Christmas and New Year Events

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Annie

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Christmas and New Year Events in Gold Coast and Brisbane
I get frequent questions from visitors to our little corner of south east Queensland about what happens around Christmas (25 December) and New Years Eve (31 December) including events, what’s open, what’s not, where to party, where’s good for families, where the fireworks are and much more.

Merry Christmas from the Griswolds
Creative Commons License photo credit: LoozrboyChristmas marks the beginning of our summer holidays in Queensland, and whilst the shops are busy in the run up to the big day, the beaches and tourist areas are VERY busy in the period from Christmas Day through to after New Year. Schools are on holiday for the summer, families have the main holidays and everyone is chillaxing!

If you are visiting Brisbane or the Gold Coast, or live in the area, and want to eat out on Christmas Day or attend a New Year’s Eve party, make sure you plan ahead and book in. The good lunches, dinners and events book up quickly and you will not be able to just turn up on Christmas Day to get lunch or dinner or get into a NYE dinner or party.

On my two local websites you will find a few resources to help you plan your activities at this festive time of year:

Christmas in Gold Coast - cover things like what’s open and what’s not, Christmas traditions in Australia and what you can expect.

Christmas lunch in Gold Coast – has a good range of suggestions for lunch options in the area including Adults only, child friendly, seafood lunches and buffets, events where Santa visits and much more.

Christmas Night Dinners in Gold Coast – less options for dinner than lunches but you are sure to find something for Xmas night dinner!

New Years Eve events in Gold Coast – a long page that covers just about all aspects of celebrating NYE from theme park parties for the family, to fireworks and the formal parties and balls in prestige locations.

New Years Eve events in Brisbane – you’ll find a selection of options of parties, vantage points for the river based fireworks, nightclubs, dinners and cruises.

And of course you can always ask me a question either here or on the websites.

Last Christmas we were away in Rainbow Beach on the Sunshine Coast and it rained and rained and rained!

This year we are looking forward to spending our Christmas in Brisbane with family and friends, and on the beaches and in the theme parks of the Gold Coast.

We are starting our holiday with a trip to Movie World’s White Christmas event (10 to 18 December 2011), we missed out last year because I was too late booking the tickets… so learn from my mistakes and book your Christmas and New Year activities early!

What will you be doing this Christmas and New Year? Leave a comment below


 

PS: Keep up to date with what is happening in the Gold Coast follow my Facebook: GoldCoastAustraliaTravelTips or Twitter: @GoldCoastAnnie

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Broadwater Rockpools Fun Day

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Annie

Broadwater Rockpools Fun Day Saturday 27 November 2010

To celebrate the opening of the Broadwater Rockpools in Southport, the Gold Coast City Council are putting on a fun day on Saturday 27 November.

I have walked past the area where they have been building The Rockpools on many occassions and it seems like at least a year if not more we have been awaiting their finalisation and opening.

This is part of the Broadwater Parklands redevelopment and features a creek bed with pool areas which simulate coastal tides. It’s pretty cool, it fills up and empties just like the Broadwater!

As well as the rockpools there is also a new area with a kids climbing frame, barbeques and picnic tables. The new play area is dry! Which is a relief for parents who don’t come prepared for wet kids!

The free fun day which kicks off aroun 9am will include kids entertainment, sports in the park, pool DJ and some free giveaways.

More information about Broadwater Rockpools at Southport and other Gold Coast City Parks - did you know there are over 2000 parks and reservers in the Gold Coast city area! I had no idea!

Posted in broadwater, kid friendly | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Features of Child Friendly Eating Out

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Jane From Eat Out With Kids

Features of Child Friendly Eating Out

Ice Cream With Isla
Creative Commons License photo credit: foilman

Hi, Jane again. In the first post in this series, I alluded to why it was important to find kid friendly cafes and restaurants and probably even more so when you are on holidays.

I firmly believe that whether I am on holiday or in my home town…..

I [parents in general] should be able to enjoy good food

in great surroundings that are child friendly

Whenever I visit a café or restaurant with or without kids I always keep my eye out, you know my parents eye!

