Things to do in Gold Coast

Queensland's beach-and-hinterland playground stretches 57km down the coast — from the high-rise buzz of Surfers Paradise to the laid-back point breaks of Burleigh and Currumbin. Behind the sand, the hinterland climbs into rainforest national parks, waterfalls and mountain lookouts at Tamborine, Springbrook and Lamington. Add the theme parks, a big dining-and-events scene and reliable sunshine, and there's enough to fill anything from a weekend to a fortnight.

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Tell me your dates and I'll build a Gold Coast plan around what's actually on. Show me what's on

What's on in Gold Coast

Mon 10 Aug
Gold Coast Marathon
Broadwater Parklands, Southport

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On the water

Gold Coast Canal Cruises
🐾 Sunny's pick

Gold Coast Canal Cruises

The Christmas Lights Cruise is run by Gold Coast Canal Cruises and takes you out onto the water during the…

2 experiences
GC Jet boat & Parasail

GC Jet boat & Parasail

Gold Coast Parasail - Tandem is run by GC Jet boat & Parasail, the local operators who know how to…

11 experiences
Surfing Services Australia

Surfing Services Australia

This is a structured 90-minute surfing lesson for people who've already got the basics down, run by Surfing Services Australia…

8 experiences
Southport Yacht Club

Southport Yacht Club

Kids Learn to Sail – Level 1 is run by Southport Yacht Club, right here on the Gold Coast, and…

3 experiences
Gold Coast Watersports

Gold Coast Watersports

This is a 10-minute Flyboard session run by Gold Coast Watersports, and it's about as close as you'll get to…

20 experiences
Sun Sailing

Sun Sailing

Sun Sailing runs a Midday Sailing Cruise right here on the Gold Coast, and it's built around the simple idea…

5 experiences
Australian Kayaking Adventures

Australian Kayaking Adventures

Australian Kayaking Adventures runs a 2-hour guided tour on the Broadwater that combines kayaking with snorkeling. You'll be out on…

3 experiences
Wild Thing Fishing Charters

Wild Thing Fishing Charters

Wild Thing Fishing Charters runs a private 9-hour fishing charter here on the Gold Coast, and this is your boat,…

3 experiences
Gold Coast Dive Centre

Gold Coast Dive Centre

The SSI Scuba Skills Update is run by Gold Coast Dive Centre and gives you a proper refresher on your…

8 experiences
Jet Ski Safaris

Jet Ski Safaris

Jet Ski Safaris runs this one: a jetboat ride plus a 2.5-hour jet ski safari for two people, priced from…

20 experiences

Adrenaline

More things to do

Sightseeing & tours

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Where to eat in Gold Coast

Wagyu-Ya on Chevron
🐾 Sunny's pick

Wagyu-Ya on Chevron

Wagyu-Ya on Chevron is a Japanese BBQ hotspot in Surfers Paradise where the quality of the Wagyu itself does most…

7 experiences
Cafe Catalina

Cafe Catalina

Cafe Catalina is a modern café in Southport that does the full spread—coffee and cake through to proper dinner—without overthinking…

Balti Indian Grill

Balti Indian Grill

Balti Indian Grill is your casual Indian spot in Surfers Paradise, where the kitchen's got plenty of heart but can…

8 experiences
Sandbar Surfers Paradise

Sandbar Surfers Paradise

Sandbar Surfers Paradise is a breakfast café right here in the heart of Surfers Paradise, built on what diners consistently…

Cafe 7

Cafe 7

Cafe 7 is a traditional cafe in Paradise Point doing the fundamentals well—matcha that's actually done right, proper cheesecake, and…

Valentinos

Valentinos

Valentinos is an Italian restaurant in Broadbeach doing exactly what it sets out to do — serve proper pizza, pasta,…

8 experiences
Kamikaze Teppanyaki Pacific Fair

Kamikaze Teppanyaki Pacific Fair

Kamikaze Teppanyaki at Pacific Fair is Japanese teppanyaki done the way it should be—chef cooking right in front of you,…

2 experiences
Bellachino Cafe

Bellachino Cafe

Bellachino Cafe in Mermaid Waters is a straight-up all-day breakfast spot where the coffee's genuinely good and the menu doesn't…

The Arc at Nobby's

The Arc at Nobby's

The Arc at Nobby's is a modern café in Miami that does brunch and breakfast properly—the kind of place where…

3 experiences
Brazilian Flame Bar & Grill

Brazilian Flame Bar & Grill

Brazilian Flame Bar & Grill is an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue in Surfers Paradise, where the meat keeps coming and the…

6 experiences

Beaches in Gold Coast

Walks & trails in Gold Coast

Not sure when you're coming?

Tell me your dates and I'll build a Gold Coast plan around what's actually on — weather, events, the lot.

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