As our plane lifted off from Bali to Brisbane, we were so excited to start our two and a half week trip to Australia! This country had been on our list for many years, but for whatever reason, we hadn’t made it to this part of the world…
…until our Aussie friends decided to get married! They live on the Gold Coast and we ended up spending 12 days exploring up and down the coast, and inland as well.
We based ourselves in Broadbeach, which ended up being the perfect spot. 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 the entire time.
Having locals to guide us around meant we got the insider’s scoop on the best places to visit, things to do, places to eat…and of course, where to find the best wine!
In this post, I’ll share the 10 best things to see and do on the Gold Coast that you won’t want to miss.
Don’t Forget Your Entry Visa!
Before getting into the best things to do on the Gold Coast, I need to mention one very important thing that we almost messed up ourselves.
You need a valid visa to enter Australia.
And I don’t just mean travellers from certain countries.
Every traveller needs some form of visa or travel authority to enter Australia. New Zealand citizens can usually get a visa on arrival, but everyone else needs to have the correct visa approved before travelling.
As Canadians, we assumed we didn’t need a visa and would be given six months in Australia on arrival, similar to what we get when visiting the UK.
Wrong.
Luckily, we realized this before flying to Australia, but only two days before our flight. Not exactly the relaxed pre-trip moment we wanted.
The good news is that the process can be pretty straightforward, 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 before your departure date, and make sure the visa is linked to the same passport you’ll be travelling with.
If you’re planning a trip to the Gold Coast, or anywhere else in Australia, you can check which visa you need and apply online before you go with iVisa – they offer 24/7 customer support through email, chat or WhatsApp…in 14 different languages.
If you try to get the visa yourself and make one small error, that will delay the processing time. iVisa has a 99% approval rate, showing how reliable and accurate the company is.
Of course, all visa decisions/outcomes still depends on the government and that’s nothing iVisa or other companies have control over.
About the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most famous holiday destinations, sitting in Southeast Queensland, about an hour south of Brisbane – which is the main airport in the area (and the one we flew into).
It’s known for its long sandy beaches, surf culture, high-rise skyline, theme parks, nightlife, shopping, and nearby mountain areas just inland from the coast.
You probably already know this, but the Gold Coast is famous for its beaches – there are around 50 kilometres of coastline here. But what surprised me most was how quickly the vibe changes once you start moving around the coast.
One minute you’re walking along a busy beachfront promenade, the next you’re watching sunset on an empty beach, driving through green valleys, or walking through rainforest in the hinterland.
During our stay, we explored Surfers Paradise, Southport, Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera Valley, Tamborine National Park, Coolangatta, Snapper Rocks, Currumbin Valley, and a few beautiful spots in between.
Best Things To Do On The Gold Coast
After an awesome visit, here’s my list of the things you won’t want to miss.
1. Base Yourself in Broadbeach
If you’re wondering where to stay on the Gold Coast, I’d absolutely recommend Broadbeach.
For us, it was the ideal base. It has everything you need – the beach, great restaurants, cafés, shops, and public transport, but it feels more chilled out than Surfers Paradise.
You can still walk along the beachfront, grab coffee in the morning, go out for dinner, and be close to the action, but Broadbeach has a slightly more grown-up, relaxed feel to it. It’s more polished without feeling boring.
This was especially nice because we were on the Gold Coast to spend time with friends, not just running around ticking off attractions.
Kurrawa Beach is right there, and it’s a beautiful place for a swim, a walk, or just sitting in the sand watching the sunset – which is what we did a few evenings. Or, if you’re feeling more active, you could check out this surfing experience with a surf coach.
2. Walk Around Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is probably the most famous place on the Gold Coast, and even if you don’t stay there, it’s worth visiting.
This is the Gold Coast people often imagine: tall buildings, a wide beach, busy streets, restaurants, shops, and a bit of a flashy holiday vibe.
I wouldn’t necessarily want to spend my whole trip based here, but it’s worth checking out.
We walked along the boardwalk and sand from Broadbeach to Surfers Paradise. Just north of it, there’s a great beach club called La Luna – I recommend there for drinks, food and a swim!
