Luxury Gold Coast cruising

CINDY Elliott takes a less-travelled view of the Gold Coast and discovers a world of luxurious living few get to witness.

Hidden luxury ... take to the Gold Coast waters by boat and you'll be rewarded with a behind-the-scenes glimpse few tourists get to see.

FIRST-TIMERS to the Gold Coast flock to the iconic surf-beach waterline, immersing themselves in the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean and marvelling at the skyscrapers that line the beachfront.

But water is the key to the Gold Coast in so many more ways. Salty sea, brackish, fresh, a lack of it, or too much of it during summer storms.

Water surrounds most of the suburbs, but you can't see a lot of it because these gated housing communities allow access only to the few who live there and have an electronic key for the security gates.

But if you were to take to Gold Coast waters on a boat, it opens the key to these canal-side communities and a whole world of leisure boating options from fishing, overnighting or just cruising and taking in the sights in the usually balmy climate year round.

So when the offer came to test drive the new Mustang 13m flybridge cruiser with my family, I couldn't resist.

We were to cruise around the Broadwater and explore the Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island and Sovereign Islands luxury housing precincts, lunching on board courtesy of chef Daniel at Room 81 of the Sofitel Broadbeach, where we were staying.

We were picked up in Southport by a gleaming white multistorey flybridge, a new addition to the well-known Mustang cruiser range, and one that is proving irresistible to boaties wanting more space, a sturdy and steady seagoing hull (the Oliver hull is imported from New Zealand), and luxury on board.

We tested the hull as we passed out of the Southport seaway on the hunt for migrating whales, but despite the beaminess it was deemed too rough to be comfortable and we headed back for the calm waters of the Broadwater, where we could sip our Ruinart champagne in peace.

We passed the "fake ship'' film set of Triangle, starring Melissa George, built at the end of the seaway wall specifically for five days shooting and cruised towards Labrador, leaving a very desirable wake for the jet skis that dogged our path.

Even at 16 knots, we hardly felt a ripple as we lounged on the flybridge couches while the captain pointed out the mansions and their respective owners.

This collection of man-made canals and residential islands house the most expensive real estate in Queensland, where the median price is more than $2 million. They sprawl over two and sometimes three blocks, and you can't help but wonder how many people rattle around inside.

Up into the Coomera River we slow to the compulsory six knots, so it is safe for the children to sit up on the huge front deck and take in the fresh sea air.

The adults are raiding one of the three well-stocked fridges as we head upstream to Sanctuary Cove.

This village, built around two magnificent golf courses, was built by Mike Gore back in the '80s and was seen as the hangout of the "white shoe brigade''.

Today, it is emerging from a "renaissance'', which includes a new drive-in entrance and updated shop fronts.

As we wandered around the boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants, we also saw a cinema, the Hyatt Hotel and myriad boat yards and chandlery businesses.

Residents drive golf buggies around here and neighbouring Hope Island. Some are mini versions of Hummers, Rolls-Royces and Mercedes -- which usually include a small dog and preclude the need for massive parking facilities within the village.

We were a centre of attention, moored next to the pub, as our flybridge was the same height as its first floor, and as a new model, curious boat-lovers wandered past to check us out.

After an antipasto lunch on board, we meandered farther up to the quiet waters of Hope Island, another golf and gated residential resort. We "spied'' on homes sporting infinity pools, big boats moored at their doorstep, and got a bird's-eye view of what even Google's Streetview can't access.

We waved at people in their tranquil gardens, or those on passing craft, lifting our glasses to the hidden life of the Gold Coast. Tastefully ritzy, but unobtrusively still glitzy.

The writer was a guest of Mustang Marine on board the brand new 13m flybridge, and Sofitel Gold Coast's Room 81.

- The Sunday Times