Surfers Paradise get away 8/10 - 12/10

[Blackadder]

An opportunity for a quick get away from Sydney came up , so why not get away and clear the head.
After some thinking of destinations , checking prices etc settled on Surfers Paradise, flying to Coolangatta (for the first time ), then back from Brisbane.
A full flight for the trip to Coolangatta, and a boarding group of 5 , so made the decision to gate check my usual carry on to save the fight for luggage space.
As Murphys law would have it, after groups 1&2 were called groups 4&5 were called , so I get to my seat to discover room above my seat. Tracking along the North Coast

A slightly late arrival into OOL, and back several years with no aerobridge connections.

 

[Blackadder]

Decided to do the 50cents trip into Surfers Paradise, and I wasn’t alone in my thinking with a queue of around 20 people waiting at the bus stop outside the Terminal.
Limited luggage storage, but thankfully managed to make room for my suitcase.
The Bus to Broadbeach South is only every 30mins , so chances are it’s going to be crowded.
Not exactly the quickest way to get to Surfers Paradise, but for 50cents if you have the time and not much luggage, worth it imho.
Also in that time on the bus I got a message my room and digital key were ready.
Eventually made it to the Terminal for the Tram through to Surfers Paradise, and found a seat for the trip to my stop at Cavill Ave.
A short walk from the Tram stop to my Hotel for the next four nights the Hilton Hotel & Residences.
No need to check in so straight to my Executive King room.

 

[hwy]

Enjoy the complimentary Dilmah iced tea in the lobby area.
Enjoy the complimentary weirdoes outside the hotel in Orchid Ave after sunset.

 

[justinbrett]

Stay away from the kebab shop closest to the hotel. It’s awful.

 

[hwy]

Stay away from the kebab shop closest to the hotel. It’s awful.

That's only there to serve after the nightclubs are closed and you are completely pickled. In the harsh light of sobriety I do not think any of those places in that precinct pass any test/ cleanliness awards.
The little alleyway with all the Asian casual eats is decent enough though if you do not want to walk too far from the Hilton.

 

[justinbrett]

That's only there to serve after the nightclubs are closed and you are completely pickled. In the harsh light of sobriety I do not think any of those places in that precinct pass any test/ cleanliness awards.
The little alleyway with all the Asian casual eats is decent enough though if you do not want to walk too far from the Hilton.

That one is worse than the others though.

 

[Blackadder]

Enjoy the complimentary Dilmah iced tea in the lobby area.
Enjoy the complimentary weirdoes outside the hotel in Orchid Ave after sunset.

lol saw one of said weirdos on the corner of Cavill Mall and Orchid Ave, well before sunset.

 

[Blackadder]

Stay away from the kebab shop closest to the hotel. It’s awful.

Will definitely avoid that.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[AIRwin]

Any storms this arvo?

Brisbane Weather Discussion

Expect some weather delays this afternoon/evening to/from Brisbane. Its become quite dark and lots of thunder/wind around.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Blackadder]

Any storms this arvo?

Brisbane Weather Discussion

Expect some weather delays this afternoon/evening to/from Brisbane. Its become quite dark and lots of thunder/wind around.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Some storms passing through the Gold Coast now and later tonight.
Worst of it seems around Brisvegas and North of there.

 

[drron]

Storms so far have been south of us on the Sunshine Coast.

 

[Blackadder]

Day 2, and can be best described as wet. Been raining most of the day, and looks to be set in.
Only here for a few days , so can’t pick and choose day tours based on weather.
Today was a trip up to the Natural bridge, which is where a waterfall has eroded through a lava rock cave, then through to various lookouts and waterfalls across the valley.
Firstly a brief stop at Hinze Dam(apparently NOT named after the politician, but land owners in the days of settlement)for the driver to pick up the pre ordered light snack , for me a double chocolate muffin, and Coke Zero.
Then onto our first stop at Natural bridge, with a guided walk through to the cave.

 

[Blackadder]

Next stop Numinbah lookout , which is on the eroded rim of a shield volcano from some 10million years ago.
Can only go by the signage as to where things are located, as due to the weather the only view I had was of the cloud. The view of the valley

 

[Blackadder]

Next stop Springbrook National Park lookout, and unlike the previous stop could actually see something other than clouds.

Final stop was at Purling Brook falls and probably the best of the weather and viewing conditions.




Back to a very wet Surfers Paradise (doesn’t stop the crazies on the beach ) , and thankfully for the shortcut from the tour drop off via the shopping centre to the Hotel.

 

[Blackadder]

Enjoy the complimentary Dilmah iced tea in the lobby area.
Enjoy the complimentary weirdoes outside the hotel in Orchid Ave after sunset.

Absolutely on both counts.

 

[hwy]

Get ready for Thursday night ladies night!

 

[Blackadder]

Day 3 a visit to Mount Tambourine and O’Reilly’s Retreat and Vineyard.
Weather was gradually improving , so another day trip exploring the Green behind the Gold. In a it’s a small world moment the tour guide for today, was the same guide as yesterday.
Again morning tea orders were taken, and this time a brief stop at Canungra to stretch the legs and pick up morning tea, home made muffins that were a decent size.


Morning tea was at outlook with 360° views (weather permitting) , it was overcast but no rain on arrival, but that soon changed with a light mist setting in.
View attachment IMG_3275.jpeg

 

[Blackadder]

After the morning tea stop we continued on the long and winding road to an elevation of 1,000m asl to O’Reilly’s rainforest retreat.
First off an opportunity for some wild bird feeding (King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas), predictably as soon as I set foot outside I was descended on by the masses looking for a feed. Even a couple of hundred metres walk to the designated feeding area, they all came along for the ride either perched on the feeding tray or me.
One decided it liked my hearing aid , so chewed that to pieces then not content others went biting at the ear.
Thankfully said hearing aid is covered by worker’s compensation, but still some explaining to do.

 

[Blackadder]

After the attack of the Parrots and Rosellas, time for a Rainforest floor , and Treetop walk.
The Treetop walk is via a series of 3 suspension bridges. Not a fan of heights at the best of times, add in the movement of the suspension bridges and it had me holding on to the guide cables very tightly.

After the walk, it was time to head back down the Mountain to O’Reilly’s Canungra Vineyard , for lunch and optional wine tasting.
Not an alcohol drinker, but those who took part had positive reviews of those on offer.
Lunch is preordered and at your own expense. I opted for the “Aussie Burger”, which seemed to be your basic burger, plus Beetroot.
A generous meat patty made up for the lack of toppings, and along with the fries made for a filling lunch.
After lunch some time to wander around the Vineyards, or walk some Alpacas .

 

[Blackadder]

Day 4 and probably the best day weather wise, so off to SeaWorld for the theme park fix.
Arriving just after opening time and a queue back across the car park. Thankfully avoided all that with a pre paid ticket, and definitely recommend for those planning to visit.
The evening was a visit to see the Australia Outback spectacular, being without a car the only option to get back from there was a Uber around $45ish or a $30 return transfer with Con-x-ion, so for obvious reasons the return transfer it was.
Purchased the show ticket that included a 3 course meal and unlimited drinks, definitely worth the upgrade.
A free photo included to in the ticket, and 3 others plus keychain, download etc available for $60.
Maybe they could’ve given out a QR code if we wanted to purchase, instead of coming around during the show.
Overall the show was fantastic, and well worth the ticket price imo.