Winner of Aabode’s Gold Coast Getaway!

Written by winner of the competition, Krystal McKinley

Logging into Instagram and seeing a notification from Aabode that I was the winner of return flights for two and three nights accommodation at the Gold Coast I was completely over the moon! As most of you know, i’m a total compaholic and while I’ve had a small handful of wins, this one tops them all, I couldn’t wait to enjoy this little getaway with my husband and all it took was a simple follow, like and comment!

Balcony view outside our bedroom

Departing from Sydney we arrived into the Gold Coast in just over an hour and caught a courtesy shuttle to pick up our rental car from East Coast Car Rentals then made our way to pick up the keys to our accommodation for the stay, a beautiful apartment at The Rocks Resort.

Our apartment was huge offering 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a very spacious open kitchen and lounge room area and my favourite thing about the place was the stunning ocean views on one side and forest views on the other! We were just metres away from the beach, walking distance to cafes and only a 10 minute drive to restaurants and bars.

Once we settled in it is was only lunch time and we didn’t want to waste the afternoon inside so we decided to check out the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which was only about an 800 metre walk from our apartment.

This place is massive and I would highly recommend you give yourself at least a couple of hours here to experience all there is on offer. There are feeding shows and free flight bird shows as well as a miniature train ride that takes you around the park, you can walk around at your own pace and there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Popular areas of the sanctuary would be the free range kangaroo enclosure where you can feed and mingle with the resident kangaroos and there is also a treetop adventure park on site where you can challenge yourself to climbing over obstacles amongst the trees!

Open: Daily from 8am – 5pm (except for Christmas and ANZAC Day)

Address: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223

Contact: (07) 5534 1266

Price: https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/tickets-and-encounters/day-pass

The following day we drove to a beach side cafe for breakfast and afterwards walked across the road to check out the coastline. The beaches looked absolutely gorgeous and the water was such a beautiful shade of blue, not even the dark clouds on the horizon could dampen the busy atmosphere taking place in the area. There’s also a sculpture located on the state’s border and it’s pretty cool to be able to stand in both NSW and QLD at the same time!

As the rain clouds approached we hopped back into the car and thought about what other spontaneous activity we could do. Just a short distance from our apartment there is a place called Honey World on the way and decided to have a quick visit. Honey World has a whole range of honey and wax products available for purchase and also free samples of honey. I’m not the biggest fan of honey but they were very delicious! Entry into the building is free but for a small price you also have the opportunity to be guided by a bee keeper and shown the many hives and watch bees in action and what they get up inside of the hives, I would really recommend it, I learnt some things about bees I never knew and my husband is now even keen on having our own beehive!

Open: Monday – Saturday from 9am – 5pm, Sunday from 10am – 5pm

Address: 35 Tomewin St, Currumbin QLD 4223

Contact: (07) 5598 4548

Later that afternoon, my husband and I met up with a friend and tried our hand at Topgolf, a facility where people can play different games of golf from accuracy to hitting distances and are scored on their shots. You stand on a platform and hit as many balls until the game is over, the golf balls have chips in them that register where your shot landed and that is how you get your score. Table service is also available in your bays so you can order food and drinks without disturbing your game. It was so much fun and probably one of the highlights for me on the trip!

Open: Daily from 9am until late (except Christmas and ANZAC Day)

Address: Cnr. Roadshow Way and Entertainment Road, Oxenford QLD 4210 Contact: 1300 008 442

Price: https://topgolf.com.au/pricing

On our final day, we drove to Surfers Paradise and spent the day like tourists checking out some of the top spots in the area. This mall precinct is absolutely huge and you are really spoilt for choice when it comes to what to eat and what to do!

First up we went to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, an interactive museum full of weird and wonderful things found from all over the world. This museum was really fascinating and was chock a block full of interesting facts. Having read the books as a child, it was great to see it all in person!

Open: Daily from 9am -10pm

Address: Soul Boardwalk, Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Contact: (07) 5592 0040

Price: Click here

Then we moved onto Infinity, an interactive maze like facility where you have to move your way through obstacles in complete darkness and feel for a door that will take you into the next room. Some rooms have laser lights, one a galaxy full of stars and others obstacles hanging from the ceiling and coming out through the walls. Although nothing jumps out at you, if you have a fear of darkness, enclosed spaces and are unsteady on your feet, I wouldn’t recommend this place to you, but if you have a mind full of adventure and discovery you MUST go here! If you do find yourself stuck or lost, a staff member will be quick to assist you.

