Kiwis are no strangers to the joys of Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Pre-Covid, around 210,000 of us a year made a trip to the glitter strip, in search of sun, sand, and fun.
“We know Kiwis love being here – they love our beaches, our theme parks, our dining, our hinterland,” said Destination Gold Coast chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan.
”It is Australia’s favourite playground.”
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With Queensland open to fully vaccinated travellers, and no requirement to self-isolate on return to New Zealand, that perennial favourite Gold Coast holiday could finally be back on the cards in 2022.
But in addition to all the destination’s well-trodden tourist hotspots, you can expect plenty of shiny new activities, O’Callaghan said.
“We’re going to look a little different – there’s going to be even more attractions and experiences that people can take advantage of.”
Here are some of the best new things to look forward to on the Gold Coast.
No trip to Australia’s theme park capital would be complete without experiencing at least one stomach-churning rollercoaster. And with the launch of several new rides, there’ll be no shortage of thrills.
December saw the opening of Dreamworld’s new Steel Taipan rollercoaster, named after Australia’s deadliest snake. The ride snakes around 1.2km of twists and turns, reaching a top speed of 105kmh and a G-force of 3.8 – and if you’re up for it, you can try out the “Tailwhip”, a world-first spinning seat at the rear of the train.
Over at Sea World, The New Atlantis Precinct will have three new attractions when it’s completed in September. One of these – The Vortex – is open now, and consists of an 18-metre-high pendulum that swings you around as you’re simultaneously flipped in your seat. It will be joined in September by The Trident, which will be the park’s tallest landmark at 42 metres, and The Leviathan, a family-friendly rollercoaster.
The Wet’n’Wild waterpark has also just opened a new precinct which includes Australia’s tallest waterpark slide tower, at 27 metres high. There’s also a massive splash zone that is perfect for the younger ones.
Wanting a culture fix? You might not have considered the Gold Coast as a cultural destination before, but the stunning new HOTA (Home of the Arts) gallery and arts precinct in Surfers Paradise has changed that. As well as being home to the city’s $32 million art collection, the six-level gallery features a rooftop bar, and a fine-dining restaurant where you can experience art on your plate.
Scuba divers will also have a new reason to visit the Gold Coast this year with the opening of the Wonder Reef dive attraction. The artificial reef is a world-first design, consisting of nine twirling structures which will attract marine life.
If you’re looking for somewhere fresh to stay on the Gold Coast, there are several luxe new options.
Dorsett Gold Coast, which opened in December, is located on Broadbeach, and is part of The Star casino and entertainment complex. The hotel has 313 rooms, set within a 53-storey supertower.
Last year also saw the opening of Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise, which offers apartment-style suites which each have their own kitchen – perfect for if you’re wanting to stay a little longer.
Rydges Gold Coast Airport Hotel, which opened in 2020, is a handy option for those late arrivals or early departures, and has the added bonus of being just a short walk from the beach.
Or for boutique beachfront bliss, check out another 2020 opening, Vue Broadbeach, which offers luxury apartments.
A hotly-anticipated opening for this year is The Langham Gold Coast. Located on the Surfers Paradise beachfront, the 169-room hotel will be housed in the tallest of three towers making up the Jewel development.
Wining and dining has always been a big part of the Gold Coast experience, and there are plenty of new eating and drinking spots to indulge in.
Kurrawa Beach Club – the Gold Coast’s first actual on-the-sand beach club – popped up on the shores of Broadbeach over the summer, and has been such a big hit that it’s looking like it may become a permanent fixture in the warmer months – watch this space.
Surfers Paradise also boasts the new Cali Beach club, located on an expansive rooftop with different zones to enjoy, whether you want to go for a dip in one of the four pools, relax in a cabana, or dance to the visiting DJ’s beats.
Over at Kirra Beach, the iconic 100-year-old pavillion – which used to house a Pizza Hut – is now home to Siblings, a stylish new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant which is open for brunch, lunch and dinner.
The suburb of Burleigh Heads is home to some of the Gold Coast’s best new restaurants and bars. Check out Two Yolks, which serves up delicious breakfast burgers and American-style smashburgers, and Freddy’s for fried chicken. RaRa Ramen is another hot new spot in the suburb, offering traditional Japanese ramen with natural wines and house cocktails.
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