Sun, sand, sky and shopping! We chose Gold Coast as there is something for everybody. Not much planning was done as it was a spontaneous one with the exception of the flight which was booked in October 2022 during an airline's sale. Hotel stays are fun but we decided that it is more comfortable to stay in a serviced apartment that is equipped with a washer/dryer to ensure that you do not have to do laundry once home and yes, a kitchen. You can always prepare your own meals and save costs if you wish but at the same time, it felt like home. Tell me what is a holiday without instant noodles!
Day 1: Arrival
Morning
- Upon our arrival at Gold Coast Airport (OOL), we picked up our rental car from SIXT Car & Truck Rental Gold Coast Airport - Coolangatta. A prior reservation has been made online and we have selected a 'Mystery Car' where the vehicle (of compact or larger size) will be determined by the company.
- We got a Toyota Corolla Hatch (hybrid). We were secretly hoping for a bigger car!
- Do take note that they will require a credit card bearing the same name as the allocated driver.
- We then made our way to Surfers Paradise which took us about 45 minutes due to morning peak hour. We also took the longer route as our check-in time was at 3.00pm
- Our first stop was to Paradise Centre (in the hope that our host would allow us to check in early) and to check out the area.
Breakfast: Crepe Addict
- As we were quite famished and most of the shops were not open yet, we had our breakfast at Crepe Addict. Dessert for breakfast? Well, calories don't count when travelling. My husband and I shared a sweet crepe: Banana Nutella whereas our friend bought Crunchy Hazelnut.
- Do take note that the shop is not halal-certified so dine-in at your own discretion.
- The carpark rate at the surrounding malls can be costly. You may wish to park on the street instead. You may refer to the guide here.
Afternoon
- As there were no changes to the check-in time, we headed towards Harbour Town Premium Outlets to shop for our groceries at Woolsworth and Exotic Asian Grocery.
- The idea was if we could not get what we were looking for at the supermarket, there was always the Asian shop next door carrying our familiar products.
- Finding halal meat/poultry in the supermarket can be challenging. Packed meat/poultry in Australia have an “EST” number indicated on it. This is short for Meat Establishment Number, and links the meat to the domestic abattoir that it was processed at.
- To know its sources or if it is halal-certified, search for EST numbers here.
Lunch: Origin Kebabs
- Origin Kebabs offer an extensive menu from your regular kebab to pide to seafood. But the best of all is definitely the HSP (which serves two).
- Do not be fooled by the photo as you will think that "I'm pretty sure I can finish it all by myself in one seating"!
- HSP is a good option to purchase as you can always bring it back to your accommodation and reheat it if you cannot finish it.
- They have a total of 32 stores in all over in Australia and is halal-certified. You can find them on Uber Eats.
- The plan is to drop by one of the two locations (see below) to get some halal meats but we were too tired by then. All we just want is to check-in, shower and have a rest.
- Gold Coast Halal Meats
7/9 Brown St, Labrador QLD 4215, Australia
Opening hours: 7am to 5pm (Monday - Saturday), 8am to 4pm (Sunday)
2. Continental Halal Meats
37 Beale St, Southport QLD 4215, Australia
Opening hours: 7am to 6pm (Monday - Friday), 7am to 5pm (Saturday),
7am to 4pm (Sunday)
Evening: Check-in AirBnB
Accommodation:Ruby Apartment
- We booked the Breathtaking Ocean & Riverview 2 Bedroom Apartment
- This Two-bedroom apartment is located on level 29 and can host a maximum of 5 features:
- 1 master bedroom with a queen bed with walk-in shower ensuite
- 1 bedroom with 2 single beds
- 1 bathroom with toilet and shower over a bath
- 1 living room with TV, sofa, and a dining area
- 1 full-size kitchen
- 1 balcony
- 1 laundry with separate washer and dryer
- A centralised air conditioning system (cooling and heating functions)
- Free guest WIFI
- Free parking is available in the building's basement (first-come-first-served basis)
Credit: AirBnB
Nearby attractions include:
- Cavill Avenue (10min walk)
- Surfers Paradise Beach (5min walk)
- Surfers Paradise North Station (6min walk)
- Q1 Observation Deck (7min drive)
- Paradise Center (6min drive)
- Sea World (7min drive)
- Warner Bros. Movie World (20min drive)
- Wet n' Wild (20min drive)
Dinner
As there was leftover from our lunch, we reheated it as sides and cooked instant noodles.
