Australia’s Brilliant Gold Coast

December 3rd, 2009 | Author: Damian Papworth

Gold Coast Burleigh Heads

The easternmost portion of Australia’s coastline is an area of abundant natural wonders and attractions, with many of the top-rated beaches on the continent, and worldwide, too. The Gold Coast surely stands out as one of the most frequented and spectacular places to visit on the eastern edge of Australia, and anywhere in the country at that. For many different, worthy reasons the whole Gold Coast area stands out as an alluring destination spot.

The slender stretch of shoreline and the hinterland that make up the larger Gold Coast area are nestled in the southeastern portion of the Australian state of Queensland, not a far trip heading south from the state capital, Brisbane. Mostly thanks to the incredible attractiveness of the Gold Coast, the city itself happens to be the largest non-capital city in the country.

The area blends the extremes of urban, modern life on the one hand and pristine ecological settings on the other hand like no other place on the planet. The most developed portion of Gold Coast City, sitting right on the waterfront on a sand bar, is brimming with high-rises and all of the luxuries and comforts of modern life; then, the areas farther inland as well as the beaches farther from downtown, including the rainforest area in the Gold Coast hinterland, provide the ideal sanctuary for nature lovers, picnickers, and just about anybody looking to get away from the bustle of life in the center.

One of the truly unique features of the Gold Coast would have to be the intricate web of artifical waterways that were brilliantly carved out of the natural marshland that originally covered the area. All told, these canals are more than nine times longer than the famed Venetian canals…quite a lot. As a result, there are a ton of properties that sit right on the water’s edge, even though they may not be oceanfront properties, only reinforcing the allure of staying here.

One of the big claims to fame that the Gold Coast has is its status as a mecca for surfers, and it is definitely among the most select surf destinations in the country and in the entire world. At the top of the list of the many spots along the Gold Coast’s more than 35 miles of shoreline are the beaches at Kirra, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Surfers Paradise. The waves here are nothing short of ideal at many times of the year, with another impressive tube about to roll on through at any moment.

Given the excellent beach conditions and the temptation to take a dip experienced by everybody, there is a professional and extremely competent Shark Control Program carried out by the state government, and it is credited with sparing beachgoers from shark attacks since the late’50s…an eternity! Under the watchful gaze of these professionals, tourists and locals alike can take a dip without cause for concern.

Local favorite spots include such buildings as the Q1 tower, a looming edifice with the second-tallest observation deck in the southern hemisphere, giving a privileged perspective from over 750 feet in the air in all directions. Another landmark, located in the Gold Coast hinterland, is the Lamington National Park, listed by the UN to be a World Heritage Site due to its biodiversity and beauty. Finally, practically every slice of beach happens to be a landmark of its own.

In sum, this is a place with a little something for everybody, and a whole lot more, too! Apparently the 10 million annual tourists that visit the Gold Coast think that way as well, with many of them being Australians themselves…real evidence that this destination is one you can’t afford to miss out on.

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