Travel guide

Gold Coast

Queensland's glittering surf coast

🗓️ Best time: September–May💰 Mid-Range · ~$140/day📍 Australia

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About Gold Coast

70 km of surf beaches, theme parks (Movie World, Sea World), and Surfers Paradise high-rises right on the sand — Australia's holiday capital.

⭐ Things to do in Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise beachSkyPoint observation deckSea World, Movie World, Wet'n'WildBurleigh Heads surfCurrumbin Wildlife SanctuarySpringbrook National Park glow wormsTamborine Mountain wineriesBurleigh Heads National Park headland

🍽️ Where to eat in Gold Coast

Real, top-rated restaurants — tap to see hours, reviews and menus.

The Avenue

★ 4.4 (38) · Dance Clubs · American

$$$$

Bazaar Restaurant

★ 4.1 (30) · Buffets

Shiraz Persian Restaurant + Bar

★ 4.5 (29) · Persian/Iranian · Middle Eastern

$$$$

Social Eating House + Bar

★ 4.5 (26) · Restaurants

Surfers Sandbar

★ 4.1 (25) · Bars · Coffee & Tea

Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar

★ 3.9 (25) · Coffee & Tea · Bars

The Loose Moose

★ 4.4 (22) · Whiskey Bars · American

Brooklyn Depot

★ 4.3 (20) · American · American

House of Brews

★ 4.1 (20) · American

BMD Northcliffe Surf Club

★ 4.3 (19) · Restaurants

Costa D'Oro Italian Restaurant

★ 3.6 (19) · Italian · Pizza

Alfresco Italian Restaurant

★ 4.5 (18) · Italian

✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Light rail (G:link) along coast; rent a car for hinterland.

💡 Local tip

Hinterland day trip — Springbrook waterfalls beat crowded beaches.

🛡️ Safety

Very safe. Watch for sun (intense UV), surf (rip currents), and wildlife.

🌙 Nightlife

Surfers Paradise clubbing strip; Broadbeach for upscale.