Month guide · Gold Coast · Australia
Gold Coast in December
What December is really like in Gold Coast: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The original uploader was Triki-wiki at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 13.9 hours of daylight. Hot and humid with storms building; Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 4th-warmest month in Gold Coast: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (26°C (79°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 04:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:39
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F)
Autumn (March–May). Warm water, settling weather and fewer crowds after Easter; a strong time for surfing.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- New Year's Eve fireworks at Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Zoo · Burleigh Heads
David Fleay Wildlife Park
Run by the Queensland Government, this park in mangroves and eucalypt forest at West Burleigh shows native animals such as platypus, cassowaries, koalas and nocturnal species in a quiet bush setting.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Main Beach
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.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Main Beach
Whale-watching cruise
Humpback whales migrate along the coast between about June and November, heading north to calve and then south with their young.
- Time needed
- 2.5–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Couples
- Outdoors
Beach · Coolangatta
Kirra Beach
Watch the surfers from the Kirra Hill lookout, which also has wide coastal views.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Gold Coast.
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 20°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Gold Coast?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Gold Coast in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Gold Coast?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot and humid with storms building; Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks.
+How warm is Gold Coast in December?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Gold Coast in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.