Soothing sound of the waves, super-thrilling surfing competitions, beach volleyball with lovely women in colorful bikinis, freshly baked pizzas, and loads of sunshine – you will get all this and more if you are looking for a Gold Coast beach break.

There are hundreds and thousands of beaches in the world but a Gold Coast beach break is quite incomparable. Spread over 40km of coastline, the Gold Coast offers as many as 30 different beaches and each of them has their own charm. Each of the beach destinations offer different types of Gold Coast accommodation options just a few hundred meters from the beaches. This is what makes a Gold Coast beach break really special.

The longest beach on the Gold Coast is Surfer’s Paradise. As the name suggest, this is where you will get the biggest waves for surfing. But that’s not all; you can also enjoy watching SuperGP on the Gold Coast, Street Carnivals, Muscle Car Parade, Fireworks, cocktail parties, outdoor events, Jet Boating, Jet Surfing, and much more. There is a lot in store for families as well like a visit to the wax museum, Whales in Paradise cruises, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, Lilliputt Mini Golf Park, and Dracula’s Haunted House. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

If you are planning a Gold Coast beach break then rest assured one holiday will never be enough. So what you can really do is get yourself or your family a good accommodation in a hotel, resort, or apartment on the Gold Coast and follow your itinerary. Alternatively, you can even opt for one of the Gold Coast beach break tours wherein you can visit the hotspots in the region without missing out on fun, adventure, and plenty of beach time. Looking for rejuvenation – go take a Gold Coast beach break!

The Gold Coast is a high voltage tourist paradise. With many million transitory populations crowding its beautiful golden shore every year, it has, over the decades, become a thriving centre for commerce and retail. From numerous hotels, motels and other Gold Coast accommodation options to a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, clubs, and a wide choice in shopping and other essentials, the Gold Coast markets is rich with varied hues. Here’s a quick guide to the must see Gold Coast markets.

Gold Coast Markets

Broadbeach Art and Craft Market – Offers an eclectic mix of traditional and modern arts and craft. It’s located at Kurrawa Park.
Open on 1 and 3 Sunday of every month;
Time: 8.00am – 2.30pm

Broadbeach Lantern Market – This market is open only during July, August and September. It’s located at the Broadbeach Mall.
Open: Every Friday
Time: 6.00pm – 10.00pm

Burleigh Arts and Craft Market – An excellent place to pick up locally made souvenirs, handicrafts and more. It’s located at Justin’s Park.
Open: Last Sunday of every month
Time: 8.00am – 2.30pm

Monaco Markets – A good place to pick up hi-end fashion wear, exotic plants, jewellery, and crafts. It’s located at the Monaco Centre (corner of Monaco Street and the Rio Vista Boulevard) at the Broadbeach.
Open: 2 and last Sunday of every month
Time: 8:00 am -12:00 noon

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets – Everyone know about these! It’s located at the Esplanade.
Open: Every Friday night
Time: 5.30pm – 10.00pm

Gold Coast Farmers Markets

Bundall Farmers Market – Popular for its fresh and local produce. It’s is organised by the Gold Coast Turf Club, located on the Racecourse Drive (off Ashmore Road).
Open: 2 and 4 Sunday of every month
Time: 7.00am – 12.30pm

Miami Organic Farmers Market – The only market in the Queensland state that sells 100% organic certified produce. It’s organised at the Miami State High School.
Open: Every Sunday
Time: 6.00am-11.00am

The daily temperature on the Gold Coast this past month has been hovering in the low twenties. In this part of the world, even in so-called “winter”, you can enjoy balmy sunny days with cloudless skies while much of southern Australia shivers.

Officially, we have now passed the mid-point of the winter season. Many Gold Coast residents marked the occasion (mostly unknowingly) by spending the day, like any other — at the beach.

