Perhaps you're on the Gold Coast, you've lounged around on the golden beaches, explored the theme parks and shopped till your heart's content. What do you do next? How about a trip to the greener side of the Gold Coast, a journey to the Hinterland! Or maybe even a trip to North Stradbroke Island for the animal lovers, an island that's filled with local native wildlife and rich cultural heritage.
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The brilliant thing about some of these day trips are that with tour companies like Sightseeing Tours Australia and Gold Coast Day Tour, you'll be able to explore the best of what these destinations have to offer and not to have to worry a bit about how you're going to get back to Gold Coast (or Brisbane if you're based there) at the end of the day. How good does that sound? 😍
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NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
While you could easily spend more than a day exploring North Stradbroke, a day trip is a great introduction to the sand island. From the Gold Coast, it's about an hour and 20 minutes all up but the drive is worth it! Stradbroke, known to the locals as Straddie, is for the adventurous souls who want to surf, keen photographers who are eagerly awaiting that picture perfect vista at Visit Point Lookout and nature lovers who want to explore the island at a relaxed pace on North Gorge Walk.
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Then of course, there's Brown Lake. As it's a perched lake this means that you'll be able to swim without the fear of little fishies accidentally touching you in the water. Or is that just me who thinks about that? 😐 Anyway back to the point, Brown Lake is surrounded by tea trees which tint the color of the water. It's a very tranquil setting and has extremely significant meaning to the local Quandamooka people. With that in mind, it's really easy to enjoy the experience while still being respectful to the natural environment.
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If you're keen to surf, one of the more popular beaches on Straddie is Cylinder Beach. The beach is easily accessible from the carpark and is patrolled by lifeguards.
It's a great spot for sunbathing for those who aren't water inclined and there are nearby shops and eateries if all the sand and water makes you a little peckish.
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NATURAL ARCH AND SPRINGBROOK
What you may not know is that this next day trip (which is only a mere 45 minutes away from the beaches of Gold Coast!) is located in the ancient Gondwana rainforest; a UNESCO protected site. Here you'll be whisked away to a world where birds and wildlife reign supreme in the lush tropical greenery.
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Springbrook itself is home to an array of gorgeous waterfalls that are each in themselves unique and Insta-worthy. Speaking of Insta-worthy scenery, deep inside the Springbrook National Park, you'll come across the Natural Bridge. A rock formation formed into an arch by the fall of the water that has naturally eroded the basalt cave. At night time, you may even spot one of the elusive glow worms that live in the area.
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Purling Brook Falls is one of the most impressive and dramatic waterfalls in the entire region and a must visit natural attraction. It drops down a sharp 109 metres where it flows gently into a stream and also features an easy walk to the bottom of the falls which can take around an hour and a half to complete.
There's an abundance of subtropical wildflowers and ferns around the top and bottom of the waterfall that you'll get lost in the tranquil scenery that surrounds it.
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MOUNT TAMBORINE
No trip to the Hinterland is complete without a stop in Mount Tamborine. It's only 30 kilometres away from Gold Coast which makes it an easy day trip for those traveling with small kids who may not be able to sit still in a car for a couple of hours.
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There's a great range of food options such as Hickory Slow; a favorite of the locals for those who love their meat cooked slow and low, and the Bavarian Grill Haus if you're craving a pretzel or beer.
The beauty of Curtis Falls is one you can't miss, so make this a definite stop on your list! Depending on the time of year, you'll be treated to a view of a stunning rampage of water rushing down the basalt wall behind it, or a gentle flow trickling calmly into the stream.Either way, it's a sight to behold, and one that is made further impressive by the elaborate strangler figs that surround it, and the turtles who are often spotted relaxing in the pool below.
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After all this exploring, I can't think of a better way to end the day than with a trip to the Mount Tamborine Winery. Here you'll be able to purchase local wines to commemorate your trip with a nice bottle of red!
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So there you have it, 3-day trips that are sure to excite your adventurous side or appeal to the relaxing holiday you had in mind. Whichever you choose to do- or maybe all three- you won't be disappointed by your journey out into the native Australian landscape, a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the city life in Gold Coast.
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