Shopping and Entertainment
Broadbeach is a Gold Coast suburb in Queensland, Australia. Broadbeach is known for being a little more laid back and a lot more stylish than some of the other Gold Coast suburbs. Broadbeach is still known for it’s magnificent uninterrupted stretch of golden sand, however there are also many very impressive apartment buildings and high rise towers being developed quickly. There are many activities for Broadbeach travelers to entertain themselves with, including; shopping, theme parks, a casino, local festivals, fabulous restaurants and the glorious sun drenched beaches.
Broadbeach is regarded as the more fashionable of the suburbs in the
area. It boasts one of the largest shopping malls in the Southern
Hemisphere, Pacific Fair. This shopping center is currently undergoing a
multi million dollar expansion project and upon its completion will be
the largest shopping district in all of Queensland. Pacific Fair is home
to many specialty shops, discount stores and restaurants to suit any
taste, and getting around to visit them all is easy with Car
Rental Australia. There is also a 12-screen movie theater when you
need to take a break from all the shopping. Pacific Fair is also the
location of the major transportation hub for the area with connections
to most other suburbs and visitor’s attractions.
The Famous Jupiters Casino is also located in Broadbeach. This high end Casino offers gaming of all kinds in it’s two story showcase of slots and assorted table games. There is a direct monorail to and from the beaches and Pacific Fair which leads directly to the Casino for the gambler in any travel group.
The local restaurants and cafes in Broadbeach are unparalleled anywhere else. Broadbeach offers many multi-award-winning establishments to feed the foodies in all of us. There is something to satisfy even the most selective palette. A taste of the fresh local seafood is another must have while visiting Broadbeach.
Broadbeach is a great destination for families and travelers of all types. Families can take in the excitement of the many nearby themeparks, which the Gold Coast is also famous for. There are adventure parks, animal parks, movie parks, fantasy parks, nature parks, animal parks, waterparks or any interest your family may have. Couples and honeymooners also find Broadbeach to be a very romantic destination to relax and enjoy some alone time.
How to Get There
Broadbeach is located in Queensland on the East Coast of Australia. The
location is quite convenient for travel and sightseeing of all types.
Below is a list of a few nearby points of interest and their distances
from Broadbeach;
| How far? | How long? | |
| Gold Coast Airport | 25 km | 25 mins |
| Brisbane Airport | 78 km | 60 mins |
| Surfers Paradise | 3 km | 5 mins |
| Brisbane City | 70 km | 45 mins |
| Dreamworld Theme Park | 35 km | 35 mins |
| Movie World Theme Park | 30 km | 30 mins |
| Sea World | 10 km | 10 mins |
| Wet n Wild Water Park | 30 km | 30 mins |
| Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary | 20 km | 20 mins |
| Gold Coast Hinterland | 20 km | 25 mins |
There are many ways to travel into and out of Broadbeach and the Gold Coast including by air, by train, by bus, and by sea. There are airports and cruise ship terminals within an hour’s drive as well as train and bus terminals directly within the district. Traveling the area without personal transportation is convenient because of the numerous public and private types of transportation. Many destinations are within walking distance of most accommodations.
Staying There
There is an abundance of lodging accommodations available in Broadbeach.
There are all types of hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, apartments
and even backpacker’s campsites available. There is something to fit any
budget or special need a traveler may have.
Business Travel
If traveling for business, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center is also located in Broadbeach. The GCCEC is a unique destination which offers a high tech audiovisual department, and in house gourmet catering for both leisure and business tourism. The facility can accommodate meetings and groups of all sizes as well as multiple events at once. This is a great place to plan a business expo while still allowing the attendees to enjoy the beaches and a little R&R.
Local Entertainment
Because of the climate, Broadbeach offers many local festivals throughout the year. No matter when you choose to plan your stay in Broadbeach, it is likely you will happen upon a fabulous festifal featuring local dining, music or art. Many free family friendly events are hosted in the parks as well. If not taking part in one of the many outdoor festivals, there are many bars, restaurants and nightclubs that offer local live entertainment on weekends and some weeknights.
If the sun and the sand are not enough to occupy your time there are many other sources of fun and entertainment in the beautiful suburb of Broadbeach.
Pacific Fair
Broadbeach is home to one of Queensland’s largest shopping centers,
known as Pacific Fair. Pacific fair was once the largest shopping center
in Queensland (until 2006). Currently Pacific Fair is undergoing a large
expansion project which will renew it’s rankings as the largest in
Queensland.
