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Gold Coast Travel Guide | Top Attraction, Hotels, Foods, etc


The Gold Coast, Australia, is east of Brisbane and is full of sun, surf and sand!
It is known for its sunny subtropical climate, surfing, beaches, the interior of the rainforest and the wild nightlife.
For most travelers, visiting the Gold Coast means spending time at the Surfers Paradise, the region’s most famous city. This is an important stop for travelers and backpackers looking to sunbathe, surf and spend time partying.
It’s a fun place, but my advice is to avoid spending a lot of time there and heading to some of the best and least crowded cities, such as Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta.
Traveling along the Costa Dorada is much more than just seeing surfers and, when you leave the city, you arrive at much nicer beaches, watering holes, local places and places with cheaper prices.
This Gold Coast travel guide will help you discover where to go, what to see and how to save money in this region of Australia.

Map:

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions on the Gold Coast, Australia:

Surfers Paradise Beach:

The sun, the sand and the sea, the alliterative assets of the Gold Coast, are displayed in an impressive way in this iconic three-kilometer cord. Despite all the skyscrapers that rise behind the beach and the numerous tanned bodies that delight along its coast, it remains a surprisingly clean and picturesque stretch. Children can splash in the shallow water or build sandcastles on the soft white sand. Surfers can ride the typically gentle waves, and if you want a break from the sun, you can seek refuge in one of the many shops, cafes and restaurants nearby.
Lifeguards patrol 365 days a year, but swimmers must remain between the red and yellow flags at all times. At night, the beach is lit for a walk at night.
Bargain hunters come here on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at night to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront markets with more than one hundred stalls, selling everything from fashion, photography and art to souvenirs and jewelry.

SkyPoint, Surfer’s Paradise:

SkyPoint, in the contemporary Q1 Resort and Spa, is Australia’s tallest residential tower and offers dizzying views of the entire Gold Coast. You can choose between two tourist attractions here. The SkyPoint observation deck at level 77 offers 360-degree panoramas of Gold Coast, the sea and the distant green interior.
Those looking for a little more adventure can opt for SkyPoint Climb, where thrill-seekers climb a 270-meter-high platform perched on the city. It is an exciting way to appreciate the disposition of the land. The most expensive SkypePoint climb includes the entrance to the observation deck, where you can relax in the cafe and browse information exhibits to help you plan your stay. Morning, day and twilight are available.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary:

A family favorite, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known wildlife park owned by the National Trust of Queensland, a non-profit organization. Bird lovers are in luck here. Hundreds of brightly colored rainbow parrots eat from visitors’ hands and even perch on their heads.
Other highlights include the free-flight bird show, an Adventure Park high rope course worthy of Tarzan, Segway tours and a small train that will delight young children. In addition to all feathered residents, you can communicate with the kangaroos, hug the koalas and stay away from the resident crocodiles. All income supports animals.

Coolangatta Beach:

Near the border of the state of New South Wales, Coolangatta Beach offers a much more peaceful alternative to the beaches of Surfer’s Paradise, full of tourists, a 30-minute drive north. Spending a day in the soft sun-drenched sands here is one of the best things to do in Gold Coast for free.
If you look at a tourist map of the Gold Coast, you will see that this stretch of coast is oriented to the north, which means that the water is usually quieter with excellent swimming conditions. Parents bring their children here to play and splash along the shimmering shores, and lifeguards patrol throughout the year. When you want a break from the sun, sand and the sea, you will find many shops and cafés across the road from the beach.
Bordering Coolangatta Beach is a beautiful beachfront park, dotted with Norfolk pines. During the winter months, this is a popular place to walk the trails and look for whales and dolphins. The city of Coolangatta is also the site of the Gold Coast airport.
If you are looking to ride some waves, favorite surf spots near here include Greenmount Point and Snapper Rocks at the east end of the beach; Duranbah (“D-bah”) just around the corner from Snapper Rocks; and Kirra Beach, known for its fantastic right point that breaks the sand.

Sea World:

Sea World in Gold Coast is the largest marine park in Australia. Both young and old will enjoy the exhibits and the busy schedule of shows here, with favorites such as dolphins, sea lions and jet ski acrobatics. Other highlights include polar bears, penguin feeding presentations, as well as exhibits of tropical fish, sharks and rays. The park even offers marine-themed attractions like roller coasters. For a great overview of the park, get on board the monorail.
After seeing all the sea creatures, the small water park is a great place to cool off with the children. Visit the website to get combined tickets with discounts for multiple parks.

