Jens top tips
Best day trips
Suggested day long excursions to the rainforest hinterland, national parks and amd nearby coastal areas
Great destination to explore the rainforest and hinterland and if you wish do a walk. Take a picnic , leave early (8-9am) and drive to Canungra - a lovely town at the base of the rainforest world heritage area. Take a left turn towards O’reillys rainforest retreat Grab a coffee and check out the wonderful second hand book and vintage clothing store just near the turnoff. Head up the mountain past the Canungra pub and enjoy the scenic spectacular trip up the mountain to O’reillys (about 45 mins). Once you arrive (is the end of the road) park your car and walk along the amazing treetops rainforest suspended walkway - a short easy stroll but with magnificent views of the rai forest canopy - if you are brave climb up the ladder to the two viewing platforms for a once in a lifetime view across the great dividing range national park. If you would like to do a slightly longer walk I highly recommend the morans falls and lookout walk - it leaves from a carparking area about 5 -10 min drive back down the Canungra road - you will see the signs on the left hand side - usually there are other cars parked by the road at this point also . The round trip will take about 2-3 hrs but you walk through true rainforest , see a great waterfall and experience panoramic views out from the escarpment edge - so really worth the effort - the falls is also a great place to enjoy your picnic lunch too . Once you have walked back to your car if you have time zip back to O’reillys picnic area to hand feed the wild parrots as the arvo is usually the best time for this - take some bird seed from the unit to save you having to purchase it . Then head back down the mountain through Canungra and back to surfers - which will take about 1.5 hrs or so .
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Lamington National Park
Great destination to explore the rainforest and hinterland and if you wish do a walk. Take a picnic , leave early (8-9am) and drive to Canungra - a lovely town at the base of the rainforest world heritage area. Take a left turn towards O’reillys rainforest retreat Grab a coffee and check out the wonderful second hand book and vintage clothing store just near the turnoff. Head up the mountain past the Canungra pub and enjoy the scenic spectacular trip up the mountain to O’reillys (about 45 mins). Once you arrive (is the end of the road) park your car and walk along the amazing treetops rainforest suspended walkway - a short easy stroll but with magnificent views of the rai forest canopy - if you are brave climb up the ladder to the two viewing platforms for a once in a lifetime view across the great dividing range national park. If you would like to do a slightly longer walk I highly recommend the morans falls and lookout walk - it leaves from a carparking area about 5 -10 min drive back down the Canungra road - you will see the signs on the left hand side - usually there are other cars parked by the road at this point also . The round trip will take about 2-3 hrs but you walk through true rainforest , see a great waterfall and experience panoramic views out from the escarpment edge - so really worth the effort - the falls is also a great place to enjoy your picnic lunch too . Once you have walked back to your car if you have time zip back to O’reillys picnic area to hand feed the wild parrots as the arvo is usually the best time for this - take some bird seed from the unit to save you having to purchase it . Then head back down the mountain through Canungra and back to surfers - which will take about 1.5 hrs or so .
Is only an hours drive and has a great surf beach, awesome pub and great shops and food places to wander through . Make sure you drive out to Wategos Bay and the lighthouse too. If you have time you can stop off at Bangalow (great hinterland town) fir a coffee on the way there and at Brunswick heads for a beer on the way back (awesone pub ) .
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Byron Bay
Is only an hours drive and has a great surf beach, awesome pub and great shops and food places to wander through . Make sure you drive out to Wategos Bay and the lighthouse too. If you have time you can stop off at Bangalow (great hinterland town) fir a coffee on the way there and at Brunswick heads for a beer on the way back (awesone pub ) .
