The Gold Coast… Australia’s sixth largest municipal area and undeniably Australia’s most popular beach holiday location . There is an unbroken string of incredible beaches that stretch from Runaway Bay in the north to the New South Wales border in the south . The beaches are the jewel in the Gold Coast crown and are the major reason why this part of Australia has been attracting holiday makers for generations. With an average of over 300 days of sunlight per year it’s no wonder people are attracted from all over the world.

Inland from the coastal surf and sand lies the “Green behind The Gold”, a rich, elevated hinterland of rainforests, wildlife, panoramic views, trails and National Parks . The Gold Coast hinterland is one of the Gold Coast’s most popular day trip destinations.

Popular Gold Coast Locations

Southport & Main Beach – The location of the Sea World theme park and nearby Marina Mirage complex . The Broadwater is the favoured spot for water sports devotees with its broad expanse of calm water. Most of the holiday accommodation for this area is at Main Beach which is rapidly becoming a major tourist destination for the northern end of the Gold Coast.

Surfers Paradise – Surfers remains the focal point of the Gold Coast.and is often mistakenly described as being the Gold Coast.  Surfers has  more restaurants per square kilometre than anywhere else in Australia. Surfers has several major shopping centres and provides visitors with the bulk of Gold Coast holiday lodgings .

Broadbeach – One of the major destinations for holiday makers on the Gold Coast and just a few kilometres south from Surfers Paradise. Much of the more contemporary resorts and apartment blocks are to be found here . The beaches are excellent and regularly host some of Australia’s major surf life saving carnivals. There is an excellent variety of restaurants and shopping options.  

Burleigh Heads – This is one of the more popular holiday locations for families with it’s quiet, laid back village atmosphere and great surf beach. There is a short 3 km walking track with excellent coastal views .  Fleays Fauna Centre is located just a few kilometres west of the town.  

Currumbin – Synonomous with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the feeding of the rainbow lorrikeets, this is another Gold Coast location with excellent beaches that is popular with holiday makers wanting to bypass the noise and bustle of the more built-up centres .
 
Coolangatta – This is the southern end of the Gold Coast where it meets the border with New South Wales . Coolangatta and the neighbouring Tweed Heads have grown into a single urban area but retain their twin towns status. The beaches at Coolangatta and the adjacent areas of Greenmount and Rainbow Bay are some of the best on the Gold Coast.   

Tips For Gold Coast Visitors

The Gold Coast extends over 50 km in length and to fully appreciate it all, visitors should seriously consider a Gold Coast rental car if they do not have their own vehicle. Taking into account the costs of airport transfers, getting to and from theme parks, day trip costs etc, then a rental car becomes a very viable option.

The Gold Coast is home to an incredible collection of resorts and apartment style accommodation that meets the needs of the influx of tourists and holiday makers . The accommodation choices range from economy backpacker through to 5 star luxury and everything in between . Advance booking of all resorts and apartments on the Gold Coast is essential, especially in the high season peak demand period from mid December to mid January.

Visitors who prefer the convenience of an hotel, or who only have a one or two night stop-over will find several excellent Gold Coast hotels. The total number of hotels is not that great as the majority of accommodation targets self catering holiday guests. Gold Coast hotels are nearly all located in the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach areas.   

Gold Coast Attractions

The ever popular Gold Coast theme parks are not on the Gold Coast at all , and are located 25-30 minutes from Surfers Paradise along the highway towards Brisbane. Dreamworld and White Water World are both near Coomera which is 56 km south of Brisbane .

Warner Bros Movie World is just a few klms away near Oxenford and is a working movie studio plus entertainment park that also provides cartoon and movies characters as well as stunt shows . Wet ‘n Wild is an adjacent park with slides, wave pools, toboggans and twisters as well as facilities that are suited for small children .
 
Seaworld is the largest aquatic park in Australia and is located on The Spit at Southport. Its locationt makes it a lot easier to get to for visitors staying on the Gold Coast. The attractions include performances by dolphins, whales and seals together with waterskiing and aquaballet displays. The park also has a series of roller-coaster rides.

The Hinterland is a popular day trip destination for Gold Coast holiday makers. It’s a region of scenic lookouts and rainforest growing amongst rugged countryside with winding roads that command the driver’s attention . For a self drive outing, take the circuit from Coolangatta then south to Murwillumbah and swing north through Crystal Creek, Chillingham, Numinbah, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Mudgeeraba and finally back to the coast.

Another hinterland tour route is to detour from Nerang and head west through Tamborine National Parks taking in Wilson’s Lookout, Thunderbird Park and Cedar Creek Falls before rejoining the highway at Beenleigh.

So when you sit down to plan tour next Australian holiday, make sure the Gold Coast is on the . You won’t be sorry!