Burleigh Heads Beach:

Swimming and surfing are two of the most popular activities on the beautiful Burleigh Heads beach. Surrounded by Norfolk pines and pandanus trees, this attractive portion of soft white sand is halfway between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta.
Surfers generally head directly to the famous breaking point on the north side of the tip, but you can also surf on beach breaks along the outside bar. Swimming is best in both areas patrolled by lifeguards in Burleigh and North Burleigh. This is also an ideal beach for families; The park adjacent to the beach offers barbecues and many picnic spots, and you will find many cafes and shops a few steps from the beach.
On the last Sunday of each month, shoppers can explore the markets in Justin Park, where more than 150 stalls sell everything from baked goodies and fresh produce to local handicrafts.
Another advantage of “Burleigh,” as the locals call it, is Burleigh Head National Park. This quiet pocket of bushes covers the headland, and you can explore the park on scenic trails with elevated views of the beach: watch for migratory whales in the spring.

Dreamworld:

Dreamworld is one of Gold Coast’s favorite theme parks, with an Australian twist. In addition to an exciting line of roller coasters, live shows and movie characters, the park is home to many Australian-born animals and offers close-up experiences with crocodiles, tree kangaroos and dingoes. You can even sign up for a sunset safari and meet face-to-face with big cats in danger of extinction on Tiger Island. Other highlights in this popular park include an aboriginal virtual reality corroboree experience with storytelling, songs and dancing, and each child’s favorite: Wiggles World.
If time permits, you can bring your swimsuits and visit next to WhiteWater World, a great slide show and swimming pools. Visit the website for special offers and combined tickets.

South Stradbroke Island:

If you want to escape the bustle of Gold Coast and play Robinson Crusoe for a day, South Stradbroke Island is the ideal getaway. Affectionately called “South Straddie” by the locals, this 21-kilometer-long island is only 200 meters from the Spit at the north end of Main Beach, but it looks like a world away. It is less developed than its largest neighbor, North Stradbroke Island, to which it was once connected, but you will still find many things to keep you busy.
In addition to enjoying the beautiful and refreshing deserted beaches, popular activities include swimming, surfing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, fishing and hiking through the island’s conservation park. Keep your eyes wide open for resident wildlife. Wallabies, bandicoots, sugar gliders, blue tongue lizards, snakes and many species of birds call the island home.
You can visit the island on a day trip, and if you are looking for things to do in Gold Coast on a limited budget, you can spend the night at one of the three campsites on the island. Other accommodation options include vacation rentals and apartments at Curran Cove Island Resort. Charter boats, ferries and water taxis will take you here from various departure points in Gold Coast, including Hope Harbor Marina and Runaway Bay Marina.

Warner Bros Movie World:

In Warner Bros Movie World, kids can meet face-to-face with superheroes, ride roller coasters, watch stunt shows and dive into fantasy lands in interactive 3D games. The little ones will love the fun zone for children with colorful games and Looney Tunes characters, and the parades on “Main Street” are also a success.
Many of the attractions here are for older children and have strict height restrictions. Favorites include the spooky DC Rivals Hypercoaster, Doomsday Destroyer and Green Lantern Coaster. You will also find new additions here. In Aquaman – The Exhibition, you can explore costumes and movie pieces, and the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster Next Generation keeps you on the edge of your seat with high-tech special effects and surprises.
If you are planning a tour of a Gold Coast theme park, consider buying a combined pass, which allows you to access multiple parks at a discount.

Lamington National Park:

About an hour’s drive from Surfers Paradise, Lamington National Park, a World Heritage Site, is famous for its beautiful tropical rainforest landscape, numerous waterfalls and unique wildlife. The park is located in the lush hills of the Border Range, remains of an ancient volcano, where the Lamington Plateau plunges into spectacular cliffs and gorges.
Birdwatchers will be in the sky here with more than 190 species to detect, including brightly colored parrots and the elusive glorious bird, named for the elaborate arches that they build and decorate to impress potential couples. Other wildlife here includes red-necked sufmelons and long-nosed bandicoots.
A winding road at the top of the hill leads to the O’Reilly Rainforest Retreat, a guest house and spa where you can also enjoy a meal in the cafeteria. Spending the night in this romantic retreat is one of the favorite things to do in Gold Coast for couples. From here, nature lovers can explore the park on the walk through the top of the O’Reilly tree, a series of 180-meter suspension bridges that cross the rainforest canopy.

