Attraction
SkyPoint Observation Deck
Observation deck on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 tower in Surfers Paradise, with 360-degree views from the hinterland to the Pacific and an external…
There are plenty of things to do in Gold Coast, the long strip of surf beaches, canals and high-rise towers in south-east Queensland. Most visitors divide their time between the coast and the theme parks: Surfers Paradise has the towers, the SkyPoint deck and the busiest nightlife, Broadbeach is the dining and casino district, and Burleigh Heads, Miami and Coolangatta to the south have a more relaxed beach-town feel. Inland, the rainforest national parks of Springbrook and Tamborine are an easy day trip.
The food scene has grown well beyond fish and chips, with hatted restaurants in Burleigh Heads, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach, a strong cafe culture and night markets such as Miami Marketta. Four or five days is a good length for a first visit: two for beaches and food, one or two for theme parks or wildlife sanctuaries, and one for the hinterland. Families often stay a week to fit in more of the parks.
Attraction
Observation deck on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 tower in Surfers Paradise, with 360-degree views from the hinterland to the Pacific and an external…
Attraction
Not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary in Currumbin, founded in 1947, known for its free daily wild lorikeet feeding, koala encounters and wildlife hospital.
Attraction
Small headland national park at Burleigh Heads with rainforest and coastal walking tracks, ocean lookouts and views back along the Gold Coast skyline.
Attraction
Long, sandy surf beach in front of the Surfers Paradise towers, the Gold Coast's best-known stretch of sand and the heart of its beachfront scene.
Attraction
World Heritage-listed rainforest park in the Gold Coast hinterland, with waterfalls, cliff-top lookouts and the Natural Bridge rock arch and glow-worm cave.
Attraction
Marine theme park on The Spit at Main Beach, open since 1971, combining dolphin, seal, penguin and polar bear exhibits with coasters and a Nickelodeon area…
Café
Bakery cafe in a restored Queenslander house in Burleigh Heads, known for wood-fired breads and pastries, doughnuts and coffee, open seven days from 6am.
Café
French-style artisan bakery and brunch cafe on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach, best known for its croissants and twice-baked almond croissants.
Café
Coffee, culture and creativity hub in a converted warehouse in Currumbin's industrial precinct, pairing strong coffee and breakfast with art exhibitions and live music.
Café
Community-minded Palm Beach cafe that began around 2009 as a local gathering spot, open daily from 5am for coffee, food and drinks, with a second beachside…
Café
Local bakery in Currumbin Waters that bakes pastries, doughnuts, cruffins, pies and sausage rolls fresh on site several times a day, with coffee and a grill…
Café
Breakfast and lunch cafe on Point Danger above Rainbow Bay in Coolangatta, with panoramic views and a paddock-to-plate menu built on local ingredients.
Hotel
Five-star beachfront hotel on Old Burleigh Road in Surfers Paradise, with 169 rooms, the Cantonese restaurant T'ang Court, Chuan Spa and several bars.
Hotel
Five-star hotel on Surf Parade in Broadbeach, steps from the ocean and a short walk from Broadbeach North light rail station, with two outdoor pools and…
Hotel
Grand neoclassical-style luxury hotel on the Broadwater at Main Beach, opened in 2000 as Palazzo Versace and renamed The Imperial Hotel in 2023, with a private…
Hotel
Playful five-star design hotel in Surfers Paradise, 50 metres from the beach, with 293 rooms, Yamagen Japanese restaurant, spaQ and a poolside precinct.
Hotel
Renovated 78-room boutique hotel in central Surfers Paradise, styled on a Queensland seaside village, with Goldie's restaurant, a pool deck and The Island Rooftop bar.
Hotel
313-room hotel within The Star Gold Coast precinct at Broadbeach, a five-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach, with a pool club, spa and gym and internal access…
Bar
Rooftop bar above Norté at Mermaid Beach, with ocean-breeze terraces, a tequila and mezcal-heavy drinks list, margaritas, ceviche, tostadas and grilled asados.
