When many New Zealanders think of a family-friendly getaway, the Gold Coast is likely to place high on their list.
A mere three-hour flight later and you and the kids are in a Surfers Paradise, flush with beaches, bars and boutique accommodation - and theme parks. Lots of theme parks.
It's a holiday hotspot where the skyline meets the sea, offering the best of both worlds (plus Sea World, Dreamworld, and WhiteWater World): where naughty nightlife and billboards for boob jobs meet beach-bum culture, and city-slicker gym bros suddenly morph into straggly-haired surfers.
For a long time, the Gold Coast's target demographic has been neatly split between party-goers and families, with a reputation that precedes it: seasoned travellers would look down their noses, dismissing it as a gaudy resort destination, while young people eyed up its vibrant nightlife, warm climate and coastal-cum-city lifestyle.
Yet there's more to the theme park capital than meets the eye. In 2023, the GC is emerging as a new-and-improved destination for a stylish sojourn, with the all-important mixture of culture, good food, unique experiences and trendy hotels - and of course, sun, sand and surf.
On a recent press trip with the marketing non-profit Destination Gold Coast, I was lucky enough to get a taste of the GC in all its glory, with an itinerary that showed off the best of the region. Ahead of my trip, I wondered whether my preconceptions would be changed, and what it would have to offer a risk-averse, indoorsy type who counts shopping as cardio with her club-hopping days long behind her. As I found out, the Gold Coast isn't just amusement parks, and I ventured home with a yearning to go back.
Here are three of my must-do's for your next trip to the Gold Coast.
Verandah House Country Estate
After arriving at the airport, I was whisked off to the rolling hills of the Hinterland, the landscape melting from golden sands to green forests. A short drive from the city lights of Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast Hinterland is where Gondwana Rainforest mingles with quaint country villages, with a treasure trove of hidden gems and local producers settled among the valleys and mountain ranges. It's here you'll find the Verandah House Country Estate, a charming and idyllic retreat situated atop Tamborine Mountain with panoramic views of the terrain and Gold Coast skyline. I was lucky enough to spend my first night in the estate's stunning shabby-chic suites and I cannot recommend this little haven highly enough.
Complete with an outdoor spa bath, magnesium pool, day spa (think reiki, reflexology and massages), infrared sauna and spacious grounds, the newly refurbished estate is the perfect place for a cosy and romantic getaway. There's opportunity for mixing and mingling, with a communal kitchen and fire pit, but there's also plenty of space for peace, quiet and R&R.
Judy, the retreat's co-owner and an interior designer, is also always around for a chat. She and her husband live on-site and are happy to help at the drop of a hat. Their personable and accommodating service makes you feel immediately at home: as a coeliac, I was taken aback by the spread of beautiful gluten-free offerings at the buffet breakfast, from breads to cereals, to make sure I was taken care of. There's thoughtful touches throughout, from the complimentary snacks in your suite to marshmallows by the fire at night.
As an interior designer, Judy has also done an immaculate job at decorating the eight suites on offer, featuring a classically rustic country aesthetic with luxury furnishings and stylish touches. Each suite features a bespoke, individually designed interior, with custom French oak furniture crafted by local artisans, custom king beds and Ralph Lauren soft furnishings. There's lit candles, curated coffee-table books, chic prints and stunning colour palettes. With Terrace Suites, Verandah Suites and the luxury Estate Suite to choose from, each room features a kitchenette and lounge as well as its very own fireplace.
That first night, we sat and enjoyed a cheese board by the communal fire pit and watched the sun set over the Scenic Rim: just watch out for any creepy-crawlies. A spider did end up on the wine, which we believed was a guardian sent by the land's ancestors; but for the breathtaking views, it was absolutely worth it.
Address: 13 Munro Ct, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272, Australia.
Treetop Challenge Canyon Flyer Zipline
If you're a bit of a thrill-seeker (but not within the confines of a theme park), you should make a point of stopping by TreeTop Challenge on your next Gold Coast excursion. Located within the dense foliage of Tamborine Mountain, it's here you will find Australia's largest, highest and fastest guided zipline tour, where you can soar across an open canyon, through the forest and high above its canopy at adrenaline-pumping speeds. I'm no adrenaline junkie, but even I felt confident enough to meet the challenge head-on - or I guess, feet first.
