Queensland Travel Guide

Queensland, Australia — Resorts

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Surfer's Paradise

Formerly a small coastal resort town, the Surfer's Paradise vacation resort has blossomed into the pulsating heart of the Queensland Gold Coast. Set on a Peninsula, about 50 miles (78km) from Brisbane, with the warm Pacific Ocean on one side and the deep blue Nerang River on the other, Surfer's Paradise is considered to be the holiday capital of Australia. Visitors throng here to holiday among the bright lights, shops, high rise resort hotels and attractions squeezed onto the finger of land that is surrounded by a 492-foot (150m) wide beach that stretches for almost 6 miles (10km) in each direction.

Sanctuary Cove

Billed as 'Australia's first fully integrated tourism resort' the Sanctuary Cove vacation resort is sited on 474 hectares in picturesque surroundings around four man-made harbors on the Coomera River. Sanctuary Cove is open daily and entry is free. The vacation resort can be reached by road north from Surfer's Paradise or south from Brisbane (exit 57 off of the Pacific motorway), or by water (cruises operate daily). The waterfront Marine Village contains more than 80 specialty stores, cafés and restaurants and visitors on vacation here can watch glass-blowing and opal cutting. The Sanctuary Cove vacation resort also contains a health and fitness center, two championship golf courses, a 300-berth marina and a private country club. There are many major events held through the year such as the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (each May), golf tournaments and concerts.