 It seems that, in some cases, the number 13 is definitely lucky for some – the Experience Oz crew was lucky enough to be invited to attend the 13th birthday celebration of popular cruise company Tall Ships Sailing Cruises for a night full of island-themed fun. The Tall Ships crew, lead by owner Bruce Nicholls and carried out by the many experienced and friendly staff on-hand, spared no expense and put on a delightful spread that included a cruise (obviously!) on board their luxury catamaran that departed from the Gold Coast City Marina and headed for a secluded private beach on McLaren’s Landing. Beverages and canapés were enjoyed during the trip over, and upon arrival guests were greeted by on-island entertainment including fire-twirlers, costumed hosts and acrobats putting on impressive displays of athleticism.
A hollowed-out boat filled with copious amounts of carved coconut halves containing Pina Coladas was situated on the secluded beach amongst the atmospheric glow of tiki sticks reflecting on the water, and soon after a spectacular fireworks display that would put many of the public exhibitions to shame lit up the night skies with its myriad shining colours.
Guests were then lead to a spacious dining facility decked out in bark-and-straw-style huts, each offering a different category of delicious menu with seafood, Asian and suckling pig buffets being among the highlights, and an open bar providing accompanying refreshments. Guests were then able to enjoy the combination of socialising and music while dancing the night away to the sounds of live RnB music put on by popular group Sex & Chocolate.
Upon the return cruise the party was in full swing, with live music and a dance floor on board the ship providing further entertainment – all in all a wonderful and highly satisfying night! Experience Oz would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Tall Ships crew, and wish them the best in the new year and beyond. You can view and book a range of Gold Coast Tall Ships Sailing Cruises at Experience Oz online here.
 The first public SkyPoint Climbs will be held this Sunday, Janurary 15, 2012! Be among the first to climb around the crown of the Gold Coast’s iconic Q1 tower on a SkyPoint Climb, Australia’s highest external building walk.
Meet at Mission Control, get suited up and head outside from the SkyPoint Observation Deck, 77 floors up. Climb up the Q1’s south side, enjoy the viewing platform at the summit at 270 metres and return down the building’s north side for a total of close to 300 steps.
Throughout the climb, marvel at the far-reaching, 360-degree views of the Gold Coast’s golden sand beaches, vast blue sea, winding waterways, green mountainous hinterland and all of its iconic buildings in between.
Further, learn interesting tidbits about the region’s landmarks from your knowledgeable Climb Leader. For the more daring, there are opportunities to get close to and look right over the edge, enabling you to view the sheer vertical drop!
The Experience Oz crew was lucky enough to try the climb yesterday—and we  were all in awe of the spectacular perspective of the Gold Coast gained from 270 metres up in open air. Having gone at twilight, we saw the Gold Coast in many lights—under the shining sun, under a purple and red sky and lit by the city lights.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the impressive views and excitement of the climb, we would like to share the experience with you. If you’re interested in doing the SkyPoint Climb and want to get the inside scoop, read Experience Oz’s detailed review of the SkyPoint Climb.
Many travellers flock to the Gold Coast for its stunning, sandy beaches, theme parks and evening entertainment options. But there is another Gold Coast must-experience that should not be overlooked—the Gold Coast hinterland.
Gold Coast Hinterland 4WD Tours operates full day, half day, and private charter tours through Lamington National Park. On these tours, go 4-wheel driving on steep, bumpy paths, hike through rainforests to a waterfall, spot wildlife, feed native birds, take a tree top walk, swim in rock pools, learn to crack a whip and throw a boomerang and indulge in plenty of food and drink all in one day!
Recently, Experience Oz joined the Window to the Wilderness full day hinterland tour and was extremely impressed, so we would like to share the experience with you. If you’re interested in one of these hinterland tours, learn what they have to offer by reading our detailed review of the full day hinterland tour. Join one of these tours and you will not be disappointed!
Buy your 4WD Hinterland Tour Here!
This Australia Day head out to Aussie World in Queenslands Sunshine Coast for some true blue events, entertainment and food for the whole family!
Spend your Australia Day, at the Dunny Races! Get ready for the patriotic flag raising ceremony and national anthem at 10am, then its racing time. Corporate teams compete to take out the highly prised Toilet Seat Trophy!
