Explore some side streets and find Australian Gold

Life in the Sunshine State ~ Gold Coast 

1.    Green from foreshore to mountains

2.    Gay from Surfers Paradise to Mount Tamborine

Drink in the Wild

1.    Mountain air in national parks by day

2.    Nightlife – Dining and clubbing after dark

What’s making a splash 

1.    Whale Watching 

2.    Kayaking Tours

3.    Learn to Surf 

4.    Private beach and pool lounging at your hotel

O'Reilly's Legendary Retreat Atop National Park is Worth the Wild Drive

Back to the Bush Weekend 27–29th August


Located within World Heritage Lamington National Park, in the Gold Coast Hinterland, ecotourism icon O’Reilly’s have been sharing their passion for the Australian bush for over 90 years.
O’Reilly’s will celebrate everything great about the country lifestyle - enjoy some toe-tapping, knee-slapping good old-fashioned fun with traditional Aussie bush dancing and bush poetry, or experience the taste of the country with true blue
bush tucker.
Activities include a private dinner hosted by legendary bush poet, Geoff Sharp, and an O’Reilly family member or have some bush dancing fun under the instruction of local group the ‘Bushland Boogie Bush Band’.

Guests can also join a guided walk through the rainforest to identify bush ingredients, taste an array of native Australian bush tucker foods or share in a secret and learn to make O’Reilly’s famous home-made damper.
In the words of legendary bush poet, Bernard O’Reilly:
“I must go back to my ranges
When the orchids bloom again
When every stir from the forest
And every breeze is champagne”

Ask the Gay Gold Coast Concierge (07 5584 6221) for help with activities and accommodations and you won’t miss a thing in the fun capital, including O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.

Whale Watching is First Class Fun on Australia's Gold Coast

The day's weather was awesome, so without the worry of sea sickness, our group boarded  the Sea World vessel purpose built for whale watching.  Luxurious seats for the 3-mile out excursion (we spotted whales within 20 minutes) were great, plus the 3 D graphics and slide presentations on the way out and back were flash and fun.
The Humpback whales annually migrate from Antarctica up to the Great Barrier Reef. The Gold Coast Whale Watching season is from June to November, when they're headed back down to the South Pole region.  If you happen to be near Surfers Paradise during the season, you should consider an excursion to see these gentle giants of the sea up close and personal.

It's uncommon to see whales breaching - turning their stomachs to the sky as they come up for breath - and we were lucky enough to see two during the two-hour search.  Saw several tales slapping the water, too, usually before their deep dives lasting up to 5 minutes before surfacing in front of the boat for their photo opportunities!



PS  If you go on Sunday, afternoon, you can unwind afterwards on the deck at Escape Bar and enjoy a free BBQ while overlooking the famous Surfers Paradise beach