Distance from the United States to Australia – about 8,000 miles. Travel time from California to Queensland – nearly 16 hours. Difference between San Diego and Gold Coast – well… to me, the distinctions were few and the similarities seemed many! All in all, what our trip lacked in novelty, it made up for in wildlife.

Australia has been on my bucket list for as long as my bucket list has existed. It turns out, it’s one of the few international stops I’ve made, that felt, well, sort of like home. And not home in the sense that I “belonged,” but home in the sense that when we arrived (despite the miles & hours of travel) I felt like I had driven a block from my house. The weather is comparable, the language is familiar (albeit charmingly accented), and the surf shops look eerily like those in Southern California.

We found a notable exception on the beach in Coolangatta… wild bush turkeys roaming free! It’s true, in need of fresh air and physical activity after our flight, we took a walk along the boardwalk to Rainbow Bay where we encountered “Bush Turkeys.” Never have I seen turkeys running wild on a beach. The true tourist in me came out, as I stopped, shocked, and stared, and then scrambled for my phone. The photographic proof includes blurred images of turkeys scurrying away from me.

Another notable difference, suns out-buns out, by 4:00 am. With lingering jetlag, and early morning temps already 70+ degrees and climbing, we did what anyone would do at that hour, and we headed straight to the beach. Mr. Vacay, a seasoned surfer, braved the waves at Dunhbar (“D-Bar”), while I stayed on the sand, relaxing and planning my 8:00 am nap.

D-Bar was Mr. Vacay’s preferred surf spot, but Kirra Beach was a close second for longboarding. Most days were beautiful, but the winds, tides, and rain weren’t always in our favor, which meant Mr. Vacay missed out on a few other desirable waves. But we weren’t disappointed, because the heavy rain, lightning, and thunder-storm that lit up the night sky on Christmas felt like an extra special gift. From our high-floor hotel room with its wall of windows, we turned out the lights, dug into a pint of ice cream, and opened the balcony doors to enjoy the show of kaleidoscopic pinks & vibrant purples.

Without family nearby, a rainy holiday spent in Australia’s Gold Coast didn’t feel too “homey.” And not surprisingly, many spots were shuttered Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). So, attractions and dining choices were limited. Alas, these were a few notable stops:

  • Our sunny boardwalk stroll started at Snapper Rock and ran endlessly North. We quickly realized there isn’t much shade on the boardwalk. But there are Surf Life Saving Clubs built on prime beachfront real estate all along the coast, and they were a welcome discovery. Naturally, we became Club members and savored umbrella-covered seats on the patio, while enjoying icy cold beers served with a side of sea-breeze.
  • Curious, but hesitant, we took the short ride on the commuter train to Surfers Paradise. We were dropped off in downtown, amid a metropolis of hotels, retail shopping, and chain restaurants. This may be idyllic for some, but it was far from paradise for us. To escape the throngs of tourists and the dark shadows cast on the beach by the skyscrapers, we ducked into a windy alley and stumbled upon a collection of Asian food stalls where we happily sampled warm Japanese Curry and Okonomiyaki.
  • Craving the call of the wild, we visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to get up close and personal with the natives. Side note, when we landed in Australia, a charming baggage claim agent at the airport warned us that EVERYTHING in Australia could kill us – the snakes, the spiders, the water creatures… and yet we were undeterred! So, we hand-fed the kangaroos and cuddled the koalas, and we lived to tell the tale!!

Memorable Meals

  • Mantra Twin Towns Hotel Breakfast – they put on an elaborate spread with abundant variety (congee anyone?), and if they don’t have something you’re craving (prime rib?), they’ll put in the extra effort and get it for you (vegemite to go!).
  • Top Noodle – I arrived with a bit of a cold, and a steaming bowl of hot ramen was just what the doctor ordered. If you fancy the flavors, Asian and Indian fare are plentiful in Coolangatta.
  • Jay’s Emporium – a welcome “green” boutique café! I tried the BLT with a superbly fresh salad.
  • Crave – a spring breakers dream with a corner location across from the beach and the boardwalk. We did our best to embrace our inner tourist and sampled the breaded chicken.
  • Bondi Grille – a hip little dive where I scored a falafel veggie burger with halloumi cheese, fries and an indulgently dressed rocket salad.
  • Francie’s – a romantic Italian spot serving up Panzanella salad, rocket (arugula) pizza and porcini ragu.
  • Coolangatta Pie Shop & Kirra Beach Bakery – I’m not known to be a meat eater, but even I dug into the chunk beef, cauliflower & broccoli, and sausage meat pies!

Transportation Tips

  • If you are traveling with surfboards, you’ll need to order a Maxi Taxi (basically a mini-van) in advance. They are surprisingly difficult to come by in a beach community like Coolangatta. We didn’t plan well and found ourselves in a pinch prior to our departure, so we hopped on the bus that stopped in front of our hotel, and enjoyed the easy 10 minute ride to the airport!
  • For long flights, I now reserve a window seat for Mr. Vacay, and an aisle seat for myself. Fingers crossed, no one will choose the empty middle seat between us and we can spread out a little. On flights that aren’t full, this works like a charm. On full flights, the person that selected the middle seat is the real winner when I end up swapping with them.

Australia is a big country, and we only had a sneak-peek as we made a quick stop on our way to New Zealand. I can’t wait to return, to check out more areas, to spend a little more time, to uncover more unique differences, and to take comfort in the ease & familiarity.