Surfers Paradise Beach itself is beautiful, with a long stretch of sand and rolling surf right in front of the city skyline. Go for a walk, grab a drink or meal, people-watch, and then decide whether it’s your scene.
For us, it was fun to visit, but we were happy to return to Broadbeach afterward.
3. Spend Time in Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads was one of my favourite areas on the Gold Coast.
It has that perfect mix of beach, cafés, 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 walk through Burleigh Head National Park. The park sits right on the headland and has walking trails with ocean views, rainforest, rocky coastline, and the chance to look back along the Gold Coast skyline.
Even if you’re not doing a big hike, it’s worth going for a stroll here. The views over Tallebudgera Creek and the coastline are stunning.
Afterward, grab a bite at the Tropic. The views here are gorgeous – don’t miss the puffed bread with hummus and fresh oysters, before heading to the “hill” to watch the early evening surfers. Technically this is a public area, but having a drink or two here is common.
4. Swim at Tallebudgera Creek
I’m so bummed that we missed this spot! Quite simply, we just ran out of time…
When we drove passed Tallebudgera Creek, I couldn’t believe just how stunning it was. The water is calm, clear, and ridiculously blue on a sunny day. It’s a great spot for swimming, floating around, paddleboarding, or just sitting by the water with friends.
Unlike some of the surf beaches, the creek feels more sheltered and relaxed – which is what I was looking for during our trip! It’s one of the best swimming spots on the Gold Coast if you want calm water rather than waves.
5. Visit Mermaid Beach
Mermaid Beach is another great area to explore, especially if you like a quieter beach vibe.
It sits between Broadbeach and Miami, so it’s easy to reach if you’re staying centrally. Compared to Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach feels much more low-key. It’s still beautiful, still close to everything, but it has more of a neighbourhood feel.
This is a great place to come for a relaxed beach walk, followed by a slow coffee or brunch – which is exactly what we did at Sunnyboy Espresso.
Mermaid Beach doesn’t have the same big-ticket attraction feel as some other areas, but that’s kind of the point.
7. Explore Tamborine Mountain & 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 by 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 high-rises, you get rainforest walks, mountain roads, lookouts, and cooler air. I loved that it didn’t feel like a mission to get here – it’s only like an hour drive.
The Witches Falls section of Tamborine National Park is especially worth visiting. It’s also historically significant, as Witches Falls was Queensland’s first national park.
There are several walking tracks in the park, including the Witches Chase Track, which passes Witches Falls lookout and goes through rainforest and eucalypt forest, it’s only about 2.5 kilometers and it took us roughly an hour to walk it.
If you have a rental car, I’d 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. Like this one where you’ll get to see koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat, or this one where you get to go ziplining.
6. Visit Witches Falls Winery
Tamborine National Park is one part, but Tamborine Mountain has cafés, shops, viewpoints, walking trails, gardens, and a slower mountain-town feel.
We popped in here for a tasty sandwich at Franquette before heading to Witches Falls Winery, which is a well-known cellar door stops on Tamborine Mountain, and the setting is lovely.
We actually had a picnic in the vineyards (it’s all about who you know 😉), but they have many outdoor tables as well. 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 giving yourself at least one full day away from the beach. The coast is beautiful, obviously, but the mountains offer different scenery and a different vibe.
8. Watch the Surf at Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks
Coolangatta feels different from the central Gold Coast in the best way.
It’s still beachy and beautiful, but it has a more relaxed, old-school coastal feel compared to places like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. It’s right down near the New South Wales border, so it takes a bit longer to get there if you’re based farther north, but it’s absolutely worth the trip.
One of the highlights in this area is Snapper Rocks.
This is a famous surf spot, and even if you don’t surf, it’s still worth visiting just to watch the waves, walk along the coastline, and take in the views.
We watched the surf from the Rainbow Bay Surf Club, over chicken parmis and Mick Fanning’s beer…and actually, we spotted Mick Fanning surfing while we were here!
In case you don’t know, he’s an Australian pro surfer, famous for surviving a shark attack while surfing in South Africa – he punched and kicked the shark…
The coastline around Snapper Rocks is gorgeous. You can walk around the point, watch the surf, and look back across the beaches. It’s also a great area for photos, especially if the weather is clear.
I loved that this part of the Gold Coast felt more laid-back. It still has restaurants, cafés, and plenty going on, but it doesn’t feel as built-up as the central areas.
If you have time, pair 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 Currumbin Valley
Currumbin Valley was another place that made me realize how much more there is to the Gold Coast than just beaches.
We drove through here with our friends and were lucky enough to spot kangaroos on the side of the road! This was our first day in Australia and already we’d seen kangaroos and a koala!
The valley is green, peaceful, and lush, with winding roads, trees, and relaxed feel that makes you forget you’re still so close to one of Australia’s busiest holiday destinations.
If you have a car, this is a beautiful area to explore at a relaxed pace, with a stop at Pasture & Co. for a piece of lemon merangue pie the size of your head!
Don’t go expecting a packed itinerary or a long list of attractions to tick off. The appeal is more about the drive, the scenery, and stopping wherever looks interesting.
For us, visiting areas like Currumbin Valley gave the trip a lot more depth. It made the Gold Coast feel less like a beach destination and more like a region with a totally different vibe depending on where you go.
If you’re someone who likes nature, road trips, and places that feel a little quieter, make time for the valleys.
10. Relax at a Bathhouse
One thing I didn’t expect before visiting the Gold Coast was how big the bathhouse and wellness scene is. But once you’re there, it makes total sense.
The Gold Coast has such an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. People are surfing, swimming, walking the beach, hiking, doing yoga, and spending so much time outside. So places where you can soak, steam, cold plunge, and unwind fits right in!
We visited Greenhouse the Bathhouse in Tallebudgera Valley on a girl’s trip, and it was such a nice change of pace from the beach days and sightseeing.
It’s a beautiful, relaxed space with warm pools, a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, massage treatments, outdoor areas, and a plant-based restaurant on-site.
It was classy, but not intimidating at all, and because it’s tucked away 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 all of this together, here’s how I’d plan a first trip.
For a short stay of three or four days, base yourself in Broadbeach or Burleigh Heads. Spend one day exploring Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, and Surfers Paradise. Spend another day in Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek.
Then use your final day for either Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks or a day trip to Tamborine Mountain.
For a longer stay of one week or more, you can slow things down and spread everything out. Visit the main beach suburbs, spend a proper day in Burleigh, swim at Tallebudgera Creek, drive down to Coolangatta, explore Currumbin Valley, and take a full day for Tamborine National Park and Tamborine Mountain.
If you have 10–12 days like we did, even better. That gives you time to revisit your favourite beaches, spend time with friends, try more restaurants, and not feel like every day has to be jam packed.
Where To Stay on the Gold Coast
For us, Broadbeach was the perfect base.
It was central, walkable, close to the beach, and had plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby. It also made it easy to visit other parts of the Gold Coast without feeling like we were staying in the busiest tourist zone.
Surfers Paradise is better if you want nightlife, big hotels, shopping, and a more energetic tourist scene.
Burleigh Heads is great if you want a more local, trendy, beach-town feel with great food, surf, and access to nature.
Coolangatta is a good choice if you want a quieter southern Gold Coast stay with beautiful beaches and a more relaxed pace. For a first-time visit, I’d 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 move between some of the main central areas.
But if you want to visit places like Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls Winery, Currumbin Valley, Tallebudgera Valley, and some of the quieter areas, having a car makes a big difference.
The Gold Coast is spread out, and some of the best places are outside the main beach strip. A car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stop at random viewpoints, and not worry about working around buses or tours. Click here to search for the best deals on rental cars in the Gold Coast.
Or, if you’re on a longer trip through Australia, you could always check out one of these routes in a campervan!
Final Thoughts
The Gold Coast surprised me. I expected beautiful beaches, which it definitely has. But I didn’t expect the mountain areas, the beautiful valleys and the funky beach towns!
After 12 days, I understood why people love this part of Australia.
The Gold Coast isn’t just one destination. It’s a mix of beach towns, surf spots, rainforest walks, valleys, wineries, restaurants, and easy coastal living.
And while you can absolutely visit for a quick holiday, I think it’s even better when you give yourself enough time to slow down and actually enjoy it.
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