Tall Ships and Tall Buildings
Trip Start
Jun 03, 2010
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4
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Trip End
Jun 13, 2010
Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
It was then time to head south to Queensland's Gold Coast, tonight we would stay in downtown Surfers Paradise, but before that we would get out on the water again for an afternoon at another south east Queensland island.
An hour south and we had arrived at the Gold Coasts Marina Mirage, the home for super yachts, pleasure craft, fishing boats and even a floating church which can be taken out for weddings!
After a brief walk through the retail shops of Marina Mirage we boarded one of local company Tall Ships large wave piercing catamarans for the cruise to McLarens Landing on south Stradbroke Island. It had just returned from a morning whale watching cruise off the coast.
McLarens Landing is a purpose built, function, lunch, dining and recreation facility with a definite pacific island feel. We lunched, sipped cocktails and took a walk along the beach and through the bushland occasionally meeting local wild wallaby's, a very relaxing afternoon for the group. If you were more adventurous, they also offer para sailing, jet boating, 4X4 tours and a range of activities for kids.
For the ride home we boarded the 'Sir Henry Morgan', a tall ship for the cruise back to Surfers Paradise, staff fed whistling kites and sea eagles from the bow as we took off, trying to avoid the ever persistent sea gulls.
It was then time to check into the Q1 Resort and Spa. Located right on the beach at Surfers Paradise, the Q1 is the worlds tallest residential building and offers some fantastic views of the entire region!
This evening we were lucky enough to take a part in a 'wild night' adventure at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at the southern end of the Gold Coast. Currumbin started as a bird sanctuary all the way back in 1947, but has developed into a comprehensive Australian Wildlife Experience.
Our wild night adventure included dinner, koala, bird and reptile experiences along with an aboriginal performance incorporating wild life.
