By Michael Henken, Sports Editor
For Susquehanna University students studying abroad in Gold Coast, Australia, there is no shortage of things to do or places to see.
From the beach, which is a two minute walk from the apartment students are housed in, to the heart of the city, filled with stores and shops a well as a plethora of clubs and restaurants, there is something for everyone.
Burleigh Heads is a coastal town located on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia and is a popular choice for students studying abroad to visit for a day trip.
Located just south of where students are typically housed in Surfer’s Paradise, Burleigh Heads is known primarily for its beach. Packed with native Australians on any given day, Burleigh’s beach, which is free to enter, is lined with soft, pure, white sand and home to protected clear, blue waters.
Whether you are simply looking to lounge under the beating hot Australian sun or you are looking to go for a swim or perhaps even take out a surf board, Burleigh’s beach may be the place for you.
The beach isn’t all this town has to offer, however, as visitors can also explore the Burleigh Heads National Park. Formed years ago by ancient volcanoes, this park offers students the chance to hike along its trails through a rocky path filled with towering trees that paint a sea of green.
The trail provides different views including looks into the ocean that, given the time of the year, can feature whales or overlooking views of the city of Gold Coast.
Like Burleigh Heads, Byron Bay is also a coastal type of town, although it’s located a bit further away from Surfer’s Paradise.
Located in the far-northeastern corner of New South Wales, Byron Bay represents the easternmost point of mainland Australia.
Approximately two hours away from Surfer’s Paradise, visiting Byron Bay is likely to be more of a multi-day trip as opposed to a day trip, but that doesn’t make it any harder to travel to.
Offering a bit of a different feel than Surfer’s Paradise, the town of Byron Bay is filled with unique shops and restaurants, and visitors can almost feel the artistic expression and creativity oozing out of the locals just by walking down the street, as there is almost always a different type of art gallery or music festival taking place.
In addition, Byron Bay offers a sense of a calmness, as it’s inhabited by backpackers, surfers and what some may view as “hippies,” who give students a sometimes needed break from the never ending liveliness of Surfer’s Paradise.
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