27 June – 4 July 2025 | Mantra Chevron Towers, Surfers Paradise
Our recent family escape to the Gold Coast was every bit as relaxed, fun and memorable as we’d hoped. From the moment we walked into Mantra Towers of Chevron, the holiday mood was set. The towering aparthotel, nestled right in Surfers Paradise, put us in the heart of all the action – shops, cafes, the beach, and attractions were all just steps away.
Lagoon Pool Bliss
Our favourite hangout? The incredible 600 m² “Beaches in the Sky” lagoon-style pool. Imagine a beach-fringed oasis amid lush, sub-tropical gardens—so perfect for the kids to splash and for us to unwind in the shade. It was so calming and just magical with its palm trees, sand edges and lounge chairs. Whenever the weather’s not as sunny and warm, we had the indoor pool + spa option – which was great for the one wet day we had throughout our whole trip!
Highlights of Each Day
Sea World
Ocean encounters, dolphin shows, and fun rides – Sea World was a splashy start to our holiday! The kids were mesmerised by the marine life displays (and so were we, really).
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
A quirky, fun-filled museum brimming with oddities and brain-teasers – it had us all laughing and gawking at stuff we never even knew existed. The Mirror Maze was also a fun bonus – a bit stressful because I felt terrified of walking into a mirror the whole time.. but great fun!
Movie World
A theme-park spectacle! The Leviathan coaster had our hearts pounding – like Micah and I genuinely thought we were going to DIE – so incredibly thrilling and maybe a little too scary, but absolutely unforgettable. The parade was a great finish to our day at Movie World.
Australian Outback Spectacular
This was our trip highlight. The dinner-show blew us away: vivid storytelling, stirring music, dramatic projections, real Aussie characters, and beautifully trained horses. It wasn’t just entertainment – it was a full-blown immersive experience of the bush life, complete with a hearty three-course meal and cowboy hats for everyone!
Currumbin Wildlife Park
A total delight. Wandering through habitats with kangaroos, lorikeets (talk about feeding frenzy!), soooo many koalas, crocodiles – even catching a glimpse of staff at the on-site wildlife hospital doing incredible conservation work – this place brims with Aussie authenticity and care.
Le Petit Chef (date night!)
We managed a peaceful date night while the kids stayed in. Dining at Le Petit Chef felt so indulgent and calm – perfect grown-ups’ time, just a short 5-min walk from our apartment so not far from where we left the kids to fend for themselves for a couple of hours!
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Market
Local artisans, small businesses, café treats – just strolling and browsing here felt local and vibrant. A great taste of Surfers Paradisey community.
Lazy, Lovely Days
Not every moment needed to be an excursion. We did plenty of relaxing, swimming, shopping, girls got nails done, boys got haircuts, eating, drinking – and yes, sleeping. Paddling in the pool, grabbing a coffee nearby, stretching out in our self-contained and spacious two-bedroom apartment and watching movies as a family – those were the moments of unspoken bliss.
Final Thoughts
This holiday was that rare perfect mix: relaxing yet adventure-packed, child-friendly yet with grown-up treats, luxurious yet effortless. Mantra’s lagoon-pool and central location made every outing – and every lazy morning – just better. Highlights like the Outback show and the Theme Parks and Currumbin Wildlife kept the days tipping between excitement and calm. It felt like the best of the Gold Coast in one week.
To view ALL the photos and videos throughout this trip, check out my Stories Highlights on Instagram: @kimbasliving
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