Family Friendly Fireworks Gold Coast New Years Eve 2013

2012 is about to end and the new year of 2013 is just around the corner. Get ready to count down and watch as the clock strikes midnight. Most of us enjoy the festivities and want to be a part of the New Year’s celebrations, but we are not all able to stay up late and see the fireworks spectacular are 12 midnight!

Families with young children are one such group that often cannot all keep awake until 12am. Even if the parents stay up their kids are many times not able to keep their eyes open long enough to see the colorful light displays.

It is also being said that 9pm is the new midnight, as more and more hard working Aussies are just too tired to stay up those extra couple of hours to see in January 2013.

So you may be wondering if there are any other options where you can still enjoy some fireworks displays on the popular sunny Gold Coast in Queensland, without exhausting yourself by staying up late.

Well you are in luck as there are several earlier fireworks options for us Gold Coasters.

Family Fireworks 31 December 2012:

While many locations have the typical midnight fireworks spectacular displays, there are also several suburbs that have family oriented celebrations. Some of these locations also offer live music and entertainment in the evening prior to the colorful explosions of light that will later fill the sky. Amusement rides will also be available at some of the sites for those who want to end 2012 in a fun style!

Road Closures

Some roads on the Gold Coast will be closed in preparation for the 2012 celebrations. Keep these closures in mind while planing getting to and from the venue.

Paradise Point– The Esplanade from Donald Avenue to Falkinder Avenue from 6pm to 10pm.
Coolangatta – Marine Parade from Warner Street to Dutton Street from 6pm to 1am.
Surfers Paradise – The Esplanade from Hanlon Street to View Avenue and at the intersection of Cavill Avenue East with Surfers Paradise Blvd from 6pm to 4am.

Gold Coast Fireworks Locations 2012

Check out the list below for more information on each specific location.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise foreshore offers one probably the most popular fireworks extravaganza on the Gold Coast each New Year’s eve. Many thousands of locals and tourists join together to bring in the new year on the gorgeous white sands of this world renowned beach.

Live entertainment will begin at 6.30pm Monday 31st December 2012.

Fireworks Address:

Surfers Paradise Foreshore Beach
Surfers Paradise

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm

NYE Fireworks Display at Midnight

Yes there will also be a fantastic display of colourful fireworks on the dot at 12 midnight.

Southport

Live entertainment for the whole family will begin at 6pm. There will also be fun rides for the kids.

Fireworks Address:

Southport Broadwater Parklands,
Marine Parade
Southport, Qld

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm

Broadbeach

Many people will flock to Kurrawa Park for two delightful fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve 2012.

Fireworks Address:

Kurrawa Park,
Broadbeach

Family Fireworks Time:

8pm – Nice and early for the kids!

Main Fireworks Display at Midnight

As well as the 8pm display there will also be fireworks set off at midnight.

Main Beach

Fireworks Address:

Near the Southport Surf Life Saving Club,
Macarthur Parade
Main Beach
Gold Coast

Family Fireworks Time:

8pm

Fireworks Display at Midnight

A second fireworks show will occur at midnight at Main Beach.

Robina

Fireworks Address:

The Promenade
Robina Town Centre,
Robina Town Centre Drive,
Robina

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm

Live Entertainment

Entertainment will occur from 6pm to 10pm with lots of live music and performers to keep the whole family amused. You can also reserve a table for your and your friends or family at one of the restaurants along the Promenade. This way you are sure to have a great view of all of the fireworks at 9pm.

Paradise Point

Fireworks Address:

Paradise Point Parklands,
The Esplanade
Paradise Point

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm

Entertainment

Fun live entertainment will be onsite from approximately 5.30pm to 10pm.

Coomera

Fireworks Address:

Viney Park,
Dreamworld Parkway,
Coomera

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm

Live Entertainment & Fun

Come and enjoy some fun, live entertainment for all the family from approximately 5pm to 12.30am on 1st January 2013!

Fireworks Display at Midnight

Those who come to Coomera will have 2 fireworks shows, 9pm and 12am as well as ongoing entertainment right and food stalls into the new year of 2013.

