Australia: Monkey business

A cantilevered section of the Tambourine Forest Skywalk offers a bird's-eye view over the scenery. Photo / Supplied

The Gold Coast - it's all beaches and theme parks, right? Well, no, as it turns out. Head away from the beach a little and it's all rainforests and national parks, teeming with wildlife.

And the best way to get there is to drive yourself - you get where you want to go, and can take your time getting there. And as this was my first visit to Queensland, the idea of meandering about at my own pace definitely appealed.

So, having picked up the Avis rental car from Brisbane Airport, I hit the road for the Gold Coast ... the state was my oyster, or should that be pineapple?

First stop was Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk, at Tambourine Mountain about 55 minutes out of Brisbane.

The skywalk began life as a family-run country restaurant offering diners tours of its gardens and the surrounding rainforest.

As the walks became more popular, the owners, the Moore family, decided to construct aerial walkways between the trees, so visitors could appreciate the stunning views across the 12ha of rainforest, and the neighbouring national parks.

From up among the trees you get a totally different perspective of the forest flora and fauna, and the walks are all dotted with useful signs and information plaques to explain what you're seeing.

More than 3000m of steel cable is in use over the total 1.5km of walkways, and a 40m-long cantilevered section of the walk takes you right out across the treetops and the waters of Cedar Creek, 30m below. Quite the white-knuckle ride if, like me, you're not a fan of heights.

It took a few moments to get used to the bounce as I made my cautious way to the end but I settled down. The views were worth it - and the bouncing platform was actually quite fun. (Although, I was glad I had decided to eat after the walk.)

The staff and owners of Skywalk are passionate about the project - and rightly so. They stress that the best way to enjoy the forest is to take your time meandering around the walkways. Each trip is unique, and each time you look around you will spot something different. They are also clearing their private rainforest of all non-native growth - by hand. Now that's a labour of love.

The other stop on my self-described nature discovery tour of the Gold Coast hinterland was Currumbin Koala Sanctuary.

Just off the Gold Coast highway, south of the Gold Coast at, yes, Currumbin, the sanctuary is a hospital for injured wild animals. Visitors can get up close to most of the residents. I behaved like the perfect tourist; petting a kangaroo and an emu before having my picture taken with a koala.

The koala, whose name escapes me, was not the least bothered by being handled, and seemed quite content to give me a brief hug. The look of contentment on the little chap's face was worth having to wash his rather pungent poo from my hands.

However, the sight of me in the picture, sunburnt (my pale English skin does not love those pretty Gold Coast beaches) and grinning with a slightly crazed look in my eyes reminded me to slap on some more sunscreen before I took part in the Green Challenge.

This treetop rope course is a recent addition to the sanctuary, with three levels of difficulty ensuring that anyone can enjoy themselves, no matter their skill level, or - in my case - their crippling fear of heights. Yes, for the second time on this trip I found myself taking to the trees like a misbehaving monkey.

After a short safety video explaining how to use the course without dying - very useful - I climbed into my protective overalls and clambered crab-like along a platform to the start of the course.

And once again I had a fantastic time, despite the phobia. To be fair, the beginner course isn't too high, but I finished red-faced, very sweaty and extremely pleased with myself.

I spent the rest of the day happily wandering around the sanctuary, taking in a spectacular free-flight bird show and enjoying the screams as huge birds of prey swooped over the audience's heads.

Currumbin's motto is "get closer" and you certainly can do that. It was a perfect end to my very brief two days on the southeast coast of Queensland.

The beautiful Gold Coast has so much to offer. It's not just for surfing, sunbathing and visiting the casino. It is for having fun relaxing and enjoying oneself - whatever floats your boat. Mind you, I can still smell koala poo on my hands.