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Ultimate Visitor Guide To The Gold Coast

Visiting the Gold Coast? 

If you're seeking the perfect destination for your holiday, look no further than the vibrant Gold Coast. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a beach lover, or someone who enjoys exploring new places, this coastal gem has something for everyone.

For adrenaline junkies, be sure to check out our adrenaline parks, water parks, and adventure parks, where you can indulge in thrilling activities that will get your heart racing. And of course, no visit to the Gold Coast is complete without a blissful beach day. If you're up for some adventure, consider taking day trips to nearby destinations such as Byron Bay, known for its stunning beaches and laid-back atmosphere. It's just an hour's drive from the Gold Coast and definitely worth exploring.

To make your holiday planning and experience even better, it's always helpful to have some insider knowledge and useful resources at your disposal. We've provided some handy information for tourists and visitors, but if you feel we've missed anything, please don't hesitate to let us know. We're here to ensure your Gold Coast getaway is nothing short of amazing!

Weather

The Gold Coast is known for its temperate sub-tropical climate, with around 300 days of sunshine per year. Our summers are warm, our winters are mild, and our storms can be wild. But if you plan ahead and book your holiday during a good time of year, then you'll likely get to experience beautiful weather throughout your stay!

Some reliable guides to Gold Coast weather can be found, including daily and weekly forecasts, and yearly averages:

Tourism & Visitor Guides

The official tourism website is called Destination Gold Coast which has some excellent information regarding things to do on the Gold Coast, where to grab great food, famous beaches and events not to miss.

There are plenty of unofficial guides out there too which are just as good, kept up to date and have loads of info about where to stay and what to do during your Gold Coast holiday. 

Gold Coast Australia.com is a long-running visitor guide that's been around for over 15 years. It's got a comprehensive guide to just about everything Gold Coast-related, including Surfers Paradise, beach safety, the best weekend markets to check out and plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy. 

Stunning Beaches

It should come as no surprise that this holiday mecca in South East Queensland is famous for its adrenaline-filled activities, but also for some of the world’s best beaches. To help you with your itinerary, we have listed the top 5 beaches you simply have to visit during your stay.

The Surfers Paradise Beach: This iconic beach is an obvious choice and for good reasons. Located right in the heart of the Gold Coast, this is a great sport for families with many restaurants and ice cream shops located within close proximity. The Paradise Centre on Cavill Avenue, the main shopping stroll, has all the games and rides kids could ever dream of and will keep everyone entertained.

Tallebudgera Creek: If you’re looking for some calmer waters, the beach at Tallebudgera Creek might just be the perfect choice for you. Located just shortly after Burleigh Head and before Palm Beach, this popular beach offers great fun in the water without the fear of getting tumble rolled by a vicious wave.

Mermaid Beach/Nobby Beach: This beach area is sometimes referred to as “the millionaires’ row” and runs alongside Hedges Ave, one of the most expensive residential streets in Queensland. However, this affluent neighbourhood wedged in between Broadbeach and Miami is home to a stunning and near-empty stretch of sand that can be enjoyed by all. 

Burleigh Heads Beach: If you’re asking the locals, and maybe the surfers in particular, they are sure to name this beach as one of their favourites. Located at the back of the lush Burleigh Headland (which can also be reached from Tallebudgera) this beach is well-protected from the southerly wind but offers up premium surf thanks to its right-hand point break.

Coolangatta Beach to Runway Bay: Basically bordering northern NSW with Tweed Heads just a stone’s throw away, this beach stretch is arguably Australia’s most reliable point breaks and home to world champs Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. If not interested in the surf, here you can also find another stunning nature walk along the esplanade at Coolangatta and right through to another popular beach, Kirra Beach.

Transport & Getting Around

The majority of visitors tend to book accommodation close to the coast, in suburbs such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Main Beach and Mermaid Beach. These suburbs all have excellent access to public transport including the Gold Coast light rail network, the G:link and Greyhound Australia buses.

Currently the light rail runs from Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, through Surfers Paradise, Southport and then ending at Helensvale. You can then connect to the rail system and get a train to Brisbane, or catch a bus to any of the theme parks; Movie World, Wet'n'Wild or Dreamworld, which are all located on the northern Gold Coast.  

The Gold Coast has a strong bus network that will take you wherever you need to go, from shopping centres to theme parks and more. 

