Why holiday on the Gold Coast? It’s a question I am asked quite often despite our perfect weather, beautiful beaches and laid back way of life. If you are thinking about visiting us here, I have outlined some of the major highlights of our year below, to help you plan your next trip and to make sure you get the most out of your time here.

Considering the terrific range of possibilities for Gold Coast vacations, don’t think of this calendar as covering it all. However, you can’t go wrong with any of the following suggestions.

January: How does the Magic Millions Carnival sound? That’s exactly what you’ll find on the Goldy every January with this legendary horse racing event. You’ll find yearling sales, races, formal dinners, parties and more, all leading up to the main event, the Magic Millions Race, where more than $3 Million will go to the winner.

February: Because of the light schedule in February, the traveler looking for quiet days at the beach will find them in abundance. The school holidays finish up, the tourists clear out and the Gold Coast has that local feel all over again. If you like to relax without remembering the society you left behind, come in February.

March: March is the surfers’ month, when the World Tour hits the Gold Coast and pro surfing’s best navigate their way through the pounding surf and excited crowds. The Gold Coast has always been a favorite for surfers from all over the world, so this period is a special time, when old friends get together and locals see the visitors all come out for a great time.

April: The Malfunction Surf Festival cruises into town. Are you a surfer who has a touch of nostalgia for the surfing days not too long past? If so, this festival is for you. Aimed at longboarders and retro surfers, the five day carnival has a look at many aspects of the surfie culture, including art and memorabilia, surf vehicles, surf movies and a surf celebrity dinner.

May: The Blues Festival in Broadbeach highlights the calendar in May, with blues music filling the air for nearly a week of shows and events. More than 100,000 people are on hand for the festivities, which cover the streets and feature a great lineup of blues music’s best performers.

June: The Whale Watching season begins in June. Come and watch these magnificent creatures as they make their annual migrations to the North.

July: July’s annual Gold Coast Marathon is more than your average race. It’s a weekend of events surrounding the big show, which showcases these great athletes tackling a massive challenge.

August: August in the Gold Coast is your time of year if you love to celebrate your taste buds. The annual Tastes of The Gold Coast Festival brings the best of the Gold Coast’s food and wine together, to be tasted and feasted upon, in Australia’s most idyllic settings. It is a true celebration of the Gold Coast lifestyle, wine and food producers, chefs and restaurants, who now count among some of the worlds best.

September: The Swell Sculpture Festival hits Currumbin Beach in September. Swell is a globally unique outdoor sculpture festival. The idea of Swell is for artists, both local and international, to create pieces which are large and durable and specific for outdoor display. Not only does this bring some spectacular sculptures to the Gold Coast, but it also provides a free outdoor event for the locals and holiday makers to the area, with plenty of events organised in a spectacular outdoor art gallery on the beach.

October: October is for race car lovers, when Surfers Paradise become something of a speedway as A1 GP drivers hit the gas pedal and burn up the road. Just when you thought the Gold Coast had it all, another surprise comes.

November and December: When Australian teens finally finish their studies and graduate from secondary school, there’s one obligation left: Schoolies Week. In a party to end all parties, the streets of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast at large are jammed with recent diploma holders bent on letting out all the frustrations of a lifetime in the classroom. If you are about to graduate and don’t want the same old boring events at your school, check out Schoolies Week.

For the more mature crowd, this Schoolies Week could seem like something out of a nightmare, but don’t be scared off. Booking a hotel outside of Surfers Paradise will keep you away from the epicenter of things. In Mermaid and Collangatta cooler heads can prevail and a relaxing time enjoyed by all.

I hope there are a few worthwhile tips here for travelers who are looking to come to Australia’s Gold Coast. Enjoy your vacation.

Damian Papworth understands there is too much to see for ladies coming on a Gold Coast holiday. That is one reason why acquiring the right women’s shoes is so crucial.