Gold Coast, QLD
Known for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and inland canals and waterways, the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane, is a holiday destination of wonderful contrasts – from the sophistication of Main Beach, the glamour of Surfers Paradise, action-packed theme parks and wildlife sanctuaries to championship golf courses, fabulous shopping and rainforest wonderlands right at the back door! It really is… the coast with the most!
A sweeping 70 kilometre coastline offers more than 40 patrolled beaches during peak holiday seasons that are among the best in the world. The beachfront esplanades of vibrant centres like Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta, invite you to sit back, relax and soak up the fun and holiday atmosphere.
Dip more than a toe in
Surfers Paradise was once just a massive stretch of world-beating surf. Today, the surf is still there but with many additions: high-rise accommodation, giant theme parks, exotic nightlife, countless restaurants and 300 days of sunshine a year. No wonder they call it ‘the coast with the most’.
The sweeping coastline and its stunning array of beaches are a major drawcard. Palm Beach, Rainbow Bay, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise are some of the alluring names given to surfing beaches, all which offer soft golden sand, rolling waves and the opportunity for a perfect suntan.
Myriad activities await visitors: from swimming, sailing and boating to surfboard riding, windsurfing or even beach volleyball. This is the place to soak up the sun, fun and holiday atmosphere of the Gold Coast.
The calm Southport Broadwater, with an extensive inland canal system, provides another ideal setting for water sports with a huge range of exciting pursuits from para-sailing and jet-skiing to toboggan rides and water skiing.
The Broadwater, spreading north to Moreton Bay, is one of Australia’s largest protected waterways, with huge sand and mangrove islands that are great for exploring.
A classic way to take in the magnificent rivers and canals of the Gold Coast is to climb aboard a sleek cruise vessel. You can cruise the waterways or stop off at a secluded private island for a barbecue, water sports or just to laze in the sun.
The Gold Coast G-Link trams are a great way to get around the beach-side villages.
The theme-park capital
Fantasy, thrills, action rides, daring stunts, live shows and fun for all ages – this is the Gold Coast, home to the best themed attractions in the southern hemisphere.
The action starts at Sea World, the spectacular marine zoological park. Amazing dolphin and sea lion shows and daredevil skiing stunts keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Take a ride into the mysterious Bermuda Triangle or brave the thrilling Corkscrew Roller Coaster or Wave Breaker.
Hollywood comes alive at Warner Bros Movieworld. See real movies being made, enjoy stunt shows and experience virtual reality. Don’t miss the Road Runner Rollercoaster, Lethal Weapon and Wild Wild West Fall rides.
Enter through the impressive gates of Dreamworld for fun and intrigue. View Bengal tigers, ride the rapids in a hollowed-out log, catch a movie on a seven-storey screen or take a chance on the fastest, tallest thrill rides in the world: the Tower of Terror and The Giant Drop. Drop in to the Big Brother house where the hit TV series is made. Or take a ride on a genuine steam train and alight to cuddle a koala.
Great Things To Do
Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park features a giant wave pool and Mammoth Falls slides. Frozen World takes you through a frozen forest and the Great Wall of China carved in ice. Head to Cable Ski World for a fun day go-carting, cable skiing and slingshot bungee.
Nature lovers can lose themselves in Currumbin Sanctuary, home to hundreds of mountain parrots, and Fleays Wildlife Park where kangaroos and emus roam.
