THE GORGEOUS

If you're thinking fun, family holidays, it's hard to go past the idea of a visit to the Gold Coast. It's affordable to fly to from most parts of Australia, it's packed full of fun and it's simply got something for everyone, no matter your budget.

I hadn't been to the Goldie since 2019, and a lot can change in four years. Both the age of my kids, hence the suitability of certain activities, but also things to do. Being one of the best tourist spots in Australia there is always new things opening. So of course when Destination Gold Coast asked if we'd like to come up for a visit, it was a resounding yes from me and the kids. But this wasn't going to be any old visit where you book into the one hotel for a week and get out and about exploring. This was a unique taste test of several styles of accomodation alongside some of the best attractions this sunny destination has.

The Gold Coast has so much more to offer than just the glitz of Surfers Paradise, so our first stop was to head for the hills. High up in the mountains, about an hour's drive from Surfers is Tambourine Mountain, home of Cedar Creek Lodges. Cedar Creek is located amongst 114 hectares of subtropical rainforest and the open woodlands of Thunderbird Park. What a stunning location packed full of fabulous fun. We started our adventure checking into our glamping tent accommodation. We'd never glamped before but let me tell you, we will again. It was so fun. We were lucky enough to snag The Woodlands Family Luxe Tent, complete with a private plunge pool, sun deck and an outdoor kitchen and BBQ which we cooked a scrumptious dinner on. These cute as a button tents are so well equipped and the plunge pool, being mid-winter, was heated to a delicious spa temperature. Thunderbird Park, known as Australia’s largest adventure playground, is home to multiple offeerings making a glamping two night stay here perfect as there is so much to see and do. After breakfast in the Rainforest Restaurant we hit the TreeTop Challenge high ropes and zip line course. This high ropes adventure offers you adrenaline-pumping action as well as stunning rainforest views from various heights amongst the trees. There are multiple skill levels ensuring every age and capability is catered for as well. And boy was it a great workout too! Thunderbird Park is also home to some other exceptional kids' activities. Dig It mini excavator park (it's adorable), Laser Skirmish, Adventure Mini Gold, Thunderegg Crystal Mine, rockpools, pickleball and birdfeeding. So you'll need more than a day to take it all in. We snuck in a lovely lunch at the Eagle Heights Hotel, with what I'd say is the best view on the mountain (see above), before our next stop as we heading back into Surfers Paradise, Jetboat Xtreme. Time for some high-powered action! We kitted up in waterproof coats and baorded our jet powered boat, ready to pull some thrilling 360's on the beautiful Broadwater. A word of warning, you will get wet! We must have looked quite a sight when we drove straight to check in at Sea World Resort with dishevelled hair and skin covered in salt! It was such a fun experience though and well worth a place on your to-do list.

I've always wanted to stay at Sea World Resort, ever since it opened when I was about 10! I think 10 and under is the perfect age as the Spongebob Aqua Play area is totally awesome for younger kids. We checked in to a Premium Broadwater Suite which had had a lovely renovation, as had the main entrance and restaurant/bar area, but the room wing foyers had a distinct 'I was built in the 80's' vibe! We drove up to the Southport Yacht Club for dinner where I opted for a good old garlic prawns and rice dish. Something about lots of the Gold Coast still screams 80's/90's to me so this dish felt right at home. Was totally delicious too.

The Sea World Shoreline Restaurant breakfast buffet was a hit with the kids. Pancakes, soft serve and a giant pump size Nutella jar. What's not to love? The perfect way to fill the morning before Sea World's gates opened at 9.30am. The best part of staying at Sea World Resort is walking straight into Sea World and missing the queue. We started our morning off at the Ray Reef where you can pat these cuties as they float past. But with two teens in tow, they were keen to check out the new Leviathan ride. I didn't realise it at the time, but this was to be the first of many rollercoasters I would tackle this week, something I hadn't done in a long time. At just under 1km long, this brand-new wooden rollercoaster was SO much faster than we expected, and we squealed and giggled in delight!

But the highlight of our day at Sea World was our dolphin experience. First the Affinity Dolphin Presentation at the Dolphin Beach Stadium where six magical creatures and their handlers put on the most amazing show, followed by an in person dolphin encounter. I often look at the price of these types of special animal encounters and think they are a bit outrageous, but in the scheme of the cost of the entire holiday, it's practically nothing compared to the excitement and joy you will get out of a live animal adventure. The handlers were so amazing and made sure we got to touch, enjoy and photograph this once in a lifetime experience.

As fun as our day was, it was like every day on the Gold Coast kept getting better and better. If Sea World Resort was my dream destination as a kid, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is hands down my dream destination as an adult, and I was not wrong thinking this. Situated on the Broadwater, this beauty has its own beach and sea water pool. That stunning green pool you here >> is full of fish that you can snorkel with and they even have daily feeding sessions. That's what drew me to this hotel, but oh mama, there was so much more to love, I don't even know where to start.

Our stunning King Executive Suite and Interconnecting Ocean Room on the 25th floor was incredible. That view down over the pool, as well as the sun rising over the ocean, was to-die for. The kids declared the beds the comfiest they'd ever slept in. The styling was beautiful and the pools, OMG. The long pool area by the river weaves in and out of rocky grottos with a hidden spa, waterslide for the kids, and pool side bar. Plenty of sunlounges in all different areas too. We were spoilt with food options and loved our teppanyaki experience at Misono Japanese Restaurant. Our chef was hilarious, throwing food and dancing along to hit songs. Breakfast at Citrique Restaurant daily was a massive hit with all three of us and their à la carte dinner was a beautiful fine dining experience.

We spent the afternoon taking in some Funlab fun with Hijinx Hotel, Archie Brothers & Holey Moley. Hijinx has just come to Melbourne but we had yet to experience it, so were super excited to check this out. It is made up of fast-paced challenge rooms where players work together to complete challenges and score points on the leaderboard. Mama highly recommends. Topped off by mini golf and some bowling, it was a fun but exhausting afternoon out!

For our last full day it was time for some Warner Bros. Movie World fun. Can you believe I've been to the GC four times and never ever been here? But I can see why this is Australia's number one theme park. I've been missing out. It was seriously action packed and with our fast passes on hand we decided to hit every rollercoaster! We started with the Superman Escape thinking it would be the easiest then decided if that was the easiest we didn't want to do the rest! Eeek! But we put on our big girl panties and carried on regardless.

The Green Lantern Coaster was next and as I had the outside seat I was basically overhanging air! But the DC Rivals Hypercoaster was the real terrifier. It's the tallest, longest and fastest HyperCoaster in the Southern Hemisphere with a terrifying vertical drop and much to mama's dismay, no straps over your shoulders. But they were all awesome and we had the best day out.

I feel like we hardly scratched the surface of Surfers Paradise (see what I did there!) and the Gold Coast. This is such a brilliant family destination. Make sure you jump onto Destination Goldcoast's website to help plan your next Gold Coast adventure.

VISIT BOUNCE BLACKBURN, ESSENDON, GEELONG, GLEN IRIS, HEIDELBERG, KEYSBOROUGH, WODONGA