When you look at the quality of the beaches, the exquisite pace of life and weather that will please any sort of person, it's hard to find a reason to avoid Australia's Gold Coast at any time of year. Yet depending on your taste, some months might be better than others, so look over this schedule of events and pick your ideal month to visit.
Considering the terrific range of possibilities for Gold Coast vacations, don't think of this calendar as covering it all. However, you can't go wrong with any of the following suggestions.
January: If the Gold Coast's Magic Millions Carnival doesn't get the lover of horse racing excited, nothing will. See the world of horse racing converge on Australia's Gold Coast, where yearling sales lead to formal dinners and parties, all in anticipation of the big race, in which $3 Million is at stake. Magic millions, indeed.
February: Because of the light schedule in February, the traveler looking for quiet days at the beach will find them in abundance. The school holidays finish up, the tourists clear out and the Gold Coast has that local feel all over again. If you like to relax without remembering the society you left behind, come in February.
March: March is the surfers' month, when the World Tour hits the Gold Coast and pro surfing's best navigate their way through the pounding surf and excited crowds. The Gold Coast has always been a favorite for surfers from all over the world, so this period is a special time, when old friends get together and locals see the visitors all come out for a great time.
April: The old school of surfing invades Gold Coast waves in April, as the Malfunction Surf Festival comes to town. You'll see the longboards getting unloaded from old cars, with guys talking about "hanging 10" back in the '70s. Plenty of nostalgia is in the air, while great souvenirs and memorabilia are on display and for sale, with movies and presentations filling out the schedule. Classic surf culture definitely has its day on the beach.
May: May is blues month, as Broadbeach's Blues Festival lights up the schedule for five days of music, fun and partying in one of the biggest events of the year. Over 100,000 are on hand for this party, which takes some of the world's best musicians and adds them to a street festival only Australia could host.
June: If May is for blues lovers, June is for whale lovers. The big season for whale watching starts in June, when the annual migration up North takes place and whale watchers flock to the beach to have a look.
July: July's annual Gold Coast Marathon is more than your average race. It's a weekend of events surrounding the big show, which showcases these great athletes tackling a massive challenge.
August: If you love the experience of a gourmet meal accompanied by world-class wines, make your way to the Goldy in August for the annual Tastes of the Gold Coast event. In one of the world's most beautiful destinations, master chefs and wine producers bring their best to the table, challenging the international culinary community for excellence in the field. Your taste buds will thank you in August.
September: The Swell Sculpture Festival hits Currumbin Beach in September. Swell is a globally unique outdoor sculpture festival. The idea of Swell is for artists, both local and international, to create pieces which are large and durable and specific for outdoor display. Not only does this bring some spectacular sculptures to the Gold Coast, but it also provides a free outdoor event for the locals and holiday makers to the area, with plenty of events organised in a spectacular outdoor art gallery on the beach.
October: October is for race car lovers, when Surfers Paradise become something of a speedway as A1 GP drivers hit the gas pedal and burn up the road. Just when you thought the Gold Coast had it all, another surprise comes.
November - December: Schoolies Week comes to the Gold Coast. Its become an institution for Australian high school leavers to descend on the Gold Coast to celebrate finishing their secondary schooling. Its a 3 week graduation festival, a rite of passage, where the nation's school leavers get the chance to taste the freedom they have worked for for 12 years. Its the perfect holiday event for you if your are 18ish and just finishing high school.
For many, parading with the mad marauders just out of high school won't be your idea of a holiday. If so, try to avoid the hotels around Surfers Paradise, where all the schoolies will converge. Try a quieter option in Mermaid Beach, or out at Coolangatta, where maturity reigns a bit more.
I hope there are a few worthwhile tips here for travelers who are looking to come to Australia's Gold Coast. Enjoy your vacation.
Considering the terrific range of possibilities for Gold Coast vacations, don't think of this calendar as covering it all. However, you can't go wrong with any of the following suggestions.
January: If the Gold Coast's Magic Millions Carnival doesn't get the lover of horse racing excited, nothing will. See the world of horse racing converge on Australia's Gold Coast, where yearling sales lead to formal dinners and parties, all in anticipation of the big race, in which $3 Million is at stake. Magic millions, indeed.
February: Because of the light schedule in February, the traveler looking for quiet days at the beach will find them in abundance. The school holidays finish up, the tourists clear out and the Gold Coast has that local feel all over again. If you like to relax without remembering the society you left behind, come in February.
March: March is the surfers' month, when the World Tour hits the Gold Coast and pro surfing's best navigate their way through the pounding surf and excited crowds. The Gold Coast has always been a favorite for surfers from all over the world, so this period is a special time, when old friends get together and locals see the visitors all come out for a great time.
April: The old school of surfing invades Gold Coast waves in April, as the Malfunction Surf Festival comes to town. You'll see the longboards getting unloaded from old cars, with guys talking about "hanging 10" back in the '70s. Plenty of nostalgia is in the air, while great souvenirs and memorabilia are on display and for sale, with movies and presentations filling out the schedule. Classic surf culture definitely has its day on the beach.
May: May is blues month, as Broadbeach's Blues Festival lights up the schedule for five days of music, fun and partying in one of the biggest events of the year. Over 100,000 are on hand for this party, which takes some of the world's best musicians and adds them to a street festival only Australia could host.
June: If May is for blues lovers, June is for whale lovers. The big season for whale watching starts in June, when the annual migration up North takes place and whale watchers flock to the beach to have a look.
July: July's annual Gold Coast Marathon is more than your average race. It's a weekend of events surrounding the big show, which showcases these great athletes tackling a massive challenge.
August: If you love the experience of a gourmet meal accompanied by world-class wines, make your way to the Goldy in August for the annual Tastes of the Gold Coast event. In one of the world's most beautiful destinations, master chefs and wine producers bring their best to the table, challenging the international culinary community for excellence in the field. Your taste buds will thank you in August.
September: The Swell Sculpture Festival hits Currumbin Beach in September. Swell is a globally unique outdoor sculpture festival. The idea of Swell is for artists, both local and international, to create pieces which are large and durable and specific for outdoor display. Not only does this bring some spectacular sculptures to the Gold Coast, but it also provides a free outdoor event for the locals and holiday makers to the area, with plenty of events organised in a spectacular outdoor art gallery on the beach.
October: October is for race car lovers, when Surfers Paradise become something of a speedway as A1 GP drivers hit the gas pedal and burn up the road. Just when you thought the Gold Coast had it all, another surprise comes.
November - December: Schoolies Week comes to the Gold Coast. Its become an institution for Australian high school leavers to descend on the Gold Coast to celebrate finishing their secondary schooling. Its a 3 week graduation festival, a rite of passage, where the nation's school leavers get the chance to taste the freedom they have worked for for 12 years. Its the perfect holiday event for you if your are 18ish and just finishing high school.
For many, parading with the mad marauders just out of high school won't be your idea of a holiday. If so, try to avoid the hotels around Surfers Paradise, where all the schoolies will converge. Try a quieter option in Mermaid Beach, or out at Coolangatta, where maturity reigns a bit more.
I hope there are a few worthwhile tips here for travelers who are looking to come to Australia's Gold Coast. Enjoy your vacation.
About the Author:
Damian Papworth has learned there is a lot to see for women coming on a Gold Coast holiday. That is one reason why buying the perfect women's shoes is so crucial.