At Burleigh Heads on the Central Gold Coast, the crowds were out in force. People were enjoying their brunch at the sidewalk cafes, at the ever popular Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club or, for those wanting something more “up market” at the beachside restaurant complex. Along the seafront, families were picnicking in the park, children were burning off their energy in the playground and many couples chose to sit quietly on the slopes of the headland enjoying the view, and of course one another.
And there were plenty on the beach too including some who braved the water which, thanks to the warm current, hovers around 22°C even in winter. And still, the beach patrols and life savers manned their stations making sure everyone played safely.

Burleigh is always a popular spot with locals and visitors alike. It has the friendly warmth of a typical Australian holiday town, modern but not over developed and retaining its relaxed casual charm. Burleigh Head is actually a national park and offers a number of walking and exercise parks with fantastic views north to Miami, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise and south to Palm Beach and Coolangatta. In short, it is a microcosm of the Gold Coast offering something for everyone. No wonder it is so popular at all times of the day. But the fact is that there are many such centres all along the Gold Coast and all offering the same mix of fun and relaxation.

Today it is a bright and sunny 20° here on the Gold Coast while Melbourne is expecting a cloudy 14°, Sydney a cloudy 17° and Canberra a chilly 12°. We won’t even talk about the overnight temperatures. It is no wonder that so many Australians choose to take their winter break on the Gold Coast – for them it is like having a summer holiday in July.

If you are thinking about joining us for a holiday, remember we have a number of fine Gold Coast accommodation options for you, all professionally and individually managed and at competitive rates. You may already be too late for this year but there is always next year. Do yourself and your family a favour. Give us a call on 1300 978 384 or visit our website at http://www.gchr.com.au to plan your next vacation.

And if you want to discover more about the delights of Burleigh Heads visit us on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gchr/sets/72157624554053826/.

The Gold Coast is strung out for 37 kilometres from Paradise Point in the north to Coolangatta in the south, But looking at the urban area from east to west, the width of development is barely 10 kilometres, leaving aside the communities nestled in the surrounding bush. It is the close proximity of the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range that hems development into this narrow ribbon.

While you are here, do not overlook the hidden charm of the Gold Coast – known as the “hinterland” that for many locals provides the real appeal. There are not many places in Australia or elsewhere for that matter that you are so close to so much convenience and so much natural beauty – and, if needed, Brisbane is less than an hour away on one of the best motorways in Australia.

So if you are holidaying on the Gold Coast, enjoy not only the beaches but also the lush green hinterland which after the rains of recent days is looking particularly magnificent. There are many communities nestled in the surrounding hills and valleys and more often than not these villages are host to vibrant artisan communities from potteries to art galleries, folk museums and tea rooms. To give you an idea of what you will find, we have established a photo site at Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gchr/) so you can see for yourself what a Gold Coast holiday has to offer and remember, with Gold Coast Holiday Rentals, you choose not only your location but the actual unit or house in which you will stay. You get personalized service from our trained staff and — importantly, you are dealing with a registered real estate agent, bound by a professional code of conduct. Would you want it any other way?

If you are taking a holiday on Queensland’s fabulous Gold Coast, then almost certainly you will have chosen your destination for the sun and the surf; after all you are in the land where it is “beautiful one day, perfect the next.” Australia has a huge coastline with many fine beaches but perhaps nowhere else does the carefree lifestyle that centres around sun and surf mix so easily with city convenience as it does on the Gold Coast.

It is after all Australia’s most rapidly growing city. With a population of more than 500,000 now (2010) but which is expected to grow to more than 750,000 by 2030, urban development has transformed the area from almost nothing but mangroves in the space of 30 years to the modern city we see today. It was only a short while ago that this development first started with the opening of the “Pink Poodle” – the first motel on the Gold Coast and which can still be seen on the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach – but not for much longer it seems; even that icon will soon give way to redevelopment.

