A little naughty and a little nice in Surfers Paradise

By Bobbi-Jo // 12 April 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: Best Backpacker Job, Nightlife, Surfers Paradise, Things to do

As I mentioned: Surfers Paradise gets a bad name.

People drive up from Coolangatta to party there when they want to make a bad decision, basically.

If you want to meet locals and have an authentic Australian experience, maybe skip it. The town is slammed with backpackers and looks kind of like Miami.

That being said? Don’t actually skip it. If you don’t want to do backpacker-type things, then why are you backpacking?

To help you navigate, here are a few of the things that I did during my time there that I really enjoyed and that you should check out in between crazy nights out and recovering from those crazy nights on the beach:

1. Visit QDeck at Q1. This MASSIVE building has some amazing views of Surfers Paradise. You don’t realize how much water is actually inland in the city’s waterways until you’re at the top of this 70-something story building. The elevator alone is cool as it shoots you up to the top in a matter of seconds. Seconds. Go up for a breathtaking view and enjoy dessert, a cocktail or a mocktail. The prices are a little cheaper than you would expect for an attraction like it, but that’s still running you $9 for a non-alcoholic mocktail. Don’t spend too much time there as you might get bored if you’re not having a meal or drinks, but definitely stop by for the photo-op.

2. Paradise Jet Boating. I’d never done this before and really didn’t know what to expect. When the boat driver warned us about holding on during "the spins" I literally almost stood up, jumped out of the boat, and doggie paddled back to the shore. What the hell are the spins, you ask? Well, I was imagining the boat leaping out of the water and doing somersaults, leaving us poor passengers to hold on or meet certain death by flying out of our seats. I also have a very vivid imagination. We zipped through the waterways, did the not-that-bad spins, got totally soaked, and got a crash course on the mansions that line the banks of the area. Like I said, this place is kind of like Miami, so ooh and ahh over the Star Island-like mansions while you try to catch your breath from all the excitement. There are group and solo photo-ops as well, so leave your camera behind unless it’s waterproof and go ahead and shell out $15 for the professional shot that they take, it’s not as cheesy and corny as most professional “attraction” shots go.

3. DREAMWORLD AND WHITEWATER WORLD!!! Um. Sorry for screaming but HOLY GOD I haven’t had that much fun since I was a kid. Dreamworld wasn’t like, the best theme park I’ve ever been to, but that’s mostly because it was kind of small and all the rides looked like death traps (Note: They looked safe as far as roller coasters go. I’m just a weenie and I refuse to strap myself into a seat and let someone shoot me around corners and upside down at speeds that I can’t even fathom). But Whitewater World was AMAAAAZING. Ok. I’m done with the caps. But seriously?! So. Much. Fun. The slides! And the wave pool!! And the inner tubes!!! And the fountains and play areas (apparently I’m still 12)! Everyone I went with was feeling a little garbage in the morning when we ventured out to brave the day (did I mention Surfers Paradise is a party town?) - but the water fixed us right up and we had a blast. Three grown women not wanting to leave a water park? You know it’s got to be good.

4. Big Night Out. $30. Four bars. Free entry to each and a free drink when you get in. This is a backpackers dream. Just do it, it’s fun. Try not to get too freaked out when you get on the party bus and are handed stickers that will either designate you as “Available” or “Pretty Much Available” (there’s no “Taken” option, do with that what you will) and a condom. The reps are just trying to keep you mischievous but safe. I bowed out early, but hearing the stories of what went down, and actually witnessing some of it by only the second bar, are enough to say confidently that it’s a night you can’t miss. Just don’t expect to remember anything the morning after.

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Many special thanks to VIP Backpackers for being our gracious hosts throughout this trip!