, if you’re up for a quiet dip without the waves, 9 Best of all lookout travel back north to Tallebudgera Creek. Here you can enjoy the calm waters of the creek and take in the views of the Tropical lush Burleigh Headland. fruit world 4

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND 10 EXPERIENCES ALL GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY

2 3 4 Coastal walks Explore after dark Tropical Fruit World In the north, embark on an easy walk beside the rock wall at Boasting food stalls from around the world and live music You may have known it as ‘Avocadoland’ back in the day, but The Spit in Main Beach for views of Wednesday and Friday (from 5pm) and Saturday (from 4pm), venture Tropical Fruit World is still an institution over the border and to the left, and the iconic Surfers Paradise skyline and sand to Miami’s lively industrial estate for a night market the entire family still features one of the original founders. Take a farm tour pumping jetty to the right. will love, known as Miami Marketta. With street food stalls on either experience with ‘Bob’ himself and the kids can marvel at touring the area on a tractor while munching on farm-grown In Surfers Paradise itself, wander along the foreshore and side, think Italian croquettes, Turkish Gozleme, Thai stir-fry’s and chocolate fruit in the process…yum! stop in at the Beachfront Markets (Wednesdays, Fridays and locally-made gelato from Mermaid Beach gelateria, ‘Heven-yah’. Sundays) before stopping in under the Surfers Paradise sign For mum, dad, grandma and grandpa there’s a gin parlour with 99 Not limited to the tractor, enjoy the waterways on the Wildlife for a photo. different tipples to choose from before you all rock out to some live Boat Cruise, meet the friendly farm animals and sample local music. more produce at the Fruit Tasting Session. In Broadbeach, start at Kurrawa Surf Club for a coffee before strolling over to the all-abilities Kurrawa Park. In Mermaid Beach, walk along Hedges Avenue down to the Mermaid Beach SLSC and seaside café, Rafiki. Continuing down the stretch of coastline, there’s a paved pathway right from Nobby Beach to Miami and all the way into Burleigh Heads. On the southern end, start at the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, before a 20-minute walk down to the Tugun Surf Club.

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND 10 EXPERIENCES ALL GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY

5 6 7 Dippy Eggs like Mum and Ranger for a day The old and the new at Nan used to make Tucked away in the forest of West Burleigh and established in 1952, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Remember the cold, miserable days at home where mum David Fleay Wildlife Park has long been offering guests the chance No visit to the Gold Coast is complete without a visit to the or grandma used to whip out a household treasure? We’re to see native wildlife up close. A specialist in zoology, Dr David Fleay iconic Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or as it was previously talking about dippy eggs, and they’re making a comeback in successfully bred 48 different species of fauna in captivity, including known, the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary. Still, while the same trendy, local cafés. the , Taipans and Wedge-tailed Eagles among others. iconic lorikeet feeding and photos are available, there have been a few new additions to the park that makes it the Talking about cool, let nan and pop marvel at the old Today the park is open to the public and managed by ultimate family day out. Queenslander that has been transformed into a thriving café National Parks with plenty of things to see and do. Easily accessible in Miami; we’re talking about Paddock Bakery. Along with with pathways and boardwalks, explore the habitats of animals, hear Step back in time at the Lost Valley precinct, with its ancient dippy eggs, taste cruffins (a croissant crossed with a muffin), from rangers and even give kids and grandkids the opportunity to supercontinent Gondwana environment and exotic animals. cinnamon doughnuts and other sweet treats to spoil yourself be a ‘Fleay’s Eco Ranger’, going behind the scenes to encounter For the avid bird watchers, there’s the new WildSkies Free and the grandkids. snakes and furry native friends. Flight bird show, hosted in a custom-built amphitheatre. After all that exploration, the kids (up to 12 years of age) can cool off in the new Wild Island Adventure Splash Zone with water jets, streams and waterfalls.

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND 10 EXPERIENCES ALL GENERATIONS CAN ENJOY

@artvoillusions 8 9 10 ArtVo Illusions Best of All Lookout Thunderbird Park Forget camera and photos on film, let the little ones set up They don’t call it the ‘Best of All’ Lookout for nothing! Set among A 45-minute drive from the coast, head for Mt. Tamborine selfies and have plenty of immersive fun at the newest ‘trick the pristine and lush surrounds of Springbrook National Park, this with the grandkids in the car and explore the attractions of art’ gallery, ArtVo Illusions in Robina Town Centre. Jump into the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia and World Heritage-Listed area Thunderbird Park. Featuring an adventure park and canyon artwork, with 8 mind-bending and reality-warping zones starring offers a nice short walk down to what has to be one of the best flyer at Treetop Challenge, horse-riding tours, bird feeding, you right alongside sharks, sinking ships, lions and more. hinterland lookouts in Australia. A mere 600-metres along a paved laser skirmish, minigolf and the Thunderegg Crystal Mine rainforest path and visitors arrive at a clearing to be met with where the family can pan for crystals, this park provides a sweeping views across mountain valleys, all the way through to whole day’s worth of fun in one convenient location. Northern , with the famous Mt. Warning looming in the distance.

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND MAKING MEMORIES Transport Seamless accessibility is all yours with a city that gives you metropolitan infrastructure with boutique city benefits. With smooth connectivity from two international airports, train and light rail services backed up by an abundance of transfer options, you’ll find getting just about anywhere is a breeze.

TWO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS Gold Coast International Airport: 30 minute drive to Surfers Paradise Brisbane International Airport: 60 minute drive to Surfers Paradise

TRAIN AND LIGHT RAIL SERVICES Connecting train journey from Brisbane Airport into Gold Coast city centre. Find out more at airtrain.com.au Gold Coast light rail (G:Link) 19 major stops around the Gold Coast with frequent services running 7 days per week. The go explore card is designed for use on Translink bus, train and tram services with multiple day passes available. Find out more at translink.com.au

TRANSFERS AND CAR HIRE You’ll find every mode of transport you’ll need on the Gold Coast with coaches, buses, luxury transfers, taxis and Uber options easily arranged. With hotels and venues in close proximity to restaurants, activities and the beach, it’s a compact city that invites you to live like a local and readily explore what’s on offer.

For more transport information and holiday inspiration, visit destinationgoldcoast.com

AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND