Destination
Gold Coast, Australia
The Gold Coast is Australia's family playground of surf beaches, theme parks and rainforest hinterland, an hour from Brisbane.
Trips to Gold Coast from every city
No live trip to Gold Coast right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | fine |
| February | fine |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | best |
| June | best |
| July | best |
| August | best |
| September | best |
| October | best |
| November | best |
| December | fine |
- November, December: Schoolies Week in late November fills Surfers Paradise with school-leavers; summer brings humidity and afternoon storms.
- June, July, August, September, October: Mild, sunny winter around 21°C and humpback whale watching off the coast.
Where to stay in Gold Coast
- Surfers Paradise: High-rise beachfront with the most hotels, nightlife and the theme-park shuttles.
- Broadbeach: Quieter apartments and restaurants next to the casino and convention centre.
- Burleigh Heads: Laid-back surf town with a headland park and a strong cafe scene.
- Coolangatta: Southern end by the airport with point breaks and a small-town feel.
- Brisbane South Bank: River-city base an hour north with museums, lagoons and the koala sanctuary.
What to do in Gold Coast
- Theme-park day at Warner Bros. Movie World or Dreamworld
- Surf lesson at Surfers Paradise or Coolangatta
- Burleigh Heads headland walk at sunset
- SkyPoint observation deck at the top of Q1
- Glow-worm walk at Springbrook's Natural Bridge
- Cuddle a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane
Good to know
| Airports | Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) (OOL), Brisbane International (BNE) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | Australia/Brisbane |
| Kind of trip | beach, theme-park, family, nature, nightlife |
Questions about Gold Coast
When is the best time to visit Gold Coast?
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
Do US citizens need a passport for Gold Coast?
Yes. Gold Coast is in Australia; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Gold Coast on the ground?
Gold Coast is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.