Brisbane Bound: The Gold Coast - 4th Jan

We were working to a schedule today, the campervan was due back at the Brisbane depot before 4.30pm and we were under strict instruction that there was a comprehensive 30 minute protocol to go through before our returning of the van was signed off as satisfactory.

Before we embarked on the 120km or so north to Brisbane I went for a run, a very hot 4 mile run, along the running track of the recreational park. We then gave the van another quick hoover, emptied the van's waste water tank and the toilet (a AUD245 surcharge if we had not done so) and left our last campsite of the trip.

By now we had become accustomed to the van and were starting to appreciate the flexibility and freedom it gave – we were going to miss it.

Our plan for the day was to pass by the principal towns of the Gold Coast, namely, Tweed Heads/ Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads and Surfers Paradise.

Almost straight away from pulling out of our campsite we noticed the urbanisation of the Gold Coast. I have been reading the comedian Dara O' Briain's book 'Tickling the English', in it he mentions the density of England is 246 people per square km whereas in Australia it is only 2.84. Well for the Gold Coast, in isolation, I can safely say it would be higher than England.

5 minutes later we were approaching the sprawling towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. The two merge seamlessly, occupying the border between the states of New South Wales and Queensland. Numerous high rises occupied the beach front with swanky bars, cafes and nightclubs sitting comfortably below them.

 

We stopped for a walk along the beach and spent a good 20 minutes watching the surfers ride the first true tubular waves we'd seen since arriving in Australia. Perhaps the most impressive however were the guys doing stand up paddle surfing, they were catching more waves than the surfers as well as riding them further.



If you squint you may be able to see a paddle surfer

 The beach, as with almost every town we have been to along the east coast, was great and would be pride of place to any English coastal town, but we drove away grateful we had not stopped in the Tweed Heads/ Coolangatta for any length of time. The only two counter arguments to that would be if we had been there when the Hoff (David Hasselhoff from Baywatch fame) had been visiting Main Beach or at New Year where the whole town takes advantage of the one hour time difference between the two states and celebrates New Year twice.

From here we headed for Burleigh Heads, a more pleasant but still built up place with a long beach sitting between two spurs of rock. We went for another walk along the beach but resisted the temptation to go for a dip. Looking northwards gave views of Surfers Paradise, a picture of even heavier urbanisation that until yesterday was alien to us.

Surfers Paradise was far from full of surfers, or paradise for that matter. The city is still heavily developing but the direction it is taking is undeniable. The Rough Guide advises that you should not come here expecting to be 'allowed to relax' and also how much you will enjoy it depends on ' how much it bothers you having the party mood rammed down your throat'. Whilst we were only there for a couple of hours I can definitely understand the sentiment - however you can see the appeal the town has for some.

Perhaps the most compelling indicator of the kind of place we found it to be was the following shop 30 seconds from the beachfront....

Nothing against body piercing, but I would stay
in 'ya tree' throughout the process!

Just as heavy rain came in from the ocean we departed Surfers and the Gold Coast for the final drive to Brisbane; we left thinking that the holidaymakers descending south from Brisbane are missing a trick if once in a while they do not travel an hour or so further south to the more relaxing, more picturesque areas with equally good beaches (but maybe lacking in the body-art department).

After minor issues with the waste water tank mysteriously filling itself again (it turns out we must have originally attempted to empty it on a slope and so did not actually fully empty it) and attempting to pay for the 'toll booth-free' toll roads we finally made it to the Brisbane depot. We then made our way to the YHA.

Home sweet home

In keeping with the prison theme many a YHA appears to have, the room was a little sparten but strangely comfortable at the same time, with a great ensuite bathroom. The Hostel itself was well equipped with a good bar and roof terrace that overlooked the main CBD of Brisbane. Ideally situated for exploring the city.

 

We went to the bar for dinner and set about deciding our plan for the last few weeks in Australia.

Brisbane.... home of XXXX