Are you planning to make your way to the Gold Coast this October for Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF)? If so, then you’re one smart traveller because this single trip can tick off all the boxes – relaxation, adventure, and best of all, free country music!
Returning to Broadbeach from 18-20 October for three days of jam-packed entertainment with an incredible lineup that features Kasey Chambers, Adam Brand, Tim Hicks and many more, we’ve certainly got the music taken care of.
But whilst you’re here, why not take advantage of all that the Gold Coast has to offer and extend your stay for these top five unique coastal experiences?!
TAKE IT SKY HIGH!
Some people like to live on the edge and those people probably enjoy hanging off the side of high rises too. If you’re one of them, head to the Q1 Resort tower in Surfers Paradise to undertake Australia’s highest external building climb at the SkyPoint Observation Deck on level 77.
Enjoy 360-degree views of the Gold Coast, from the golden beaches and city skyline, to lush green hinterland and beyond. You can climb at any time during the day to see the Gold Coast come alive! Once you reach the summit of SkyPoint Climb, you’ll have the opportunity to lean out over the 270m drop – definitely not for the faint-hearted!
BE IN WONDER UNDER THE SEA
From the clouds to the corals, Gold Coast truly has it all. Situated just a couple of kilometres off Main Beach, Wonder Reef offers a bucket list Gold Coast dive site for SCUBA enthusiasts. To create this incredible underwater experience, a sculptor collaborated with engineers and reef experts to make nine huge conical steel structures that are anchored to the ocean floor, suspended at different depths. The spiralled flutes move with the energy of the ocean, resembling an ethereal, super sized kelp forest.
Divers can explore the reef, observing the coral and sea creatures at depths of 8, 18 and 30 metres to suit every level of diver. Divers with their own boat and equipment can dive independently or you can join a tour with Gold Coast Dive Adventures.
GO FOR A CRUISE
If the thought of sailing the high seas gets your blood pumping jump aboard a luxury catamaran with Sailing in Paradise for a voyage of adventure. This is one of the best ways to explore Gold Coast’s gorgeous Broadwater – an expanse of sparkling shallow water estuary stretching from Southport to Moreton Bay.
On the Island Cruise you’ll sail to deserted beaches only accessible by boat, where you drop anchor and jump into turquoise waters for a swim, snorkel or paddleboard, play some beach games or just laze around in the trampoline-style foredeck with your beverage of choice in hand.
On your voyage, keep an eye out for marine life like dolphins, dugongs and Humpback Whales as October is a popular time on the Humpback Highway!
HUNTING FOR BARGAINS
While you’re at Groundwater CMF, there’ll be plenty of boutique stalls at the Country Fair for you to check out, but if you love a good retail find – why stop there?
The Gold Coast is home to an array of incredible markets filled with fresh finds or pre-loved goodies. Check out a whole list of markets here!
For a more elevated shopping experience, across the road from the festival is the renowned Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. With over 400 stores and an outdoor promenade area rightfully named ‘The Resort’, you can take a break on a sun lounge to soak up the Gold Coast sunshine after all that retail therapy.
CHASING WATERFALLS
When you’re done exploring the city centre and coastline, don’t forget to turn your head inland because there’s plenty of lush greenery waiting for you!
Purling Brook Falls is one of the Gold Coast’s most spectacular waterfall walks and a short hike in the Hinterland is something that should definitely be on your itinerary. Allow three hours so you can enjoy the journey and stop along the way to admire some incredible views and perhaps cool off with a swim.
The vista from the top of the falls across Springbrook National Park is magical, but once you’ve descended into the gorge and are standing at the base of the falls looking up, it’s a jaw-dropping spectacle, especially after heavy rainfall. You can feel the power and energy of the natural elements as the huge volume of water cascades from hundreds of metres above, misting you in a refreshing spray.
While you can’t swim at the base of the falls, a short 2km detour will take you to Warringa Pool where you can cool off in the bracing fresh water, and take a breather before the ascent back to the beginning of the track.
Are you ready to have a Gold Coast trip unlike ever before? Book your accommodation now and stay in the heart of Groundwater CMF to enjoy sweet country tunes every day from 18-20 October, then take some time to explore everything else the Gold Coast has to offer.
