Gold Coast Blog

I heard on the radio this morning that the Gold Coast Indy is set to be replaced by the A1 GP for 2009.

For the last few weeks we’ve been hearing that Indy may not be returning and lots of rumours, but it appears that the Formula 1 Racing feeder class of A1 GP will be replacing Indy. Obviously, the very popular V8s and other support races will be staying on the program.

A1 GP has a country based racing teams and the cars are a standard format so that you are pitting the skills of the drivers against each other. I also understand that these cars will get around the old Gold Coast Indy track a couple of seconds faster! So no need to worry, there will be plenty to get excited about!

With A1 GP being country based, we might actually get better coverage across more countries. That could be great news for the Gold Coast all around.

As I hear more, I’ll update my Gold Coast Indy pages and post here.

I have been hunkered down the last couple of weeks refining the transition to the new look Gold Coast Australia Travel Tips website.

As usual anything technical takes at least twice as long as you expect and your run into issues you have not planned for.

I am glad to say, that stage 1 is now complete. I would love feedback on any pages and changes. And I apologise for not writing any new content this last week or so.

Well that isn’t strictly true!

I have just completed Gold Coast Events in 2009. I update my events pages regularly with as much information about major events scheduled for the Gold Coast next year as I can find out! I have also added some other useful information to help you plan your visit.

From here on in, the plan is to slowly transition all pages to the new look. I say slowly because, I ‘d rather be adding new content and tips! So forgive the mix of old and new, and understand it is so I can bring you more great information about Gold Coast Australia.

I hope you like the new look. Don’t forget to tell your friends and social networks about the Gold Coast Australia Travel Tips website!

You could also give us a digg, or stumble or whatever it is you do! You can use the buttons on the left hand column to share this website and blog.

Finally, thank you for visiting this website. Your comments and contributions help me to make improvements so that it is truly a great resource about Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Take care, come back soon and don’t forget to leave some comments!

Gold Coast Annie

Pumpkins at the ready it’s Halloween on the Gold Coast!

As kids we used to enjoy the trick or treating, but not to the same extent as in the US. When I came to Australia, Halloween almost passed unnoticed.

I notice more and more that the kids are doing the trick or treat rounds in housing estates and gated communities across the Gold Coast and Halloween is becoming more popular.

But for a truly scary night why not go to a Warner Bros. Movie World Halloween Family Fun night?

These events run Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October 2008. Starting at 5.45pm and running till 9.00pm with lots of special guests and scary fun! Prizes to be won for best Halloween fancy dress and all this for only $99 per family of four.

Something rather different! Check out their website for more details: www.myfun.com.au

F-111 Gold Coast Indy 2008 - Sunday Afternoon Dump and Burn!

Yesterday, I posted photos taken at the Labrador foreshore and today we took up a vantage point just east of the Sundale Bridge between Southport and Surfers Paradise.

My absolute favourite photo of the F-111 was the first photo here - just on the approach to the Gold Coast Indy Pit Straight through the Surfers Paradise buildings.

The flight path appeared a bit different from Saturday which caught me unawares. I was able to get some great shots from underneath as the plane went almost overhead.

And finally, congratulations to Ryan Driscoe, the first Australian to win the Gold Coast Indy in its 18 year history on the Gold Coast. Well done!

Larger version of F-111 at Gold Coast Indy 2008

F-111 at Gold Coast Indy 2008 flying above Main Beach

F-111 flying overhead at Indy 2008 Gold Coast

F-111 flying between the buildings of Surfers Paradise

F-111 start of dump and burn along indy pit straight in Surfers Paradise

F-111 exits Gold Coast Indy 2008 for the last time... ever...

Hot off my camera are some F-111 dump and burn photos as they did the Saturday afternoon flypast just about an hour ago at the 2008 Gold Coast Indy.

These are a bit of fun - it is pretty impressive how it goes between the buildings. I understand the instructions for the pilot were eyes straight ahead and go no lower than 200ft.

There were several fly pasts of the F-111 with the final one featuring the dump and burn through the buildings and then off into the wide blue yonder over the ocean.

The earlier flypasts included a fairly low pass over Marina Mirage in Main Beach and Sea World.

The thing with the F-111 is you don’t hear it till it gets past you! And boy is it loud!

The final photo is a classic. The guy on the boat is totally oblivious to the plane, but I wish I had been able to capture an aftershot when he actually heard the noise! Priceless!

We will barely be over the roar of Indy when the following weekend we will hear the roar on the water! A Powerboat racing extravaganza starts on Friday 31 October and runs till Sunday 2 November 2008.

The 3 day gala event will include offshore powerboat racing, Formula I, Formula II and Unlimited Displacement. If you are into powerboat racing I am sure that will mean something to you. I however am quite happy to know little but still go check out these awesome boats.

Gold Coast Indy organisers have apparently allowed some showcasing of the boats during Indy week. If you are in Surfers during Indy week you can get a sneak peek at a couple of the boats. You will find them inside the Indy track at Macintosh Island. One on land and two boats in the water.

During the racing the offshore boats will launch from just north of Sea World and then head out through the Gold Coast seaway to the offshore racing circuit.

The Formula I and Formula II boats will race in a tighter circuit within the Broadwater just north of Sea World at the Gold Coast Marine Stadium.

I haven’t seen this before, but I am guessing that good vantage points could be along the Spit and around Marine Stadium as well as possibly from the foreshore of Southport.

