In this latest destination update, read about a new laser race sending challengers through a maze of radiating beams at Ripley's Believe it or Not; Adventure Parc's exhilarating 150m flying fox over Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's crocodile enclosure; a highly anticipated waterfront retail and food destination at Capri on Via Roma and Witches Falls Cottages on Tamborine Mountain opens new 'all abilities' cottages. This, plus plenty more to see and do in the destination as listed below:
 
NEW DEVELOPMENTS

 Capri on Via Roma - A  Inspired Waterfront Location for a New Shopping Experience
 Tiger Prawn Tours
 Ripley's New Impossible Laser Race
 Dreamworld: The Fight for Kevil Hill is About to Start
 New Broadwater Parklands Stage Announced
 Fancy Dress Fuels Paradise Resort Fun on Fridays
 Witches Falls Cottages New 'All Abilities' Cottages
 Adventure Parc at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Opens 'The Croc Shock'
 Surf World Gold Coast Launches 2014/15 Calendar
 Hotel Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise Wins QHA Award for Excellence
 RACV Royal Pines Wins QHA Environmental Practice Award for Excellence
 Harbour Day Spa Moves to Outrigger Hotel & Resort Surfers Paradise
 Dreamworld's Two Royal Bundles of Joey Joy

WHAT'S ON

 Jupiters Hotel & Casino's Brewed Dinner Series (28 November)
 Virginia Gay at The Arts Centre Gold Coast: Songs to Self Destruct To (14 December)
 Steller Acts Announced for BEACHLIFE (4-5 January)
 Opera on the Beach (10-11 May)

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Capri on Via Roma is an Inspired Waterfront Location for a New Shopping Experience
The highly anticipated waterfront retail and food destination, Capri on Via Roma will open its doors to the Gold Coast in December. Located on the Isle of Capri, the massive food and shopping precinct will offer more than 50 high quality operators including The Greener Grocer, a master butchery, an authentic Italian bakery and gelato, a deli, fresh seafood, a coffee roaster, an award-winning florist and numerous restaurants from a pizzeria to fine dining. With its waterfront location, visitors to Capri on Via Roma will have the added luxury of being able to arrive by boat and moor on a newly designed pontoon. Designed for the convenience consumer, Capri on Via Roma also offers 250 car parking spaces with 175 underground spaces.
www.caprionviaroma.com.au

Tiger Prawn Tours
Tiger Prawn Tours is a locally owned and operated quintessentially Queensland tour. Hop on board their comfortable, air-conditioned mini-bus and enjoy a tour to south-east Queensland's largest prawn farm. The Tiger Prawn Tour includes an exclusive on-site farm tour, the opportunity to purchase gold medal winning prawns direct from the farm plus fascinating full commentary from a 5th generation local guide en route to the farm through the historically rich canefields of the northern Gold Coast. 
www.tigerprawntours.com.au
 

Ripley's New Impossible Laser Race
Ripley's Believe it Or Not new Impossible Laser Race will challenge guests with new high-tech laser technology famously demonstrated by blockbuster Hollywood stars in films like Entrapment, Mission Impossible and Ocean's 12. Visitors to the Ripley's Odditorium will enter a mysterious room filled with a Lazer Maze of radiating green lights. Participants who navigate through the intricate web without breaking a beam in the quickest time will be named winners! Ripley's new Impossible Laser Race is included in General Admission to the Odditorium.
www.ripleys.com/surfersparadise

Dreamworld: The Fight for Kevil Hill is About to Start
Dreamworld's newest and scariest attraction, Zombie Evilution, is about to evolve into stage 2: The Battle for Kevil Hill. With Kevil Hill being overtaken by zombies, the fightback to reclaim this town is about to start.  Transforming into a laser combat challenge, the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) are now recruiting for soldiers to join the CCU (Cryo Containment Unit) and claim back J.B. Kevil's utopian city.  The zombies will not go without a fight... they too are looking for the undead to help hold their ground in the battle for Kevil Hill. ZOMBIE EVILUTION will be the only laser combat challenge to be staged in a town across two buildings with two storeys, taking on even the most seasoned fans.  The challenge will be set for all Dreamworld guests willing to join the fight: become a cryo zombie or a CCU soldier.
www.dreamworld.com.au