Pacific Fair’s major anchor tenants include Kmart, Toys R Us, Target, a 4 story Myer, as well as a 12 screen Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinema. This shopping center is offers something for everyone with over 300 specialty shops and restaurants. These tenants will soon be joined by a new David Jones store along with 130 additional specialty stores upon completion of a $400 million expansion and rennovation project.
Pacific Fair is conveniently located in Broadbeach, just five minutes drive from Surfers Paradise along the Gold Coast Highway or a short walk from Jupiter's Casino, the Gold Coast Convention Centre or Kurrawa Beach. Pacific Fair is also the major public transportation hub on the Gold Coast, serving the Surfside Buslines, along with a privatized monorail to and from the local Jupiters Casino. This is a highly regarded shopping destination on Queensland’s Gold Coast and should not be missed by any traveler.
While Pacific Fair is not currently the largest shopping center in Queensland, it is still the most highly visited center, boasting 17 million shoppers a year, making it the sixth most visited in the country.
Pacific Fair also offers many tourism services to make your stay on the Coast a pleasurable one. Be certain to visit the Customer Service Booth for valuable coupons and sightseeing information while visiting Broadbeach or any of the nearby suburbs.
Theme Parks, affordable fun accommodations
After a night of grown up only bar hopping, it would only be fair to
take the kids out for a day devoted to things that they would like. The
Gold Coast offers plenty of theme parks in the local area which the kids
will appreciate. Theme parks in the Gold Coast are available which are
similar to those found back home, but there are also some indigenous to
Australia.
The Sea World in the Gold Coast is the oldest theme park in that region. Sea World is famous for offering a glimpse of the ocean’s beautiful marine life. The attraction which stands out most to visitors is the synchronized acrobatics of dolphins performing stunts at the command of their trainers. The park allows visitors daring enough the opportunity to swim with sharks in a controlled environment and witness polar bears in their own viewing area known as Polar Bear Shores.
The Dreamworld theme park is geared towards those who enjoy thrill rides, speed, and heights. The theme park boasts one of the newest rides to be installed known as “The Claw”, which sends riders nine stories high while spinning and swinging ninety degrees. The “Giant Drop” is another ride which takes little explanation. Riders are strapped in, raised thirty eight stories in the air only to free fall back to the starting point. In addition to the thrill rides, Dreamworld patrons can also take part in an IMAX movie presentation or the wild life safari experience. White Water World is another theme park adjacent to Dreamworld which is a water park featuring water rides and slides. A two day pass lets visitors bounce back and forth between the two parks as they please.
Warner Brother’s Movie World is a Hollywood and movie themed park which lets visitors interact with movie and cartoon characters, ride movie and character themed rides, and watch live action presentations like the Hollywood Stunt Driver or the Shrek 4D Adventure. The Hollywood Stunt Driver attraction incorporates stunt driving and real life movie action as guests are guided through a movie set type of atmosphere. The Shrek 4D Adventure is a 3D movie presentation which “moves” the audience. Seats are specially equipped to give viewers the feeling of falling and moving with specific parts of the film.
Theme parks offer day passes at fair prices with several parks offering season and / or bundle passes made available to those who foresee more than one visit to the parks.
Dining Accommodations, Restaurants and Eateries
Days full of sightseeing and exploring can build up quite an appetite. The Gold Coast is rich in specialty, fine dining, and family restaurants to please even the most stubborn of taste buds.
The 1 two 3 Mediterranean Restaurant (so named because of the portion size options available) offers traditional Mediterranean foods with an Australian twist. Enjoy the live entertainment while you eat and be sure to sample the wide selection of local beers.
The Biscotti Italian Cuisine & Martini Bar serves up Italian flavors brought together by local fresh and seasonal produce.
Pizza is a hit no matter where it is served, but it goes good with other foods, too. The Bravo restaurant offers pizza, pasta, and BBQ ribs. This restaurant is open seven days a week and offers a delivery option after 4:30 p.m.
The award winning Donto Sapporo Japanese Restaurant is perfect for any sushi lover. Along with an extensive a la carte menu and a live lobster tank for the freshest meal available, the Donto Sapporo offers an authentic Japanese eating experience with its Japanese motif.
Enjoy the view of Gold Coast as you eat in the rotating Four Winds Seafood & Asian Buffet dining hall, which sits on the 26th floor of the Crowne Plaza.