If you are looking to holiday on “the Coast” then you have a range of wonderful location options from which to choose depending on the type of holiday you have in mind. If you are planning a quiet family holiday then you may want to opt for a quieter area such as Palm Beach at the southern end of the Coast or somewhere like Magic Mountain at Miami. On the other hand if you want to go clubbing every night then you might prefer a location closer to “the action.”

Wherever you choose, we offer fabulous, personally managed luxury apartments that are entirely affordable. You can choose from twelve wonderful locations and we are adding more all the time. Check them out at our website www.gchr.com.au.

Anyone who has ever heard or visited the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, only ever relates it to awesome beaches, underwater action, and sunshine fun. But, there is another interesting and almost equally exciting face to the Gold Coast and that’s the Gold Coast Hinterland. The Gold Coast Hinterland is beautiful with its large mountainous and farming backdrop. A striking contrast to the sun-kissed beaches, the hinterland is a highly recommended day trip (or more) holiday destination for anyone who visits the Coast and needs a promising change from the surf and the sun!

the Gold Coast Hinterland is the land of warmth, colour, and rustic appeal. You will find plenty of country style crafts, small, cosy cottages, art galleries selling tribal art, welcoming tea houses, warm guest houses, local markets with fresh produce, historical buildings, fruit plantations, live farms and pubs offering local and as well as international drinks. There is pretty much something for everyone to do and enjoy within the Gold Coast Hinterland.

It’s advised that in order to truly experience the hinterland area you hire a vehicle. You can drive down from the coast to this region in 30 minutes approximately. Some of the best activities to be experienced in Gold Coast Hinterland are abseiling, wilderness treks, hang-gliding, and 4-wheel drive tours on the many rainforest tracks. If you enjoy scenic drives, you’ll love the hinterland. With several such drives winding around and through this area, you’ll feel right at home. Some of the views you’ll really enjoy are those of the Tamborine Mountains, Hinze Dam, Springbrook Plateau, Purlingbrook Falls, Numinbah Valley and more.

There are many trekking choices at your disposal. With 160 km of trekking trails, you can enjoy nature at its most beautiful! For nature lovers, Gold Coast Hinterland can be more than a day trip. You can easily spend 2-3 days in the hinterland soaking in the natural delights and enjoy yourself while doing that!

If your thinking about visiting the Gold Coast, be sure to book your Gold Coast accommodation online with GCHR.com.au

Are you looking for a perfect beach destination this summer? Are you looking for the perfect place to test your surfing skills? Check out Surfers Paradise situated on the Gold Coast, Australia. Surfers Paradise is often considered as the jewel of the Gold Coast and is one of the hottest destinations in Australia. It is a holiday destination where you will find some of the tallest buildings in Australia hugging a subtle sandy shoreline. It is the city that reflects a near perfect fusion of mega-city lifestyle as well as laid-back beach lifestyle.

There are plenty of things to do in Surfers Paradise not to mention the fact that it is a popular beach resort among professional and amateur surfers. Here’s a small list of things to do in Surfers Paradise:

A Flight Experience: Fly the popular Boeing 737-800 under the watchful eyes of instructors to any airport in the world. It is a state-of-the-art simulator.

Draculas Haunted House: The haunted house offers an incredible and interactive journey through optical illusions, creepy exhibits, museum oddities, special effects and art animation, and close range encounters with hungry crocodiles, white pointer sharks, and funnel web spiders.

The Surfers Paradise beach: This is most definitely the hottest attraction! Paradise beach offers surfing conditions that are ideal for both amateur and pro surfers. It is a 3km long beach where you can just lay back in the shade, enjoy the sun, play beach volleyball, watch beach cinema, or just enjoy surfing.

So if you’re heading to Surfers Paradise for a short break or holiday there is much to see and do and don’t forget to book your Surfers Paradise & Gold Coast Accommodation online at GCHR.com.au.