Day 2: Warner Bros. Movie World & Night Market
Morning: Warner Bros. Movie World
- Warner Bros. Movie World is the place to be as it caters to all age group. They have 'Thrill Rides', 'Family Rides' and 'Kids Ride'. I would highly recommend this place for thrill seekers.
- “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil might beware my power… Green Lantern's light!”. Do read the oath before taking the Green Lantern Coaster as the ride tips and rolls!
- Up next was the DC Rivals Hypercoaster. It is the tallest, longest and fastest HyperCoaster (not rollercoaster okay!) in the Southern Hemisphere with a 1.4 kilometre track for the ultimate thrill. It features an 89° drop and as you descend from the lair of the iconic Joker head, the view was amazing when it gets dark. This is better than Superman Escape!
- Justice League 3D: The Ride is an interactive ride where you'll grab your laser blaster and join Superman, Batman and an army of Super Heroes in a 3D battle against evil!
- We took on all of the thrilling rides before heading over to Gotham City Cafe for lunch as Rick's closed on that day.
- We experienced the all-new WB Studio Showcase - Batman Legacy, at Warner Bros. Movie World for a limited time only. Films featured inside the exhibition include Batman, Batman Returns, Batman & Robin, Batman Forever, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Batman Begins. Explore epic costumes including a variety of Bat suits, The Joker’s iconic purple and orange overcoat, Catwoman suit and more.
- Calling all Mugglers. Do check out Movie Memorabilia as you can find pretty stuff from the Harry Potter™ x Short Story collection. They sell jewellery, accessories, diffusers, and candles. I bought a scented candle (Hufflepuff) and the smell is Toasted Butterscotch & Pecan Pie. It is very pretty!
- Unfortunately, Superman Escape, Batwing Spaceshot and Doomsday Destroyer were not operating during our current visit. Do check out the 'Maintenance Schedule' at their page to avoid disappointment. Though the door opens at 09:30AM, the rides operates at 10.00AM
Admission fee: A$105/adult
Address: Pacific Motorway, Oxenford Gold Coast, Queensland 4210, Australia
Opening hours: 09:30AM - 05:00PM
Evening
Dinner: Surfers Pizza & Kebab (Halal Certified) and Gong Cha Surfers Paradise
- The kebab stalls located in Surfers Paradise are mostly halal and affordable yet filling. We popped by Surfera Pizza & Kebab as it is right beside Gong Cha- who does not love a good bubble tea! We bought pizzas and drinks to go.
Credit: Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets Facebook
- As we saw tentages at the beachfront, we decided to see what was there. There are around 100 market stalls featuring products such as fashion, jewellery, accessories, art pieces and homewares. There are even Muslim stall owners selling sugarcane juice, baklavas and doughnuts/brownies.
- Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4.00pm to 9.00pm.
Day 3: Harbourtown and Mini Golf
Afternoon
- As it was an action-packed day on Day 2, we left the apartment slightly later and the game plan was to conquer half of the Harbour Town Premium Outlets.
- Harbour Town Premium Outlets is Australia's largest Outlet, with 220 stores at up to 70% off every day! You can literally shop till you drop or shop till you broke 😂
- You must stop by Bath & Body Works as most of the items like your usual mist, body wash and shower gel, body cream body lotion and body scrub go for A$15 to stock up. You can really get a bang for your buck over here!
- Looking for good quality towels and bedding? Head over to Sheridan. For example, Sheridan Ultra-Light Luxury bath towel's actual retail price is A$59.99. With a 50% discount, you only need to pay A$30. Member takes a further 10% discount. If I did not think of my luggage space, I would have gotten a quilt cover set or bedding!
- Even if you are there to window shop or survey first, the day is gone before you know it. They offer a free Shopping Shuttle from Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise to the Harbour Town Tourism Lounge with daily services. To those driving there, the parking is free.
Harbour Town Premium Outlets
Address: 147 - 189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters QLD 4216
Opening Hours:
Monday-Wednesday, Friday-Saturday: 9:00am - 5:30pm
Thursday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Late lunch
2brosau Facebook
Late Lunch and Early Dinner:
- 2 Bros specialises in Nashville Hot Chicken, Burgers and Milkshakes.
- We bought The Boss and 4 Piece Tender Supreme topped off with Nutella and Strawberry Shake.
- The Boss is a Nashville-style spicy fried chicken patty where you can choose the heat: Medium, Hot and Scorchin Hot.
