AUSTRALIA, GOLD COAST

2025 Dates: Bespoke tour for group bookings – email for details
Price: from £2,699pp

 

slip into the quintessential beach lifestyle of the region and explore this area of Australia fully supported by SwimQuest guides and local leaders.

Nestled along the pristine coastline of eastern Australia, the Gold Coast is famous for its golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life - a bucket list swimming holiday destination. On this trip - we stay at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, right on the beach, so we can roll out of bed and into the waves. Not only does this trip include a variety of inter-island and coastal ocean swims, there are also options to try out Surf Lifesaving, brush up on surf beach skills under expert guidance plus optional morning yoga. Away from the bustling shores, hidden coves and tranquil bays offer more secluded spots for tranquil swimming, with breathtaking coastal scenery.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

  • Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
  • Sea temperature: approx. 25oC
  • Daily swimming distance: 2 - 5km / day - building towards the end of the week (tailored to the ability of each individual - please let us know if you'd like more or less, we can accommodate)
  • Swimming ability: confident swimming in open water
  • Are non-swimmers welcome? Yes, you are welcome to join in as much or as little as you wish

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

  • Accommodation in twin / double share rooms at the 4* Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort
  • Full swimming itinerary - two swims per day (and snorkeling/ocean play time)
  • Swim coaching and video analysis
  • Opportunity to try out Surf Lifesaving, coached by experts in the field (all abilities welcome)
  • A chance to meet local Olympic medallists and World Record holding swimmers, and the opportunity to join one of the local ocean swim groups for their morning swim
  • Breakfasts and lunches
  • Swim guides and safety personnel
  • Optional morning yoga (offered twice during the week)
  • All transport involved in the swimming and ocean activities
  • Boat transfers for island swims
  • Snorkeling gear and marine education sessions
  • SwimQuest cap and arrival gift
  • VAT

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

  • Travel to and from the Sheraton Hotel
  • Evening meals
  • Purchase of any alcohol / soft drinks
  • Single room supplement if you wish to take a room of your own
  • Wetsuit / wetsuit hire

RELAX AT THE SHERATON MIRAGE, GOLD COAST

ABOUT

Ideally situated just minutes from Surfers Paradise Beach, this laid-back resort has direct beach access.  After a busy day SwimQuesting in the ocean, you can kick back and unwind at the hotel's lagoon pool or swim-up bar.

ROOM OPTIONS

Your trip price is based on you sharing a twin share room (there are two queen sized beds in these rooms). If you are a solo traveller, we will either pair you up with a same sex guest in a twin room - or you are welcome to pay a £600 supplement for a room of your own.

Itinerary

DAY ONE

Arrive anytime today and check into your room at the Sheraton. The trip officially begins at 5pm when you will meet your fellow guests and leaders at the safety briefing, and acclimatisation swim - which will include a surf swim and surf safety session.  We will then go for a drink before we take you out for dinner to the local surf lifesaving club. 

DAY TWO

After breakfast we have the first of our two swims today, starting out from right outside our hotel - down and back along the coast or a walk and swim back depending on the sweep and conditions of the morning.  Today we can take our time and allow you to acclimatise to the local ocean conditions and get to know your fellow swimmers. After lunch, we will continue round the coastline for more swimming in the beach areas the Gold Coast is famous for and will head out for a stunning reef swim. 

DAY THREE

An early start for breakfast as we join one of the local ocean swim groups for their morning 2km swim, followed by a nice beachside coffee with new friends. We enjoy meeting some locals who are third (and even fourth generation!) local surf lifesaving families. Our two swims today take us over some reefs giving us access to a hive of activity and if we are lucky – rays, exotic fish, sharks (non aggressive), turtles and more. As the sun sets, we will wander along Surfers Paradise beach, watching the lights come on - a great contrast of modern life and natural beauty.

DAY FOUR

Today is a highlight (even for your SwimQuest Guides!) as we plan to join some of the local Olympic medal winning and World Record holding swimmers and their coached sessions happening nearby our accommodation. We will head to the stunning Burleigh Heads area for the day to enjoy a range of ocean swims, surf swims and creek wildlife safari adventure swims.  Expect wonderful views, forests, and white sandy beaches amidst the vibe and atmosphere of Burleigh town. Picnic lunches and well-deserved ice creams await us in this new and growing part of the Gold Coast.

