Best time to visit the Gold Coast

This coastline is golden year-round

The Gold Coast in Queensland is a beach-side city that sits in a sub-tropical climate, averaging an annual 300 days of sunshine. Generally, there’s no one best time to visit as the city sees good weather in every season.

With a sub-tropical climate, summers here see temperatures reach over 86°F+, with high humidity and frequent storms.

The temperatures do get milder in autumn and winter, but they're still high enough to enjoy the beachy lifestyle the Gold Coast is known for.

Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring
December to February	March to May	June to August	September to November

When to visit

The light blue waters of Tallebudgera Creek with kayakers pictured from above

When to visit to avoid crowds

The Gold Coast is a popular destination for Australian school holiday goers. The summer break starts around mid-December and lasts until January, while winter school holidays (between June and July) can also bring visitors.

During spring, the end-of-high school celebration known as ‘schoolies’ sees many young people and other festival periods taking place on the Gold Coast, so expect larger crowds at popular attractions.

A surfer rides a wave during sunrise and pictured between the branches of a tree

When to visit for surfing

A good wave can generally be found throughout the year at one of the Gold Coast’s many beaches. Beginners should look to the summer months to hit the waves while more experienced surfers can generally swim any time.

The wind does pick up in the spring months and can affect surfing and other water-based activities like parasailing.

A woman walks alone on a path to Mossman Gorge with a backpack

When to visit for hiking

Generally, the most comfortable time to go hiking around the Gold Coast, including to nearby Scenic Rim, is during spring and autumn. These months don’t see the high temperatures, storms and humidity of summer but still get the classic Gold Coast warm weather, perfect for enjoying a refreshing after-hike swim.