Introduction
Sun, salt, sand and surf are all part of the Southern Queensland's DNA, from the urban delights of Brisbane right along the Gold Coast, which stretches all the way to the New South Wales border. But this destination is more than just an epicentre for beach holidays. Explore the green behind the gold in the Gold Coast hinterland, made up of World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, iconic waterfalls and local providores in between.
The Coolangatta region lies at the southern end of the Gold Coast on the border with New South Wales. Here you will find the coast's best surfing beaches, particularly Snapper Rocks, Kirra and Rainbow Bay. These famous surf breaks are among the best in the world and regularly attract the planet's best big name surfers. The wave can at times be ridden for more than a kilometre, making it one of the longest, as well as one of the most hollow and consistent in the world.
Surfers Paradise is the major drawcard for millions of visitors to the Gold Coast every year. This glitzy 24-hour playground is home to high-rise hotels, huge shopping centres, late-night bars, super clubs and casinos. Nearby Broadbeach has the region's best shopping and dining.
The Gold Coast Hinterland is an area of stunning natural beauty, protected rainforests, rare bird species and small hillside villages. Springbrook National Park, Mount Lamington National Park and Mt Tamborine are the hinterland's best-known reserves. There are some fabulous lookouts across the New South Wales border to World Heritage-listed Mt Warning around the small settlement of Springbrook, as well as many spectacular waterfalls and cave pools. The walking trails in Natural Bridge National Park are a must, as is the glow-worm cave at Cave Creek - home to Australia's largest glow-worm colony.
