Top things to do in Gold Coast
Attractions, tours and activities in Gold Coast
Recommended museums in Gold Coast
Where to discover culture and the arts in Gold Coast
Gold Coast: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Gold Coast
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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
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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
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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
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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
About Gold Coast
Including tips for the best time to visit Gold Coast
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 £71 per night
This weekend
From £504 per night
Next weekend
From £228 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | AUD 10 = £5.19 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | £132 per night |
| Average weekday price | £132 per night |
| Typical stay | 3 nights |
Points of interest in Gold Coast
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Gold Coast
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Robina Town Centre
4.3 miles from city centre
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Metricon Stadium
2.2 miles from city centre
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Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
2.2 miles from city centre
Gold Coast reviews
What other travellers say about Gold Coast
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.
The Gold Coast covers a large area and long sea front.
30 March 2024
The Gold Coast covers a large area and long sea front. Organised like a city with 700,000+ population. Public transport is good though there is no bus or tram route along the promenade. Need a Go card which is also valid in Brisbane - these are not as widely available as their equivalents in Sydney or Melbourne. Ocean and beach views are stunning and Surfers' Paradise is not an exaggeration.
The apartment was great and comfortably,
29 March 2024
The apartment was great and comfortably, There was underground parking for each apartment . And visitors parking which was fantastic, the view was lovely, of the sea, restaurants was not far away some lovely restaurants but they close so early 8:45pm we did not arrive until 7:30 pm, but we found a pub and was able to get food at the pub, and it music which was nice.and they only stayed open until 10:30 pm. The next night we went to a lovely Greek restaurant. A nice little strip in main beach with restaurant and cafes. 3 mins away. Great place to stay.
Popular places to stay in Gold Coast
Stay in some of the best accommodation Gold Coast has to offer
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Crystal Pacific Palm Beach Palm Beach, Gold Coast
From £182 per night
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Encore Broadbeach Broadbeach, Gold Coast
From £181 per night
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Stunning view close to everything Southport, Gold Coast
From £131 per night
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Circle on Cavill - Self Contained Apartments - Wow Stay Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
From £87 per night
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Other accommodation in Gold Coast
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Gold Coast
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Apartments
From £38 per night
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Resorts
From £49 per night
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Villas
From £77 per night
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Cabins
From £58 per night
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Cottages
From £68 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £47 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £68 per night
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Guest Houses
From £91 per night
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Hostels
From £9 per night
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Motels
From £47 per night
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B&Bs
From £36 per night
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Holiday Parks
From £27 per night
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Homestays
From £65 per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £27 per night
