Best time to visit · Gold Coast · Australia
The best time to visit Gold Coast
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ASphericalBird, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
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.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–November
- Shoulder season
- March, June–August and December
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 28°C (82°F))
- Coldest month
- June (avg high 21°C (70°F))
- Rainiest month
- March (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–March, May–June, August and October
Seasons
The Gold Coast has a sunny, humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot, humid and stormy, with most of the rain from January to March; winters are mild, dry and sunny, though the sea is noticeably cooler.
December–February
Summer
Hot, humid and stormy with the warmest sea; peak school holidays mean crowds and high prices.
March–May
Autumn
Warm water, settling weather and fewer crowds after Easter; a strong time for surfing.
June–August
Winter
Mild, sunny and dry, with cool mornings, cooler sea and whale migration offshore.
September–November
Spring
Warm, mostly dry days, festivals and whales heading south; Schoolies week in late November.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C | 21°C | 10 | 25°C | 13.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 28°C | 21°C | 12 | 26°C | 13.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 27°C | 20°C | 13 | 25°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 26°C | 17°C | 11 | 24°C | 11.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 23°C | 14°C | 10 | 22°C | 10.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 21°C | 12°C | 8 | 21°C | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 21°C | 11°C | 6 | 20°C | 10.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 22°C | 11°C | 5 | 19°C | 11.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 23°C | 14°C | 6 | 20°C | 12 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 25°C | 16°C | 8 | 21°C | 12.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 26°C | 18°C | 9 | 23°C | 13.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 27°C | 20°C | 10 | 24°C | 13.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Summer school holidays (most of January) |
| March | Professional surfing at Snapper Rocks (in years it is on the tour, usually March to May) |
| April | ANZAC Day dawn services at surf clubs and parks (25 April) |
| May | Blues on Broadbeach music festival (usually May) |
| June | Whale-watching season begins (usually June) |
| July | Gold Coast Marathon (usually early July) |
| September | Swell Sculpture Festival on Currumbin Beach (usually September) |
| October | Gold Coast 500 Supercars street race in Surfers Paradise (usually October) |
| November | Schoolies — school-leaver celebrations in Surfers Paradise (usually late November) |
| December | New Year's Eve fireworks at Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in February–March, May–June, August and October, and the sights are quietest in February–March, May–June, August and October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month 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.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Gold Coast?
Usually in February–March, May–June, August and October. Warmest sea of the year but often wet and humid, with cyclone swells possible.
+What is the rainiest month in Gold Coast?
March, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Gold Coast get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).