All That's New And Exciting On The Gold Coast: December Update

Burleigh Heads

In this latest destination update, read about The Australian Stunt Academy's unique spy school experience; a one-off summer cirque extravaganza called LumiAir; Paradise Resort bringing family chills and thrills with the construction of its very own ice-skating rink and further details on the Gold Coast line-up of summer events including Magic Millions, Bleach* and The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. This, plus plenty more to see and do in the region as listed below:

New Developments

Live the Life of James Bond at the Stunt Academy

The Australian Stunt Academy

In addition to The Australian Stunt Academy's half day and full day stunt academy courses, visitors to the Gold Coast can now live the life of a James Bond in a unique experience called Spy School. The Spy School, ideal for groups (minimum 4 people) is a day full of action-packed adventure. Start the day with a helicopter stunt ride to an island location, where you are then picked up by a jet boat for a thrill ride to an obstacle course, where you will be trained in unarmed combat, firearms handling and most importantly, stealth. Then return home in a limousine filled with cocktails (shaken, not stirred). The Stunt Academy, run by world-class stunt performers and instructors, also offer introductory courses involving stage combat, swordplay, flying on wires and commando style obstacle course stunts.

www.stuntacademy.com

Sea World Cruises Launches Broadwater Cruises

Sea World Cruises is launching its High Life Day Cruise season after a successful 2012 Whale Watching campaign off the Gold Coast. The High Life Day Cruise is a luxurious five hour experience which includes a calm water cruise past the best islands and homes in the Gold Coast Broadwater, enroute to The Sanctuary Cove Marine Village for shopping and lunch. The guided cruises are conducted on Sea World Cruises luxury $3.5 million vessel providing guests with an opportunity to explore the spectacular Broadwater in air-conditioned comfort or outside on any one of three superior viewing decks. The cruise season provides another tourism experience for locals and visitors alike and can be upgraded to include entry to Sea World at a saving of $60 per adult.

www.seaworldcruises.com.au

Ice-Skating Rink to Open at Paradise Resort

Planet Chill is coming to one of Australia's premier family accommodation providers - Paradise Resort - making it the only resort in the southern hemisphere with its very own permanent ice skating rink. Set to open in early 2013 the family ice skating rink attraction will only be accessible to guests staying at the Resort and is sure to both thrill and chill the whole family. Planet Chill will be accessible to kids aged 3 years and up with three x 2 hourly sessions per day, with additional sessions dedicated just for teens. Entry will be $20 per person, which includes skate and helmet hire. A maximum 60 people will be allowed on the ice at any one time.

www.paradiseresort.com.au

Black Coffee Lyrics Launches Degustation Menu

Local favourite Black Coffee Lyrics has quickly gained a reputation for delivering speciality food, coffee and over 40 types of Australian craft beers in a retro, super cool venue. Now the young entrepreneurs; Mark, Nick and David have launched a summer degustation menu sure to tingle the tastebuds. Try the oven roasted crispy skin pork belly with coconut jelly, chili jam and pickled green mango or the Boudin Noir, grilled French style blood sausage with tea pickled pear, confit orange zest and bois boudran sauce. Located between Orchid Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Black Coffee Lyrics captures the attention and imagination of passer-by's with great music, classic books, old school board games and an abundance of creative charismatic style.

www.blackcoffeelyrics.com

LumiAir - A Cirque Extraordinaire Opening on the Gold Coast

A stunning two hour cirque extraordinaire opens on the Gold Coast from Boxing Day 2012 under a 'Grand Chapiteau' at Southport Broadwater Parklands. LumiAir is a colourful production featuring a story-line with a touch of flying trapeze, a slice of thrill and 45 of the best cirque performers sourced internationally and Australia-wide. From high voltage lightning acts, aerial stars, cheeky characters and stunning acts like the Wheel of Death, LumiAir is a one-off summer attraction not to be missed. LumiAir opens from Boxing Day 2012 for a limited 12 show nights until Sunday 06 January 2013. Tickets start from $36 per person.

www.lumiair.com.au

Vie Bar + Restaurant at Palazzo Versace Introduces Aperitvo

Palazzo Versace

Vie Bar + Restaurant at Palazzo Versace is set to become the social setting of the summer season with the introduction of Aperitivo, a Mediterranean-style dining concept where guests celebrate the weekend with relaxed, shared dishes and pre-dinner drinks. Launching on Friday 7 December, Aperitvo has been designed by Vie Bar + Restaurant's new Chef de Cuisine, Craig Wright, who joins Palazzo Versace with 13 years' experience in the dining and entertaining industry, both in Australia and overseas. A traditional, Italian dining style, Aperitivo is designed specifically to stimulate one's appetites with a series of light Mediterranean dishes. Held each Friday and Saturday from 4:30pm - 6:30pm during summer, Aperitivo includes a chilled pre-dinner glass of Moët Ice and a selection of enticing antipasti items, providing a fabulous way to start an evening out. Guests can socialise in the sunshine, indulge in five-star food and wine and immerse themselves in the traditional Italian lifestyle that is Aperitivo.