Not as far as O’reillys but not quite as pristine - recommend you have lunch at the eagle heights pub - fabulous beer garden with panoramic views of the Gold Coast- continue on up the mountain and stop to explore the art galleries and craft shops in Main Street . If you feel like a short (45 mins or less ) the palm valley circuit or witches falls are great and nearby . Come home down the mountain via a different road - follow signs to the ‘best of all lookout’ - a 200 m stroll with best views and ancient trees and then make the steep descent back down to Nerang and back to surfers . (About a1hour drive back)
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Tamborine Mountain
Not as far as O’reillys but not quite as pristine - recommend you have lunch at the eagle heights pub - fabulous beer garden with panoramic views of the Gold Coast- continue on up the mountain and stop to explore the art galleries and craft shops in Main Street . If you feel like a short (45 mins or less ) the palm valley circuit or witches falls are great and nearby . Come home down the mountain via a different road - follow signs to the ‘best of all lookout’ - a 200 m stroll with best views and ancient trees and then make the steep descent back down to Nerang and back to surfers . (About a1hour drive back)
Another great option for proper rainforest - similar to O’reillys and possibly a bit quicker to get to andysualky fewer get people . Make sure you walk the full circuit down to the base of the falls - it is really worth it and a beautiful and varied walk . You can also stop off at natural bridge/natural arch on the way and check out the glow worms and the natural rock arch and swimming area (is very very cold tho!!)
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Καταρράκτης Purling Brook, Εθνικό Πάρκο Springbrook
Forestry RoadAnother great option for proper rainforest - similar to O’reillys and possibly a bit quicker to get to andysualky fewer get people . Make sure you walk the full circuit down to the base of the falls - it is really worth it and a beautiful and varied walk . You can also stop off at natural bridge/natural arch on the way and check out the glow worms and the natural rock arch and swimming area (is very very cold tho!!)
Afternoon half day excursions
Half day nearby things to do if the beach is windy or sun isn’t shiningthe arvo
Circuit walk at Burleigh heads only takes about 40 mins and is a really lovely walk woth voews, beach and coastal rainforest . Drove to Burleigh and park at the national park entry on the headland . After your walk reward yourself. With a. Beer at the Burleigh pavillion which is the building Right on the surf beach near the carpark. Fabulous retro hip vibe - with a visit in its own right . If you are hungry I really recommend Rickshaw restaurant which is underneath the pavilion also right on the water - great food and vibe and mud -upper price range and you will need to book for dinner .
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Σταθμός Εθνικού Πάρκου Burleigh Heads
Goodwin TerraceCircuit walk at Burleigh heads only takes about 40 mins and is a really lovely walk woth voews, beach and coastal rainforest . Drove to Burleigh and park at the national park entry on the headland . After your walk reward yourself. With a. Beer at the Burleigh pavillion which is the building Right on the surf beach near the carpark. Fabulous retro hip vibe - with a visit in its own right . If you are hungry I really recommend Rickshaw restaurant which is underneath the pavilion also right on the water - great food and vibe and mud -upper price range and you will need to book for dinner .
Great spot of wilderness to ride your bike to - head north along the foreshore - cycle past Southport surf club (grab a coffee on way if you want) then keep cycling past mirage resort where the cycle path changes from concrete to gravel . Keep going as far aa you can through the grassland areas until you get to the Seawall and lighthouse . Great spot for a swim and walk out to the lighthouse so you can check out the boats coming in and out of the seaway bar . Take a bottle of wine and enjoy sunset drinks and /or stop pff on way back and get fish and chips or fresh prawns from the seafood co-op near SeaWorld .
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The Star Gold Coast Casino
1 Casino DrGreat spot of wilderness to ride your bike to - head north along the foreshore - cycle past Southport surf club (grab a coffee on way if you want) then keep cycling past mirage resort where the cycle path changes from concrete to gravel . Keep going as far aa you can through the grassland areas until you get to the Seawall and lighthouse . Great spot for a swim and walk out to the lighthouse so you can check out the boats coming in and out of the seaway bar . Take a bottle of wine and enjoy sunset drinks and /or stop pff on way back and get fish and chips or fresh prawns from the seafood co-op near SeaWorld .
This is only 5 mins walk away , not too pricey and actually a whole load of fun for all ages - great family experience . Strike bowling and holey moley are also nearby and are othersimilar options .
