Plan your Gold Coast holiday | Destination Gold Coast

We’re thrilled to help you plan your visit to the Gold Coast - and a very warm welcome if you've just arrived. Whether you’re looking for the best beaches for a swim, breaks to surf, family-friendly places to stay or want to try some of our fine Gold Coast restaurants and adrenaline-charged theme parks, you’ll find all the information you need to visit the Gold Coast right here. Perhaps you’re keen to indulge in some world-class shopping, spot some local wildlife, check out some cool art, learn about Indigenous culture or find a quiet place to slow down at a spa or immerse in our subtropical Hinterland - let us help you plan your perfect visit to the Gold Coast.

Stays

A home away from home. Wherever you decide to set up base camp, you can rest your head knowing that you’ve made the best of your stay in a truly Gold Coast way.

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Stays

Travel Info

When you're navigating your way around a new city, a bit of local knowledge doesn’t go astray to help you discover those deeper hidden gems. Check out a bunch of useful travel tips for the ins and outs of travelling smarter, Coast-style.

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Travel Info

Getting Here & Around

Whichever way you like to get from go-to-wo, the Gold Coast has every speedy and budget-savvy option available under the sun.

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Getting Here & Around

Accessibility

We’ve got first-class public facilities stretching up and down the entire coastline. Head out knowing that help is always at hand with easy access to disability charging stations, public amenities, free cultural venues and visitor information centres.

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Accessibility

Deals

Partnering with generous Gold Coast operators, we’ve put together some crazy deals that’ll make your holiday dollars go that little bit further.

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Deals

Blog

Clued-up insiders share their Gold Coast experiences for an authentic taste of time well spent here and the best way to narrow down that daily itinerary.

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Blog

What’s the best time of the year to visit the Gold Coast?

It’s always a good time to visit the Gold Coast with as many as 300 days of sunshine a year and weather considered some of the most consistent in Australia. Summer (December - February) is when Australian holidaymakers flock to get their fix of our famous surf and sunshine. Expect temperatures to be between 21-28.4°C, before dipping down slightly to 16-26°C in Autumn (March-May). You’ll find fewer holidaymakers on our beaches during Autumn, but in Winter (June-August), Australians (along with whales from Antarctica), head north to Queensland to enjoy warmer temperatures and waters. Sunny, and sometimes windy days lead to cooler nights so you will need some warmer clothing, but it’s still a pleasant 12-21°C (52-70°F). The weather starts to warm up again in Spring (September-November) and is a beautiful time to visit before the summer holiday season officially starts all over again.
What are the best things to do on the Gold Coast?

With over 70 km of coastline spanning our Gold Coast stretch, it’s no surprise that our beaches are considered our best feature. Expect to be swimming, surfing and stand up paddle boarding, plus trying out boating, fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, sunset sailing and more. We’re known as the Australian capital of fun also, with theme parks rising from the sea and the sand. But if nature is more your thing, there are trails to tackle, National Parks to visit, wildlife to meet and over 36km of shared pathways winding beside the sea to explore. We’re proud of our food and wine offerings also, with cafes serving some of the best coffee in Australia, fresh from the farm produce to pick at markets, wine to sample in vineyards and food to feast on from salt-of the earth surf-clubs to innovative craft breweries and fine dining restaurants too. Take some time out to spend at the spa, or indulge in some designer or outlet shopping, there are so ways we do it best on the Gold Coast.
Where’s the best place to stay on the Gold Coast?

Find your perfect place to stay on the Gold Coast. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly beach house steps from the sand, a high-rise hotel room with views stretching from hinterland to sea, a cute cabin or creekside caravan site - we have them all. The northern end of the Gold Coast is the closest jumping-in point for the Gold Coast Broadwater and theme parks. Surfer Paradise is perfect for dividing time basking on beaches, eating out and sampling world-class nightlife. In Broadbeach, you’ll find beaches within easy reach, plus premier shopping at Pacific Fair. Burleigh Heads is our hub for beach lovers with Burleigh Point pumping out world-famous waves, there’s plenty of cool cafes and breweries to visit and a relaxed seaside village vibe you’ll love. With a charm all of its own, the Southern Gold Coast draws salty types to surf at Snapper Rocks and families to enjoy the gentler waves at nearby Rainbow Bay.
How far in advance do I need to plan for my visit to the Gold Coast?

If you want to take your pick of the best places to stay, reserve that special restaurant spot or secure a place on a popular tour, we recommend booking your visit to the Gold Coast as far in advance as possible. But if you’ve managed to score a great last-minute deal, you’ll still find plenty of options available to plan your visit to the Gold Coast. Flights arrive regularly into the Gold Coast Airport from multiple domestic and international ports, and there’ll be plenty of transport options waiting to greet you. But booking accommodation and tours is still recommended ahead of time.

Northern Gold Coast

Central Gold Coast

Hinterland

Southern Gold Coast

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