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Date: April 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
From Currumbin to Cabarita Beach in northern New South Wales lies one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Australia.
Spend a few days on the southern Gold Coast, and it's not hard to see why it's a favourite with the locals. Here the beaches are quieter, the swimming safe and it's just a few kilometres to the World Heritage listed Mt Warning National Park and surrounding dramatic volcanic landscapes.
Our base for some leisurely exploring was the Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort right opposite the beach. The resort is located on the only north facing beach on the Coast, which stays sunny all day. Four beaches - Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay - are all within easy walking distance.
The resort offers one, two and three bedroom fully self-contained apartments. Best budget options are the caravan parks, many within a short stroll of the beach. The Kirra Holiday Park has 190 sites, as well as camping and cabins, a swimming pool and kiosk. There are also motels and self-contained units along the coastal stretch, just contact the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau for information on all the available options.
The other essential for a great weekend getaway is good food, and you won't be disappointed with the array of cafes and restaurants. The surf lifesaving clubs also offer great value meals. We spent a lazy afternoon watching the dolphins and surfers over a cold beer on the verandah of the Rainbow Bay surf club. There are also plenty of free gas barbecues on the beachfront, just around the corner from the club.
We left the car behind and opted for peddle power, hiring bikes from Kirra Cycles.
It's a great way to explore the gently curving stretches of coastline, stopping
for an ice cream or two, along the way. Kirra Cycles has tandems and single
bikes for hire.
You don't need to stay close to the beach. The Hanging Rock Chalets at
Currumbin offer a wonderful alternative, cradled in the hinterland rainforest
bordering Hanging Rock, a large rock monolith. Perched on stilts to maximise views,
the chalets are either one or two bedrooms, fully self-contained with ensuite
bathrooms.
Owners Dave and Agnes Tardent are gracious hosts, leaving personal touches of books and a complimentary nibbles basket of cheese, biscuits, tuna, juice and coffee in your room. The chalets have been awarded EcoCertification, and Dave and Agnes will happily arrange activities designed to bring you up close to the wonders of the rainforest. Activities include nearby Tally Park for horseriding, four wheel driving and bushwalking, and there are three golf courses within a 15 minute radius.
The nearby Mount Cougal National Park is small but also good for families
in summer. The 800 square metre park is filled with cascades that make perfect
rock slides.
If you're ready to take the plunge, Tandem Sky Dive offers sky diving and
tandem jumps from Coolangatta Airport. From here, daily flights take off for Fraser
Island and the Great Barrier Reef with Sea Air.
For more information:
Gold Coast Tourism
Tel +61 7 5592 2699
Kirra Cycles
Tel +61 7 5599 4191
Hanging Rock Chalets
Tel +61 7 5533 0327
Tally Park
Tel +61 7 5533 9180
Tandem Sky Dive - Coolangatta Airport
Tel +61 7 5599 1920
Sea Air - Coolangatta Airport
Tel +61 7 5599 4509
- By Sue Fuller
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