Sanctuary Cove

If you stand along the marina and use a little imagination, you can almost picture the famous Gold Coast white-shoe brigade who put Sanctuary Cove on the map during those crazy, hazy 1980s.

While that kind of excess has long departed, the style synonymous with Sanctuary Cove remains in this exclusive master-planned community. This AUD2 billion sanctuary for the rich and famous was built in 1986 and offers a resort lifestyle with two championship golf courses, a marina, a swanky retail precinct with boutiques and restaurants and the five-star InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.

An impressive 300-plus berth Marina sits at the centre like the top of a wedding cake, and is considered a world-class facility with its capacity for super yachts. But you don't need the big bucks to enjoy a visit here with everything from houseboats, to party pontoons and luxury sailing boats on hire here. Cruise up the river and see how the other half lives as you sail past waterfront mansions. And if you're lucky you may even spot a pair of white shoes, or two.