Gold Coast tourism: Visitors weigh in on beaches, bins and bumper-to-bumper traffic on M1

The FitzGerald family have been coming to the Gold Coast every year but this time it was extra special. Here’s why.

JOURNALIST Rosemary Ball meets four groups of tourists and finds out what they love and hate about the Gold Coast.

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The Fitzgerald family from Sydney: Matt and Amy with their children Noah, 2, Anna, 6, and Charlotte, 13. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The FitzGerald family

Age: 2–40

From: Rouse Hill, Sydney

Staying: 1 week

Visits: 8

Our sunshine and acai bowls are the main attraction for the FitzGeralds and they “do not want to go home”.

For the past couple of months the Sydneysiders have been engulfed by smoke due to bushfires, so their trip to the Gold Coast this year was “extra special”.

The family of five – parents Matt and Amy and children Noah, 2, Anna, 6, and

Charlotte, 13 – spent most of their time at Paradise Resort in Surfers Paradise, but “had a special trip to Burleigh Heads” to see the beach and eat “amazing” acai.

“We have come to the Gold Coast since the kids have been little,” Ms FitzGerald said.

“But the last four years we have been up every year.

“The weather is the true highlight, Burleigh Beach too and also your acai bowls.

“We naturally gravitate to the Gold Coast and really do not want to go home.

“It is so nice to get away from the smoke.

“The only thing we wish to see is the highway improve so we can get here faster.”

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Scott and Iryna Mansell from England. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Name: Scott and Iryna Mansell

Age: 44 and 31

From: Sussex, England

Staying: One week

Visits: Two and first time.

Scott Mansell lived in Australia 30 years ago, but had to come back to show his wife one of his “favourite places”.

Born and raised in Adelaide, Mr Mansell occasionally came to the Coast as teenager “and always had the best time”.

“I moved overseas for a new adventure, but have always wanted to come back,” he said.

“I had to bring my wife Iryna to the Coast to enjoy the sun and the beach.

“We have done a boat cruise and seen the canals.

“We spent most of our time at Surfers Paradise beach.

“It is one of my favourite places.”

Ms Mansell said she purchased a boogie board and “now is addicted to catching waves”.

“I have never seen a beach like this,” she said.

The couple said the only thing they would change on the Gold Coast was to have more rubbish bins.

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Luke Russel and Tayla Cox from the NSW Central Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Luke Russel and Tayla Cox

Age: 25 and 23

From: NSW Central Coast

Staying: Ashmore

Visits: Two

The young couple were on the Gold Coast for three days and complimented the city for its array of restaurants and stunning beaches.

“We are from the Central Coast, but the vibe on the Gold Coast is different and more relaxed,” Luke Russel said.

“The food scene is amazing here. There are so much to choose from. Burleigh Heads has really surprised us.

“It was so cool to see everyone having a drink and picnic on the hill while watching the sunset.”

Ms Cox said she “would not change one thing on the Gold Coast”.

“It is perfect the way it is. The weather is beautiful and the beaches are just gorgeous.”

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Lata and Samrat Malla from Sydney. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Lata and Samrat Malla

Age: 37 and 39

From: Leppington, New South Wales

Staying: Surfers Paradise

Visits: First time

The Mallas say the Gold Coast is a “perfect” holiday destination for families.

The couple said they enjoyed the sun, surf and sand, but Gold Coast theme parks are “out of this world”.

“Wow – we loved the rides at Movieworld,” Lata Malla said.

“(Daughters) Lisha and Ella (aged eight and three) had smiles the whole time, which made us so happy.”

The family of four, who stayed at Mantra Circle on Cavill, also enjoyed the Surfers Paradise foreshore.

“It is so smoky at home, and the weather here is so nice,” Samarat Malla said.

“We have been loving our walks together down at the foreshore, and also bringing the kids later on.”

The couple said they could not fault the city during their four-day holiday.

“We will be back,” Mr Malla said.

“It is a perfect location for families.”

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