One popular option for Mexican food is the chain of sister restaurants named Montezuma’s Mexican restaurant and The Aztec Mexican restaurant. Both offer similar menus with locations throughout the Gold Coast. Both restaurants are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Aside from the lunch and dinner options, the Pancakes in Paradise restaurant offers stacks of pan cakes and sweet crepes for breakfast and ribs, steaks, chicken, and fish for dinner.
No matter where you decide to indulge and satisfy your hunger, the restaurants of the Gold Coast are each unique and offer their own special flair and dining experiences. Whether you want a place to share a romantic evening with a spectacular view or a place to take the whole family and listen to the local musical entertainment, your options are never limited and your experience will never be disappointing.
Brisbane Beaches and water recreation spots
Water recreation is a popular pastime for travelers in Brisbane. The
city’s many beaches provide visitors with several options for enjoying
their time in the Brisbane sun. Surfing, sailing, riverboat rides,
snorkeling, and swimming are some of the activities that are readily
available to tourists in Brisbane. Being active isn’t a requirement for
visiting the beaches of Brisbane. Some tourists are content just to
relax on the beach and soak up the sun along the country’s Sunshine
Coast.
Man-made beaches are quite common in the Brisbane. South Bank Beach is a man-made beach that offers a crystal clear lagoon filled with chlorinated water that is constantly re-circulating. The lagoon’s water replenishes itself every six hours after passing through an extensive sand filtration system. Lifeguards patrol the beach during the daylight hours and facilities such as barbeque pits and restrooms are located strategically along the beach.
Nudgee Beach is a lively spot that attracts active beach goers. Some of the popular activities at this beach are volleyball, jogging, and cycling. Nestled across Moreton Bay, Nudgee Beach offers fantastic views of the city. This beach also has a large population of native birds and other assorted waterfowl.
Surfer’s Paradise Beach is a popular tourist beach featuring a backdrop of skyscrapers along Brisbane’s coast. Aside from water sports such as surfing and sailing, Surfer’s Paradise offers land sports such as bungee jumping and volleyball as well. There are several bars and nightclubs dotting the beach, which provide an active nightlife scene. In addition to the nightlife venues, there are many eating establishments along the beach as well as thirteen shopping centers and arcades.
A short distance from Brisbane is Moreton Island. Moreton Island is home to the world’s largest sand beach. Two catamarans arrive daily to ferry visitors to the island where they can enjoy deluxe accommodations in one of the many properties available on the island. Popular activities on Moreton Island are interacting with dolphins, parasailing, exploring the rugged country side, strolling along the beach, and riding ATVs. Also located on the island are the Moreton Island National Park and the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort - which is famous for its whale watching shows.
Night Life on the Gold Coast, Acommodations and hotels
Night Life
Everyone needs to unwind, that’s the point of a vacation. Even on vacation, though, some of us may tend to fall into a structured routine just as structured and stressful as the routine we originally needed to take a vacation from. Sometimes, it’s okay to leave behind the tour schedules and tell the paid guides to take a hike of their own. Sometimes, it’s okay to let loose on the town. The Gold Coast is just the place to let that happen.
The Coolangatta Sands Bar and Nightclub consists of the Port o Call Bar and it operates seven days a week. Along with live entertainment and a beer garden, the club also allows any visitor who wants to a chance to dance on the tables.
The Minus 5 bar is the kind of place you go to just so you can tell people that you’ve been there. The entire bar is made of tons of pounds of ice carved to form the bar, walls, seats, glasses, and everything else which is used in the bar. Keep in mind that this bar is family friendly for part of the day. Visitors under the age of 18 are allowed to enter the bar until 6:30pm.
The Q-Bar is the highest altitude bar in the Gold Coast. It is located on the 77th floor of the Q1 Tower. The Q-Bar offers a 360 degree view of the Gold Coast while visitors enjoy any number of the fine wines and cocktails. The bar’s menu also offers cakes, dips, cheeses, and other fine dining delicacies. Live entertainment in the form of various guest DJs is put on display. The kids will have to stay home for this trip, as the bar only allows entry to guests 18 years old and up.
This is only a small list of the full array of local bars and lounges which guests to the Golden Coast can enjoy. The bars are beautiful and accommodating enough to make patrons want to stay in one bar for the night, but there are also enough bars located near and adjacent to each other that makes bar-hopping possible.
City Life And Attractions In Cairns
Although there are plenty of opportunities for daytrips departing from Cairns, there’s no need to leave the city for fun and adventure. Cairns thrives on tourism and takes special care to make sure there are lots of opportunities for guests who choose to visit and hang out.
