The Spit, Southport, Nerang, Helensvale, Sanctuary Cove
The Spit is a narrow three kilometre long sandbar just north of Main Beach which plays host to a marina, three seaside shopping complexes as well as Seaworld, the largest marine park in the Southern Hemisphere. It's world-class attractions include performing dolphins and sea lions, shark feeding, a skyway, and monorail all integrated within an amusement park filled with rides and side shows. All this is adjoined by the park's own resort.
On the other side of the Broadwater, the calm bay created by The Spit, is the modern residential suburb of Southport. Once the original Gold Coast settlement, Southport is a pleasant, quiet place that makes a good alternative base from which to explore from.
Ten kilometres inland from the coast, the towns of Nerang and Helensvale make ideal spots from which to make day trips into the Coast's spectacular hinterland. Also in the area are the Gold Coast's other three "heavy weight" theme parks. Warner Brothers Movie World, otherwise known as "Hollywood on the Gold Coast", is based on the world famous Hollywood movie set and claims to be Australia's number one tourist attraction. Wet 'N' Wild, just south of Movie World, is a water fun park, filled with an amazing variety of water slides and pools set in landscaped barbecue and picnic grounds. Dreamworld, a couple of kilometres north on the outskirts of Coomera, is a Disneyland styled entertainment complex set amid landscaped gardens and natural bushlands. There are many thrilling rides, a wildlife sanctuary, a water playground, and a variety of speciality shops and restaurants. Any one would make an excellent day out.
Back on the coast is the exclusive residential resort of Sanctuary Cove. Situated where the picturesque Coomera River runs into the Broadwater, the waterside paradise has a unique shopping village, luxury hotel, marina, golf courses, tennis courts, and even brewery tours.
