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Tag: queensland travel

  • Gold Coast’s Best Hostels – Budget Accommodation in Queensland’s Beach District

    The beautiful beaches, big surf, and pumping nightclubs lure tourists from all around the world to Australia’s Gold Coast. The high rise resorts may unnerve some frugal travelers but rest assured, there’s plenty of high quality hostel accommodation if you know where to look.

    The first step is deciding exactly where you want to stay. The Gold Coast is a collection of Queensland beach towns, each with its own personality. One of the most popular, and most active, is Surfers Paradise. Cavill Avenue is the city’s epicenter, with great shopping opportunities during the day and plenty of Aussie pubs and clubs to keep you entertained once the sun goes down. Islander Backpacker Resort is the pick of the local hostels, as it’s conveniently located within walking distance of the beach, shops, restaurants, and clubs. No doubt you’ll spend plenty of time out and about, but if you do feel like kicking back you can take advantage of the hostel’s tennis court, spa bath, steam room, barbecue area, and bar. These facilities make the Islander feel like anything but a budget accommodation choice. Just remember that everyone in Surfers is looking for a party, so if you like your peace and quiet you may prefer another town.

    Southport is regarded as the Gold Coast’s business center, and the local suits make it a bit quieter than Surfers. However it’s close enough to the action that you needn’t feel you’re missing out on the Gold Coast experience. The friendly folk at Southport’s Aquarius Backpackers make it one of the area’s best budget accommodation options. You’re sure to make friends over the pool table, bar, or swimming pool. The hostel also runs a free shuttle bus throughout the night to ferry its guests to the Gold Coast’s hottest night spots.

    australia gold coast beaches photo
    A beach on Australia's Gold Coast

    Coolangatta is another laidback option particularly popular with surfers and aspiring grommets. The great surf beaches aren’t the only appeal though; its streets are lined with excellent restaurants and it’s a stone’s throw from the airport. Kommune Resorts has a boutique hotel vibe but its rooms cost little more than hostel dorms, despite their beach views. I doubt you’ll spend a lot of time in there though. The outdoor movie lounge and pool and party area are too much fun!

    Australia’s hostels and budget hotels have come a long way since the days of roach infested rooms in rough neighborhoods. Instead they’re a great way to make your money go further on the Gold Coast.

  • Stay and Party at Limes Hotel in Fortitude Valley, Queensland

    Most visitors to Australia’s Sunshine State, Queensland, flock to the well known tourist areas. There’s the beach strip known as the Gold Coast, the idyllic resorts of the Top End, and of course the capital city of Brisbane.


    For all of the convenience of Brisbane without the crowds and expense, consider bunkering down at Limes Hotel in Fortitude Valley. This is a hip, contemporary boutique hotel with a great youthful energy. The rooftop champagne and cocktail bar is an ideal place for socializing with the other residents, and there are even alfresco movies. Thanks to Queensland's balmy climate these outdoor activities can be enjoyed all year round. With so much going on you probably won’t want to spend too much time in your room, but these are still worth mentioning. They've got a futuristic modern feel, but still include all the important creature comforts including luxurious king-sized beds, convenient kitchenettes and, in some cases, private courtyards with hammocks! For the technologically inclined, all rooms also have complimentary WiFi broadband access, flat-screen television sets with Foxtel, CD players, and even an iPod dock. Fortitude Valley is a buzzing neighborhood that's home to the state's hottest pubs and clubs, exotic restaurants and cafes, and trendy boutique stores. No traveler would want to miss Brisbane's popular tourist attractions, but as The Valley is only a mile from the city these highlights are still quite accessible. Regular buses and trains can take you where you want to go in no time. This isn't the place for a family holiday though. Limes Hotel attracts young singles and couples, the kind of freewheeling folks that don't want their style cramped by crying babies or demanding toddlers. Conversely the rooftop party isn't going to wind down because your little ones are trying to sleep. Because of this, management respectfully asks that you leave your rug rats at home. Double rooms start from $219 a night including breakfast each morning, which is a whole lot less than you'd pay for comparable accommodation in Brisbane!

