Gold Coast
One hour south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is home to 70 kilometres of sun-drenched beaches; it’s never hard to find a spot to spread your towel. With World Heritage Listed rainforests, theme parks, shopping and nightlife, the Gold Coast is one of Australia's leading holiday playgrounds.
Lazy days of sun and surf combined with vibrant nights of excitement and action - this is what makes the Gold Coast one of the most alluring holiday destinations. In fact, the Gold Coast has been Australia's favourite holiday destination for generations - it's where the Aussies play.
Waves from the Pacific Ocean break onto golden beaches under a sub-tropical sun. It's images like these, and of course the bronzed Aussie surf lifesavers that are synonymous with the Gold Coast.
Golf courses, award-winning restaurants, and a hinterland full of sub-tropical rainforest, cascading waterfalls and boutique wineries - there is always something to do on the Gold Coast.
Hinterland
The Gold Coast is a place of wonderful contrast and complement. Journey through a patchwork of rural plantations, vineyards, farmland and livestock estates on the way to more than 100,000 hectares of National Parks and reserves, networked with miles of enchanting bushwalking trails.
Quiet country roads, just 30 minutes from the beaches, lead into canyons and valleys with their hidden secrets of natural wonders. The Gold Coast's Hinterland region is just half an hour from the world famous Gold Coast beaches, and it is speckled with wineries, local food producers and health retreats that offer the perfect environment to while away an afternoon, evening or weekend.
Theme Parks
Where else can you swim with dolphins, stroll with a Bengal tiger and defy the laws of gravity all before lunch? Just some of the amazing experiences you will enjoy on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Travellers of all ages and inclinations will encounter an array of exhilarating worlds brought together in Australia’s theme park capital, the Gold Coast. Home to more attractions than any other destination in the Southern Hemisphere, the Gold Coast has the fastest, the longest, the highest and the most exciting thrill rides in the country. Unique animal experiences are another feature of the Gold Coast theme parks with many of the natural attractions not offered anywhere else in Australia.
Shopping
Visit the Gold Coast and you’ll be seduced by the huge range of shopping choices, styles and experiences.
On Stylish Elkhorn Avenue in Surfers Paradise you’ll find upscale label stores Prada, Gucci, Bally, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo and the Cartier Boutique Other quality shopping experiences can be had at Sanctuary Cove, Pacific Fair and along Tedder Avenue, Main Beach. Discovering Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast is an all day event at one of the biggest shopping centres in Australia
More than 20 markets including Surfers Paradise’s night markets Fridays, Broadbeach’s lantern lit markets September to May, and more than 500 stalls at Carrara Markets weekends. There’s also the Parklands Produce and Craft Markets and a range of markets with fresh fruit, vegetables and preserves in delightful towns and villages.
Dining & Nightlife
The sun doesn’t set on Australia’s Gold Coast. The end of the day just means the start of a new program of entertainment.
Central precincts such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta-Tweed offer bars, nightclubs, dining and performances. There’s always a party feel to Surfers Paradise - particularly during major events - the Lexmark Indy 300 and New Year.
You’ll find a vast array of contemporary multicultural cuisine on the Gold Coast. Specialties include just-caught soft-shell crabs, locally bred Wagyu beef and award-winning boutique wines made in the hinterland.
Follow the Gold Coast Food & Wine Trail for a day of delicious stops www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/foodandwine. Tedder Avenue, the Broadbeach Mall and Marina Mirage are the best known dining precincts. Head to Absinthe at the foot of Q1 for a degustation experience to remember or to Songbirds in the Forest for one of the hinterland’s best dining experiences.
Beaches and Surfing
The Gold Coast's 35 golden beaches are patrolled year round by professional lifeguards and during the summer, by dedicated volunteers from the Surf Life Saving Clubs. The surf clubs are spread along the coast and create a way of life for members and visitors which centre around ocean safety and friendly competition.
Visit one of the clubs for a bite to eat or to find out about local competitions and beach patrols. The parklands adjacent to most beaches offer facilities such as barbecues and picnic areas. Scattered at the northern and southern ends of the Gold Coast are popular dive sites. Professional dive operators can offer a guide to some of the region's best kept underwater secrets and provide dive training.
Surfers ParadiseAlong the busiest stretch of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise beach - this perfect swimming beach is also a hive of activity with sun-worshipping fun including free beach volleyball.
Nearby cafes and shopping areas make it easy to take a break with a cool drink or tropical flavoured ice-cream. Visit the evening arts & crafts markets which are set up along the Esplanade every Friday night.
Broadbeach
South of Surfers Paradise is Broadbeach. This area is popular with locals and has boomed as a dining and cafe precinct. Broadbeach is home to the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving club, host of the annual Australian Surf Life Saving titles.
Coolangatta
At the southern end of the Gold Coast, Coolangatta has some of the region's prettiest beaches. Coolangatta has its own sheltered beach and nearby picnic area, and further south, Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay beaches are protected coves with gentle surf.
Nearby Point Danger is an ideal location to watch the humpback whales as they migrate along the coast during the cooler months.
More information about the Gold Coast.
