A Kiwi recommends ... the Gold Coast

Pack a picnic or a good book and head for beautiful Main Beach. Photo / Thinkstock

Each week, expat Kiwis tell us what they most love about living by Queensland's beaches. This week, we hear from TV presenter Matai Smith.

Best beach? This has to be Main Beach for me. The northernmost beach of the Gold Coast, Main Beach is known for being a little less crowded than the popular beaches at Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. Shaded picnic tables, barbecues and a play area for kids make this the perfect destination.

Best walk? The track alongside the Kurrawa Surf Club in Broadbeach.

Best adventure? The Superman Escape Ride at Movie World is simply the best! Exhilarating, a real adrenalin rush that will have you screaming all the way round until it stops! For those brave enough to trial it, I say it's a must do!!!

Best view? From the top of the Peppers Apartments looking out at Broadbeach. It's breathtaking both during the day and at night when the city it lit up.

Must do? Visit Pacific Fair and try one of the crepes on level one - to die for.

When Kiwis visit, they love? The theme parks. Most Kiwis want to do a ride down the various hydro slides at Wet'n'Wild or a ride on the Green Lantern at Movie World. If you shop around, you can get some really good entry deals.

Best kept secret? My partner Alby recently stumbled across Mow Hair in Isle of Capri and it's a very cool salon. The head stylist, Lee, was very hospitable, so if you are looking for a new do and wanting to change it up a little bit, Lee and the crew at Mow Hair are the team you need to go and see.

Famous for? Its beaches, its babes and its beautiful weather. Okay, and its theme parks as well.

Best water activity? The Tornado ride at Wet'n'Wild is definitely the best water activity. This mad 'n' massive slide will take you on a wild ride right into the eye of the storm. You'll begin your journey from a 15-metre high platform, then blast down a huge 40-metre log tunnel, spinning around the Tornado's funnel in a two- or four-person clover-leaf tube, swirling up and down the sides, before hurtling through the eye of the storm to the calm waters below.

Best place to swim? Main Beach. There are lifeguards on patrol, so it's really safe and on a good day the water is warm and the waves are fantastic.

TASTE

Best coffee spot? The QT Hotel has a little cafe near check in and just before you step out to the pool and I swear it does the best coffee on the Gold Coast. Well worth a try if you're in the area.

Best spot to get an ice cream? I'd have to say Baskin Robbins on Marine Parade in Labrador.

Best picnic spot? Laguna Park. Just take a picnic there and soak up the atmosphere, not to mention the rays of the Gold Coast sun.

Best local produce? The Gold Coast Turf Club Farmers' Market are open every Sunday from 6am - 11am. Enjoy a flat white or latte from the actual grower of the beans. A farmer from northern New South Wales has you covered for all your lamb, beef and even goat meat requirements. Vegetables include cabbages, cauliflower, beans, beetroot and potatoes.

Where should we eat? Try Moo Moo Wine Bar + Grill in Broadbeach.

Looking for something special for dinner? Then Moo Moo is the place. It cannot be surpassed when it comes to serving the best-quality steak on the Gold Coast. There's master Kobe beef on the menu, which is succulent, tender and finely marbled with a great rich flavour.

Where to hang out when the sun goes down? Koi Dining & Lounge Bar at Broadbeach. You can get a nice cocktail (or mock tail - the apple mojito tastes like a real one) and relax with friends or family here. They've also got a wicked menu. On Sunday afternoons there is house entertainment as well if you feel like busting a move at your table.

PLAY

Don't miss ... The Gold Coast Beachfront Markets. Each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night, treasure hunters, bargain spotters and after-dinner walkers make their way to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets to wander along the coastal stretch of more than 120 market stalls, while live entertainers set a casual mood with their performances.

Worth paying for ... A trip to the Gold Coast Sevens. The weather is superb, the costumes are just amazing and so well thought out. On some of them, you can see people go to great lengths to ensure their costume is on point. And then there's the vibe itself - it's electric.

Be one of the first to... Go and do a workout at Heartbreak Conditioning. There's no doubt when you come to the Gold Coast you may indulge in a few drinks or eat out at some of its amazing restaurants, so make sure you also head to 3/14 Rothcote Court in West Burleigh for a sweat-up with Cole and his team. They have workouts to suit everyone, from starter level right up to those who like to push themselves to the limit. (And no, that's not me.)

Best sporting event to catch? The Gold Coast 600. There are makeshift stadiums put up around Surfers Paradise and the hype around it is intense and electrifying. Even if you're not really a petrol head as such, you can't help but get caught up in all the hype around this event.

Best cultural activity in the area? Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Tours & Information Hub offers amazing and accurate insight into the spirituality and society of the Yugambeh people. Take a guided tour of Jellurgal, where countless culturally significant sites, including an ancient midden, have played an important role in the lives of Aboriginal people, both socially and environmentally.

Best shop? Alby and I are always on the hunt for a good quality bargain and we've had a lot of luck at the Myer store at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Recent purchases included a few quality suit jackets normally valued at $A400 each, which we picked up for $A50 apiece.

STAY

Best place to rest your head? There's no better place than on the beach itself along the Gold Coast. Be it Main Beach, Southport or Kurrawa, make sure you take a towel with you, find a nice spot and soak in all of that vitamin D. (But don't forget to slip, slop, slap as well.)

Highly recommended accommodation? For those wanting to get some great views of the beach, you can't go past the Peppers Apartments, on Elizabeth Avenue, in Broadbeach.

There are sometimes really good specials on the Peppers website, so it pays to sign up to their newsletter and keep an eye out. And while a room here might be slightly more expensive than other alternatives in the area, it's the great décor here as well as the million-dollar view which makes forking out that little bit extra so worthwhile.

The rooms range from singles to a three-bedroom penthouse which is at the steeper end cost-wise. But with careful planning and a few others joining you to help share the cost, it's well worth it and bound to have you all wanting to move in permanently.

Favourite hotel near by? QT Hotel in Surfers is by far my fave. (And you'll probably work that out sooner or later in this feature as it gets quite a few mentions.)

From the friendly staff in their quirky front-of-house uniforms who greet you when you check in, to the freshly-made lemonade you get upon arrival, this place just has the X-Factor. Then there's the awesome Stingray Bar, which you can retire to for an ice-cold beer or a classy cocktail after a big day swimming at the beach or shopping in the city.

And did I mention the pool? I didn't? Well it's also amazing.

RELAX

Best sunset view? You can't go past Burleigh Heads in Surfers Paradise.

Best place to be pampered? QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise. You can go there and get a great facial scrub or nice soothing massage. It's honestly not too pricey and you walk out not only satisfied, but also really invigorated.

Favourite spa? Once again, I would have to say it's the QT Hotel Spa. It's got great service and friendly staff, not to mention beautiful facilities.

Matai Smith has fronted many shows on Maori TV. He is also a resident host on TVNZ's 'Good Morning' programme.