Gold Coast

Understand

The Gold Coast is a large urban area with a population of 720,000, the largest non-state capital in Australia. Most visitors perceive the Gold Coast as a long thin strip of modern high-rise buildings next to seemingly endless beaches, although the city itself extends far inland to the hills of the Scenic Rim. Surfers Paradise, towards the northern end, is the main hub of the leisure activity. There is a huge choice of hotels, restaurants, tourist shops and tourist experiences to be found. The city is developing itself as a work-hub for large corporations that want to offer their employees a better work-life balance away from the capital cities. The city shares its infrastructure, facilities, services and labour market with Brisbane to the north. Workers commonly commute between the two by rail and road.

History Lieutenant James Cook became the first European to chart the region when he sailed along the coast on 16 May 1770. Captain Matthew Flinders, an explorer charting continent north of the colony of New South Wales sailed past in 1802. Escaped convicts from Moreton Bay penal settlement hid in the region. The region remained uninhabited when John Oxley landed at Mermaid Beach, which was named after a cutter named Mermaid.

Climate

The climate of the Gold Coast ensures that travellers are able to enjoy the area year round. It has a mild, sub-tropical climate. The winter months tend to have little rainfall with average highs of 21 °C (70 °F), while the summer has frequent storms originating from the west. Summer temperatures average just below 30 °C (86 °F) for daytime highs and average around 22 °C (72 °F) for overnight lows. Given the humid climate, an exceptionally hot day with a temperature of 30 °C (86 °F) can feel like 34 °C (93 °F); such sweltering days can have overnight lows remain near 24 °C (75 °F) throughout the night. Daylight hours run from 6:35AM to just before 5PM in the winter months. During the summer, sunrise is as early as 4:40AM, and sunset is around 6:45PM. Predictions of rain often equate to brief and intense afternoon storms, rather than extended periods of gentle rain.

Geography The Gold Coast, that visitors are more familiar with, stretches along the coastal suburbs from Paradise Point to Tweed Heads (about 35 km).

Tourist information Destination Gold Coast website

Getting there

By plane

Gold Coast Airport (OOL IATA) is widely known as Coolangatta Airport, even though it is in Bilinga. It may be unique in the world in that, because it straddles the NSW and Queensland borders, you land in one state and arrive in another. It is a fairly small terminal but handles around 3.5 million passengers per year with frequent connections from major Australian cities and some international flights from New Zealand and Asia. It is not a 24-hour airport and closes at night, so don't plan on spending the night before an early morning flight. It is around 30 minutes drive to Surfers Paradise. The 777 bus runs every 15 minutes connecting the airport to the southernmost tram station at Broadbeach South, from where you can easily transfer to Surfers Paradise. Public transport from Gold Coast Airport to Brisbane City: Take bus 470 to Varsity Lakes railway station and transfer to the Gold Coast line. The bus picks up and drops off passengers inside the terminal complex. Total travel time is about two hours. Airport Transfers (shuttles) operate 'door to door' between the airport and accommodation along the coast and are a popular alternative to taxis ($21 per person). Brisbane Airport (BNE IATA) is used by many overseas visitors because it is larger, served by more international air carriers, and has direct air flights to many Australian cities. However, the transport to the airport is more tedious and inconvenient. Options include:

Rental car, 80 minute drive along the Gateway and Pacific Motorway but the most viable option. Direct Airport Transfer, about 1hr 40 min, can drop off at accommodation, fares from $40 to $50. Train with car transfer package Train with connecting local bus at Nerang or Robina Train with connecting local tram at Helensvale

Flights Domestic Major domestic carriers include Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas. There are regional Queensland flights to make many cities and towns.

Airnorth, Jetstar, Qantas, QantasLink, Virgin Australia International

Air Asia X from Kuala Lumpur Air New Zealand from Auckland and Christchurch Jetstar from Auckland, Queenstown, Seoul Incheon International Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, Wellington

By train

Queensland Rail runs a train service from Brisbane to Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang and Robina. Trains run half-hourly 06:00-23:59 daily taking just over an hour from Brisbane Central to Helensvale, Nerang and Robina. The trains can get crowded at peak times, but it's unusual to have to stand. The tram connects to Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach at Helensvale.

Getting around

By public transport Translink is responsible for all trains, buses, ferries and trams in South East Queensland and regional urban buses. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.

