There are more than 40 patrolled beaches (during peak summer periods) stretching from Beenleigh and South Stradbroke Island in Queensland down to Cabarita Beach in New South Wales.

This region encompasses 29 national parks and nature reserves, as well as Australia's largest expanse of calm water - Southport Broadwater and South Moreton Bay. The Gold Coast also boasts the greatest concentration of duty free stores in Australia, more than 500 restaurants offering every kind of international cuisine, and accommodation to suit every budget. It is justifiably regarded as the theme park capital of Australia.

An easy 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast is the region's vast rainforest hinterland. This area is popular with campers and bushwalkers, and has more than 100,000 hectares of World Heritage nature reserves and over 260km of graded walking tracks. The quaint mountain villages offer art and craft galleries, wineries, restaurants and coffee shops.

Get some retail therapy - huge variety of shopping experiences at some of Australia's largest shopping malls: Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre, Marina Mirage and Harbour Town Shopping Centre. The area's premier shopping centre, Pacific Fair, located at Broad beach, is Queensland's largest and includes major department stores, over 260 specialty stores, 12 cinemas and landscaped gardens with children's playgrounds.

Visit Australia's famous theme parks: Dreamworld, which features a koala sanctuary, gold mining town, Bengal Tigers and rides, the Hollywood inspired Warner Brothers Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild Water World, which has water-based rides and activities, and Sea World - the largest marine park in the Southern Hemisphere.

Take in a show at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, Australia's largest regional arts and entertainment complex, which includes an art gallery, a theatre, a cinema, a restaurant, a café and function rooms.

Enjoy some great dining out, and non-stop nightlife, including Conrad Jupiters Hotel and Casino located at Broadbeach. The casino operates 24 hours a day, and the complex includes restaurants, bars, and an English pub.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has more than 200 native species of birds, mammals and reptiles including crocodiles living in over 27 hectares of rainforest and natural bushland habitats. With highly interactive displays and presentations, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a day of unique discoveries for all ages. Wildnight Tours available for groups.

Browse for bargains at the local art and craft markets held along the beachfront at Surfers Paradise every Friday night, Broadbeach on the first and third Sunday each month, Burleigh on the last Sunday and Coolangatta every second Sunday.

Join the excitement of the Gold Coast Indy 300 Carnival, an exciting motor racing event with the circuit through the streets of Surfers Paradise, held in October each year.

Take a day trip to the hinterland of Tamborine Mountain. This region is a cool escape from the heat of the coast, offering bushwalks, art and craft galleries, wine tasting and a range of accommodation for those who want to stay longer.

Visit the David Fleay Wildlife Park, with its wide range of native animals in their natural habitat.

Try something different - Tropical Fruit World, just south of Tweed Heads, with more than 500 varieties of tropical fruit and 13 international fruit gardens. Activities include a plantation rainforest safari, adventure island boat cruises, miniature train rides, live shows and fruit tasting. Licensed café, gift shops and farm fruit market.

Play golf – The Gold Coast is renowned as the golfing capital of Australia. There is a choice of 40 different courses including championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman and Peter Thomson.

Cruises, fishing charters, and a wide variety of watersports.

Adventure activities such as Tiger Moth Joy Rides, hot air ballooning, helicopter flights, sea kayaking, bungee-jumping, hang-gliding and parasailing.

The new and popular wine trail in the Gold Coast is growing in size and picking up awards and medals on the way. There are numerous boutique wineries and cellar door outlets, all within an hour's drive of the beaches.