One option: Cairns is a great spot for sports fishing. If you’re hoping to land a marlin, Cairns is a good place to try your luck. Black marlin weighing more than 1,000 pounds are often caught offshore here.
Like the water, but prefer to stay inland? Then check out the artificial lagoon on the promenade at the pier. The lagoon is free to use, and attracts large numbers of bathers, especially during jellyfish season. The lagoon is pretty shallow, too, which makes it a great cooling-off spot for families with children. But take note: recent legislation ahs made topless bathing permissible here, too. You can also choose to take a bus to beaches north of Cairns, but be aware that the sand there is rough, and in jellyfish season you’ll be surrounded by protective netting, erected to keep the particularly dangerous jellyfish away. If you’re not into swimming, the lagoon is also a great place for a little people-watching, and the grass and sand near the promenade is often full of sunbathers, even in the mild winter. The promenade is also a great place to have a picnic, or barbecue at one of the free barbecue areas near the picnic tables.
Another great way to get to know the natural beauty of the Cairns area is by hitting one of the many trails that crisscross Cairns and its environs. Almost 200 walking trails exist in the Cairns area, and hose interested in making the most of their hike should pick up one of the many walking guides at local shops and bookstores. One that’s especially useful is “Tropical Walking Tracks,” which has a comprehensive list of all the tracks in the Cairns area and more, as well as directions.
You can also get an up-close glimpse of some of the indigenous wildlife without the exercise of a long hike by visiting the Cairns Wildlife Dome, located on top of the Reef Hotel Casino. This all-weather exhibit is enclosed by a 60-foot high glass dome, and feature s walkthrough replica rainforest, with free-flying parrots, lorikeets, cockatoos, and other birds, as well as exhibits featuring koalas, turtles, crocodiles, pythons, wallabies, frogmouths, and kookaburras. The Dome offer free guided tours throughout the day, as well as wildlife presentations.
Cairns Offers Tourists A Myriad of Seaside Resorts And Activities
If water sports are your passions, you’re sure to find something fun and exciting to do in the Cairns area. In addition to cruises, kayaking, water skiing, and windsurfing, many people head inland to the whitewaters to do some adventure rafting in the world’s oldest continuously growing tropical rainforests. Enjoy breathtaking scenery wile you shot rapids and float along flatter water. Rafting companies have a trip that’s right for you, no matter what your skill level.
Few water enthusiasts visit Cairns without at least one visit to the Great Barrier Reef. To meet this need, the Cairns area has a number of diving and snorkeling boat tour operators, both large and small. Your experience may vary widely based on the operator you choose. One benefit of choosing a smaller operator is that they are able to reach areas of the Great Barrier Reef which are off limits to the larger boats. Often, the smaller boats provide a better dive experience, with lots more to see, as a result. However, the larger boats usually offer many more amenities and activities, and the boats are usually much faster. The areas which permit larger boats are usually fairly crowded especially at the height of tourist season, and often these areas have fewer fish as a result.
When you’re done with the water, how about aiming your sights a little bit higher? The Cairns area is home to a number of skydiving and hang gliding concessions, and Rex Point Lookout, halfway between Port Douglas and Cairns, is a popular spot for hang gliding enthusiasts. Thanks to relatively steady weather patters you can find hang gliders here at most times of the year.
If skydiving and hang gliding are a little too intense, but you’d still like to get up in the air, how about heading up, up, and away in a hot air balloon? The weather patterns around Cairns make for some of the world’s best ballooning conditions, and flights are run frequently.
Or mix a little history with your seafaring. The Marlin Marina is home to the Duyfken, a replica of the first European ship to reach Australia, during explorations in the 16th century. Climb aboard this floating museum to learn about maritime life in the 1700s, or take a cruise aboard the ship and get a real taste of what it was like to sail with the explorers.
Broadbeach Local Entertainment and Accommodations
Braodbeach hosts many local family friendly festivals each year that many tourists (and locals) will not want to miss out on. The current lineup includes:
Broadbeach’s Family Easter at Kurrawa Park, April 10-13, 2009.
This is a family Easter celebration with lots of free entertainment for all ages, including a bounce house, face painting, kid’s games and craft activities, sand sculptors, magic shows and a visit from the Easter Bunny from 11A.M. until 2P.M.