Gold Coast is home to some iconic rituals and events that have been celebrated for several decades. One such historic event is the Gold Cost schoolies festival. Celebrated annually by the 12th year school graduates from all over Australia, this event culminates at the very popular and beautiful Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. In 2009, the Schoolies festival will be celebrated from 21st November to 13th December 2009.

Typically the Schoolies is a coming of age celebration of the Year 12 students who are now on the threshold of adulthood and ready to enjoy this freedom. Held over a period of 3 weeks, every week sees students from different states of Australia, like New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland – reach the Surfers Paradise to have fun, surf and make new friends.

While many of several thousands of school graduates like to head down to Gold Coast, other popular schoolies destinations include Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, the Airlie Beach, the Tropical North QLD and the Magnetic Island.

Since Gold Coast is the central location for school leavers, it is also one of the most looked forward to holiday and experience for these kids. During the first week of the Schoolies festival, leavers run down Surfers Paradise beach and into the ocean with a plunge symbolising the plunge to freedom!

If you plan to visit the GC area during the schoolies festival weeks to experience this coming of age ritual, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the following schoolies terminology:

• Schoolies/Leavers – students graduating 12th that year
• Foolies – younger kids who are often local children interested to personally experience the festival. They are aged between 10 to 18 years. Foolies also means kids who play the fool.
• Toolies – Adults, tourists and local residents, who may clash with schoolies. Toolies is derived from the Australian slang word ‘tool’ that refers to someone who is unpopular or unwanted.

So go on, enjoy the Schoolies fest but don’t become a toolie! GCHR.com.au has Gold Coast Schoolies Accommodation available; Book Now and dont miss out.

Situated at the south eastern corner of Queensland, the Gold Coast is a popular beach resort destination in Australia as well as the world. The coastal resort enjoys a sub-tropical climate and offers different types of attractions ranging from tropical rainforest to surfing, from enjoying extreme boat rides through the expansive canal systems to fun-filled adventure and games at the theme parks.

If you are visiting the Gold Coast for a family holiday or simply to have fun then one holiday is just not enough. There are plenty of things to do on the Gold Coast and it will definitely not be an easy job to plan out your itinerary. We have come up with our small list of things to do on the Gold Coast for all of you who are looking forward to a great holiday and lots of fun and memories.

Things to do on the Gold Coast

Family Outings: If you are visiting with your family then what you need are a few theme parks on your itinerary. Check out Sea World, Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n'Wild, WhiteWater World, and the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. If you still have time left then visit the Gold Coast Hinterland often referred to as “the green behind the gold”. The Hinterland consists of 3 national parks, creeks, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and sun-tropical rainforest. For shopping needs, visit the Cavill Mall and the Carrara Markets. The latter is an outdoor market comprising of over 500 stalls selling everything from food to wool products, clothes, artefacts, and even Australian opals.

Beach Outings: If you are visiting the Gold Coast to enjoy the sun and the surf then there are several beaches to choose from. The Duranbah beach is the best surfing beach in the world although you can also surf or simply get a suntan at the Main Beach, South Stradbroke Island, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach, Tallebudgera Beach, Nobby Beach, Palm Beach, Coolangatta, Currumbin Beach, and Froggies Beach.

Apartment 3505 (level 35) at the Crown Towers Resort was absolutely amazing. Very spacious and suited the needs (actually exceeded expectations) of a family of 5 which consisted of teenagers and a 2 year old. It was very clean and the location was brilliant. It had 3 double bedrooms and two bathrooms so the older kids had their own area and we had ours. The 11 days went really fast but one filled with many fond memories. We would reccomend this luxurious apartment to our family and friends as it was one of the highlights of our trip. Thanks to Tony Boulden at GCHR.com.au for all his help. It was much cheaper than going thru the actual Crown Towers Resort. The views were amazing on the 35th floor and we loved looking out on to the beach. Each room had extensive views and very spacious. We spent alot of time at the resort swmming pools as it was cleaner, safer and much more fun than the beach