Surfer's Paradise

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15/12/2009 - Today as a treat we were able to sleep in a little longer than usual since our bus didn’t depart till 10:30am. Once showered we went to find a café to get some breakfast then returned to our room to pack our bags. When we arrived at the bus terminal we bumped into a couple of girls who were on our Whitsunday’s cruise, we decided that we’d meet for dinner tonight in Surfer’s Paradise since they were only there for 1 night. The bus ride was stress free and only took an hour to get into Surfer’s Paradise. Surfer’s Paradise is a lively place with an amazing beach, theme parks, and amazing nightlife. I had been here time and time again and loved it. We got dropped off at the Surfer’s bus terminal and walked across the road to our hotel. When staying in Airlie Beach we decided to stay one extra night in Surfer’s so booked a mystery hotel, we were lucky enough to get a very nice 4 star Marriott right on Cavill Avenue.

We didn’t really do too much today, had a walk around Surfer’s and got some lunch, then relaxed in out swish room, it was good to finally stay somewhere other than a hostel. Eventually it was time to meet up with Sally and Anna for dinner. We had a brief walk around to find somewhere to eat, then finally settled on Mexican. We all enjoyed dinner and plenty of drinks then said goodbye to the girls and headed back to our swish hotel to sleep.

Accommodation:
Marriott Courtyard

16/12/2009 - When we were in Airlie Beach we each purchased a 3 Park Super Pass to visit all the awesome theme parks, so today we were off to Sea World. We checked out of the hotel and left our luggage at the desk, then caught the bus to Sea World. We arrived to discover that a few of the rides were shut today, it’s so frustrating when that happens. We grabbed a map and began to make our way around the Park, making sure that we went to all the animal shows. Once we had made our way round and seen all the shows it was time for some lunch. It was typically expensive and pretty average as well. Finally we made for some rides, that is, the only 2 that were open and one of which I had been on before. We rushed over to a rollercoaster called Wave Rider, it was a brand new launch rollercoaster where you are strapped on a jet ski and whizzed around a blue track over lagoons. I wasn’t sure how good it would be until I saw it, and it was fast.

We threw our gear into a locker and joined the small queue. It wasn’t long before we were at the front, then on the ride. It was amazing. It launched us around the track weaving around itself then as it started to slow we were suddenly launched off again, through a tunnel then back to the start, this ride was great. We jumped off and I convinced Hannah to go round one more time, again it was awesome. Next we headed over to a flume ride which I had been on once before, the queue was huge and the ride was just as average as I remember it being last time. We got straight off and just made it in to the 4D film around the corner. Finally when the film was finished we caught the chairlift back to the entrance and made our way back into Surfer’s to our hotel. We grabbed our luggage and took a taxi to our apartment for the next week at Mantra Wings. The place was amazing, and it was massive. Once settled we walked to the local corner shop to get some pasta for dinner, we were so low on funds we really needed to take this opportunity to cook our own food while we could. It was a quiet night, we went to bed quite early.

17/12/2009 - Today was an amazing day, it was clear blue sky and it was really hot. This morning we left the apartment and headed towards the beautiful beach. I love Surfer’s Paradise beach, the surf was awesome, it was always busy and seemed to go on for ages. As we walked along the beach I took some great photo’s of the beach with Surfer’s skyline in the background. After dipping out feet in the cool water we made our way over to Q1 building. Q1 is the second tallest residential building in the Southern-Hemisphere, second only to the Eureka Tower in Melbourne. The entry into Q1 was very expensive, but I had never been to the observation deck before so I really couldn’t wait. We took the incredibly fast lift all the way to the top. The views were absolutely stunning, from up here the beach went on forever and the skyscrapers below looked tiny. I spent ages taking photos, trying to get the best view without any reflection, it was a lot more difficult than it sounds. I did at least 10 laps of the observation deck reading all the interesting facts and taking photos in every direction.

We were in the observation deck for a good hour or so before we decided it was time to make our way back down. As we stepped outside the building we were reminded of the intense heat today. We got some ice-cream from Cold Stone and wandered around Cavill Avenue before heading back to our apartment. We spent most of the afternoon in the pool, trying as best we could to spend very little money, we were really struggling now. For dinner we had pasta and garlic bread again, it was another quiet night before bed.

18/12/2009 - I hadn’t been to Movie World for years, and last time I went wasn’t brave enough to try the biggest rollercoaster’s, and today, that was where we were heading. We got ready and took an expensive bus ride to Movie World located a short while outside Surfer’s Paradise. We arrived before it opened and queued outside until the gates opened and people began to pour in. Hannah and I headed straight for the insanely intense Superman Escapes ride. Though because there was a large drop, Hannah refused to go on it, I joined the queue on my own. After a short wait staff emerged telling everyone that the three main rides were closed for now but would open again soon. I was so annoyed, rides closing again, man it was frustrating. Five minutes later, all of a sudden everything was open, the nerves were kicking in, this was going to be one crazy rollercoaster. I climbed on, strapped in and we were on the way, circling through a collapsing subway station when suddenly Superman arrives. We were launched at incredible speed out of the building and way up high before a straight drop down, it was insane. One of the best thrill rides I have ever experienced, I got off shaking, I was definitely doing this again before I left today!