Blues on Broadbeach, May 28-31 2009
Blues on Broadbeach is one of Australia’s most well known Blues
Festivals. Here you can experience the musical sounds that started it
all. This year’s annual festival the 8th of many to come and is growing
in popularity each year. Anyone of any age will enjoy this village
festival. The relaxed atmosphere provides a musical experience unlike
any other, featuring local talent as well as international acts. Street
performers and local vendors line the streets for a truly unforgettable
event.
Broadbeach Restaurant Week, July 17-26, 2009
The first of it’s kind- Broadbeach Restaurant Week will be held from the 17th to the 26th of July 2009. With Broadbeach being the mecca of fine cuisine on the Gold Coast, there is no better place to host this world class dining experience. Participating Broadbeach restaurants will offer three course meals all encompassed within one set price. Look for a list of local participants and prices to be released upon a later date.
Broadbeach Blends of Jazz Festival, August 21-23, 2009
This three-day music festival offers an abundance of live jazz
performances throughout the streets of Broadbeach. The Broadbeach Blends
of Jazz festival showcases live musicians, both local and international
performers, on outdoor stages and multiple venues throughout the local
Broadbeach precinct. Many local nightclubs and restaurants feature live
stage performances during this time as well.
Broadbeach is the perfect location for combining world class Jazz with it’s multiple award-winning restaurants. This is a great time to stay within the precinct and make a memorable weekend out of it, by enjoying the small town atmosphere, the sun and sand, and spend some time soaking in the fabulous feel of this festival.
Theme Parks in the Broadbeach area
Many Broadbeach visitors want to take advantage of the beautiful climate and visit nearby themeparks. The Gold Coast happens to be famous for its exciting array of theme parks, including - Movieworld, Dreamworld, Seaworld, White Water World and Wet’n’Wild. Each of these parks offer great entertainment for groups of all ages.
Dreamworld is ranked as Australia's favorite theme park. With so many sights to see in one location, it’s an endless adventure for the whole family. From the daring thrill rides, to live shows to unusual animal encounter attractions, there's deffinitely something for everyone at Dreamworld!
There are 6 Thrill Rides including Giant Drop, Tower of Terror, Cyclone Rollercoaster, Wipeout, the Claw and Mick Doohan's Motocoaster for the daredevil in all of us.
And vor the kids, Dreamworls offers the coolest kid's zone in the world. Nick Central is filled with fun activities including, 16 rides and attractions wandering Nickelodeon Characters.
As for the tiniest tots they can enjoy a ride in the Big Red Car, a sail on the S.S. Feathersword and meet The Wiggles Friends every day at the world's first Wiggles World.
For those who are more interested in the animals, Dreamworld offers it’s own Australian Wildlife Experience, where visitors can get up close to native animals.
A sister property to Dreamworld is White Water World, here you can splash in the sun and enjoy thrilling water activities all day long. WhiteWater World is not your average water park. White Water World is all about the water rides. From it’s extreme waterslides to family friendly attractions, WhiteWater World uses the latest in cutting edge technology to provide water-powered thrills for all ages!
The thrill rides - include 'The BRO,' ' Super Tubes HydroCoaster', 'The
Green Room', 'The Temple of Huey', and 'The Cave of Waves'.
Children can also discover the Nickelodeon Pipeline Plunge, with over 140 interactive water activities it’s the ultimate water playground for kids.
Dedicated especially for the under five set, Wiggle Bay is complete with toddler slides, sprays and even water pianos and flutes.
Another not-to-miss theme park is Warner Brother’s Movie World.
The newest attraction at Movie World is now open. Don’t miss this multi-million dollar Hollywood Stunt Driver stunt show. Hollywood Stunt Driver showcases legendary car chases from all our favorite movies, Scenes that helped to define Hollywood’s greatest movies.
Kids' WB has many presentations geared directly at the kids in the audience in it’s presents the all new Live Looney Tunes show - What’s Up Rock?! exclusively at Warner Bros. Movie World.
For the thrill seeker, the new out of this world Super Hero thrill ride, Batwing Spaceshot is a rapid 4.5G vertical launch up a 60 meter tower, followed by a drop into a breathtaking negative descent - beyond freefall. Superman Escape is another amazing roller coaster experience, which travels zero to 100 kilometres in just two seconds! Both are must experience for the rollercoaster enthusiast
There are other heart pounding thrill rides and activities for the whole family to enjoy such as Lethal Weapon and Wild West Falls, Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, Kids’WB Fun Zone and the spectacular Star Parade.