Bar
Beachfront pavilion on Burleigh Beach combining an outdoor beach bar and deck, The PAV for lunch and drinks, The Tropic for sunset and dinner, and a…
Bar
Coolangatta pub on Marine Parade, trading since 1910, with an upstairs Bandroom for local and international gigs, a public bar, bistro and beer garden.
Bar
Taphouse of Burleigh Brewing Company, an independent Queensland brewer since 2006, pouring its lagers and pale ales at the brewery from Friday to Sunday.
Bar
Open-air rooftop bar on The Island Gold Coast hotel in central Surfers Paradise, with views over the city and beach, classic cocktails and Saturday lunch and…
Bar
Walk-in wine bar on James Street in Burleigh Heads, a sibling of Restaurant Labart, with a curated list of Australian and international wines, cocktails and small…
Restaurant
Beachfront restaurant on Burleigh Beach serving pan-Asian sharing plates built on Australian produce, best known for its Moreton Bay bug roll.
Restaurant
Neighbourhood restaurant in Burleigh Heads serving a frequently changing contemporary European menu built on local farmers' produce, named Queensland's best restaurant by Gourmet Traveller.
Restaurant
Modern Vietnamese restaurant on the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads, serving share plates and Feed Me menus with an award-winning wine list.
Restaurant
Mermaid Beach restaurant cooking over a custom wood-fired hearth, pairing Latin American flavours with seasonal Australian produce, cocktails and South American wines.
Restaurant
Broadbeach restaurant and bar in the Oracle precinct serving East Asian-inspired sharing plates, from dumplings and chargrilled dishes to whole roast duck, seven days a week.
Restaurant
Intimate 20-seat Mermaid Beach restaurant, open since 2017, serving tasting menus built on seasonal produce from local growers, with matching wines.
Thing to do
Laneway street food night market in Miami, open from 5pm Wednesday to Saturday, with food stalls, free live music, a gin bar and an adults-only lounge.
Thing to do
Aboriginal-owned cultural centre at the foot of Burleigh headland, running guided walks and cruises that share the Dreaming stories and history of the Yugambeh people.
Thing to do
Year-round water park at Oxenford with racing slides, tube rides, the KABOOM! drop slide and a large splash zone and junior slides for young children.
Thing to do
Headland lookout on the Queensland and New South Wales border at Coolangatta, with the Captain Cook Memorial lighthouse, ocean views and whale and dolphin watching.
Thing to do
Large weekend market at Carrara with more than 300 stalls, cafes and family attractions, open Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3pm with free entry and…
Tour operator
Gold Coast jet boat operator since 2004, running 50-minute rides with high-speed spins and drifts and a sightseeing run along South Stradbroke Island.
Tour operator
One-hour amphibious tour from Cavill Avenue that drives past Surfers Paradise landmarks before splashing into the Broadwater for a cruise past waterfront mansions.
Tour operator
Surfers Paradise-based operator running guided day and evening tours to Springbrook's Natural Bridge, the glow worms, Lamington, O'Reilly's and Tamborine Mountain.
Tour operator
Sunrise hot air balloon flights over the Gold Coast hinterland and Scenic Rim, with hotel transfers and breakfast options at O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyard.
Tour operator
Licensed surf school teaching at Currumbin Alley since 1993, with group and private lessons, children's holiday programmes, six-week challenges and women's sessions.
Four or five days covers the main beaches, a theme park or wildlife sanctuary, a day in the hinterland and some of the best restaurants. Families wanting several theme parks often stay a week.
Surfers Paradise suits first-time visitors who want the beach, shops and nightlife on the doorstep. Broadbeach is good for dining, Main Beach is quieter and close to The Spit, and Burleigh Heads has a relaxed beach-town feel with many of the best cafes and restaurants.
From Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, buses run north along the coast and shuttle and taxi services go to the main hotel areas. From Brisbane Airport, the Airtrain links with the train line to the Gold Coast, where you can change to the G:link light rail at Helensvale.
It is in line with other Australian cities. Theme parks and tours are the biggest costs, but beaches, national parks, markets and coastal walks are free, and multi-park passes can bring down the cost of the parks.
Generally yes. The main risks are on the beach, so always swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches, and take care with sun exposure. Use normal precautions with belongings in busy nightlife areas late at night.