These are some of the features of child friendly eating out I look for when choosing a venue:

  • Space –  Room to get your pram and toddler to the table, as well as a bit of space around the table makes a parent’s job a bit easier. Toddlers can’t sit still all the time you’re out so if there’s a bit of space for them to move without bumping the other patrons, it reduces stress levels. I realize space is money in a restaurant, so if they provide a bit of space, it’s appreciated. Restaurants with alfresco areas make this a bit easier.
  • High chairs provided and baby change facilities

Shishkabob dinner
Creative Commons License photo credit: wickedchimp

  • Activities - Any activity provided is a bonus. We often go out with an activity bag with books, crayons, paper- any activity that can be done at the table that your kids enjoy. (I’ve found taking the grandparents is a great distraction too!) Quite a few pubs these days have playgrounds which are a great distraction and means parents can enjoy a beer!
  • Food For Kids – A decent kids menu is good but not essential. Just having a menu that has child friendly food is enough.  Restaurants that bring the kids food out first obviously understand the issues of dining out with kids
  • Child friendly staff –  I rate this feature right up there with space. If you’ve got the staff on your side it takes some of the stress off, which makes everyone more relaxed. (I think kids can smell your fear!)

Before I started the Eat Out With Kids website, I was looking for information on child friendly restaurants on the world wide web. The information out there was vague, and it seemed the term child friendly could mean anything.

I thought it needed defining. In the process I realized there wasn’t a formula that would work across the board. And in being a true parent… my next baby was born… my website! It is my attempt at reviewing eating establishments to find child friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants in South East Queensland.

It’s a big job, which is why I welcome suggestions from parents everywhere. Parents know the power of knowledge! One thing I’ve learned since becoming a parent is forewarned is forearmed, so heading out to eat at a place where you know: what is provided and what isn’t, is a good start.

How your three year old will behave when you get there is anyone’s guess, so for that I can take no responsibility!

Do you have any more suggestions as to facilities, environment or menu items that are family friendly? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below or check out my suggestions for places to eat out with kids in the Gold Coast region.

Author’s Bio – About Jane from Eat Out With Kids
Jane runs the blog Eat Out With Kids. Frustrated by lack of information on child friendly restaurants and with vague assertions by cafes and restaurants themselves as to being child friendly, she set out to define kid friendly dining features. In the process she realized there wasn’t a formula that would work across the board, and so Eat Out With Kids was born. Jane reviews eating establishments in South East QLD. It’s a big job! Jane welcomes suggestions from parents everywhere.

Visit Eat Out With Kids – blog or catch up with EOWK on facebook for her latest reviews and news with a touch of parenting!

Posted in eating out, gold coast family holiday, gold coast restaurants, kid friendly | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Eating Out With Kids Whilst On Holiday

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Jane From Eat Out With Kids

Eating Out With Kids Whilst on Holiday

Baby Eating Vanilla Ice Cream Cone
Creative Commons License photo credit:
Pink Sherbet PhotographyHi, I’m Jane. I became a parent 3½ year ago. Over time, by trial and error I have discovered a few tips and tricks to help when you want to eat out with kids. I live in Brisbane and visit other places in south east Queensland including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Finding good places to eat out with children doesn’t have to entail putting up.

Parents have rights!

We deserve to be able to eat good food, with good company, in family friendly surroundings!

I know that as a parent travelling with kids finding somewhere nice to eat can really make or break a holiday experience. If you don’t know where to eat out with kids when you are holidays with young children in the Gold Coast it can be even more disappointing, stressful, difficult, tiring…..

It’s supposed to be easy.

It’s supposed to be relaxing.

You are on holiday after all.

Until I became a parent I had no idea! I remember being pregnant that first time. Anxious about what life would be like with junior in tow. And I have to be honest, I was petrified.

I honestly believed life was going to cease with the arrival of my first child. I thought there would be no more going out, I’d never see my friends again, I would be stop being Jane, and start being someone’s mother.

That fateful day finally arrived in May 2007, after what MUST have been the longest pregnancy ever, we welcomed our first little bundle of joy into the world. I had never seen such a beautiful creature, but I was still petrified.

You’ll never guess what happened the next day. The sun came up, and life went on as normal around the world. So I thought it was probably going to be OK – I would bumble along, and although I felt completely out of my depth, I realized life is going to be different, but it’s not over.

Nights out that end at 3am are gone! Sleeping in the next day! Ha, I laugh at the thought – or is it I cry secretly?

