My first experience of the Gold Coast was a little similar to my first visit to Vietnam – we just didn’t gel! It took my third visit this weekend for me to get it though. After some digging around on Instagram and reading some local blogs I discovered the cool, fun and foodie hotspots of the Gold Coast. These are the places that gave me a new perspective on the Goldie.
Which one are we staying in again?
Going Up – The Skypoint Observation Deck
For those that don’t know the Gold Coast is a coastal city in southeastern Queensland consisting of a collection of seaside resorts, riverside residences and hinterland homes that stretch along 56 kilometres of golden sands (hence the name, my friends!) The best way to get a perspective of the crazy scale and natural (and architectural) beauty of the Gold Coast is from above.
Skypoint Observation Deck is Australia’s highest coastal observation deck, situated 230 metres above Surfers Paradise in the Q1 building. You rise 77 floors in 42.7 seconds before being deposited at the 360 degree observation deck complete with Serenity Cafe. The views are a little like this:
The Gold Coast as seen from Skypoint Observation Deck
General admission costs $24 per adult.
Eating Out – In Broadbeach and Beyond
This weekend we were based in Broadbeach, an 8 minute tram ride away from Surfers, where the food is ten times better. Top of my eating list was Elk Espresso, a cafe I’d read about in Tourism Queensland’s breakfast guide. The old surf club is now decked out like a ristuc woodland, complete with Elk motif on the wall. The decor is certainly different to most places on the Goldie but it’s the food I really want to shout about. My first brunch experience consisted of the most delicious brioche French toast with poached pears, berries, salted caramel and Chantilly cream – it was so good I insisted we go back the next day. The second dish to wow me was not mine (sadly). Justin won with his order of the grain free granola with passionfruit panna cotta. My eggs, bacon and avo were good but not half as pretty as his.
Elk Espresso Broadbeach
It’s all about the Brioche French Toast at Elk Espresso Broadbeach
Elk’s sister property, Sparrow Eating House, at Nobby Beach (real name!) does a just as good weekend brunch. My eggs benedict with bacon and avo really rocked. A little closer to Surfers you’ll find great coffee, cakes and French toast at Bumbles Cafe overlooking the peaceful Budds Beach.
Funky decor at Sparrow Eating House, Nobby Beach
There’s a few good options for dinner back in Broadbeach. On Oracle Boulevard there’s a wealth of modern looking restaurants serving international cuisine. We enjoyed a great Mediterranean meal at Mecca Bah.
Spinning Around – At Movie World
A visit to the Gold Coast is really about embracing your inner child and I recommend you find yours at Movie World. The Warner Brothers theme park on the Gold Coast is a lot smaller than I imagined but this makes it totally manageable. We visited on a weekday so there weren’t many crowds at all and this meant we got to do the best roller coasts a couple of times. The stand out ride has to be the Superman Escape coaster – going from zero to 100km an hour in only two seconds is definitely a thrill. We also enjoyed the Hollywood Stunt Driver Show, complete with burning rubber and pyrotechnics!
Big kids playground – Movie World Gold Coast
” Going from zero to 100km an hour in only two seconds is definitely a thrill!”
We would have done this one 3 times if we had the time!
Hanging Out – Burleigh Heads
After all that thrill-seeking the perfect place to do some chilling is at scenic Burleigh Heads. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side this weekend so I can’t show just how great the view of the Gold Coast is from here (check out Y Travel Blog’s Instagram account for that). The Burleigh Heads coastal walk is an easy, scenic stroll though and the headland is a perfect place for a picnic (or a wedding, as we witnessed on Sunday!).
Moody weather disrupted our view of the Goldie from Burleigh Heads, you can imagine how pretty it would be on a clear day
You can walk the coast from Burleigh Heads to Echo Beach
The Golden Sands
And finally, the best place to get a great perspective of the Gold Coast is from a horizontal position on the golden sands. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in this part of Queensland, almost every road we went down ended in a good one. The active locals seem to love strolling the coastline, either from the footpath or down near the water’s edge. I had a great time joining them.
They don’t call it the Gold Coast for nothing
What’s your perspective of the Gold Coast? Does this post paint it differently?
Leonie Parker
Looks like you had a great time. It rained and stormed so much when I was in surfers that I didnt get to enjoy much of it.
Leonie ♥ Lo On The Go
Jayne Gorman
Oh what a shame! The weather definitely makes a difference. We had one afternoon with showers but were very lucky the rest of the time.
Rebecca
I had no idea the Gold Coast had a Warner Bros theme park, that’s awesome! I’ll definitely have to remember that if I manage to make it over there.
Jayne Gorman
Me neither, if it weren’t for my other half wanting to relive his youth we probably wouldn’t have gone. Glad we did though!
Hannah
The beaches sure look pretty! I only past through the gold coast on my backpacker trip of the east coast. I just remember seeing lots of high rise buildings and pink limos. It seemed like a bit of a weird place and not one I’d immediately like but your recommendations are bound to chance my first impressioN!
Jayne Gorman
Yes! It’s such a massive place you mustn’t judge it on Surfers alone (which I’ll admit I did as a backpacker and came to the same conclusion as you!)
Lizzy
I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of the Gold Coast, but you can’t deny the beauty of the beaches!
Lizzy from Nomad Notebook
Megan
I always disliked the Gold Coast until last year when I got up early, walked on the beach and found a couple of nice cafes to relax with a coffee and the newspaper. Until then I’d usually only thought of Goldie as a place where people party like crazy and don’t wear enough clothes.But a few quite moments helped me realise there’s a lot more to it.
Jayne Gorman
This is just how I felt! I love that the area has such a holiday vibe – you feel like you are on vacation as soon as you arrive. But, like you, I prefer the more low key areas than the party spots!
Janice Stringer
The view I had of Surfers was best from the water. We went fishing at dawn and observed dolphins focused on catching their breakfast. It made a beautiful backdrop… 🙂
Jayne Gorman
That sounds awesome! I’d love to do that next time 🙂
Rebecca
Wow, I didnt love the Gold Coast when i visited either, maybe I will have to go back again!
rebecca
Seems like you had a great time. I have never been much of a gold coast fan, to be honest. However, I’m glad you managed to gel with it
Jayne Gorman
It’s my third visit now and I liked it much more this time!