Gold Coast

Sun, 70 km of beaches , theme parks, perfect waves for surfing, shops of every kind , parks full of trees , visually breathtaking , night clubs - Gold Coast is one of the largest cities in Australia and one of the most coveted tourist destinations of the country. The city offers attractions for different age - groups of youth who want to venture into roller coasters or catch waves at sea to those who opt for a trip more quiet and wish only good shade of a tree while watching the sea.

Gold Coast has warm weather during much of the year , making it a popular destination for people because of the beaches and the climate similar to many cities of our coast. Headquarters of several surf championships , the site is the dream of many people who in their spare time puts the board under his arm and goes to the sea. If there's one thing that draws attention in Gold Coast, is that rain , sun or have a cyclone coming, the sea is always occupied by sport lovers . When the waves are good for real at some beach, the amount of people entering the sea or even surfing on the same wave is impressive.

Anyone visiting this part of Australia should not fail to go through Surfers Paradise , which was where Gold Coast started to become the success it is today. Surfers Paradise has a good beach and a very important shopping area with great restaurants , many shops , bars and nightclubs . Surfers is the heart of GC , busy day and night, is where you should go if you want to be in the frevo . It is in Surfers also which is the SkyPoint Observation Deck , a must-see spot to visit in the city , the observatory 230 meters high which offers 360 degree views of the Gold Coast - is night or day, the building is always a good thing and if at night, take the time to enjoy the bar of the place !

If you like beaches , you have so many options that can each day of the trip to enjoy a different one. In addition to Surfers Paradise, worth going to Broadbeach and especially to Burleigh Heads, which is quieter and has a beautiful look! At the end of Burleigh Heads, is the Burleigh Heads National Park, a very tasty park to hike and enjoy the look of the area. This park also has a freshwater beach, Tallebudgera Creek, with calm waters , a spread compared to the beaches of Gold Coast , which always has waves. When one day and beautiful sun , be sure to go to Greenmount and make beautiful coastal walk which leads to Rainbow Bay . Arriving in Rainbow Bay , walk a little more than you will know Snapper Rocks, one of the hottest points by surfers who know the city Gold Coast.

If you are not such a fan of beaches , bet the theme parks , which are an alternative for those who like fun and speed toys. Gold Coast you will find parks like Warner Bros. Movie World , Dreamworld , which is the largest theme park in Australia, Wet'n'Wild and the famous Sea World , which has shows with animals. Another option is linked to animals visit Currubin Wildlife Sancturay , a park with several Australian critters , including koalas and kangaroos . The place is even a great option to interact with kangaroos , take pictures with these animals so cute and feed them .

For those who like to go out at night Gold Coast will not disappoint. There are both good options for those who prefer just dinner at a good restaurant and for those who want to dance until the wee hours. Is still the Australian cuisine not as significant as that of other countries , knowing the right places , to eat well in the city and is delicious desserts !

Gold Coast offers fun for people of all ages. Is to enjoy the bustle of Surfers Paradise or the tranquility of Kirra , the city is like an open -air park, just choose your favorite type of attraction! Pass the guard , put the board under his arm and dive in this paradise Australian !

When going on Gold Coast

Gold Coast is one of the major tourist destinations in Australia and receives year-round visitors. It is located in the state of Queensland, on the border with New South Wales on the east coast of the country. Its subtropical climate is responsible for warm temperatures throughout the year , which makes this is a popular destination for people traveling to the country for leisure or exchange .

The average annual temperature in the city is 20 ° C , but in summer, the average is 25 ° C and 16 ° C in winter . Summer is the time when Gold Coast is over crowded with tourists and the sea has a more pleasant temperature for swimming or catching waves, then this is considered a period of high season and consequently more expensive in hotels daily .

The summer has the highest temperatures , but it is also the wettest period of the year , as winter is drier and less rain. It is natural to have rain storms and wind in the summer , and when they appear , the beaches are closed for swimming because it becomes dangerous to enter the sea.

