As our plane took off from Bali to Brisbane, we couldn’t wait to begin our two and a half week trip to Australia! This country had been on our list for many years, but for some reason we had not made it to this part of the world…
…until our Australian friends decided to get married! They live on the Gold Coast and we ended up spending 12 days exploring the coast, as well as inland.
We based ourselves in Broadbeach which turned out to be the perfect location. It was central, walkable, relaxed and close enough to everything we wanted to see without feeling like we were in the middle of the party zone all the time.
Having locals to guide us gave us insight into the best places to visit, things to do, places to eat… and of course, where to find the best wine!
In this article, I will share the top 10 things to see and do on the Gold Coast that you won’t want to miss.
Don’t forget your entry visa!
Before we get into the best things to do on the Gold Coast, I have to mention one very important thing that we almost ruined ourselves.
You need a valid visa to enter Australia.
And I’m not just talking about travelers from certain countries.
Every traveler requires some form of visa or travel authorization to enter Australia. New Zealand citizens can usually obtain a visa on arrival, but all others must have the appropriate visa approved. Before travel.
As Canadians, we thought we didn’t need a visa and would have six months in Australia upon arrival, similar to what we get when visiting the UK.
Fake.
Fortunately, we realized this before flying to Australia, but only two days before our flight. Not exactly the relaxing time we wanted before the trip.
The good news is that the process can be quite simple, but you definitely don’t want to leave it until the last minute.
Check your visa requirements before booking your flight, or at least well in advance of your departure date, and make sure the visa is linked to the same passport you will be traveling with.
If you are planning a trip to the Gold Coast or elsewhere in Australia, you can check which visa you need and apply for it online before you travel. Visa – they offer 24/7 customer support via email, chat or WhatsApp… in 14 different languages.
If you try to get the visa yourself and make a small mistake, it will delay the processing time. Visa has a 99% approval rateshowing how reliable and accurate the company is.
Of course, all visa decisions/outcomes always depend on the government and this is nothing that iVisa or other companies have no control over.
About the Côte d’Or
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most famous holiday destinationslocated in southeast Queensland, about an hour south of Brisbane – which is the region’s main airport (and the one we flew into).
It is known for its long sandy beaches, surf culture, skyscrapers, theme parks, nightlife, shopping and neighboring mountainous areas just inland from the coast.
You probably already know this, but the Gold Coast is famous for its beaches – there are some around 50 kilometers of coastline here. But what surprised me the most was how quickly the mood changes once you start moving around the coast.
One minute you’re walking along a bustling seaside promenade, the next you’re watching the sunset on a deserted beach, passing through lush green valleys or hiking through the hinterland rainforest.
During our stay we explored Surfers Paradise, Southport, Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera Valley, Tamborine National Park, Coolangatta, Snapper Rocks, Currumbin Valley and some beautiful places in between.
Best Things to Do on the Gold Coast
After a superb visit, here is my list of things not to miss.
1. Base yourself in Broadbeach
If you’re wondering where to stay on the Gold Coast, I absolutely recommend Broadbeach.
For us it was the ideal base. It has everything you need: the beach, great restaurants, cafes, shops and public transport, but it feels more relaxed than Surfers Paradise.
You can still stroll along the seafront, have a morning coffee, go out to dinner and be close to the action, but Broadbeach has a slightly more grown-up and relaxed atmosphere. It’s more refined without being boring.
It was especially nice as we were on the Gold Coast to hang out with friends, not just run around and visit the attractions.
Kurrawa Beach is right there, and it’s a lovely place to swim, stroll, or just sit in the sand watching the sunset – which we did a few evenings. Or, if you’re feeling more active, you could discover this surfing experience with a surf coach.
2. Take a stroll around Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is probably the most famous place on the Gold Coast, and even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth a visit.
It’s the Gold Coast that people often imagine: tall buildings, a wide beach, bustling streets, restaurants, shops and a slightly flashy holiday vibe.
I wouldn’t necessarily want to spend my entire trip here, but it’s worth the trip.
We walked along the promenade and sand from Broadbeach to Surfers Paradise. Just to the north there is a great beach club called The Moon – I recommend it for drinking, eating and swimming!
Surfers Paradise Beach itself is beautiful, with a long stretch of sand and rolling waves just in front of the town skyline. Go for a walk, have a drink or a meal, people watch, then decide if this is your scene.
For us it was fun to visit, but we were happy to come back to Broadbeach afterwards.
