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The perfect escape
 
 
By Jana Pearce
Thousands of holidaymakers can't be wrong, the Tweed Heads-Coolangatta region has it all - sun, surf, rural hinterland, fine dining, activities throughout the year - making it one of Australia's top holiday destinations.
For luxury accommodation, world-class entertainment, superb dining, and a sports club, you can't beat Outrigger Twin Towns Resort just minutes from Gold Coast airport.
Situated on the Queensland/New South Wales border, at the twin towns of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, Outrigger Twin Towns Resort overlooks the magnificent surf beaches of the southern Gold Coast, the Tweed River or the Tweed hinterland. A selection of modern hotel rooms and suites, plus one, two and three-bedroom apartments are available. There are also "enabled" apartments specially designed and fitted for guests with disabilities.
At this resort everything is easily accessible, and seniors will like the hotel's almost complete lack of steps.
Guests enjoy private balconies with ocean, harbour or hinterland views, individually controlled air-conditioning, Movielink, cable TV, broadband access, 24-hour concierge, 24-hour room service, and tour desk. Everything you need for a perfect holiday.
There is no such word as 'bored' at Outrigger Twin Towns Resort as leisure facilities include two tennis courts, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two heated spas, bowling greens, fully-equipped gymnasium, steam room and mini-golf course.
The award-winning Signatures Restaurant is available for buffet breakfast seven days a week, with lunch Friday and Saturday and a la carte dining in the evening. As I'd expected a typical RSL meal, I was very surprised by the excellent cuisine and varied menu at Signatures.
Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts' entertainment hub has dining venues, free live music seven days and nights, and a world-class Showroom with changing Australian and International acts every week.
Spoil yourself to a Show & Stay Package which includes your show ticket, a night at Outrigger Twin Towns Resort , and buffet breakfast.
Also in the Showroom, Twin Towns presents morning shows featuring top talent to get your feet tapping along with the music.
After a night of entertainment, golfers can catch the free transit bus and play a round on the 18-hole championship golf course. Or take a dip in the Olympic sized swimming pool, relax in the jacuzzi, get a massage or a facial, play on the day/night tennis courts or bowl on the greens.
If you're taking grandchildren with you or holidaying as an extended family, there's an added bonus, Kidspace, a fully supervised children's club that cost $1 million to design and equip. It is heaven on eath for kids as it features a mini-theatre with DVD movies, a Sony Playstation centre, an activities area with volleyball, netball, hopscotch, basketball and a space-ship themed interactive games section.
No matter what you fancy, Twin Towns has something to suit all tastes. For more details go to www.twintowns.com.au or phone 1800 014 014.
For regional information go to:
www.rainforestway.com.au
www.tweedcoolangatta.com.au
www.verygc.com
 
 
Sail & whale
There's a new experience in whale watching happening at Tweed Heads. Now you can get close up and personal with a whale by taking a whale watching boat trip in a large rubber speedboat.
Wrapped up in plastic raincoat and long pants, I felt like a member of Greenpeace when, I stepped into Sacred Spirit, a 12-person rubber boat skippered by John of Tweed Snorkelling and Whale Watching Adventures.
We went about 1.5 nautical miles off the coast of the Tweed Coast and as it was early in the whale watching season, we'd been pre-warned that we might not see a whale.
We all searched the sea hoping for a sighting, and then our skipper John yelled, "There he blows". And all eyes turned left to the high funnel of mist about 150 metres from the boat.
But where did he go, this gentle giant of the sea? All eyes turned right to witness the whale surfacing boldly and proudly 200 metres away. Then two more whales joined and to be able to be in the same place and time as the cretaceans, was truly a mystical experience.
I've done a whale watch in a cruiser and in a larger rubber boat but this 'small' boat option is the ultimate experience. Bing right on the surface, you definite have a real whale watching adventure as you get very close to the whales.
I wasn't nervous but a lady in our group was petrified about getting into the boat and going out to sea - not that we had to go out very far before our encounter with the whales.
Who enjoyed the experience most? She did, and was absolutely ecstatic saying she couldn't wait to go again.
The tour also takes in Cook Island known for its abundance of sea turtles and other marine life.
On dry land again, we were given coffee and the biggest slice of teacake I've ever eaten.
The cost for Winter Whale Watch is $66 which includes courtesy pickup from a Tweed Heads hotel, wet weather gear, coffee and cake. It was worth every cent.
Tweed Snorkelling and Whale Watching Adventures is run by husband a wife team John and Leah who will also take you out snorkelling at Cook Island - $88 includes all snorkelling gear, lunch and guided nature walk.
For details phone 0438 339 034 or email snorkel5@bigpond.net.au

 

 
 
 
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