In Focus

A quick guide to Queensland's other attractions

This stretch of coast is one of Australia's most favoured holiday destinations. It has beaches and more beaches and then there's the hinterland

  • By Neesha C Saalian, Staff Writer
  • Published: 00:00 September 28, 2010
  • In Focus

The fantastic Gold Coast city panorama
  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • The fantastic Gold Coast city panorama.

The day before I left for Queensland, I was busy sending mails to colleagues to update them on what needed to be addressed when I was away. Little did I know about the quest that lay ahead. Fifteen hours and more than 11,000 kilometres later, I embarked on a journey that took me from a showering facility at Brisbane airport to close encounters with creatures of the wild (I did hug a koala), high-speed boat rides and a free fall that left my bones rattling.

I feasted on triple cream brie and Moreton Bay Bugs, and even baked a ginger and pear pie with a master chef, who proclaimed publicly that my cutting skills were abysmal. Finally, I walked through a verdant rainforest (on a cantilever, 30 metres above the ground), drove up a mountain (in a snazzy red convertible) and basked on beaches that belong on a postcard.

If all this sounds like great fun, you should head to Queensland yourself, as there's plenty more of that where it came from. Here's a list of where to start.

The Sunshine Coast

This stretch of coast is one of Australia's most favoured holiday destinations. It has beaches and more beaches and then there's the hinterland. You can go bushwalking, fishing, or surfing and kayaking if you're done catching a tan. However, I recommend heading to Noosa, a two-hour drive from Brisbane. This is a town after my own heart. They have banned high-rise buildings and have no traffic lights. The rich and famous seem to love this part of the coast. I reckon a million-dollar view of the sunset, proximity to the stunning Noosa National Park, some of the best seafood in the country and laid-back neighbours have a lot to do with it. If you want to catch some of the action, head to Hastings Street. It leads up to the beach and the national park and has high-end boutiques, luxurious hotels such as the Sebel Resort Noosa, charming cafès and fabulous restaurants such as Berardo's. The scallops here are to die for, as is the restaurant's selection of cheeses.

If you want to explore Noosa's coast, the best way is by the Oceanrider. However, this is not for the faint-hearted. This is one bumpy, speedy, crazy boat ride that will have your adrenalin on overdrive. Backed by a few hundred horsepower, the boat takes on the ocean, big waves and the wind. It does slow down regularly, giving you time to catch your breath and take in views of the hidden coves and caves, cliffs and the beaches.

The Australia Zoo

Walking on the wild side is a lot of fun, especially if you are on Steve Irwin's turf in Beerwah. Located on the Sunshine Coast, the zoo is about an hour's drive away from Brisbane. Set in more than 70 acres, it is home to a magnificent menagerie comprising crocodiles, tigers, kangaroos, wombats, koalas, binturongs and a boa constrictor. Head to the Crocoseum and watch some jaw-snapping action as crocs do what they do best: eat and look menacing. I much preferred getting up close and personal with a koala, stroking a wombat and feeding a kangaroo — at least I didn't resemble the main course to them. A trip to the wildlife hospital on the zoo grounds is also a must. Put this place on top of your must-visit list, especially if you are accompanied by young children.

The Ginger Factory and Super Bee

This place is pure fun. It is one of the world's biggest ginger processing factories but there's more to it: lush, tropical gardens, quaint train rides, an interesting bee show, a store that stocks every gingery goody known to man, and the Buderim Ginger Cooking School. Chef Erik Van Alphen conducts classes for private groups and they are a great way to bond with friends or loved ones and improve on your culinary skills. Chef Alphen throws in a bunch of locally sourced ingredients, including a few savoury anecdotes, and ginger, Buderim's speciality, to create lip-smacking dishes such as roast lamb with a ginger-based sauce. This is not a typical vacation activity but it's one you will think back on fondly, especially if you manage to perfect the art of slicing onions and chopping pears.

The Gold Coast

The Gold Coast needs no introduction. It's known for its glitz, glamour and fast-paced lifestyle. It's filled with theme parks, great shopping and some of the world's most luxurious hotels. Surfers Paradise is a hot spot. This lively and exciting destination is home to Palazzo Versace, which was recently voted as Australia's most luxurious hotel, and the beautiful Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort and Spa, which offers awe-inspiring views of the coastline. The award-winning hotel features a splendid five-metre deep saltwater lagoon that has more than 400 species of tropical fish and an artificial coral reef where you can scuba dive and snorkel.

If you are not squeamish about heights, head to the observation decks on the 77th and 78th floors of QDeck, one of the tallest buildings in the area. The 360 degree views of gorgeous sand and turquoise waters are superb. Another place you shouldn't miss is the Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant. If you want to sample authentic Australian cuisine, ask for Moreton Bay Bugs. This distant cousin of the lobster is delicious, especially if it's grilled to perfection with a generous dollop of butter.

Dreamworld

This place is a magnet for adrenaline junkies. If the excitement of plummeting to earth at 217kmph from a height of 120 metres doesn't faze you, a giant claw that swings 360 degrees at a speed of up to 75kmph definitely will. These mean scream machines are part of six high-thrill rides at Australia's most popular theme park. However, it's not just about the fear factor; the park also offers loads of fun activities for children and adults. Wiggles World and Nikelodeon Central are super destinations for little ones. Teenagers and adults can spend time riding the waves at Flowrider or head to Redline to try their hand at steering V8 Supercars, virtually.

If you tire of the games, which I highly doubt, you should head to Tiger Island and watch big Bengal and Sumatran cats cavort with their handlers.

Tamborine Mountain

If you've had enough of the Gold Coast, head to the beautiful Tamborine Mountain in the hinterland. This sylvan paradise has it all — sub-tropical rainforests, waterfalls, rock pools, charming boutiques and restaurants that offer great food. It's recommended that you rent a car from one of several companies such as Redback Rentals and spend the day visiting places such as the Rainforest Skywalk.

You can also take a stroll down Gallery Walk and head down to Witches Chase Cheese Company, which manufactures premium soft, blue and hard varieties, to buy some of Australia's finest cheeses. Try one of its award-winning bries or washed rind cheese with home-made quince paste or a caramelised onion and fig relish — both of which are made by the company.

You can also sample a sumptuous lunch at the Liquid Amber and Bistro Grill if you are tired from all the walking. And finally, a visit to the Cedar Creek Estate vineyard is also recommended, as you can view the man-made Glow Worm caves.

Most of the destinations mentioned here figure among Queensland's star attractions. However, there's so much more that needs exploring. For me, this is reason enough to plan my next visit. I have a feeling you'll be back as well.

- The author was part of a media trip courtesy of Cathay Pacific and Tourism Queensland. 

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