By air
Gold Coast Airport (OOL), ~25 km from Surfers Paradise
Australia & New Zealand · Australia
Gold Coast, Australia
Surf beaches, theme parks and a rainforest hinterland
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to October — mild and dry
Don't miss
Surfers Paradise
Burleigh Heads
Lamington National Park
Springbrook National Park
Things to do
Surfing at Burleigh Heads
Theme parks
Hinterland rainforest walks
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: E-CBD · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Swimwear, sunscreen
A quieter corner
Springbrook's Natural Bridge glow-worm cave
Questions travellers ask
When should I plan a Gold Coast trip?
April to October, when it's mild and dry. Bring swimwear and sunscreen.
How do I get to the Gold Coast?
Fly into Gold Coast Airport (OOL), about 25 km from Surfers Paradise.
Is there more to the Gold Coast than beaches?
Yes — theme parks, hinterland rainforest walks, Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park. Seek out Springbrook's Natural Bridge glow-worm cave.
Where should I surf and eat on the Gold Coast?
Surf at Burleigh Heads, then try Burleigh's cafés and some fresh prawns.
About Gold Coast
- Coastal
Where it is
The Gold Coast is a coastal city in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, stretching along a long run of surf beaches south of Brisbane to the New South Wales border, with the rainforest-covered hinterland of the McPherson Range behind.
History
The Yugambeh-speaking peoples are the Traditional Owners of the Gold Coast. European timber-getters and farmers arrived in the 19th century, and seaside holidays began at Southport in the late 1800s. From the 1960s high-rise development at Surfers Paradise turned the coast into one of Australia's best-known resort cities, and it hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
People
Gold Coasters speak English, and the city draws new residents from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond, with tourism, construction and education among the main employers. The Yugambeh people keep their language and culture alive, and surf lifesaving and beach sport are central to local life.
Known for
- The high-rises and beach of Surfers Paradise
- Surf breaks at Burleigh Heads and Snapper Rocks
- Theme parks
- Lamington and Springbrook national parks
- Glow-worms at Springbrook's Natural Bridge
Did you know?
The rainforests of the Gold Coast hinterland are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose plants descend from those of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.