Australia's Gold Coast offers attractions and adventures to suit all

Experience 'extreme jet boating' with the Paradise Jet Boat ride. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland

Although the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia is often associated with sandy beaches and rolling surf, it offers so much more than that. From eclectic hipster spaces with its art galleries, farmers and artisan markets, street galleries and craft distilleries, to theme parks, jet boat rides and ferry excursions, the place offers so many options for tourists.

Getting around in Gold Coast is convenient and easy. Get on the G-link light rail if you want to go somewhere fast (tourists can use the Go Explore card).

If you prefer to be on water, take the Hopo (Hop-On Hop-Off) Ferry, which departs hourly from five destinations.

Located in the popular Surfers Paradise, Hota Farmers and Artisan Markets is one of the city’s most vibrant community markets held every Sunday morning.

When we visited, we saw stalls offering farm-fresh produce, tempting artisanal foods like gigantic hot dogs and gozleme (crispy Turkish flatbreads stuffed with tasty fillings such as spiced beef, lamb, spinach or feta), and fashionable items and handcrafted wear, all nestled against the backdrop of a lake.

There were also talented street performers singing and playing musical instruments to entertain visitors.

Hota, Home of the Arts, a cultural centre in Surfers Paradise. Photo: The Star/Ming TeohAlso in the vicinity was Hota, Home Of The Arts, where we had the opportunity to go on a private gallery tour led by host Claire Rogers.

We checked out the Legends Of Pop Art, a world exclusive exhibition held only on the Gold Coast, and saw the works of 15 iconic artists including Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

“Pop Art transforms every day objects and ideas into the extraordinary, using images from commercial and popular culture to create artworks that push the boundaries of what can be called ‘fine art’,” said Rogers.

And indeed, we did see objects from daily life such as newspaper clippings of personalities, pills, a football helmet and even an artist’s own hair, being turned into art.

If you take a stroll along the Gallery Walk at Mount Tambourine, you will come across many quaint shops offering everything from locally-made gifts and souvenirs, fashion and jewellery, cottage industry arts and crafts, as well as artisanal foods such as ice cream, chocolate and fudge. There are also fast food outlets and cafes here.

For connoisseurs of spirits, our next stop at Granddad Jacks would have been a joy. The family-owned and operated gin, whisky and vodka distillery is the first one that’s located in the Gold Coast.

David, grandson to the founder of Granddad Jack’s, a craft gin, whisky and vodka distillery in Queensland. Photo: The Star/Ming TeohHere, David Ridden, grandson of the founder (Granddad Jack), gave a talk on the company’s products. Visitors got to taste some samplings, and even mix their own cocktails. Adrenaline-pumping

Gold Coast is known as the “theme park capital of Australia” and it is not difficult to see why. We visited one of the most exciting theme parks there – Sea World – which has exciting rides, shows and presentations, and marine life.

Here, we explored the New Atlantis Precinct, which offers three new rides – the Trident, Leviathan and Vortex.

We went on the Leviathan – thus named after the ancient sea serpent in mythology. There was a whole lot of twisting, turning, crossovers, drops and dips with thundering sound effects going on, synonymous of being tossed around inside the belly of a sea monster... or a washing machine!

Next, we went on the Paradise Jet Boat Ride, a “not for the faint-hearted yet extremely fun and worthwhile” ride. We experienced “extreme jet boating” with 360° spins, high speed drifting, incredible beach buzzing and other exciting manoeuvres in as little as 10cm of water... all while we explored the Gold Coast waterways.

At the entrance to Sea World's new Leviathan ride. Photo: The Star/Ming Teoh

The climax of all the adventures was the Skypoint climb. Located in Q1, the country’s tallest building, Skypoint is Australia’s highest external building climb.

The writer (front) and other members of the media on the SkyPoint Climb. Photo: SkyPointAfter a safety briefing, we were suited up in “climb suits” and strapped up. Then, we went up in one of the world’s fastest elevators which took only 42.7 seconds to get from the ground to Level 77 where Australia’s only beachside observation deck is located. This is where the climb began.

This was my first time attempting an exterior building climb and despite being hesitant, I decided to face my fear of heights.

We exited the building from a glass chamber to the first of a series of what looked like endless steep steps. We were securely strapped onto custom-built railings. It was fairly windy but felt warm in the climb suits, which looked like grey overalls that we had to wear over our clothing, and it was not a strenuous climb.

When we finally reached the highest point at 270m, which is known as the Crow’s Nest, we were amazed by the breathtaking 360° views!Cool stays

A must-mention that made our time in the Gold Coast memorable is the unique accommodation. At QT Gold Coast, we had the opportunity to try the popular “tiny homes concept”, developed in collaboration with award-winning designer Nic Graham.

The interior of QT's Cosy Cabin. Photo: The Star/Ming TeohThe hotel’s six cabins are all self-contained with full amenities, including a capsule coffee maker, Dyson hair dryer and more. Each cabin has its own private balcony set within a tropical green oasis and a golden horizon.

What struck me most about the hotel is that it is kind of like an art gallery with pop art displayed for sale on its walls, from the lobby, dining areas, walkways, to the elevators.

We also stayed at the Dorsett Gold Coast, a stylish and modern hotel that is one of the newest to open in the city.

> This trip was made possible by Tourism & Events Queensland, Destination Gold Coast and Scoot, which flies three times daily to the Gold Coast, a major gateway into Australia’s Queensland.