Carrara

Think Carrara, think colour, for this suburb, is home to Australia's largest marketplace, which has been operating for 30 years and is a tourist attraction in its own right. Boasting more than 400 stalls, the Carrara Markets offer everything imaginable from farm fresh produce and meat to fashion, toys, jewellery and homewares. In addition, the famous Family Fun Lane has face painting, pony rides, a merry-go-round and balloon-wielding clowns and even two 18-hole mini golf courses.

For those who take their golf a little more seriously, Carrara is home to three extensive golf courses with challenging greens, great views and stylish clubhouses. Sporting and event enthusiasts will also appreciate Peoples First Stadium, home-ground of the Gold Coast's AFL Football Club, The Suns.