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Best Attractions in Gold Coast (2026)

The Gold Coast's sights fall into three groups: the beaches and towers of the coast itself, the big theme parks in the north, and the rainforest national parks of the hinterland. Start with the view from SkyPoint Observation Deck on Q1, then walk down to Surfers Paradise Beach. Further south, Burleigh Head National Park is a short headland walk with ocean views, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary combines native animals with its free lorikeet feeding at 8am and 4pm. Inland from Surfers Paradise, HOTA, Home of the Arts adds a six-level gallery and lakeside parkland to the mix.

Plan the theme parks carefully. Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Dreamworld each need a full day, so give every park its own date, buy tickets online in advance and consider a multi-park pass if you are visiting more than one. Arrive at opening time for the biggest rides, and check the park calendars, as hours change with the seasons and some parks close on Anzac Day and Christmas Day. For the hinterland, Springbrook National Park and Tamborine National Park are best done by car or on a guided tour; allow a full day, start early and check the Queensland Parks website for track closures. Combine Springbrook's waterfalls with an evening visit to the glow worms at Natural Bridge.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in Gold Coast

  1. SkyPoint Observation Deck Observation deck, Surfers ParadiseObservation 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 building climb.
  2. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, CurrumbinNot-for-profit wildlife sanctuary in Currumbin, founded in 1947, known for its free daily wild lorikeet feeding, koala encounters and wildlife hospital.
  3. Burleigh Head National Park National park and headland, Burleigh HeadsSmall headland national park at Burleigh Heads with rainforest and coastal walking tracks, ocean lookouts and views back along the Gold Coast skyline.

Attraction

6. Sea World

Marine theme parkMain Beach

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 for younger children.

View details — Sea World

Attraction

9. Dreamworld

Theme park and wildlife parkCoomera

Coomera theme park opened in 1981, mixing big coasters such as Steel Taipan with Tiger Island and Australian wildlife, plus the WhiteWater World water park next door.

View details — Dreamworld