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Australia > Gold Coast
Travel Specials > Destination Information > Gold Coast, Australia
The Gold Coast stretch of coastal towns starts well north of Surfers Paradise and streches south to the state border with New South Wales in the south. The northern end (especially Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach) is more commercialized, with plenty of action for backpackers. The southern end caters mainly to holidaying families. Away from the coast, the western side, called the "hinterland", consists of mountain ranges covered with rainforest, much of it part of national parks.
What to See and Do:
Beaches. There are 40km and well over 30 beaches to see and swim or surf in. Almost all are patrolled by volunteer and professional lifesavers. Some of the best beaches include:
- Surfers Paradise has a long stretch of beach, with flags and patrols every few hundred metres along the beach. Sure to find a place for a swim, but the beach right outside of Cavill Ave is generally very busy and packed with tourists, just walk north or south along the beach to find a (slightly) less crowded alternative.
- Broadbeach is about 3km south (40 minutes walk, 5 minute drive) of Surfers Paradise and will generally have the same surf conditions as Surfers Paradise. The upside, however, is that it's not that far away and nowhere near as busy as Surfers. Just in from the beach is Kurrawa Park, a shopping centre full of cafes, restaurants and Jupiters Casino.
- North Burleigh is a further 4km down from Broadbeach (and over a small hill). It's generally less popular than it's bigger brother, Burleigh Heads, but a good place to go if there are winds blowing from the north as the hill provides a bit of protection. Although if there are northerly winds, swimming in the afternoon isn't such a good idea as they'll bring in the stingers.
- Burleigh Heads is only 2km south of North Burleigh and a nice beach with a large park and a hill that is good for picnics. There are cafes surrounding the beach and the hill cover means that this beach is usually pretty nice when there are winds coming from the south (whereas others like Surfers will be blown out and horrible).
Hinterland. Referred to as "the green behind the gold" (a reference to Australia's national colours - green and gold), the Gold Coast Hinterland is home to three national parks, numerous mountains, creeks, waterfalls valleys, and natural rock formations. The area is mostly covered in sub-tropical rainforest, but sections have been cleared for dairy farm land and wineries. The Hinterland is best seen by car or on a bus tour. The parks are:
- Mt Tamborine
- Springbrook
- Numinbah Valley (including Natural Bridge/Arch)
- Currumbin Valley
The Gold Coast region is big on theme parks. Investigate ticket discounts before you go, as multi-park passes, combined travel and entry, and multi-day passes can usually be obtained at a discount.
- Sea World — First opened in 1958 before moving to its present site in 1971, Sea World is the oldest and also one of the most established theme parks in Australia. It's the closest to heart of the Gold Coast and will be interesting for those who have a liking for marine animals. Lots of shows and live acts, and you could easily spend a day here without going on any rides. It still does have a some thrill rides, with the corkscrew roller coaster, and speed water slides.
- Dreamworld — Traditional theme park with a popular tiger zoo and the home of the Australian Big Brother House. Bountiful in rides, thrilling and otherwise. Great 'little kids' area with Wiggleworld. If you are in it for the rides, and not the theme, then this is the place to be.
- Warner Bros. Movie World — Movie themed park with Warner Bros. themed rides and Looney Toons walking around all over the place. It is the most themed of the Gold Coast parks. Pretty crazy rides but not as extreme as some other parks. Depending on your blood pressure this may be a good thing.
- Wet'n'Wild, 10am - 5pm (9pm during Jan) except Dec 25 and April 25 (1.30pm - 5pm). Water theme park with a wide range of slides, a wave pool, 'dive-in movies' at night in the wave pool (if you wish) and even a river where you can just lie in a tube and float around and around! A definite must during the summer, though best left to a day that isn't stupidly hot or the queues are just ridiculous. If you go in winter, the water is heated. Adults $49/Children (4-13yrs) & Pensioners $32. t
- Australian Outback Spectacular, Nightly Tues-Sun (except Dec 25 ), ~7pm. New Epic Outback Show, complete with stampeding cattle, wild horses and an Australian Dinner. Free stockman's hat! Adults $99/Pensioners $89/Children (4-13yrs) $65.
