Gold Coast

Gold Coast

Exploring the
Gold Coast

New South Wales

Travel to the Gold Coast as a family, and you’ll experience a destination that is both beautiful and bustling. This vibrant region is expanding rapidly, blending industrial and coastal elements seamlessly. While the size and busyness might deter some travel families, those willing to brave the traffic will find an abundance of attractions and activities to enjoy.

Where to Stay

The Gold Coast offers numerous caravan parks located in the north, central, and south areas. We chose to stay for two weeks at Kirra Caravan Park. This spot was perfect for us, as we love surfing and it provided a great base for exploring the surrounding areas. Its proximity to the beach and various attractions made it an ideal choice for our family.

What to Do

Beyond the obvious theme parks and a multitude of activities like go-karting and indoor play centers, the Gold Coast offers some unique and fun adventures:

Burleigh Hill

Burleigh Hill is perfect for a family picnic. Afterward, you can head to the beach for a swim and enjoy the playground with the kids. The scenic views and relaxed atmosphere make it a wonderful spot to spend a day.

Coolangatta

Coolangatta boasts an amazing beach, fun shopping opportunities, and two great playgrounds. A highlight is the walk around the headland to Rainbow Bay, offering stunning coastal views and a chance to explore more of the area’s natural beauty.

Currumbin Valley

For an incredible rainforest adventure, head to Cougal Cascade in Currumbin Valley. The lush greenery and cascading waters provide a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast.

Tallebudgera Creek

Known as the jewel of the Gold Coast, Tallebudgera Creek is perfect for family swimming. The calm, clear waters are ideal for a relaxing day out with the kids.

Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park offers a beautiful scenic forest walk to the natural bridge. This picturesque spot is perfect for nature lovers and provides a serene environment for family exploration.

Lamington National Park

Venture out to Canungra for breakfast and then head to Lamington National Park for some of the Gold Coast’s most pristine rainforest adventures. The park is home to waterfalls and diverse wildlife, making it a fantastic destination for a day trip.

Getting Around the Gold Coast

Navigating the Gold Coast with a caravan is manageable despite the traffic. The area is quite built up, so it’s essential to be aware, give yourself enough room to brake and turn, and you’ll be as good as gold. The well-maintained roads and clear signage help make the journey smooth and stress-free.

Travel to the Gold Coast as a family, and you’ll find a destination brimming with excitement and natural beauty. Whether it’s exploring Burleigh Hill, enjoying Coolangatta, or adventuring in Springbrook and Lamington National Parks, the Gold Coast offers unforgettable experiences for every member of the family.

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast

Exploring the
Sunshine Coast

 

Queensland

Travel to the Sunshine Coast as a family, and you’ll discover why it’s Queensland’s third most populous area. This stunning region offers everything from beautiful beaches to an incredible hinterland, making it a perfect destination for a family adventure.

Our Stay in Coolum

During our two-week stay on the Sunshine Coast, we chose to base ourselves in Coolum. This central location was ideal for exploring everything we wanted to see and do. From Coolum, we had easy access to Noosa, the Eumundi Markets, and Mooloolaba. It was also reasonably close to the hinterland areas like Maleny, Montville, and Mapleton.

Highlights of Our Trip

Noosa National Park

Noosa National Park was a standout highlight for us. It’s probably one of the most incredible national parks in Australia, offering amazing surf (although we didn’t catch any waves this time), stunning walks, and breathtaking scenery. The coastal views and diverse wildlife made it a memorable experience for the whole family.

Eumundi Markets

Despite Brad’s general dislike for markets, the Eumundi Markets were a different story. This massive market was not only fun but also offered some of the best food we’ve ever tasted. The variety and quality of the stalls made it a must-visit spot on our trip.

Kondalilla National Park

A visit to Kondalilla National Park was another highlight. The walk to the rock pools is fantastic, and the pools themselves are some of the freshest and most refreshing we’ve ever experienced. It’s a great spot for a family hike and a cool dip in the natural waters.

Getting Around the Sunshine Coast

Getting around the Sunshine Coast with a caravan was relatively easy. However, it’s important to be aware of the traffic, as the area is generally quite built up. Despite this, the well-maintained roads and clear signage made our travels smooth and enjoyable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, travel to the Sunshine Coast as a family, and you’ll find a region that offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and fun activities. Whether it’s exploring Noosa National Park, enjoying the Eumundi Markets, or hiking in Kondalilla National Park, the Sunshine Coast provides a memorable and diverse experience for every family member.

 

Agnes Water

Agnes Water

Exploring
Agnes Waters

 

Queensland

Traveling to Agnes Water in a caravan is as fun and exciting as you have probably heard. We fell in love with Agnes Water and wish our time was longer. We can’t wait to head back for an extended stay.

Where to stay at Agnes Water

Staying at the caravan park in town, which excitingly has become an NRMA park. This is unreal news as NRMA parks are our favourite of all the brand caravan parks.

Facilities were fantastic when we were there. Massive wins were easy beach access and the cafe on the beach that had live music over the weekend on the grass. It was a fun vibe.

Things to do

The biggest attraction is main beach. A super family friendly beach with a little rolling wave off the point, perfect for long boarding.

You’ll also want to explore Red Rock trail to Springs Beach. An easy board walk to another beautiful beach.

Another fun activity to do is the Paperbark Forest This was a fun adventure for the kids and didnt take more than 30 mins, yet is a very unique experience.

You’ll also want to head to 1770 especialy if you love SUPing, fishing and boating. Bustard Bay Lookout is an easy walk with the family. There are other camping spots around 1770 as well, if your looking for something a bit more laid back.

Town hosts some decent shopping, cafe’s and a great sushi shop. Foodworks is big enough and when we were there (June 2023) Woolworths was being built.

Driving to Agnes Water

The drive in and out wasn’t the best, so take it easy. Narrow roads and lots of road works when we were there. Hopefully these are all sorted now. There are two ways in to Agnes Water, both are about as good as each other. We came in from the North and left to the South. Traveling to Agnes Water in a caravan shouldn’t be daunting if you take your time and not rush.

Agnes is a brilliant family friendly town. A nice playground is close to Main beach / NRMA Caravan park, but the true calling is the beach, the nature walks and the river at 1770.