www.palazzoversace.com

Dreamworld Launches Mobile App

Home to some of the world's tallest and fastest rides, Dreamworld have broken another record by becoming the first Gold Coast theme park to launch a mobile application, the Dreamworld App. The savvy app, compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad is available to download for free and features an online store, day planner, group tracker and a heap more features to enhance your day at Dreamworld and WhiteWater World. From booking tickets, navigating to and around Dreamworld and WhiteWater World to choosing a ride using the thrill-o-metre or place to eat by searching your favourite food to locating the family car at the end of a fun-filled day, guests can all use the Dreamworld App.

www.dreamworld.com.au

Extend the New Year Cheer with Mariah Carey at Jupiters Hotel & Casino

In their biggest entertainment coup yet, Jupiters Hotel & Casino will start 2013 on the ultimate high note presenting one of the best-selling female artists of all time, Mariah Carey, in association with UAE at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday 1 January, 2013. The exclusive New Year's Day event will be the first of only two Australian stops for the superstar, as she brings her MARIAH CAREY LIVE show to the Gold Coast for her first ever concert and her first tour Down Under in 14 years. It has been two years since Mariah Carey has wowed audiences from the stage and she has chosen the Gold Coast's home of entertainment, Jupiters Hotel & Casino, to present her first performance back.

www.jupitersgoldcoast.com

Tickets to the 25th Anniversary Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on Sale

Excitement is building among boating enthusiasts with tickets to the 25th anniversary Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) on sale this week. Running from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 May, next year's event will showcase a raft of international boating brands, products and technologies on display alongside the superb backdrop of the award-winning Sanctuary Cove marina and The Marine Village. SCIBS has positioned itself over the years as Australia's foremost marine trade display, which gives the community, boating enthusiasts and marine industry representatives the rare opportunity to network and view the latest and greatest boating and marine products on offer. In 2013 SCIBS will showcase some of the world's most prestigious and innovative boats and marine brands, as well as an incredible array of kayaks, stand up paddle boards, jet skis and wakeboards, the greenest and leanest engines on the market, safety equipment, performance and lifestyle apparel, books, charts and navigational equipment, plus high quality gadgets and covetable nautical timepieces.

www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com

Schedule of Events Released for 2013 Jeep Magic Millions Carnival

Magic Millions is Australia's premier thoroughbred sales company. Each January it holds the internationally renowned yearling sales and the Jeep Magic Millions Raceday and Summer Carnival on the Gold Coast between Friday 4 January and Thursday 17 January 2013. The Jeep Magic Millions Raceday is the largest sales incentive raceday in the world offering a potential AUD$4.7 million in prize money. The Jeep Magic Millions Carnival is like no other. It combines Australia's highest quality thoroughbred yearling sales with 13 days of events, a highlight being the Jeep Magic Millions Raceday on Saturday 12 January featuring the richest race in Queensland, the $2Million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

www.magicmillions.com.au

Oceanics Return to Bleach* 2013

Bleach* will welcome Gold Coast local-lads-done-good, Oceanics, when they return to the coastal culture festival in 2013 to perform alongside mighty soundsters Oh Mercy and Loon Lake. Since gracing the stage at the very first Bleach* Festival, Oceanics have been on an upwards trajectory, releasing their acclaimed EP 'Bright People' which has gathered the four piece lots of airplay on Triple J and some media love in the US. Don't miss them place with Oh Mercy and Loon Lake at the Coolangatta Hotel on Friday 22 February, 2013.

www.bleachfestival.com.au

RACV Royal Pines Resort Offers Timeout Xperiences for Everyone

RACV Royal Pines Resort golf carts are set to get some very mobile company in the form of a fleet as two-wheel Segways. The self-balancing vehicles, invented in 2001 and today used internationally for everything from police rounds to city tourism tours, will be seen on the resort's fairways from mid-December. They will be one of the fun and adventure activities to be offered at the resort by the Time Out Xperiences group, which operates along the eastern seaboard. the activities will include laser clay shooting- safe, interactive and heaps of fun; Ozbubbles, can walk on water; and Bobbing Heads - where you can be the star in your own personalised video.

www.racv.com.au/royalpines

Tourists SEEQ Out New Smartcard

The newest must-have travel item for visitors to the Gold Coast this holiday season is now available. SEEQ card allows visitors to make the most of their trip to the Gold Coast. SEEQ card gives tourists access to unlimited three or five day travel across the TransLink network, as well as a suitcase-full of great savings and discounts at theme parks, museums, restaurants and other attractions. This includes over 27 Gold Coast tourism products. SEEQ card can be purchased online and from various locations on the Gold Coast.

www.translink.com.au