Gold Coast tours, sightseeing, things to do

Gold Coast

Trip Planning & Itineraries

Overcast. Mild.

7:04 AM Monday, Nov 9
Overcast. Mild.
7 day forecast »

The Gold Coast's bright neon lights bring the glitz and glam of Miami and Las Vegas to Australia. This heady mix of high-rise apartment blocks, airport-sized shopping malls and million-dollar theme parks is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country, with more than two million visitors soaking up the Queensland sun here every year.

Sand, surf and nightlife sure have their appeal, but there's more to the Gold Coast than the beach. Beyond the high-rises the Gold Coast Hinterland is a densely forested region home to two of Queensland's best national parks: Lamington and Springbrook. It's true there's plenty to discover on this golden coast.

Best of the Gold Coast: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences

Best of the Gold Coast: Suggested Itineraries

Surfers Paradise is the undisputed core of the Gold Coast's revelry, where the bonanza of eateries, drinking holes and artificial attractions comes to a peak. Immediately northwest of Surfers Paradise is a string of big, American-style theme parks, all competing for the most thrilling ride or the most entertaining show. Be sure to check out our complete list of Gold Coast theme parks.

Day One: Tour the Gold Coast

Tour the Gold Coast

Start the day with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Gold Coast hinterland, landing at O'Reillys Grand Homestead for breakfast and champagne. Next, head off on a full-day tour of the Gold Coast and hinterland, highlighting Palazzo Versace and Marina Mirage, and including a cruise along the Broadwater Canal. This tour also takes you to the World Heritage-listed rainforest of Springbrook National Park - revisit on a bushwalking tour that nature lovers will not want to miss. Queensland's vibrant capital, Brisbane, is less than an hour away, so take a city highlights tour or more in-depth Best of Brisbane tour.

More Gold Coast Tours »

Day Two: Gold Coast theme parks

Gold Coast Theme Parks

Of course, the Gold Coast means theme parks, and we've got them covered with fun passes and fuss-free Skip the Line entry. For the best value, check out our multi-park passes. The two-day World Pass combines Dreamworld's thrilling Claw, Tower of Terror, Giant Drop, Cyclone and Wipeout rides with the world's hottest water rides at WhiteWater World. You have five days to squeeze in three big parks with our Theme Park Fun Pass: Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet 'n' Wild Water World. For the ultimate multi-pass, pick up a Theme Park Super Pass, giving you unlimited entry to the three parks over 14 days. Or get Skip the Line entry to Wet 'n' Wild, the sea creatures of Sea World or film fun at Movie World, and don't waste time standing in queues.

More Gold Coast theme parks »

Day Three: Day trips from the Gold Coast

Day Trips from the Gold Coast

There are heaps of fun-filled activities waiting for you on the Gold Coast, especially if you're into the great outdoors and wildlife. Spend the day at Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's living legacy, Australia Zoo, or make a nocturnal visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for a guided tour by flashlight. Join a small group eco tour to the Mt Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk to experience tropical Queensland at its best. Two of the state's best-known islands are easily visited from the Gold Coast. The Moreton Island 4WD Tour reveals the island's beaches, dunes and freshwater lakes. The Fraser Island 4WD Tour takes you to the world's largest sand island for a day of 4WD touring and beaches.

More Gold Coast Day Trips »

Best of the Gold Coast: Top 3 Hotels

Palazzo Versace

Palazzo Versace

For the ultimate in designer-label glitz and five-star luxury, Palazzo Versace is awash with marble and mosaics, rich fabrics and opulent Versace designer touches. This stunning white marble palace is a world unto itself, with several in-house restaurants, palm-lined pools and an on-site spa.

Vibe Hotel

Vibe Hotel

Vibe is a boutique hotel in a high-rise body, right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Fresh, fun and very funky, it makes use of bold designs in turquoise, purple and lime green that lend a city-slick edge of modernity. Some rooms have balconies, others have stunning hinterland views.

Gold Coast International Hotel

Gold Coast International Hotel

You get a lot of bang for your buck at this super-shiny, recently renovated hotel. Choose from spacious rooms and spa suites, but the real star of the show is those views - every room has a sea or hinterland view from its balcony, sublime by day and glittering with lights by night.

Best of the Gold Coast: Top 3 Restaurants

Oskars

Oskars

A perennial favorite with restaurant critics and gourmets alike, Oskars is one of the Gold Coast's finest, almost touching the beach at Burleigh Heads. Seafood is the order of the day, perhaps Queensland mud crab steamed with coriander, chili, lemongrass and coconut cream.

Tandoori Place

Tandoori Place

No ordinary Indian restaurant, Tandoori Place has six knockout locations on the Gold Coast. Come here for kangaroo korma or knock-your-socks-off vindaloo roo. It also serves traditional Indian curries and tandoors (clay ovens). Evening bookings are essential and takeaway is available.

Omeros Brothers Seafood

Omeros Brothers Seafood

It makes sense to indulge in seafood on the Gold Coast, and Omeros is one of the best places in town to try local favorites like Moreton Bay bugs, grilled lobster and oysters (natural, mornay or kilpatrick). Whole fish is another specialty at this seafood restaurant, maybe sole, snapper, barramundi or whiting. Pastas and steaks round out the menu for non-pescatoreans.

Gold Coast Hot Air Ballooning including Champagne Breakfast Gold Coast Hot Air Ballooning & Champagne Breakfast From USD $179.29

Australia's most popular balloon ride - enjoy beautiful sunrise whilst floating in a hot air balloon over the Gold Coast Hinterland. After landing, savor a hearty breakfast with champagne at O'Reilly's Grand Homestead and Boutique Vineyard. A top-rated tour!

Australian Outback Spectacular
Australian Outback Spectacular

From USD $91.90

Each night the arena thunders with the hooves of Australian stock horses as an action-packed performance unfolds.

3 Theme Parks, 1 Great Pass
Gold Coast Theme Park Super Pass

From USD $171.94

The 3-Park Super Pass is your ticket to the best and most exciting entertainment, rides, shows and attractions at the Gold Coast's Greatest Theme Parks.

More Gold Coast Resources

find things to do

Select date

calendar

 

Privacy Policy.

my shopping cart

There are 0 items in my shopping cart

my wishlist

There are 0 items in my wishlist

choose currency