Gold Coast Activities And Entertainment

Gold Coast Activities For All

Hope Island, although at the northern end of the Gold Coast, is well situated for many of the local activities.

Apart from the obvious golf, there are plenty of opportunties for boating and water sports as well as visiting theme parks and many of the other entertainment options. You should find something of interest on this page!

Boating and Water Sports

For many, living in and around Hope Island means they have waterfront access either at their doorstep or close by. Most waterfront properties have access either directly or indirectly to the Coomera River.

The Coomera River flows to the Broadwater. The Broadwater is a a safe boating waterway north all the way to Brisbane and south to the Nerang River, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

South Stradbroke Island creates the barrier between the Broadwater and the Ocean. Access to the Pacific Ocean is either through the Gold Coast seaway to the south of the Coomera River entrance, or north through the Jumpinpin passage which has quite a treacherous bar, but is great for fishing!

Popular water activities in the area include:

• Water skiing in the Coomera River or calm waters of the Broadwater.
• Wake boarding in the waterways.
• Diving or snorkelling around the rocks of the seaway.
• Kayaking in the sheltered waterways.
• Jet skiing.
• Kite surfing and board surfing in one of the many world class beach breaks.

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Fishing In The Gold Coast

Probably one of the most popular of Gold Coast activities is fishing. Fishermen reel in many species from the Broadwater including whiting, bream, mullet, taylor, flathead and fish that can be eaten!

If you are more adventurous and a bigger boat, head out into the waters of the Coral Sea.

Depending on the time of year, your equipment and experience you might even hook yourself a marlin, cobia or black mackerel.

South Stradbroke Island

South Stradbroke Island has a five star eco resort called Couran Cove, which has a neighbouring resort called Couran Point. Both resorts offer great facilities day trips or weekends away. As well as accommodation you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner or indulge in some of the resort activities.

The resorts offer activities such as:
Para sailing, jet skiing, 4WD beach safari, mini golf, tennis, or fishing trips. Or you can enjoy a scenic float plane flight.Walk across South Stradbroke Island through the bush (about 15minutes) or take the
tractor or train ride to swim in the ocean surf with spectacular views back to the Gold
Coast. Don’t be surprised if you see wallaby or other Australian wildlife!

Tipplers, a little further north, has been converted into a daytrip picnic area. South Stradbroke is only reachable by boat, ferry or float plane.

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Gold Coast Activities - Bushwalking

Hope Island Resort is about a 25 minute drive from Mt Tamborine. There are nine National Parks in the area with many trails for bushwalking. There are options for all abilities.

Drive a little further south to the World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park, Springbrook Mountain and O’Reilly’s Plateau. All of which offer treks through sub tropical rainforest, spectacular waterfalls and wonderful views.

Entertainment

A bevvy of entertainment is available on the Gold Coast. Activities and entertainment options include:

• Hope Island Resort Golf Club: Ph 5530 9000
  Enjoy a lunch, coffee and drinks. Activities include yoga, Wine Society evenings, Trivia Nights and Rotary breakfasts. There is always something going on here!
• The Boardwalk Tavern, Hope Island: Ph 5510 8022.
  Located in the Hope Island Shopping Village right next to the marina. Play the poker machines, watch sport on the big screen or listen to music. Enjoy great food in a superb marina setting and watch the sun set over the distant mountains with a relaxing drink. A popular spot for locals.
• Jupiters Casino: Ph 5592 8100.
  Jupiters features five award winning restaurants, nine bars, a world class casino and a live stage spectacular in the theatre. Open 24 hours and only forty minutes from Hope Island Resort.
• The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre: Ph 5504 4000
  The GCEC is newly opened and adjacent to Jupiters Casino. This state of the art building houses conferences and world class acts. Check with them directly for what is on, there is always something!
• Sanctuary Cove Theatre: Ph 5577 8999
  Boutique theatre in heart of Sanctuary Cove village shopping area. Cinema, live theatre and musical shows.
• The Gold Coast Arts Centre: Ph 5581 6500.
  Cinema, restaurant, art gallery, comedy club, and costume hire. Features professional theatre shows, ballet and music.
• The Gold Coast Turf Club: Ph 5538 1599
  The Gold Coast is home to Australia’s busiest racecourse with racing every Saturday and some mid week fixtures. Annual fixtures include the Magic Millions Carnival in January and the Prime Ministers Cup in May. The turf club offers dining experiences with spectacular skyline views of Surfers Paradise.
• Gold Coast Harness Racing Club: Ph 5532 1222
  If you are into harness racing, this is the place. Based at Parklands show grounds, in Southport. Racing is 52 weeks a year. Usual race days are Thursday afternoons and Friday nights. Trials are Thursday afternoon. Annual events include Premier's Cup, Darrell Alexander Memorial, WATPAC Interdominion and Gold Coast Cup.

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Gold Coast Activities Theme Parks

Most of theme parks and major Gold Coast activities are within 40 minutes drive of Hope Island including:

Dreamworld & Whitewater World

Dreamworld is a whole family attraction. Five minutes from Hope Island. With some of the world's tallestand fastest rides including the Giant Drop and Tower of terror. The kids and adults will love to cuddle a koala at the Australian Wildlife Experience or see rare Bengal Tigers their trainers. Just for the kids there is The Nickelodeon Central Kids Zone starring Rugrats and SpongeBob Square Pants entertain the smaller ones as well as Wiggles World.

If it gets too hot, go for a splash at Whitewater World right next door. Locals often buy annual passes for either one or both of the parks.

Warner Brothers Movie World

Just 10 minutes from Hope Island, the cliche Hollywood on the Gold Coast theme park! Movie themed rides, shows and attractions, from Superman ride, Lethal Weapon to Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster.

Movie World has also build extensive covers over many of its main areas to create shade from the hot sun and dry areas when it rains, making it more family friendly all year round.

Wet’N’Wild Water World

Just 10 minutes from the Hope Island, Wet’n’Wild is a family favourite!

More rides and slides than anywhere else on the Gold Coast, plus during the summer months you can watch a Dive in Movie on the big screen next to the wave pool.

During the winter the water is heated and the whirl pool is transformed into hot tubs!

Sea World

Sea World is in Main Beach, near Surfers Paradise and about a 30 minute drive from Hope Island.

Centred around marine life, shows and rides - though not as thrilling as Movie World and Dreamworld! Sea World is fun for the younger kids and a great day out. They have polar bears, sharks, dolphins and seal lions. You can take a helicopter trip, swim with the sharks or become a dolphin trainer for the day!

Australian Outback Spectacular

Located next to Movie World, only 10 minutes drive from Hope Island. This is the place to get a true Aussie experience!

Designed to evoke the Australian Outback with corrugated iron roof, galvanised railings and heavy timber beams and a sand floor. You really feel like you are in a traditional Australian shearing shed in the outback.

Shows are generally held nightly, include dinner and a one and a half hour show. You will find it hard not to become immersed in the spirit of the outback with drama, music and action.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin is owned by the National Trust, but runs virtually without funding - this place is wonderful and deserves a place on your Gold Coast activities list. It takes about 40 minutes to drive to Currumbin on the M1 motorway.

Here you get to see a large collection of native Australian animals in natural bushland and native rainforest habitats. Dingos, kangaroos, possums, sugar gliders, wombats, Tasmanian Devils and many more.

The shows are brilliant.

• Watch the saltwater crocodiles and fresh water crocs being fed
• See the free flight bird show
• Squirm during the Snakes Alive Show
• Listen to the rosellas feeding

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