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Gold Coast Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 3 days

Best Time: Throughout the year, except monsoon Read More

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"A Symphony of Sun, Surf, and Smiles"

Gold Coast Tourism

The Gold Coast, a coastal city in Queensland, Australia, epitomizes the quintessential beach lifestyle with its sun-kissed shores and vibrant urban atmosphere. Known for its pristine beaches, such as Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads, the city offers a plethora of water sports, from surfing to snorkeling. The lush hinterland provides opportunities for nature adventures, including bushwalking at the Lamington National Park and wildlife encounters at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. With its lively nightlife, bustling markets, and world-class theme parks like Dreamworld and Warner Bros. Movie World, the Gold Coast promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

The Gold Coast's energetic lifestyle is complemented by its diverse dining scene, offering a mix of beachfront cafes and upscale restaurants serving fresh seafood and international cuisines. The city's vibrant atmosphere is further enhanced by its bustling markets, such as the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, showcasing local arts, crafts, and live entertainment.

Visitors can explore the region's cultural side at the Gold Coast Arts Centre or indulge in a scenic drive along the Pacific Motorway, taking in the stunning coastal views. With its vibrant mix of sun, sand, and urban excitement, the Gold Coast invites travelers to immerse themselves in a world of endless leisure and entertainment.

Must Know Before You Travel to Gold Coast

1. Tourists can get a rechargeable Go Card to travel via buses of TransLink to get around Gold Coast. AUD 10 gives unlimited travel per day.

2. Farther tourist spots can be reached by travelling on the light rail transport along the Gold Coast highway. Go Cards can also be used for the same.

3. The city experiences over 300 days of sunshine annually. It is recommended to carry sunscreen lotions, hats and protective headwear as it can get really hot aside from the winter season, especially during the summer.

4. Gold Coast is a surfer's haven and is popular for swimming as well, among other activities. Tourists are recommended to watch out for days of yellow flags that warn of dangerous swimming conditions. Red flags are indicative of beaches being closed.

5. Gold Coast was once the hub for all parties in Australia but it cuurently is in the running to be the craft brew capital. The breweries are a must-try here and all located on the shore too.

6. The Gold Coast locals don't do buses and are more inclined to driving. This means that there is a lot of traffic, especially during peak hour. 

7. The peak hour here is a little different, as it mostly based on school drop-off and pick-up times. That is 6AM-7AM, 8AM-9AM and 2:30PM-3:30PM.

Top Hotels In Gold Coast

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3 Day Itinerary for Gold Coast

Day 1

Head to Main Beach in the morning. It is a great place for a light swim and you can even try your hand at some surfing. Relax under the sun until the afternoon kicks in. Then head to nearby Burleigh's Beach and indulge in some shopping. Once your shopping is done, head to a restaurant for a fantastic meal to wind up your day.

Day 2

Head to one of the theme parks in the city. Choose from Movie World, Sea World or Dream World. For those into thrilling amusement rides, head to Dream World. Likewise, Sea World is the place to be to enjoy fantastic water rides and splash about. In the evening head to surfer's paradise to enjoy the fantastic nightlife. Bars, clubs and restaurants are aplenty to choose from.

Day 3

Head to O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards in the morning to indulge in some wine tasting and delectable food. Picnics and barbeques can also be had by the calm waters of Canungra creek. Close by is the Rainforest Retreat, which offers some thrilling activities such as treetop walks, bird watching and feeding and even guided history tours. In the evening head back to the city for a nice dinner near your hotel.

Popular Neighbourhoods in Gold Coast

1. Surfer's Paradise

The most well-known neighbourhood in the city, surfer's paradise is known for its nightlife and is jam-packed with activities, restaurants, and shopping options. For those who love to mingle in large crowds, this is the ideal place to be in the city.

2. Southport

Southport is an easygoing neighbourhood in the city. There are some great shopping centres here, and the shores are home to calmer waters offering a great opportunity for kids and casual swimmers. For those who wish to head out into the ocean, yachts can be hired, which are quite affordable compared to the rest of the city. 

3. Coolangatta

Located close to the airport and away from the city centre, Coolangatta is another peaceful neighbourhood suited for families with kids. There are several secluded beaches nearby to enjoy a relaxing day. For the adventurous, we recommend taking tours to explore Australian wildlife.

4. Broadbeach

Broadbeach is a great place to stay in the city for food lovers. This neighbourhood has plenty of restaurants, cafes, food trucks and hole-in-the-wall joints to satiate any palette and all kinds of hunger pangs. Accessibility is another great reason to stay in Broadbeach, as all the trams begin and start here, making it easy to travel to other parts of the city.

5. Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads is mainly suited for couples and honeymooners. A beach paradise, this neighbourhood has plenty to offer in terms of romantic restaurants and several fantastic shopping options.

Tips to Save Money in Gold Coast

1. Save On Travel Costs

Some accommodations provide transport to and from the airport for free. Be sure to check with your hosts or hotel staff.

2. Food Can Be Both Expensive and Cheap

Food options in the city are diverse but costly as well. To save costs, buy sandwiches, or Asian and Indian food, which are generally cheaper than dining at restaurants and large cafes.

3. Book Tours Wisely

It is recommended to book tours or activities through the hotels, your package operators or in larger groups, as the costs can come down significantly depending on the activity or destination.

4. Hostels & AirBnbs Offer Better Deals

It is no surprise that staying in hostels and AirBnbs are a lot more cost-effective than staying in hotels or resorts. Private room hostels and AirBnbs can start from AUD 75-80 and allow guests to cook their own meals.

