The Gold Coast has lots of interesting family attractions.

The superb surf beaches, exciting theme parks, top restaurants and vibrant nightlife of Australia's premier holiday destination, the Gold Coast, attract visitors from home and abroad.

Surfers Paradise
Busy Surfers Paradise, just an hour's drive from Brisbane, lies at the heart of the Gold Coast, a string of seaside towns spreading for 70 km from Beenleigh to Coolangatta on the New South Wales border. The action is centred around the shopping precincts of Cavill Avenue and the excellent surf beach. An evening craft market is held along the Esplanade on Friday nights. There are plenty of good places to eat, including glamorous restaurants and the many beachside cafes. At night the pubs and nightclubs are popular.

Gold Coast Hinterland
Away from the coast, the hinterland mountain towns offer a cool respite from the coastal temperatures and a change in pace from the hustle and bustle. The magnificent rainforests of the Lamington Plateau are accessed easily from the comfortable mountain lodges at Binna Burra and O'Reilly's. Here you can see the region's unique flora and fauna, enjoy range after range of mountain scenery, visit waterfalls and streams, and walk through palm-filled valleys on well-formed trails. Tamborine Mountain and Springbrook are good alternatives.

Broadbeach
There is plenty of beachside accommodation here. Pacific Fair, the Gold Coast's largest shopping centre, has over 250 specialty stores, 12 cinemas and many bars, cafes and restaurants. Conrad Jupiters Casino is here as well.
Visitor Information Centre, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Ph: 5538 4419

Burleigh Heads
This beach is always popular with experienced and aspiring surfers because of its deep barrel rides. A walking trail runs around the rocky headland, where there is a small reserve. The area has a large range of holiday accommodation.
Visitor Information Centre, Coolangatta Place
Ph: 5536 7765

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Managed by the National Trust, this long-established 27-ha animal park has over 200 species of birds, kangaroos, koalas, emus and a variety of native plants. Young children are particularly well catered for here with a model railway and a play park. Aboriginal dancers perform daily.
Gold Coast Highway, Currumbin
Open daily
Ph: 5534 1266

Lamington Plateau
World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park is best visited from either Binna Burra, at Beechmont, or O'Reilly's at Green Mountains. Day trippers are welcome and there are a variety of rainforest walks suitable for all levels of fitness. Don't miss the rainforest canopy walk for a look at tree-top flora and fauna.
- O'Reilly's Guesthouse, Green Mountains Ph: 5544 0644
- Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, Beechmont Ph: 5533 3622

Main Beach & Southport
Another excellent surfing beach, Main Beach lies between Southport and Surfers Paradise. Just to the north is the popular Sea World with its marine-themed entertainment and fun-park rides. Cruise boats depart from the northern end of Marina Mirage.
Marina Mirage;
Open daily
Ph: 5577 0088

South Stradbroke Island
Ferry services to Stradbroke leave from Runaway Bay, about 20 minutes' drive north of Surfers Paradise. It takes about 15 minutes for the ferry to reach this 20-km-long sandy island with its quiet beaches.

Springbrook Plateau
The lookouts here have some of the best views of cliffs, waterfalls and gorges in southern Queensland. There are several national parks with camp sites and well-formed walking trails through the mountain rainforests.
National Parks Service, Mudgeeraba
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Ph: 5533 5147

Tweed Valley
This lush green valley, an hour or so from Brisbane and close to the Gold Coast, shares a border with Queensland and NSW. An area of great natural beauty, dominated by the spectacular Mt Warning, it offers country walks, bush treks, golf, fishing, horse-riding, swimming and surfing as well as pubs, markets, great eating places and a huge range of accommodation.
Tweed Coolangatta Information office
Ph: 1800 674 414 or www.tweedcoolangatta.com.au