'It's hard not to be smug': The location Shelly braved two hotel quarantines to move to
By Shelly Horton|
It's hard not to be smug living in the Sunshine State. According to 9Honey research, the number one next holiday destination for, well, everyone around the nation is Queensland!
Number one, baby!?So come on up!
I moved back to Queensland in 2020 จC yes, right smack in the middle of the pandemic. Talk about timing, right? I wanted to be here so badly, I did hotel quarantine TWICE.
But, hey, I'm a Queenslander by birth and didn't leave until I finished university, so it felt like a grand homecoming.
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There's something magical about landing in Queensland; it's like a deep, comforting exhale. It's truly home for me.
And guess what? I'm not alone in this love affair. I suggest you start at the top and slide on down, hugging the coast the whole way.
Holiday makers should jump straight to the pointy end and explore the Great Barrier Reef. I highly recommend Hamilton Island, Cairns and Palm Cove and have Port Douglas on my bucket list for next year.
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Or slide on down the coast to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast for fancy dinners and ice cream by the beach, plus you may even spot a Stefanovic.??
If you like camping (and aren't afraid of dingoes) I spent every school holiday on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, and you just can't beat its beauty and top-notch beach fishing spots.
I have reconnected with Brisbane, fondly known as BrisVegas, and boy has it changed in the 30 years since I was at uni.?The Valley used to be rough and now it's where the fancy folk go for fine dining and people watching.
But to me, it's all about the Gold Coast.?The GC is no longer just Scott and Charlene's post-Neighbours hideout. It's evolved, baby!
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I am a resident of the Glitter Strip จC to me, the Gold Coast is the gem in the Queensland crown. Probably a cubic zirconia, but still glittering with all its might.?
I used to think it was tacky, but now I embrace the deep tans, fake boobs and ultra-white veneers.?Now my love for the GC runs deeps.??
I mean, come on; I may be making a bold statement, but I would say the Gold Coast is the only regional city in Australia with a global brand.?More than many capital cities.?Sorry Adelaide, but Hollywood knows about us.?And Melbourne coffee snobs, fear not! The brew here will not disappoint.
But it's not just about its stunning beaches and theme parks; there's a depth to the Gold Coast that goes beyond the surface.
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One thing I adore here: the friendliness. Walk your dog on a Gold Coast beach, and you're bound to get smiles and chats. Try that in Sydney and, well... I've had people react to direct eye contact like they've been burned.?Smile on a Sydney walk and it's assumed you're a serial killer or high on drugs.
Flip that mindset and know health and wellness are a way of life here. A morning jog on the beach isn't an exception; it's the norm.
Here's the kicker จC while the cost of living is strangling everyone around the nation, my husband and I actually managed to buy a home here, and it's a four-minute walk to the beach.?Something that would've been a pipe dream in our desired Sydney locales. Talk about a life-changer!
Now, for those planning a visit, a bit of insider advice. Skip the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise. Leave that for the Schoolies and Toolies.?
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Broadbeach is incredibly cool now and has progressive new restaurants and the brand-new Langham Hotel (which actually looks like a jewel จC I'm serious!).?Basically, it is a country town feel in a city setting.
However, if you want a truly chilled break, head further south to the more serene Burleigh Heads or Palm Beach.
You'll find just as fabulous restaurants and a laid-back, beachy vibe. It's a three-month wait to get into Rick Shores, but you can snatch one of their famous bug rolls as takeaway on tables beside the restaurant and eat them with your toes in the sand.
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And yes, if you are here on holidays, do the touristy things. Hit the theme parks and revisit Dracula's. They're popular for a reason จC they're downright fun!
I have gone full adrenaline and parachuted from a helicopter on to Main Beach, or hit the other end of the scale and age-appropriately entertained my parents and in-laws with a cheese plate and wine while patting a koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
So, whether you're up for a holiday or, like me, brave enough to make a move, the Gold Coast is calling. Trust me, it's gold.
