Skip to main content

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

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 £278 per night

This weekend

From £556 per night

Next weekend

From £259 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency AUD 10 = £5.16
Language English
Average weekend price £141 per night
Average weekday price £144 per night
Typical stay 3 nights

Points of interest in Gold Coast

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Gold Coast

Gold Coast reviews

What other travellers say about Gold Coast

8.0

I live in Gold Coast Hinterland.

28 March 2024

I live in Gold Coast Hinterland. We like to stay a couple of nights, every couple of months, as it discounts the parking headaches when we want to visit our chosen restaurants. We don't worry about having a drink as we don't have to drive home.

Salloum
Salloum
10

The viewsfrom the balconies of the Meriton Suites

21 March 2024

The viewsfrom the balconies of the Meriton Suites The delicious vegan cafes and restaurants. The vegan variety to choose from at the Woolworths in Southport in the same building as te Meriton suites The beautiful beaches.

Chaquillea
Chaquillea Australia
8.0

Just love the beaches, & plenty to do if you want to...

18 March 2024

Just love the beaches, & plenty to do if you want to drive. The gold coast is my home away from home, but i must admitt, Surfers paradise itself really needs to have a face lift. It really has lost its uniqueness, & the great vibe it use to have.

Debra
Debra Australia
8.0

Apart from all of the necessary road works.

17 March 2024

Apart from all of the necessary road works. We love Broadbeach. This has everything we needed. Pacific fair, trams and Seaworld. Surfer's paradise is definitely not appealing. It is dirty and tired. We ventured out to Tamborine Mountain and other areas. Get out into nature. St Bernards Hotel is wonderful!

Jacqui
Jacqui Australia
10

The location and scenery was fantastic, but it was quite...

9 March 2024

The location and scenery was fantastic, but it was quite noisy from the waves continuous noise. There was no double glazed windows or doors and I had no Aircon so we had to have the doors open at night. The ceiling fans that work real well.

dean
dean Australia
10

weather is excellent - always sunshine

9 March 2024

weather is excellent - always sunshine commute via light rail and bus are friendly and easy Harbour Town worth a visit Broadbeach South night life offers good food for all ages beaches offer fine sand Save visiting Chinatown at Southport only offers chinese merchandise! Smith Collectives is a new commonspace area with Thai, Sushi bar Stop over Robina Town Centre if you go Springbrook National Park

Wya
Wya Hong Kong

Popular places to stay in Gold Coast

Stay in some of the best accommodation Gold Coast has to offer

Other attractions and activities in Gold Coast

More things to see and do in Gold Coast