Finally I have had time to sit down and start with my very first blog. Take such a long time (few months) to think of what should I write in my blog. Emm.....since I love travel so much, is not a bad idea if I write something related to my travelling experiences, stories, reviews and reports. So! long story cut short, here my very first trip report (I like to call it report because it just look like a report. Wa..haha.....).
Our (my wife-Danielle, my 2 y/o son-JX & me) trip to GC were actually at 1st May 2010. OMG! till now only I manage to post it up here |||. This is actually my 2nd visit to GC, my 1st visit was 9 years back in 2001. Not much changes to GC i would said. I mean everything still as good as it's new and all the attractions are well maintain.
Flight & Accommodation
Our flight & accommodation was booked with AirAsia during their promotion last year. Our 2nd international flight with AirAsia, no complaint whatsoever flight on time and uneventful. We arrived at Coolangatta airport around 7.45am (Aus time) after the 8 hours overnight flight. Took us about 45mins to clear the custom.
Flight:
LCCT to Coolangatta (GC Airport) return cost RM1,534.00. Inclusive of 2 adults, 1 infant, supersize baggage (15kg each), meal, GoInsure, surcharges, fees & taxes.
Q1 Resort & Spa - 3 nights RM1,454.00 (stay 3/pay 2 promo).
Vibe Hotel - 4 nights RM1,164.00 (stay 4/pay 3 promo).
Car Rental
We had pre-booked our car from Thrifty through economycarrentals.com. It cost AUD360.00 for 7 days which came with 1 booklet of discount coupons, insurance cover with zero damage liabilities and baby car seat (compulsory for child below 7 y/o). FYI, Malaysian driving license is sufficient to drive in Australia.
Some Preparation & Tips for the trip
- Application for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) Australia. Cost AUD20.00 per person. Malaysian are eligible to apply for an eVisitor or eTourist Visa through website. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
- If you booked your hotel via third party, please double check with the hotel (email them) and make sure they received your booking. Happen that Q1 didn't have my booking record, took few hours to sort it out.
- Download and print out the Discount Voucher as many as you can. Plenty of discount voucher for entrance ticket, dining, retail & shopping. Here some links that you can free download the discount voucher:
Our first day was basically to get over the flight and set over the bearings. So, our first stop - Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary about 15mins drive from airport. It is a good place to see and experience Australian native wildlife.
Entrance fee: Adult AUD44.10, Child AUD27.90 & Child below 4 are free.
We purchased our ticket with 50% off voucher, great deal!
The Didgeridoo show &Free FlightBird show were a bit boring.
Kangaroo feeding the great highlight.
JX was too tired after 8 hours overnight flight.
They were such gentle creatures and wonderful to touch and see up close.
Checked in Q1 Resort & Spa at 3pm. Q1 is the world's tallest residential tower and located at Surfers Paradise. We booked 1 bedroom apartment but by the time we arrived all the 1 bedroom apartment were taken (as I mentioned before they didn't receive our booking but we managed to sort it out by make a few called to AirAsiaGo)so they upgraded ours into 2 bedrooms apartment without any extra charges. Big Bonus to us!
We took a good rest in the hotel until dinner time. Our first dinner in GC-Japanese Ramen. Nothing special, don't even bother to take photo. After dinner, we just strolled around Surfers Paradise. Happenings area, lot of restaurants, shops, cafes & pubs.
Day 2 - Monday - Brisbane - South Bank Parkland's - Queensland Museum - Piaf French Restaurant - City Cat (Ferry) - Chinatown.
Brisbane - The capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia.
Our first stop at South Bank.
The Arbour (Top), Brisbane River & CBD (Left Bottom) & Wheel of Brisbane (Right Bottom).
Our lunch at Piaf - French cuisine. Shop 5/182 Grey St, South Bank, Brisbane.
Meal serve in small portion. Food a bit salty for me but good service and dining environment.
We ordered Scared Scallops, Atlantic Salmon & Bacon. Total bill AUD 52.90.
City Cat - Ferry
A great way to see the city. (Adult fare AUD6.80 daily)
We had our dinner in one of the Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. A very wrong choice and a big let down. We ordered roasted pork rice and wanton noodle, the taste was extremely disappointed. By the way, the Chinatown in Brisbane look deserted.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Spring Brook - Robina Town Centre (mall) - Palm Beach - The Captains Table.
Our 3rd day itinerary spoilt due to the rainy day. Anyhow, we still stick to our plan and headed to Spring Brook with the hope that there's no rain over there but luck just not favored to us. Natural Bridge was our main purpose to Spring Brook. Though we can't make it to Natural Bridge but the lush greenery and beautiful country side scene as a compensation.
Palm Beach
and our dinner @
The Captains Table
17, Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise.