Coolangatta

Fireworks Address:

Coolangatta beach

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm (Queensland time)

Main Fireworks Display at Midnight

12am (Queensland time)

NSW Fireworks Locations

Byron Bay, NSW

Just over the border from Queensland into New South Wales, we have the popular seaside town of Byron Bay, which is also joining in the New Year’s eve festivities. This site will be family friendly and alcohol free.

Fireworks Address:

Apex Park
Main Beach beach front
Byron Bay, NSW

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm (NSW time)

Main Fireworks Display at Midnight

Markets and Entertainment from 4pm til midnight with fireworks at midnight (NSW time)

Tweed Heads

Fireworks Address:

Jack Evans Boat Harbour
Coral Street,
Tweed Heads

Fireworks Display at Midnight

One fireworks display will occur at 12am midnight (NSW time)

Banora Point

Fireworks Address:

Banora Point
Club Banora,
Leisure Drive,
Banora Point

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm (NSW time)

2nd Fireworks Display at Midnight

At 12am (NSW time) there will be a second fireworks show. Live Entertainment will also occur from around 8pm.

Murwillumbah

Fireworks Address:

Crabbes Creek Community Hall,
Crabbes Creek Road,
Crabbes Creek

Family Fireworks Time:

9pm (NSW time)

Fireworks Display at Midnight

Midnight (NSW time) will be the second fireworks display in Murwillumbah.

What to Bring?

Remember to bring along your party hats, glow sticks, glow light necklaces for the kids and some sparklers so that you whole family will be able to feel a part of the 2012 celebrations.

You may also want to bring some folding chairs or a picnic rug and of course some nibblies to keep everyone satisfied.

Keep in mind that many people will be arriving early. So come along as soon as you can to secure your place for a great viewing of the fireworks and festivities.

Gold Coast New Year’s Eve Weather

Much of the east coast of Australia is set to have perfect weather as we celebrate the end of 2012 and look forward to beginning 2013.

Specifically on the Gold Coast we are meant to have a sunny afternoon and then an evening with clear skies and pleasant conditions. There should only be light winds and temperatures of around 22 degrees.

These expected weather conditions and clear, cloudless skies should make for perfect fireworks viewings!

Happy New Year 2012

Be sure to comment below and share your New Year’s Eve 2012 celebrations. What did you and your family do to celebrate the new year? Where did you go and how were the Gold Coast fireworks displays that you saw? What New Year’s resolutions have you set for yourself for 2013?

We look forward to reading your comments and to replying to you.

Happy New Year 2013! May it be a blessed year for you and your loved ones!

Graeme’s Driving Academy Gold Coast

Graeme’s Driving Academy has just helped our son get his P’s. The journey to obtaining his Drivers License took some time and effort, but what made it a reality in the end was the fact that we discovered Graeme Hanby and his driving school!

Originally our son did a search online and found another popular Gold Coast driving school. But there was a problem with the very first lesson that he had with this other reputable driving academy. When our son arrived home from his lesson he was quiet and even withdrawn. He told me he did not want to talk about the lesson.

So I just left him alone for the night. The next day we chatted about what had happened in the lesson and he told me how the driving instructor was negative and even depressing in his attitude. When mistakes were made our son was told that he did something wrong, but no clear explanation was given so that he understood the reason and exactly what he had done wrong.

The instructor even had the nerve to say that perhaps our son should forget about trying for his manual license and should instead just go for an automatic license.

When I heard this I felt quite upset and annoyed at the trainer from this well known driving school for saying this to his student!

Instead of instilling hope and confidence in our son, he tore him down through his discouraging comments and attitude.

We Found Graeme’s Driving Academy

It was then that I saw a discount coupon in the local Gold Coast Value Voucher newspaper for Graeme’s driving school and so I gave Graeme a call. I could tell straight away on the phone that Graeme was upbeat and encouraging in his attitude and words. So we went ahead and made a booking for our son to have a driving lesson.

Wow! You should have seen the difference when he arrived home from this first lesson! A huge smile was plastered across his face and he began to tell me all about the lesson. I could hear the encouragement and confidence in his voice and could see it in his face. He once again believed in himself and knew that he could go for his manual license and get it!

