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| The Gold Coast - Australia The Gold Coast is a tourism paradise in Australia - a bustling city found in the southeast corner of Queensland. Laid back and sophisticated, charming and cool, this city appeals to both the young and old, trendy singletons or families alike - no one can escape the allure of this buzzing city. Gold Coast is a high profile tourist destination for local and international travellers alike, and is home to the popular region called Surfers Paradise. In the city you will also find a fair share of theme parks and fun world experiences, ideal to keep the young and young at heart entertained for hours. Geography The Gold Coast consists of numerous coastal towns, starting north of Surfers Paradise and stretching south to New South Wales. This region boasts a warm and mild climate, miles of white sand beaches and a bustling nightlife, making it a must visit destination to travelers on an Australian vacation. In the north, visitors will find the more commercialised areas of the region, where plenty of young backpackers and school leavers spend their time wiling away the days and basking in the sunshine. The south is calmer and more peaceful, and where you will find most holidaying families and older tourists. On the western side of the region, away from the hustle and bustle of the coast, you will encounter an area called the hinterland, which consists of majestic mountain ranges, luscious rain forests and national parks. Beaches Gold Coast is popular for is multitude of white sand beaches, perfect for swimming, surfing and family outings. There are approximately 30 beaches in the area, all being closely patrolled by expert lifesavers. Patrolled areas are represented by red and yellow flags, and it would do beach goers well to stay within the limits of these flags. The only time it is advised to venture outside of these flags is if you are surfing.
Activities To say the Gold Coast is big on theme parks is an understatement. The Gold Coast is huge on theme parks, with more than its fair share of thrilling opportunities to get the crowds blood pressure soaring. Before you go, however, investigate ticket prices and discounts, as multi-park passes is available and usually at a discount price.
Tourism Millions of tourists visit the Gold Coast annually. Of these, more than 800 000 are international visitors, over 300 000 are domestic visitors, and over 500 000 are day trip visitors. Tourism is one of the region's primary sources of income, directly contributing more than $4.4 billion into the city's economy each year. Tourism also accounts for one in four jobs in the city. In the Gold Coast tourists can find at least 65 000 bed spaces, 60 kilometres of beach, 600 kilometres of canal, 100 000 hectares of nature reserve, 500 restaurants, 40 golf courses and 6 major theme parks, making the region the ideal destination for both young and old. Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is a spectacular coral formation located off the Pacific coast of Queensland in Australia. This coral formation is said to be the largest in the world, and home to a multitude of marine life, not to mention world class diving and snorkelling opportunities. Geography and ecology Geographically, the Great Barrier Reef stretches from the Torres Strait in the north to the passage between Lady Elliot Island and Fraser Island in the south. The reef is home to a multitude of marine, plant and bird life, including many vulnerable and endangered species. Thirty species of whale, dolphin and porpoise have been recorded in the reef, as well as large populations of dugong. Six species of sea turtle come to the reef to breed during breeding season, while the fifteen species of seagrass attract the dugongs and turtles, and provide a habitat for fish. Saltwater crocodiles can be found in mangrove and saltmarshes close to the reef, while 152 species of shark, stingray, and skates live on the reef. Around 5 000 species of mollusc have also been recorded on the reef, as well as 49 species of pipefish and 9 species of seahorses. Seven species of frog are also said to inhabit the islands. At least 215 bird species visit the reef each year to breed or roost. The reef islands support approximately 2 195 known plant species, three of which are endemic. In the north, 300-350 woody plant species can be found, while around 200 herbaceous plant species are found in the south. In the Whitesunday region there is a huge diversity of plant life, supporting around 1 141 species. The reef is also home to 17 snake species, and more than 1 500 fish, including the popular clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor and several species of snapper and coral trout. Finally, having the largest coral formation in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is home to at least 330 species of ascidians, ranging from 1 mm to 10 cm in length. Here you will also find 300-500 species of bryozones, and 400 species of coral, both hard and soft. There is also 500 species of marine algae in the reef, including 13 species of genus Halimeda. Tourism Due to its vast biodiversity, warm waters and spectacular overall natural conditions, the reef is an incredibly popular destination for local and international tourists, specifically scuba divers and snorkellers. Tourism is restricted to the Whitsundays and Cairns regions due to its accessibility, but this does not restrict your experience. Many companies offer daily boat trips to the reef, and several islands have turned into resorts to cater for the international tourist. Since 1996, domestic tourism makes up the bulk of visitors to the region, with the most popular visiting period being during the winter months. On estimate, tourists to the reef make up about $776 million per annum during this time. Altogether, however, it is estimated that tourism in the reef generates over $4 billion annually. On average, two million people visit the reef each year. Visitors to the reef can enjoy a variety of boat tours and cruises, from single day trips to longer journeys. Glass-bottomed boats are also popular, as are helicopter flights around the islands. But, the most popular activities on the reef are by far snorkelling and diving. The outer part of the reef offers ideal conditions for such activities. |
