The South East corner of the state would have to be the busiest section of coastline in the country. It includes the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Sunshine Coast
Noosa Heads is the main town and is situated on the southern shore of Luguna Bay and on the far
western side of Noosa Headland. The area has a small population but caters for 250,000
holiday makers a year.
Noosa Heads sub-tropical climate is tempered by the ocean so it is
never blazingly hot and rarely cold enough to demand more than a
light sweater. The average annual rainfall is 1709mm and
lightning storms are common in the summer months. The temperatures are
mild to hot ranging from 17 to 28°C in the height of Summer and 7 to
22°C in Winter.
Gold Coast Top 10 things to do on the Gold Coast Whether you're a local or just here for
a visit, make sure you fit these into your agenda to get a real taste
and feel of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
View from Q1 - It
is the tallest residential building in the world and the views up and
down the coast or back towards the hills are sensational. You might
even spot a whale frolicking in the Pacific Ocean as you gaze from the
78th floor wall-to-roof windows.
Dawn parade - Join the
hundreds of hardy souls who walk the sand highway every morning. The
kilometres of white sandy beaches of the Gold Coast make the perfect
place for a morning walk or jog. Go alone and enjoy the sunrise over
the water or take a friend and share the crisp, clean morning air.
Crab sandwich - OK,
we're sharing a local secret here. The fresh crab sandwiches at the
kiosk at the end of The Spit are a Gold Coast special. Take a few
moments longer and walk out along the sand pumping jetty just next door
and feel the waves crashing underneath you as the jetty stretches out
into the ocean.
Pac Fair shopping - Hundreds of
busloads of tourists can't be wrong and they head to Pacific Fair (Pac
Fair to the locals) every week. It is an all-day shopping experience
with acres of retail therapy beckoning.
Place a bet - Nothing
beats a day at the races and the horses run every Saturday afternoon at
the Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall. But you can also have a bet at any
hotel featuring the "PubTAB" sign. Yes, anyone over 18 can buy a beer,
fill in a betting card, pay over the bar and watch your horse on the
pub TV in the corner. It's an Aussie specialty.
Picnic in the park - Pack
your sausages, bread, a few drinks and a frisbee and head to one of the
Gold Coast's top class parks for a barbecue and picnic. Parks like
Rosser Park, Cascade Gardens and Macintosh Island have plenty of open
space, shade, free electric barbecues, toilets and town water.
Cruise the Broadwater - Grab
a cruise or rent a boat and head around the Broadwater for a few hours.
You can’t beat it at sundown and marvel at the yachts moored at
Southport. Another unique experience is buying a few refreshments from
the floating shop that does the rounds.
Walk the Burleigh Hill - You
can't get much better than this. Walk through the lush rainforest
remnant that is Burleigh National Park, spot the scrub turkeys and
birdlife, as you round the headland and return to the picnic area with
breathtaking views back towards Surfers Paradise.
Learn to Surf - Whether
you're six or 60, if you are on the Gold Coast, you have to have a go
at surfing. There are plenty of schools to choose from and most will
promise to get you upright and riding in a day. Go on, do it, imagine
the home video once it's over.
Enjoy a day spa - After
getting through that nine, you will need an ultimate relaxation
package. The Gold Coast has world-class day spas offering everything
from hot rock massage to mud-pack facials. Make the time, spend the
money and let your body and soul be nourished.
Brisbane Brisbane is the capital and most populous city of Queensland, as well as the third largest city in Australia. It is set close to the Pacific Ocean, and is situated beside the Brisbane River on plains between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Queensland.
When people visit Brisbane, where are the "must-see" places? Where are the places that give tourists a memorable view, an insight into our city, our history and our people?
Our top picks in no particular order are:
* Mt Coot-tha Lookout * South Bank * Cultural Centre * Lone Pine * A trip on the river * Moreton Bay * City Botanic Gardens * Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens * Roma Street Parkland * Story Bridge