  • Sky High Drinks at Lilo – Rooftop Bar in Cairns, Australia

    Rooftop bars first became popular in Miami, Florida, but these days they’re popping up all over the world. Now Australia has gotten in on the act with the launch of Lilo at the top of the Rydges Plaza in Cairns, north Queensland.

    Lilo makes the most of the warm weather that Queensland’s top end is famous for.


    Sun streams into the indoor lounge and dining areas, and shines on the folks lounging in the cabanas or by the pool outdoors. Once the sun sets the music starts pumping and candlelight bathes the bar in a romantic glow. Breakfast is served daily from 6 am, but the main draw cards are the burgers served for lunch and dinner. If you've got an appetite, prepare to take on the challenge of the Big Ass Burgers. Each one has more than 2.7 kg of beef with salad, cheese, and mayo, so prepare to share them around amongst your friends! If your palate is a bit more delicate you could order a tiny burger known as a slider, or a serve of delicious asparagus fries. The wet bar opens in the afternoon at 4 pm. The dress code is relaxed, with people enjoying drinks in their swimsuits as the sun sets. For all the cool of Miami with a distinctly Australian flavor, make sure you find time to enjoy a couple of drinks at Lilo on your next Aussie vacation.

  • Discover Broadbeach – Cosmopolitan Style on Queensland’s Gold Coast

    When thinking of up-market vacation destinations, few people think of Queensland’s Gold Coast. It’s got a reputation for cheap plastic souvenirs, action-packed theme parks, and rowdy high school graduates. But there’s a much classier side of the Gold Coast to be discovered at Surfer’s Paradise’s more sophisticated cousin, Broadbeach.

    Broadbeach is an easy hour’s drive from Brisbane. You’ll need to hire a car to get there, but once you arrive you’ll find it easy enough to get around on public transport or on foot.

    Check in to one of the area’s high class hotels or serviced apartments for real luxury. The Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach offers some great weekend packages, but if you’d rather enjoy the facilities of an apartment look to Meriton Serviced Apartments or the Mantra Phoenician.

    Staying at the Sofitel has its advantages, as its cosmopolitan wine bar Room 81 is one of the places to be seen. Classic and signature cocktails are the perfect accompaniment to the bar’s tasting menu, which offers gourmet fare like duck spring rolls and local tiger prawns.Australia vacation tips photo

    The beach is a drawcard for any Queensland tourist, but you’ll find the sands at Broadbeach more relaxed than those at Surfers Paradise. The atmosphere is perfect for lazing about with a magazine, but if you’d prefer something more active you can sign up for a class with Broadbeach Surf School.

    Once you’ve surfed up a sweat, head to the local restaurant strip. Many folks regard Broadbeach as the Gold Coast’s dining hub, so it’s difficult to find a bad meal. If you’ve got a taste for seafood, head to the award-winning Yellowfin. Carnivores can get their fix at the playfully named Moo Moo Wine Bar + Grill.

    If you’re in the mood for retail therapy, make sure you stop at Pacific Fair. This mall has more than 300 shops, so you’re bound to find just what you’re looking for. If you’d prefer to find something more unique, check out the craft markets held on the shore on the first and third Sundays of every month.

    Not that you need to be on the go. Broadbeach has plenty of options for relaxing too, whether it’s a game of golf, or a spa treatment at Q1 Spa or Splash Day Spa.

    Whether you’re visiting the Gold Coast to soak up the atmosphere, or simply take it easy, Broadbeach can help you do it in style.

  • Party in Queensland’s Whitsundays Region on Koala Adventure Island

    If you’re young and a little strapped for cash, forget the luxury Australian islands of Hayman and Hamilton.