Gold Coast Travel Costs:

Hostel prices: Since the region is so popular with travelers, prices here tend to be much higher than in other parts of the country. The average cost of a hostel bed in Surfers Paradise is $ 32 AUD ($ 23 USD), while a private room is between $ 70-90 AUD ($ 50-64 USD). In Coolangatta, you will find beds in bedrooms from just $ 26 AUD / $ 19 USD (4-6 beds) with private rooms around $ 80 AUD ($ 57 USD).
Cheap hotel prices: most hotels in Gold Coast are expensive, but you can find a couple of hotels (or motels) that can accommodate two from $ 95 AUD ($ 68 USD), but the average price is $ 195 AUD ($ 140 USD) for a double room. Alternatively, you can find many beautifully furnished apartments and houses for rent. On Airbnb, a shared room at home starts around $ 30 AUD ($ 22 USD). You can find full apartments for two people from $ 85 AUD ($ 65 USD) per night.
The average cost of food: most meals in a restaurant cost $ 34 AUD ($ 25 USD) or more, not including alcoholic beverages. If you cook your meals, expect to pay $ 100 AUD ($ 71 USD) per week for basic foods such as pasta, vegetables, chicken and other basic foods. An average meal in a restaurant will cost around $ 20-28 AUD ($ 14-20 USD) to eat without frills. If you stay in shelters, most offer family-style meals each night for around $ 8 AUD ($ 6 USD).

Backpacking the Gold Coast Suggested Budgets:

Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, so prices here are often higher than in other parts of the country.
With a budget for backpackers, you can do it for $ 87 AUD ($ 62 USD) per day. This is a suggested budget, assuming you stay in a large dormitory at the hostel, cook some of your meals with the option of eating out (like group dinners at your hostel) and use a Go Explore card. With this budget, you could stick to mostly free outdoor activities or other light tours, such as an indigenous walk.
With a mid-range budget of approximately $ 220 AUD ($ 157 USD) per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or in a cheap hotel/motel, eat fast food or take-away ethnic food for most of your meals, Use an unlimited pass to tour the entire region and enjoy more activities, such as visiting the wildlife sanctuary.

Gold Coast Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips:

The Gold Coast can be very expensive. Here are ways to reduce your costs when visiting the Gold Coast:
  • Free transportation: some hostels offer free transportation to and from the airport. If you go to Surfers Paradise, they will also pick you up for free at the bus station.
  • Eating cheap: eating out can be very expensive; However, there are many sandwich shops that can keep your costs down. Avoid table restaurants and, instead, have a sandwich or some delicious Asian or Indian food (which tends to be cheaper).
  • Couchsurf: Gold Coast accommodation can be quite expensive. If you plan ahead, you can usually find really nice Couchsurfing hosts across the country. This way, you not only have a place to stay, but you will also have a local host who can tell you the best places to go and things to see.
  • Drink goon (box wine): Goon is infamous on the trail of the Australian backpackers’ hostel. This cheap wine box is the best way to drink, have fun and save a lot of money at the same time. Four liters of goon generally cost $ 13 AUD / $ 9 USD (compared to a pack of six beers for the same price). Drink this before leaving and save money at the bar (where it costs around $ 10 AUD / $ 7 USD per drink). Also, exploding the bag when you’re done and have a small pillow to rest!
  • Get a telephone plan: The Telstra telephone company has really improved its service and offers excellent telephone packages that have great coverage throughout the country. Your call/text message rates are not that high either, so the credit will last for a while. Vodafone also has incredible (sometimes better) offers but they have more limited coverage across the country.
  • Work for your home: Many hostels give travelers the opportunity to make their stay. You get a free bed in exchange for a few hours a day fress. However, most hostels ask you to stay for at least a week.
  • Cook frequently: the best way to reduce your costs is to cook as many meals as possible. ALDI is the cheapest supermarket in the country, followed by Coles and then Woolworths (although sometimes you can’t choose where you can buy it! Some small cities only have one!)
  • Book tours as a package: this country has many exciting activities and tours that fit any budget. Booking activities together through a hostel or travel agency will give you a discount and save you hundreds of dollars as a regular customer.
  • Get free internet: Internet in Australia is painfully slow and expensive (just ask any Australian how you feel about it), but libraries and McDonald’s have free WiFi that you can use.
  • Go for a walk in a pub: at Surfers Paradise, the Aquarian backpackers organize a great night on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For approximately $ 30 AUD ($ 22 USD) you will get several free drinks, entrance passes to four nightclubs, free pizza and cheap drinks throughout the night.