This was the exact opposite from the other instructor!

It amazed me just seeing the two different extremes that flowed out of the way that each of the two driving instructors related to their student. One instructor drained all hope and confidence away, while Graeme restored the hope, confidence and belief that it was possible.

‘P’ Plates

The outcome, as I mentioned before, is that our son is now driving around successfully on his P Plates!

I want to say a huge “Thank you” to Graeme for his positive attitude and willingness to take a nervous beginner and to train him until he became a confident and safe driver on our Queensland roads. Thank you for believing in our son and for instilling this same belief in him.

We highly recommend Graeme’s driving academy to all those who want a caring and kind driving instructor who will be honest, but in a way that builds up rather than tearing down. Any parents of teens or young adults who want to have a few driving lessons before sitting their practical test should consider Graeme’s company. Why not give him a call today and book in your first lesson?

Many parents teach their kids to drive, but by booking a few lessons before the prac test you are ensuring that your teen has the best chance of passing and also that they pick up some things that you have perhaps forgotten!

I almost forgot to mention that he also offers a special deal to new clients. Book 3 hours and you only have to pay for 2 hours. A pretty good deal! His rates were also $5 less per hour than the other driving company that our son first used. So it really was a no brainer to use this positive, upbeat and caring man to teach our son a skill that he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

Thanks, Graeme’s Driving Academy!

Movie World’s Fright Nights 2012

Do you enjoy being scared out of your wits? Then you have to check out the upcoming Fright Nights 2012 at the Gold Coast’s Movie World theme park.

Read below to find out all about the prices, dates and time.

*** Click here for information on Dreamworld’s Screamworld Nights 2012 ***

NOTE: Final 2 Fright Nights for 2012 are on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th October at Movie World on the Gold Coast.

These fright nights are certainly not for the faint hearted!

But if you like the feeling of your adrenalin flowing, while being surrounded by screams from the other visitors then Movie World in October is the place to be!

The zombie apocalypse will hit in full force in October as fans come out in mass to experience a night of ultimate terror!

Warning!

Young children are not advised to attend the Fright nights due to the excessive amount of horror and terror. Any children that do attend definitely need to be closely supervised by responsible adults!

Are You Brave Enough?

If you are feeling brave then why not grab some of your friends and plan on heading out for a night of creepy fun, screams and laughter!

Find out When, Where and Costs below.

Dates:

October 2012 – Friday & Saturday nights from 6-11pm as follows:
Saturday 6th
Saturday 13th
Friday 19th
Saturday 20th
Friday 26th
Saturday 27th

Time:

6-11pm on Friday & Saturday nights listed above in October 2012

Prices:

General Admission (Single Fright Night Entry)	$29.99
2012 Fright Night Season Pass (Bravely Attend Every Fright Night in Oct 2012)	$59.99
VIP Pass Holders Gold Upgrade (Also Includes White Christmas 2012)	$19.99
Special Limited Offer VIP Gold Pass	$99.99

Why not buy your tickets online? Buy Tickets Now

Where:

Movie World
Entertainment Road
(Just off the Pacific Motorway)
Oxenford QLD

Location Map:

View Larger Map

Be Warned: Video is not for the faint hearted or young children!

Dreamworld Screamworld Fright Night 2012

The theme parks here on the Gold Coast love to set up special themed nights to entertain their customers and visitors. Dreamworld has operated Screamworld for its guests for many years now, with lots of satisfied customers who love to return to enjoy another fun night out with friends!

*** Click here for information on Movie World’s Fright Nights 2012 ***

Enjoy 2013 Screamworld! Date TBC. Grab your mates and come along for a fun and scary Friday night!

Don’t miss out on the final Screamworld night for 2012 – Novemeber 16!

It will be an Awesome night of fun, rides and entertainment at the After Dark Park! Just as popular as ever.

See Pricing information below.