If you plan on using public transport during your stay, it's best to get yourself a travel card which you can load with funds and tap on/off as you travel via bus, train, ferry or tram. These are used across South East Queensland so Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Ipswich as well. The 'go SeeQ' card is ideal for visitors here on short stays and can be purchased for a set price for either 3 or 5 consecutive days. Otherwise, if you're a regular visitor to the Coast, it's probably worth getting a go card that you can load up with funds whenever they run out. These cards don't expire and are quite handy to have when visiting South East Qld.  

Besides public transport, you can always hire a car from a rental agency to get around which can be useful and relatively affordable. It's also a great option if you plan on travelling to the Gold Coast Hinterland as public transport is limited. The airport has all the major providers such as Budget, Avis, Hertz and more, and there are other pick-up and drop-off locations dotted around the coast. 

Don't forget, Quack'rDuck is a fantastic and unique way to see the sights of Surfers Paradise and Main Beach by land and sea! Just meet at our headquarters and we'll have you back after your sightseeing tour. 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation in Surfers Paradise, you'll find a wide range of options to suit every budget and preference. From luxurious resorts with breathtaking views to cozy apartments and budget-friendly hostels, there's something for every traveler. From luxury hotels and beachside resorts to family friendly self-contained apartments, motel rooms, holiday cabins and caravan parks, there is a wide variety and something to suit all budgets.

Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach are the most popular destinations for holiday-goers and have the largest number of accommodation options to choose from. Their popularity is due to their fantastic location and proximity to our beautiful beaches, shopping, restaurants, nightlife and tourist attractions, not to mention easy access to public transport.

Though venture out further and there are some great options near Burleigh Heads and further south to Coolangatta, as well as inland towards the Hinterland at Tamborine Mountain. It all depends on the type of holiday you would like to have. 

Simply book online via one of the main booking sites or go direct to the hotel's website. 

Wildlife & National Parks 

The Gold Coast is known for its many national parks and hiking trails. If you are looking for a lush rainforest walk with stunning views, Mount Tamborine, Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park offer bushwalking trails for all ages and abilities. Each walking track is classified according to a system based on Australian Standards, so you can choose a track suitable for your needs.

If it is wildlife you are after, then Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin Valley. here you can cuddle the koalas, feed the kangaroos and watch the crocodile feeding. You can easily buy your ticket online and book ahead for the entire family.

For a few extra dollars, you can also buy a ticket to the real-life wildlife hospital and watch surgeries and get a hospital tour. Don't forget to donate while you are here! 

Restaurants

The Gold Coast also has a bustling cafe and restaurant scene, offering something for everyone. You'll find a plethora of funky beachside restaurants and eateries in suburbs like Palm Beach, Kirra Beach and Burleigh Head. Burleigh offers some of the most popular places to eat, including renowned Rick Shores with a spectacular waterfront on Burleigh Beach, and Pizzeria Justin Lane which is voted #1 among Gold Coast locals over and over again.

Other popular cafes can be found in quaint Nobbys Beach and Mermaid Beach, including Paddock Bakery and Bam Bam Bakehouse.

Shopping

The Gold Coast has some fantastic shopping destinations with major shopping centres, shopping strips, outlet shopping and boutiques dotted all along the coast. We highly recommend exploring the shops along Surfers Paradise's bustling main strip, Cavill Avenue, We highly recommend exploring the shops along Surfers Paradise's bustling main strip, Cavill Avenue, which is home to Cavill Mall, located just a stone's throw from Surfers Paradise Beach. Alternatively, you could easily spend an entire day indulging in a shopping spree at the massive Pacific Fair shopping centre, boasting an impressive array of over 400 unique stores.

Below we've listed the major shopping complexes but if you're staying along the coast, you're bound to find some eclectic stores, specialty shops and high fashion retailers nestled in between the hotels, restaurants and tour desks. The Gold Coast is also home to a huge range of markets that run in various locations throughout the year. 

Airports

There are two nearby airports making travel to the Gold Coast a breeze no matter where you are from. And Surfers Paradise is located in between! The Gold Coast Airport is located in Bilinga (near Coolangatta) and accepts both domestic and some international flights (primarily visitors connecting via New Zealand and some South East Asia countries). On the northern side at around an hour away is the Brisbane International Airport, one of Australia's busiest airports accepting flights from all over the country and the world. 

The Brisbane Airport boasts an easy connection to Surfers Paradise via the Airtrain and G:Link, connecting at Helensvale Train Station, which can take you quite close to your accommodation in Main Beach, Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach. 

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