- DESTINATIONS / Australia
- 18 December 2019
To the north of Brisbane’s cultural hub of theatres and riverside restaurants lies the Sunshine Coast, where ancient volcanoes stud the lush landscape and Noosa’s upscale boutiques and restaurants sit pretty among some of the most stunning surf beaches and national parks in Australia. A little further north, you can four-wheel drive along the beaches of Fraser Island – the world’s largest sand island and home to native dingoes, vast sand dunes, and crystal clear lakes.
To the south of Brisbane, you’ll discover the famous beaches of the Gold Coast, where shopping malls and gourmet restaurants rise over the palm-lined boulevard of Surfer’s Paradise, while behind the coast you’ll explore tropical rainforest and idyllic swimming holes in the cool, green hills. And for those guests with children, the giant theme parks of the Gold Coast are the perfect treat to top off a family yachting holiday.
Whether your guests or crew crave a cultural experience, a gastronomic feast, or a sporting thrill, South East Queensland delivers in spades. Here are three signature experiences to be discovered from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as curated by Tourism Australia.
Feel the spirit of the Red Sand
Connect with Aboriginal culture in an informative and entertaining way at Spirits of the Red Sand, an Indigenous story told through song and dance. The performance by the region’s traditional custodians is a highly-acclaimed telling of the upheavals faced by Aboriginal populations in Australia since the 1800s. Held in Beenleigh – a 19th-century town with an Indigenous village, halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast – the show concludes with a barbecue feast and discussion between actors and audience.
Flyfish around Fraser Island
The sheltered waters of Fraser Island are among the few places in Australia that offer an overlap of southern and northern marine life – resulting in fishing experiences that are as varied as they are exhilarating.
Departing from Great Sandy Straits Marina, private charters with Hervey Bay Fly and Sport Fishing open up an underwater world abundant with snapper, barramundi, threadfin salmon and golden trevally. In season, humpback whale sightings are common.
Fly over World Heritage-listed forest
Dropping in to Spicers Peak Lodge for a meal is genuinely breathtaking no matter which direction you fly in from (helicopter charters are available across South East Queensland). Set atop a mountain peak with impressive views across the Great Dividing Range, the luxury property’s award-winning restaurant offers contemporary Australian cuisine inspired by the seasonal produce of the region.
Afterwards, guests may wish to extend their stay with a room in the onsite luxury lodge; pre-dinner drinks can also be combined with 4WD tours to lookouts offering endless sunset views over the mountain range.
Brisbane and Gold Coast region marinas
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- Rivergate Marina (Brisbane)
- Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard
- Sanctuary Cove Marina
- Southport Yacht Group (Gold Coast).