- WhiteWater World, 10am - 5pm except Dec 25 and April 25 (1.30pm - 5pm). A newer water park next to Dreamworld, said to be just as good as Wet'n'Wild, if not better. Combined tickets available. Adults $45/Children (4-13yrs) & Pensioners $30.
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Originally famous for its birdfeeding of rainbow lorikeets, this park has expanded to have a number of animal exhibits. Although the lorikeet feeding still takes place just inside the entrace, there are hundreds of native Australian animals on display in natural bushland and rainforest settings around the park. There are open enclosures where you can get close to the usual assortment of kangaroos, emus, wallabies, etc.
- Easy hike up Burleigh Mountain, half an hour busride south of Surfers Paradise (take route 700 (Tweed Heads) bus from Cavill Avenue, get off at the Gold Coast Highway/Ikkina Road stop.). This small mountain is situated at the mouth of Tallebudgera Creek as it joins the ocean and is flanked by swimming spots in the river and the beach. The mountain is just beside the main road, and it is an easy walk to the top, where you can visit the information centre, see the remains of Aboriginal middens, see rock formations left behind by ancient eruptions of Mount Warning, and try spotting whales and sea eagles from the lookouts over the southern coastline. FREE.
Shopping:
Cavill mall and surrounds have some cheap souvenir and t-shirt shops. There are dozens of stores around Surfers Paradise catering exclusively for the tourist market and Australian opals, sheepskins, wool products, and aboriginal "artefacts". Watch out for overpriced goods. Local newspapers regularly run stories about "discount warehouses" being taken to court for selling souvenirs at exorbitant prices to Asian tourists on organized tours.
Pacific Fair in Broadbeach contains a large number of chain and independent stores selling pretty much every consumer item you can think of, although its labyrinthine layout can be very confusing for the first-time visitor.
Harbourtown in Biggera Waters is full of retail outlets, but is a bit out of the way to get to.
The Gold Coast also caters to the budget shopper as there are numerous designer boutiques around the city.
- Carrara Markets, corner of Gooding Drive and Manchester Road, Carrara. Sat and Sun 7am-4pm. A massive outdoor market of over 500 stalls, selling everything from food to clothing to plants and a lot more. Cheap shuttle bus service from Surfer's Paradise, a good FREE day out, something for the whole family. Free.
Dining:
The back arcades of Surfers Paradise have dozens of cheap Japanese and Korean "lunchbox" style restaurants and the quality is usually excellent, not to mention the price (less than $15 for a large main meal).
Tedder Avenue in Main Beach and the Broadbeach area have the largest concentration of restaurants and cafés with food ranging from gourmet seafood to pub fare. Expect to pay $20–$50 for a main meal. Don't forget that most of the restaurants are BYOB.
There is a very well priced sushi train one street north of Cavill Ave called Sushi in Paradise (2 Elkhorn Ave).
Heading north to the Marina's around the Broadwater will put you right amongst the Gold Coast's freshest fish markets. Peter's Fish Market is just north of Marina Mirage and will happily cook fish and chips if you have nowhere to do it yourself.
Drink:
Try a local surf club for a cheap beer with a great view, you'll find one or two in every beachside suburb of the Gold Coast. They're generally located right in front of the beach their members patrol and serve deliciously affordable food and drinks. The fish doesn't actually get much fresher. Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise offer the biggest choice of bars, clubs, and cafes, and you can order almost anything you can dream up.
Weather:
The Gold Coast has a sub-tropical climate with plenty of sunshine year round (in fact an average of 300 days a year). Summer temperatures range from 66 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures range from an average of 48 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit. It's no wonder the Gold Coast is Australia's favourite playground!
Check out our Australia Independent Packages to help you get started planning your trip or if you like a more organized style of traveling see our Australia Escorted Tours. Any way you travel to the great land of Oz, be sure to include Gold Coast on your itinerary.
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