With dozens of pristine beaches, vibrant and distinctive neighbourhoods and three national parks on its doorstep, the Gold Coast is one of the best travel destinations in Australia for first time visitors. Iconic beaches neighbourhoods like Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach and Coolangatta are just the beginning! This Gold Coast Travel Guide is designed for first time visitors, and visitors who haven’t spent much time on the coast recently – the city has changed so much in the last few years alone!

I grew up in Brisbane, so have spent countless weekends and holidays on the Gold Coast. I still return a few times a year and have seen the city change for the better with time, which is refreshing! The beaches are clean, well patrolled and beautiful, the cafes & restaurants get better every visit and the national parks are as pristine as always.

Where is the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast is on the southeast coast of Queensland in Australia. It’s 100km south of Brisbane, and sits on the edge of the Queensland-New South Wales border. The Gold Coast is on the Pacific Ocean.

Explore More: Queensland Travel Guide

What is the Gold Coast known for?

The Gold Coast is most famous for its beautiful beaches! It’s also known for the high rises along the sea, the tourist precinct Surfers Paradise and the major theme parks Dreamworld, Movie World & Sea World.

When is the best time to visit the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast enjoys beautiful, subtropical weather year-round, with 300+ days of sunshine, hot summers and short, mild winters.

Summer: December – February

Average temperature 21-28 degrees, with high humidity offset by the cool sea breezes. February is the wettest month, with frequent summer storms in the afternoon. They usually don’t last long!

Autumn: March-May

You wouldn’t know it’s “autumn” on the Gold Coast, with sunny days and cool nights. Average temps from 18-25 degrees, and it’s still warm enough to swim in the ocean! It’s usually less rainy in Autumn.

Winter: June-August

What a place to winter! Winter is usually sunny & dry, with temperatures between 12-21 degrees. You probably won’t want to swim, but it’s still beautiful to be by the water.

Spring: September-November

Spring on the Gold Coast is usually sunny and dry, with the evenings starting to get warmer. Average temperatures between 16-25 degrees. September can be windy.

Avoid Schoolies Week

Schoolies Week is when thousands of recent highschool graduates descend on Surfers Paradise for a week of partying. Multiple states celebrate Schoolies week, so this period runs for a couple of weeks in late November. If you’re not a school leaver, but hanging around the partying school kids, you’ll be labelled a “Toolie” – not a compliment.

How long do you need to visit the Gold Coast?

A few days is a perfect amount of time for your first trip to the Gold Coast, especially if you want to stick to the beaches. Add an extra day for each Springbrook and Lamington National Parks if you want to visit.

Getting there & around

Flying to the Gold Coast

Fly to Brisbane International Airport and then drive for 1 hr to the Gold Coast, or take the commuter train from Central Station to Robina (& then take a 20 minute rideshare to the beachfront area).

Or, fly into Sydney or Melbourne international airport and take a connecting flight to Coolangatta Airport which is on the Southern Gold Coast. Note that flying into Coolangatta is often expensive!

Getting around the Gold Coast

Once you’re on the Gold Coast, choose your accommodation wisely if you’re not hiring a car. The new Gold Coast Light Rail (G:Link) runs along the coast from Helensvale to Broadbeach, and runs through Surfers Paradise.

Where to stay on the Gold Coast

The best places to stay if you don’t have your own wheels is Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise. Burleigh Heads & Coolangatta are lovely areas as well, and have everything you need for a chilled few days at the beach. There are taxis on the Gold Coast and you can easily book rideshare services as well. Note that Surfers Paradise is pretty touristy, so while it is convenient, Broadbeach and Burleigh are more relaxing.

QT Surfers Paradise

QT Hotels is one of Australia’s most flamboyant hotel brands, with each hotel an expression of its host city and a destination within itself.

Soul, Surfers Paradise

A beautiful high rise hotel in Surfers Paradise, it’s easy to get a room with a view here! Beautiful amenities.

