You’re probably plenty familiar with the beautiful beaches and laidback lifestyle of the Gold Coast, but mere kilometres inland lies a lush green paradise of sub-tropical, ancient rainforest, quaint country towns, and farm-fresh produce aplenty that is just waiting to be explored. The Gold Coast Hinterland is where our Mater Prize Home lottery No. 308 is located and you will love calling this picturesque setting home.
Here are just some of the ways you’ll love spending your time in the Gold Coast Hinterland as a local.
Everywhere you look out from your new home in Maudsland you’re greeted with stunning greenery as far as the eye can see. That’s the Gold Coast Hinterland all around you and its many hikes, waterfalls and scenic drives are just begging to be explored. Check out the 1.5km bush walk to Cedar Creek Falls—it offers a tranquil walk through nature with a refreshing dip in a waterfall at the end. If you want to get the lay of your new land, head to Best Of All Lookout in Springbrook National Park. Living up to its name, after just a 350m stroll through ancient Antarctic beech forest you’ll be greeted with the most spectacular sweeping views over Mt Warning and the Tweed Valley. The Gold Coast Hinterland also has some of the best scenic drives in the country, with winding mountain roads and beautiful vistas to stop off at along your journey.
Just half an hour or so drive from your prize home, you’ll be on the stunning coastline with your pick of pristine beaches to spend the day at. Gold Coast’s iconic Surfers Paradise is the perfect place to set up for the day, allowing you to flit between the sand and surf, shopping, and plenty of great dining options, like Hyde Pardiso, hidden gem Mr Kojima, and BOBs Beer. For a quieter day at the beach surrounded by locals, venture a little further south to Miami Beach. Head down the rainbow-coloured Miami stairs at Lores Boney Lookout and enjoy the uncrowded kilometre-long strip of white sand.
You’ll never have to hear the words ‘I’m bored’ muttered from your kids again when you live in the Gold Coast Hinterland. There’s always a new adventure to be had here. A wander through the glow worm caves at the Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard & Winery in Tamborine Mountain is a magical experience they are sure to love (also check out the frog exhibit while you’re there). You could easily keep coming back to Thunderbird Park to see everything the adventure playground has to offer: there’s the high rope course and zip lines, bush walking tracks, laser skirmish, mini golf, bird feeding, Thunderegg Crystal Mine where you can fossick for hidden treasures from prehistoric volcanic lava, and more. Fancy having a lovely picnic with all the family beside a babbling creek? Why not add a couple of alpacas to that wish list and make your way to Mountview Alpaca Farm at O’Reilly’s Vineyards. Here you can take an alpaca on a short walk around the creekside property or opt for extra alpaca time with a vineyard picnic basket.
Just being in the Gold Coast Hinterland has a way of relaxing you, but if you want to take your Zen to the next level then a day at O‘Reilly’s Lost World Spa is in order. Nestled within World Heritage listed Lamington National Park, the views from your treatment room alone are enough to leave you feeling stress-free. Famous for their vinotherapy, which uses the powerful anti-ageing benefits of grapes grown locally at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, you’ll begin with a warm steam and aromatic soak in the tub before indulging in a full body exfoliation and aromatic yoghurt body wrap, with a deeply relaxing massage from head to toe to send you into a complete state of bliss.
Ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Gold Coast Hinterland? Buy your tickets today to win this Mater Prize Home lottery and spend your spare time exploring every corner of this stunning location! Plus, for every ticket you purchase you’re helping support the life-changing medical research and patient care at Mater.