Experience the Great Outdoors on the Gold Coast

By MiNDFOOD

Experience the Great Outdoors on the Gold Coast
Sand, sunshine and smiling faces. Everyone knows the Gold Coast is where to find all three in abundance. But this impressive city is also home to an array of exhilarating hikes and stunning landscapes not to be missed.

Holidays on the Gold Coast can be whatever your heart desires. There’s much more to this stunning city than the incredible food, shopping and arts scene, with amazing beaches, exhilarating hikes and breathtaking views. Lace up your hiking boots and experience the best that this diverse area has to offer. Try these top five tips from House of Travel to get the most out of your stay.

Explore the rainforest

Get back to nature just a short drive from the city.

The Gold Coast hinterland is less than an hour’s drive from the coast and has a variety of nature retreats to explore between Mount Tamborine and Lamington National Park. Take your pick of experiences that let you walk high above the rainforest floor through branches or, for real thrill seekers, get bird’s-eye views by launching yourself off a mountainside on a tandem hang-gliding flight.

Hit the beach

The Gold Coast is known for its dazzling beaches.

There’s little the Gold Coast’s famed golden beaches lack by way of entertainment, with activities from trampoline parks and parasailing to theme parks aplenty. Whether you are wanting to surf, swim or simply stroll along the sand you won’t be disappointed. For a relaxed evening, take a picnic down to the shore and watch the sun set.

Enjoy a scenic drive 

Hit the road and take in the sights.

If you’re looking for a quick day trip to get the sand out from between your toes, pack a picnic and head towards the rainforest of Currumbin Valley. No more than a 45-minute drive from any spot on the coast, you can take a dip at the Currumbin Rock Pools natural swimming hole or simply enjoy the scenic drive through to the Springbrook National Park. Stop by the espresso bar at Portside Coffee, Currumbin Waters on the way for one of the best coffees on the coast.

Stay beachside

One way to truly experience the Gold Coast is to trade the high-rises of Surfers Paradise for waking up to the casual vibes of the surf villages to the south. And flying directly to Gold Coast Airport will put you less than a 25-minute drive from these world-class beaches. For an unforgettable coastal experience, Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh at Burleigh Heads combines the privacy of a stylish, boutique apartment with the luxury of ocean views. Complete with every modern necessity, the two- and three-bedroom apartments place you right in the heart of coastal living at its best, including being just a 200-metre stroll from two must-visit restaurants, The Fishhouse and Rick Shores.

Chase waterfalls

There are dozens of beautiful waterfalls in the Gold Coast hinterland, including the Curtis Falls in Tamborine National Park.

Keen hiker? Great Aussie bushwalks with picturesque waterfalls are bountiful on the Gold Coast. Take your pick from the range of hinterland hikes, including the all-abilities Cedar Creek Falls track and the more challenging Cedar Creek Falls Rock Pools with waterfalls. For the more advanced hiker, Witches Falls winds through dense sections of tumbling rainforest, as well as the namesake waterfall, and a challenging terrain of boulders and tree roots.

Talk to House of Travel today to start planning your holiday. Call 0800 713 715, drop into your local House of Travel store or click on hot.co.nz.

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