Attractions
There is no shortage of fun and entertainment on the Gold Coast.
Australian Outback Spectacular (www.outbackspectacular.com.au)
Get a taste of the rugged outback at this unique night attraction, complete with daring stunts, wild horses and stampeding cattle. Enjoy a 3-course dinner as you feast your eyes on the action.
Beaches
The Gold Coast enjoys about 300 days of sunshine a year and has 35 beaches, patrolled year round by professional lifeguards and during the summer by dedicated volunteers from the Surf Lifesaving Clubs.
Join a learn-to-surf class and try riding the waves. Beginner classes are available every day throughout the year.
The busiest and best-known stretch of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise. It has a perfect swimming beach and is a hive of activity. Surrounded by cafes and shops, it is a perennial favourite of surfers, sunbathers, locals and tourists.
Those who prefer quieter pristine beaches can head further south to areas such as Rainbow Bay and Burleigh Beach.
Catch-a-crab cruise (www.catchacrab.com.au)
Enjoy a picturesque river cruise. Trap Queensland’s mud crabs for lunch, have a go at yabbie pumping and feed wild pelicans! You can also visit an oyster farm.
Dracula’s Haunted House
This unique attraction, is a five-storey walk-through house of fright featuring optical illusions, 4D cinema, interactive gimmicks and loads of laughs for all. It is located in Surfers Paradise and is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Dreamworld (www.dreamworld.com.au)
This award-winning theme park is a wonderland of rides and attractions for both young and old. Try some of the world’s tallest and fastest thrill rides, cuddle a koala, or get up close to Nickelodeon favourites such as SpongeBob SquarePants.
Gold Coast Hinterland
Venture into the lush hinterland of the Gold Coast, just an hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Binna Burra Mountain Lodge (www.binnaburralodge.com.au)
Stay in a cosy log cabin for a back-to-nature experience. Explore 160km of nature trails, zip through the treetops on a flying fox, and join in a campfire at night.
Glow Worm Tour (www.ariestours.com)
Take an enchanting night tour of Springbrook National Park and discover Australia's largest colony of glow worms, amid lush forest, lakes and waterfalls.
Hot Air (www.hotair.com.au )
Enjoy a hot air balloon flight in the lush Gold Coast hinterland and marvel at the spectacular views of the farmlands and rolling hills as you watch the sunrise. Then celebrate this lovely experience with champagne breakfast at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead & Vineyard.
Mount Nathan Winery (www.mtnathanwinery.com.au)
More than just a winery, this family attraction has a yard where you can feed lambs, a bee observation area where you can see how honey is extracted from the hives, and a pond where you can catch yabbies.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (www.oreillys.com.au)
Stroll along a treetop boardwalk or go bird watching, then spend the night at this mountain retreat set in a World Heritage-listed national park.
Songbirds Rainforest Retreat (www.songbirds.com.au)
Enjoy a tranquil stay at Songbirds, with its multi award-winning restaurant and beautiful villas.
Tamborine Mountain (www.tamborinemtncc.org.au)
Explore cosy tearooms and quaint shops at Gallery Walk, an art and craft precinct on Mount Tamborine, with breathtaking views of the Gold Coast.
Infinity (www.infinitygc.com.au)
Have a blast at Infinity, a futuristic attraction that takes you on a mind-blowing journey through spectacular mazes! Walk across a bottomless abyss, wander through a chamber of stars and more.
Q1 Resort & Spa
Stay in a stylish apartment at Q1, the world’s tallest residential tower. Located in the heart of the Gold Coast, it also features the award-winning Q1spa, which fuses ancient indigenous-inspired therapies with urban chic. www.q1.com.au
QDeck
Visit QDeck, Australia's only beachfront observation deck. Located on the 77th and 78th levels of Q1, it offers spectacular 360-degree views of the Gold Coast, its endless stretch of beaches, the lush forests and mountains in the distance. www.QDeck.com.au
Sailing
Cruise the Gold Coast waterways by day or by night!
Watch the sunset on a champagne sailing cruise (www.champagnesailingcruises.com). Or go tall ship sailing (www.tallship.com.au) and have fun at South Stradbroke Island.
Sea World (www.seaworld.com.au)
Get up close to dolphins, seals and polar bears at Australia’s number one marine zoological park. Don’t miss Shark Bay, the world’s largest shark lagoon.
Tropical Fruit World (www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au)
Visit Australia’s largest tropical fruit plantation, with more than 500 varieties of fruit. Ride a tractor train through the orchards and try exotic fruits such as chocolate pudding fruit and miracle fruit.
Warner Bros. Movie World (www.movieworld.com.au)
Experience the movie magic, as you cosy up to your favourite superheroes and cartoon characters, including Batman, Wonder Woman and Bugs Bunny. You can also enjoy exciting rides and entertaining shows.
WhiteWater World (www.whitewaterworld.com.au)
Visit the Gold Coast’s newest theme park, launched by the award-winning Dreamworld. This water park features exciting rides as well as a colourful Nickelodeon-themed kids zone.
Wet ‘N’ Wild Water World (www.wetnwild.com.au)
This huge water theme park is packed with exciting water slides. From adrenaline pumping rides to relaxing gentle ones, it promises fun for everyone.
