Sea World Resort: Stay Play & Relax on the Gold
Coast
The soothing sight of the Broadwater, glimpsed
through the Sheoaks lining the foreshore is a welcome relief after the
giddy rush of high-adrenelin thrills, Gold Coast style. Cleverly positioned on a narrow sand
spit between the Pacific Ocean and the Nerang River, Sea World Resort
is the Holy Grail for water-babies seeking cool holiday
fun.
Look to the south, past the Corkscrew Roller Coaster
of Sea World, and the towering apartments rise above glitzy Surfers
Paradise. Look to the
west, beyond the busy Broadwater with its throbbing waterways and
canal front estates, to World Heritage listed rainforests and a
hinterland filled with natural beauty. Cock your ear to the east and
you’ll hear the rolling, tumbling Pacific Ocean as it crashes into 70
kilometres of sweeping sandy beaches. The Gold Coast, as Australia’s
sixth largest city, has so much
to offer: it's much more than just theme park
attractions.
Checking into the Sea World Resort is a little bit like
walking into a Holidays With Kids magazine. My visit is mid week, well
spaced between school holiday periods, yet there are a surprising
number of families with children of all sizes wandering about the
newly refurbished foyer.
I feel a bit of an impostor as I’m here, childless, with my
partner (who it could be said uncharitably, can throw the odd
‘five year old’ tantrum).
But it quickly becomes evident why this is such a popular
resort for families. Even without the impressive theme
park next door, Sea World Resort is well geared to entertain even the
most world weary five year old without leaving the hotel
grounds.
I am in a Superior Garden Wing room, which in this
low-rise 4.5 star hotel is on the top floor, and looks pleasingly into
mature trees that encourage bird song in the morning. All wings are
surrounded by lush gardens with internal rainforest atriums creating
attractive walkways. Being a family friendly hotel, most rooms can
comfortably sleep four people in either two double or queen beds. All rooms
have access to Broadband Internet, Sony Playstations and the latest
release in-house movies on the large flat screen TV.
As part of the resort’s multi million dollar
refurbishment, the most obvious addition is the brand new WaterPlay
aqua playground adjacent to the lagoon pool overlooking the
Broadwater. Modelled on
the “Buccaneer Bay” area at Wet’n’Wild Water World, this is an
enticingly interactive, and wet, children’s play centre. Incorporated into colourful
towers, slides and ramps, there are scores of spray nozzles, jets and
water guns, all easily operated by the smallest hands. Towering
above an enormous suspended turtle is a giant water-filled tipping
bucket that creates a crashing cascade of water onto giggling,
delighted children every few minutes.
Though it’s not unusual to see adults joining the kids
beneath the bucket as the bell rings to indicate an imminent
drenching, I opt for the temptations of Sea World and hop onto the
monorail that stops just metres from the hotel lobby. But first the day begins with
a guided walk on the new ‘Meet the Dolphins and Seal Tour’ with Kate,
one of Sea Worlds guides.
Kate takes us through Shark Bay underwater viewing area
where we get up close and personal with massive Leopard and Bronze
Whaler Sharks, rays and countless fish. Though one youngster in our group
does attempt the impossible, counting out loud as fish glide
effortlessly past him.
Further on, Malcolm the fur seal (so named because he
was rescued from Fraser Island) proves to be a veteran performer as we
take turns at throwing him a fish then moving into position for a
gentle pat and a pose for the photographer. Never taking his beautiful big
brown eyes off the bucket of fish on his trainers hip, Malcolm waves, poses and
preens on demand, even departing the viewing area upended in a fur
seal handstand, ‘walking’ on his flippers.
Moving
past the penguin pool into the main auditorium, we are greeted with
cheeky grins from the six
bottlenose dolphins that
will later perform for the adoring crowds. They follow us as Kate
positions us in small groups so that we each have the opportunity
to meet and feed a dolphin. I’m introduced to Gemma as she
swallows just one of many fish that make up the 15kg of fish she will
consume today. It’s hard not be mesmerised by these
beguiling creatures, and this close encounter generates anticipation for the
first Dolphin Show later on this morning.
The enticing thing about Sea World though, is that
while much of the entertainment is aimed at the young, there is equally
as many attractions that will appeal to an older crowd. Polar bears are fascinating to
watch as they lumber around the rocks of their enclosure, but seem to
take on the elegance of a dancer when viewed underwater through their
glass sided pool. A Dugong called Pig has a heartbreaking story of
post birth separation from his mother before finding his Sea World
home. Then, when you do want to speed things up a little, rides
are conveniently clustered into light (Cookie Monster Carousel),
medium (Bermuda Triangle) and heavy (Corkscrew Roller Coaster) styles
to cater for all ages and levels of thrill seeking.
After a day of emotion charged adrenaline, with our
wearily fatigued feet, we’re comforted knowing that the Sea World
Resort and a comfy bed is just a short monorail ride away. But we can’t go past the big
oversized lounges of the Lobby Lounge Bar, and we throw ourselves down
to enjoy a welcome cold beer.
As the early dusk settles
we watch busloads of thrill seekers return from day trips, recogniseing in the
plod of jaded adult footsteps and tired grumbling of exhausted kiddies,
that they’ve also made the most of their Gold Coast
adventure.
Checklist
Sea World Resort Seaworld Drive, Main Beach QLD 4217
Australia.
Phone (07) 5591 0000
www.myfun.com.au
Tariff
Rooms from $140 for a Superior Double room. Sea World passes are
additional and can be purchased as part of a
package.
Stepping Out
The famous Gold Coast beach is just a short walk through
the sand dunes. Marina
Mirage, which is a waterfront entertainment area with world class
dining and shopping, is approx 15 minutes walk away. Surfers Paradise,
considered to be the hub of the Gold Coast, is a short taxi or bus
ride away.
Getting Around
Sea World Resorts runs a shuttle service to major theme
parks, Surfers Paradise and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Public buses service the
entire Gold Coast and taxis leave from the
resort.
We adore
Kids Club Program that runs from 8.00am, plus it has an
evening session to give parents a real
break.
We abhor
Over grilled bacon at the breakfast
buffet.