The fun doesn’t end there with the Ettamogah Pub open from 9am, Bluey’s Bar and Grill form 11am and live music throughout the afternoon. Check out the Aussie Utes on display from 9am until 1pm at Ettamogah Pub as well.
Plus loads of fun for the whole family at Aussie World! Over 30 rides and games including their barnd new rides Plunge, Redback and Giant Slide!
Aussie World is sure to provide the whole family with a spectacular Aussie Day experience.
 Buy your Aussie World tickets here!
Following the opening of the brand new AFRICA part of Australia Zoo, guests now have greater access to this new area and great flexibility!
Giraffes, rhinos and zebras are now just a hop, skip and a jump away, with a new walking track to Australia Zoo’s Africa exhibit opening on Boxing Day.
The new 700m track means our guests have the option to experience the African savannah at their leisure, which will be great for families visiting over the school holidays.
Regular local visitors in particular can also make the most of the new access to the exhibit, which offers different views and corners of the zoo to explore.
Following the 24 acre exhibit’s official opening in September the track will link guests from the Tiger Temple in South East Asia to the African savannah.
Safari shuttles to and from the exhibit will continue over the busy holiday period, but the new walking track will provide visitors to the zoo greater flexibility in organising their day.
To see a map of Australia Zoo’s new Africa Exhibit and where it fits in with the rest of the park, click here.
BUY TICKETS HERE
HOT DEAL – receive cheaper than at the gate entry as well as FREE discount coupons for in-park specials on merchandise!
These summer school holidays dive in for some extra fun at Wet N Wild with “Dive n Movies” which started on Dec 27. Screening until 15 January, sit back on a lounge chair or grab a tube and float in the wave pool as you watch one of this summers latest blockbusters on the 15 x 10 metre screen. Some slides and pools remain open until the park closes at the end of the Dive n Movies screening. The Dive n Movies are included in your admission ticket and screen at the end of the day after the normal park trading hours, all you need to do is stay inside the park to see the movie.
Movie Schedule:
Jan 5 – Red Dog (rated PG)
Jan 6 – Mr. Popper’s Penguins (rated G)
Jan 7 – Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer (Rated G)
Jan 8 – Monte Carlo (Rated PG)
Jan 9 – Zoo Keeper (Rated PG)
Jan 10 – Kung Fu Panda 2 (Rated PG)
Jan 11 – Johnny English – Reborn (Rated PG)
Jan 12 – Chalet Girl (Rated PG)
Jan 13 – Spy Kids – All The Time In The World (Rated PG)
Jan 14 – Red Dog (Rated PG)
Jan 15 – The Smurfs (Rated G)
Tickets to Wet n Wild for single day entry, including Dive n Movies are $59.99 per Adult and $34.99 per Child (3-13 years).
For visitors planning on visiting more than one theme park on the Gold Coast, the Super Pass and Escape Passes are the best value for money.
Super Pass allows you unlimited entry to Wet n Wild, Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World over 28 days and is $129.99 per person.
Escape Pass gives you a little more flexibility in choosing which parks you want to visit. Choose 2 parks to visit out of Wet n Wild, Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World. Combine the 2 parks you want to visit over 14 days and get unlimited entry for $99.99 per person!
To purchase your Gold Coast Theme Park tickets with no booking fees or additional charges – click here.
 There are only four more nights to experience a White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World! For the past five evenings, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, the popular theme park has transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a stunning display of one million fairy lights, falling snow and ice skating!
The White Christmas evening events are packed with family entertainment. Don’t miss the spectacular Christmas Parade and Santa Claus appearance; let your favourite Looney Tunes characters entertain you in the ‘Kwazy Christmas’ live show; enjoy the unique Polar Express 4-D experience; and be serenaded by Christmas carollers!
And the thrills don’t stop at the festive fun. Hop on one of the many Movie World rides that are opened, such as Superman Escape, Lethal Weapon, Batwing Spaceshot, Road Runner Roller Coaster, Green Lantern Coaster and the Kids’ WB Fun Zone!
Be sure to take part in the festivities and wear your Christmas spirit proudly at one of the remaining evening events, concluding this Sunday, December 18th. Buy your tickets online and enjoy a White Christmas!
