The Gold Coast

[Webster]

As some of you may be aware, I will be on the Gold Coast for a couple of weeks (with the family) from May 20. We are staying at Southport on the Broadwater. Havent been to the GC for a few years so looking for some local advice.

Apart from the usual theme park things, what else can you locals suggest for us to fill in the days? Thanks to a very kind gesture from Moe we have some passes to Dreamworld, but I'm also looking for other options on how to entertain the missus and two kids under 6 during the days. The better I can manage this, the more chance I have to sneak out for a hit or three as well.

I guess what I'm looking for is kid friendly things that may be a bit off the radar. Getting around is no problem as we will have a car for a few days or we can use the buses etc. Would appreciate any advice from the locals.

Cheers, Jack.

[AndyP]

You might want to go have a look at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. I haven't been there myself, but was thinking about it last week and ended up going somewhere else.

[markTHEblake]

I like this place http://www.courancove.com.au/ great spot to get away from the cesspool of surfers paradise. You can head over for a day trip, hire some bikes (or golf carts) and wander around. You may recall that Collingwood spent a day or two there last year or so.

When you get to your hotel you will find this little discount voucher book of about 90 pages, that will have every possible tourist spot you can think of.

I'll ask my kids, they will know better then me any other spots.

[Jarro]

Seaworld, MovieWorld would be two more things you could try.

[Moe Norman]

cable ski world is fun, but i think your kids might be a bit small.

could travel to brisbane and do the story bridge climb - about 2 hours drive and you can go see Steve Irwin if your kids are keen.

i've just come back from a weekend at Sanctuary Cove and there is a massive boat show on over the next couple of weeks.

Seaworld is a must with the kids, even though you're also going to dreamworld - I'll see if i can work some angles on that too.

i'm sure there are more, ask on msn when my brain doesn't hurt.

[goughy]

Last time we stayed at nara we pretty much did our whole xmas shop at habour town. Was fantastic.

A must for the missus.

[terryand]

Jack,a good tip if you are going to Dreamworld.Get to Tiger Island a good half an hour before the show starts, so you can get the kids right on the fence as it is not a great viewing area(particularly for little ones).

Terry.

[Courty]

Gold Coast = Jupiters. :twisted:

[markTHEblake]

trying to avoid blowing me own horn here, but Emerald Lakes has great cheap meals every evening, and a pretty good setting, live music etc plus if there is a Mini Golf course (as good as any in the surfers strip) for the kids to have fun.

I've often taken the missus and sent the kids off on their own, with a bit of luck they come back without any injuries.

[Fishman Dan]

Jack - remember you're only a couple of hours from the Beef Capital! The missus'n'kids would sure love a steak as big as your head at the Clydesdale.

[BrisWesty]

Macadamia Castle (just north of Ballina) is worth a few hours if you want to break the drive.

[macleod]

you and the fam like hiking?

get up to the hinterland and either Lamington or Springbrook, it's awesome.

or take the trip up to Tamborine, some winery time, good pasties, short bush walks, thunderegg farm (victoria still wins in terms of bakery lunches though....that's why i want toi live down there forever...)

[Fishman Dan]

... not to mention the mini-train that rings Casino GC. They can wave to you as they ride the mini-rail around the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th holes.

Keep them busy for 20 minutes anyway. Other than that they can go and buy a Coraki handbag and sit under a tree sipping chardonnay with the locals.

[Webster]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

We will prob hire a car for at least 4-5 days as well, so if anyone has any suggestions on good deals I'd appreciate it.

Cheers, Jack.

[Flowergirl]

You could go to the beach :)

[Jarro]

You could go to the beach :)

he's a Victorian .. the sun would probably kill him :roll:

[Webster]

vicious rumour mate

[Fishman Dan]

You know if that's the case, i don't want to read either of your entries in "What did you shoot today"

[Moe Norman]

your reliable source is on drugs, the kind of drugs that make you trip over an drop your putter in a tour event.