Gold Coast things to do this weekend - Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2008. In the run up to Gold Coast Indy week there are a few things on this weekend that makes us all realise that life doesn’t revolve around Indy!

There are no school holidays at the moment. NSW is on daylight savings, so watch that when you go over the border for any activities in northern NSW as they are one hour ahead of Queensland time. In preparation for the Gold Coast Indy, Surfers Paradise and Main Beach have many traffic restrictions and road closures. Only go to these areas if you have to and be prepared for delays.

There are not many weekends left in the Gold Coast whale watching season, so why not take one of the great guided tours out to see the whales. A great treat if you happen to see the cows and calves frollicking in the surf!

Here are some of the things you will find in the Gold Coast this weekend:

Film Fantastic - Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 October. Film screenings at Pacific Fair Cinemas, Broadbeach, workshops at Robina Community Centre. More details at www.filmfantastic.com

Marina Mirage Farmers Markets Saturday 18 October at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive. 7am to 12 noon.

Broadbeach Art and Craft Market Sunday 19 October at Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach.

Gold Coast Active program has the following events this weekend. Check their website for more details: www.goldcoastcity.com.au/activehealthygc

• Active and Healthy Skateboard and Mini competitions - Pacific Pines Skate Park, Brockman Way, Pacific Pines
  From: 10:00 AM to Noon, Saturday 18 October 2008
• Active and Healthy Fishing Fun - Budds Beach - Budds Beach (Booking essential, small fee applies)
  From: 9:00 AM to Noon, Sunday 19 October 2008
• Active and Healthy Parks Alive and Creative Kids - Palm Beach Laguna Park, 130 Laguna Avenue, Palm Beach
  From: 10:00 AM to Noon, Sunday 19 October 2008
• Active and Healthy Mini Family Olympics - Broadbeach Waters Albert Park, Monaco Street, Broadbeach Waters
  From: 10:00 AM to Noon, Sunday 19 October 2008
• Active & Healthy Drumming Workshop - Ormeau Jacobs Ridge Parklands, Pincally Crescent, Ormeau
  From: 10:00 AM to Noon, Sunday 19 October 2008
• Twilight fishing - Budds Beach (Booking essential, small fee applies)
  From: 4.30PM onwards, Monday 20 October 2008

If you have any more activities or events you know are going on this weekend drop me a line with the details.

With summer fast approaching Gold Coast beaches are becoming busier and busier.

Early morning surf lifesaving patrols at Gold Coast beaches have been in place at the most popular tourist beaches on the Gold Coast for the last 3 years. These beach patrols started at Surfers Paradise and run between 6am and 8am as this was highlighted as an area where many drownings were occuring. Since these patrols have been in place there hasn’t been a drowning at Surfers Paradise between 6am and 8am, but there have been over 3000 rescues.

Don’t rely upon being saved, learn about and use beach safety. The most important one is swim between the flags.

If you are a Currumbin Beach over the summer, you might get a chance to see a real champion life saver. Ken Wallace, Beijing Olympics gold medal winning K1 Kayaker, has started his summer job as a council lifeguard.

So there’s an added bonus, Gold Coast beaches and Olympic champions!

What’s going on with New Zealand to Gold Coast flights? I am as bamboozled as the next person. I am finding hard to keep up with flights into and out of Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta! Here’s what I have been able to find out…

Air New Zealand announced last week that it was suspending its twice weekly flights between Hamilton and Gold Coast-Coolangatta.

On the other hand Jetstar is planning on adding daily flights between Gold Coast and Auckland as well as between Sydney and Auckland starting 28 April 2009. These flight are subject to regulatory approval.

On the face of it, it seems that Jetstar is looking to get a foot hold in the NZ market and that it feels Auckland-Gold Coast flights are likely to have good demand.

Don’t despair, if flying from NZ to Gold Coast there are other options when there are not direct flights to or from your home city.

The first option is to fly to Brisbane Airport and then transfer by train, bus or hire car to Gold Coast.

The second option to fly via Sydney and on to the Gold Coast that way. Although this adds time to your travel, it can give you some options that end up being more cost effective. The other factor is the reduced cost of transfers from Gold Coast Airport to your accommodation.

If you are looking for help with bookings for your NZ-Gold Coast flights, try Flight Centre. I have used Flight Centre for flight and holiday bookings on many occasions. Their website give you lots of options for airlines, flights and other holiday bookings.

Don’t forget to do some research on my website first to work out exactly where you want to stay and when to visit!

I often get asked Gold Coast whale watching in October is there anything much to see?

The reason for the question is that people get worried because the whale watching season in the Gold Coast runs from June to November each year. The Gold Coast whale watching tours tend to finish around 31 October. So the concern is that the season will peeter off during October and there won’t be much to see.

The reality is that the whales continue to pass by the Gold Coast well into November, its just that during that time the operators tend to deploy their boats to other activities.

Humpback whale tail off the Gold Coast

Although there might be times when they pass by and don’t do very much, when they put on a show for you I can guarantee it will be an experience that you will not forget in a hurry. Can you imagine watching a calf breaching, pectoral fin or tail slapping with their mum watching? What a sight.

The other good thing about October for whale watching is that the whales tend to come much closer in to the shoreline. Sometimes as close as 50m to 100m from shore. This is a great time to try some land based whale watching.

So is it a good time for whale watching in the Gold Coast? Absolutely! Go on, get out there and experience it on the water!