Grab the kids and hit the beach

The Gold Coast ... I can't say it was top of my holiday destinations but as the mother of a 5-year-old, the relatively short flight combined with the appeal of warmer climes, endless beaches, a few cheeky theme parks and some retail therapy made it the front runner for our school holiday break.
So off to Brisbane we went. There were a few sleepless nights on arrival, (who would have thought a two-hour time difference could wreak such havoc with a child's sleep patterns) but at least the sun was shining and the birds chirping when we were up at 5am.
We started with a few days in and around Brisbane. First up, a trip to the Lone Pine Sanctuary, Australia's first and biggest koala sanctuary, home to more than 130 koalas. We spent four hours there but you could easily spend a day. It is well set out with a great variety of animals from the obligatory koalas and kangaroos to the slightly more interesting wombats and platypus and some gorgeous native birds. The 5 year old was enchanted, we were off to a good start. The cheesy $1.50 clip-on koala from the gift shop was a huge hit - a must-have gift for all children.
From Brisbane, we headed an hour south to the heart of the Gold Coast. We were staying at Main Beach, just minutes away from Surfers Paradise but seemingly a world away. Main Beach, with its sophisticated strip of shops and cafes (Tedder Ave) is a far cry from the brash strip malls of Surfers.
Our favourite was Milan, a restaurant offering great tapas and a welcome kid's menu. And you can't go past Moro for the king prawn tagliatelle and sticky date pudding with macadamias.
Main Beach is nestled at the foot of the spitthat is also home to Sea World; our first destination. There are other larger and more adventurous theme parks - Movieworld, Dreamworld and Wet 'n' Wild - but Sea World is the best option for the under-5s.
If you are going to try a few of the parks, keep an eye out for specials that include passes for a combination of parks. Having been to theme parks in California and Florida, my expectations were high, but I was instantly impressed. The park is large, well laid out and incredibly well maintained.
We decided to spend the morning checking out the shows: the sea lion show, Dolphin Experience and Sesame Street Theatre. Once I shook off my "animals in captivity" hang-up, I found the shows magnificent. There is no doubting the incredible bond these animals have with their trainers and how well they are cared for. For us all (adults and children alike), the shows were by far the highlight of the day.
The afternoon was spent on the obligatory rides, unfortunately a few were closed when we were there so it is worth checking what is open before you visit.
A day at Sea World left me desperate for some "adult" time and right on Sea World's doorstep is the Marina Mirage shopping centre and the mind-blowingly bling Palazzo Versace hotel. The day I walked in, there was a Ferrari California in the lobby and, while the decor is anything but understated, the hotel and its stunning facilities are surprisingly tasteful.
The pool in particular, with its wonderful cabanas, is the perfect place to unwind after a hard day of theme parking.
Although best known for its beaches, head just a short way inland away from the coast and you will find yourself in some stunning native Australian rainforest. The best way to check it out is the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, a remarkable structure that allows you to walk through the canopy of the forest before descending into it. It opened just over a year ago but is already attracting droves of tourists wanting something different from the endless sandy beaches. The walk takes 45 minutes and there is also a great education centre as well as a cafe and gift shop.
Also slightly off the beaten track is Sanctuary Cove. It's about as far from the gaudy and overpopulated Surfers as it's possible to get. This small village is nestled around a marina, surrounded gated communities and inhabited largely by wealthy retirees. The Hyatt Sanctuary Cove has a man-made beach leading to a saltwater pool and the village with its boutique shops and cafes. It is quaint and peaceful and well worth a stroll around.
The best kid-friendly beach we discovered was at the southern end of the Gold Coast, Currumbin. Although as beautiful as any, the beach is much smaller and also has a fantastic Surf Lifesaving club (complete with bar and restaurant) right on the beach.
And leaving the best for last, the retail therapy. I went to several malls but the best was the enormous Pacific Fair, just south of Surfers. This enormous open-air undercover mall has literally every shop you could ever want, plus a number of great dining options and a few play areas to amuse the kids while you give your credit card a workout. We also braved the Harbour Town outlet mall - just off the Gold Coast highway 20 minutes north of Surfers - where there are a few bargains to be had, once you've waded through the junk.
The Gold Coast impressed me much more than I thought it would. It's earned its place as one of Australia's top holiday destinations for a reason and, even though parts of it are overrun by tourists, its natural beauty and huge range of activities for children and adults alike make it a great option for an easy and affordable getaway. I never thought I would say this, but I'll be back.