With the cold weather now well and truly set in, it’s the perfect excuse (if you need one!) for a little road trip to the sunny Gold Coast, giving you the opportunity to soak up a bit of winter warmth while letting your tyres do some exploring. From iconic sandy beaches and national parks to native wildlife sanctuaries and mountain waterfalls, and not forgetting homegrown distilleries, wineries and some of Australia’s best and freshest seafood, there’s plenty to get excited about on a road trip to The Goldie!
Getting started…
If you’re a Brisbane local, a weekender to the Gold Coast may already be a well-beaten path! However, if you’re from interstate and it’s not in your immediate back yard, all you need to know is that from Brissie this is a pretty easy ride… just follow the signs! A tad over an hour (off peak) on the M1 will get you to Surfers Paradise and from there, Mount Tamborine and a host of other awesome Gold Coast Hinterland sights and experiences are less than another hour away.
Best tyres for the ride…
Renowned for their ultra-safe tyres that also offer outstanding performance and with the looks to match, Maxxis has your road trip covered! As many 4WD and SUV drivers around the country will be sure to tell you, the RAZR AT811 is a great Maxxis tyre choice that provides the flexibility to take on a range of terrains, both on-road or off-the-beaten-track. With outstanding traction, stability, puncture resistance and driving comfort amongst its many versatile features and attributes, you can set yourself (and your vehicle) up for peace of mind in all winter’s weather conditions, wherever you are around the Gold Coast!
What not to miss while you’re there…
Whale season is now in full swing, with the Gold Coast a prime (and much-loved!) spot for whale watching as the male Humpback whales make their migration from the Antarctica to our warmer waters. A number of operators run tours, giving you a front row seat for viewing the whales at play — and if you’re lucky, you may also see dolphins and other marine life as part of the amazing adventure.
The Gold Coast hinterland is home to some of the UNESCO Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests including the Lamington and Springbrook national parks. These ancient forests are abundant with a wide variety of sub-tropical birds and other native wildlife, magnificent waterfalls and hiking tracks (some easy, some more gruelling) through luscious forest surroundings. The impressive Natural Bridge rock formation is a ‘must see’ in the area, with a night glow worm tour something extra special, bringing the cave to life at night.
Mount Tamborine is another hinterland highlight not to be missed! Whether you head straight for a rainforest skywalk adventure, set off on a picturesque walking track, take a guided glow worm tour, or kick back at one of Mt Tamborine’s wineries or distilleries, you’ll be blown away by the majestic forests and stunning coastal views all wrapped up in the amazing hospitality for which this Qld region is so renowned.
Awesome seafood fresh from the trawlers…While there are heaps of great restaurants and cafes for all budgets throughout the Gold Coast, if you’re a seafood lover, be sure to put the Fisherman’s Co-op in Seaworld Drive into your vehicle’s navigation!
And it goes without saying that while you can’t drive on them, no road trip to the Gold Coast can be complete without mention of its kilometre after kilometre of iconic golden beaches! From Main Beach and Surfers, to Broadbeach, Miami, Mermaids, Nobby, Burleigh, Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek, there’s plenty of winter fun to be had swimming, surfing, walking, playing beach volleyball or cricket … or just settling in and enjoying the views!
Where to stay…While it may be best known for its theme parks, high-rise apartments and glamorous hotels, there’s also no better place than The Goldie for a bit of camping, whether you want to glamp or take your own tent or ‘van! While the Big 4 is perfectly positioned to make the most of a Gold Coast adventure, there are plenty of other opportunities to camp away from the main drag. Binna Burra Lodge, in an awesome rainforest location near the Lamington National Park, offers a variety of camping options while Thunderbird Park (close to Mt Tamborine national park) and Spring Valley Stays (near Canungra, just 50 minutes from the Gold Coast), comes with its own sparkling fresh water creek!
Before you go…While you can make this road trip as short or long as you like, you definitely won’t want to waste time on the side of the road with a flat or other tyre issue — so be sure to give your tread a good ‘once over’ for any visible damage before you head off! The best time to check tyre pressures is while they are cool – this will only take a few minutes and is important for your vehicle’s safety on the road. Also, remember to adjust the pressures if you are towing a caravan, boat or trailer or if your vehicle is heavily loaded (this information is easily located on the inside of the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual). Plus, if you need assistance with balancing, alignments or help with choosing the right tyres for your vehicle, check in with your friendly and professional Maxxis dealers (using the dealer search tool on the Maxxis website), conveniently located across Australia.
