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Gold Coast
Gold Coast is a beautiful coastal city located on the east coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. It is situated approximately 94 km south of Brisbane city centre. Gold Coast covers an area of approximately 414 km².2With a population of nearly 700,000 people, it is also the second largest city in Queensland, after the Queensland capital, Brisbane.
True to its name, the Gold Coast boasts a 57-kilometer coastline with numerous famous golden sandy beaches, attracting millions of visitors every year. There are secluded and quiet beaches like Coolangatta and Currumbin, surfing spots like Main Beach or Burleigh Heads, not to mention the world-famous white sand of Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, you can explore tranquil neighborhoods, vibrant food districts, and renowned amusement parks. And absolutely don't miss a hiking trip to the remote subtropical areas, where you'll be captivated by lush forests and stunning waterfalls. Along with that, there are a host of amusement parks such as Seaworld, Movie World, Dream World, Snow Centre… offering thrilling rides and shows showcasing Australian Aboriginal culture and people. From amusement parks to shopping malls, from surfing to rainforests, the Gold Coast can offer you the ultimate experiences.
When you have more time, you can explore areas further offshore. Lamington National Park is ideal for hiking, with over 500 spectacular waterfalls, 250 species of wildlife, and many ancient Antarctic oaks…
Here, you'll find a wide variety of European and Asian dishes at different prices, along with a rich selection of Australian Aboriginal cuisine. As dusk falls, the city becomes even more vibrant with casinos, live performances, and bars. For nature lovers, a visit to Gold Coast wouldn't be complete without exploring the famous Wildlife Park, a sanctuary for many of Australia's unique animal species. You can also watch Aboriginal people dance, make fire with wooden drills, and enjoy the traditional sounds their ancestors used during festivals.
Head out to sea to watch whales on the Gold Coast.
Whales are not unfamiliar creatures. Everyone has seen whales, either in movies or at aquariums. But seeing whales in their natural habitat is something different.
While strolling along the Gold Coast's coastal roads, I came across numerous travel agencies advertising whale-watching tours offshore, much like the roadside surfing in Bali or scuba diving in the Maldives. This piqued my curiosity. Seeing whales in their natural habitat? Amazing, and entirely within reach. I signed up for a tour that afternoon and set off the next morning.
Onboard, we were served tea, coffee, biscuits, and even seasickness medication for those who needed it. The guide explained that the ship had modern detection equipment that could pick up whale signals, locate them, and sail directly to their destination. Therefore, they guaranteed 100% of tour participants would see whales. On the way to the whale whaling spot, the guide told us about the history of the Gold Coast and interesting facts about the city. The skyscrapers faded into the distance, giving way to the vast, deep blue ocean. The wind blew strongly, carrying the salty scent of the sea, and everyone on board was excited, as if about to embark on an adventure.
After sailing for a while, the boat stopped. Looking in the direction the guide pointed, I saw a huge dark shape bobbing on the water's surface. It wasn't very clear, but we couldn't get any closer, to avoid disturbing their natural habitat. All the tourists on the boat had cameras and video recorders in hand, and they cheered excitedly whenever they saw a large tail thrashing against the sea or a spectacular column of water shooting up. The guide told us about them, their habitat, migration habits, and how they forage... From June to November each year, the largest mammals on the planet migrate along the "Humpback Whale Highway," following the warm ocean currents southward, just like birds.
I once walked into a water show at an aquarium where whales and dolphins performed tricks. I had to leave after 15 minutes because I felt quite disgusted thinking about the "training" they must undergo to be able to perform acrobatics and catch fish as their trainers dictate, all in a tiny tank the size of a regular swimming pool. Keeping them in large glass tanks for conservation purposes is different, much like the difference between a zoo or circus and a safari.
Therefore, seeing these huge whales happily playing, swimming, jumping, diving, and spouting water up close was an incredibly exciting experience. Because that's when they weren't performing for anyone; they were just tumbling and playing with each other. Everything happened so naturally. My trip only lasted about 3 hours, after which the boat returned to the Gold Coast, but the joy it brought me will remain with me forever.
Additional information
Trip:Currently, no airlines operate direct flights from Vietnam to Gold Coast. You can fly to Sydney or Melbourne and then continue your journey to Gold Coast by plane or bus.
Time:Gold Coast is a city influenced by a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are quite warm. Statistics show that Gold Coast enjoys up to 300 sunny days a year. The best time to visit is between May and October. This is when the weather is warm and pleasant, making it ideal for enjoying Gold Coast's beautiful beaches, thrilling rides, and theme parks.
If you want to go whale watching in Gold Coast, the best time is between June and August. For those looking to save money, the best time is between November and April, as this is the low season for tourism in Gold Coast.
