hidden

Eat local, drink local, shop local, stay local. Travel choices that support local businesses.

Search our top spots in Gold Coast

Food, drink, activities and more in Gold Coast, or any city in Australia or the world...

Top city spots in Gold Coast, Australia

Australia’s Gold Coast is an exciting paradisal destination. If you love beaches, surfing, swimming, and snorkeling, then this is your nirvana. Looking for world-class theme parks? Then the Gold Coast will be your Disneyland mecca. And if wildlife and national parks are your passion, then you will be in heaven here.

Located to the south of Brisbane, on the country’s east coast, the Gold Coast is arguably the true tourist capital of Australia. It is famous for incredible sandy shores and a culture that attracts surfers from all over the world. The subtropical climate in this city is as wonderful as the landscape, with the Gold Coast appreciating more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The region, that stretches south from Coolangatta up to Southport, includes the iconic Surfers Paradise. This glamorous 3 kilometres of white sand, framed by skyscrapers, is often compared to Miami Beach. It’s a popular tourist attraction for both surfers and families, and away from the water's edge, you will find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops. The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Market, held every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evening, is a fun event that will have you browsing through hundreds of tantalizing stalls. Beach lovers should also spend time at Coolangatta Beach, a coastal district with a more peaceful vibe than Surfers Paradise. The sea here is calm and ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Also highly recommended is Burleigh Heads National Park, a natural coastal headland located halfway between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise. Here visitors can enjoy rainforest walks, whale watching, and the beautiful white sands of Burleigh Heads Beach. Inland the Gold Coast has plenty to offer tourists, especially families with young children. The area has a remarkable list of theme park attractions worth visiting, including the Aussie-centric Dreamworld. The venue offers roller coasters, movie characters, close-up experiences with native Australian animals, and a sunset safari. Sea World is just as impressive and this top Gold Coast attraction is the largest marine park in Australia. Shows here feature dolphins, sea lions, stunts on jet skis, and feeding presentations with penguins and polar bears. For a final thrill head to Warner Bros Movie World, a land with superheroes, stuntmen, street parades, and 3D interactive rides. If you are brave and meet the minimum height requirements, why not try a hair-raising trip aboard the DC Rivals Hypercoaster and the Doomsday Destroyer!

Gold Coast