The Gold Coast is one of the best holiday destinations in Australia, and I was lucky enough to call this stretch of coastline home for over two years.
In that time, I worked my way through every beach, spent weekends in the hinterland, and ate (and drank) my way from Burleigh to Broadbeach.
Every time friends or family came to visit, I’d put together a Gold Coast itinerary built around my local favourites. So here’s that itinerary – with all my top tips and the best things to do in the Gold Coast.
Where to stay on the Gold Coast
Location-wise, stay in Broadbeach. Yes, it’s pretty developed and built up, but this is where you’ll find the best hotels and restaurants.
Broadbeach is close to the theme parks, the big shopping centres, and pretty much every beach. My friends stayed at this hotel which is right on the beach and has the best swim up bar and outdoor jacuzzi.
For something more low-key, Burleigh Heads is my go-to. It’s on the southern part of the coast, closer to Coolangatta Airport.
This is where I lived, and the vibe is awesome – relaxed, local neighbourhood feel. It’s getting busier but nothing like Surfers or Broadbeach. Accommodation in Burleigh is mostly apartment-style (like this one), which is perfect for families.
Where not to stay? Surfers Paradise! I really don’t rate it. Here’s my Gold Coast accommodation guide with more details on each area.
How to get around the Gold Coast
The closest airport is Coolangatta Airport (OOL) which is on the southern part of the Gold Coast. You could also fly into Brisbane and drive 90 minutes down to the coast.
Once there, here are your options for getting around.
By car | This is the easiest way to get around. The Gold Coast is spread out, and most of the good stuff (hinterland day trips, quieter beaches, theme parks) is a drive away. You may struggle with parking on weekends though.
By light rail | The tram runs from Helensvale in the north, through Surfers Paradise, down to Broadbeach. The extension all the way to Burleigh Heads is opening in mid-2026, which is a game changer for getting between the central suburbs without a car.
By bus | Buses run along the coast but aren’t very frequent. They’re fine if you’re not in a rush, but I wouldn’t rely on them.
By Uber | For anything in between – or if I’m planning a few drinks at lunch or dinner – I always Uber.
My 5 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
Day 1: Explore the beaches
On day one of your Gold Coast itinerary, start with a coastal walk.
Theres a walkway that runs all the way from Surfers Paradise in the north to Coolangatta in the south, but you don’t need to do the whole thing.
My favourite section is Miami Beach to Burleigh Beach, finishing at Burleigh Head National Park. The track around the headland is short but stunning, and it pops out at Tallebudgera Creek.
If you’re up for more, keep going past the creek to Palm Beach.
Here are a few other things to add to your Burleigh day:
- Stop at Burleigh Hill to watch the surfers. It’s also the spot for an afternoon picnic or to catch the sunset.
- Grab lunch and drinks at Burleigh Pavilion (the views over the beach are hard to beat.) For something more chill, go to North Burleigh Surf Life Club for a beer and pub food.
- Wander James Street for boutique shopping, cafes, and bakeries.
- End the day at Miami Marketta for live music and street-food night markets.
Day 2: Gold Coast Hinterland
For day 2, head up to Mount Tamborine – a small mountain town with plenty packed in. There are a few hinterland day trips to choose from, but this is the one I’d send you on.
It’s a 45-minute drive, and once you’re up there, the coast feels worlds away.
Start at the Gallery Walk in Mount Tamborine. This walk is along the main strip lined with boutique stores, art galleries and cafes. Wander through them and stop into the clock shop. Then refuel with a cinnamon scroll from Cinnamon Bun Cafe.
After lunch, go on a rainforest walk. The track to Curtis Falls is my favourite. It’s a short trail to a waterfall but I suggest walking a bit further along the Lower Creek Circuit track. I loved this section.
There’s also the walk to Witches Falls which is a bit longer and usually quieter.
End the day in Mt Tamborine with a tasting at Witches Falls Winery, one of the best wineries in the area. The deck looks out over vineyards and it’s the perfect way to wind down before the drive back to the coast.
Day 3: Attractions
Today is a mix of wildlife, views, and shopping. You can do all three, or pick the ones that interest you most.
For Australian wildlife up close, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast with kids. There are koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, and crocodiles. You can also hand-feed wild rainbow lorikeets. It’s not the cheapest activity, but it’s so worth it. You can check prices here.
If you’d rather see kangaroos in the wild for free, head to Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area instead. It’s a quiet conservation reserve with walking paths, and you’ll usually spot mobs of kangaroos grazing in the open.
