The words "want a cracker" are the furthest from your lips, which are probably dry with lack of saliva. Gulp! The behind-the-scenes tour at family-favourite Currumbin Sanctuary lifts the bar for interactive nature experiences as you tour the pens out of public view, pat dingoes, check out the animal hospital and try your hand at the medieval art of falconry while feeding the carnivorous kites. Exciting!
Gold Coast Skydive is the only "tandem" skydive business in the area. It's a slick operation which can have you from ground-hugging zero to freefalling hero in as little as 45 minutes. Sceptics will be converted into wild diving devotees. We were!
"We like to focus on the food here," says manager Michael. The plump sirloin is cooked to your liking then heaped with Moreton Bay bug and juicy scallops and prawns. Bellakai is also renowned for its out-of-the-ordinary breakfast menu, which begins at 5am, thanks to its proximity to the New South Wales border and summer daylight-saving time zone.
For more information, phone (07) 5599 5116.
Far from a glorified flying fox, these high-strung obstacles are based on the "adventure parc" concept, hugely popular in Europe. This is the domain of excited kids and ripped SAS-looking guys in khaki shorts, nonchalantly swinging, grappling and coasting across and down a series of sky-high rope courses. You must complete each stage before you can jump ahead.
Throughout the sylvan course it's likely you'll come eye to eye with koalas, who are blissfully unphased by less hairy dudes in their treetop turf. Allow about two-and-a-half hours to experience it all.
"Some people breeze through in half an hour," manager Mal Sutherland says. "Others pore over every board, touching them, feeling their weight, reading every description and then when they're done they'll stand there and watch surf movies for hours. It's like a religion to some people and I obviously love it, too."
The "build it and they will come" theory has proved true with a new calibre of retailer attracted to the chic open spaces and spacious piazza style cafes. Find Zimmermann, Marcs and Calvin Klein Underwear as well as fun stores like Posh Pets which offers designer-wear for your pooch, including "Diva" T-shirts, "Bad to the Bone" hoodies and "Sniffany & Co" dog beds in chihuahua ($29.95) and Rottweiler ($295) size.
Mark instructed one-on-one on backhand technique, drilling the left-hand corner of the baseline with hundreds of balls until the new technique began to feel natural. "You need to build muscle memory through repetition," Cook says. "That's the only way to a better stroke." The academy also offers longer development programs for juniors and group adult clinics.
For more information, phone (07) 5530 8211.
This is a purpose-built venue offering sweeping views of the lush Gold Coast hinterland. The brewery combines cheese and beer tastings with quality meals to capitalise on the appetite which has been whet by all the sampling. Personal favourites include a to-die-for triple-cream brie cheese and Katya Imperial Stout, which is modelled on the stouts made for export to the Russian Imperial Court during the 18th century.
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