Australia II - Holidays 2025
December 26, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Friday, December 26, 2025: We departed on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and landed in Brisbane on Friday, December 26, 2025. (We made a short Christmas video at Denver International Airport.) Normally, we would have been able to hop on the train to Helensville and then G:link (tram) to our hotel. But there was a track closure on part of the line, so we ordered a DiDi rideshare (to demonstrate how worldly of travelers we are) to take us from the airport past the track closure to Roma Street station. From Roma Street, we were able to take the usual route to Gold Coast, taking the train to Helensville and then the G:link to Cavill Avenue. Unable to check into our hotel when we arrived, we enjoyed stopped at the McDonald's right in front of the Surfers Paradise sign, eating lunch and enjoying our first sights of Surfers Paradise. At 2pm, we were able to check in and change into our beach attire and walk back down to Surfers Paradise beach for the rest of the day. (Day 1 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
Saturday, December 27, 2025: In the morning, I took a tram ride to Broadbeach South and then walked along the coast back to Surfers Paradise. I ate McDonald's breakfast on the beach. Then we took the tram and bus to Tallebudgera Creek. We spent two and a half hours enjoying the beach. We ate a late lunch at TGI Fridays on the 2nd floor of Paradise Centre. In the evening, we walked around Surfers Paradise. (Day 2 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
Sunday, December 28, 2025: I took the tram and a bus to Coolangatta and did the morning walk from Kirra Beach to Tugun Beach. After breakfast on Surfers Paradise Beach, we took the tram and bus to Burleigh Heads. We climbed the hill and then laid on the beach before enjoying some Gelato. In the evening, we picked up take-away from Fishbowl and ate dinner back on Surfers Paradise Beach. (Day 3 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
Monday, December 29, 2025: I started off the morning by walking through Burleigh Heads National Park. I took the Rainforest circuit and then walked across Tallebudgera Creek bridge and out to the seawall. On my return journey, I took the Oceanview path back. We spent the day back at Surfers Paradise beach. (Day 4 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
Tuesday, December 30, 2025: I walked from Burleigh beach to the North Burleigh lookout and back. Then we spent another fun day at Tallebudgera Creek. We ate dinner at Beach Cafe on Surfers Paradise beach.(Day 5 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
Wednesday, December 31, 2025: In the morning, I watched the sunrise on Surfers Paradise beach. After that, we took the tram and bus to Burleigh. We enjoyed the morning at the beach before returning to Surfers Paradise. We ate an early dinner at Love Italy for the second time this week -- but we didn't film the first time. We rested at the hotel to wait for the evening fireworks on the beach. (Day 6 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
Thursday, January 1, 2026: For our last day, I took the tram and bus to Tallebudgera Creek. I swam at the creek, and then I walked through Burleigh Heads National Park to Burleigh beach. Once I returned to Surfers Paradise, I ate breakfast at McDonald's and we laid on the beach. In the afternoon, we went back to Tallebudgera Creek and through the park to Burleigh beach. We did some souvenir shopping in Burleigh, and then headed back to Surfers Paradise to enjoy dinner at the Beach Cafe again. (Day 7 in Gold Coast, Australia Video)
This was our second time visiting Australia, but it certainly will not be the last time we go down under. We will return to Australia.