J&J Gold Coast

Our first family holiday as a family of four! We try to make a trip to Australia each year. If you’re looking for a fun family holiday destination, look no further than the Gold Coast! With its stunning beaches and an endless list of things to do it’s a great destination for a family holiday. We also get to spend time with Jake’s sister Tez and her fiancé John. We stayed, ate and did some amazing things with family and friends on this trip.

This first blog post is all about our time in the Gold Coast however, we also went up to the Sunshine Coast to Noosa which I’ll share in another blog post soon. There are so many things to do on the Gold Coast with kids that you’ll either need to stay for a few weeks or come back for many Gold Coast family holidays! Which is exactly what we do!

So pack your sunscreen and grab your hat – it’s time to explore everything the Gold Coast has to offer!

 

Smack bang in the heart of Surfers Paradise you’ll find one of the best hotels with the most incredible swimming pools you’re likely to find! A saltwater lagoon with a waterfall and tropical fish! That’s right you can pop on snorkels and go spot Nemo! You can see why this place was awarded Australia's best hotel pool 2021!

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa...Where do I even begin?! This resort is absolutely packed with things to do!



You can hire water gear like snorkels, pool noodles, floaties etc. They have a range of swimming pools such as a swim up grotto with a jacuzzi, a waterfall and even a whirlpool! For parents they have a pool bar serving amazing food and drinks for the whole family.







Our room was very spacious and had great views over Surfers Paradise. We also loved their breakfast buffet. Arlo had waffles, donuts and a whole plate of M&M’s for breakfast each morning and thought it was just the best! JW Marriott Gold Coast offers a family getaway that covers just about everything you could possibly think of doing on a holiday… you won’t even need to leave the resort!





We enjoyed our stay here so much, we've already decided that we will stay here again next year.



Each year we go to our tried and tested favourites along with trying out a few new places. We went back to one of our favourite restaurants, Burleigh Pavilion which is the ultimate spot for those looking for epic beachfront water views and good food. The terrace area offers an extensive list of tasty bar bites including wood-fired pizzas, prawns and also freshly shucked oysters and a range of yummy cocktails to choose from.




During our time in the Gold Coast, Tez and John took Arlo along to Coombabah Lake Conservation Park, where you can spot kangaroos up close and personal. The best part is that it's absolutely free! It's always special to see wildlife. What is extra special though, is the opportunity to see the animals in their natural surroundings.






Our tried and tested favourite brunch spot in the Gold Coast is The Paddock. This place is a must do….even if it's just to try their famous cookies! Honestly, hands down, the best cookie I’ve ever tasted.




Ambience at Top Paddock cafe has defined what a picturesque cafe should look like. The seating area is surrounded and embraced by greenery. We found ourselves a little spot in the corner. I always find their staff to be so friendly and happy. But, the real reason we love this place is the food. I always order my favourite, their famous dippy eggs! Whatever you order, you can't go wrong as everything on the menu here is amazing.

Meeting Aunty Elisha for the first time





The second place we stayed at was The Hideaway, Australians first ‘‘glamping by the beach’ experience. If you like your camping with a side of luxury like we do, then look no further than, The Hideaway!



This boutique glamping site features 23 spacious bell tents decked out with all the creature comforts of home. Think air-conditioning, lighting, soft furnishings, bar fridges and beds, along with communal entertaining areas and direct beach access. The site is a stone’s throw away from Cabarita’s beach, local shops and eateries, and just minutes from Norries Headland.














During our stay we ventured out to Norries Headland, which is a beautiful walkway along the beach. Norries Headland is the crowning glory of the Tweed Coast, with an abundance of whale watching, a world-class surf beach and magnificent views.







The Cabarita’s beach surf was a bit rough so we found a little inlet not too far down the road which was perfect for letting Arlo swim and splash about in and spend a glorious day in the sun.






On our last night we decided to make our way back to Norries Headland to watch the sunset. It was the perfect ending to our trip. We loved our time at The Hideaway. A perfect mix of relaxation, a luxe escape, and a place for adventure…. Nature at its finest!






Next stop Noosa!