Where To Stay on the Gold Coast:

I’ve been a backpacker here for ages. Here are my favorite places to stay in the Gold Coast:

How to Get Around the Gold Coast:

Buses: Buses will take you almost anywhere you need to go to the Gold Coast. TransLink is the largest public transport operator, while Surfside Buslines is a local operator. Both have buses that run from the south to the north of the coast (upper). There is also a NightLink night bus service for buses after midnight.
The cost of your rate depends on how many zones you travel. Rates start at $ 3.31 AUD ($ 2.35 USD) for an area and increase from there, although it is cheaper with a go card (starting at $ 2.65 AUD / $ 1.90 USD). You can get from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta (a two-zone trip) for only $ 5.80 AUD ($ 4.15 USD) each way.
Travelers can pick up a go explore card to travel unlimitedly on the public bus and light rail system for only $ 10 AUD ($ 7 USD) per day.
Light Rail: Recently opened in 2014, Gold Coast now has a light rail system ( called G: link) that runs along the Gold Coast Road. You can reach all the main tourist points from here! The rates are the same as those of the public Translink bus system, from $ 3.31 AUD ($ 2.35 USD) per zone, or from $ 2.65 AUD ($ 1.90 USD) with a go card.
Ferries: You can explore the Gold Coast waterways (including Stradbroke Island) using the region’s ferry and water taxi services. The most common is the Broadwater Taxi, although prices are not cheap. Getting to Stradbroke Island costs $ 50 AUD ($ 36 USD) per way or $ 90 AUD ($ 65 USD) for an open return, and is the same price to reach the island Wavebreak and the camps in Currigee. Getting to Couran Cove and Couran Point costs $ 80 AUD ($ 57 USD) each way, or $ 150 AUD ($ 107 USD) with an open return.
Bicycle: there are over 370 miles (600 kilometers) of bike paths in Gold Coast! Daily bike rental rates start around $ 15 AUD ($ 11 USD). Two rental companies include:
Cheap as bike rental
Beach bike rental
Mobike, a bicycle-sharing service, is also available in many areas. You can book a bicycle from the mobile application, find a docking station and then go your way. It costs $ 25 AUD ($ 18 USD) for unlimited trips each month, or about $ 2.50 AUD ($ 1.80 USD) per 30-minute trip.
Car rental: you can reach any part of the Gold Coast by public transport, but if you want to leave the tourist route or travel inland, it is ideal to rent a car. During the low season, you can find rentals for only $ 35 AUD ($ 25 USD), but during the high season, you can climb up to $ 80 AUD ($ 57 USD) per day.
Taxi: Taxis are costly here and should be avoided.

When to Go to the Gold Coast:

The Gold Coast is quite busy throughout the year thanks to its constant climate and almost 300 sunny days a year. That is what makes it a great place to visit!
One of the best times to visit is near the end of April throughout May because the average daily temperature is between 62 and 76 ° F (17 and 25 ° C), which makes it one of the most comfortable times to be there. There are not too many crowds during this time and hotel prices are lower.
Mid-November to early December should be avoided, if possible, due to School Week when students and their parents take vacations. The beaches fill up, as do all the attractions. In October there is the 600 race, which also attracts large crowds and inflated prices. June to August is also a very busy time on the Gold Coast.

How to Stay Safe on the Gold Coast:

Gold Coast is an incredibly safe place to travel and travel in backpacks, even if you travel alone, and even as a solo traveler. People are quite friendly and helpful, and you are unlikely to get into trouble.
When in doubt, always trust your instincts. If a taxi driver seems bleak, just stop the taxi and get out. If your hotel or accommodation is more sleazy than you thought, go out and go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and identification, before traveling in an emergency. Also, send your travel itinerary to friends or family so they know where you are to be safe.
Also, if you are swimming, pay attention to the red and yellow flags. Yellow flags indicate that swimming conditions can be dangerous; Red flags mean the beach is closed.
As a general rule, if you don’t do something at home, don’t do it when you’re in the Gold Coast. Follow that rule and you’ll be fine.

TravelGad

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