I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way through, it was just so incredible to experience all the wonder in each room and I absolutely loved it! Your own photography and videos are strictly prohibited in this experience however you get a photo taken half way through and are given the opportunity to purchase it afterwards.

Open: Daily from 10am – 10pm

Address: G31 Chevron Renaissance Centre, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Contact: (07) 5526 8935

Price: https://infinitygc.com.au/tickets/

Lastly, this one is for all you feline lovers out there, a visit to the Crazy Cat Cafe! The cafe has two sections, the dining area which offers hot and cold drinks and a basic breakfast and lunch menu and the other section, absolute cat heaven!

For a small price you can go into the cat room and indulge yourself amongst the absolutely beautiful resident cats there from all different breeds. There are two time sessions on offer, 25 minutes or 50 minutes. You can simply sit on a lounge and wait for the cats to sit in your lap, you can lie on the ground with them or you can play with them using the many toys scattered around, if they’re in the mood you can even pick them up for a cuddle. Being a cat owner myself, I really loved this place and really enjoyed some relaxation time just being in the company of these cats!

Open: Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 9:30am – 7:30pm

Address: 3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Contact: (07) 5630 1110

Price: https://www.crazycat.cafe/book

On our final night in the Gold Coast we were even farewelled by a stunning sunset overlooking the city, what a way to end this perfect stay!


Interested in the property that Krystal stayed at? Book it here: The Rocks Resort Aabode.com

Your fashion essentials for your Queensland trip

For most people traveling to Queensland, their first stops are Gold Coast and Brisbane- places that are full of fun, beach and sun! With a strong backpacking community and other wide range of activities and exciting nightlife, here are a list of wardrobe must-haves in your luggage for your ultimate Queensland trip:

Cocktail dress for day-drinking or wild night outs

With a large number of trendy restaurants and an obvious lively nightlife, dress codes are enforced in many venues and because of the famous beach culture, 1 or 2 bright and fun dresses are a must!

Workout gear for all your endless adventures

Brisbane and Gold Coast are the hubs for tons of fun activities, so while you’ll be spending your nights in cute dresses, it is very important to pack workout clothes for the day. Pack a good pair of shoes as well, because I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss out on bridge climbs or parasailing!

Your swimmies of course!

They don’t call it Surfers Paradise for nothing! Whether you’re just taking a dip or full on catching some waves, wherever you go, there will be a beach, so packing a cute bikini or any swimwear should be put first in your bag or suitcase.

A light jacket

It’s hot when the sun is out, but the nights cool down quite a bit, so carrying an extra layer for some warmth for whenever you need it, is definitely a good idea. Enjoy the cool breeze at the same time and layer up to add some style as well!

Get all your wardrobe packing essentials and visit Aabode.com for accommodations that will make your Queensland trip the best trip of your life!

Gold Coast Grubs under $10

On a budget? Spent all of your money on a $20 smoothie in the airport? Rather spend your money on activities? Not to fear! We’ve compiled some of the best cheap eats in the Gold Coast that are $10 or under. Grab your spare change and lets go get some grub!

Weiner Haus

When you think of cheap eats, hot dogs are probably the first thing that pop up in your mind, but these dogs from Weiner Haus will blow your mind! With all of their food truck hot dogs $10 or under, they’ll blow up your taste buds but not your bank. These gourmet dogs are pimped up with toppings from sour cream and guacamole or Japanese mayonnaise and fried shallots!

Burgster

From crispy fried chicken wings to juicy stacked burgers, Burgster’s got it all. This packed burger joint always pleases the crowds with their specials which include $5 taco Tuesdays, $1 wing Wednesdays and $1 oyster Fridays. Feeling thirsty? Don’t worry, they also do weekly thirsty Thursday specials! Whether you wanted a quick bite or a satisfying sip, Burgster will take care of you.

Sandwich Bros

Sometimes nothing satisfies your hunger like a fat sandy, and that’s where the Sandwich Bros comes in. Whether you’re after some scorching hot toasties, loaded wraps, colorful salads or a thick sandwich, you have to run down to them! Grab your pennies and dimes, because they have lunch special sets for $10 and daily $7 special baguettes.

Govindas

We’ve got one for the veggie lovers and vegans out there too! Govinda’s offers a multitude of options at their store and it’s filled with healthy and abundant feeds. All the food is made in house daily and they have a mecca of options including hearty salads, hot plates, lasagna, filo pastries and cakes all under $10 dollars. We would definitely recommend the mini cheesecakes that only go for $4!