    The Whitsundays destination for you is Koala Adventure Island, the only location in the region which caters exclusively for backpackers and other tourists aged between 18 and 35. Originally called South Molle, Koala Adventure Island is far north Queensland's party capital. The fun starts at dinner time, which follows a new theme every night. Travelers eat at communal tables, which helps to break the ice before the night's entertainment. That includes a resident DJ, live music, games, and dancing until dawn. Things are a bit quiet during the daytime, perhaps as most visitors are recovering from the night before. But there is plenty to keep you occupied if you want to do more than lazing on the beach. You could get out on the water with a sailing trip to the reef, scuba dive or snorkel, or try your hand at windsurfing or paddle skiing. There's plenty to do on land too, as the resort has tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, archery range, and a fully equipped gym.see koala bears photo There are a variety of rooms to cater for all budgets and traveling groups. Groups of up to six can bunker down in the dormitory-style rainforest rooms, which are surrounded by lush tropical gardens. For a more intimate luxury getaway, consider the beachfront bungalows. They're right on the shore, and have private balconies for enjoying the gorgeous ocean views. No matter what room you choose, you’ll enjoy your own bathroom, a television and small refrigerator, and air-conditioning. Three-night packages are available for $157 per person for the dorm share rooms and $217 per person for the beachfront rooms. This price includes transfers from Abel Point Marina and access to the island's facilities and many activities. To get to the marina, fly to Proserpine Airport and catch the complimentary coach.

  • Queensland’s Cane Toad Races Strike Back Against Environmental Pests

    If you’re traveling around Australia and end up in the far north Queensland region, chances are that you’ll happen upon one of the area’s infamous cane toad races.

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    These wacky events are a crowd-pleasing way to deal with the infestation of these pesky amphibians.

    The grotesque cane toads were originally introduced into Queensland to combat the beetles which destroyed the state’s sugarcane crops. Sadly the cane toads left the beetles alone, but began to decimate the rest of the landscape. They feasted upon small wildlife, while larger creatures that saw the toads as a meal succumbed to their poisonous glands. They also bred rapidly, and spread from Queensland to other Australian states.

    Cane toad races are a way for the locals to strike back against this scourge. Race organizers collect a bucket of cane toads before the race. The toads are assigned numbers and humans who can win prizes if their toad comes out on top. It’s tradition for participants to kiss their toad for luck, although one wonders whether this makes the beasts hop any faster!

    The cane toads are covered by a bucket placed in the middle of a central area, such as a dance floor. Once the bucket is lifted the crowds go wild, encouraging their toad to leave the area first.

    cane toad
    A hated cane toad

    Once the race ends the toads are disposed of in a humane manner. Some suggest the practice is cruel, but one must remember that the cane toad is regarded as Australia’s biggest animal pest. Every toad killed helps to save the country’s native wildlife, so the races serve as a kind of community service.

    You can watch a cane toad race nightly at Port Douglas’ Iron Bar Saloon, every Sunday at Mount Tamborine’s Bearded Dragon Tavern, and on Wednesdays at the Island Tavern on Magnetic Island.

    [Image Source: Sam Fraser-Smith/Flickr]

  • Amusement Parks on the Gold Coast, Australia’s Theme Park Capital

    Sydney and Melbourne may be Australia’s biggest tourist centers, but if you’re looking for theme parks you’ll need to head up north. Queensland’s Gold Coast is regarded as Australia’s amusement park capital, and there’s a good reason why.