When traveling during the summer , be prepared for days with 30 ° C higher thermal sensation . The good of the city is that , although it hot, windy is common enough, then the high temperature is softened .

The Chinese New Year , mid-March to mid-April , the Easter holiday, July and especially the second half of December until the end of January are times when the city is usually more crowded . If you want to find the place empty , it is best to avoid traveling during those months . If you want to see whales , look for travel between June and October , which is the period in which they are near the coast and there are tours to see them up close.

Holidays are also times when the tourist towns are the most visited , and Australia the most important holidays are : New Year ( January 1 ) ; Australia Day ( January 26 ) ; Friday to Monday of the Easter holiday ; Anzac Day ( April 25 ) ; Queen's Birthday (celebrated on different dates ) ; Christmas ( December 25 ) and Boxing Day ( the day after Christmas ) . Some public holidays when they fall on a weekend , are transferred to the next business day.

Gold Coast Attractions

Gold Coast is a major tourist destination of Australia, not only among foreigners visiting the country as the Australians themselves. No wonder ! The city offers a huge variety of attractions, sights, tours , beaches , parks and options for the night. Gold Coast is an interesting place in the eyes of people of any age group.

To start the tours in Gold Coast, go to Surfers Paradise, which is the most trendy district of the region. There you can enjoy the beach , of course , and walk the streets as Cavil and Surfers Paradise Blvd , which has many shops and shopping centers. To do some shopping , ice cream or have a meal , this is " the place " in Gold Coast. This area is also the Ripley's Believe It or Not and Infinity , places that stir the imagination and are very nice to go when the weather is not conducive to outdoor activities .

See the high city is a must-see program , so be sure to climb to SkyPoint Observation Deck , a gazebo installed in one of the tallest residential buildings in the world . This is a great day for days open, and there's more! Adventurers who are not content with the city view from within a place full of windows can " climb " the top of the building from the outside . The SkyPoint is a program for any time of the day and has an amazing view !

The city is known for beaches and a trip to the city is not complete without you know the sea in the area. In addition to Surfers Paradise, worth knowing Broadbeach, Kirra , Coolangatta , Greenmount Beach, where you can walk along the coast to Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks , which is a much sought after by surfers place where usually occur sports competitions . In fact , snowmobiling is the most seen in Gold Coast beaches. When sea conditions are favorable for good waves , it is almost unbelievable the amount of surfers who receive some beaches !

The walk between Greenmount and Rainbow Bay is beautiful and yields great pictures , but another walk that should not stay out of the script is at Burleigh Head National Park, a mountainous park on the edge of the sea. Our suggestion is to start walking by the park entrance which is on the Gold Coast Hwy, enjoy the beach that the park has that , unlike the beaches in the area , has a lot calminhas- waters , cross the park making some stops to observe the beautiful view the lookouts and then enjoy the beach in Burleigh Heads, another of the Gold Coast beaches that is popular with surfers and young people. If you chop , walk for Burleigh Heads and go to Miami Beach , making a stop at Mick Shamburg Park , which offers a beautiful look!

Animal lovers should not miss a day of sightseeing in Currubin Wildlife Sanctuary , a park that gathers many Australian animals , including kangaroos and koalas . There you can take a picture holding a koala in her arms or feeding kangaroos and stand side by side with them. After walking through the park , the suggestion is a boat ride through the canals of the Nerang River , which is a familiar and quiet ride , where you can see the city from another perspective . The Nerang River has beautiful houses along the promenade you should see lots of jellyfish and maybe a shark.

Theme parks :

Some people think of the Gold Coast as a place only with beaches, however, if you inquire further, you will find that the city has the largest amusement parks in Australia. The parks have different attractions and theme : the Warner Bros Movie World is your immerse visitors in the world of film and fantasy, while Sea World shows the animal world and Dreamworld , the largest theme park in Australia , the adenalina mixture of extreme rides to the contact with the animals . For those who want to cool down and enjoy a rapid slide, the trick is to go to Wet 'n Wild , famous throughout the world , or at WhiteWater World , which is also great for kids . Take a day to each of the parks you want to visit !

