Gold Coast

Gold Coast

AUSTRALIA'S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUND

Embrace the unrivalled energy of the Gold Coast, where beautiful sandy beaches, ancient rainforests, thrilling theme parks, and a vibrant dining and cultural scene come to life in this entertainment playground.

Whether it’s watching the sunrise at Burleigh, fishing at Main Beach, taking in the golden sand at Surfers Paradise, or surfing with the pros at Coolangatta, there’s a spot reserved for you on the spectacular coastline that draws visitors locally and from all over the world.

Gold Coast Itineraries

A seaside long-weekend escape

Famous for its swell, sand, and skyrises the Gold Coast is one of Queensland’s most recognised residents. It’s also one of the Sunshine State’s most popular destinations, as Australia’s largest non-capital city. But despite its size, getting a taste of the 57 kilometre stretch of golden beaches along the southern coastline doesn’t take long. In fact, the seaside stretch of suburbs can be explored in a long weekend, as this itinerary planner of 3 days in the Gold Coast goes to show. 

Day 1 
MORNING
Walk on Water Surf School | Gold Coast with kids
 

Hit the waves for a morning surf session - a must inclusion for any itinerary planner for 3 days on the Gold Coast, considering it’s home to one of the world’s most beloved surfing competitions (the Corona Open Gold Coast), as well as a handful of pros. Surf schools are thankfully commonplace here for those who want to learn. On the northern end of the Gold Coast, on Main Beach is the family-owned Walkin’ On Water Surf School which offers group or private lessons at Main Beach in the mornings and afternoons. Further south, closer to the border at Currumbin Alley, you’ll find another cluster of surf academies.

Post-surf session refuel at one of the Gold Coast’s many brunch spots. There’s a booming cafe culture in these parts, with acclaimed venues scattered from Burleigh to the Southport SpitBrunch is the region’s specialty, with stand-out venues including Cafe D-Bar in Coolangatta, Commune in Burleigh and Elk Espresso in BroadbeachConveniently the coffee is equally as good.

AFTERNOON
The Island Rooftop Restaurant | Hens party ideas Gold Coast
 

Bag a bargain in Harbour Town. Australia’s largest outlet shopping centre can be found just a 15-minute drive away from Surfers Paradise and is open daily Spend the afternoon wandering your way around the 240 boutiques, which house many a discounted designer label, stopping to take a break at one of the eateries interspersed throughout, or with some movie time at the 14-screen cinema. First timer? You’ll be further tempted with a free tourist discount card available at the Harbour Town Tourism Lounge.

EVENING

Grab your date and toast to your long weekend with a tipple at one of the Gold Coast’s many specialty bars. Bask in the balmy weather with a visit to a rooftop destination, which make the most of the endlessly sunny days on display. Or saunter your way closer to the beach front - there’s no shortage of drinking dens nudging the sand, from the laidback Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club to the bustling Rick Shores and neighbouring Burleigh Pavilion.

Day 2
MORNING

See the Gold Coast from new heights with Sea World Helicopter Tours. Sitting a breezy five minutes from Surfers central, the airborne tour operators will introduce you to some of the Gold Coast’s most famous sights from the sky.

There are five scenic flight routes to choose from, ranging in distance and price to cater to different budgets; opt for the five minute round trip from the Southport Seaway to the tip of Stradbroke Island, or settle in for the lengthier cruise south to Tweed Heads, across the Gold Coast Hinterland and back again.

AFTERNOON
Burleigh Heads National Park
 

No itinerary planner of 3 days in the Gold Coast is complete without mentioning Burleigh. The blossoming suburb has long been a favourite for surfers, and now has an edible offering to match as a growing hub of outstanding eateries. Before dinner, make like the locals do and gather on the much loved Burleigh Hill (with beers and snacks on hand) to watch the surf and the sunset.

Those with energy still to burn can first make for the nearby Burleigh Headland National Park. Wander your way along the five walking tracks here, which range in fitness level. The most popular is the scenic Ocean View Walk, a favourite for spotting the whales migrating north from Antarctica from June.

Day 3
MORNING
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
 

While famous for its beaches, the Gold Coast isn’t shy of a rainforest or two. Head inland and you’ll greet the Gold Coast Hinterland, a luscious region within which Tamborine Mountain resides. Explore the natural wonder and its 12 walking tracks solo, or arm yourself with an experienced guide courtesy of Eco Safaris Queensland, which will see you led by 4WD.

Though it’s not just the adventurous who will be entertained by a stint out here - there’s plenty to do outside of physical exercise, the Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour and Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves included.

AFTERNOON

Make way for the ancient Lamington National Park. A part of the World heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, this eye-catching area is a haven of forest, walking trails and waterfalls. It’s also home to O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walkway, a 180-metre walk consisting of nine suspension bridges.

Wander your way along the tree tops until you greet two observation decks above the walkway, hovering 30 metres above the ground. Post-adventure quench your thirst and grab a bite to eat at the Canungra Valley Vineyards before making your way back to the bright lights of the Gold Coast. 

Credit: Queensland.com

Three days on the Gold Coast

DAY 1: SOAK UP THE SUN ON MAIN BEACH
Main Beach, Gold Coast, QLD © Mark Toia, Tourism and Events Queensland
Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland © Mark Toia, Tourism and Events Queensland
Morning
Dreamworld, Gold Coast, QLD © Tourism and  Events Queensland
Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism and  Events Queensland
 
DAY 3: EXPLORE THE RAINFORESTS OF LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK
Lamington National Park, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland
Lamington National Park, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

9 Days of family fun

DAY 1: GOLD COAST AIRPORT TO CURRUMBIN BEACH 
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin, Queensland  © Tourism and Events Queensland
Springbrook National Park, QLD © Matt Raimondo
Springbrook National Park, Queensland © Matt Raimondo
Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland
Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
 
 
Mountainview Alpaca Farm, Canungra, QLD © Mountainview Alpaca Farm
Mountainview Alpaca Farm, Canungra, Queensland © Mountainview Alpaca Farm
 
Paradise Country, Oxenford, QLD © Essence Images J.Chia

Paradise Country, Oxenford, Queensland © Essence Images J.Chia 

DAYS 7 TO 9: OXENFORD - SURFERS PARADISE - GOLD COAST AIRPORT
Surfers Paradise, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Surfers Paradise, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland