Gold Coast

Travel Guide
Gold Coast
For a break in the sun, head to this expansive city: the perfect combination of beaches, theme parks, nightlife, rain forests and mountains.

With its casinos, Jet Skis, yachts and luxury hotels, the Gold Coast looks like it’s straight out of a James Bond movie. Australia’s major theme parks are all here, and the quieter hinterland offers rock climbing, scenic flights and skydiving for thrill seekers. It’s easy to see why millions of visitors flock to the Gold Coast every year: There are more than 30 beaches, including Burleigh Beach, where professional surfers come to compete in February, as well as great shopping and dining.

The Gold Coast encompasses several seaside towns inhabited by over half a million people, making this Australia’s sixth-largest city. The area covers 1,400 square kilometres (541 square miles) from Beenleigh, south of the Queensland capital Brisbane, to Coolangatta Beach at the New South Wales border.

The first Australians, the Aborigines, called this beautiful land of the sun Kurrungul. Europeans settled here, growing and commercialising the area, from the mid-1800s onwards. Tourism boomed in the 1950s, and the golden opportunity to invest in real estate gave the city its name and its skyline.

Some of Australia’s most famous beaches are on the Gold Coast. Two surfing hot spots are Burleigh Beach and Surfers Paradise Beach, an area that’s also popular for shopping and dining. Families looking for a good swimming area will enjoy the calmer waters of Coolangatta Beach.

More family fun awaits at the Gold Coast’s wide range of amusement parks. Interact with marine creatures at Sea World, slide through Wet‘n’Wild Water World, or board the superhero rides at Movie World. You can do all this and more at the biggest Australian theme park, Dreamworld.

The Gold Coast offers year-round entertainment, but you may want to avoid the rowdy “Schoolies” period (when high school graduates celebrate) in November. The weather is hot and humid from December to February (summer), and dry and sunny from June to August (winter). Rain or shine, pack your bathers to enjoy one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations.

Gold Coast Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Gold Coast

Dorsett Gold Coast
Dorsett Gold Coast
4 out of 5
1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach, QLD, 4218
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,525 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
₹8,525
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-friendly hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and a terrace. Popular attractions The Star Gold Coast and Dracula's ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (756 reviews)
"Great location to the casino. Lovely accommodation & staff."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2023

Dorsett Gold Coast
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
5 out of 5
2669 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, QLD, 4218
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness centre and on-site parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,290 reviews)
"The young lady on the desk went out of her way to find us parking when our car was too high for the underground carpark. The room was lovely as were the amenities. Will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2023

Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, an IHG Hotel
4.5 out of 5
2807 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217
The price is ₹8,527 per night from 27 Mar to 28 Mar
₹8,527
per night
27 Mar - 28 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"The Crowne Plaza is a lovely hotel which we particularly liked as outside the main bustle of central Surfers Paradise. We preferred Broadbeach. The staff, in the main, are friendly and courteous. The rooms are clean and well appointed. I think that maybe the business is still recovering from Covid, ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2023

Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Q1 Resort & Spa
Q1 Resort & Spa
4.5 out of 5
9 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,603 reviews)
"Great accomodation 😃"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2023

Q1 Resort & Spa
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
5 out of 5
2669 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, QLD, 4218
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness centre and on-site parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,290 reviews)
"The young lady on the desk went out of her way to find us parking when our car was too high for the underground carpark. The room was lovely as were the amenities. Will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2023

Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
Rhapsody Resort
Rhapsody Resort
4 out of 5
3440 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,475 reviews)
"If you ever stayed here, you wouldn’t want to stay elsewhere on the Gold Coast. The views are just astoundingly wonderful. Staff great, and parking is splendid."

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2023

Rhapsody Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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