Golden tans on golden sands

Press, 2 October 1979, Page 22

Golden tans on golden sands

By

R. G. CRONIN,

of Cashmere

Drive the length of the Californian coast and you will seldom find golden-hued sand or fog-free skies. Bask in the sun on the French Riveria at Nice and you will be lying on stones. Topless bathers barely compensate, if you’ll pardon the pun. Stroll along the beaches of Bermuda or Miami and beware of lumps of black, sticky tar leaked from huge oil tankers that ply the Atlantic. The South Pacific’s most idyllic isle is likely to have lumps of razor-sharp coral to be negotiated. The beaches of the Queensland Gold Coast are pristine by comparison: no rotting seaweed to offend the nostrils, no sharp shells to cut the feet, and no driftwood to stumble over.

The Gold Coast is a morning place. The early morning sun transforms an azure sea into a gleaming coat of shimmering lame. The soft freshness of a new day entices people from the highrises and low-rises on to the beach, to run, to jog, to exercise, to paddle, or just to wander as the mood takes them. Others sit quiet, patiently enjoying this time for reflective thoughts while drinking in the enervating salt sea air. By 8 a.m. the sunseekers are out. Bodies stretch sensuously and sinuously on the warming sand in search of the stimulating effect of a golden tan. Beautiful bodies boldly bared in peek-a-boo bottomed bikinis mingle somewhat condescendingly with lesser mortals bravely exposing human frailties to public view. Whatever the shape of the package every sun-lover knows

that the marvellous feeling of heat seeping deep into aching bones is blissful. There is something about a tan that makes one look great and feel great whatever his or her age.

If the blare of the local radio station assaults the senses on the beach at Surfers’ Paradise, there are more than 20 miles of coastline from which to choose a favourite spot. The coast provides places that are quiet, secluded, grassy, rocky, or scenic, while further into the hinterland the cool, green depths of leafy rain forests charm the intruder with the melodic sonatas of myriad birds. The Gold Coast is booming. Indeed, the atmosphere is electric with development. New high-rises, homes and manmade canals creep inexorably inland, ft is now even possible to do your shopping by boat! Long-armed cranes swing back and forth in constant motion and building projects proceed in double quick time. Palm trees appear almost overnight in a bricked patio oh what was just a patch of sandy soil and yet another complex puts out the welcome mat.

From the thirtieth floor of the prestigious Golden Gate high-rise looking north, it is possible to see six new buildings in various stages of construction. High-rises now stand cheek by jowl along the Esplanade and privacy is at a premium. Yes! Surfers has its knockers, but for an all-round, pieaseeveryone kind of holiday with plenty of sporting activites and night-life entertainment—and perfect weather—it is very hard to beat.