Nearest Airport: Gold Coast
Gold Coast Map
Gold Coast Destinations
Experiences
- 18-35's
- Active
- Caravan and Camping
- Romance
- City
- Cultural
- Eco Tourism
- Environmental
- Food and Wine
- Honeymoon
- Indulgence/Luxury
- Nature based
- Relaxation
- Soft Adventure
Popular Activities
- Off Road Driving
- Ballooning
- Bird Watching
- City Sightseeing
- Cruising
- Cycling
- Dinner Cruising
- Golfing
- Kayaking
- Lunch Cruising
- Sailing
- Scenic Flight
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Wind Surfing
- Swimming
- Wine Tasting
- National Park
- Winery
- Adventure
- Fishing
- Nightlife
- Rainforest
- Wilderness
- Wildlife
- Outback
- Scuba-Diving
- Beach
- Surfing
- Diving
- Theme Park
- Jet Boating
- Food and Wine
About Gold Coast
- State: Queensland
- Region: Gold Coast
- Latitude: -28.00228
- Longitude: 153.43105
- Elevation: 11m
- Population: 540,559
- Area (Sq/km): 414.3
- Timezone: Australia/Brisbane
Accommodation In Gold Coast
Discover some of the accommodation in and around Gold Coast
- 19th Avenue On The Beach
- Aegean Apartments
- Alexander Holiday Apartments
- Aloha Resort Apartments
- Anacapri Apartments
- Anchor Down Apartments
- Antigua Beach Resort
- Aqua Villa
- Aquarius Backpackers Gold Coast
- Aristocrat Apartments
- Artique Resort Apartments
- Aruba Beach Resort Apartments
- Aruba Sands
- Aruba Surf Resort
- Ashmore Palms Holiday Village
- Atrium Resort
- Australis Sovereign Hotel and Apartments
- Avica Weddings and Resort
- Bahia Beachfront Apartments
- Bay Apartments, The
- Bay of Palms
- Beach Haven on Broadbeach
- Bel Air Resort Apartments
- Belle Maison Apartments
- Best Western Broadbeach Travel Inn Apartments
- Best Western Outrigger Resort Gold Coast
- Biarritz Apartments
- Blue Waters Apartments
- Bombora Holidays
- Boulevard North Apartments
- BreakFree Acapulco Resort
- BreakFree Beachcomber Surfers Resort
- BreakFree Beachpoint Resort
- BreakFree Diamond Beach Resort
- BreakFree Longbeach Resort
- BreakFree Maldives
- BreakFree Mediterranean
- BreakFree Neptune
- BreakFree Paradise Centre
- BreakFree Paradise Island
- BreakFree Peninsula
- BreakFree Savannah
- BreakFree Sunbird Beach Resort
- BreakFree Surfers Plaza
- BreakFree Wings
- Broadwater Keys
- Broadwater Tourist Park
- Burleigh Beach Tourist Park
- Burleigh Beach Tower
- Burleigh Gardens North
- Burleigh On The Beach
- Burleigh Palms Holiday Apartments
- Burleigh Surf Apartments
- Camp Eden Health Retreat
- Candlelight Holiday Apartments
- Capricornia Apartments
- Centrepoint Resort Apartments
- Chancellor Resort Hope Harbour
- Chateau Beachside
- Comfort Inn Mermaid Beach
- Conrad Jupiters
- Contessa Condominiums
- Copacabana Apartments
- Cosmopolitan, The
- Courtyard by Marriot Surfers Paradise Resort
- Crown Towers Resort Apartments
- Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
- Crystal Bay On The Broadwater
- Currumbin Sands Holiday Apartments
- D’Arcy Arms Motel, Bar and Restaurant
- Diamond Cove
- Diamond Sands Resort
- Dorchester on the Beach
- Emerald Apartments, The
- Enderley Gardens Resort Apartments
- Equinox Resort Apartments
- Esplanade Beachfront Apartments
- Gold Coast International Hotel
- Golden Riviera Beach Resort
- Golden Sands On Main Beach
- Grand Apartments, The
- Greenmount Beach Resort
- Harbour Side Resort
- Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise
- Holiday North Apartments
- Horizons Holiday Apartments
- Hotel Watermark
- Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove
- Iluka Beach Resort
- Imperial Surf Resort Apartments
- Islander Backpackers Resort
- Islander Resort Hotel
- K Resort Apartments
- Key Largo Apartments
- Kirra Beach Tourist Park
- Kupari Boutique Apartments
- La Grande
- Legends Hotel
- Magic Mountain Resort
- Main Beach Tourist Park
- Mantra Broadbeach on the Park
- Mari Court Resort
- Markham Court
- Marrakesh Resort
- Miami Beachside Holiday Apartments
- Moroccan Resort Apartments
- Oaks Calypso Plaza Resort
- Ocean Plaza Resort
- Ocean Royale Apartments
- Oceana On Broadbeach
- Oceanside Cove Holiday Apartments
- Olympus Apartments
- Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort
- Outrigger Sun City Resort
- Pacific Resort Broadbeach, The
- Pacific Views Resort
- Palazzo Colonnades
- Palazzo Versace
Tours In Gold Coast
Discover some of the tours options around Gold Coast
- Adventure Duck
- Aquaduck Safaris
- Australian Kayaking Adventures
- Australian Whale Watching
- Balloon Aloft Gold Coast
- Balloon Down Under
- Bluefire Cruises and Restaurant
- Bushwacker Ecotours
- Catch a Crab
- CT Tour Company International
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Wildnight Adventure
- Eagle American Motorcycle Tours
- Fiesta Events and Boat Cruises
- Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School
- Gold Coast Day Tours
- Gold Coast Gondolas
- Gold Coast Helitours
- Gold Coast Motorcycle Tours
- Gold Coast Seaplanes
- Mountain Trek Adventures
- Paradise Jet Boating
- Plan B Party Tours
- Seavane Pacific Tours
- Skydive Queensland
- Southern Cross 4WD Tours
- Spirit of Gold Coast
- Surf Easy Lessons and Hire
- Tall Ship Sailing Cruises Australia
- Waku Waku Tours
- Wyndham Cruises