Fares A 50-cent flat fare applies to any journey, regardless of mode or distance, with a limit of 3 transfers. The only exception is an Airtrain journey to or from Brisbane Airport which costs $22.30 (June 2025), with a 15% discount for booking online. Refer to the website for other discounted fares. You can be fined $261 for travelling without a valid fare. There are three ways to pay for your journey:

Contactless credit or debit card. A Mastercard or Visa is accepted, including those in a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your fare is deducted from your card as you touch on and touch off each mode of transport. Trains and trams have fare gates or distinctive pink validators to touch before you board and after you alight. Buses and ferries have validators to touch as you board and alight. A failure to touch off each mode of transport will result in a fixed fare of $2.50. Go card. A go card is available at train station ticket counters, busway and tram fare machines, and selected newsagents and convenience stores. The card requires a $10 deposit. The card can be topped up with travel credit at the same locations, including train station fare machines. The maximum travel credit you can top up is $250. Refunding the deposit and travel credit can be a hassle. If you last topped up using cash it can be processed at Brisbane Airport and selected newsagents and convenience stores. If you last topped up using credit or debit card it can only be processed via an Australian bank account transfer. Paper ticket. A paper ticket is available at train station ticket counters and fare machines, and busway and tram fare machines.

By train Interurban services run between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with connecting tram services at Helensvale.

By tram

G:Link (Gold Coast Light Rail) provides the main form of public transport along the Gold Coast. The route travels from Helensvale Station via Gold Coast University Hospital and Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach South. The trams run from 5AM till midnight on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends running every 15 minutes or less in the hours of 5AM till midnight. An extension to Burleigh Heads is under construction and is expected to be in operation by 2026. A further extension to the NSW border via Gold Coast Airport is

See

Ocean (or surf) beaches

There are over 52 km of ocean beaches maintained by the local council. In addition to this there are (largely un-patrolled) ocean beaches in the Tweed Shire of Northern NSW and numerous waterway beaches. List of beaches (north to south):

Other (calm water) beaches The Gold Coast also has numerous beaches in calmer, more protected water away from the surf, ideal for families with small children.

Gold Coast Hinterland Promoted as "the green behind the gold", the Gold Coast Hinterland refers to the mountainous area between the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim region. It is home to national parks, mountain resorts, waterfalls, reservoirs, scenic drives and lookouts, wineries, and rock formations. The area is mostly covered in subtropical rainforest, but sections have been cleared for dairy farmland and wineries. The Hinterland is best seen by car or on a bus tour as the roads wind through the mountains with various lookout points along the way and towering trees lining the roads. It is truly a beautiful drive.

Tamborine Mountain featuring: Numerous lookouts offering panoramic views in all directions A great cottage industry with fantastic restaurants, fudge shops, and wineries - many of which offer free samples! Springbrook Mountain Hinze Dam and Advancetown Lake Lamington National Park Numinbah Valley featuring the Natural Bridge rockpool and waterfall (see glow worms at night). Tallebudgera Valley Currumbin Valley Many tours operate in the hinterland area. Some are more of a bus tour as opposed to an all inclusive day. Watch the small print and enjoy. 4WD tour companies generally offer all inclusive tours to the hinterland area.

Do

The Gold Coast region is big on theme parks. During peak season expect them all to be quite busy. Before you go, investigate ticket discounts for combined travel and entry, multi-park and multi-day passes. Members of Australian motoring associations can purchase discounted tickets from them before you travel. A short list of attractions and admission prices:

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: koalas, kangaroos, birds, snakes, crocodiles. Admission $40–50. Sea World: Marine park with rides, sharks, dolphins, penguins, polar bears. Admission $50–80. Warner Bros. Movie World: Movie-themed rides and photo opportunities with famous characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Admission $50–80. Dreamworld: Amusement park, rides, themed lands and animals. Admission $50–80. WhiteWater World: Water park with pools, slides. Admission $30–50. Australian Outback Spectacular: horses and unique Australian lifestyle (dinner provided). Admission $55–110. Next to Movie World. Wet'n'Wild: Water park with pools, slides, rides. Admission $35–60. Tropical Fruit World: Fruit plantation orchard, with tour, shows, tasting. Admission Adults $44, Children $25 (ages 4 to 16), Concession $35, Family Pass $110 (2A+2C) or $120 (2A+3C). Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild are owned by the same company, so check out one of their combo tickets if you're planning on hitting two or more of them. Dreamworld and WhiteWater World offer the same kind of deal.

Be wary Be wary of street vendors promising free tickets to theme parks. Generally found along Cavill Mall in Surfers Paradise, they promise free theme park tickets in return for 3 to 4 hours of your time watching a timeshare presentation followed by high pressure salesmanship to sign up. Many legitimate vendors sell discounted theme park tickets. Check out the tourist information booths run by Gold Coast Tourism Corporation.

Buy

Cavill Mall and surrounds have some cheap souvenir and t-shirt shops. There are dozens of stores around Surfers Paradise catering exclusively for the tourist market and Australian opals, sheepskins, wool products, and Aboriginal "artifacts". Watch out for overpriced goods. Local newspapers regularly run stories about "discount warehouses" being taken to court for selling souvenirs at exorbitant prices to Asian tourists on organized tours. Surfers Paradise has several shopping centres including the Centro Shopping Plaza (with Woolworths supermarket and numerous souvenir shops) and the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre (with Coles Supermarkets and fashion shops). Although these cater for most tourist needs, better value for everyday items can generally be found outside Surfers Paradise.