Harajuku Gyoza

If you’ve got a big appetite and you’re still looking a place to fill your mouth, Harajuku Gyoza will be the place to tantilise your tastebuds. Most of their steaming hot gyozas go for $10 or under and include flavours such as lemongrass chicken, takoyaki and cheeseburger!  Still got some chump change after your juicy dumplings? Grab some matcha KitKat gyoza, chicken karaage or raindrop cakes!

We’ve got you sorted on where to eat. We can also sort you out on where to stay! Check out the amazing Gold Coast properties we have on Aabode.com!

The Gold Coast: Everything You’d Ever Want In A Holiday

The Gold Coast is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. And this isn’t simply because of its long sandy beaches and surfing hotspots – the Gold Coast is complete with everything you’d ever want in a holiday!

With all sorts of adrenaline-filled activities to do, awe-inspiring sights to see and luxurious accommodations to enjoy, the Gold Coast is hands down the perfect all year round holiday destination for everyone.

For the Family

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Photo credits: Amy K

The Village Roadshow Theme Parks are always catering to families by offering a variety of passes all year round for cheaper access to the Gold Coast’s famed amusement parks. Ticket types range from annual passes to unlimited entry for 3 days. Be sure to buy your tickets online to save $10 and keep a lookout on Groupon for the occasional discounted package deals!

Make the most of a family holiday by exploring the Gold Coast’s marine life extravaganza at Sea World, take on authentic Australian farm life experiences at Paradise Country and even immerse yourself in fantasy by visiting Movie World! In the Summer, Wet’n’wild is a must-go and for thrill-seekers, Dream World is another attraction with an abundance of amusement rides to challenge.

As the Gold Coast is known even internationally for its surfing community, where else will your kids learn to surf? Treat your kids to some surfing lessons from the experts at Get Wet Surf School for $30/hr. We can guarantee it’d make for some pretty good photo opportunities!

For Couples

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Photo credits: Dev Ocean Coffee Surf

 

Currumbin beach is a resident favourite for its cozy small-town feel and hidden from all the bustling tourists, it is the perfect place to go for some alone time with your partner. After exploring the pocket beach, head over to Little Truffle, an award-winning fine dining Australian restaurant serving the most delicious foods your taste palette will ever experience!

At the Gold Coast, you can also plan some outdoor activities with your partner by heading over to the Springbook National Park. Witness mother nature’s beauty with your own eyes and do some exercise while you’re at it! Enjoy a romantic stroll and follow the park’s quiet trails to see glorious waterfalls, explore an underground glow-worm cave and more!

To truly make the most of your romantic adventure, why not book this stunning Penthouse Apartment in the heart of Currumbin, just meters from the beach! 

For Adventurers

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Photo credits: C-Kayak Australia

For adventurers, the Gold Coast offers many unforgettable outdoor experiences, such as snorkelling and kayaking tours. In particular, the Stradbroke Island Kayak and Snorkelling Tour is the perfect combination of exercise and stunning scenery, complete with Australian wildlife interaction. For under $100, spend a full day paddling around and exploring Australian seas to your heart’s content at the Gold Coast!

And for those interested in extreme sports, be sure to get a thrill out of the Gold Coast’s hot-air balloon rides and sky-diving services! Check out highly-rated Gold Coast Skydive and Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast for more information on the once-in-a-lifetime experiences and again, keep a lookout on Groupon for the seasonal sales!

For Yourself

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Photo credits: Christin Hume

Sometimes it’s difficult to enjoy a relaxing holiday with company and travelling alone is just as fun –  so don’t be ashamed to treat yourself with a solo trip to the Gold Coast! Splurge on a combined theatrical and dining experience at the Dracula’s, where they serve you a spooky three course dinner while you’re watching an even spookier musical show!

Or if you’re looking for a healthy, de-stress retreat, the Gold Coast has you covered with some of Australia’s best spa and massage services. We recommend Q1 Resort and Spa! Located conveniently in Surfers Paradise, their reclaimed Royal Thai Massage is sure to be a refreshing experience!

With so many activities catered to all types of visitors, the Gold Coast is surely the place to be for your next holiday break! And how would you upgrade your holiday at the Gold Coast to perfection? By booking your accommodation through Aabode.com, where the most homely and comfortable living experience is always guaranteed at the most affordable prices!