Travel guide · Australia
Gold Coast travel guide
Surf beaches, theme parks and rainforest hinterland on Queensland's southern coast
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jordan Gellie jordan_gellie, CC0
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Quick answer
The Gold Coast is a long strip of surf beaches and resort suburbs running south from The Spit at Main Beach through Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta at the New South Wales border. Surfers Paradise has the high-rises and nightlife, Burleigh and Palm Beach have the cafés and point breaks, and the northern suburbs hold Sea World, Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Dreamworld. Behind the coast, the rainforest of Springbrook, Lamington and Tamborine Mountain lies 45–90 minutes inland. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are April–May and September–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Australia
- Best time to visit
- April–May and September–November
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- OOL, BNE
- Mid-range daily budget
- $150–$260 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Surfers Paradise, Surf beaches, Theme parks and Burleigh Heads
Why visit Gold Coast
- Patrolled surf beaches run almost continuously from Main Beach to Coolangatta, with famous point breaks at Burleigh Heads, Kirra and Snapper Rocks.
- Four big theme and water parks — Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Dreamworld — are within about 30 minutes of Surfers Paradise.
- World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest at Springbrook and Lamington, with glow-worms and treetop walks, is a short drive inland.
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and David Fleay Wildlife Park show koalas, cassowaries and platypus close to the beaches.
- From about June to November, humpback whales pass close to shore and whale-watching boats leave from Main Beach.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 15 things to do.
Beach · Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Beach
The Gold Coast's most famous beach is a wide stretch of sand backed by high-rises, with lifeguards on duty year-round and the 'Surfers Paradise' sign at the end of Cavill Avenue.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Surfers Paradise
SkyPoint Observation Deck
Near the top of the Q1 tower, one of Australia's tallest buildings, SkyPoint's level-77 deck has 360-degree views over the coastline, the hinterland and the Broadwater.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Iconic
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Kids
Zoo · Currumbin
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Operating since 1947, the sanctuary started with lorikeet feeding and now has koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles and a wildlife hospital that treats thousands of injured native animals each year.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
- Outdoors
Theme park · Main Beach
Sea World
A marine-themed park on The Spit with dolphin and seal presentations, polar bears, penguins, an aquarium and a mix of family and thrill rides.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
Theme park · Oxenford
Warner Bros. Movie World
A film-themed park with DC superhero and Looney Tunes zones, stunt shows, parades and some of the coast's biggest roller coasters.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
- Active
Nature · Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Head National Park
A small national park covers the Burleigh headland with rainforest, basalt columns and the Oceanview Walk around the point, which looks north along the beach to Surfers Paradise.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Where to stay
Surfers Paradise is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, budget and beach
Surfers Paradise
High-rise beachfront, Cavill Avenue bars and the evening beachfront markets
$$$ · Best for families, couples, shopping and food lovers
Broadbeach
Polished dining precinct with a patrolled beach, the convention centre and Pacific Fair
$$$$ · Best for couples, families, luxury and quiet stays
Main Beach
Low-key upmarket strip of Tedder Avenue cafés between Surfers and The Spit
$$ · Best for families and budget
Southport
Broadwater-side business centre with parklands and the light rail hub
What to eat
- Moreton Bay bugs — A Queensland slipper lobster with sweet, firm meat, grilled with garlic butter or served cold on seafood platters.
- King prawns — Large local prawns are an Australian summer staple, bought cooked by the kilo and peeled on the beach, or grilled with chilli and garlic.
- Fish and chips on the beach — Battered or grilled local fish with chips, often flathead or barramundi, wrapped in paper and eaten on the sand or in a beachfront park.
- Açaí bowl — Frozen açaí blended thick and topped with granola, banana, berries and coconut is the post-surf breakfast of the Gold Coast's beach suburbs.
- Smashed avocado on toast — The Australian café classic: avocado smashed with lemon and feta on sourdough, often with poached eggs, eaten at a sunny pavement table.
- Mango — Queensland mangoes, especially the Kensington Pride, fill shops and roadside stalls in summer and are sold by the tray.
When to go
The best time to visit the Gold Coast is April to May and September to November, when days are warm and sunny, humidity is lower and the sea is still pleasant. June to August is mild and dry, ideal for whale watching but cooler for swimming. December to February is hot, humid, stormy and crowded during school holidays.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December–February | Hot, humid and stormy with the warmest sea; peak school holidays mean crowds and high prices. |
| Autumn | March–May | Warm water, settling weather and fewer crowds after Easter; a strong time for surfing. |
| Winter | June–August | Mild, sunny and dry, with cool mornings, cooler sea and whale migration offshore. |
| Spring | September–November | Warm, mostly dry days, festivals and whales heading south; Schoolies week in late November. |
Getting there and around
Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta is about 25 km south of Surfers Paradise, roughly 30–40 minutes by car; buses connect to the light rail. Brisbane Airport is about 90 km north, linked by the Airtrain to Gold Coast line stations in roughly 1.5 hours.
The coast is long and spread out, so most visitors combine the G:link light rail and Translink buses with taxis, ride-hailing or a hire car. Within Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, walking and the light rail are enough.
Plan your days
Three days covers the beaches, Burleigh Heads and one theme park or wildlife sanctuary. Five days lets you add a second park, a hinterland day at Springbrook or Tamborine Mountain and a trip to Byron Bay or Brisbane.
Practical information
- Currency
- AUD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type I sockets (angled two-pin), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 000 (police, fire and ambulance); 112 from mobiles
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in Australia.
The Gold Coast is generally safe for visitors. The main hazards are rip currents, strong sun and summer storms; swim between the flags at patrolled beaches. Surfers Paradise can get rowdy late at night, especially during Schoolies.
Flights to Gold Coast
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Gold Coast?
Three days covers the beaches, Burleigh Heads and one theme park or wildlife sanctuary. Five days lets you add a second park, a hinterland day at Springbrook or Tamborine Mountain and a trip to Byron Bay or Brisbane. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Gold Coast?
The best time to visit the Gold Coast is April to May and September to November, when days are warm and sunny, humidity is lower and the sea is still pleasant. June to August is mild and dry, ideal for whale watching but cooler for swimming. December to February is hot, humid, stormy and crowded during school holidays.
+What is Gold Coast known for?
Surfers Paradise, Surf beaches, Theme parks, Burleigh Heads, Hinterland rainforest, Whale watching and SkyPoint Observation Deck. Patrolled surf beaches run almost continuously from Main Beach to Coolangatta, with famous point breaks at Burleigh Heads, Kirra and Snapper Rocks.
+Is Gold Coast expensive?
Gold Coast is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $150–$260 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Gold Coast?
Not for the beach strip, which the light rail and buses cover. Rent a car to reach Springbrook, Lamington, Tamborine Mountain and Byron Bay, or book a tour.