Mick Fanning, Natalie Gruzlewski and other well-known residents on their love of the Gold Coast

CELEBRITY residents reveal why their head-over-heels about living on the Gold Coast and share some of their favourite spots.

Gold Coast beaches are a huge draw for tourists and locals alike.

QUEENSLAND’S Gold Coast combines the fun of a traditional beach holiday with the thrill of world-famous theme parks, fantastic dining and internationally acclaimed events.

Warm summers and mild winters mix with the salty sea air to create a vibrant year-round holiday destination.

By day, fun-seekers will enjoy the Gold Coast’s acclaimed surf breaks and more than 50km of golden sand beaches. By night, they’ll revel in its exciting dining scene and vibrant entertainment.

Step away from the coastline and explore ancient Gondwana rainforest, walk through tree canopies, swim in rock pools and stand beside roaring waterfalls.

Sleep a glittering 78 floors high or stay in splendid isolation at one of the many unique rainforest retreats. As its residents can attest, visit the Gold Coast and you too can discover the diversity of one of Australia’s most exciting cities.

Mick Fanning. Picture: Mark Evans

Mick Fanning - Professional surfer and three-time men’s ASP World Tour Champion

When I’m flying into the Gold Coast and look out the window, I’m always blown away by how beautiful the stretch is and how lucky I am to live here. Every time I get home from being away on tour there’s another incredible restaurant, a new hole in the wall for coffee or breakfast café.

The Gold Coast beaches are beautiful and obviously where I spend most of my time but there’s plenty to see away from the beaches too.

The Currumbin Valley in the Gold Coast hinterland is one of my favourites, if you’re up for it the Cougal Cascades are fun to ride and there’s a great rainforest walk, too. From Kirra Lookout you get a great perspective of the coast all the way up to Surfers. I proposed to my wife up there so the place is special to me.

Natalie Gruzlewski has discovered wonderful beachside parks.

Natalie Gruzlewski - Channel 9 television presenter

As a new family, returning to the Gold Coast was an easy decision – it has the beautiful weather and outdoor lifestyle we love. We’ve discovered so many family-friendly playgrounds and wonderful beachside parks like Kurrawa Pratten Park at Broadbeach and Laguna Park in Palm Beach.

Laguna is great for children of all ages and has fantastic play equipment that our daughter Olivia loves. Located opposite the playground is the Dune Café, family-friendly with a beautiful lagoon outlook.

On Sundays we like to hang out at the Ferry Rd Markets at the Brickworks Centre in Southport. There’s a great selection of fresh local produce to take home and cafes for coffee, fresh juice or Sunday brunch.

Gary Ablett. Picture: Scott Fletcher

Gary Ablett - Captain of the Gold Coast Suns Football Club

Most of us immediately think of the sun, surf and amazing beaches when asked about the Gold Coast, but after living here for more than three years, I’ve discovered plenty of hidden gems.

When I first moved up, it was my brother, Nathan, who introduced me to the hinterland. We drove to the Currumbin Rock Pools and I couldn’t believe how quiet and picturesque it was, especially as it was such a short drive from the beaches. It became our regular thing to do whenever we had some down time, and we even included a few hikes through the hinterland into our training.

The Gold Coast is not only a place to stay fit but a destination where you can eat well. When I’m by the water I can’t go past Elk Espresso in Broadbeach. It does great coffee and the Suns boys love heading down there on a day off.

Charli Robinson loves horse racing and 5-star food. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

Charli Robinson - Sea FM Gold Coast breakfast host

For the past two years I’ve called the Gold Coast home. For me that means waking up to salty sea air, making the most of the gorgeous golden sand and enjoying a feeling of belonging to a city that is not only growing in size but in fun. I start work at 4am for breakfast radio so I’m not the best person to speak to about nightlife but I can tell you the coffee is divine at BSKT café in Mermaid Beach.

Every Saturday I have free I head straight to the Gold Coast Turf Club. We have horse races every week so there’s always an excuse to dress up. The Gold Coast is a hidden treasure of 5-star food. Some of Australia’s best chefs have also discovered paradise and relocated to the Gold Coast – Luke Mangan’s Salt at the Hilton Surfers Paradise is my favourite.

Stephanie Gilmor. Picture courtesy of Arc Factory.

Stephanie Gilmore - Professional surfer and five-time Women’s ASP World Tour champion

I grew up surfing the break at Snapper Rocks, which is undeniably one of the world’s best waves.

It’s not only home to world champion surfers like Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson but has some of Australia’s most stylish surfers and my dad grew up at this break, too.

Being a point break it’s easy to surf – the waves are textbook in form and shape with easy flow of traffic.

After my morning surf at Snapper or Greenmount there are two spots I always stop at – Little Mali for coffee and Fresh Garden Café (which also happens to be owned by Mick’s mum) for a juice or smoothie.