Top 14 amazing getaways from Gold Coast

HOLIDAYS may be over but it only takes two days to make an awesome Staycation. Check out our tips for top Gold Coast weekend getaways.

Nightfall Wilderness Camp in Lamington national Park from where Heidi Ross co-ordinated the campaign to save Peter Greste

HOLIDAYS may be over but it only takes two days to make an awesome Staycation. Check out our tips for top Gold Coast weekend getaways.

GLAMPING

Nightfall, Christmas Creek

A creekside location with private beach, your own day bed and a sky-full of celestial bodies makes this Lamingt on National Park location literally surpass any five-star rating. Choose from fully catered organic food or self-catering option and enjoy sunset drinks and hand-selected Australian wine. Once night does fall, sink into your kingsize bed, where you can roll up the canvas walls if you want to enjoy the full sleeping under the stars experience — while still enjoying the designer delights.

Nightfall Wilderness Camp in Lamington National Park.

Ketchup’s Bank Glamping, Boonah

There’s only two luxury, eco-tents on this secluded property in the Scenic Rim so you’ll feel like you have the bush all to yourself. Ketchup’s Bank Glamping’s luxury lodgings have queen-sized beds and self-contained private camp kitchens including barbecues with condiments thrown in. A special touch is the complementary daily kitchen cleaning and dishwashing, so you can concentrate on more important matters, like watching the wallabies pass by.

Hastings Point Surfari Tents

Just a quick trip south takes you to Hastings Point Holiday Park — where you can unpack the caravan or set up the tent … or just pay for one someone prepared earlier. ‘Tent’ doesn’t quite do this erection justice. Each Surfari setup has ensuite facilities, a riverfront location, self-contained kitchen and TV. Relax on your veranda facing the ocean or unwind in the open plan tent, which sleeps up to six people.

The estuary at Hastings Point.

FAMILY FIX

Sea World Resort, Main Beach

Next door to one of our most famous theme parks, Sea World Resort is a guaranteed winner for families. When you’ve tired of the thrills and spills at the park, check out the resort’s own two playgrounds, indoor playroom, video games, Sony Playstations, bike hire, table tennis, badminton court and fishing.

Joanne Brackenbury, her husband Stephen and four kids Dylan, Riley, Montana and Alyssa at Sea World Nara Resort.

Paradise Resort, Surfers Paradise

It may not be five-star lodgings, but if you’re looking for a break this really is paradise for parents. With a watermark, icerink and kids club all under one roof, and barstool who know how to make a mean mojito, there’s really no reason to leave. If you can tear the kids away from the pool — and yourself away from the pool bar — the resort is just minutes from the beach and heart of Surfers Paradise.

Peppers Broadbeach

For the cosmopolitan family, this is the ultimate destination. Soak up all that Broadbeach has to offer from the comfort of a self-contained, cutting-edge apartment. However, given the plethora of dining options available, you probably won’t want to self-cater.

ROMANTIC INTERLUDE

Intercontinental, Sanctuary Cove

Like a grand manor on the Gold Coast, the resort’s rooms and suites are set against a backdrop of picturesque fountains, lush gardens, a marina, golf course and a spectacular one acre beach lagoon pool. It’s like a country getaway while still in the city.

Intercontinental, Sanctuary Cove.

Marriott Resort, Surfers Paradise

Snap some super social media posts as you swim and snorkel with tropical fish at the Marriott Resort’s spectacular saltwater lagoon. With white sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, quiet pool zones and unique aquatic experiences, the pool is a drawcard for locals and visitors alike. Indoors, enjoy beach or Hinterland views, fluffy robes and relax in the plush accommodation before heading out for a bite cuisine at Misono, Citrique or the Lobby Lounge Bar.

Versace

It’s the five star hotel designed to woo the six senses. Designer by name and by nature, Palazzo Versace has long been the base both for visiting celebrities and for locals who want to feel like a star for the night. General manager Subash Basrur says the resort is over the top in every way — from extreme luxury to total pampering — and they’re happy to tailor any stay to maximise the romance.

Palazzo Versace.

Peppers Soul, Surfers Paradise

The definition of world-class luxury, Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise rises 77 levels above the sandy beaches and blue waters of Surfers Paradise. This icon of contemporary style delivers a curated collection of first class experiences — from fine apartments with uninterrupted ocean views to exceptional dining at hatted restaurant Seaduction.

ROUGHING IT

South Stradbroke Island

If you want to escape the fast pace of everyday life and totally relax among natural, unspoilt beauty, camping on South Stradbroke Island is the perfect retreat. A superb natural reserve, South Stradbroke Island offers calm inner waterways on one side, virtually untouched native bushland in the centre, and on the other side, 22kms of pristine surf beach with hardly a soul in sight. Since access to the island is exclusively by boat, vehicles or caravans are unfortunately not permitted. Ahh, the serenity.

South Stradbroke Island.

ADVENTURE TIME

Houseboat holidays, various vendors

Enjoy serene cruising and unique scenery as you relax aboard your own floating holiday home. Better still, if you don’t like the view, you can change it: 360-degree water views on each day of your holiday are guaranteed.

Thunderbird Park, Mount Tamborine

Enjoy an affordable rainforest adventure, a raft of exciting activities and choose your own accommodation style — camping, cabins or lodges. Thunderbird Park has the world’s largest deposit of gemstone-filled thundereggs, formed when dinosaurs roamed the earth. You can also explore the quaint town of Tamborine … enjoy boutique cheeses, wineries and distilleries; walk along the treetops at the Rainforest Skywalk or check out the glow worm caves.