Life Begins At...

Summer is but a distant memory as one returns to the luxury of one's room for a soak in the spa - appropriately with a view. W I T H I M O G E N A . R O S E Imogen A. Rose Imogen A. Rose is a writer and producer based in Brisbane. She works across a broad spectrum of genres and is a Director of Rose Media. Website / rosemedia.com.au ABOUT - whilst contemplating something a little more active for the following day. The Luxury Ocean View Room is a room dedicated to the sea with a compact design that maximises location and allows the natural beauty to dominate one's outlook. One can almost hear the mellifl uous tones of Charles Trenet's La mer. Among the greatest attractions of the Gold Coast is the communion of sea and land, the extraordinary harmony that exists between the raw beauty of the coastline and the rich tranquillity of nearby rainforest areas. This is particularly obvious at Burleigh Heads National Park, a haven nestled within the heart of the city. Visitors can immerse themselves within eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, grasslands, rainforest and mangrove forest terrain. It's home to an extraordinary variety of striking native fl ora and fauna. Indeed, standing in the forest, buoyed by the smell of eucalypt, under the delicate, fl oating butterfl ies and spectacular, soaring birds, one may gaze across a blue abyss thankful for the apparently seamless yoking of two distinct natural worlds within the reality of modernity. Moreover, the stunning ocean views allow the opportunity to witness whales in migration as they journey north. The whale watching season at the Gold Coast begins as early as May – with frequency of sightings increasing in June. It continues through to November. There is a majesty to these mammals that can only really be understood or felt, by bearing witness to them in their natural habitat. It's worth noting that whales and dolphins have even been spotted from the Hotel. Thus, be prepared for the possibility of such a thrilling experience. Of course, the closer you are, the more obvious the gracious power, the awe-inspiring presence and the glory of these masters of the sea. For a more exclusive experience, there are many small or private whale watching tours available. The Gold Coast has enjoyed, and endured, a range of images over the decades but it continues to shine for its white, golden and tanned sandy beaches that stretch some 52 km. It's also home to some of the most popular and revered surfi ng breaks in the world. Certainly, one fi nds a concatenation of stunning vantage points from which to admire the magnifi cence of the coastline. There is also a wonderful sailing culture, the atmosphere of which may be enjoyed at the Southport Yacht Club. Relax in the club's Waterfront Restaurant over drinks or coffee with friends amidst the tranquillity of its peaceful environment and the gentle bobbing of the sailboats. One may even decide to spend a day learning to sail. It's easy to immerse oneself at the Gold Coast in the morphing depths of blue or the marbled shades of navy, azure, topaz and aqua. As one beholds the beautiful beyond from one's balcony, with no end in sight to the vast Pacifi c Ocean, or any manner of determining the beginning of the horizon, one will appreciate the privileged pampering and picturesque paradise of a Gold Coast luxury escape! Sofi tel Broadbeach lifebeginsat.com.au 85 Autumn 2020 2020

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