Queensland’s Gold Coast is best known for its beaches, but there is plenty more natural beauty to discover here.
The Gold Coast has some stunning national parks, from the dramatic coastline hugging Burleigh National Park to the cool rainforest walks of Tamborine Mountain and thousands of glowworms at Springbrook. It’s also the ideal spot to immerse yourself in nature as you walk the Scenic Rim. Or to take the time to discover how the frenetic energy of Surfers Paradise is a far cry from the old-school vibes at Rainbow Bay. Or to stroll along the most famous stretch of sand in all of Queensland. So, sit back, relax and let us show you the different sides of this popular tourist destination.
There will surely be a beautiful beach close to wherever you’re staying and plenty of different spots to explore. Miami has cute retro beach shacks lining the beach and a headland offering 180-degree views. People watching at Surfers Paradise will keep you entertained for hours, and Coolangatta has some of the Gold Coast’s best surf breaks and two separate patrolled areas. If the swimming conditions aren’t good at one, the other is usually fine for swimming. Broadbeach has a thriving dining scene and a lively evening vibe.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been operating for over 60 years and has the world’s most extensive collection of Australian native wildlife. It’s considered so significant that the National Trust manages it. Feeding the lorikeets is as popular now as it was in the ‘50s. The raucous parrots land on the bowls of food, arms, heads and shoulders in a chaotic kaleidoscope of colour. Don’t miss a visit to the animal hospital, where you can watch the vets work. Learn about rehabilitating the injured native animals brought to the sanctuary for treatment.
Whale watching
Seeing whales on the Gold Coast between June and November is an amazing experience. It’s possible to book a whale watching tour but you can also spot whales from the shore as this part of the coastline is known as the 'Whale Highway' due to the number of sightings. It’s not unusual to see a pod of whales cruising so close to shore you can hear the blow as they squirt water into the air at Point Danger. The Burleigh headland is another top spot to look for whales. If you’re really lucky, you might see a mother and calf, a breaching humpback leaping high into the air, or whale tails slapping the top of the ocean.
Mount Tamborine is a pretty mountaintop community that is an easy 40 minute drive from the Gold Coast but feels like a world away. Galleries and restaurants line the picturesque main street and Queensland’s oldest national park, Tamborine Mountain National Park, offers stunning scenery and impressive views of the Pacific Ocean and Gold Coast’s distant high rise. Admire the gorge, waterfalls and rock pools on a walk to Cedar Creek Falls along the lookout track, a route that is suitable for strollers and assisted wheelchair access, or trace the footsteps of folklore on a walk at Witches Falls.
Lamington National Park has two sections—Green Mountains (O’Reilly) and Binna Burra — and two roads to choose from, both stunning in their own way. At Binna Burra, you can connect with the land’s traditional owners on the Caves Circuit, a 5km return walk which travels through the fire-blackened Kweebani Caves which were once used for shelter and cooking by the Yugambeh people. At the top of Green Mountain, watch for yellow-throated scrubwrens and logrunners and take a stroll along the 30 minute Rainforest Return walk at the start of the lengthy Border Track.
The Gold Coast’s markets are filled with bespoke, handmade finds and delicious produce. For ocean views and quirky souvenirs, head to the lively Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. Listen to talented local musicians and browse works by local artists and jewellery at the Coolangatta Art & Craft Market. At Carrara Markets you’ll see everything from bric-a-brac to one-off fashions and handmade arts and crafts. If you’re looking for a well-priced meal, you’ll find plenty of food trucks and affordable snack options at all of the markets on the Gold Coast.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to
share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that
include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip
or reveal personal details.
Filter by rating
Walk Queensland's Scenic Rim
Melissa · Traveled September 2024
Our Scenic Rim Walking Tour was amazing! Our tour leader Alison, was so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and looked after all our needs from day 1. The walking was very manageable and we learnt a lot about the birds and wildflife. It was so much fun sharing the experience with like minded people and relaxing at night time with each other. I highly recommend this trip. It has changed my outlook on being with nature, and I am ready to keep exploring our beautiful world.