Go to a theme or water park is a great way to have fun , either alone or with family. There are attractions for all tastes and ages ! The parks are a bit away from the tourist miolinho Gold Coast , then to get to them , you'll need a car, public transport, or companies specialized in making transportation to the parks . A tip for those who want to visit them is to buy packages that include entry into over a park and offer advantageous prices. Check the values ​​in the parks and sites in the tourist information center of Gold Coast.

Cairns

Located in the state of Queensland , about 1700 km of the state capital Brisbane , Cairns is a town to enjoy the beauties of the sea and land . Its great feature is to provide a great framework for exploring the Great Barrier Reef while allowing know the rainforest and the culture of the Aborigines.

She is one of the great tourist destinations of Australia and most people that the visit focuses on diving or snorkeling on the Great Barrier , said to be the only living organism that can be seen from space . The Great Barrier Reef covers an area of ​​2300 km between the Queensland coast to Papua New Guinea and gets to have more than 60km wide in some parts. It consists of over 700 species of coral and has an amazing biological diversity , which leads many students in the area to visit the place to study and housing.

Turtles, sharks , huge crustaceans, the most varied species fish, weights and colors ; coral with curious appearances are what one can not fail to see in Cairns. This is the place to fall into the water and was carried away by the beauty of the seabed. No matter the age or type of diving , the important thing is to see up close these " landscapes " breathtaking !

Vessels of all sizes are part of the city scene , because they bring tourists to dive sites along the coast . There are tours lasting half a day and others last for several days , usually for those who want to take a course for scuba certification, after all, nothing like learning scuba diving in one of the best places in the world for that! Regardless of the duration of the tour is recommended to look for a company that visit areas of " reef off " , where the variety of animals is higher and there are more preserved corals.

Cairns is "Destiny " , for diving, but that's not all there is to do on a trip to the place . The land attractions also deserve a space in the script , especially the ride going to Kuranda, an aboriginal village in the woods . The village itself is interesting , but more interesting is the way it comes to him ; You can go (or back ) by train and also by skyrail - a cable car over 7.5 km passing over the trees . Some cabins still have the glass floor , and so you see passing beneath your feet that sea of ​​trees.

When in the city center , take the time to walk on the Esplanade and take a dip in the Esplanade Lagoon , a public swimming pool at the seashore replacing swim at the beach , as the sea in this area has many jellyfish . Visit the Night Market to do some shopping at night and be sure to sample some of the great ice cream that the city has ! The nightlife of Cairns is lively and those who like to drink something cold at the end of the day or bet the chips in the casino will have fun every day!

When you go to Cairns

As a tourist town it is, Cairns welcomes visitors year round . And since Australia is a big country , it may be difficult to reconcile the " best time " to visit Cairns and the " best time " to also visit other Australian cities on the same trip .

The average temperature of the city is 25 ° C ; in summer, easily passes 30 ° C and in winter , reaches 17 ° C. Cairns is not too cold, the days are warm and the nights cooler .

Is the hottest period , averaging 27 ° C , and also the wettest . Although the period is of high temperatures and , consequently , more warm and pleasant sea to swim , be prepared to take a few moments ( or days) of rain and cloudy skies . Because of the rains , the sea can be a bit cloudy , not so neat to enjoy the coral and fish. If you plan to travel during this period and are afraid to pick up rainy days, do not be discouraged ; because of the wind , the weather constantly changes in the city . Early morning rain and then leave a beautiful sun throughout the day is normal!

Watch out , however, that between November and April to Australia may suffer from tropical cyclones , causing rains , strong winds and flooding many . It just means that there is a possibility there is a cyclone and they tend to happen on the north coast , northeast and northwest . During our trip , for example, a cyclone crossed the coast, but far from Cairns , the city suffered no climate weather , but had only a few flights to the affected area .

