The Gold Coast is high on our list of great places in the world and we love being able to provide inspiration and information to others planning a visit with this Gold Coast guide. We’ve spent our weekends exploring the region for well over a decade and made annual visits over from New Zealand for a decade before that but there is still more to discover.
Whether it’s the energy or the solitude that you’re after on a particular day, you’ll find it in the diversity the Gold Coast has to offer.
Browse the full catalogue of articles on the Gold Coast
What to do on the Gold Coast
We highly suggest you get started with our detailed guide to things to do on the Gold Coast, we’re pretty sure you’ll find some inspiration whether this is your first visit, 10th or even if you’ve lived here for a while.
To get you started we have a few of the more popular tourist attractions and a few hidden spots that we think you are going to want to know about.
What’s happening on the Gold Coast
There is a range of activities and events happening on the Gold Coast every week, something new to explore, discover and get involved in.
There’s always something happening on the Gold Coast but these are a few of our annual and upcoming favourites.
The Gold Coast Guide Foodie Favourites
If you’re a foodie then you have come to the right place. The region is a great place to live and has attracted many talented and innovative chefs and restaurant owners who are putting their own Gold Coast spin on things. There is a diversity of fabulous fresh local produce, character-filled cafes and restaurants, markets, food tours, cooking classes, boutique beer and spirit producers.
We’ve added these guides to help you track down the best spots and latest experiences on the Gold Coast.
Head for the Hinterland
The backdrop to the golden sands of the Gold Coast is a World Heritage Listed rainforest, the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. This incredible natural treasure comprises the Tamborine National Park, Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park.
As you head inland from the Gold Coast you’ll discover the rural highlights of the Scenic Rim and the many small communities along the way that are well worth stopping to discover. As you get further up into the mountains you’ll find stunning views, great hikes and short walks, unique accommodation and serene areas of natural beauty to relax and re-energise.
Planning for your visit? There is a universal track grading system in Australia which helps you understand the difficulty of the hike and how it is likely to be impacted by current conditions. You might also want to check for any park closures on the Queensland park alerts page.
Get to know the Beaches
You can’t talk about the Gold Coast thought without talking about the beaches, it is after all what it is best known and named for. Its golden sand and fabulous surf are the perfect place to start discovering the Gold Coast.
From Coolangatta at the southern end, right next to the New South Wales border stretching north through Kirra, Currumbin, Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and to the tip of The Spit. You’ll find 70 km of beach to explore so it’s never going to be that difficult to find a great spot, the challenge will be choosing a favourite from all the options on offer.
Where to stay on the Gold Coast
When you arrive on the Gold Coast it’s a sure thing that you are going to want to stay awhile. If you are looking for a place to base yourself on the Gold Coast there is a huge choice, there’s something to suit all budgets, tastes and location preferences? These are a few of our top picks.