Afterwards, head into Surfers Paradise to SkyPoint Observation Deck. You get 360-degree views from Brisbane down to Byron Bay on a clear day.
If shopping is on your list, finish the day at Pacific Fair, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres. I’m not a big shopper but the open-air design with palm trees and water features is pretty impressive.
Personally, if I only had 3 to 5 days in the Gold Coast, I’d skip Pacific Fair and spend more time enjoying the outdoors, perhaps a swim at Broadbeach or Mermaid, or another coastal walk.
If you’re coming from SkyPoint View Deck in Surfers, you can walk along the ocean side walkway to your hotel in Broadbeach. This walkway is fully paved so you could rent a Lime bike and cycle if you’d prefer something different.
Day 4: Theme parks
The Gold Coast is theme park central. You won’t have time to do them all in one day, so pick one based on who you’re travelling with.
Here’s the lowdown.
- Warner Bros. Movie World is the one for thrill-seekers. It’s home to the tallest, longest, and fastest hyper coaster in the Southern Hemisphere. Best for older kids and adults who love coasters.
- Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park, with over 40 rides split across themed lands. It’s the best pick for families because it covers everything in one – big coasters and gentler rides.
- Wet’n’Wild is the one I’d save for a hot summer day. It’s a full-on water park with serious slides plus a lazy river, a big wave pool, and a separate kids’ zone.
If you want to visit more than one of these theme parks, I suggest buying this 5 day pass that gives you access to all of them. It works out much cheaper than buying tickets individually. Find out more here.
Day 5: Optional Extra
If you’ve got a fifth day to explore the Gold Coast, do another day trip.
Here are my favourites.
Springbrook National Park | Springbrook is only a 30-minute drive from the coast. We did the Twin Falls Circuit from Canyon Lookout. It’s a 4km loop with a big rock pool at the bottom. Don’t skip Natural Bridge either while you’re up there.
Byron Bay | An hour south of the Gold Coast and one of the most popular day trips. We did a diving day at Julian Rocks, one of the best dive sites for turtles, wobbegongs, and grey nurse sharks. Have lunch in town afterwards as the food scene in Byron is next level. Finish with the walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse for views over the bay.
Moreton Island | It’s an hour’s drive to the ferry, then 75 minutes on the water. But it’s worth it for the day at Moreton Island. The Tangalooma Wrecks are the big draw. You can snorkel and kayak around them in crystal-clear water (we spotted a whale swimming between the wrecks on one of our trips). The easiest way to do it as a day trip is to book a tour like this that sorts the ferry, gear, and transport on the island.
Kingscliff | A 40-minute drive south, just over the NSW border. The vibe is much more relaxed than anywhere on the Queensland side. Beautiful main beach, calm swimming at Cudgen Creek for the kids, and great cafes along Marine Parade.
Lamington National Park | A 1.5-hour drive into serious rainforest country. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is the usual base. The Tree Top Walk takes you up into the canopy on suspension bridges which is pretty epic.
Brisbane | Brisbane is just over an hour by car or train. Not my top pick if you’re after nature, but a great city day. Start at South Bank Parklands. It has a man-made lagoon, cafes, and easy walking paths along the river. Hop on a CityCat ferry up to Felons Brewing at Howard Smith Wharves for a beer under the Story Bridge.
Other things to do in Gold Coast
A few more spots to slot in if you’ve got time:
Snapper Rocks | This beach is home to a world-class wave on the southern end of the Gold Coast. The beaches around Rainbow Bay and Greenmount are gorgeous and far less crowded than those near Broadbeach and Burleigh.
Surfers Paradise | Surfers isn’t my favourite (it’s busy, touristy and built up), but it’s worth a wander if you’re curious to see what the hype is all about.
HOTA | Home of the Arts is the Gold Coast’s cultural precinct, right between Surfers and Broadbeach. The gallery is impressive, and there’s usually something on the outdoor stage. It’s surrounded by parklands and a lake, so it’s a nice spot for a casual visit.
Is the Gold Coast worth visiting?
Yes! Three to five days is the perfect amount of time to see the Gold Coast – beaches, hinterland and a few attractions. But if I were you, I’d try spend more time here.
The beaches are what make the Gold Coast so special, and with only a few days, you can’t see it all. If you want to spend more time exploring the coastline, swimming in the ocean and doing coastal walk, I suggest adding another 2 or 3 days to your Gold Coast itinerary.
If you’re planning a Queensland trip, check out my other posts!
- Pros And Cons of Living On The Gold Coast
- Best Weekend Getaways From Gold Coast
- The Best Things To Do In Stanthorpe
- Where To Stay On The Sunshine Coast
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