We made our way around the massive theme park, going from ride to ride making sure we could do them all at least once. The Park was actually pretty quiet considering it was summer school holiday’s, in fact out of the few times I had been to Movie World, this was easily the quietest. We rushed around, only stopping for a very expensive lunch, afterwards continuing to get on every ride. We even had a try a the kiddy coasters in the Looney Toons area but this is where everyone was, it was ridiculously jam packed, the queues were huge, so we gave it a miss. By this time it was mid-afternoon and we had done everything we wanted. We decided to leave, via Superman Escapes for one last go. Again incredible, possibly better and a little faster than the first time, it was really intense. We caught the bus back into Surfer’s Paradise and walked back to our apartment. For dinner both Hannah and I were craving a curry, so we found a place which turned out to be very good for an Aussie curry restaurant. Afterwards we returned to the apartment to sleep.

19/12/2009 - Another relatively quiet day today. We had a wander around Surfer’s again, trying again to not spend any money. Eventually we made our way back and went straight into the pool. By late afternoon we got ourselves ready because shortly we were getting picked up to go see the Australian Outback Spectacular 2. After days and days being unsure if we should do it or not, yesterday we just decided to pay up and do it while we were here, and at $100 a ticket it was not an easy decision at all. The bus arrived on time and we were one of the first on it, so it meant a long, long drive around the streets and hotels of Surfer’s picking everyone up. Eventually we arrived at the venue which was situated smack bang in between Movie World and Wet’n’Wild. As we entered and gave our tickets we were given a cowboy hat, then all of a sudden one of the staff pulled me aside and asked if I wanted to be in the show. I said of course, she took my name and seat number then told me someone will find me during the show, how cool is that!

While we waited to get our seat Hannah and I bought a couple of drinks and watched the various animals around the barn, already we thought this was fantastic, it hadn’t even started. Soon enough the doors opened and we took our seats. Our entrée was out waiting for us then drinks came round as well, I was loving it. The show was fantastic, really, really entertaining, and the food was also very good, a three course steak dinner, with free drinks. During dinner a member of staff found me and told me my cue to meet near the entrance was a massive helicopter. Sure enough it came, was impressive as hell watching as I stumbled off to meet downstairs. I was involved in a race which meant carrying a frame of a carriage and running from one end to the other, it was great fun, even though my team lost. But what a night it had been, the show, food and venue were all amazing, definitely worth the $100 ticket price. After the show we jumped back on the bus and after another long, long drive dropping everyone off, it was our turn. We got back and went straight to sleep.

20/12/2009 - Today we are meeting up with Lena who we met on our Great Barrier Reef diving trip in Cairns. She was also bringing some friends for an awesome day out at Wet’n’Wild Water Park. This place is a must do for anyone going to Surfer’s, even though it’s just out of town, it is an amazing water park. We left our apartment early and took another expensive bus ride to Wet’n’Wild. When we arrived we joined the massive queue to get in, it was only just opening. The weather wasn’t bad today, it was hot, but very overcast and rain expected, the perfect day to go to somewhere like this. If it’s too hot, every man and their dog will be queuing to get in, so although busy at the moment was still relatively quiet to what I have seen before. Once inside we hired a locker and waited for Lena and her friends to arrive, they were right behind us. Hannah and I were waiting ages while Lena’s friends got ready, they had to have taken at least 20 minutes before we were ready to go. While we were waiting the heavens opened up and is was absolutely pouring it down.

Finally we were all set and we headed off to do some rides. We worked our way around the water park going from right to left, going on the occasional ride twice, sometimes three times before moving on. Throughout the day the rain came and went, though was relatively dry for most of the day. Besides a break for lunch we were constantly moving from ride to ride, it was awesome, I think we all agreed the Tornado was the best ride, it was so much fun. We were there until the late afternoon when Lena and friends had to start making their way back to Brisbane, it was a long trip back for them. Our bus came first we jumped on and headed back into Surfer’s Paradise. It was pasta again tonight and another early night after a very busy week.

Accommodation:
Mantra Wings

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Photos

Surfers Paradise
Absolutely stunning view across Surfers Paradise from Q1, tallest building in Australia.

Sea World
Fantastic views over Sea World while on the chair lift.

Sea World
Amazing new Dolphin show at Sea World

Surfers Paradise
Walking along beautiful Surfers Paradise Beach on a really hot summer's day.

Surfers Paradise
The huge Q1 residential tower, the tallest building in Australia.

Surfers Paradise
Spectacular views from the Q1 Observation Deck.

Surfers Paradise
More amazing views, you can actually see the curve of the Earth.

Movie World
The insane Superman Escapes ride at Movie World on the Gold Coast.

Movie World
The second time on Superman Escapes was way more intense than the first!

Wet'n'Wild
Awesome ride at Wet'n'Wild called the Tornado, so much fun!

Wet'n'Wild
Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast on a very rainy day.