Go Gold Coast! - Here's What To Do...
Written: May 13 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fun fun parks and fascinating wildlife parks.
Cons: not much else
The Bottom Line: Love fun parks? Here we've got Dreamworld, Wet 'n' Wild, Movieworld AND Seaworld! Love animals? See all the Australian oddities at Currumbin and Fleay's!
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| bassy's Full Review: Brisbane |
OK - this isn't a review of Brisbane. It's of the Gold Coast/Surfer's Paradise - just south of Brisbane. Pretty much the it's the only place in Australia worth going to for more than a week. And why's that? 'Cos it's full of fun parks - oh, and it has a few wildlife parks worth going to aswell. Sure, it has some shopping (but you can do that anywhere) and it has beaches (but the whole shark / jellyfish thing and the fact that there are better beaches elsewhere...) but nah....
Here's what to do:
DREAMWORLD
Dreamworld is an awesome fun park. It's got loads of cool rides and other amusing things. The wicked rides include the Tower of Terror (a vertical lift and drop), the Wipe Out (one of them spinny, flippy rides that are hard to explain), the double-loop rollercoaster and the runaway mine cart ride. And there's also quite a few more less-exciting but still fun rides. There's also a waterpark with loads of slides coming out of a big volcano - Krakatoa. So bring your togs! And there's Tiger Island - yeah, an island full of tigers, but also an area with Australian wildlife just in case you can't make it to any actual wildlife parks. If you're only doing one fun park - this is it. Chocka full of rides and things to do.
SEAWORLD
See dolphins, seals, sharks and fish with loads of shows and demonstrations. I guess it could be educational if you actually listened to the trainers blather on about New Zealand fur seals and bottle-nosed dolphins - but isn't it much more fun just cooing about how cute the animals are? And of course there's the necessary oohing and aahing whenever they jump or balnce something on their noses. The real reason to go to Seaworld though is the rides. There's a couple of typical rollercoaster (one with loops and one without), a monorail and a log flume-like viking ride. But best of all is the Bermuda Triangle - a cool boat ride through a mysterios, fiery volcano - full of fun and thrills. You'll laugh and scream till you cry - and you'll insist on going on this ride again and again (there aren't too rides). If it's summer bring your togs 'cos this place also has some slides - less fun than at Dreamworld but if it's a hot day ....
WET 'N' WILD
Fan of waterslides? This is the place to go! Loads and loads of pools and slides - something for everyone (unless you're hydrophobic). There's a wave pool, a children's water playground and a picnic area. But who cares - go for the slides! There's speed slides, the "twister", rapid simulators and ones with loads of turns, etc. Some you do need two people to go on (like the River Rapids) so make sure there's another adventurous person coming with you.
MOVIEWORLD
It's changed a bit since I've been but essentially it's the same. Lame fun park with a vague movie theme. A couple of good rides: the Gremlin and Bugs Bunny rides, the Batman motion-master and (most importantly) the Lethal Weapon inverted roller coaster. This is one wicked coaser! The only other reasons to go would be if you like having your photo taken with creatures that vaguely resemble cartoon characters (not the good Disney ones but those Warner Bros ones) or if you're into "behind-the-scenes" showcases.
FLEAY'S WILDLIFE PARK
Need to get all that cheesy tack from the fun parks out of you? Get back to nature here! Very un-commercial this is the place for relaxation and animal-appreciation. The guided tours (free with admission) are excellent with loads of stories to enthrall. The fascinating animals include cassowarries, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, crocodiles, dingoes, wombats and heaps more. Run by conservationists it is very animal-friendly and for that reason you won't be able to hold a koala (got to Dreamworld or Currumbin for that) but you can still get very close. 10/10!
CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Another great wildlife park specialising in birds. Be there in the mornings and afternoons to watch and participate in the feeding of the wild rainbow lorrikeets. Great photo opportunities! Has all the same animals as Fleay's with some additional creatures like the Tasmanian devils and reptiles. Some great demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Touch snakes and bats and more. Heaps of walk-through aviaries and picnic-areas, also a train for children and train-buffs. A little more commercial but just as good.
That's it - nothing else! If you're that type go shopping or sit on the beach. Maybe go up to the Sunshine Coast for a stroll in the woods, a look at the aquarium and a trip up the big pineapple. If you love avocados there's Tropical Fruit World (formerly Avocado Adventure Land). But the five thnigs above will keep ya busy.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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Epinions.com ID:
bassy
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Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Reviews written: 53
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Lives in Auckland, Aotearoa. Has travelled extensively. Loves Scary Spice, sushi and meat pies.
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