In winter, the Cairns temperature average is 21 ° C. This is the coldest season of the year , with the most geladinho sea, but as is the driest period and with less rain , the sea usually has better visibility for diving and snorkeling.

For those who prefer to find the city with less tourists , avoid the period of school holidays , especially the second half of December and January. Also avoid the Australian holidays, beyond the days close to the Chinese New Year , at which Cairns is simply taken by Chinese visitors .

Things to Do in Cairns

The main attraction of Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef , a huge living structure composed of many reefs, islands and atolls and an incredible biodiversity for nature lovers. The greatest barrier is over 2,300 km long and much of it is near the Queensland coast , state which is part of Cairns . There are several other destinations in the state that allows access to the barrier , but Cairns is the city of bigger and better framework for this.

Know the Great Barrier is an emblematic done in the lives of many people and a very special moment, so choose carefully its activities and the company that will make your ride. The most common activities are snorkeling (where you stay on the surface and see the corals through the mask and snorkel ) and scuba diving , which is made with oxygen tent . Diving is practiced by those who have scuba certification, but also offered a guided dive shallower , those who do not have certification.

When choosing your activities in the barrier , consider that there are many different companies and each has its differential . Some companies have big boats , stopping at a platform at sea , where you can walk in a semi- submarine, on a boat with glass bottom , making a dive , ride a helicopter , in addition to snorkeling , of course. Other boats are smaller and take the most exclusive parts of the barrier , make stops in two or three different areas for tourists to practice snorkeling or diving. There is a huge variety of companies , and for those who really prioritizes diving, our suggestion is to opt for agencies that lead to the area of ​​"out " of the barrier , especially in small boats , which have smaller groups and a more exclusive service.

Cairns is on the seashore , it is true , but the sea near the city almost is not used for diving because its stretch of sand is small , but the water is muddy and mainly because this area has a lot of jellyfish . Contonar to the fact that the Cairns waterfront is not suitable for diving, there is the Esplanade Lagoon , a public swimming pool with salt water that takes the place of " beach " . The place is very tasty for a swim and is very well located on the Esplanade , which is the way the waterfront and concentrates several restaurants. The boardwalk at the seashore is also very cool for an outdoor stroll , it has grassy areas to enjoy the sun , biking , public grills and a walking area.

For those who enjoy the beach and is not content with the Esplanade Lagoon , the options are two : take a tour to the nearby islands of Cairns or Port Douglas visit . On the islands , such as Fitzroy, Michaelmas Cay and Green Island , you can make a chat back and spend one day enjoying the sea or to stay there if you decide to stay longer. In Port Douglas , a city of Cairns , there are several beautiful beaches and a quiet atmosphere, great for those who want to relax .

In addition to the sea, another very popular attraction in Cairns is a visit to the village of Kuranda , which is in the middle of the forest. To reach or return from the place , do not miss the opportunity to stroll in the Skyrail Forest Cableway , a cable car that goes well above the treetops , and the Kuranda Scenic Railway , a tourist train line between Kuranda and Cairns passing by beautiful scenery .

If you like to enjoy the flora and fauna , some cool tours to include in the script are the Cairns Botanical Gardens and the Cairns Tropical Zoo where you can not only touch the animals , but interarir with several of them . Another option is to take one of the many tours to the Daintree Forest , which is considered the oldest rainforest in the world .

12 Waterfalls Stranger on Earth

1. Weird Underwater Waterfall In Mauritius

The ocean around Mauritius is home to a spectacular underwater waterfall, or at least the optical illusion of one. Sand and silk sink into a deep coastal shelf to create this impressive illusion.

2. Glowing Horsetail Fall

Around a specific time each year, the Horsetail Fall in Yosemite draws scores of onlookers that come to witness this spectacular appearance. Due to the position of the setting sun, the waterfall is illuminated in such a way that it takes on a glowing orange and red color. Weather conditions must be perfect for this so-called “firefall” to occur, but if it does, it is a breathtaking experience.