With seven ziplines totalling 1.4 km, this challenge is perhaps not for the faint of heart (you reach speeds of up to 70 km/h) or those who are deathly afraid of heights (you will be suspended more than 70m above the canyon). That aside, this activity is great fun for couples, friends, families, or even the solo adventurer, such as myself. You are taken into the trees in groups of up to 10 guests, plus two cheeky guides. We were lucky enough to have the waggish Blair and Harrison as our charismatic commanders-in-chief, who guided the group through the series of ziplines as a rip-roaring comedy duo. With plenty of banter - and experience - between them, we all felt we were in safe hands.
If you have a phobia of heights, this may not be the activity for you: but if your fear is conquerable, I'd strongly urge you to give it a go. This is a very safe activity where you're guided by experienced zipliners, so if you're wanting to fight your fear, this is a great place to do it. The guides are encouraging, patient and will push you to get outside your comfort zone, but if you can't quite bring yourself to step off the platform, no one will force you.
While this is good fun and a real thrill, it's also worth noting how stunning the scenery is: once you've got past the initial shock of soaring through the air in a harness, try and take in your surroundings. There are views you will struggle to find anywhere else: located on the banks of Cedar Creek, these ancient rainforests are among the oldest in Australia.
As an overview, the tour starts with an off-road 4WD experience as the guides transport you from the reception to the beginning of the adventure (for God's sake, hold on). The first four ziplines focus on gaining your confidence, with incredible heights and progressively faster speeds. The last three are about challenging yourself with your newfound aplomb: the guides will show you how to go upside-down, backwards, or 'cannon ball'. Even I challenged myself to go upside down and 'cannon ball' for extra speed, which resulted in my screaming several profanities in the presence of children.
While TreeTop Challenge has other activities on offer that do require some level of fitness, there are no tough or technical elements in the Canyon Flyer and no prior experience is required, which makes it suitable for most.
Address: CNR Tamborine Mtn Rd & Cedar Creek Falls Rd, North Tamborine QLD 4272, Australia.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Koala Breakfast
I've been taken out to dinner by some animals in my lifetime, but never had I been treated to breakfast with a koala. If you enjoy up-close-and-personal wildlife encounters or have a soft spot for cuddly critters, this is an experience for you. The wildlife sanctuary is located in coastal Currumbin, a township where the surf is big, the hair is long and white linen is always on-trend. It's here you can enjoy a tasty breakfast with a view of these iconic Australian animals. Situated right next to the enclosure, you get to observe the koalas while sipping coffee as the experienced keepers transport a furry friend around the tables for a meet-and-greet.
Before anyone starts clutching their pearls and ranting about animal cruelty or exploitation, let's go through some facts. Under Queensland law, koalas are only allowed to 'work' for a maximum of 30 minutes a day, three days in a row, with the fourth day off. The keepers only pick up a koala that is docile and comfortable being held, and if they show any signs of stress or start kicking up a fuss, there are trees (like chill-out zones) around the breakfast area where the keepers will place them. The staff are trained to recognise their body language, so will instantly know if the star isn't quite up to socialising that day. Plus, the keepers are clearly besotted (who wouldn't be?), with the koalas' welfare their first priority.
This unique experience is also a great opportunity to learn more about these Aussie icons. As you enjoy your eggs or tuck into toast, the knowledgeable keepers share interesting insights into the marsupials, including facts about their adaptations, diet and reproduction, as well as the sanctuary's conservation projects to help support and protect this endangered native species. There's also an opportunity for guests to enter the enclosure for a short period before breakfast is served, where you can watch the koalas interact, snooze and occasionally, be quite the sasspots. One of the females was in estrus during my visit and according to the keeper, didn't quite know how to cope with her surging hormones, so resorted to being "sassy" with her handlers. Girl, we get it.
Also included in the experience is a photo opp with a koala, taken by the site's professional photographer. Unlike at most zoos or tourist attractions where you're charged a small fortune for the snap, the photo itself is included in your package. A keeper will help you hold a koala for the money shot (they're surprisingly heavy), so a cuddle is also part of the deal.
After breakfast, you're able to explore the sanctuary at your leisure. There's free shows to see and plenty of animals to observe, including kangaroos and wallabies, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, wombats, emus, red pandas and capybaras. It's a well-signed and well-maintained sanctuary, plus the early-morning entry means you're there before the crowds, guaranteeing you the best viewing spots at the enclosures. There's also an on-site cafe if you need a quick ice-cream or coffee before continuing with your day: the beautiful Currumbin Beach is just a stone's throw from the sanctuary, so make sure to stretch your legs on the sand after.
Address: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223, Australia.
Lana Andelane travelled to the Gold Coast as a guest of Destination Gold Coast.
