THE GOLD COAST
When you see a great deal to be had, you grab it. Three nights at Q1 Resort and Spa became available for a great price so we booked it.
TRAVEL TIME
Travelling to the Gold Coast from the Sunshine Coast is quite literally a straight road. Hit the Bruce Highway and keep going. 197km and around 2 hours later, the buildings of Surfers Paradise come into view. We’d stopped twice on the way down. A coffee and lunch pit-stop and to look at caravans.
ACCOMODATION
We are staying in Q1. Q1 is one of those places that feels like home. You can just sit on the closed in balcony and watch the world go by. A second time for Dad but me, I’ve stayed there a few more times! When my brother and sister-in-law visited from the UK, it tended to be the hotel of choice for a ‘quiet weekend away.’ It still is the hotel of choice. Pretty central to everything and you know what you’re going to get. We had a 2-bedroom apartment with ocean views. From the position of our apartment, we actually got ocean and city views too, the best of both worlds.
Everything is supplied for you in the apartment, and it is serviced daily. It’s comfortable and changes can be made on request. For example, I asked for a queen instead of 2 singles in my room. It was done without any complaint.
LOCATION
Q1 sits on Hamilton Ave, right in the centre of this map. It’s about a 6-8 minute walk to the main streets in Surfers. The main eateries are on the road leading down to the beach, but I have noted lots of new ones springing up. Italians, pubs, Indians, Chinese, Thai and even Surfers Paradise own branch of Wahlburgers
There are plenty of shops around although again, many have changed location or changed completely since I was last here.
WEATHER
The weather has been beautiful. A lovely 20-degree winters day has been the average for the week. A little cloud here and there but no rain at all.
WHATS THERE TO DO
It all depends on what you’re here for. For families, you have the beach and theme parks. Groups of friends congregate in the pubs and clubs. Couples relax over nice meals and sightseeing. Locally you can drive to Broadbeach and Coolangatta to watch the surfers. A little further on (as you venture into NSW) you find yourself passing Fingal Head, Kingscliff and many other little villages. Inland from Surfers, just across the Bruce Highway, you have Tamborine Mountain, theme parks, Gold Coast Motor Museum and more.
WHAT WE DID DO
Monday 19 June
After we got here and unpacked, we went to the bar. One glass of rose and a beer later, we decided it was time to stretch our legs and take some pictures. A little under 3km later and aching feet starting to make an appearance, we stopped before we went back to the room – at the bar.
It was a relaxing evening.
Tuesday 20 June
We were planning the Skypoint Buffet Breakfast today, but we picked the day it was closed. So, the hotel gave us a voucher for the buffet breakfast in Waves Hotel across the road. For $25 each we could enjoy ourselves at the buffet.
After letting breakfast settle, we decided to go for a drive. Hugging the coastline, we headed down past Broadbeach and kept on going until we reached Fingal Head. Yes. I actually went into NSW. When we got back, I stretched my legs and walked to get some supplies. A quiet evening – well as quiet as watching ‘Saving Private Ryan’ is!!
Wednesday 21 June
Origin day. Game II of three. Origin comes before everything. My top is on and I’m ready to go. Today was a drive out to Tambourine Mountain. What started out as a “let’s wander around”, turned into a “we’ve been here so many times and wandering through shops……really?” So, we ditched the shops and headed to Wongawallan, home of The Fox and Hounds.
This little English pub tucked away in the Gold Coast hinterland is a gem. Crammed with uk memorabilia, football scarves, decent beer, English crisps (long live Walkers Cheese and Onion, oh, and Monster Munch!). We shared a 2-course lunch of breaded mushrooms and then ribs. Foodie review will be coming!
Tonight, is game day so snacks are in, dad has beer and wine, and the game is on. Queensland won 32-6
Thursday 22 June
Home today. For every trip we take, I have to confess that coming home is the best feeling. The comforts of home instantly visible. Recliner chair and a pile of washing.
WOULD I GO AGAIN
Always. But I think I might leave it for a while. Surfers Paradise is nice for a couple of days relax and great for a family, but I have so many memories, so many familiarities that grabbed me this trip. Old memories that I’d like to put aside for a while.