    While Australia's largest cities are lucky to have one or two theme parks, the Gold Coast hosts five major attractions. Movie World is known as Hollywood on the Gold Coast. While it hasn't churned out nearly as many movies as its American counterpart, its film studios have been the site of many major motion pictures including House of Wax, Peter Pan, Ghost Ship, and the Scooby Doo films. Film themed rides include the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster, thrilling Batwing Spaceshot, and family favorite Looney Tunes River Ride. The live shows at Movie World are as big a drawcard as its rides. The Hollywood Stunt Driver performances put an audience in the center of an action film complete with explosions and car chases, while the musical Looney Tunes What's Up Rock? show is a big hit with kids. Close by there is Dreamworld, a theme park for adventurous souls. Among its attractions are Australia's tallest gravity rollercoaster, the Cyclone, the reverse free-fall ride Tower of Terror, and the similarly imposing Giant Drop. Families are catered for with the children’s area Nick Central and Wiggles World for toddlers and babies. Tiger Island is one of the world's two exclusive tiger habitat exhibits. The Indonesian-themed space stages daily shows with Bengal and Sumatran tigers. More animals are on show at The Australian Wildlife Experience, a zoo with more than 800 native creatures and barnyard favorites. Next door you'll find WhiteWater World, a relatively new water park. Since opening in 2006, WhiteWater World has enticed tourists looking to beat the heat with its water slides, wave pool, and Wiggle Bay children's waterplay area. The Gold Coast's original water park is Wet'n'Wild. While it does not have as many slides as WhiteWater World, it does have Australia's largest. At 19 meters high, Mammoth Falls is a must for adrenalin junkies. During summer, Wet'n'Wild's Dive-in Movies are very popular. The Gold Coast's final major amusement park is Sea World. The aquatic themed park features rides, live shows, and animal exhibitions. While a day at the park is lots of fun, there's a more serious side to Sea World.
    Through attractions like the Dolphin Nursery Pool and Seabird Rehabilitation Aviary, the park promotes conservation and helps sick and injured wildlife recuperate. Visiting the Gold Coast's amusement parks can get pricey, so if you plan to visit a few consider a multi-pass. A range of MyFun combo tickets offer tourists discounted entry to Sea World, Wet'n'Wild, and Movie World. Similar multi-passes are also available online for Dreamworld and WhiteWater World.

  • Weird and Wonderful Big Things in Queensland, Australia

    When international tourists think of Queensland they tend to think of the sun, surf, and sand of The Australia Gold Coast.


    But within Australia, the state has another, more dubious reputation as the home of Big Things.

    More than 40 massive sculptures are dotted around the state. There are enormous animals, gigantic pieces of fruit, and in true Australian fashion, a massive bottle of beer. Many travelers stop to take photos with the curious structures and enjoy the other facilities found there. With many Big Things seemingly located in the middle of nowhere, Big Things give tourists a chance to enjoy a meal, buy some souvenirs, and stretch their legs on a long journey.

    The Big Pineapple is one of the state’s most popular Big Things. The 52-foot fiberglass structure welcomes visitors to a working pineapple farm in Woombye. There’s a winding staircase inside, which takes guests through an exhibit detailing the plantation’s history. The staircase leads to a viewing platform, which offers superb views of the plantation and the nearby Big Macadamia.

    With a population of just over 1000, Normanton had to work hard to attract tourists. They did it with the erection of not one, but two, Big Things. The most famous differs from most Big Things, as it’s actually to scale. However, there’s nothing ordinary about Kris, an 8.63 meter replica of the largest crocodile ever caught in the area. It was shot by a female school teacher on the river banks in 1957. I assume that tough school ma’am had no discipline problems with her students! Normanton is also home to the Big Barramundi.
    bigpineapple
    This fishy six-meter tall sculpture is a nod to the area’s reputation as the Barramundi Capital of the North.

    One of Queensland’s newest Big Things is The Big Gumboot. This golden boot was erected in 2003, but its history stretches back much farther. The North Queensland towns of Tully and Babinda have long argued about which spot’s the wettest. Since 1970, the town with the greatest annual rainfall has been presented with a golden gumboot. In erecting this golden gumboot in 2003, Tully seems to have claimed the ultimate victory. The structure stands 7.9 meters tall, the same height as the town’s record rainfall in 1950.

    Perhaps a Big Umbrella in Babinda will be Queensland’s next tourist attraction!