Review submitted 16 Sep 2024
Sydney to Cairns Adventure
Liberty · Traveled August 2024
A brilliant trip that shows you lots of places on the East coast.
Taimi was an excellent tour guide and shared her knowledge of the country throughout the trip.
Activities are suited to all abilities - a good mix of sightseeing, walking and sporting.
There are long drives to get to each location and not many meals included.
Would definitely recommend this trip.
Review submitted 16 Sep 2024
Sydney to Cairns Adventure
Laura · Traveled August 2024
I would highly recommended the Sydney to Cairns Adventure that Intrepid Tours offers especially if you are a person who likes to learn about history and nature. We visited several coastal beaches. For example, they coordinated kayaking in Byron Bay, whale watching in Hervey Bay, snorkeling via Ocean Rafting in the Great Barrier Reef. On three different occasions we learned about Aboriginal history from the Eora Nation in Sydney, the Gumbaynggirr at Red Rock in Coffs Harbour, and lastly Mungalla Station about the Nywaigi people. On top of all this, there were several hiking opportunities to see firsthand the beauty and diversity of Australia. Lastly a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world as well as having a great tour guide named, Taimi.
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024
Sydney to Cairns Adventure
Jessica · Traveled July 2024
A great trip to see a lot of Australia in a short amount of time! I got to know my group well and make life long friends! Loads of great activities included :)
Review submitted 15 Aug 2024
Sydney to Cairns Adventure
Jennifer · Traveled July 2024
This is a great way to explore the East Coast of Australia in a short period of time. We visited lots of amazing tourist sites as well as smaller but beautiful towns. We saw lots of wildlife (kangaroos, koalas, whales, crocodiles and a platypus). Our group was great and we have made new friends from this tour. Our guides Taimi and Brendan were brilliant, very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun. I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone considering it.
Review submitted 04 Sep 2024
Gold Coast travel FAQs
Gold Coast International Airport is located 20km south of Surfers Paradise. Brisbane is the closest capital city to the Gold Coast.
Driving from here to the northern (and the closest) end of the Gold Coast takes around an hour.
Trains from Brisbane will take you to Helensvale station. From here, the G:link tram takes you as far south as Broadbeach.
Long-distance buses travelling up and down the east coast of Australia also stop at the Gold Coast.
Both the capital city of Brisbane and the glitzy Gold Coast are popular destinations for travellers looking for a nice, sunny holiday, and if you want to travel between the two, it's extremely easy. There are several transportation options to get you from Brisbane to the Gold Coast including self-driving, flying, and catching various modes of public transport.
It's possible to get around the Gold Coast by catching a public bus, shuttle bus, taxi, or an Uber or hiring a car. Driving is the easiest way to get around but it can take a while due to traffic and the number of traffic lights. The G:link tram travels from Helensvale as far south as Broadbeach. Surfside Buslines also travel throughout the Gold Coast and will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go along the coast. If you want to visit the Gold Coast hinterland, you'll need to hire a car or join a small group tour.
Late spring, summer, and early autumn are perfect for hitting the beach. Winter offers clear blue days, crisp evenings, and accommodation bargains galore.
If you want to avoid sharing your holiday with recently finished high schoolers, avoid travelling to the Gold Coast from mid-November to early December. Accommodation prices skyrocket during this time, and the city becomes extremely busy.
The Gold Coast is a laid-back destination; smart casual is the most common dress style for a night out unless you plan on hitting the clubs at Surfers Paradise.
The Gold Coast is pleasantly warm throughout the year, although it can get cool in the evening, so bring a lightweight sweater just in case.
If you're heading to the Gold Coast hinterland, it's worth noting that temperatures are significantly cooler here compared to what you'll experience at the beach throughout the year.
Bring swimwear as you may like to go swimming, even in winter. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are necessary as the Gold Coast is famous for its sunny weather.
The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination which means the internet coverage tends to be excellent.
The only exception to this is the Gold Coast hinterland where it is not uncommon to experience a lack of signal now and again in some sections of the national parks.
The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination which means the mobile phone coverage tends to be excellent. The only exception to this is the Gold Coast hinterland where it is not uncommon to experience a lack of signal now and again in some sections of the national parks.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.