Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or flying solo, the Gold Coast has activities and accommodation to suit everyone.
You get to choose your own adventure when you visit the Gold Coast. It doesn’t matter what you’re into, or even why you’re in this famous coastal city: the Gold Coast has you covered.
Choose your own adventure when you visit the Gold Coast. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Maybe you’re visiting to enjoy time with the family, to check out the theme parks and enjoy experiences everyone can get involved with, or you might have a romantic getaway in mind with your significant other. It could be a boys’ trip, or you might be rolling solo. Whatever the occasion, there’s a whole host of activities, as well as a perfect accommodation option, for you and your crew. All you have to do is decide.
Check out the theme parks and enjoy experiences everyone can get involved with (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Romantic indulgent escape
The Gold Coast has romance in spades, from beachside strolls to intimate dinners and luxurious hotels. If you’re heading to the GC with someone special, begin by hiring bikes and enjoying the sunshine together, cycling along beach after beach on dedicated bike paths up and down the coast.
Cycle along beach after beach on dedicated bike paths. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Once the sun begins to set, there are several great options. You could head to Miami Marketta, a bustling night market, to soak up the atmosphere and grab some high-quality eats. Or make a booking at Little Truffle, a classy, intimate fine dining restaurant in Mermaid Beach. And of course, your accommodation should be the Sofitel Gold Coast, French-style five-star luxury with a perfect location in central Broadbeach (opening in June 2022).
Head to Miami Marketta to grab some high-quality eats. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Girls’ wining, dining and shopping weekend
Pick up something unique at The Village Markets in Burleigh. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
There are few places in Australia better for a girls’ weekend than the Gold Coast. In fact, this might be the pinnacle. You’re going to want a meal somewhere special, and Social Eating House in Broadbeach – a stylish, popular restaurant with seriously good food – is ideal. Stop for a glass or two of wine, too; that’s where Orzo, sister restaurant to Social Eating House, comes in, offering an impressive, well-chosen drinks list.
Of course, this weekend includes shopping. Check out the outlets for major labels at Harbour Town, or pick up something unique at The Village Markets in Burleigh. Accommodation is at the four-star Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise, the perfect blend of location and luxury.
Boys’ surfing and relaxing weekend
Obviously, you’re going to want to go to the Gold Coast for a boys’ surfing weekend. There’s surely nowhere better – however, maybe not in the spot you’re thinking. Despite there being a place here called Surfers Paradise, the best spots for this weekend are further south, based at the Mantra Coolangatta Beach, a four-star hotel that’s ideally located for access to all the Gold Coast’s best surf breaks.
Right next door you have Kirra; the same distance in the other direction you have world-famous Snapper Rocks; and just around the corner there’s Duranbah Beach. They’re all incredibly high quality. From here you also have access to Burleigh Heads, the ideal spot for a bar crawl. You can also call into a craft brewery or two (try Black Hops), and find the perfect place for a hangover-busting breakfast at Paddock Bakery.
The Gold Coast is always perfect for a surfing weekend. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Theme park extravaganza with the kids
The locations to visit on this stay are no secret: you’re going with the obvious choices, the heavy hitters. That means the likes of Sea World, with its water-based rides and marine attractions; Movie World, with its myriad theme park rides; Wet’n’Wild, the city’s best waterpark; and Dreamworld, with plenty of attractions for all of the family.
Head to Movie World and try its myriad theme park rides. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
In between all the theme-park hopping you’ll need somewhere the family can relax in style. Accor offers plenty of amazing family-friendly accommodation options throughout the Gold Coast.
Accor offers plenty of amazing family-friendly accommodation options.
Ultimate family Gold Coast getaway
The Gold Coast has so much to offer families. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Gold Coast has so much to offer families that you could be here for weeks and still not experience everything. For the ultimate city-based getaway, begin by hitting the beach in Surfers Paradise. This is the classic: all the surf, sun and sand you can handle, and it’s absolutely free.
Next, grab the kids and check out the shops in Cavill Mall before stopping in for a quick round of mini golf at Holey Moley. Add some engaging arts and culture by visiting the new Home of the Arts precinct. Then relax and enjoy the facilities at Mantra Circle on Cavill, a centrally located, four-star hotel with plenty of room for the whole family in apartment-style accommodation. There’s also a playground, games arcade, pool and spa.
Children of all ages will love the arcade.
Family adventure in the hinterland
Excellent news for those who love the great outdoors: the Gold Coast has a surfeit of nature-based attractions that stretch far beyond the beachside hangs you’re probably imagining. If your family likes to get outside and explore, begin at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, a favourite spot for interacting with native Australian wildlife.
Interact with native Australian wildlife. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Then head further afield, into the famous Gold Coast hinterland, where your family can hike along the beautiful Natural Bridge Circuit in Springbrook National Park, or tackle the 30-metre-high Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. At night, retire to the spacious, family-friendly Mercure Gold Coast Resort, ideally located in the city’s west.
Solo travellers
Flying solo on your trip to the Gold Coast? No problem: there’s plenty to do, both in group settings and while gloriously untethered. To get to know a few people while also picking up a new skill, try a learn-to-surf class, maybe with Currumbin Alley Surf School. Next, strike out on your own with a hike to Tumgun Lookout in Burleigh, before grabbing a leisurely brunch at Cafe Alfons.
Learn how to surf on the Gold Coast. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Your hotel for this trip is the Break Free Longbeach Surfers Paradise, affordable for solo travellers yet still packed with great facilities, located in the heart of the action.