Next Screamworld Night:

Friday 31st May 2013

Past Screamworld Nights:

Friday 5th April 2013
Friday 1st March 2013
Friday 16th November 2012
Friday 21st September 2012
Friday 6th July 2012
Friday 18th May 2012
Friday 13th April 2012
Friday 3rd February 2012
Friday 4th November 2011
Friday 16th September 2011
Friday 8th July 2011
Friday 8th April 2011
Friday 11th February 2011

Ticket Prices (as at May 2013)

Adult/Child/Concession $39.99
Online Discount Price $29.99 (When purchasing 4 or more tickets – Only available Online!)

So remember to get your tickets at a lower price to gather all of your friends together and then purchase your tickets online. As long as you are buying 4 or more tickets at once you qualify for the lower price tickets. If you prefer to buy your tickets at the gate then, that is fine, but you will pay the higher price.

What a great idea to open up Dreamworld at night and have some fun with your friends! Not only do you get to hang out with your mates, but you get to do it in the dark, and have a great time on Dreamworld’s Big 7 Thrill Rides! (used to be Big 6 Thrill Rides)

These Big 7 Thrill Rides include:

BuzzSaw
The Tower of Terror II,
Giant Drop,
Wipeout,
Cyclone,
The Claw,
Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster.

Now the BuzzSaw will also be operating at the Screamworld night. This newest ride changes Dreamworld’s thrill ride list to the Big 7 Thrill Rides.

You will be able to scream your head off as you ride these exciting thrill rides with your friends by moonlight!

Times of Operation:

From 6.30pm until 10.00pm.

Address:

Dreamworld Parkway
Coomera
Queensland 4209 Australia

Map:

View Larger Map

Parking

Plenty of Free parking is available on-site off Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera.

History

Back in 2005 the very first Screamworld night was held, with four special nights through out the year, beginning in April. Since 2005 Screamworld has proved to be popular and is held each April, July, September and November.

Weather

Screamworld will continue even if the weather does turn bad, but some of the rides may need to be closed if the weather is too severe. Bad weather will primarily effect the Tower of Terror 2. So if worst comes to worst, you can still have a fantastic night of fun, and hang out at the other thrill rides!

AVPX Attraction

As well as being able to enjoy the thrill rides in the dark, why not check out the new AVPX attraction? This is where Alien Vs Predator Vs You! So get ready for some spin-chilling, blood-dripping action at the AVPX attraction at night at Screamworld!

Brave World of Kids Fun

Kids are not forgotten during this scary night at Dreamworld. The night will come alive with messy mayhem and fun in the kids zone.

Light and Laser Display

At around 9.30pm at the central fountain, you can enjoy the new Laser light spectacular. As the lasers flash in front of you, the DJ will play tunes for your entertainment.

Night-Rider Flow-Rider

Why not grab your mates and come over to the Flow-Rider? You can each test your skill on this fun water ride, in the dark! How cool is that? See which of your friends has the most skill on this board-riding challenge.

Back in July 2011 at the Screamworld night, Jordan Jansen came and rode the ShockWave. You can check out the video and see what he thinks of this fun, action ride below.

Night-Driver

Test your skills in Australia’s very first Full motion virtual V8 Supercars experience! Grab your driver’s seat, plant your foot and get ready to drive your very own V8 Supercar! This ride is so realistic that you will believe that you are actually driving a real V8 Super, with deep bass vibrations from the engine revving you will feel like you are the driver! Imagine going from 0 to 100 in only four seconds! Come and check it out! This will certainly get your adrenalin going as you drive the track at Mt Panorama, Bathurst!

Screamworld Summary

You and your mates are sure to have a great time at Screamworld, riding the thrill rides in the dark, watching the laser and light show, enjoying the flow-rider at night, the thrill of the AVPX attraction and the night-driver V8 Supercar ride! There is something for families, youth groups and couples. So come along to the next Screamworld night and get screaming!

All Ages Enjoy Wildlife At Auckland Zoo

The first attraction that we visited on our recent trip from Australia to New Zealand was to the Auckland Zoo. We took along a group of 8 family members from ages 8 up to 74 and each of us had a fantastic day. The weather was perfect (even in July!) and we were able to cover approximately 80% of the zoo grounds during the 6 hours that we spent in the park.

