To mark Queenslands celebration of 150 years of independence from New South Wales, people from all over Queensland voted online on the Gold Coasts top 150 icons and these are the results:
People:
Kristy Hinze: One of the Gold Coasts most successful international supermodels and granddaughter of the late and infamous Minister Russ Hinze, Kristy Hinze recently married American Billionaire and founder of Netscape, Jim Clark. Kristy was on the cover of Vogue at just 14 years old and was the youngest model and the first Australian native to achieve this honour.
The next icon is Grant Hackett. He is a gold medalist in the 1500 metre freestyle swimming, in the 2000 and the 2004 Olympics. Hackett is also the world record holder for the 1500 metre and the 800 metre freestyle. Since 1997, Hackett remains undefeated in the 1500 metre swim.
Events -
Coolangatta Gold : Made famous by the 1984 film of the same name, starring surf lifesaving legend Grant Kenny, and a then up and coming actor called Colin Friels,the movie incorporated the running of the inaugural race in front of massive crowds at Surfers Paradise. Coolangatta Gold is an original Ironman endurance event and one of the premier events in the Australian sport of Ironman (surf lifesaving) .The event involves a 23 kilometre surf ski leg from Surfers Paradise to Greenmount and takes place annually at Coolangatta.
Going strong since 1991, the Gold Coast Indy 300, has made it on the list of Gold Coast icons. It is a four day, four night event that is full of motor races, live band performances and some of the greatest entertainment in all of Australia. There is also a Miss Indy pageant each year, which draws attention for both locally and internationally.
Natural Attractions:
Surfers Paradise Beach – According the the Gold Coast Mayor, Surfers Paradise Beach is more famous than Queensland. It is the most well know beach in Australia and you can watch the Quicksilver Pro Surfing Competition and the Surf Life Saving Championships.
Structures and Engineering Feats:
Q1 : The Q1 Tower is the worlds first all residential building to exceed 1,000 feet in height. The soaring 323 metre, 80 level towers is reminiscent of another iconic Australian Building; the Sydney Opera House.Q1 is also designed to evoke memories of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch. Located opposite Surfers Paradise Beach, visitors can enjoy 360 degree views of the Gold Coast from the Q1 Observation Deck. Inside there is a 10 level high mini rainforest sky garden starting from level 60.
