The Southeast - Audley Travel

Surf Life Saving ClubsLamington National ParkBeach culture is a way of life in Australiawith so many people living close to thecoast. Make a visit to any beach andyou will be sure to see the red andyellow flags of the Surf Life SavingOrganisation and there is a good chancethat a Surf Life Saving Club will be closeby. A visit to these clubs is a great wayto experience Australian local life andtemporary memberships are given tovisitors. The Gold Coast has several clubsand with the promise of an inexpensivemeal, great sea views and a warm localatmosphere, you cannot go wrong.Byron at ByronGold Coast & HinterlandThe final section of the Sydney to Brisbane drivetakes in some breathtaking scenery around thecoastal towns of Coolangatta, Southport andSurfers Paradise and the lush mountain ranges ofthe hinterland. While the skyline of the beachsidecommunities may not be to everyone’s taste, thebroad golden sands and crashing surf of the GoldCoast remain a wonderfully impressive sight.Inland, the contrast is dramatic with a coolerclimate and a pace of life that becomesincreasingly sedate the further you travel. Heresteep hillsides and emerald-green valleys sheltersmall, friendly townships, fruit farms and a wealthof wildlife.Red-necked Pademelon, Lamington National ParkLamington National ParkA short distance from the coast lies the wonderfulLamington National Park. Set at the foot of theMcPherson Ranges and straddling some ofQueensland’s most impressive landscapes, it ishome to an implausible array of orchids and fernsas well as an abundance of colourful birdlife. Takea bushwalk and you will encounter everythingfrom the noisy pitta to the glossy black cockatoosthat flit happily through the towering eucalyptcanopy. A highlight of the park is the canopy walkthat meanders through the treetops providingfantastic panoramic views.O’Reilly’s Guesthouse, Lamington National ParkSpicers Peak Lodge,Scenic RimSurrounded by Main Range National Park andpart of the wider UNESCO-listed GondwanaNational Park, Spicers Peak Lodge is a luxuriousmountain retreat offering accommodation that isboth contemporary and classic in design. Thisarchitecturally stunning lodge has ten suites,beautifully furnished and decorated with warm,muted colours. The restaurant offers a sevencoursedegustation menu accompanied by anextensive Australian wine list while the infinitypool, massage room and lounge areas make itthe perfect place to relax.Crimson Rosellas, Lamington National ParkSpicers Peak Lodge, Scenic RimO’Reilly’s Guesthouse,Lamington National ParkThe O’Reilly family who own and run thisguesthouse combine their passion and knowledgeof their surroundings with friendly countryhospitality. This environmentally friendly propertycommands magnificent views across mountainsand valleys punctuated by waterfalls. Guest roomsrange from elegantly simple garden-view roomswith red cedar shutters, to spectacular villas onstilts overlooking the valley. The family takes pridein its excellent nature discovery programme whichincludes bush walks and 4x4 tours through thevast rainforest pitted with waterfalls, outlandishferns and orchid gardens.www.audleytravel.com/australia l 01993 838 810 l Southeast 31