A lot has changed at the Auckland Zoo since the early years when local business people were encouraged to find and bring back wildlife when the travelled abroad on overseas trips! But one thing has remained the same and this is that families still enjoy a fun day out at the zoo watching the various animals, birds and reptiles.

Very interesting information is available on many of the zoo’s wildlife on the Auckland Zoo website.

An unexpected event that we witnessed was the rescue of six young ducklings that had become trapped in the stream and separated from their mum who had no idea what to do! You can watch the video below to see the rescue unfold!

6 Ducklings get rescued by Auckland Zoo staff

During the day we saw exotic wildlife such as Asian elephants, giraffes, zebras and African lions. We also wondered through the Aussie Walk About enclosure and saw the emus, colorful peacocks, wallabies, kangaroos, parrots and lorikeets. Of course, we also visited the Kiwi enclosure and saw the endangered Kiwi digging away in the soil.

Prices (as at September 2012)

Adult	$22
Child (4-14 Years Inclusive)	$11
Child (Under 4 Years)	Free
Pensioner (with ID)	$18
Student (with ID)	$18
Family pass 1 (1 adult, 2 children)	$40
Family pass 2 (2 adults, 2 children)	$60
Additional children (added to either family pass)	$9 per child

Friends of the Zoo membership

If you like to visit the Auckland Zoo regularly then why not consider purchasing an annual pass with the Friends of the Zoo membership? This also gives you added benefits and discounts for you and any friends or family you may bring along with you to the zoo.

Times of Operation of Auckland Zoo:

Daily:
Winter (1 May to 31 August): 9.30am – 5pm

Summer (1 September to 30 April): 9.30am to 5.30pm

Christmas Day: Closed

Note:
Last entry into zoo is 4.15pm daily.

**** Click to Download a Map of the Auckland Zoo ****

Address of Auckland Zoo:

Motions Road
Western Springs
Auckland 1022, New Zealand

Information Phone: +64 9 360 3805

Video of our Family Day at Auckland Zoo

Location Map of Auckland Zoo:

View Larger Map

Parking:

Free off-street parking is available onsite with additional parking just down the street across the tram track.

Wheelchair Access?

Around 90% of the zoo can be accessed by a wheelchair and about 70% by those in a mobility scooter. This means that families or groups with members in mobility devices can still come and enjoy a fun day out with family and friends.

There are also a number of wheelchairs and Mobility scooters that are available for hire. It is advisable to book prior to your visit to ensure that one is held for you on the day. A bond may be payable on the day of your visit, but this will be refunded when you return the mobility vehicle.

Interesting Facts:

Free off street parking
Located on 17 hectares
Biggest array of Exotic and Native animals in New Zealand
Close to Central Auckland
Open 364 days a year

History of the Zoo:

Opened in February 1911 in Onehunga, Auckland
Moved to Western Springs location on 17 December 1922
1923 Jamuna the elephant arrived
1925 a leopard escaped from the zoo
1949 Kiwi were finally allowed to be displayed
25 November 1956 saw the first ‘chimpanzee tea party’ performed to the delight of visitors
1981 the animal hospital opened at the zoo
1996 saw the opening of the Rainforest
Three Sumatran tiger cubs were born in 2008
200 North Island brown kiwi chicks were successfully reared and released in 2010
Te Wao Nui opened on 11 September 2011

Different Ways to Enjoy the Zoo:

Behind the scenes Zoom Tours available
Safari Nights are held regularly
Junior Keeper programme allows kids aged 6 to 13 years to be a zoo keeper for a day
Photography workshops on the zoo grounds – Beginners, Intermediate or Young people
Guided walks offered for a small additional fee
Consider booking your Special Function at the Zoo
Kid Zone allows children to get up close to small animals and enjoy the playground
Adopt an Animal program allows you to contribute towards a specific animal and to support wildlife conservation
Join the other volunteers and become a zoo ambassador

Fun Family Day at the Zoo

Everyone can have a fun day at the Auckland Zoo no matter what their age! So next time you are in Auckland be sure to stop by and check out the diverse range of animals, birds, reptiles and more!