3. Spend time at Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads was one of my favorite areas on the Gold Coast.
It offers that perfect mix of beach, cafes, local energy and natural beauty. There are great places to eat, people hanging out on the grass by the beach, surfers in the water, and a laid-back coastal vibe.
One of the best things to do here is browse Burleigh Head National Park. The park sits right on the headland and offers walking trails with views of the ocean, rainforest, rocky coastline and the chance to look back along the Gold Coast skyline.
Even if you don’t do a big hike, it’s worth a stroll. The views over Tallebudgera Creek and the coastline are breathtaking.
Then have a bite to eat the tropic. The views here are magnificent – don’t miss the soufflé bread with hummus and fresh oysters, before heading up the ‘hill’ to watch the surfers in the early evening. Technically this is a public space, but it’s common to have a drink or two here.
4. Swim at Tallebudgera Creek
I’m so disappointed we missed this place! Quite simply, we ran out of time…
When we drove by Tallebudgera CreekI couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. The water is calm, clear and ridiculously blue on a sunny day. It’s a great place to swim, float, paddleboard, or just sit by the water with friends.
Unlike some surf beaches, the cove seems more sheltered and relaxed – which is what I was looking for on our trip! This is one of the best swimming spots on the Gold Coast if you prefer calm water rather than waves.
5. Visit Mermaid Beach
Mermaid Beach is another great place to explore, especially if you like a quieter beach vibe.
It’s located between Broadbeach and Miami, so it’s easy to reach if you’re staying centrally. Compared to Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach seems much more low-key. It’s still beautiful, still close to everything, but it feels more like a neighborhood.
It’s a great place for a relaxed walk on the beach, followed by a slow coffee or brunch – which is exactly what we did at Sunnyboy Expresso.
Mermaid Beach doesn’t have the same expensive attraction feel as other areas, but that’s kind of the point.
7. Explore the Tamborine Mountain and Park
One of the best things about the Gold Coast is that you can be at the beach in the morning and in the rainforest in the afternoon.
Tamborine National Park is a great day trip and gives you a completely different side of the region. Instead of sand, surf and skyscrapers, you get rainforest walks, mountain roads, lookouts and fresher air. I loved that it didn’t feel like a mission to get here – it was only an hour drive.
The Witches Falls section of Tamborine National Park is particularly worth a visit. It is also an important historical site, as Witches Falls was Queensland’s first national park.
There are several hiking trails in the park, including the Witches Chase Track, which runs past the Witches Falls lookout and through rainforest and eucalyptus forest. It’s only about 2.5 kilometers long and it took us about an hour to complete it.
If you have a rental carI would definitely add this to your Gold Coast itinerary. But if you don’t have your own wheels, you can join a tour from the Gold Coast. As this one where you can observe koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat, or this one where you can go zip lining.
6. Visit Witches Falls Cave
Tamborine National Park is only part of it, but Mount Tamborine is full of cafes, shops, viewpoints, hiking trails estres, gardens and a slower mountain town atmosphere.
We came here for a delicious sandwich at Franquette before leaving to Witches Falls Winerywhich is a well-known cellar door, stops on Mount Tamborine, and the setting is lovely.
We actually had a picnic in the vineyards (it all depends on who you know 😉), but they also have many outdoor tables. We loved the variety of wines here.
If you’re spending more than a few days on the Gold Coast, I think it’s worth taking at least one full day away from the beach. The coast is obviously beautiful, but the mountains offer different scenery and ambiance.
8. Watch the waves at Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks
Coolangatta feels different from the central Gold Coast in the best way possible.
It’s still beautiful and beachy, but there’s a more relaxed, old-fashioned coastal feel compared to places like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. It’s right next to the New South Wales border, so it takes a little longer to get there if you’re based further north, but it’s definitely worth the trip.
One of the highlights in this area is Snapper Rocks.
It’s a famous surfing spot, and even if you don’t surf, it’s still worth visiting just to watch the waves, walk along the coastline, and admire the views.
We watched the waves from the Rainbow Bay Surf Clubaround chicken parm and Mick Fanning beer… and in fact, we spotted Mick Fanning surfing while we were here!
In case you didn’t know, he is an Australian professional surfer, famous for survive a shark attack while surfing in South Africa – he punched and kicked the shark…
The coastline around Snapper Rocks is beautiful. You can walk around the point, watch the waves and look at the beaches in the background. It’s also a great place to take photos, especially if the weather is clear.