3. Sticky Waterfalls In Thailand

Water flowing down rocks usually have slick and slippery surfaces, but the Bua Tong Waterfalls in Thailand defy this convention. Instead, these falls are “sticky” thanks to the bulbous limestone underneath. Unlike most waterfalls, there are no slime or algae on the rocks either. In fact, the limestone provides so much traction that it is actually possible to walk up these falls.

4.Ice Cave Waterfall

With locations that change every year, Iceland’s ice caves often feature amazing waterfalls. The light reflecting off the ice in the caves contributes to the magical, otherworldly look of these natural wonders.

5.Blood Falls Antarctica

The Blood Falls in Antarctica appear to be quite a gruesome sight, but thankfully this is not real blood gushing out of the ice. Although scientists initially thought that the bright red color may be caused by algae, this is not the case. It is actually salt water that contains so much iron-oxide that it has a red, rusty color.

6.Frozen Waterfall

Frozen waterfalls, a natural phenomenon caused by extreme winter temperatures, make for spectacular photographs. Some of these frozen falls, like this one in Wildcat Canyon Illinois, are also popular among thrill seekers, eager to put their ice climbing skills to the test by scaling the fall.

7. Baatara Gorge Waterfall Lebanon

Plunging past three natural stone bridge formations the Baatara Gorge Waterfall looks like something created for a fantasy movie set. This stunning sight is visible only during March and April every year and is caused by melting snows. As the image below shows, the waterfall is just as spectacular when viewed from a different angle.

8.Hukou Waterfall China

The Hukou Waterfall is not only the second largest of its kind in China, but also bears a distinctive yellow color which, makes it unique. The Yellow river naturally contains a lot of loose soil, which is carried downstream and causes the muddy yellow color. The waterfall was aptly named “Hukou” or “flask mouth” because it resembles water pouring out of a pot.

9.Petrified Waterfalls of Hierve el Agua

Hierve el Aqua, which means “the water that boils” got its name from the bubbling natural mineral springs in the area. From a distance. the waterfall appears frozen in place as it cascades down the mountain, but closer inspection reveals that it is actually mineral deposits. The mineral-rich water flowing over the edge of the cliff slowly formed a buildup over many years in the same way stalactites are formed.

10.Swarovski Crystal World Face Waterfall

One of the most impressive views in the Austrian state of Tyrol is a giant head with a waterfall pouring from its mouth. Named, “The Giant,” it is actually the imposing entrance to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds museum that was built in honor of the Swarovski crystal company. The interior chambers of the museum feature all kinds of wonders, but it is the giant with its waterfall mouth that makes the most striking impression.

11. Underground waterfall Ruby Falls Tennessee

Unlike some cave waterfalls where water pours in through sinkholes or other openings, the Ruby Falls are entirely underground. The waterfall, named after the wife of its discoverer, is located inside a limestone cave that is more than 1120 feeWaterfalls make for very scenic tourist attractions, but there are a few that really stand out from the crowd. While not always the largest, tallest or even natural, these falls have something about them that boggles the mind.

12. Hanging Glacier Falls Ventisquero Colgante

The impressive looking Hanging Glacier Falls in Chile derive its name from a glacier perched on the brink of the cliff above it. It is relatively isolated, which is why it is not as well-known as some of the other falls, but offers a spectacular view. The waterfall flows throughout the year, but depending on the weather conditions and the position of the glacier, can change location or even produce additional falls.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa and that makes borders with Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. The name of the country is originating from a city which was founded in 800 A.D. and the capital of the great kingdom of Munhumutapa, in the 12th century and XV. This kingdom was in the current Zambia and Mozambique. In the Bantu mean &Quot;great city of stone". The walls of this city were the largest construction of the African continent, after the pyramids of Giza.

Zimbabwe has varied and impressive landscapes. A large part of the territory of this landlocked country is in planície"Eastern Highlands", whose height is between 1,000 and 2,000 meters. The extension of this planície is approximately 360 km, from southwest to the northeast.South of the capital Harare, is the Inyangani, the highest mountain in the country, with 2592 meters.

