We found this region to be an amazing destination for those who want to vacation in Australia and easily access the cultural aspects that make this country so popular: surfing beaches and Steve Irwin. With Brisbane, Australia as a hub of the region, we were able to easily access the famous Gold Coast and the lesser known Sunshine Coast, both of which are lined with beautiful and expansive beaches.
As the capital city of the state of Queensland, Brisbane was an enjoyable and approachable city. It was small enough to walk around and explore the different neighborhoods but large enough to have access to shopping, dining, and entertainment activities that add so much culture to an area that is so famous for its beach life.
We also had the opportunity to visit the Australia Zoo, a zoo that is owned and operated by Steve Irwin’s family. We saw some of the more iconic and unique animals that can be found within Australia and other exotic species from around the world. Overall, we found the zoo to be a very comprehensive way to see the notorious animals of the country without having to travel around the entire country.
But we were really able to relax and decompress when we made our way to the beaches of Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. The beaches in both regions are expansive, picturesque, and stretch for miles. Due to their size, they rarely feel overcrowded, even during peak travel and vacation season. We loved soaking in the sunshine, listening to the waves crashing, hearing the children playing in the water, and decompressing our minds and bodies from the last few months of traveling.
Destination Overview
the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane, Australia is the capital of the state of Queensland which is known as the sunshine state because of its tropical climate and numerous beaches. Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city but is about half the size of Sydney or Melbourne. While not as internationally well known as the other two cities, many of the travelers that we met in Australia said Brisbane was their favorite city they visited while there. This is because amazing beaches in the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast are easily accessible from Brisbane, Australia and the city is only a short boat ride from nearby stunning islands like Moreton or Stradbroke.
The Sunshine Coast is located approximately an hour north of Brisbane, Australia and is popular with locals escaping the city for the laid back natural beauty of small towns such as Noosa. Noosa Main Heads Beach is a picturesque sandy beach with surfboard rentals for visitors. The main beach is conveniently located a short walk away from the Noosa National Park which has stunning coastal trails with access to great surfing and swim spots. In the other direction from Brisbane approximately 1 hour south lies the Gold Coast, a popular international city with an iconic skyline along a large sandy beach as far as you can see. The city has all of the dining and entertainment options a visitor can want and given the large size of the beach even during busy times you can find a spot near Surfers Paradise Beach to take a break or surf. Moreton Island is one of the most famous spots to visit by boat from Brisbane with many people taking a day adventure to participate in water and dune activities there. Besides all of the nearby fun options Brisbane also has enjoyable activities which makes it an all around great destination to visit while in Queensland.
Where to Read More
The Best of the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast Area
The top things to do in Brisbane and the surrounding areas of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and how to best personalize your vacation here.
An Interesting Fact
Steve Irwin’s Legacy Lives on at the Australia Zoo
Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, was an Australian zoo keeper and television personality with the famous catch phrase “Crikey!”. He routinely put himself in harm’s way in order to save animals and through his television work tried to bring awareness to the importance of caring for all types of animals, especially those perceived to be dangerous such as crocodiles or snakes. He unfortunately had a tragic death at the Great Barrier Reef due to a rare accident with a stingray while filming an underwater documentary. While it made international news and saddened many around the world, Steve had a special connection with the Sunshine Coast which dated back to 1970 when his parents Bob and Lyn opened the 2 acre Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park.
From a young age Steve helped his parents care for the crocodiles and animals at the park. As Steve grew so did the park; in 1982 they added 4 more acres of land and re-named it the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park. Eventually Bob and Lyn retired in the 1990s which was when Steve and his wife Terri took over the zoo and renamed it to the Australian Zoo which it is still called today. During the late 1990s until Steve’s death they worked extensively to continue to expand the zoo, investing much of the money from the television deals to further conservation efforts and awareness. The Australia Zoo is now over 700 acres, has over 1,200 animals, and attracts over a million annual visitors, making it a must see attraction when visiting Brisbane, Australia.
By itself the Australia Zoo is certainly worth a visit for a chance to see native Australian animals such as Tasmanian Devils, Dingoes, Cassowaries, Koalas, Crocodiles, Kangaroos, Wombats, and so much more. In addition to the native Australian animals there are also Southern White Rhinoceros, Cheetahs, Tigers, Elephants, and many other impressive species. Throughout the day experts give talks about various animals and one of the main events is a Crocodile Show in the custom built Crocoseum. Beyond being a memorable zoo, one unique aspect is how Terri and Steve’s kids, Bindi and Robert, continue to profile Steve’s legacy and impact throughout the zoo. Informational boards about Steve and his work as well as fun displays continue to highlight Steve throughout the Australia Zoo sharing his legacy with future generations.
Travel Tip of the Week
Visit Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast from Brisbane, Australia
While visiting Queensland and Brisbane in particular it is well worth it to spend some time in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, or both if time permits. The city of Brisbane, Australia has numerous fun activities such as taking in the city views from the City Cat Ferry, relaxing on the South Bank, dining at the Howard Smith Wharves, catching a game at The Gabba, or admiring the city at the Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout. However, during our trip the most enjoyable days were spent visiting the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast from Brisbane to enjoy their amazing beaches.
On the way north to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane, Australia it is a great opportunity to spend a day at the Australia Zoo. Depending on your interest in the wildfire you could easily spend the majority of the day there going to the different areas, attending talks, and watching the shows. After a nice day at the Australia Zoo the drive to Noosa Heads is under an hour depending on traffic and the exact location of where you end up staying. There are many great dining options in Noosa with Bistro C being one that is well worth it for a special modern Australia meal serving delicious seafood and cocktails right off the boardwalk. The next day you could take advantage of either the Noosa Heads Main Beach or Sunshine Beach both of which are iconic sandy Queensland beaches. If you are into hiking then one possibility is to start the day at one of the two beaches, hike through the Noosa Heads National Park, and relax on the other beach. The great part of this area is you can choose to relax or be as active as you want and can extend your stay based on how long you want to spend in a beach town.
The Gold Coast is different from the Sunshine Coast in many ways which can make for a great second beach option from Brisbane or the only option depending on your vacation style. There is a train system that goes from Brisbane, Australia to the Gold Coast making it a seamless option for those not wanting to rent a car. In the Surfers Paradise area there are many upscale hotels and high rises that are a short walk from the iconic beach of the same name. Countless restaurants serve international cuisine throughout the neighborhood and the Skypoint Observation Deck provides incredible views of the beach from above. There are also amusement parks such as Warner Bros, Sea World, and Dream World which provide endless entertainment options for tourists. If you prefer escaping the bustle of the most touristy areas a short way south is Burleigh which has a beautiful beach of the same name, the Burleigh Head National Park for short walks, and a delicious breakfast spot called Paddock Bakery. One similar aspect to the Sunshine Coast is that you can make the trip to the Gold Coast as long or as short as you want to be able to have an unforgettable beach vacation while in Queensland.