- One might think that the Tenders Supreme is very light and bite-size but in fact, the size and thickness of it made the meal worth it. There are five different levels of heat for you to choose from Original, Mild, Medium, Hot and Scorchin Hot!
- The shakes do not disappoint- you can totally feel the love and effort put in by the staff!
- Truth be told, this is the best meal we had for the entire trip and money well spent!
2 Bros
Address: 8B/61-73 Meron St, Southport QLD 4215
Operating Hours:
Monday - Closed temporarily
Tuesday–Friday 10:30am – 9:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm - 9:00pm
(Kitchen closes 15-20 min prior to closing times)
And the best part, they deliver: check them out on Uber Eats!
Evening: Putt Putt Golf Mermaid Beach
Credit: @puttputtmermaidbeach Instagram
- Putt Putt has three fantastic themed 18-hole mini-golf courses on offer: Fun Run (a whimsical course featuring pirate's treasure, a mediaeval dragon and a haunted house), Jungle Trail (a labyrinth of gardens with a grizzly bear, elephants and a talking parrot) and Waterways (a tropical oasis of waterfalls, a lagoon, turtles and shipwrecked pirates).
Credit: @puttputtmermaidbeach Instagram
- Play all three courses or you can choose to play the other two courses on any day with no expiry date. We #YOLO and finished the entire course in a day. A course takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes depending on the number of players. It took us about 2 hours to complete it with rest in between. Who knows mini golf could be tiring?
Admission fee: Ultimate Pass - A$28.00
Address: 2492 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218, Australia
Opening hours: 09:00AM to 10:00PM
Day 4: Biggera Waters & Surfers Paradise
Morning: Conquering the second half of the mall and last-minute shopping.
- I think I was in Cotton On for about an hour or more as it is huge. Please take your time while you are in there. The store consists of new arrivals and sale items. You need patience to hunt for your size in the sale section as it could be quite messy. But hey, you are able to get a sanitary panty or other items as low as A$5- no complaints. Plus point of shopping in there is they carry large sizes for my plus-size sisters!
- We visited Woolsworth once again but for a different reason this time: souvenirs. As it was nearing Easter, chocolate hunting down the aisles was fun. There were new chocolate flavours that have yet to reach our shores hence it's worth buying. Most are not halal-certified so please do your own due diligence.
- I was over the moon as Byron Bay cookies caught my attention and it does have the 'Halal' logo at the back of the packaging. Soon, we started to stock up on the following flavours: Dotty Cafe Cookies, White Choc Macadamia Cafe Cookies, Milk Choc Chunk Cafe Cookies and Triple Choc Fudge Cafe Cookies.
Took from online 📸
https://cookie.com.au/pages/cookie-bites
Lunch: Sultans Middle Eastern Grill (Halal)
- We would to try other shops besides Origin Kebabs hence we were at Sultans. The plan was to watch a movie next. We each ordered our own meal: Sultan Mix Plate, Chicken Shish and Adana Kebab. It was too much for us to handle so we ate slowly to finish it off.
Afternoon: Movie
- Right after lunch, we went to Reading Cinemas which was located just beside Sultans Middle Eastern Grill. We watched Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
- What better way to call it a day after watching a movie than eating ice cream: Baskin Robbins. After all, after being released from prison, Scott lands a job at Baskin-Robbins scooping ice cream. We somehow got influenced!
Took from online 📸
https://images.app.goo.gl/XBMCCCwEQFseY8nh9
Dinner: Surfers Pizza & Kebab (Halal-Certified)
There's something about kebab stalls that draws you in (think comfort food). This time around, we bought a kebab meal and ate it right there while it was still hot.
Evening: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise
- Ripley’s Surfers Paradise is your one-stop destination for 1.5 hours of fun! It has two floors of fun, 12 interaction galleries and over 300 exhibits. Our favourite part has got to be the Impossible Laser and the rotating tunnel.
Admission fee: 3 Way Combo A$46.90
Address: Soul Boardwalk, Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 4217 Australia
Opening hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Day 5: Coolangatta
Morning
- We booked in for an exhilarating tandem skydive. There are other skydiving companies around but we picked Gold Coast Skydive mainly because we will be landing on a beach (Kirra Beach) and it is a small family business; operated by locals.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled jump. Wear comfortable clothing and enclosed lace-up shoes. For hijabis, you might want to wear a hoodie with a tight inner ninja. Try to go pinless as much as possible.
