Brisbane - Southport (Qld) (Friday, 10.7.2009)
Weather: beautiful, wind / temp: 24 degrees / Wind: 3 - 5 HE
After seven wonderful and interesting days in "Brisbane" we move on to the south. Our next destination "Southport" is located about 80 kms from Brisbane "away from the famous" Gold Coast ". The navigation system guides us unerringly through the middle of the City of 'Brisbane'. First, we drive on the highway parallel to the "Brisbane River and cross the river on the Captain Cook Bridge" to the "South East Freeway. One last time, we throw back a wistful look at the skyline of this fantastic city. "Goodbye Brisbane, maybe see you again sometime!"
The traffic keeps to this time (around 10.00 clock) within bounds so that we can move ahead without congestion and will soon reach the 8-lane Pacific Motorway. The ride on the Gold Coast Freeway runs just as spectacular, so we arrive already eleven clock at the targeted Camping Tourist Park Broadwater. It is located right on the beach of the Broadwater Inlets "of" Southport ", at the confluence of the Loders Creek" and has the usual good infrastructure. The handsome space has nearly 300 plots with at least three major sanitary buildings. He is due to the up to this weekend in "Queensland" ongoing school holidays pretty well documented. We will still have a sunny spot, though, for the nearby main road, a rather loud.
For us, not unimportant: The campground has wireless internet, which is usable for free for guests :-) "McDonald's" only five minutes walk away from and adjacent to the camping begin the extensive beach promenade of "Southport", which for jogging and the "Tai Chi" is perfect :-)
"Southport" was once the first settlement on the "Gold Coast", but is now a huge holiday paradise with hundreds of hotels, apartments, restaurants, cafes, shopping and Factory Outlet Centers. "The Harbour Town", a giant "shopping center" with more than 120 stores, located near the campsite.
a holiday destination, "Southport" has great similarity with "Benidorm on the Costa Brava in Spain. Ultra-modern skyscrapers line the streets.
no less than 8 golf courses and 27 "McDonald's" exist along the "Gold Coast", which is totally focused on mass tourism. "Sea World, Movie World, Australia Outback Spectacular," "Dreamworld," "White Water World and other amusement parks compete fiercely for the holiday guests. To spend money here are so many possibilities exist, and the prices are pretty steep. Even a small airport it is on the border with North South Wales ".
What makes this coast more attractive, are the many intricate Invite "inlets and bays with familiar names, which, especially in summer for swimming and water sports. "Surfers Paradise" is just one of many beautiful sandy beaches, but perhaps the best known.
currently hold the swimmers because of the low temperatures for this region more in the heated spa, which is located not far from our campsite.
In Southport (Qld) (Saturday, 07/11/2009)
Weather: beautiful, partly cloudy / Temp: 24 ° C / Wind: 2 - 4 HE
Unfortunately
dominated this morning the wind so that may still pay no pleasant feeling. For our morning jog by the beach promenade along the beach, this does not matter.
While jogging, we take on the most artistically valuable toilet facilities in Australia :-)
It's been a while since we " Galaahs have seen. " These comical birds normally live more inland.
we do today as the first the biggest "shopping center" on the spot, "The Harbour Town" . See No less than 5,000 parking spaces are available around this impressive collection of over 120 shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets are available, of course, free.
A Designer Shop joins to the next. Nike, Adidas, Rip Curl, Levi's, Fila, Diesel, Timberland and the rest of them are gathered here.
The Hardware "Bunnings" is represented, as well as McDonald's and other fast food chains. Out of curiosity, we first enter a "Bunnings Warehouse. Our DIY take on the other hand look like little toy markets. The hall is bigger than an entire football field and the artisan machinery department about as big as us a complete "Do It Migros department. There is even a camping department. We are overwhelmed :-)
The shopping center consists of several building complexes, which are interspersed with street arcades and many well-designed spaces that invite you to linger. There
addition to the many designer shops there are also some normal shops and even a vegetable / fruit market is integrated.
shopping Who does not want to can see in the cinema of a film.
This imposing "Shopping Center" you could easily spend a whole day.
After a cappuccino at McDonald's, we continue to "Billabong Outlet".
Who wants cheap "designer-wear" to acquire, is the right place. Here you can buy the coveted clothes at a fraction of the normal price. We also propose to ;-)
Then we drive to the Peninsula "The Split, where we look at the "View Inlet connection to the open ocean. Where staying many fishermen, it has usually very many fish. Fishing in Australia is a real trend sport. Fishing shops, there are virtually in every small town.
walk
We on the artificial dam to the extreme point.
The sea is now very restless. According wave surfer report is the wave height is now up to four meters be.
A pelican glides by the wind carried majestically roaring of the sea, keeping always on the lookout for food.
We walk a little on the sand dunes along the Fuss-/Radweg. On the peninsula there are fantastically beautiful hotels, such as the "Mirage Pacific".
"Sea World", "Mariner's Cove" and a marina are also located in a prime location at the "Inlet" vis-à-vis the mainland.
romp Despite relatively fresh wind, many holidaymakers on the beach of Surfers Paradise.
The view from the northern Bank of the main bridge on the skyline is impressive. About the beauty of these vacation destinations can be divided. We prefer the idyllic resorts.
We have seen enough for now and go back to the campsite.
