Whether you prefer exciting outings in the city or a more relaxed pace in the countryside, Australia’s Gold Cost caters to your dream holiday.
THE Gold Coast is more than just a mega playground consisting of high-rise buildings, theme parks and surfing beaches. Aside from the famed attractions, you can expect a completely different world of adventure that will leave you in awe and hungry for more.
With a spectacular hinterland less than an hour’s drive from the gorgeous beaches, you can double the adventure fun in one day. And that’s double the pleasure.
Flying high in the sky
City adventure: Jetpacking
The hottest and latest craze on the Gold Coast is jetpacking. whereby you are suited up with a water-powered jetpack on your back. It will propel you upwards, allowing you to “fly” in the sky. This 15-minute flight is a truly unique and exhilarating experience, not to mention you get to enjoy spectacular views of the Gold Coast.
Hinterland adventure: Hot air balloon ride
Discover a whole new sense of peace on a hot air balloon ride. Enjoy the tranquillity of a quiet morning and crisp freshness of the air. The Gold Coast and its surrounding hinterland take on a different perspective from a bird’s eye view. Catch kangaroos hopping in search of breakfast and cattle grazing whilst the light changes as the sun rises over the hinterland. Before you know it, it’s time to land. Help the pilot pack up the balloon before heading off for a sumptuous champagne breakfast.
Living on the edge
City adventure: Skypoint twilight climb
Walk onto a platform that sits 270m above the sea where you can climb almost 300 steps up to the summit of the Q1 skyscraper. From the top of the Gold Coast’s tallest residential tower, you may chance upon a spectacular sunset over the hinterland and enjoy 360° views of the region. Rest easy, you’re securely fastened to the railing and accompanied by an experienced guide. If you’re vertically challenged, you can enjoy similar but less exciting experiences from inside the Observation Deck.
Hinterland adventure: Tamborine rainforest skywalk
About 50 minutes’ drive from the heart of the Gold Coast, you will discover the Tamborine rainforest with a skywalk through the forest canopy. The walk begins on a spectacular elevated walkway through the middle and upper canopies of the forest. Enjoy views of rock pools and the creek below before reaching the highlight of the walk – a cantilever 30m high and 40m long – from where you have views across the creek and rainforest canopies. Finish your walk at the Rainforest Eco Gallery.
Riding ’em wild
City adventure: Jetboating
This action-packed, high-speed boat ride is a thrilling combination of a theme park thrill ride and a waterpark slide ride, and more. Hold on tightly when the jetboat is free from cruising limits. Prepare for a wet, wild ride, with heart-stopping 360° spins, drifts and stops. You will be absolutely drenched!
Along the way, you get to savour great views of Gold Coast Broadwater and check out the waterfront homes of millionaires. You may even spot a wallaby or two hopping on the beaches.
Hinterland adventure: Segway safari tour
City slickers can join a Segway Safari Tour at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to explore the rich biodiversity of Lamington National Park, 930m above sea level. Virtually silent and with zero emissions, you will naturally become one with the rainforest. Tour the rainforest, an old dairy farm, through a creek crossing, back into the rainforest and then into a eucalyptus forest for some spectacular views of Morans Falls and the Great Dividing Range.
Typically Aussie
City adventure: Theme park fun
There is no denying that the Gold Coast is Australia’s theme park capital. Spend your day swimming with a dolphin or see baby polar bear Henry at Sea World. Why not meet your favourite superhero at Warner Bros’ Movie World or have a photo taken with a 180kg tiger at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island? Maybe tackle the big eight thrill rides at Dreamworld, or be introduced to the iconic Aussie horseman at the Australian Outback Spectacular
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(www.themeparkcapital.com.au)
Hinterland adventure: 4WD Aussie outdoor experience
For a truly Aussie experience, go on a full-day guided 4WD safari with Southern Cross 4WD Tour through eucalyptus forests. You could get lucky and spot some koalas and kangaroos. Hike through the rainforest to get up-close with the flora and fauna, and see some grand waterfalls. Tuck into an authentic Aussie BBQ lunch, and try your hand at cracking a whip and launching a boomerang. Stop by Gallery Walk at Mount Tamborine for lovely arts and crafts shops, followed by bird-feeding at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
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www.sc4wd.com.au)
http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Oceania/2014/04/24/Gold-Coast-adventures/
