Jetsettersblog

A journey of discovery to the northern and southern extremes of the Gold Coast region can be an idyllic short break discovers Adrienne Costin.

The high rise buildings of Surfers Paradise stood proud in the distance as we looked at them from the windswept shore of the South Stradbroke Island beach.

We were on the open beach side of Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island, which as its name suggests, is the southern neighbour of the more famous North Stradbroke. The two were one island until the late 1890s when they separated by the body of water now known as Jumpinpin Channel.

Eco-accredited Couran Cove is the only resort on this small sand island, and like its big brother, access is by boat with regular and pleasant 40 minute transfers operating from the Resort’s office and reception at Hope Island on the mainland.

We had already checked in before boarding the ferry so as we walked up the ramp to the main reception area we were able to head straight to our room, which like the majority of the accommodation is built over the water making the private verandah very appealing for a sundowner or a pre-bed coffee. All these ‘marine’ rooms and suites include a kitchenette.

There is also accommodation is four bedroom villas within the rainforest.

There are three ways to explore this sprawling bushland resort – on foot, on one of thousands of hire bicycles, or on the shuttle train which runs regularly from the resort to the Surf Club. It’s a welcome sight if you’ve made the 2km walk out to the surf beach.

Guests are spoiled for choice with activities including a selection of nature-based activities. Do take the time to take a wander through the rainforest with its tract of ancient cabbage tree rainforest and for the more active there is a huge sports centre which includes an indoor lawn bowls green and a 100m running track.

Dining choices are also prolific. For a special night out choose The Restaurant, the Resort’s signature, fine dining restaurant.

My snapper was so fresh and perfectly cooked it melted into my mouth and my companions could only nod approval as they devoured their meals.

The Boardwalk Café and Bar is open daily from 8am for coffee, cakes and desserts and serves a light menu during the day.

During the busy summer months the Surf Club also serves light meals; basic provisions and pre-prepared meals are available from the well-stocked Resort shop and the Poolside Café is the spot for breakfast and other light meals and coffee – all of which are enjoyed amidst the oasis of swimming pools in the heart of the lagoon.

A day later we were back on South Stradbroke, this time having swapped the high-speed ferry for kayaks supplied on a half-day Balunjali indigenous tour.

The group met at the Southport Spit where after a quick briefing we headed off across the busy waterway to Wavebreak Island for a delicious afternoon tea and a snorkel in the cool waters which were surprisingly filled with many colourful fish.

Drying off we hopped back in our kayaks and before long had reached South Stradbroke where we stepped back in the time to see the island through the eyes of the traditional owners – our faces and feet painted with mud. It was a fascinating way to spend the afternoon learning about the aboriginal history of the land. As the sun began to set we made our way back to the kayaks and made the easy 30 minute paddle back to the mainland.

Between these two visits to South Stradbroke we had headed to the southern end of the Gold Coast.

The beaches are wide and beautiful, long waves roll in to the sand as children play in the waves and surfers show off their stuff in the break. Others, their sun-bleached hair tussled from a day in the water, wander up from the beach with their boards under their arms.

This is where you’ll find the Golden Four – the beaches of Tugun, Bilinga, North Kirra and Kirra. The best way to choose which one to enjoy is to take a drive along the small beachfront road running alongside.

We joined the lunch-time crowd at the Currumbin Surf Club at Elephant Rock, one of two famous landmarks at this beach.

Lucky enough to secure a seat on the outside of the balcony, we enjoyed delicious steaks and seafood overlooking Currumbin Rock.

Then it was time to check out the recently opened Surfworld Gold Coast located opposite Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Surfers and lovers of surfing cannot fail to be enthralled by the expansive collection of surfboards, fabulous surfing photographs and other memorabilia.

This shrine to all things surfing is open from 10am to 4pm daily, admission is $9 adults, $5 children and concession and $25 for a family of two adults and two children.

As the sun set over the beach, a whale frolicked offshore, the surf lifesavers took down their flags and the beaches closed on another glorious day.

After a night comfortably ensconced within a suite at the stylish Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, we woke to another glorious day.

The hotel straddles the border with New South Wales and is a great destination for couples and families with its self-contained suites and penthouses, stunning beach or hinterland views and proximity to the beach, world-class restaurants and night clubs.

Our destination was Currumbin Valley but before we left the beauty of the waterfront, we used coffee as an excuse to visit Cafe D’Bar which overlooks Rainbow Beach in Queensland and Duranbah Beach in New South Wales, and is home to a fabulous Art Gallery.

Currumbin Valley is an easy 20 minute drive from Currumbin Beach. The lush hinterland is a 1.5km wide and 15km long stretch of sub-tropical hinterland with sheer escarpments, creeks, rock pools and waterfalls, all of which can be explored on well maintained walks.

The Mt Cougal section of Springbrook National Park is the northern rim of what was once a massive volcano which stretched south from Byron Bay and west to the Great Dividing Range and is also part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. We were savvy with this history, having visited the Green Cauldron exhibit of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which provides an introduction to the history of the area and animals found in the region.

On our way back from the Valley we made a compulsory stop at a roadside fruit stalls – the inexpensive and locally grown fruit and vegetables are out of this world with their flavours and freshness!

For information on the Gold Coast visit www.verygoldcoast.com

Couran Cove Resort. www.couran.com ; Balunjali. www.balunjali.com ; Surfworld Gold Coast. www.surfworldgoldcoast.org.au ; Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. www.cws.org.au ; Outrigger Twin Towns Resort. www.outrigger.com