- Skydiving is a weather-dependent activity and may be cancelled if the weather is unsuitable (windy or raining). To increase the chance of jumping, it is highly advisable to do it in the morning.
- Should your friends and/or family come to watch your skydive, the landing point is a short 3-minute walk from the office, across the road from Wyndham Resort.
Admission fees: A$425 for tandem. Video or photograph package A$125. Video and photograph package A$175.
Address: 18 Coyne Street, Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia 4225
Opening hours: Daily, 08.30AM - 5.00PM
Please note the minimum age to skydive is 16 years. Passenger over 95kg will be charged an extra fee. The maximum weight limit is 115kg.
Brunch: Origins Kebabs Labrador Drive-Thru
- We did not have any breakfast in the morning before the jump. So we searched for a halal shop near our place of stay which opened early.
- Even though it is a drive-thru, there is an option for dine-in as well. We were the first customer for the day and we stayed there for an hour due to adrenaline rush and sleep. This time around, we get the snack pack.
Evening
- Right before dinner, we head down to Surfers Paradise beach to soak in the sea breeze and admire the view up close.
Dinner: Cocohut Taste of Thailand (Halal Certified and BYO Wine)
- We decided to have a slow dinner as we knew that our trip was coming to an end.
- They are known for their Coco Mega Hot Pot (serves 3 - 4 pax) and Tom Yum Noodle Soup.
- We were feeling basic and ordered Tom Yum Soup with plain rice and Crispy Chicken & Rice Set
Day 6: Coomera
Whole day: Dreamworld
- We started the day and ended the day riding the Sky Voyager as it is located near the entrance/exit of Dreamworld.
- It is a flying theatre with modern state-of-the-art technology combining motion-programmed seating and special effects such as wind, sound, light, mist and scents, while suspended in front of a giant dome screen presented by 'Experience OZ'.
- They ran two separate themes while we were there: Ocean Mysteries in the morning and Experience Australia in the afternoon.
- Do take note that the queue can be long but it is indoor with an aircon.
- Right beside the Sky Voyager, it is the entrance to the latest ride in Dreamworld: the Steel Taipan.
- Steel Taipan sends you through the twists and turns hitting a top speed of 105km/h and a G-force of 3.8. It has a Triple Launch System that will launch the train forward, backwards and then forward. The ride's second launch will send you up the twisted half-pipe backwards, stalling at the top of the iconic "tail spike" which is super cool!
- At the rear of the train, it is fitted with the world's first spinning gondola. Hold on tight as Tailwhip independently spins 360° as you ride through Steel Taipan's epic twists & turns!
- You have to purchase a pass for it and it is available from Friday to Sunday should you be interested in the backfacing seat adventure.
- Avis Vintage Car and Australia Wildlife Experience is located at the other end of Dreamworld. Dreamworld Wildlife is where you can get up close and cuddle with the koala or simply purchase food and feed it to the kangaroos.
- We then wiggle our way through Wiggles World as the rides there are mostly for kids and we rode Motocoaster right before heading back to Main Street.
- I do not have a motorcycle license and this is the next best thing to Moto GP Racing. It features life-size replicas of 500cc racing bikes and comprises 14 custom-made motorbikes and two aerodynamically profiled sidecars designed for small children and disabled guests.
Lunch: We purchased Churros and snowcone (think ais kepal) right across the Food Central. It took me close to 30 minutes to finish it up. Who would have thought that it does not melt easily?
Took from online 📸
@rifdih Instagram
- Right after lunch, we conquered the remaining parks: Nickelodeon Central and Ocean Parade.
- In short, most spinning rides could be found there like Shockwave and The Claw.
- The Gold Coaster does not spin but it is high-speed fun.
Took from online 📸
@Dreamworld Australia Facebook
Most of the rides we took over at Dreamworld, we took it twice as it was empty and to make our money worth it!
Admission fee: A$105
Address: Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera QLD 4209, Australia
Opening hours: Mon - Thur: 10:30am - 4:00pm, Fri - Sun: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Ride Express at Dreamworld
- If Disney Tokyo have Disney Premier Access, Dreamworld have Ride Express. It is to reduce your time in line and make new memories on your favourite rides.
- There are three different Express products to choose from during the designated time slot:
- 1 x ride
- 5 x rides
- Unlimited
- WhiteWater World is located right beside Dreamworld. Should you like to escape the heat right or cool yourself down after your visit to Dreamworld, can consider popping by. And there you have it, a full-day adventure!