5. Use Public Transport and Rentals Often

Buses, rails and rentals are your best friends in descending order. Taxis can generally be very expensive even when shared, so it is recommended to try and use the public transport options as much as possible. If heading far out of the city, there are many affordable car rental options available.

Nightlife in Gold Coast

  • Nightlife on Gold Coast is just like it is with the big Australian cities - energetic and wild.
  • Surfers Paradise is the hottest precinct in Gold Coast for that perfect night out, with a young and electric crowd and some of the Gold Coast's best nightclubs such as Shooters, Sin City, The Avenue, Underground, and The Bedroom.
  • Broadbeach too has a couple of great clubs and lounges such as Love Nightlife and Platinum Nightclub. But if you're confused and just want to head out for a night of club-hopping, Surfers Paradise is definitely the place to go.
  • Always remember to carry your Photo ID, and the LDA in Australia is 18.

Shopping in Gold Coast

Shopping is a crazy affair in the Gold Coast. With a fantastic collection of markets and products, you'll find yourself shopping for hours on end. The Carrara Markets, to start with, are Australia's biggest permanent markets. You'll find great discounts on nearly anything you can buy - from fresh produce to arts and crafts, and to pots and plants! The Chevron Rennaisance Shopping Centre has been renovated too now and is home to a variety of brands, boutiques, and bars! Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is a relatively new but truly luxurious location to shop. It has all the major global brands and places to dine. Along with these markets, the Gold Coast also has a number of Arts and Crafts markets such as Burleigh, Broadbeach, and Coolangata Arts and Crafts markets for when you're looking for that perfect souvenir.

Exchanging Money in Gold Coast

  • Currency exchange options are aplenty in Gold Coast.
  • Services are provided by Crown Currency Exchange, Travel Money Oz, Travelex, and American Express Currency Exchange, among many others.
  • The local bank ATMs can also be used.

Traveller's Tips for Gold Coast

1. Tipping for good service is a common practice in the city, and the amount of the tip, or even tipping at all, is totally at your discretion.

2. Tap water is safe to drink in the city. Be sure to carry your own water bottle which can also be filled at public drinking taps.

3. Do not carry valuables when heading to the beach. 

4. In case of any emergency dial 000 immediately.

History of Gold Coast

Modern settlement in the region began as late as the early 19th century, when explorer John Oxley arrived at Mermaid beach. For many years before that and after, the Gold Coast was a hostpot for timber trade. After European settlement began, it was initially called the South Coast, since it was south of Brisbane. But soon, real estate prices rocketed upwards, and so did those of goods and services, the name 'Gold Coast' is owed to this boom in prices in the late 19th and early 20th century. The town was officially renamed to Gold Coast as late as 1958. Today, it is Australia's 6th largest cities, and is still one of the country's fastest growing city.

Best Time to Visit Gold Coast

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FAQs on Gold Coast

What is the local food in Gold coast?

Gold Coast is a big city and you'll find food from all over the world, in all types of price ranges. From overflowing beer to brilliant sea food and steaks, you will find it all. Places like Burleigh Brewing Company, Hurricane's Wood Fired Grill, and the beautiful Rick Shores are just a pick of the variety available. What's more, food trucks and stalls mean that the street food scene in the Gold Coast is top notch too.
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What are the places near Gold coast?

The top places near to Gold coast are Brisbane which is 71 km from Gold coast, Sydney which is located 683 km from Gold coast, Melbourne which is located 1343 km from Gold coast, Great barrier reef which is located 1228 km from Gold coast, Perth which is located 3625 km from Gold coast

What are the things to do in Gold coast?

The top things to do in Gold coast are Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Beaches in Gold Coast, Dreamworld, Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. You can see all the places to visit in Gold coast here

What are the top hotels in Gold coast?

There are 1310 in Gold coast which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Gold coast are Holiday Home Coveside @ Sanctuary Cove, The Pinnacle Apartments, 2 BED APT SAND CASTLES ON CURRUMBIN BEACH, Ocean Plaza Unit 835 - Beachfront in Central Coolangatta, Shoreside Unit 1 - Absolute beachfront ground level unit in Tugun - Wi-Fi included, Parco Vista Unit 9 - Central Coolangatta easy walk to beaches and shops. You can see all the hotels in Gold coast here

What is the best time to visit Gold coast?

Gold Coast sees bright sunshine for nearly 300 days every year; however, the best time to visit the Gold Coast is between May and October. The warm weather is ideal for beach activities and boat tours. End of January and most of February is the time when humidity is high, and the region sees a lot of rainfall. Also, in the peak winter months of June to August, while the days are sunny, temperatures drop to as low as 11-12 degrees. Owing to its subtropical location, the climate in this region never gets too hot or too cold and the days are mostly dry and sunny. The period from June to August is an ideal time for whale watching. The months from November to April form the low season for tourism in The Gold Coast. You can expect to find the cheapest deals on accommodation and flights, but there will not be any boat tours or parties going on during these months. However, there is a surge in tourism during Christmas and New Year. Travellers are advised to make their bookings in advance to avoid any last minute rush. That being said, the Gold Coast is a year-round destination known for a wide array of outdoor activities like golfing, hot air ballooning, fishing, nature walks etc.
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Gold Coast Reviews

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Dhawal Pagay

5 years ago
A shoreline spanning across 50 kilometres and a population of approximately 600,000, the city is an absolute paradise for all travelers with relaxation as their objective. A host city for the 2018 Co (Read More)mmonwealth Games, the Gold Coast is rapidly urbanising and developing as an economy.
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