Beaches on the Gold Coast

gold-coast-beach.jpgThe Gold Coast is a famous area of Queensland, and home to three of the state’s best beachfront areas – Main Beach, Surfer’s Paradise, and Broadbeach.  Main Beach is well known as the Malibu of Queensland with its upscale and relaxed lifestyle.  Enjoy the multitude of cafes and restaurants, luxurious accommodations such as the Palazzo Versace or the Sheraton Mirage, and trendy shopping boutiques.  The area is home to several resort hotels, and even the Sea World Resort where the classic theme park is combined with a family friendly hotel.  If you enjoy water sports, surfing and diving are popular in the area.

Surfer’s Paradise is another fantastic holiday destination.  This famous coastline often shows up in Australian photographs, and is one of Australia’s most famous beaches.  The surrounding centre is chock full of accommodation options in all price ranges, from backpacking hostels up to five star hotels, and there is much to see in the area, including the Dreamworld theme park that is a great family destination.  The nightlife in Surfer’s Paradise is varied and exciting, with live entertainment featured everywhere.  Every October the area is home to Indy 300 racing. 

Only a few kilometers south of Surfer’s Paradise is Broadbeach, a wonderful area for families to enjoy.  The quiet beaches are patrolled by lifeguards, and the local parks are not only child friendly but a great way for families to enjoy the area cost-free.  Dining is known to be a little cheaper in this area as well, making it an ideal place to find affordable vacation packages.  Outdoor craft markets are held on the beach on the first and third Sundays of the month.  For the adults there is still plenty to see and do, including the large casino and entertainment complex.  For those of a more adventurous sort, try Dracula’s Cabaret, a dinner theatre show where guests are taken to their seats on an old fashioned haunted ghost train and are treated to a three course dinner and two hour horror-comedy show.


Australia Luxury Travel in Brisbane

As the capital of Queensland, it’s no wonder that Brisbane is a happening city.  With a wide variety of activities sure to suit everyone, the city is a great place for travelers of all kinds to enjoy themselves.  If you plan on exploring Australia’s third most populous state, Brisbane is a perfect home base, with many outlying regions of Queensland not much more than an hour’s drive from the city.

brisbane.jpg


With the river winding its way right through the heart of the city, taking a river cruise or ferry is a fabulous way to explore Brisbane.  This is truly a beautiful city, with a multitude of green parks and old buildings combined with state of the art new architecture.  There is no better place in Queensland to indulge in shopping, so if you are looking for something to buy there is no end of possibilities.  Visit the Queen Street Mall with its nearly one kilometer length of shops; an area known as The Valley where cutting edge young designers can sell you the latest in clothing and jewelry; or Little Stanley Street for riverside, upscale shops.  If outdoor markets are more your style, Brisbane has several on most weekends.

For those looking for more of a cultural experience, Brisbane offers many fantastic options.  The Gallery of Modern Art is Australia’s largest modern art museum, and is a must-see for art lovers.  The Queensland Museum & Science Centre, State Library of Queensland, and the Queensland Art Gallery are all located near the Gallery of Modern Art on the south bank of the Brisbane River.  The area is known as the cultural hub of Brisbane and is also home to many of the performing arts groups in Brisbane, including ballet, opera, theatre and orchestra.

Whether you are looking for a hot and exciting nightlife or a fun and carefree day with the family, Brisbane is sure to not disappoint.


Shopping in Melbourne

melbourne-shopping.jpgAs the shopping mecca of Australia, Melbourne is a must see city for any serious shoppers traveling through the area. With countless pedestrian malls and lanes each with its own personality and distinctive shops, Melbourne is a true joy to explore.

If you enjoy outdoor markets, be sure to visit the Sunday Market at the Arts Center on Southgate Road. Many talented artists and craftsmen gather here to sell their wares, but the market is diverse enough that you can also find inexpensive souvenirs. The Queen Victoria Markets are the largest open-air markets in the southern hemisphere, and with over one thousand merchants selling their products there truly is something for everyone. Melbourne is home to many shopping arcades, some with true historical significance. The Royal Arcade is the oldest of them all, having been built in 1869, and contains the famous Gaunt clock and its statues of Gog and Magog. The Block Arcade is even more elegant, with murals on the ceilings and mosaics on the floor. Built in 1891, this continues to be Melbourne’s premier shopping arcade and a popular place for tourists.

Bourke Street is another popular shopping destination since it is home to both the Bourke Street Mall as well as Melbourne’s Chinatown district. Melbourne’s major department stores are located on Burke Street, and if that wasn’t enough to draw in visitors, the area abounds in street entertainment and buskers. Finally, the Southgate area is another prime shopping and leisure area. The neighborhood underwent a revitalization project and reopened in 1992, and has been popular ever since. Southgate has a fantastic food court located right on the river, and is home to many unique stores, restaurants and bars. As a popular walking place, visitors can also enjoy the many street performers that liven up the area.