The Joyfulicity Blog

Seeing a kangaroo hopping across a field or spotting a sleepy koala tucked into the branches of a eucalyptus tree can be one of the most memorable parts of an Australian vacation. These animals are so closely associated with Australia that seeing them in person feels almost like a rite of passage. The good news is that you don't necessarily have to visit a zoo to see them.

The Gold Coast works because it offers a rare kind of flexibility in how you experience a destination. You can spend one day in Surfers Paradise surrounded by energy, skyline views, and beachfront activity, then shift into the more relaxed dining and open spaces of Broadbeach, and later slow things down completely in the more natural, community-focused setting of Burleigh Heads.