In their place: highly organized, non spontaneous outings that end at 8pm at the very latest.

9h10 Breakfast
Creative Commons License photo credit: lejoe

I have a new found fondness for breakfasts and lunches out.

Eating out for breakfast or lunch are much easier than dinners.

After all we’re up at dawn, and often looking for something to do by 8am. Heading out for a Sunday breakfast is a treat that fits into early waking and morning nap time. Dinner out isn’t impossible, it just takes a little more planning and precise timing. This has become even more important since the arrival of number two son.

One thing I have learned over the last three and a half years is that there are certain places that make dining out with kids easier. Life hasn’t ended, and I continue my quest of finding child friendly restaurants, pubs and cafes. It has been a lot of fun, in between the tantrums of course!

In my next post I will talk about what I consider to be important factors for child friendly eating out. I’d love to hear what your experiences have been or if you have any suggestions.

Author’s Bio – About Jane from Eat Out With Kids
Jane runs the blog Eat Out With Kids. Frustrated by lack of information on child friendly restaurants and with vague assertions by cafes and restaurants themselves as to being child friendly, she set out to define kid friendly dining features. In the process she realized there wasn’t a formula that would work across the board, and so Eat Out With Kids was born. Jane reviews eating establishments in South East QLD. It’s a big job! Jane welcomes suggestions from parents everywhere.

Visit Eat Out With Kids – blog or catch up with EOWK on facebook for her latest reviews and news with a touch of parenting!

Posted in eating out, gold coast, kid friendly | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Mudgeeraba Street Party

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Annie

Mudgeeraba Street Party

Last year Mudgeeraba won the Friendliest Town in Queensland at the 2009 Tidy Town Awards. They have decided to make it an annual party now and Swan Lane and Village Green will be transformed into a huge party for all the family to enjoy.

Lots of activities for the kids, demonstrations, food, local businesses on show, music and just general merriment.

Let’s get this party started!


When: Sunday 31 October 2010
Time: 10am to 2pm
Where: Swan Land and Village Green, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast hinterland.

Looks like fun for all the family.

Posted in activities, october activities, october things to do | Tagged , | 4 Comments

New Tiger Cub At DreamWorld Gold Coast

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Annie

New Tiger Cub at Dreamworld Gold Coast!

Here is just another reason to visit Dreamworld. Young Pi has been in quarantine for a month following his transfer from Cairns.

When I saw his name, I could not help but think of that very thought provoking book “The Life of Pi” by Yann Martel. That book and its ending still does my head in! I am sure that is where he gets his name from, so let’s hope his life is not as confusing and complicated as the book.

Pi is set to start socialising with the other tigers at Tiger Island in Dreamworld. I imagine tiger socialisation programs are designed around getting the tigers to not eat each other – which is strangely bringing back memories of the book! They may look so invitingly cute, but they are still very large and powerful creatures. I am sure it won’t be too long before Pi is out walking in the park with the keepers!

We were very lucky to have been at Dreamworld one day when there were some young tigers in the group and happened upon one of them whilst out walking around the theme park. It was a truly special moment. Here are some of the photos of the tigers at Dreamworld.

Buy Your World Passes directly on Dreamworld Website
Please note the $99 pass is no longer available. $69 pass available for purchase until
Sunday 31 October 2010 – BE QUICK.

Click here to go directly to Dreamworld Website for bookings and more information.

Video of DreamWorld Tiger Cub Pi

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QDeck Gold Coast Best Deal

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Annie

QDeck Gold Coast Best Deal
When you go up Q1 tower in Surfers Paradise and experience the incredible views, you cannot help but want to come back for more!

Now you have no excuses, for the same price as one visit, you can have unlimited entry over a 14 day period.

This offer has just been extended for ticket purchase to 7 February 2011.

Click here to book your tickets for this exclusive offer

Then you will be able to see the Gold Coast in lots of different ways. Morning with the sun in the east over the ocean, midday with the sun to the north and more overhead, afternoon with the sun to the west and of course dusk, sunset and nighttime all give totally different perspectives.

If you are visiting for Gold Coast 600 this attraction is within easy walk of the track and Surfers Paradise. It’ll be a fun addition to your Gold Coast experience. Don’t forget to check the website for all the terms and conditions.

