At the southern end of the Gold Coast not far from the Coolangatta Airport, you will find Tugun and Coolangatta. Both these areas offer a Gold Coast holiday that's a far cry from the hectic pace of Surfers Paradise. There are the Gold Coast "must haves" - long, golden beaches and lots of water sports - but the pace of life is slower and more relaxing.

Tugun and Coolangatta boast some of the best surf beaches along the Gold Coast corridor. All the beaches are patrolled and a leisurely stroll north along Tugun beach will take you to Flat Rock, and Coolangatta beach will take you to Rainbow Bay where there's lots of parks right beside the ocean.

Just a short drive south is Coolangatta at the mouth of the Tweed River, forming the border between Queensland and New South Wales. Visit the lighthouse and Captain Cook memorial at Point Danger. Across the border, Tweed Heads has some of the country's largest entertainment clubs (Twin Towns Services Club) as well as the innovative Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. I guess what makes Tugun and Coolangatta so unique and a family favourite is the fabulous activities and accommodation options available to all holiday makers, there is a great selection of beachside apartments, resorts, units and beach houses that offer great accommodation deals on holiday packages all year round.

And for the families looking at doing something relaxing or exciting jump in the car and just a few minutes to the north of Tugun on the coastal highway is Currumbin, where Currumbin Creek enters the sea. It's an ideal family spot, with calm water for swimming, sand for playing and plenty of room for sand and rock fishing, but it does get a bit crowded in summer. The whole family will enjoy a visit to the famous Currumbin Bird Sanctuary which is just up the road. Be sure to time your visit to catch the lorikeet feeding times. It is a truly remarkable sight to see great flocks of these cheeky and noisy birds descending for their daily feast.