Gold Coast Self-Drive

BRISBANE: Enjoy time over breakfast, then take the Pacific Motorway north to Brisbane, capital city of Queensland or break your journey and take breakfast en-route to the World Heritage Springbrook National Park (waterfalls, panoramic mountain vistas,1000 metres above sea level), or Lamington National Park (biggest subtropical rainforest in the world, wineries, waterfalls, creeks, viewing platforms) Helensvale, Sanctuary Cove, Oxenford, Coomera, Pimpama, Ormeau, Beenleigh (famous Rum Distillery, tours), Brisbane (South Bank lagoon and picnic area, cafes, boutiques, river cruises, Art Gallery, Museum, riverside walks, picnics, markets, historic architecture) .

Byron Bay: An easy drive to the alternative lifestyle of the late 1960's - Byron Bay - where the happy, hippy culture has matured over the years onto a relaxed, laid back township and must do: Byron Bay (cafes serving fresh local produce and wines, boutiques, surfing, festivals, dolphin spotting, whale watching, Indigenous experiences, coastal walks, beach fishing, crafts and art work), Arakwal National Park (Tallow Beach, vantage points in season to discover migrating whales and dolphins), Tallow's Beach (south of headland, big surf, long beach) Byron Main Beach (Palazzo Versace, beach close to shore smallish waves), day spas, yoga centres, dive and surf and pro shops, surf lessons, diving, Byron Bay Arts and Industry Precinct. (Artisans workshops and galleries, (timber, fine furniture, jewellery from precious metals, and other crafts)), Seven Mile Beach (beach fishing), Cape Byron Lighthouse (tours, historic massive candle power lighthouse (1901)) Cape Byron Headland Reserve (bush trails, panoramic vistas, rainforest, huge extinct volcano), Palm Valley (Indigenous experience), Mount Warning National Park (World Heritage Listed, eroded remains of central plug of ancient volcano), Boat Harbour Nature Reserve (Wilson River, Coopers Creek, remnants of riverboat era wharf, viewing platform),Nightcap NP (Minion Falls (100m tall), Mooball NP (rare native fauna, marbled frogmouth, long-nosed potoroo, Stephen's banded snake, red-legged pademelon, giant barred frog etc), Gold Coast Hinterland: Take the Pacific Highway, then turn off to cross the coastal plain to then follow the highroad to discover the amazing unspoiled beauty and splendid mountaintop communities of the Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland: Mt Tamborine, North Tamborine (Tamborine Mountain Distillery, uses only organic fruits, liqueurs, schnapps) Eagle Heights, (crafty communities offering freshly homemade preserves and jams, unique fudge and chocolate and other hand made items) Gallery Walk (70 boutique style galleries and cafes, each housed in pretty picturesque houses and buildings; antiques, Lindsay Muir Rainforest sculptures, decadent home made Belgium choccies, collectables, crocheted, hand sewn and knitted quilts, beautiful artwork, wineries with welcoming cellar doors, hand made kiddies clothes, Fair Trade knitted wear, Marsala Shanti (Indian Restaurant), chic fashions, Tamborine Tea (220 organic teas from around the world), the German Cuckoo Clock Nest (with all things tic- toc- tic- toc), hand crafted jewellery, perfumes, designer glassware, Witches Chase Cheese Factory (boutique cheese factory) etc. etc Mount Tamborine Brewery (boutique, traditional brewery) Witches Falls, Cedar Creek Falls, Curtis Falls, Cameron Falls and many more), Springbrook National Park (vibrant rainforest in ancient shield volcano magnificent panoramic vistas) Springbrook Plateau (mountain village, waterfalls, walk trails, swimming hole, picnic area, lookouts), Purling Brook Falls (cascades 109 metres to floor of rainforest, lookouts, swimming hole), Canyon Lookout (views across the coastal plain to the ocean, walk to Twin Falls), spas and day retreats to soothe the soul .