New Broadwater Parklands Stage Announced
Almost three hectares of new parklands will be created as part of the city's preparations to stage the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Mayor Tom Tate and Chairman of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Gary Baildon today unveiled plans for the $10.5 Million third stage of the Broadwater Parklands. Stage 3 will feature a regional boat ramp and pontoons, new community building, events space, public amenities and will serve as a significant Commonwealth Games legacy project. Future enhancements could also include new foreshore pathways, children's playground and a youth precinct. The project will commence in early to mid 2014 and is expected to be completed by April 2015.
www.goldcoastcity.com.au 

Fancy Dress Fuels Paradise Resort Fun on Fridays
In what started as a way to enhance staff bonding, Paradise Resort's 'Fancy Dress Friday' has grown into fully fledged fun days for staff and guests alike. Starting in July this year, Fancy Dress Fridays were introduced to grow staff morale and place the Resort's team in touch with their 'inner child'. Fancy Dress Friday is now being sponsored by Streets, who will reward each child dressed in fancy dress costumes and clothing with a FREE Streets Paddle Pop.
www.paradiseresort.com.au

Witches Falls Cottages New 'All Abilities' Cottages
Witches Falls Cottages is a boutique Bed and Breakfast situated on beautiful Tamborine Mountain. After some extensive renovations two of their existing cottages have been transformed into new 'all abilities cottages.' The project was inspired by requests from guests who wanted to bring their elderly parents to the Mountain but needed additional support and comfort. In the new duplex style accommodation, Witches Falls Cottages have maintained the popular style of stone gables, glass walled bathrooms and private gardens with BBQ facilities. Witches Falls Cottages is proud to announce that with the recent refurbishment their AAA Tourist Star rating has been upgraded from a 4 star rating to a 4.5 star rating.
www.witchesfallscottages.com.au
 
Adventure Parc at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Opens 'The Croc Shock'
The Adventure Parc brand is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with the opening of a new attraction 'The Croc Shock' at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. From November 1, Adventure Parc founder, Denis Payan, took over management and operation of the Sanctuary's Green Challenge under the Adventure Parc banner. The new course 'The Croc Shock' will be added to the four existing treetops courses and will incorporate a 150m flying fox which will take adventurers on an exhilarating ride over the crocodile enclosure, the freshwater crocs and the kangaroos. Thrill-seekers can also enjoy this new experience as a night adventure, a session that begins at dusk.
www.cws.org.au 
 

Surf World Gold Coast Launches 2014/15 Calendar
Surf World Gold Coast has launched its long-awaited 2014/2015 calendar. The unique Currumbin based museum, which houses extensive displays of surfing memorabilia has produced a calendar composed of images donated by world renowned surf photographers. Peter 'Joli' Wilson, Ted Grambeau, Tony Harrington, Shelli Bankier, Dick Hoole and Shayne Nienaber are among the acclaimed photographers that have contributed breathtaking images from their own private portfolios. Featured in the calendar are some of the leading surf breaks around the Gold Coast- from Kirra, Burleigh, The Superbank, Duranbah and Currumbin. The calendar is a fundraiser for the Surf World museum and can be purchased from the website.
www.surfworldgoldcoast.com

Hotel Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise Wins QHA Award for Excellence
Hotel Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise has been awarded Best Superior Hotel Accommodation 4/4½ star at the 2013 Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) Awards for Excellence. Winning the QHA's Best Superior Hotel Accommodation 4/4½ star is a tribute to the Hotel's well-appointed rooms, devoted team and central Surfers Paradise location. 2013 has seen the continuation of the hotel's modern refurbishment and the recent installation of high-speed Wi-Fi adds to the list of the Hotel's impressive features. Enjoying over 400 rooms, Hotel Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise is nestled amidst the beautiful beaches and thriving shopping, dining and nightlife of Australia's Gold Coast. A short stroll from the sand, this versatile destination blends personalised service with the casual atmosphere of a beachside hotel. 
www.grandchancellorhotels.com

RACV Royal Pines Wins QHA Environmental Practice Award for Excellence
A program of 'green' initiatives, that includes tests on turning food waste to water, has won the RACV Royal Pines Resort at the Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) environmental practice award for excellence. John Morris, the resort General Manager, says the award is recognition of the progress made by the resort in recycling, water, gas and energy-saving initiatives. "Our bulk recycling program alone is keeping more than 1000 cubic metres of materials a year from being put into landfill sites." Royal Pines, which was bought by RACV in 2008, allocated significant funding to employ the latest technologies including; water reduction devices, low-flow shower heads, occupancy sensors for air-conditioning and new chillers which use rejected heat to warm the resort's pool.
www.racv.com.au