Mountains and Rivers: The Mount Inyangani, in the National Park of Nyanga, is the highest mountain in the country, with 2592 meters. Very major rivers are born in it for the livestock sector, the Zimbabwean Pungwe or the Odzi.The Falls, in Rio Pungwes Mtarazi, have 760 meters of height and are the sixth largest in the world and, simultaneously, a tourist attraction of the country. The longest river of Zimbabwe is the Zambesi River, with nearly 2,700 km. He is the fourth largest African river that is born in Zambia, on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola and travels through the north of the country and empties into the Indian Ocean.

Tourist Attractions: National Parks and Nature Reserves: Zimbabwe has several regions that were declared national parks with the decades pass. In addition, also has the largest drop d'water of the world; several areas for safaris; archeological sites and magnificent landscapes and impressive; in short: the country possesses many high points that cannot be tourist see on a trip to this country. Only the national parks and nature reserves occupy more than 14% of the entire surface of the state.

A travel destination that is worth visiting is the second largest city in the country, Bulawayo, in the southwest region of Zimbabwe. It is remarkable for the city, mainly, the groves marginated by trees, with their facades in Victorian colonial style. And deserve to be seen the following attractions of Bulawayos: the natural sciences museum opened in 1964, which has the largest collection of mammals of Africa; the museum of railways; and the ruins of Khami, of the 15th century.The ruins are the remains of a powerful of Rosvi shopping center, a people very powerful.

In addition to the drops of Victoria, the attraction of the country is more known "Great Zimbabwe", an important city originating between the 12th and 15th centuries, in the south of the country. Is currently under the protection of UNESCO and you can access it easily by bus from the city of Masvingo. Great Zimbabwe, in the south of the country, was the center of the great empire of munhumutapa, who was extending around the current Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

National Parks: the first and the second most important destination for the largest visitors are the national parks of the country. To the northeast is the national park Mana-Pools, the Provisional Measure 2,196 km2 on the banks of the Zambesi. He is the only national park of Zimbabwe, opened from 6 hours of morning by 12 hours, which means be possible to admire the park without the presence of the caretakers. The word Mana means in Bantu the number four and refers to four lakes that exist in the park.All four lakes, at noon, is a preferred drinking channel of many wild animals: crocodiles, hippos, zebras, antelopes, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and an infinity of birds. During the rainy season, it is almost impossible to move around on the roads, between November and March.

To the west of Zimbabwe is the large national park of Hwange, done in 1929, with a surface 14.620 km2. It is the largest natural reserve of the country and has an incomparable fauna. There is one of the last great reserves of elephants of the land. Especially at the end of the station of droughts, in early October, you can admire more herds of elephants in his "traditional" bathroom on the banks of the rivers.In addition to these wild animals, the Hwange also has a large population of different primates, among which many baboons

In the vicinity of the city of Bulawayo is the National Park of the Matobo National Park, in lands: Matabeleland. It is one of the oldest and most visited in the country. It is especially very impressive in 3,100 km² Matobo National Park the imponent rock formations were also declared world heritage by UNESCO. Here live the people of San for more than 1,000 years, which left many rupestrian paintings 200 millions years ago in Ancient granite rocks.Especially interesting is a rocky slot, where is the reliquary of the rain of Ndebele and where even today the people of Mwali asks for rain in the time of droughts. Besides, in Matobo National Park can observe various African animals, such as antelopes, black and white rhinos, various cats, zebras and several types of eagles

Still you should also mention the grandiose natural reserves of Zimbabwe. Mavuradonha deserves a special mention, with its 500 km2, which is about 230 km north of Harare. Despite many cave paintings are no more recognized, the hiking develop themselves in a real adventure. This natural reserve is one of the most interesting regions throughout the country.He who does not want to walk by a mountainous terrain, but beautiful, you will also have the opportunity to discover Mavuradonha during one week in a safari on horseback.