Travel tips

 

Paradise on Earth Surfers Paradise

 

 

Here I am, sunbathing on the Surfers Paradise beach in the middle of March, a sunny song playing in my mind, while most of the rest of the world sings songs of deep, dark winter. Surfers Paradise is a suburb that looks more like a big city, the heart of the 70-km wide stretch of sands on Australia’s Gold Coast in Queensland.

I have to confess the name had something to do with me choosing this coastal town an hour away from Brisbane as the starting point of my route in Australia: Surfers Paradise.

I may never have surfed myself; yet I love watching surfers and have always been curious about this paradise.

I board the train, fully aware of the risk any self-styled paradise holds of suddenly turning into a hell. And I am confronted, quite unexpectedly, by a vista of high-rises and wide roads. Surprised by the view -since all I expected to see was a tiny town consisting of a long beach- the three-kilometre-long golden beach vindicates my decision.

Everything the surfer might need is available here. You won’t regret it, be it lessons you’re after or simply watching.

Even if you’re not in the least bit fussed about surfing, you can still enjoy the sea, the sands and the sun before heading off for the nightspots for some action.

There’s a huge variety of food in dozens of restaurants, even a Turkish döner grill, all-night dancing nightclubs and a rich shopping centre offering everything from clothing to souvenirs.

Some 53 different activities are geared to entertaining visitors of every age.

This coast enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, only two months short, in other words, another attraction is that there’s something for every budget here, unlike neighbouring coasts.

In short, Surfers Paradise is paradise for all, and not just surfers. This is an unmissable opportunity for those who want to enjoy paradise while still alive.

Notes from paradise:

• Surfers Paradise entertains some 15,000 visitors a night on average.

• It hosts over 100 events each year.

• This is the only venue in Queensland where shops stay open late seven days a week.

• The gently swirling waves are perfect for learner surfers.

• The twice-weekly night-time beach market is very popular.

• The Q1 (Queensland 1), the world’s highest residential block at 323m was finished at the end of 2005.

 

 

 

 

Ders almak isteyenler için / For lessons

 

Surfers Paradise

Free Ride Surfing School

+61 (0)7 5538 7873

 

Cheyne Horan School of Surf

1800 227 873

Sunshine State Surfing School

+61 (0)7 5522 8761

 

The Surfing

Information Centre

+61 (0)7 5538 4199