Top things to do in Gold Coast
Attractions, tours, and activities in Gold Coast
Recommended museums in Gold Coast
Where to find art and culture in Gold Coast
Gold Coast: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Gold Coast
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Surfers' Paradise
In downtown
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 $12 a night
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Broadbeach
2.1 miles from downtown
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 $77 a night
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Main Beach
3.1 miles from downtown
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 $130 a night
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Coolangatta
13.4 miles from downtown
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 $24 a night
About Gold Coast
Including tips for the best time to visit Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is a city that certainly lives up to its name. Just an hour’s drive from Queensland's capital, Brisbane, the downtown skyscrapers break up 20 miles of golden coastline and lush green forest.
Main Beach and Surfers Paradise—the most central seaside resorts—offer both world-class surf breaks as well as some of Australia’s best shopping malls, nightclubs, and tourist attractions. The SkyPoint Observation Deck guarantees fantastic 360º 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. The area is also popular for water sports like jet-skiing, parasailing, and flyboarding.
The Gold Coast is also the theme park capital of Australia, home to theme parks like Sea World, Dreamworld, and Wet‘n’Wild.
Things start to quiet down as you move farther 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.
Farther 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's lots to do in these scenic surroundings.
Tonight
From $350 per night
This weekend
From per night
Next weekend
From $281 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | AUD 10 = $6.50 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $164 per night |
| Average weekday price | $166 per night |
| Average stay | 3 nights |
Points of interest in Gold Coast
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Gold Coast
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Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
2.2 miles from downtown
Gold Coast reviews
What other travelers say about Gold Coast
Great beaches and coastal walkways and some super restauants...
April 25, 2024
Great beaches and coastal walkways and some super restauants and cafes. Its a busy location, fairly intense in comparison to say the Med, which might be an unfair comparison, or even Noosa on the sunshine coast which is quieter. For me its too traffic oriented and spread out, the amount of traffic is heavy and for me spoiled the relaxation experience. There are some great places to eat along the coast but a lot are spoiled, in my opinion, by the 4 lane very busy Gold Coast Highway being in close proximity. The tram, once completed could make a big difference. In my opinion the whole thing is too linear and stretched out, so for many locations, necessitating having a car, which for me isn't a holiday.
Didn’t stay in Surfers this time as it is tired looking and...
April 22, 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
We travelled around different shopping centres and a few of...
April 20, 2024
We travelled around different shopping centres and a few of the clubs for meals. The restaurants we visited were of a good standard. Roading was an issue with road works causing major disruption, especially the extension for light rail from Broadbeach, and the motorway widening.
Very busy even in the off-season, so pick your time there...
April 19, 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!
April 12, 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.
April 8, 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.
Popular places to stay in Gold Coast
Stay in some of the best accommodations Gold Coast has to offer
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Crystal Pacific Palm Beach Palm Beach, Gold Coast
From $228 per night
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Encore Broadbeach Broadbeach, Gold Coast
From $194 per night
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Stunning view close to everything Southport, Gold Coast
From $181 per night
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Surfers Chalet Surfers' Paradise, Gold Coast
From $177 per night
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Other accommodations in Gold Coast
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Gold Coast
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Apartments
From $48 per night
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Resorts
From $62 per night
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Villas
From $97 per night
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Cabins
From $73 per night
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Cottages
From $85 per night
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Serviced apartments
From $59 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $85 per night
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Guest Houses
From $65 per night
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Hostels
From $12 per night
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Motels
From $59 per night
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B&Bs
From $80 per night
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Resort Villages
From $34 per night
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Homestays
From per night
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Self-Catering Accommodations
From $34 per night
