Beaches., Gold Coast

Favorite thing: This iconic spot on the Gold Coast is often pictured with crisp waves and subtle offshore breezes and a top surfer cranking down the line. Of course, fans of mine will know that you don't always get the obvious in my pages.

Fondest memory: Thus it was that I went down to get a snap of Burleigh on my way back to Newcastle and found exactly what you see here - onshore winds, no swell and some sort of renovation playing havoc with the beach. As always with life, expect the unexpected, that way you'll never be disappointed.
Burleigh does have many good days but, on summer afternoons, you can count them on one hand. This is what you're more likely to get.
Having said all that, it's still a nice beach and is backed by plenty of cafes and shops with accommodation as far as the eye can see along the coast.

Favorite thing: It's a fair bet that one of the things you'll do is go to the beach while you're on the Gold Coast. That is, after all, the reason the whole place started.

Fondest memory: When I first came up here from Newcastle it was basically Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise. My first trip also co-incided with the commencement of the never-ceasing boom and the sprawl of development that seeks to swallow up every last bit of land in the area, sometimes with little thought of the environment.
I can recall a time when there was a warning sign about koalas crossing near Currumbin. Of course, they never had a chance. They only ones you'll see here now are in a zoo. Once you rip the habitat out it's bye, bye animals.
The lasting thing is the beaches, but even that has changed. What used to be three breaks at Snapper Rocks, Coolongatta and Kirra is now just one when the big swells roll in as tonnes of sand and some flawed development have seen the beach change shape forever.......................until man decides to change it again.
This particular photo is of North Burleigh or Miami, take your pick, they're so close they overlap. It just happens to be my grandaughter in the snap on a day when I had my first surf of the year and had my first day at the beach with her.

Favorite thing: Just sticking another pix up of Hastings Point for emphasis haha. This is the best local tip you'll get of the Gold Coast. Hastings Point is south of the border along the coast road past Kingscliff and Cabaritta. Don't blink or you might miss it is small. But you probably will not miss the lovely sight of Hastings Point lagoon as you pass over a bridge. Anyway, here's a pic from one of the houses up on the hill overlooking the ocean.

Favorite thing: The Gold Coast has a number of theme parks, as well as many other attractions, Beaches, Bushland, Sanctuary Cove..
It is also in the vicinity of several other towns/cities, that can easily be visited on a day trip. Brisbane and Tweed Heads are definitely worth a visit.

Fondest memory: Everything about the Gold Coast region is beautiful, especially the climate.

Favorite thing: The beautiful beach at the Gold Coast...ahhh... We got to this beach too early in the morning to go swimming so instead we just went for a long walk...there were many other joggers and walkers out also. It's a great way to spend the early morning hours...

Favorite thing: The beach, the atmosphere, to total relaxation of it all.

Some useful websites for the Gold Coast are:

http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com
http://www.coastwatch.com
http://www.wotson.com.au/

Fondest memory: White sand beaches, clear water, rolling surf, rocky hinterlands, swimming, snorkelling, beach barbecues....a typical Queensland summer....

Favorite thing: 'Sun, surf and sand'. Gold Coast is one of the top ten beaches in the world and also the top tourist destination in Australia. Famous for its stunning beaches, subtropical rainforest and great entertainment options.

Fondest memory: The excellent atmosphere here keeps the city lively and spirited all the time. Just enjoy yourself!

Favorite thing: The beaches are great, even in mid-winter people are still swimming and surfing.The climate is fantastic, the water was so clear that I could see through the waves.

Fondest memory: Coolangatta, where we spent a couple of days. It is about 15 minutes drive from Surfers but has a totally different feel to it.It seems more laid back and relaxed (if that is possible) and not as 'touristy'.