Isabelle & Teagan
Things To Do
Australia Zoo
You have to check out Australia Zoo (aka Steve Irwin's Zoo) and see the crocodile show that occurs daily. The zoo is located on the Sunshine Coast, about 2 hours drive north from wedding destination. If planning on taking a trip to the zoo, I highly recommend spending a night or two at one of the Sunshine Coast's beaches (Noosa, Mooloolaba, Kings Beach, etc.)
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is arguably one of Australia's most beautiful places. Known for being somewhat of a "hippie" town, the vibe of Byron is probably the most laid back/chill you will find anywhere. Every time I go to Byron, I see dolphins swimming with the surfers. I highly recommend taking a trip here, especially if you are in your 20s as this destination is extremely popular with that age group (also this is where the Hemsworth Bros live).
Sanctuary Cove Village
This is our wedding destination. I (Issy) grew up in this town and it is absolutely beautiful. If you are planning on staying at the wedding hotel (the Intercontinental) for a few days or even just a night, I recommend taking a walk around the village which is located extremely close to the hotel (walking distance). I have listed below some restaurant and dining favorites that my family and I love, but all of the shops and restaurants are amazing and there is definitely something for everyone. - Destino Wine and Cocktail Bar - Dragon Cove Chinese Restaurant - George's Paragon Pizza Wine Bar (outdoor seating, more casual vibe) - Pier B Cafe (breakfast or lunch) - Rise Bakery (French Bakery, soooooooo good!!!!!) - Chim Thai
Currumbin Beach
This is one of my favorite beaches on the Gold Coast, because of the local community, the gorgeous beach and the Currumbin Alley swimming area which is protected by beach rocks that keep the waves smaller than the regular beach. I would say that this is a great beach to go to if you are not super comfortable swimming with the waves but still want to have a splash (Currumbin Alley is located at the Northern end of Currumbin Beach). I also suggest taking a beach walk down the beach to Elephant Rock, where there are restaurants and cafes including the Surf Life Saving Clubs along the coast.
Burleigh Beach
A good way to find the beach is to get directions to The Burleigh Heads Hotel which is right next to parking areas for the beach. Burleigh is a very popular beach for the locals on the Gold Coast. The beach itself is partly protected from the Headland at the south end of it. The headland is absolutely beautiful and you can take a hike in the headland. On your hike you will see beautiful views of the Gold Coast Coast, it is definitely a must do if you can! However you do not need to hike to get the full Burleigh experience. I highly recommend taking a day trip to Burleigh or staying overnight and adventuring into the town located right near the beach for good food and fun vibes! There is also a popular bar/restaurant right on the beach called Burleigh Pavilion which has beautiful views of the coast.
Broadbeach Waters
If you are planning on wanting to do any shopping while in Australia, Pacific Fair is the place to go. It is one of our largest malls/shops on the Gold Coast and is a great place to spend the day, the food is also amazing! Located across the road is also The Star Casino, which I highly recommend checking out if that is your vibe. The great thing about Broadbeach is that you have shopping, entertainment, and restaurants right at your fingertips while also being right on the beach!!!!!!
Website - Visit Gold Coast
This is a great website that will help you plan your trip to the Gold Coast. This website can help you plan, book and find things to do on the Gold Coast and its a great starting point for figuring out what you would like to do on the Gold Coast if you would like to stay longer than the wedding.
Website - Queensland
Our wedding is located on The Gold Coast, which is a city of the state of Queensland. If you are considering to see some more of the state, this website is a great starting point to planning, booking and finding things to do in the state of Queensland. If you are also wanting to take a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I highly recommend starting with this website. the Great Barrier Reef is located in the Northern part of the state (about a 1-2 hour flight north of Brisbane) but is a unreal and incredible experience.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is absolutely incredible and I know for many American's it is a dream to see. The reef stretches from the tip (top) of Australia down South to Bundaberg. There are many different destinations you can stay to visit the reef, but some of the most popular are Cairns and Hayman/Hamilton Island. Have a look at this website to see which part of the reef you may like to visit!
Sydney
I was born in Sydney and my parents also met in Sydney. The city is absolutely beautiful and definitely worth a trip to see some of Australia's best architecture. A few locations I recommend: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Bridge, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and The Blue Mountains. Have a look at this website to see if you would like to adventure to Sydney on your Australia trip!