Eat

The back arcades of Surfers Paradise have dozens of cheap Japanese and Korean "lunchbox" style restaurants and the quality is usually excellent, not to mention the price (less than $15 for a large main meal). A variety of quick eats is available in the mall off Cavill Avenue. A highlight for vegetarians is Govinda's Veg-O-Rama in the mall. There is a very well priced sushi train one street north of Cavill Ave called Sushi in Paradise (2 Elkhorn Ave.) Tedder Avenue in Main Beach and the Broadbeach area have the largest concentration of restaurants and cafés with food ranging from gourmet seafood to pub fare. Expect to pay $20–50 for a main meal. At most of the restaurants, you can bring your own alcohol. There is an all you can eat Buffet in Jupiters Casino that offers lunch for $29.90, dinner for $40 (seafood on F Sa for $50). The food there is delicious and there are plenty of entrees, mains, roasts and desserts. Heading north to the Marina's around the Broadwater will put you right amongst the Gold Coast's freshest fish markets. Peter's Fish Market is just north of Marina Mirage and will happily cook fish and chips if you have nowhere to do it yourself. If there is a local speciality it has to be Mud Crabs, known as muddies, which are great when in season. If you are in Broadbeach, the Kurrawa Surf Club has heaps of options, plus for the vegetarians there is a falafel burger. It is right in front of the beach and the view is sublime. Good Food Gold Coast is an independent food and restaurant review website which will help you choose a place to eat.

Drink & nightlife

Try a local surf club for a cheap beer with a great view, you'll find one or two in every beachside suburb of the Gold Coast. They're generally right in front of the beach their members patrol and serve deliciously affordable food and drinks. The fish doesn't actually get much fresher. Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise offer the biggest choice of bars, clubs, and cafes, and you can order almost anything you can dream up. Further south, Kirra Surf Lifesaving Club, Coolangatta Surf Lifesaving Club, Tweed Heads & Coolangatta Surf Lifesaving Club and Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club have spectacular decks, good food and entertainment and friendly welcomes. Just sign in as a guest. Twin Towns RSL is the largest RSL in NSW. On the border of Queensland and NSW it offers a variety of dining options, frequent entertainment acts, and a friendly environment all at club prices. It has the sterile renovated feel of many of the newer clubs, but it is possible to get a seat with nice view.

Sleep

Backpacker hostels are mostly located in Surfers Paradise, Southport, Main Beach and Coolangatta with dorm beds starting at around $20 a night. Motels are located all along the Gold Coast Hwy. Most can be found in Labrador, Mermaid Beach, Miami, Palm Beach and Tweed Heads. Single rooms are $60-80, while doubles rooms are $70-90 but prices increase during peak summer. Prices are lower and availability is better, the further they are away from Surfers Paradise. Camping and caravan grounds are dotted about the Gold Coast, although many have closed to make way for other development. The largest operator is Gold Coast Tourist Parks, a business arm of the Gold Coast City Council. It has 7 parks: Main Beach, Tallebudgera Creek, Burleigh Heads, Kirra Beach, Broadwater, Jacobs Well, Ocean Beach (Miami). Other caravan parks can be found in Ashmore, Miami, Carrara, Labrador, Nerang and Mudgeeraba. Accommodation options include caravan and camping sites, luxury cabins and group lodgings. Facilities may include swimming pools, play equipment and barbecue areas. Apartment accommodation in high- and low-rise buildings. A two-bedroom apartment in Surfers Paradise will cost around $150 per night in the off-season, and upwards of $300 a night in peak summer. Many have a minimum stay of 3 or 5 nights and may allow only one Saturday night per seven days (also one Tuesday). Reception hours are limited and a bond may be required in some cases. Inside amenities typically include kitchen, washer and dryer, and separate bedrooms. Outside amenities may include swimming pool, gym and other resort facilities. Hotels include chains such as the Marriott and Crowne Plaza. Hotels are concentrated in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

Go next

North Brisbane, the state capital, is about 1 hour north. The Sunshine Coast lies north of Brisbane.

South Northern Rivers region of NSW which includes: Tweed Shire which starts at the NSW border at Tweed Heads and includes Wollumbin National Park Australia's most easterly point at Cape Byron and Byron Bay (75 km south) Regional city of Lismore

East Coolangatta airport has inexpensive flights on budget carriers to New Zealand, only about 2 to 3 hours away.

West Gold Coast Hinterland Scenic Rim area (60 to 120 km west), a farming area overlooked by Mt Barney, and the quiet town of Boonah. Granite Belt (120 to 200 km west) with the towns of Stanthorpe and Warwick