Mermaid Waters

Once little more than a weekend surfing and fishing retreat for Brisbanites, the Gold Coast has come quite a way since a couple of entrepreneurs sat down in the 1960s and planned a canal resort on one of the finest stretches of golden beaches in the land.

Today the Gold Coast is a vibrant city of 400,000, a surf, sun and rainforest mecca for tourists from all over the world. It conjures up different images for different people, but whether you adore it or detest it, you can't ignore it. From its nightclubs to its beaches, from its towering apartment buildings to soaring rainforest, from its myriad golf courses to its theme parks, the Gold Coast is brash, it's young and it's exciting.

A major arterial road also links Broadbeach to Nerang and the rainforest rich hinterland. The entire Gold Coast-Tweed region is a haven for game, reef, beach, estuary and freshwater fishing.

Things to do

Conrad Jupiters Casino - have a win, see a show or eat out in one of the 5 restaurants

Scenic Flights - over the Gold Coast in a Tiger Moth plane

Swimming & Water Sports - at any of the beautiful beaches

Restaurants and Nightlife - loads of shopping, restaurants, cafes and clubs

Visitors Centre - Cavill Walk, Surfers Paradise

In the area:

Surfers Paradise - is 3 kms away

Gold Coast Theme Parks - Movie World, Wet "n" Wild, Dreamworld and Sea World,

Gold Coast Hinterland - tropical rainforests, waterfalls, wildlife, rock formations, bushwalking and National Park

Find out more about Queensland"s Gold Coast.

Looking for the best attractions? Head to our Top Spots for all the very best things to see and do on the Gold Coast.