“Welcome to the Eagle’s Nest” the guide said “You are standing at 270 meters.” A shiver ran through me. I’m not sure if it was the dizzying heights or the sharp wind blown rain beating off my face. As I glanced over the edge, a helicopter flying far below me caught my eye. I had never done anything like this.
The Q1 Tower in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast is one of the tallest residential towers in the world. The top floor is an observation deck, restaurant and bar with floor to ceiling windows and views spanning 60 miles, from Brisbane to Byron Bay. But, the observation deck was for the unadventurous, cautious tourists. The thrill seekers took it one step further, or actually 240 steps further, and signed themselves up for the sky point climb.
[Photo: View of the Gold Coast from the Q1 Observation deck]
The Q1 sky point climb guide outfitted us with a climb suit, a harness, and multiple carabiners as they strapped two way radios to our waists. We clipped into a system of rails which ran along the outside of the building. The guide opened the door on the 77th floor, and we stepped outside. Winds were blowing at 40 kilomters per hour and the rain started to pick up as we headed to the Eagle’s Nest, a platform sitting 30 meters above the top of the tower. We may have been able to see further on a clear sunny day, but there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as an open air external building climb in a storm.
[Photos: Skypoint Climb outside the Q1]
It was “winter” on the Gold Coast, and although it was a few degrees shy of beach weather, it was certainly not cold. We spent an afternoon at Dreamworld, Australia’s best attempt at Disney World. The park had a lot rides, but its best attraction was Tiger Island. We watched the tiger presentation where well trained, happy, tigers showcased their natural behaviors. They climbed trees, cleared over ten feet jumping between logs, and launched themselves 12 feet straight up into the air.
[Photos: Me and Dean with characters at Dreamworld. Tigers climbing trees and leaping at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island]
The Gold Coast is quintessential Australia. It’s what the world pictures when they think of the land down under – all the stereotypes and generalizations that place every Australian on a surfboard, living the care free, laid back life become reality on the Gold Coast. Our quick three day vacation inspired us to learn to surf. Hopefully we’ll be back to the Gold Coast next year to catch a few waves.
[Photos: Surfer’s Paradie, Kartwheels on the beach, Me & Dean on Broadbeach, Broadbeach, Us in fashionable sunnies, view from the hotel room]
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