There are so many Gold Coast activities and things to do, the biggest problem when you visit is fitting it all in!

This is a serious problem! Rest up before your visit!

One of the best things about the Gold Coast, which is often not emphasised by the travel guides and brochures is that there is much more to the Gold Coast than meets the eye.

It is not just a family holiday vacation destination. The Gold Coast is also a popular destination for adventure and adrenalin seekers, golfers, beach lovers, water lovers and couples looking for a getaway.

For a start the Gold Coast is Australia's theme park destination.

There are 3 theme parks and 2 water theme parks. So that is 5 days just to do Sea World, Dream World, Movie World, Wet n Wild and Whitewater World!

You need a day for each one, and probably a bit of rest in between! Luckily they don't open till 10am so you can have sleep in!

Sea World is just about suitable for everyone. There is a mix of rides, exhibits and shows that cater for many different age groups and needs. There are also several extra tours you can do including things like a dolphin experience or helmet diving in the Shark Bay pool - only if you are game!

Sea World has a helicopter tours and June to November they also have Sea World Whale Watching Tours.

One of the other visitor friendly attributes is that Sea World has several Halal food options.

The two water parks - Wet n Wild and White Water World are both located inland in the theme park strip between Helensvale and Coomera. They are great to visit during the summer months for lots of fun whilst keeping cool! In the winter the water is heated and the rides are adjusted for the different temperature.

MovieWorld is for diehard movie lovers and ride junkies. Batwing and Superman rides are my kids favourites!

DreamWorld has tigers! Also children rides and some pretty extreme rides too.

Adrenalin junkies can have a field day on the Gold Coast!

There are several great adrenalin rides in the theme parks, and there is the aptly named Adrenalin Park in the centre of Surfers Paradise.

Ride, if you you dare, the Vomatron!

Try the exhilaration of an extreme Jet Boat ride, a Tiger Moth Joy Flight, Buggy Mania or WRX rally experience.

To name only a few of the things that will get your adrenalin pumping!

There is so much water around, you have to experience something in or on water during your stay.

There are of course the beaches! The usual suspects are Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and Broadbeach.

Family friendly beaches include Rainbow Bay at Coolangatta, Labrador's lagoon on the Broadwater, or Tallebudgera Creek beach.

Try a canal cruise, whale watching tour, hire a jet ski, take a kayak tour or cruise to an island hideaway.

You can learn to surf or have a 30 minute kitesurfing experience.

Why not stay on the water, hire a houseboat for a totally different water experience or check out the boats at the annual Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.

The Gold Coast has many of the usual holiday destination activities and attractions including a wax museum, Timezone, and several putt putt or mini golf courses.

Shopping is not quite Melbourne or Hong Kong.

There are the boutique shops at Marina Mirage, the international brand names in Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise and great discount shopping at Harbour Town.

If you are a serious golfer why not try your hand at one of the championship golf courses - there are so many to choose from.

You can experience Australian rainforest, tours to Mt Tamborine, O'Reilly's Plateau, Springbrook or Lamington National Park.

Taste tropical fruit at Tropical Fruit World, cuddle a koala and hand feed kangaroos and emus at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Check out the views from the top of Q1 on the QDeck.

If you have any energy left, at night you can enjoy fine dining in Broadbeach at the many cafes and restaurants, experience Australian Outback Spectacular, view the Gold Coast from QDeck or party the night away at a Gold Coast nightclub.

Many of the activities mentioned here are detailed on Gold Coast Australia Travel Tips.

So much to do, so little time - plan well!