Gold Coast and Hinterland

Gold Coast Qld (Pop 550 000)

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. Located in SE Qld about 100 km south of Brisbane, it stretches from LoganCity (north) to Coolangatta (south) on the NSW border, a distance of about 70 km. The region is famous for its surfing beaches, high-rise skyline, nightlife, shopping and endless tourist attractions. European settlement began in mid 1800s with cedar cutters and later Southport developed into a secluded holiday destination for affluent Brisbane residents. The name ‘Gold Coast’ is thought to have been coined by journalists and real estate developers to describe this vastly growing tourist region. The suburbs of Southport and Surfers Paradise form the Gold Coast’s commercial centre. Formerly wetlands and swamps, the land between the coastal strip and hinterland have been transformed into man-made waterways and artificial islands. They comprise an area more than 9 times that of Venice (Italy) and are populated by upmarket homes. Property services, retail, construction, finance & insurance, education, business services and entertainment (including a growing film production industry) also play a vital role in the area’s economy. Annual events and festivals include: Magic Millions Racing Carnival (Jan), Blues Music Festival (May),Wintersun Festival (June), Gold Coast Marathon (July), Gold Coast Show (Aug), Indy 300 (Oct), Australian Music Week (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
There is almost 60 km of coastline with many famous surfing and swimming beaches including Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Miami, Burleigh Beach, Palm Beach, Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount & South Stradbroke Island. Of the 860 km of inland tidal beaches, Southport, Budds Beach, Currumbin Alley, Jabiru Island, Paradise Point & Santa Barbara are some of the more popular. Meter Maids, dressed in bikinis, have been a special part of the Gold Coast since 1965. To avoid tourists receiving parking fines, they dispense coins into parking meters and leave a calling card on the vehicle.

Nearby:
Gold Coast Hinterland includes Tamborine Mountain (36 km n-w) a 560 m plateau sitting on the Darlington Range. The district abounds with cute villages full of cafes, craft & specialty shops and galleries. Tamborine NP comprises cliffs, rocky outcrops, waterfalls and rainforests with many walking trails and superb views. Green Mountains, Lamington NP (73 km s-w) amazing World Heritage park of outstanding geological features, waterfalls, wildlife, rare and threatened rainforests and walking tracks with many scenic lookouts.

Visitor Information Centres: Cavill Walk, Surfers Paradise. Tel (07) 5538 4419 or Shop 14b, Coolangatta Pl, cnr Griffith & Warner Sts, Coolangatta. Tel (07) 5536 7765. 
 
Gold Coast Hinterland

A world away from the bustling Gold Coast, lay the superb natural landscapes of the hinterland. Tropical rainforests, strange rock formations and waterfalls located within the numerous national parks of the McPherson Range together with some larger towns (Mudgeeraba, Nerang) and many smaller ones such as those of Tamborine Mountain. Wildlife and birdlife is proficient here and the important Nerang River plays an integral role in the dairy, sugar & cotton industries. The Mount Tambourine area is awash with inviting cafes, restaurants, gift shops, art galleries and boutique style accommodation.

Gold Coast - Other Towns:

Carrara, Tugun, Kirra.