The Gold Coast is literally the golden goose of tourism in Australia. It is the one place where the excitement never wanes and the partying doesn't stop. The 70 km coast with the most, stretches from Cabarita Beach in New South Wales to Beenleigh and the beautiful South Stradbroke Island. It has been a tourist resort since the 1880s, attracting visitors in hordes to its magnificent beaches, sub-tropical rainforests and terrific holiday infrastructure and atmosphere.

The Gold Coast, so called because it was and is prime real estate, gets more than two million tourists every year. The entire area is geared to providing the perfect holiday whatever be the choice. So you can enjoy a vacation, en famille or alone, shop till you drop or sail, dive, snorkel and surf till your muscles cry stop. Dining is top class, be it al fresco, along the beach front or in classy upmarket restaurants with the menu in French. You can take the kids to anykind of theme park - waterparks, rides, underwater worlds, whatever keeps the mites happy. Bungee jumping, para sailing, gliding or hot air balooning, tennis, squash or golf - the sports options are equally numerous.

Southport, Surfers Paradise, Beenleigh, Coolangata are just a few of the places along the coast, some are pretty expensive but do get more reasonable as one gets away from the main tourist centres.