Surfers Paradise is a tourist mecca on the Gold Coast of Australia. An influx of 10 million visitors pour in every year to soak up the sun, play in the surf and enjoy the many attractions. Locals tend to stay away from this “glitter strip”.
We are just 2 of the 515,000 people that live here permanently. How often is it that when you live in an area it is not explored or appreciated. We have travelled extensively all over this huge country. I am always planning the next adventure. So while we are home for a short while I thought it was time I discovered some of the attractions closer to home.
We parked our bikes then rode this new form of transport, the new light rail, “G-link” that, after 4 years of very disruptive construction, opened for business one year ago this week. Come for a ride with me.
The destination today is to visit “Q1” (Queensland number 1) Opened in 2005 for a while it was the tallest residential building in the world.
At 77 stories and 322.5 m (1,058 ft) and with a roof height of 245 m (804 ft), Q1 now qualifies as the world’s third[dated info] tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire),[7] (Wikipedia information)
It is a beautiful day for walking and as we walk toward Q1, surrounded by the other towering apartments, I notice the parking police are vigilant and I am pleased we came on public transport. That 3 story “walk-up” apartment in the photo below, is one of the older style accommodation blocks.
The media have been forecasting “Arctic conditions” as a low pressure belt sweeps up the coast. Inland the temperatures have dropped to single digits and snow is falling. Last night it dropped to 3C, and I snuggled under an extra blanket, but apart from a slightly cooler breeze it is now a warm 19C here.
Look up….
Now that is impressive…
We take the fast lift that whisks us up 77 stories in almost the blink of an eye. But there is another way to get to the top…
Here are a group of intrepid troopers ready to scale the outside. I think it will be cool and breezy up there.
The observation deck circles 360 degrees round the 77th floor and the views are stunning.
Looking south I can just see our Burleigh Beach.
Before the 1920’s this was an area of swamp or as it is now called “wetlands” and known as Elston. Then in 1933 a man with a keen eye for promotion, Jim Cavill, with the support of locals, lobbied hard until the place name Elston was changed to the more glamorous Surfers Paradise.
The land was drained and the swamp converted into canals.
Looking north the canals open out into the Broadwater, a playground for boaties and fishermen
Far, far below I can just make out the ant-like figures of people enjoying the beach.
It is not too busy today, it is mid-week and of course it is winter!!!!
400 people are allowed on the observation deck, but it is not that crowded today.
Looking up I see one of the climbers peering down at us. See how far they went up…
Time to go back down. There is a dining area and a cafeteria but we have decided to have Indian for lunch. There is no shortage of choice in Surfers Paradise and as we walk by mainly empty restaurants, I wonder how they all manage to survive.
This looks interesting so in we go…
We are the only customers, but the meal is delicious.
Before we take the “G” back home we walk down to the beach and watch the activity going on.
This is a classic case of “land meets water” on my walk around Surfers Paradise. So I will link this post to Ailsa’s travel theme, and Jo’s Monday walks (even though it is Friday. Maybe I can be early for next weeks Jo!!)
Those views are incredible, Pauline. No wonder so many Kiwis flock to Surfers.
LikeLike
We are very happy we live here Jill, even though we are always leaving it. Happily it is always still here for us when we get back.
LikeLike
Pingback: Gold Coast Icons, | gypsy life
Some great views and amazing waterfront developments…we all seem to be craving waterfronts these days!
LikeLike
Maybe not such a good idea with the forecast of raising sea levels. But yes people will pay millions for that view.
LikeLike
Wow… Looking up at the building and down made me dizzy LOL… Very HIGH to say the least but the views were well worth it Pauline… I remember in 2000 when in Toronto we went the the CN Tower.. I was brave and stood on the glass floor…. :-).. I used to be fine with heights but as I have got older, my stomach now does a somersault ..
Hope you are keeping warm in those colder night temp drops..
I was surprised to see how those canals surround everywhere.. Hopefully the sea levels do not rise too much or that maybe a problem in the future!..
LikeLike
You were brave walking on the glass floor Sue. The Sydney tower has one too. Jack recently went to Sydney to visit his son and they went up to experience that glass walk. Jack loved it.
Some of the million dollar ocean front properties do have problems during storms and high tides, they have parts of their gardens washed away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can see only more high tides in the future.. And no amount of $ can stop the Ocean. … But it does look spectacular from the angles your photo shots show.. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the Grailx
LikeLike
It certainly is handy.
LikeLike
Wonderful pictures! Is that an Indian place you went to for a meal? Couldn’t help noticing!
LikeLike
Yes it was an award winning Indian restaurant and the food was delicious and very reasonably priced.
LikeLike
Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Seaton Sluice | restlessjo
Thanks for the link Jo
LikeLike
Great views from up there. Those intrepid troopers sure are brave. 🙂
LikeLike
Only put off for me is they cannot take cameras up with them… 😦
LikeLike
Great views and a stunning building – but I think I preferred looking at it from far away in your earlier post!
LikeLike
Wow – that’s a very high building, Pauline. I’m glad you took me up there virtually because I would never go up in real life. Yikes! I’m scared of heights. What incredible views 😀
LikeLike
The ride up in the lift would freak you out Dianne as a panel in the ceiling of the lift opened to show the ropes and pulleys whisking us up…
LikeLike
Argh…… I find the RUC is high enough for me 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I thought I was indulging in the high life on the 23rd floor! Great skyscraper shots, and great views over the Gold Coast. A thought for a future excursion. Thank you. I was back to Stanthorpe in time for Friday’s snow.
LikeLike
On a clear day you really can see for ever from up there…
LikeLike
Thanks for the wander, Pauline!
LikeLike
You’re welcome Sue, pleased you came along. 🙂
LikeLike
What a great town, I’d like to visit that observation tower but not to live in the building would you?
LikeLike
I need to have my garden and space around me so apartment living would not suit me Gilly.
LikeLike
What a fascinating walk, Pauline! I was so pleased I didn’t have to put that harness on! Going up was a doddle. 🙂 I always witter on about disliking high rise and wondering why people have this compulsion for taller/bigger but there is a fascination to a building like this. Did I say building? It’s a vertical city!
Me- I’ll just have me a boat on those canals and off I go! 🙂 🙂 Many thanks, hon!
LikeLike
Hi-rise do not appeal to me Jo. I think small is beautiful. But I guess to cater for the millions of tourists the hi-rise apartments are necessary. They do boat tours around the canals I think I will have to go on one, in the name of research for WP of course…
LikeLike
You introduced me to these canals before PP, otherwise I would never have known about them. The views from the top of this building are amazing – so clear too! I wouldn’t like to be the window cleaner 😉
LikeLike
The widows were very clean I suppose someone has to do it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are wonderful!
That place looks really cool.
LikeLike
G’day Dawn, the wind did keep it “cool”, and today is even cooler…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photos! So glad you’re staying warm down there. 🙂
LikeLike
We’re all rugged up tonight Del, very strong, cold wind been blowing all day. Only another couple of cold days forecast then it is back into the 20’sC again…
LikeLike
Sounds great for you! We’re starting a heat & humidity wave – ugh!
LikeLike
Humidity I do not like. I hope you have aircon to turn on…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, thank you for asking. It means using energy, which I also do not like… heigh ho.
LikeLike
Sweaty hands are not good when working with material!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person