Queensland is known for its big waves on the Gold Coast. I mean how many places on earth have an entire community called Surfers Paradise. It’s not a nickname, it’s not a strip, it’s an actually community housing nearly 20,000 residents. However, you don’t need to be a lover of surfing to enjoy Queensland. We spent two glorious weeks in the State and didn’t get on the board once. What are some other things to do in Queensland besides surfing? Let me tell you.
Take a Helicopter Ride Over the Great Barrier Reef
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland. A flight over the reef give you the opportunity to appreciate just how massive this system is. Leaving from Cairns or Port Douglas you can be out at the Great Barrier Reef in a half an hour. For Helicopter tours in Queensland, check out Queensland Heli
The Great Barrier Reef
Paddle Board in the Oldest Rainforest on Earth
What better way to spend an afternoon than a lazy float along the river. We’ve done paddle boarding in the past and love it. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to get a full body workout. You don’t even know how hard you are working until you feel your muscles the next day. We paddled up the Mossman River far away from the salt water crocs closer the ocean. In the Daintree forest, the waters are safe to swim in. During our paddle we played on rope swings, relaxed in warm pools and treated to local fruits for snacks. It’s a beautiful day.
Mossman River in Daintree Forest
Take a Flight on a Hot Air Balloon
There’s nothing better than flying in a hot air balloon. Step back in time and fly high in the sky as you take in sunrise over the Gold Coast. As you fly over farmland and wide open spaces you’ll spy kangaroos and finish off with a champagne breakfast at a local vineyard. See our video and read more about our flight at Flying High in Queensland
Book your trip in Queensland with Hot Air
Attend Hollywood Stunt Academy
It may not be the first thing you think of when visiting Australia, but its the most fun you’ll have on your trip! The Australian Stunt Academy is run by martial arts expert Colin Handley. He caught the eye of Chuck Norris and was invited to Hollywood to work as a stuntman. After working on over 100 TV and movie projects he came back to Australia as continued acting, and opened the Stunt Academy. You can spend a day with him or train for an entire month learning everything from wire work, high jumps, and stage fighting.
Walkabout with an Aboriginal Guide
Learn about the culture and traditions of the Kuku Yalanji people as you walk through the world’s oldest rainforest. From the Mossman Gorge you can book a walking tour where you’ll learn about life in the rainforest, medicinal and poisonous plants and ancient walk paintings. Our guide Mooka grew up in this forest and can tell you anything about how to survive here. He told us that he has helped cure many ailments by using traditional medicine. Before entering, you must take part in a smoking ceremony to let the spirits know that you are visiting as a friend.
Mooki our Aboriginal Guide
Go White Water Rafting
Just 20 minutes outside of Cairns is the Barron River where we went white water rafting. We were told that the rapids were an easy grade 2 and 3 so we weren’t expecting much of a thrill. However, it ended up being one of our most fun rafting excursions we ever had! With experienced guides we ended up surfing into a waterfall and whirlpool that gave us a soaking turn after turn. People fell out of their boats, we were completely submerged and at one point when the guide asked “Debra are you ok?” I had to choke through my coughs to yell, “I’m ok now, I’m ok now!” I don’t know if we had perfect conditions or not, but I’ve had less thrills on class 4 rapids than I did here.
Stuck in a Whirlpool
Chill out in Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a laid back town with great shops and cafés set on a beautiful sandy beach known as 5 mile beach. This is the place to hang out for a few days getting up early for sunset, enjoying a relaxing massage and sitting by the spectacular pool at Peppers Resort that actually has a beach right in it! Make sure to check out the waterfront market at the park, we bought our digeridoo here for the best price we’ve seen in Australia.
Peppers Resort
Go for a Bike Ride Along the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is an area of sandy beach that stretches for miles. It’s difficult to explore it all on foot, and driving make you miss all the little secret spots, so we signed our a bike from Peppers Broadbeach and explored the area. We cycled out to Currumbin Beach and Burleigh Head to watch the surfers. (there are paddle boarders there too!) We dined at Surfers Paradise, road past Sea World and wove through a maze of high rises and million dollar homes enjoying the outstanding Australian sunshine.
The Gold Coast
No comments:
Post a Comment