If you want more information about the Q1 observation deck Qdeck check out this page on my Gold Coast Australia Travel Tips website where you can also share your story or photographs of your visit to this brilliant Gold Coast attraction.

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Burn The Floor At Jupiters Ending Soon

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Annie

Burn The Floor At Jupiters Ending Soon

Burn the Floor Show At Jupiters Ending SoonOnly 3 weeks left to see the Jupiters’ stage show Burn The Floor. The show closes on 31st October 2010.

Burn the Floor Show and booking information.

The sizzling production is an blend of Latin American and Ballroom dance featuring choreography by the internationally famed Jason Gilkison. Jason recently thrilled audiences on “So You Think You Can Dance” both in Australia and the United States.

When you book online make sure you include a mobile contact number so that the box office can contact you for any late changes.

Dinner and show packages are also available this this brilliant theatre performance. Burn the Floor Show and booking information.

Don’t forget the very special accommodation and show packages. 2 people in a superior room, plus breakfast and show from only $299. BOOK Accommodation and Show Packages HERE

Watch out for more information soon about the next Jupiters Show…. Genesis The Magic Spectacular at Jupiters  - starting 19 November running through the summer period. Taking advance bookings.

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Halloween Fright Nights At Movie World Gold Coast

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Annie

Halloween Fright Nights At Movie World Gold Coast

The Great Pumpkin
Creative Commons License photo credit: sociotard

It’s spooky time!

WARNING: The Fright Night events contain intense and explicit experiences and are not recommended for children under the age of 14 years.

MovieWorld hosts Fright Nights in October in the run up to Halloween.

Fright Nights to be held this year at Warner Bros. Movie World – here are the dates for 2010:

Friday 8 October
Saturday 9 October
Saturday 16 October
Saturday 23 October
Friday 29 October
Saturday 30 October
Sunday 31 October 2010

Each Fright Night runs from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. Get in early as the prices increase the closer to Halloween it gets! The biggest Halloween party will be on the final weekend.

Tickets are available NOW For Halloween Fright Nights   Transfers are also available through Con-x-ion Coaches.

SUPERMAN ESCAPE, BATWING Spaceshot, LETHAL WEAPON and Wild West Falls operating from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. All other attractions operate until 11:00pm.

According to the press release:

Fright Nights at Movie World will be the scariest yet… Movie World theme park will be transformed into a playground of nightmares when two of the world’s most popular horror film franchises; SAW and A Nightmare on Elm Street, will come back to life.

In 2010, Fright Nights at Movie World will up the ante on all previous horror experiences and totally blow your mind… every waking moment will be filled with unexpected fear and even shadows in the darkness will play on your subconscious – “Was that Freddy lurking in the dark, or… did you just see Billy the Puppet hiding around the corner…?”

Okay… I’m scared already!

If this is your thing and your a horror movie fiend, hop on over and book your tickets online (without any extra fees).

Buy Tickets for Movie World Fright Nights Online

You won’t be seeing me there, but have fun and let me know if it really was the scariest ever!

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Fun Attractions In Surfers Paradise

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Annie

Fun Attractions In Surfers Paradise

Wheel of Surfers Paradise

As much as I try to encourage visitors to the Gold coast that there is more to the Gold Coast than just Surfers Paradise, I cannot help but be amazed when thinking of all the different fun attractions that are actually in Surfers.

Like many other areas of the Gold Coast there is a huge rejuvenation underway and the list of Surfers Paradise attractions will no doubt increase over time.

Two of the latest additions to the fun attractions in Surfers Paradise include the return of Ripleys’ Believe It, or Not! after an absence of a couple of years whilst the Soul building was in progress and the addition of the Wheel of Surfers Paradise.

The new Ripleys’ is in roughly the same spot the old one was in the Raptis Building but had to be closed when Raptis Centre was demolished and the new Soul building was built. Ripleys’ is a great attraction to visit rain or shine in Surfers and is just across Cavill Mall from the Centro Surfers Paradise shopping centre which has a range of other indoor activities to choose from.

The wheel was originally at Sea World, and has had a rocky ride to get approval for its position right in the heart of Surfers. The wheel also has an option to hire out the VIP gondola for a maximum of 4 people.

I haven’t been on the wheel in it’s new position yet, if you have been on it or in the VIP Gondola, let us all know what you think of it.

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