You might associate the Gold Coast with the glitter strip of Surfers Paradise, but when you have a Gold Coast Airport car rental from East Coast Car Rentals, you open up a whole other world of opportunities.
Here are some of the unmissable hidden attractions of this beach front paradise.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
This spectacular park is full of beautiful Australian animals on display in natural bushland and in rainforest settings. This gives visitors an amazing opportunity to see some rare and unique wildlife.
Nestled amongst 27 acres of lush eucalypt and rainforest, every day here is an adventure. Take the chance to get up close to a crocodile, snuggle a koala or hang out with kangaroos.
Not only that, this park offers plenty of adventure activities that thrill-seekers will love. If you’re enraptured with the idea of challenging yourself, the Adventure Parc High Ropes Course could be just the ticket.
This features 65 different challenges which all aim to get your blood pumping and adrenalin running, such as the Tarzan Swing or giant flying fox.
Purlingbrook Falls
While the glitter strip certainly has its advantages, there’s nothing like getting out amongst nature. Located in the Springbrook national Park, this waterfall is hard to beat.
You could lap up the sights and sounds of the rainforest with many hikes in the hinterland available, but this path is a must-do. It is not too challenging, meaning walkers of a reasonable fitness should be able to reach the stunning falls without too much of a push. However, it is recommended you wear ankle-supporting footwear for the 4km walk.
And, best of all? You can reach this gorgeous location in just over 30 minutes in your car hire on the Gold Coast.
Broadwater Parklands
If you’ve brought the children with you to enjoy their own slice of paradise, they will love this location. Chocka with fun activities such as gardens, swimming holes and playgrounds, there is something here to please every child.
More active kids will love having the chance to test out a mini-BMX track or have a hoon on one of the flying foxes available. There are also waterfalls located in this park, and the kids are sure to enjoy the chance to have a splash around.
Currumbin Valley Rock Pools
If you’ve left the kids behind to enjoy a much needed couples’ getaway, this is the perfect location for a date.
Allow an entire day in your itinerary to visit this location, which is set in the stunning Hinterland forest. This secret location is tucked away 50 metres from the main waterfall.
Head upstream until you reach a small waterfall. Here there are plenty of picnic tables for a romantic meal. The fresh air would no doubt have helped you to build up an appetite!
After you have finished your delicious meal, why not go for a leisurely stroll? There is a beautiful spot perfect for a walk only a few kilometres up the track. The views are spectacular and you can listen to the many birds chirp or have a dip in the rock pools.
The Wishing Tree track
Located in the stunning Lamington Park, this particular walk is a bit off the beaten track. It is a hidden gem, set just below O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and has been around for thousands of years.
The journey will take you downhill, and there is plenty of fascinating native flora and fauna to keep an eye out for along the way, including Brush Box and strangler figs amongst others.
It will take you on an adventure over a tree fern gully where you will need to make your way across a suspension bridge – it will all be worth it when you reach the wishing tree, however. Make sure you give it a hug.
From here you can either choose to continue left onto Glow Worm Gully or go ahead under the Wishing Tree to Morans Creek.