Gold Coast walking tour & city guide
Surf beaches and a skyline by the sea.
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The Gold Coast, south of Brisbane, has some 70 kilometers of golden beaches backed by a skyline of high-rise towers. It is Australia's favorite holiday playground, with world-class surf breaks, theme parks and a green subtropical hinterland of rainforest and waterfalls.
Surfers Paradise and the beaches
Surfers Paradise is the heart of the Gold Coast, with Cavill Avenue running down to the beach, lively day and night. The SkyPoint observation deck on the Q1 tower, one of the tallest residential buildings in the Southern Hemisphere, offers views along the whole coast.
Further south, Burleigh Heads has a headland national park and a famous surf break, and Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks host international surfing competitions. Lifeguarded beaches are marked with red and yellow flags: always swim between them.
Theme parks and hinterland
The Gold Coast is Australia's theme park capital, with Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild.
Inland, Lamington and Springbrook national parks are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with waterfalls, ancient trees, glow worms and treetop walks. Tamborine Mountain has galleries, wineries and a skywalk through the rainforest canopy.
Visiting tips
The Gold Coast has its own airport at Coolangatta and is about an hour from Brisbane. A light rail line runs along the coast. The weather is warm all year, with the calmest and driest months from May to October.
Top sights in Gold Coast
- 1
Surfers Paradise Beach
The iconic beach below the skyline.
- 2
SkyPoint Observation Deck
Views from the Q1 tower.
- 3
Burleigh Heads
A surf beach with a national park headland.
- 4
Snapper Rocks
A world-famous surf break.
- 5
Springbrook National Park
Rainforest, waterfalls and glow worms.
- 6
Theme parks
Rides and attractions for all ages.
Food markets & where to eat in Gold Coast
Cavill Avenue
The main strip of Surfers Paradise.
Miami Marketta
A night market with street food and live music.
Burleigh Heads
Beachside cafés and seafood.
Broadbeach
A dining district near the casino.
Food to try in Gold Coast
Fish and chips on the beach
A Gold Coast classic.
Prawns
Fresh Queensland king prawns.
Acai bowls
A beach café favorite.
Tim Tams
Australia's favorite chocolate biscuit.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Gold Coast
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in Gold CoastCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Gold Coast.
- eSIM for AustraliaStay online from the moment you land.
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