Surfers Paradise
In the city centre
Looking for surfer chic? Head inland to Cavill Avenue to find all the surfing paraphernalia that you could ever need! Once you’ve stocked up on board wax and ankle ropes, boomerang back to the beach to put your new gear to the test. When your body can’t take any more waves, join Gold Coast’s fun-seekers in nightclubs like Vanity or SinCity.
Places to stay from £9 per night
Broadbeach
2.1 miles from city centre
Broadbeach is a beach ‘n café-lovers haven. Rise with the sun, then fuel your morning with coffee from the chilled-out “No Name Lane Café”. Afterwards, stroll for hours along Broadbeach’s picture-perfect shores, and go for a dip in its sparkling waters. Later, retreat to “Grocer & Grind” Café for a leisurely lunch of locally sourced delights.
Places to stay from £61 per night
Main Beach
3.1 miles from city centre
Apart from its namesake, this old-school ‘hood has a heap of hot restaurants. “Pavilion 34” is a renovated bathing tower that serves fish-and-chips with a ‘60’s twist. Around Teddy Avenue, a vibrant café culture has sprung up and attracts everyone from surfers to socialites. The Marina Yacht Club is where big spenders come out to play.
Places to stay from £103 per night
Coolangatta
13.4 miles from city centre
Surf’s up in Coolangatta. Kirra Beach is famous for having some of the best breaks in the world, and you’ll see everyone from amateurs to pros practicing here. Just after sundown, swarms of locals flock to the Secret Deck Café. This slightly off-the-grid café is where you’ll hear surfers regale a captive audience with stories about their latest wave-riding exploits.
Places to stay from £19 per night
Located just an hour’s drive from Brisbane – the capital of Queensland – the Gold Coast is a city which definitely lives up to its name. The glinting high rises of the city centre divide some 31 kilometres of golden coastline and many acres of lush green forest.
Main Beach and Surfers Paradise, the most central seaside resorts, offer not only world-class surf breaks but also some of Australia’s best shopping malls, nightclubs and tourist attractions. The SkyPoint Observation Deck, for instance, guarantees fantastic 360-degree views, stretching from Byron Bay to Brisbane by day, and across the shimmering Gold Coast skyline at night. On a clear day, you might even spot whales migrating along the eastern coast. This area is also popular for water sports like jet-skiing, parasailing and flyboarding.
The Gold Coast is also home to theme parks such as Sea World, Dreamworld and Wet‘n’Wild, making it the theme park capital of Australia.
Things start to quieten down as you move further down the coast. Broadbeach is a laid-back alternative for sunbathers, while surfer spots like Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta are less crowded out on the waves.
Further inland are vast areas of natural beauty waiting to be explored. Whether it’s crabbing in the mangroves of the Tweed region, hiking along Lamington National Park’s mountain ridges, or discovering secluded waterfalls in Tamborine National Park, there are plenty of things to do in these scenic surroundings.
Tonight
From £92 per night
This weekend
From £333 per night
Next weekend
From £226 per night
Most popular time to visit | October–December |
Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
Local currency | AUD 10 = £5.22 |
Language | English |
Average weekend price | £132 per night |
Average weekday price | £134 per night |
Typical stay | 3 nights |
Robina Town Centre
4.3 miles from city centre
Metricon Stadium
2.2 miles from city centre
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
2.2 miles from city centre
Didn’t stay in Surfers this time as it is tired looking and...
22 April 2024
Didn’t stay in Surfers this time as it is tired looking and the hotels are expensive for what you get Southport has a lot of potential but there is an undesirable element there that make you feel unsafe Good Asian cafes in Southport & access to the tram is convenient and enjoyable
Very busy even in the off-season, so pick your time there...
19 April 2024
Very busy even in the off-season, so pick your time there carefully and also choose your accommodation in relation to what you want to visit. Getting around the G/Coast, even by car, can be slow.
I loved the Gold Coast!
12 April 2024
I loved the Gold Coast! We were in Broadbeach, which had a relaxed vibe, great restaurants, each to access grocery, and great beaches! It was beautiful with a lot of options: hang out on the beach, check out a wildlife sanctuary, or schedule an excursion like snorkeling or surfing. So much fun.
I love the Gold Coast but in particular, Broadbeach.
8 April 2024
I love the Gold Coast but in particular, Broadbeach. We walk everywhere as everything is close by, with restaurants, Pacific Fair and the Casino all very close by. The Gold Coast can get very hot in Summer so check temps before booking.
We stayed at Burleigh this time around.
6 April 2024
We stayed at Burleigh this time around. It was a lot quieter than Surfers. Mixture of restaurants- family friendly and for singles. Lots of desert places and different restaurants to cater for everyone’s tastes. I do prefer Surfers as I like the hustle and bustle and better shopping however Burleigh was a nice quiet change.
Amazing beaches.
4 April 2024
Amazing beaches. The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a must visit if you want to have a real experience with kangaroos and koalas. And you are going to have not only the best photos but the best views of the Gold Coast at the Skypoint building.
Palm Beach, Gold Coast
From £183 per night
Broadbeach, Gold Coast
From £172 per night
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
From £142 per night
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