Harbour Day Spa Moves to Outrigger Hotel & Resort Surfers Paradise
Harbour Day Spa is thrilled to announce they are growing their business and will soon operate out of Outrigger Hotel & Resort Surfers Paradise - one of the best 4.5 star luxury hotels on the Gold Coast. As a guest of Harbour Day Spa, you can look forward to a brand new spa with tranquil rooms and treatment facilities, 5 star quality services and access to the hotel's outdoor swimming pool.
www.harbourdayspa.com.au

Dreamworld's Two Royal Bundles of Joey Joy
Dreamworld and Save the Bilby Fund are excited to announce that not one, but two bilby joeys have been discovered in a routine monthly check inside their Mum's pouch. Born in the same week as prince George, the brothers have been named Prince George I and Prince George II in honour of the Royal baby. At the time of Prince George's arrival, the Australian Government announced a toy bilby gift for the Royal baby and a $10,000 sponsorship of Dreamworld's bilby program.
www.dreamworld.com.au

WHAT'S ON

Jupiters Hotel & Casino's Brewed Dinner Series (November 28)
Well known for live entertainment, comedy and the best burgers in town, The PA Pub at Jupiters Hotel & Casino has now created a new legion of fans with the Brewed dinner series. Launching with Stone & Wood and followed by Little Creatures and White Rabbit, Brewed at the PA Pub has quickly earned a reputation among lovers of great food and craft bear, leading to loyal Brewed followers and sell-out events. Those that have missed out previously have a chance to join in the fun and see what all the fuss is about when Matilda Bay Brewing Company joins The PA Pub for the third event on Thursday 28 November.
www.jupitersgoldcoast.com.au

Virginia Gay at The Arts Centre Gold Coast: Songs to Self Destruct To (14 December)
Virginia Gay presents her new cabaret show Songs to Self-Destruct To at The Basement in the Arts Centre Gold Coast, Saturday 14 December 2013, proudly presented by the Arts Centre Gold Coast, in association with Cre8ion. Direct from sell-out shows at this year's Adelaide Cabaret Festival, this show is not to be missed. All the songs that you've ever loved and lost to, all the weep-fests you've played as you've clung to the sinking wreck of a relationship, everything that's ever killed your dog, sent your baby away and turned you to drink, drugs and despair ... is given a new glittering life as cheerful, upbeat sing-a-longs. Navigate the frightening, lonely hours between midnight and dawn with Australia's favourite foul-mouthed femme fatale Virginia Gay as she takes you through a dozen self-harming toe-tappers, her best-loved wrist-slitting ditties, with all the pep of black coffee, cigarettes and a bottle full of uppers.
www.theartscentregc.com

Steller Acts Announced for BEACHLIFE (4-5 January)
In the middle of summer, along the shore of the world famous Surfers Paradise beach and over two massive days, Fuzzy and Cross Promotions will be bringing locals and holidaymakers the hottest beach festival in the country - BEACHLIFE.  For the first time on the iconic stretch of Gold Coast sand, some of the world's biggest DJs and RnB acts, including; Skrillex, Wiz Khalifa and A$AP Rocky will take to the stage to present festivalgoers an out-of-this-world start to 2014.
www.beachlifegc.com.au 

Opera on the Beach (10-11 May)
Presented by Opera Australia, Opera on the Beach is a world premiere outdoor opera spectacular that will see Mozart's enchanting fairy tale, The Magic Flute, performed under the stars on the rolling shores of Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta. There are three performances being presented on Greenmount Beach: Friday May 9, Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11 (which is also Mother's Day). Full adult ticket prices start from just $39 and range up to $79 for premium seating (all ticket prices include booking fees). Premium tickets include exclusive access to a premium bar and performance seating on a comfy beach chair. Opera on the Beach will be a stunning event simply not to be missed.
www.bleachfestival.com.au

MEDIA CONTACT:
Gold Coast Tourism is available for comment
Molly Dunn
molly.dunn@gctourism.com