The best areas to visit on the Gold Coast

Burleigh Heads

The locals’ favourite, and for good reason! Burleigh is a suburb of the Gold Coast but it feels like a village of its own. Take a short but steep hike up through Burleigh Heads National Park for beautiful views over the ocean, stop & watch the surfers from the headland, and then go for a swim at the beach. The area is busier now with the opening of Burleigh Pavilion, but it still has a laidback atmosphere.

Broadbeach

A beautiful beach, with new precincts of shops & restaurants but nowhere near as crowded as Surfers Paradise. This is such a lovely area to stay in.

Surfers Paradise

The most famous (or infamous) neighbourhood on the Gold Coast. Surfers Paradise can be very crowded and live up to the worst of the Gold Coast stereotypes (of tourists & locals alike), but it also has beautiful Main Beach and you’ll have everything you need within a few minutes walk.

Coolangatta

The southernmost beach on the Gold Coast is a buzzing village of its own these days. There’s an enormous, beautiful beach here, it’s close to the airport and there are a handful of shops, bars and restaurants making it a convenient place to stay for a few days.

Gold Coast Hinterland

Behind the beaches and waterways, the Gold Coast hinterland is an area of rainforest-covered mountains. Visit the quaint village on Mt Tamborine or take a day trip to the pristine Springbrook National Park & Lamington National Park.

The best beaches on the Gold Coast

Burleigh Heads

The local favourite. Hang out on the beach all day, go for a swim or sit on the headland and watch the surfers offshore. Head to James Street for lunch.

Broadbeach

Right beside Surfers Paradise, but less touristy. I love Broadbeach, and if you walk a few blocks back from the beach you’ll find a new precinct of restaurants near Oracle Blvd.

Main Beach

The OG, Main Beach in Surfers Paradise is a beautiful beach in the thick of the action.

Mermaid Beach

More of a local spot, Mermaid Beach has a laidback vibe despite the Millionaire Mile of Hedges Ave on the beach.

Explore More: The Most Beautiful Beaches in Australia

The best things to do on the Gold Coast

Hit the beach

The Gold Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so make sure you clear some room in your itinerary for a morning or afternoon at the beach. The Queensland sun is so much stronger than in other parts of Australia (and the world!), so don’t visit in the middle of the day unless you want an epic sunburn. I love visiting in the earliest part of the day, when the ocean is also usually calmer than in the afternoons. Make sure you swim at patrolled beaches, between the flags.

Hike Burleigh Heads National Park

A short but steep hike through the headland rewards you with beautiful views over the coast in both directions. Enter near Burleigh Heads beach.

Take in the view from Skypoint

Zip up 77 floors for jaw-dropping 360 degree views over the Gold Coast from the Skypoint viewing deck. Arrive in the afternoon, stay for a drink during sunset and watch the city light up as the sun goes down.

Visit HOTA

The new Home of The Arts is a multi-disciplinary arts & cultural centre which has just opened in Surfers Paradise.

Springbrook & Lamington National Parks

Both of these pristine national parks are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area and can be visited on a day trip from the Gold Coast. Springbrook is famous for its waterfalls, caves and natural arches.

Where to eat & drink on the Gold Coast

The Milkman’s Daughter, Mermaid Beach

My favourite cafe on the Gold Coast! The Milkman’s Daughter is a vegetarian cafe, serving fresh, produce-driven brunch & excellent coffee. I love sitting in the cave-like booths here, it reminds me so much of Greece!

Palm Springs, Burleigh Heads

A popular and super cute Southern California-inspired cafe just off the Gold Coast Highway, with indoor and outdoor seating.

The Tropic at Burleigh Pavilion

The most beautiful restaurant on the Gold Coast, thanks to its location right on the water at Burleigh Heads. The Tropic is one half of Burleigh Pavilion, its extremely popular so make sure you book!

Nineteen at The Star

A glam rooftop bar with pool, with partial ocean views on the rooftop of The Star casino. Nab a spot on a poolside day bed.

Social Eating House

For casual & stylish Modern Australian, look no further than Social Eating House. A Gold Coast instant classic.

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