5 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

      Swim between the red-and-yellow flags; rips are common, and the flags move with conditions each day. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      SkyPoint Observation Deck

      Visit at sunset to see the coast turn gold, then stay for the city lights. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Moreton Bay bugs

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

   4. Afternoon

      Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

      Join the lorikeet feeding session; flocks of rainbow lorikeets land on your arms and plates. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   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. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      The Spit and Federation Walk

      Walk out to the end of the seaway wall at high tide to watch boats come in through the channel. (2 hours, free).

   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. (2.5–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Head to the biggest coasters first at opening, then catch the parade and stunt show later in the day. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast

      Visit on a hot weekday outside school holidays and bring water shoes for the hot pathways. (Full day, expensive).

   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

      Walk the coastal track in the early morning, then grab breakfast on James Street. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Burleigh Heads

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Springbrook National Park

   About 1 hour by car each way. Getting there: Car or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Springbrook National Park

      About 1 hour by car (Car or organised tour); about 45 km.

   2. Day

      Springbrook National Park

      Part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, Springbrook has the Natural Bridge rock arch where glow-worms light the cave at night, Purling Brook Falls and the Best of All Lookout over the coast. Best for families, couples and quiet stays.

   3. Evening

      Back in Gold Coast

      Dinner: try Açaí bowl.

5. Day 5: Dreamworld and Snapper Rocks and Point Danger

   Dreamworld, Snapper Rocks and Point Danger and David Fleay Wildlife Park, then Sunrise walk at Burleigh in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Dreamworld

      Use a train or bus to Coomera station if you are staying in Brisbane; the park is a short connection away. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Snapper Rocks and Point Danger

      Bring binoculars between June and November; Point Danger is one of the best spots to watch whales from land. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Açaí bowl

      Cafés on James Street in Burleigh Heads, in Palm Beach and around Coolangatta.

   4. Afternoon

      David Fleay Wildlife Park

      Time your visit for the keeper talks and the nocturnal house, where you can see gliders and other night animals. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sunrise walk at Burleigh

      Watch the sun rise over the ocean from the Burleigh headland track, then breakfast on James Street.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Sea World before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 40–53 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Gold Coast

Questions travellers ask