DAY FIVE

Today, a dawn ocean and coastal adventure swim before breakfast on the beach whilst we watch the surfers enjoy their morning breaks at Surfers Paradise, or nearby Narrowneck if the conditions are more suitable. After breakfast, we head to Currumbin area and read the conditions for some ocean and lagoon swims that allow us to take in all the area has to offer and test our growing fitness and surf skills. Over lunch, enjoy some down time - or grab a surf board and have a go with a range breaks to suit your skill level. More swimming is possible here - flat water or surf - an ideal area to try out some of your guides' coaching advice. 

DAY SIX

Today as we head to Cook Island Marine and Nature Reserve for a circumnavigation of this sanctuary, with more wildlife to see than we can list! In addition to the swimming today, there will be time to snorkel too - you won't want to miss some of the best snorkelling on the Eastern Australian coastline as we look for all types of marine life - big and small - before and after our swim in this area.  After a delicious lunch, we will head off to a stunning beach for a gentle coastal 'drift' swim. 

DAY SEVEN 

On the last day, join us for a sunrise swim before breakfast and departures. 

GETTING THERE

We advise guests to fly into Brisbane Airport (BNE), which is the closest major airport to the Gold Coast, located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the city. Once you arrive at Brisbane Airport, you have several options:
  1. Rental Car: You can rent a car from Brisbane Airport and drive to the Gold Coast. The journey takes approximately one hour, depending on traffic conditions. From the airport, take the M1 motorway (Pacific Motorway) southbound, and then follow signs to Main Beach once you reach the Gold Coast.
  2. Airport Transfer: Sheraton does offer airport transfer services for guests, which we can help you arrange in advance. Alternatively, you can book a private airport transfer or shuttle service from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast.
  3. Public Transport: Brisbane Airport is connected to the Gold Coast by train and bus services. You can take the Airtrain from the airport to Brisbane's Central Station and then transfer to the Gold Coast line train, which will take you to various stations on the Gold Coast. From there, you can take a taxi or rideshare service to the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.

PACKING LIST 

  • A reusable water bottle (or two for warmer days)
  • Multiple pairs of swimsuits
  • Swim towels (x2) 
  • Optional wetsuit
  • Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can purchase from our online shop here
  • Rash vest (optional) - available from our online shop here
  • A small backpack with essential items: medication, insect repellent, camera, sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. 
  • Your own snorkeling gear (available to borrow should you prefer)
  • Extra goggles (one clear and one tinted if possible)
  • Any swimming equipment you would like too use on your swims (fins, pull buoy, watches, etc.) 
  • Appropriate activewear for the weather, including warm clothing (fleece, etc.) for pre and post-swim
  • Sandals, aqua shoes, or flip-flops for water activities 
  • Travel insurance details 
  • Optional: sports gear for yoga 

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

To find out more about arranging your group trip to Australia, please email Sarah our booking co-ordinator.

In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

SwimQuest ABTOT Members

Travel Insurance

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities.

Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.

Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.

If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.

You can find more information on our Insurance page.

Columbus Direct offers three levels of cover Bronze, Silver and Gold, with differing levels of emergency medical, cancellation and baggage so you can choose the cover to suit your needs. All levels of cover include over 150 sports and activities covered as standard including open water swimming within 12 miles of shore (you will not be swimming more than 12 miles away from the shore on SwimQuest Holidays).

You will also benefit from free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed for 1hr or more*. Optional cover is available including Gadget, Winter Sports and Cruise, along with cover for many pre-existing medical conditions subject to online screening.  Columbus Direct offer single trip cover up to 85 years old and annual multi trip cover up to 74 years old.

*The policyholder can register both themselves and up to four additional travelling companions for Columbus Direct’s Airport Delay service. They will then be eligible to receive free airport lounge access in the event a delay of one or more hours is announced for their flight. View terms and conditions here