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Ατρακτιβότητα του Άπειρου
3240 Surfers Paradise BlvdThis is only 5 mins walk away , not too pricey and actually a whole load of fun for all ages - great family experience . Strike bowling and holey moley are also nearby and are othersimilar options .
Markets
Local markets worth visiting if you are here when they are on
This is the best place for local handcrafted unique items - I love it - also has vintage clothing and food and live music . Runs on the first and third Sunday morning of every month at the Burleigh state school - you can park on the oval or get an Uber down there - worth getting there around 9am (or earlier) as by 11am it is wi ding down.
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The Village Markets
1750 Gold Coast HwyThis is the best place for local handcrafted unique items - I love it - also has vintage clothing and food and live music . Runs on the first and third Sunday morning of every month at the Burleigh state school - you can park on the oval or get an Uber down there - worth getting there around 9am (or earlier) as by 11am it is wi ding down.
Beachfront twilight markets along the esplanade right outside the unit - crafts and other items rather. Than found but worth a stroll - they run from 4 pm to 9 pm every Friday and Sunday night - tho during COVID they have opened on Saturday rather than su day night ..
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Surfers Paradise Beer Garden
Orchid AvenueBeachfront twilight markets along the esplanade right outside the unit - crafts and other items rather. Than found but worth a stroll - they run from 4 pm to 9 pm every Friday and Sunday night - tho during COVID they have opened on Saturday rather than su day night ..
Food scene
Charis Seafoods
371 Marine ParadeFresh and cooked seafood
Best takeaway ‘hole in the wall’ coffee - 5 min walk towards cavill mall - comfy sunny beanbags in morning -also sell pastries and bread chilled laid back vibe .
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ESPL Coffee Brewers
4 EsplanadeBest takeaway ‘hole in the wall’ coffee - 5 min walk towards cavill mall - comfy sunny beanbags in morning -also sell pastries and bread chilled laid back vibe .
Cheap and cheerful pub food and good atmosphere . Has pool tables
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Waxy's Irish Pub
3206 Surfers Paradise BlvdCheap and cheerful pub food and good atmosphere . Has pool tables
Not cheap but great steak and awesome beachfront position
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Retro's Nightclub Surfers Paradise
4-14 The EsplanadeNot cheap but great steak and awesome beachfront position
Awesome Asian inspired street food - share plates - great relaxed atmosphere - mid range prices it great food - really good for bigger groups - get the $60/head banquet if you have a group - delicious abd easy !
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Hideaway Kitchen & Bar
2657 Gold Coast HwyAwesome Asian inspired street food - share plates - great relaxed atmosphere - mid range prices it great food - really good for bigger groups - get the $60/head banquet if you have a group - delicious abd easy !
Great family restaurant - beachfront location great staff bog bar and loads of tables with reasonable prices - better than surfers club or Southport which are closer - can walk down the beach or is a five min drive
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BMD Northcliffe Surf Club
51 Garfield TerraceGreat family restaurant - beachfront location great staff bog bar and loads of tables with reasonable prices - better than surfers club or Southport which are closer - can walk down the beach or is a five min drive
Shopping
This is best supermarket as is closest plus they let you take the trolley out of complex abd you can walk with it back to the unit
Cokes is best supermarket ax is closest and they let you take the trolley out of store and walk it home to unit - avoiding need to drive or have a car. Once you have unloaded your shopping take the trolley down to the basement and leave it near the bins - coles staff come by and pick them up and take them back to the store every couple of days . Woolworths is on the basement of shopping complex in cavil mall - however they dont allow you to take the trolley out like coles do .
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Coles Surfers Paradise
Cokes is best supermarket ax is closest and they let you take the trolley out of store and walk it home to unit - avoiding need to drive or have a car. Once you have unloaded your shopping take the trolley down to the basement and leave it near the bins - coles staff come by and pick them up and take them back to the store every couple of days . Woolworths is on the basement of shopping complex in cavil mall - however they dont allow you to take the trolley out like coles do .