Gold Coast Travelers Recommend

The sunbaked shores of the Gold Coast are Queensland’s flagship beach destination thanks to their year-round sun, sand, and surf. While it’s tempting to spend the whole day at lounging on the beach, there’s plenty more to see and do along the coast. Here’s how to spend the perfect day on the Gold Coast.

Morning: Hit the Beach

Early morning is the best time to chase the waves around Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, and Burleigh Heads, so join the locals out on the water. If you don’t fancy surfing, there are plenty of other water sports to get your adrenaline pumping. Perhaps kick off the day with a jet boat ride along the Gold Coast Broadwater, a Jet Ski safari, or a stand-up paddle board excursion along the Nerang River. For lunch, head to a waterfront restaurant in Surfers Paradise to feast on fresh seafood or set sail on a lunchtime sightseeing cruise.

Afternoon: Seafront Sightseeing

Each of the beach towns along the Gold Coast has its own character, but with limited time, it’s best to pick just one for the afternoon. At Surfers Paradise, explore the scenic canals on a walking tour, take in the views from SkyPoint Observation Deck, or zip along the beachfront promenades on a Segway. Alternatively, take a half-day tour to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can see Aussie animals including koalas, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, emus, and dingoes. 

Night: Sunsets and Sundowners

Gold Coast sunsets are best observed from the beach, and both Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads combine sunset views with a happening coastal nightlife scene. Enjoy drinks with a view at one of the many rooftop bars, tuck into street food at the Miami Marketta night market, or join a pub crawl and party until the early hours. 

With long stretches of white sand, year-round sunshine, and hoards of sun-bronzed surfers, the Gold Coast is everything you’d expect from one of Australia’s most famous vacation spots. Whether you’re seeking surf breaks, family entertainment, or beachfront parties—here’s what to know about beaches along the Gold Coast.

Surfers Paradise

With its gorgeous sandy beach, gleaming high-rises lining the seafront, and 24/7 entertainment, Surfers Paradise is the quintessential Gold Coast beach. Surfers Paradise Beach is the place to get your adrenaline pumping, so join a surf class, take a thrilling jet boat ride, or try water sports like jet skiing or flyboarding.

South Stradbroke Island

Located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, South Stradbroke Island is the ideal day trip destination. Head there on a guided tour to swim and snorkel along the beaches; kayak around Wavebreak Island; or spot dolphins and whales along the coast. With included transportation, equipment and expert guidance and commentary, a tour eliminates the hassle of arranging the trip yourself.

Broadbeach

Kurrawa Beach at Broadbeach is one of the Gold Coast’s most popular family beaches, with grassy picnic areas, lifeguard-patrolled swimming areas, and beach volleyball facilities. 

Main Beach

The northernmost beach of the Gold Coast, Main Beach is generally less crowded than Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, making it a good choice for families or beachgoers who want more space. It’s also home to Sea World, one of Queensland’s most popular attractions.

Burleigh Heads

A local favorite, Burleigh Heads has pristine beaches, great surf, and the Burleigh Heads National Park right on its doorstep. Head there on a Sunday to browse the famous markets, take a walk along the coast or head south to Snapper Rock, one of Australia’s most prized surf beaches. Or visit with a driver-guide as part of a Gold Coast tour and soak in the area’s beauty without worrying about navigation, parking, or car rental.

With more than 15 miles (40 kilometers) of sandy beaches and year-round sunshine, the Gold Coast is the perfect destination for a beach break. Whether you want to learn to surf, hike the Hinterlands, or cruise along the coast—here are some ideas for how to spend three days on the Gold Coast. 

Day 1: Sun, Sea, and Surf

With three days on the Gold Coast, there’s plenty of time to hit the beach. While Surfers Paradise and Main Beach draw the biggest crowds, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, and Coolangatta are all local favorites. Perhaps take a surf class; try water sports such as jet-skiing, kayaking, or flyboarding; or opt for a half-day cruise to Stradbroke Island or Wave Break Island where you can go snorkeling and spot whales along the coast. 

Adventurous types may want to bike or ride a Segway along the seafront Gold Coast Oceanway or go hiking in the Burleigh Heads National Park. In the evening, head to one of the oceanfront bars in Burleigh Heads or Surfers Paradise, where you can sip cocktails as you watch the sunset, and then enjoy a delicious seafood dinner. 

Day 2: Head into the Hinterlands

Many of Queensland’s top attractions can be visited on a day trip from the Gold Coast. You can spend a day sightseeing in Brisbane or Byron Bay, or visit Australia Zoo, home of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin. One of the most popular day trip tours is to the Gold Coast Hinterlands; its mountainous landscapes offer plenty of options for hiking, wildlife-watching, and outdoor activities.