Took from online 📸
- WhiteWater World is like an add-on option to Dreamworld where you need to purchase it together. Else, you may purchase it over the counter while you are in Dreamworld.
- Do take note that it opens only on Friday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Day 7: Moreton Island
Whole day: Moreton Island
- We booked the Wrecks Adventure Tour with Adventure Moreton Island (AMI).
- AMI is based at Tangalooma Island Resort, so we will also have access to all Tangalooma Vendors whereas Moreton Island is approximately 75 minutes each way from Brisbane.
- Booking was made the night before and not many tour operators allow last-minute booking.
- Moreton Island is just off the coast of southeastern Queensland, Australia.
- The protected sand island is known for its beaches and steep dunes, like Mount Tempest. On the west coast, a dive site features coral and tropical fish around a group of sunken boats called the Tangalooma Wrecks.
- A dolphin feeding spot is nearby. Humpback whales can be viewed from Cape Moreton, the site of a 19th-century lighthouse.
- The package includes a round-trip ferry transfer, land activities (quad bikes not included), use of resort facilities and three activities of our choice. We selected the Beach Segway Tour, Guided Snorkel tour at the Tangalooma Wrecks with Sea Scooter Safari add-on and Fish Feeding Tour + Sightseeing Cruise. Do take note that all activities are chosen once you reach Moreton Island premises.
- A guided snorkel tour (approximately 2 hours) was the first activity that we did as the sea condition was favourable. There are free and paid lockers for you to place your belongings. We were asked to rate our water confidence level and the guide recommended we put on the lifejacket at all times. Wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkel, pool noodles, and prescription masks are all included. Though we are not a strong swimmer, the Scooter Safari add-on is very useful.
Lunch: Beach Cafe
- By the time we cleaned ourselves up after the snorkel, it was almost time for lunch and being in the water made us hungrier. Do take note that there is no halal-certified food on the island.
- Classic margherita pizza from Beach Cafe and chocolate chip muffin, caramel and chocolate milkshakes from The Coffee Lounge.
Afternoon
- The Beach Segway Tour was postponed as the tide was still high. As we were not interested in other activities, we decided to chill around. The Fish Feeding Tour + Sightseeing Cruise requires us to gather around 2.00pm. Till something caught our attention: helicopter tour. Why not as we have time to spare and since the island is too big to discover in a day, the heli ride seems to cover much of it.
- We cruised along the eastern coastline to cape Moreton Lighthouse taking in the beautiful Honeymoon Bay then onto the spectacular “Dolphin Lake” a natural lake in the shape of a dolphin, before returning via Bulwer, Cowan and the Shipwrecks. The view was magnificent and we were able to spots dolphins and turtles from the above.
- Alas, came our last activity for the day. It is a family-friendly shipwreck sightseeing (the same place we snorkelled in the morning) and fish feeding tour! The boat has a glass bottom allowing us with unique opportunity to witness fascinating marine creatures. We came up close with dugongs, dolphins and a variety of fish. Throughout the voyage, the guides shared tales about the island and its surroundings.
Admission fee: A$169
Address: 220 Holt St, Pinkenba QLD 4008, Brisbane Queensland 4008 Australia
Some tips when visiting Moreton Island:
- Do key in Tangalooma Island Resort Ferry Terminal instead of the given address.
- Please be at the wharf no later than 6:30am to collect the boarding passes as the ferry departs at exactly 7:30am.
- Guided and boat tours only run when minimum numbers are met. All tours and activities are subject to weather/tidal conditions and availability.
Dinner: Lord of the Fries
- We tried the Sampler Munch Box as it has a bit of everything paired with Spider Coke which is just another term for Coke Float.
- The first shop was opened in late 2005 in Melbourne. The menu grew from just fries to Veggie Burgers, Onion Rings, Vegetarian Nuggets and Vegetarian Hot Dogs.
- Would I eat it again? Yes!
- Lord of the Fries is Vegan, Kosher and Halal.
Day 8: Departure
- Time to head back home. Our flight was scheduled at 8.20am.
- We parked the vehicle in any SIXT car park spots available and dropped the key into the after-hours return slot at the SIXT counter.
- As it was a morning flight, we opted for a meal in-flight and slept before heading back to the real world.
This article was written by HHWT Explorer Nurhidayah Muhammad. If you have a travel story to share, email us at [email protected].