I loved that this part of the Gold Coast was more laid back. There are still restaurants, cafes and plenty of activities, but it doesn’t seem as built up as the central areas.
If you have time, combine Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks with a visit to nearby Kirra Beach or Rainbow Bay. This southern end of the Gold Coast is perfect for a slower beach day.
9. Drive through the Currumbin Valley
Currumbin Valley is another place that made me realize how much more the Gold Coast offers than just beaches.
We passed by there with our friends and were lucky enough to see kangaroos on the side of the road! It was our first day in Australia and we had already seen kangaroos and a koala!
The valley is green, peaceful and lush, with winding roads, trees and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you forget that you’re still so close to one of Australia’s busiest holiday destinations.
If you have a car, this is a lovely area to explore at a relaxed pace, stopping at Pasture & Co. for a slice of lemon merangue pie the size of your head!
Don’t expect a busy itinerary or a long list of attractions to check off. The appeal lies more in the driving, the scenery and stopping where it looks interesting.
For us, visiting areas like Currumbin Valley gave the trip much more depth. The Gold Coast feels less like a beach destination and more like a region with a totally different vibe depending on where you go.
If you like nature, road trips and a little quieter places, take the time to discover the valleys.
10. Relax in a public bath
One thing I didn’t expect before visiting the Gold Coast was how big the bathhouse and wellness scene was. But once there, it makes sense.
The Gold Coast has a very active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. People surf, swim, walk on the beach, hike, do yoga, and spend a lot of time outdoors. So places where you can soak, get some steam, take a dip in the cold and relax fit in perfectly!
We visited Public bathhouse in the Tallebudgera Valley on a girls’ trip, and it was a very nice change of pace from the beach days and sightseeing.
It’s a beautiful, relaxed space with hot pools, cold plunge, sauna, steam room, massage, outdoor spaces and an on-site plant-based restaurant.
It was elegant, but not at all intimidating, and because it’s nestled in the valley, it has that peaceful “escape for a few hours” feeling.
Suggested Gold Coast Itinerary
If you’re trying to figure out how to put it all together, here’s how I would plan a first trip.
For a short stay of three or four days, base yourself in Broadbeach or Burleigh Heads. Spend a day exploring Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise. Spend another day at Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek.
Then use your last day for Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks or a day trip to Tamborine Mountain.
For a longer stay, of a week or more, you can slow down the pace and spread everything out. Visit the main seaside suburbs, have a great day at Burleigh, swim at Tallebudgera Creek, descend to Coolangatta, explore the Currumbin Valley and take a full day for Tamborine National Park and Tamborine Mountain.
If you have 10 to 12 days like us, it’s even better. This gives you time to revisit your favorite beaches, spend time with friends, try more restaurants, and not feel like every day has to be crowded.
Where to stay on the Gold Coast
For us, Broadbeach was the perfect starting point.
It was central, walkable, close to the beach and there were plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby. It also made it easy for us to visit other parts of the Gold Coast without feeling like we were staying in the busiest tourist area.
Surfers Paradise is better if you want nightlife, big hotels, shopping and a more energetic tourist scene.
Burleigh Heads is ideal if you want a more local, hip beach town vibe with good food, surfing and access to nature.
Coolangatta is a good choice if you want a quieter stay in the southern Gold Coast, with beautiful beaches and a more relaxed pace. For a first visit I would personally choose Broadbeach or Burleigh Heads.
Getting around the Gold Coast
You can get around parts of the Gold Coast without a car, especially if you’re staying in Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise or Southport. The tram makes it easy to travel between some of the main central areas.
But if you want to visit places like Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls Vineyard, Currumbin Valley, Tallebudgera Valley and some of the quieter areas, having a car makes a big difference.
The Gold Coast is sprawling and some of the best spots are off the main beach. A car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stop at random viewpoints, and not worry about bypassing buses or sightseeing tours. Click here to search for the best car rental deals on the Gold Coast.
Or, if you’re taking a longer trip to Australia, you can always discover one of these routes in a motorhome!
Final Thoughts
The Gold Coast surprised me. I was expecting beautiful beaches, which is certainly the case. But I didn’t expect the mountainous areas, beautiful valleys and trendy seaside towns!
After 12 days I understood why people love this part of Australia.
The Gold Coast is not just one destination. It’s a mix of beach towns, surf spots, rainforest walks, valleys, vineyards, restaurants and easy coastal living.
And while you can absolutely come for a quick vacation, I think it’s even better when you give yourself enough time to slow down and actually enjoy it.