The Gold Coast with its splendid white sand beaches and its excellent waves, that’s how most people see this area that stretches out for about 40 kilometres from Main Beach to Coolangatta. The Gold Coast, that has been popular since the beginning of the 20th century, has turned into a real Gold Coast for entrepreneurs as well. Especially around Surfers Paradise, the Mecca of Surfing, you’ll find a high concentration of anything that will please the tourist, ranging from hotels and restaurants to discos and theme parks. Other beaches in the vicinity are Broadbeach, Palm Beach and Currumbin Beach. At the southern tip of the coast around Coolangatta are the pearls of the Gold Coast as far as beaches are concerned - a 30 to 40 minute trip from Surfers Paradise to Rainbow Bay, Kirra and Coolangatta (all close together) are worth it for the splendid point-break beaches that exist.  Further north (2 hours north of the gold coast or 1 hour north of Brisbane), you’ll come across the quieter Sunshine Coast with beaches that are as impressive as the famous ones on the Gold Coast. From the Gold Coast, days-trips to one of the nearby national parks can be easily made. Springbrook in the mountains offers beautiful rainforest and hiking trails and excellent views over the Gold Coast, and can be done in a day trip from Surfers Paradise.