3 days in Gold Coast

Day by day

1. Day 1: Surfers Paradise Beach and SkyPoint Observation Deck

   Surfers Paradise Beach, SkyPoint Observation Deck and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, then Surfers Paradise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      SkyPoint Observation Deck

      Visit at sunset to see the coast turn gold, then stay for the city lights.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Moreton Bay bugs

      Seafood restaurants at Main Beach marinas, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Surfers Paradise

      Clubs, backpacker bars and late-night venues around Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue.

2. Day 2: Sea World and The Spit and Federation Walk

   Sea World, The Spit and Federation Walk and Whale-watching cruise, then Broadbeach in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sea World

      Check the presentation times on arrival and plan rides around them to avoid the queues that follow each show.

   2. Late morning

      The Spit and Federation Walk

      The narrow sand peninsula north of Main Beach has a coastal walking track through dune bush, the Gold Coast Seaway's rock walls, where dolphins are often seen, and a dog-friendly beach.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: King prawns

      Seafood shops and co-ops around the Broadwater and Southport, and restaurant menus coast-wide.

   4. Afternoon

      Whale-watching cruise

      Choose a morning trip in calm seas, and take seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.

   5. Evening

      Broadbeach

      Cocktail bars, restaurants and the casino, with a more grown-up crowd.

3. Day 3: Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast

   Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast and Burleigh Head National Park, then Burleigh Heads in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast

      Visit on a hot weekday outside school holidays and bring water shoes for the hot pathways.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish and chips on the beach

      Takeaway shops along the beachfronts at Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta.

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Burleigh Heads

      Beachfront pavilion bars, breweries and small bars along James Street.

Before you go

• Sea World: Buy tickets online in advance; multi-park passes can be good value if you plan more than one park.

If it rains

• Swap in HOTA, Home of the Arts (Bundall): Come on Sunday morning for the farmers' market in the grounds, then visit the gallery.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Surfers Paradise keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Broadbeach ($$$) suits families, couples, shopping and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 31–40 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.4 hours in June to 13.9 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in Gold Coast
• 2 days in Gold Coast
• 5 days in Gold Coast

Questions travellers ask