Buy your White Christmas ticket here!
 Earlier this month, Gold Coast‘s Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary unveiled its brand new evening tour, Yanguwah, and has thoroughly entertained its first guests!
Prior to this, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary operated a popular evening experience, Wildnight Adventure, for many successful years; to keep things fresh, especially for the repeat guests, the evening adventure has been completely revamped and reintroduced as Yanguwah—just in time for the Christmas holidays!
Yanguwah focuses on providing guests with entertaining and educational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural experiences. Enjoy a  traditional welcome ceremony, observe a Kup Murri, the traditional method of cooking on hot stones beneath the earth, watch a variety of cultural dances by skilled performers in authentic dress, be serenaded by a talented didgeridoo player and indulge in a buffet of delicious traditional dishes for dinner.
The new evening adventure also includes several exciting wildlife experiences with native Australian animals—many of which are creatures of the night, making the evening the best time to interact with them! Hand feed a mob of friendly and hungry kangaroos, watch a Tasmanian Devil devour her dinner, hold and take a photo with a baby croc and, finally, see the cuddly koalas munching on leaves (and hold one for a photo, if you  wish)!
As all of these events are scattered throughout the sanctuary, a friendly and informative guide leads the guests around the beautiful grounds surrounded by tall forest. From culture to wildlife to nature, Yanguwah offers a unique evening experience of all things Aussie!
Among Yanguwah’s first guests was the Experience Oz crew. Having thoroughly enjoyed the evening, we want to share the experience with all of you. If you’re interested in having a fun night out and want more information on this Indigenous dinner and show experience, you can get the run down by reading our full review of Yanguwah. Click here to read it!
Buy your Yanguwah tickets here!
 A Sunshine Coast staple, Aussie World offers guests, both young and old, over 30 exciting rides and games, including a new ride for the adventurous, The Plunge!
This summer, enjoy all the attractions you know and love—give the kids the wheel on the Bizzy Buggies; take in the stunning hinterland views on the Ferris Wheel; zoom down the 46 metre long Giant Slide; be thrilled by the speedy Redback; and board the Space Shaker Swinging Ship!
While you’re at it, try Aussie World’s newest attraction, The Plunge, and add a new ride to your list of old favourites. The first ride of its kind on the Sunny Coast, The Plunge is a log flume ride with TWO steep climbs and drops!
Float down stream in a hollow log through a waterway before you slowly heading up the first steep climb; when you cannot stand the anticipation anymore, you are released from the peak, plunging down a ramp at high speeds, getting splashed the entire way!
If you manage to escape getting soaked on the first plunge—the second is bound to get you! Guaranteed to wet your pants on this ride, it is a great way to cool off this summer! Don’t miss out—take The Plunge and enjoy the rest of the fast and fun favourite theme park, Aussie World!
Buy your Aussie World tickets here!
 Last week, in perfect time for the Christmas holidays, Australian Outback Spectacular unveiled its third production, Spirit of the Horse—and it is a huge hit!
The AOS crew has done an incredible job balancing the old and the new, making it an entertaining show for both repeat and first time guests. The story has shifted from focusing on the role of Light Horsemen played in World War I to paying tribute to the legendary horse, Phar Lap.
“The new show brings to life the iconic Australian story of Phar Lap, a legendary horse that gave Australia courage and hope during the nation’s Great Depression,” Production Manager Shane Phillips said.
For those who have attended the first or second production, you can expect to see the characters you know and love, such as host Johno Johnson and quirky stable hand, Bluey, but you can also look forward to meeting new faces! And you can look forward to plenty of new stunts and trick rides such as vaulting and roman riding over fire!
The Experience Oz crew saw the new show last night and has not stopped raving about the special effects, the impressive horsemanship, the hilarious characters, the touching story and, of course, the delicious three-course meal! We suggest it to anyone looking for a fun night out on the Gold Coast!
To be able to bring you the inside scoop, Experience Oz interviewed Production Manager Shane Phillips about the new show. For a more in-depth review of the latest production, read our feature on Australian Outback Spectacular 3: Spirit of the Horse here. Enjoy the show!
Buy your show tickets here!
|
|