Open for lunch & dinner 7 days from 12pm till late.
Day 4 - Wednesday - Swimming pool of Q1 - Checked out from Q1 - Dreamworld - Checked in Vibe Hotel - Hakataya Noodle Shop - Night Market @ Surfers Paradise Esplanade
Huge swimming pool.
After checked out from the hotel, we drove to Dream World. Located at the northern end of the Gold Coast on the M1 and take exit 54 at Coomera (about 17kms & 30 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise).
Dreamworld & Whitewater World
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (Dreamworld), 10am - 4pm (Whitewater World)
Ticket: AUD69.00 (adult), AUD47.00 (Child) & child below 3 free.
Due to the off peak season, our AUD69.00 day pass were actually entitled for both Dreamworld & Whitewater World.
Checked in Vibe Hotel at 5pm. This hotel conveniently located within walking distance from the main shops and restaurants in Surfers Paradise.
Hotel room & river view from balcony.
Our dinner - Hakataya Noodle Shop.
Location: Shop 26 Centre Arcade Gold Coast 4211
Location: Shop 26 Centre Arcade Gold Coast 4211
Tel: +61 7 5526 7055.
We ordered Char Siu-Men (AUD13.00) & Nagahama Ramen (AUD10.00) come with a free extra noodle.
The beachfront night market along The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise. Every Wednesday & Friday night from 5.30pm to 10pm.
Day 5 - Thursday - Anzac Park, Southport - Food Fantasy - Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.
Another relaxing and leisure day in Gold Coast.
Pedal monorail.
Anzac Park opposite the Australia Fair shopping centre.
Palazzo Versace Hotel .
Safe swimming enclosure & human sharp platform. Southport Yacht Club at the back.
Sheltered areas.
Our lunch at Food Fantasy located in Jupiter Hotel & Casino, Broadbeach.
Buffet lunch: AUD29.90 (adult), AUD14.95 (children 5-12 y/o)
To get to Jupiter Hotel & Casino: by bike like the photo above!!! Just kidding!
After our lunch, we headed to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre just next door of JH&C.
We didn't buy any stuff except JX's toys and books. JX's met a new friend here.
Our dinner. Ramen + Unagi Don. Can't remember the restaurant's name but is opposite the Hakataya Noodle Shop. Taste not as good as Hakataya Noodle Shop. Total bill AUD19.00
Day 6 - Friday - Sea World - Shoreline Restaurant.
Sea World
http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm
Ticket: AUD71.95 (adult), AUD49.95 (Child) & child below 3 free.
We puchased our tickets with buy 1 get 1 free voucher from car rental discourt booklet.Sea World has wonderful marine wildlife, fun rides and great live shows. Sea World was the most memorable and enjoyable day of our GC trip.
The sea lion show.
The Big Bird show & fun rides.
Polar Bear, Sting Ray, Shark & Penguin.
Imagine Dolphine show was awesome and mind blowing.
We had our seafood buffet dinner at Shoreline Restaurant in Sea World Resort. Very expensive buffet, AUD72.50 per person. Luckily I had printed out the 50% discourt voucher, or else it was a bit over price compared to the foods provided.
Day 7 - Saturday - Mt. Tamborine Botanic Gardens - Gallery walk - Skywalk - The Cedar Creek Estate - Aquaduck.
Our last full day in GC.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
Open at 9.30am - 5pm, Last walk at 4pm. 7 days a week.
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a 300 meters steel structured bridge canopy, combined with the 40 meter cantilever bridge over the creek below (30m height). It is the longest canopy walk in South East Queensland.
Gallery Walk
The gallery walk showcases unique pieces by local artists wood carvings, textiles, leather work and featuring ceramic.
The Cedar Creek Estate
Open at 10am to 4pm 7 days a week.
The Glow worm guided tour in The Cedar Creek Estate take about half an hour. Ticket AUD11.00 per person. We found it quite bored and not really appreciate the tour.
The artificial Glow-worm caves
Mt. Tamborine is a nice place for you to relax and enjoy the breeze, magnificent rainforest and spectacular view.
Aquaduck
Price: AUD35.00 (adult), AUD26.00 (child) & Child 4 and below free.
Aquaduck tour was our last activity in GC.
Day 8 - Sunday - Coolangatta (GC Airport) - LCCT
Early morning flight at 8.40am.....tired.....anyway its time to say good bye to GC. Will come again but don't know when. Still have few places i wish to go for my next visit such as O'Reilly's, Natural Bridge, Gold Coast Reginal Botanic Gardens (I appreciate park & garden very much), Whale watching, Fraser Island, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Mt. Cootha lookout & Botanic Gardens in Brisbane and Sunshine coast. Bye..........
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