Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Unforgettable Australian Gold Coast

By Damian Papworth

The easternmost portion of Australia's coastline is an area of abundant natural wonders and attractions, with many of the top-rated beaches on the continent, and worldwide, too. The Gold Coast surely stands out as one of the most frequented and spectacular places to visit on the eastern edge of Australia, and anywhere in the country at that. For many different, worthy reasons the whole Gold Coast area stands out as an alluring destination spot.

The slender stretch of shoreline and the hinterland that make up the larger Gold Coast area are nestled in the southeastern portion of the Australian state of Queensland, not a far trip heading south from the state capital, Brisbane. Mostly thanks to the incredible attractiveness of the Gold Coast, the city itself happens to be the largest non-capital city in the country.

One of the most stunning attributes of the Gold Coast is the subtle yet excellent fusion of modern, urban life with pristine natural surroundings, achieved in such a way that few if any other places in the world can claim. The center of town and the most developed area is the narrow stretch of city located right on the waterfront, and there are plenty of high-rise apartment condos and many more features of a modern cityscape; then, there are natural spaces located a little farther inland such as the pristine and biodiverse rainforest and many remote beach areas that are fodder for backpackers, nature lovers, and anybody looking to get back in touch with the great outdoors.

One of the truly unique features of the Gold Coast would have to be the intricate web of artifical waterways that were brilliantly carved out of the natural marshland that originally covered the area. All told, these canals are more than nine times longer than the famed Venetian canals...quite a lot. As a result, there are a ton of properties that sit right on the water's edge, even though they may not be oceanfront properties, only reinforcing the allure of staying here.

One of the big claims to fame that the Gold Coast has is its status as a mecca for surfers, and it is definitely among the most select surf destinations in the country and in the entire world. At the top of the list of the many spots along the Gold Coast's more than 35 miles of shoreline are the beaches at Kirra, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Surfers Paradise. The waves here are nothing short of ideal at many times of the year, with another impressive tube about to roll on through at any moment.

In keeping with the strong beach culture of the Gold Coast, there is a wonderfully efficient and excellently equipped Shark Control Program in place that has helped keep coastal swimmers free of shark attacks for a very long time indeed, at over fifty years by now. These vigilant eyes help keep locals and tourists happy and relaxed, just the way anybody should feel on a nice vacation.

The local landmarks in the Gold Coast include the Q1 tower, which provides the second-tallest observation spot in the southern hemisphere (approximately 230 meters, or 754 feet high), and Lamington National Park, listed by the UN as a World Heritage Site. It goes without saying that every inch of beach along the Gold Coast is a landmark unto itself

In sum, this is a place with a little something for everybody, and a whole lot more, too! Apparently the 10 million annual tourists that visit the Gold Coast think that way as well, with many of them being Australians themselves...real evidence that this destination is one you can't afford to miss out on.

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