Top places to visit in Gold Coast

• Surfers Paradise Beach

  Beach · about 2.5 h

  The Gold Coast's signature high-rise beach — a long stretch of patrolled golden sand backed by shops and nightlife.

• SkyPoint Observation Deck

  Viewpoint · about 1.3 h · entry AUD 31

  A level-77 observation deck atop the Q1 tower with 360-degree coast-to-hinterland views and an external climb.

• Burleigh Heads National Park

  Nature · about 1.5 h

  A rainforest headland with an easy oceanfront walking track, koalas, whale-watching and one of the coast's best point breaks.

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

  Wildlife · about 3.5 h · entry AUD 60

  A National-Trust wildlife sanctuary famed for its free-flying lorikeet feeding, koalas, crocodiles and wildlife hospital.

• Warner Bros. Movie World

  Activity · about 6 h

  A Hollywood-themed park with roller coasters, DC superhero rides and daily character parades — a Gold Coast icon.

• Sea World

  Activity · about 6 h

  A marine theme park with dolphin and shark presentations, rides and animal-rescue experiences on the Broadwater.

• Dreamworld

  Activity · about 6 h

  Australia's biggest theme park — thrill rides, the Tiger Island big cats and a native wildlife experience at Coomera.

• Broadbeach

  Beach · about 2 h

  A relaxed, dining-led beach suburb beside Pacific Fair and The Star casino, with a patrolled family beach.

• Coolangatta & Snapper Rocks

  Beach · about 2 h

  A laid-back southern beach town, home to the world-class Superbank surf break at Snapper Rocks and calm swimming bays.

• Springbrook National Park

  Waterfall · about 4 h

  A World Heritage Gondwana rainforest of waterfalls, the Natural Bridge cave and the Best of All Lookout in the hinterland.

• Tamborine Mountain

  Nature · about 4 h

  A hinterland plateau of rainforest walks, waterfalls, the Skywalk, wineries and the Gallery Walk arts village.

• HOTA (Home of the Arts)

  Cultural · about 1.5 h

  The Gold Coast's cultural precinct on the Nerang River — a striking green gallery, outdoor stage and rooftop bar.

Things to do

• Surfers Paradise Surf Lesson Adventure · 2 h · from AUD 65 per person
• Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise Cruise · 2.5 h · from AUD 89 per person
• Tamborine Mountain Rainforest & Wineries Tour Tour · 8 h · from AUD 129 per person
• Gold Coast Jet Boat Thrill Ride Adventure · 0.9 h · from AUD 75 per person
• Springbrook Glow Worm & Natural Bridge Tour Tour · 5 h · from AUD 99 per person
• SkyPoint Climb Adventure · 1.5 h · from AUD 99 per person

Day trips and tours

• Gold Coast Hinterland & Wildlife 8 h · from AUD 129

Where to stay in Gold Coast

• Surfers Paradise about AUD 3,500 per night

  Beach resort with water sports

• Broadbeach about AUD 250 per night

  Relaxed, dining-focused beach suburb next to Pacific Fair and The Star casino.

• Burleigh Heads about AUD 240 per night

  Laid-back surf town with a national-park headland walk and a strong cafe scene.

Hotels

• QT Gold Coast 4-star · AUD 220 to AUD 450 per night
• The Star Gold Coast 5-star · AUD 280 to AUD 700 per night
• Peppers Broadbeach 4-star · AUD 230 to AUD 480 per night
• Vibe Hotel Gold Coast 4-star · AUD 170 to AUD 340 per night
• Mantra on View Hotel 4-star · AUD 150 to AUD 300 per night

Where to eat

• Rick Shores Asian, Seafood · about AUD 120 per person
• The Fish House Seafood · about AUD 130 per person
• Social Eating House + Bar Modern Australian · about AUD 75 per person
• Koi Dining & Bar Japanese, Modern Australian · about AUD 80 per person
• Burleigh Pavilion Pub, Australian · about AUD 55 per person
• BSKT Cafe Cafe, Healthy · about AUD 30 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Tram main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Backpacker job-deposit

  Major tourist zones

  Online "casual work" offer demands $50–200 deposit for "uniform/training"; job doesn't exist.

  How to avoid it: Never pay deposit for a job before starting. Use official jobactive portal.

More in Australia

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Cairns