Perhaps visit Mt. Tamborine National Park, including a tour of the glowworm caves or a walk along the Rainforest Skywalk, or admire natural wonders such as Purling Brook Falls, Numinbah Valley, and the Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park. Alternatively, head a little further to the Lamington National Park, where you can hike through the rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and look out for rare birds such as Albert’s lyrebird. Guided tours typically include transportation and take the worry out of navigating.

Day 3: Get an Adrenaline Fix

The Gold Coast is home to some of Australia’s top theme parks with spectacular rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. For the best value, look for combo packages that include access to multiple parks and transport from Gold Coast hotels. 

Adrenaline seekers find plenty of big thrill rides at Dreamworld, and entrance can be combined with the neighboring Whitewater World water park. Warner Brothers Movie World is another big hit, with movie-themed rides, parades, and 4D movies. Right next door is  Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld, Australia’s largest water park. Animal lovers will want to head to Sea World, where you can see dolphins, penguins, and polar bears. 

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most famous beach destinations, but there’s more to the coast than sun, sea, and sand. Two days gives you enough time to hit the beach, explore the Hinterlands, and cruise the coast. Here’s how to spend two days on the Gold Coast.

Day 1: Sun, Surf, and Sightseeing

**Morning:**Start your tour in Surfers Paradise, where you can stroll around the scenic canals and take in the views from the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Next, head down to the beachfront, where the coastal promenades take you all the way down to Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach. For a zippy adventure, join a Segway tour and roll along the coast. 

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon at the beach, where you can dive in to swim and snorkel, or simply relax and work on your tan. Adventurous types can take part in a huge variety of water sports from high-speed jet boat rides to parasailing and flyboarding. 

**Night:**Set sail along the coast on a romantic catamaran cruise and watch the sunset as you cruise around Wave Break and South Stradbroke islands. Alternatively, take an evening sightseeing cruise around the Gold Coast canals and admire views of illuminated Surfers Paradise skyline.

Day 2: Explore the Hinterlands

**Morning:**Escape to the cooler climes of the Gold Coast Hinterlands, where you can take a hike through the Springbrook National Park and see the famous Natural Bridge. Or visit Mt. Tamborine National Park, where highlights include the glowworm caves and the Rainforest Skywalk.

**Afternoon:**Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can see Aussie animals including koalas, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, emus, and dingoes. Afterwards, visit nearby Burleigh Heads and spend time browsing the shops and admiring the coastal views, before watching the sunset from a rooftop bar. 

**Night:**Stop by the atmospheric Miami Marketta night market at Miami Beach to tuck into tasty street food and sip cocktails. Held on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, the market draws a lively mix of locals and travelers, and there’s live entertainment all night long. 

As if sandy beaches, world-class surf, and year-round sunshine weren’t enough, the Gold Coast is also Australia’s theme park capital. With a range of combo and multi-day passes to choose from, thrill-seekers will find plenty to keep them entertained. Here’s a rundown of the best Gold Coast theme parks. 

Dreamworld

Dreamworld is the top ticket for adrenaline junkies and the biggest theme park on the Gold Coast, with a huge choice of thrill rides, shows, and entertainment for all ages. Test your nerves on the Tower of Terror, the Giant Drop, and The Claw; entertain little ones at ABC Kids World featuring top Australian TV characters; watch a movie at the Dreamworld cinema; visit Tiger Island; or combine entrance with access to the Whitewater World water park in a single or multi-day pass.

Wet 'n' Wild Waterworld

Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld lives up to its name with a series of exhilarating water slides, games, and attractions. Visitors can surf in a giant wave pool, watch dive-in movies, ride a wet roller coaster, and make a splash at the Buccaneer Bay kid’s playground. For the best value, opt for a Gold Coast Theme Park Pass including entrance to Movie World, Sea World, and Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld and choose from 2-, 7-, or 14-day passes. 

Warner Brothers Movie World

Located next door to Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld, Warner Brothers Movie World boasts dozens of movie-themed attractions, live shows, parades, and 4D movies. Popular rides include the Superman Escape and Green Lantern coasters, while the younger ones will love the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster and the Looney Tunes Village. Buy a value-priced combo pass to see this and other parks.

Sea World

Sea World is the place to get closer look at Australia’s marine life, under the safety and supervision of expert handlers. Sharks, dolphins, seals, penguins, and polar bears are all in residence, and activities include the Storm Coaster and live shows. Get the Gold Coast Combo package and combine a jet boat ride with Sea World admission.

Game Over

Game Over is about fun, family-friendly activities. There’s something for all ages, so you can zip around a racetrack on a go-kart, play laser tag, or tackle the gigantic climbing wall, and then ride the indoor zipline and enjoy virtual reality experiences.