The Gold Coast of Australia has long been a popular holiday spot for locals and visitors coming to Australia from abroad, but if it is your first visit here you may be overwhelmed by the seemingly endless choice on offer for activities and places to see. Here’s our complete guide of the best things you must do in the Gold Coast of Australia to make the most of your stay! You can follow along on Instagram for more travel tips.
Things to do in the Gold Coast
Check in to the Versace Palace Hotel
Yes, you read correctly: a Versace palace right here on the Gold Coast of Australia. This over-the-top palatial residence has become a major hot spot for celebrities and social media starlets to snap the perfect gram – thanks to its incredibly photogenic pool area surrounded by bold colours, gold trimmings and an incredible view of the waterfront. Hotels.com have some great last-minute deals on rooms
Visit Warner Bros Movie World
The Gold Coast is a popular family destination for many reasons, but none more so than the ample offering of theme parks on offer! We’d pick Movie World as our top choice, though there are many more to discover if you have time.
Burleigh Heads
Coffee and nature go hand in hand for sunrise expeditions and you’ll find all you need over in Burleigh Heads. This small beach town is renowned for having a plethora of great cafes to discover as well as some great hiking trails and small bays to enjoy a stand-up paddle session.
Take in the Views from the SkyPoint Observation Deck
If you want to get a view over the city the best place to do is the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Here you can enjoy sweeping views over the city below and coastline as far as the eye can see.
Brunch at Elk Espresso
Brunch is an Aussie institution and nowhere does it better on the Gold Coast than Elk Espresso in Broadbeach. Be sure to grab a coffee while you’re here! Elk have one of the best coffees on the coast.
Try a Snickers Twice Baked Croissant from Bam Bam Bakehouse
Foodies rejoice as the Gold Coast is a mecca for fabulous food options! And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, it doesn’t get better than Bam Bam Bakehouse. The snickers twice-baked croissant was dubbed a favourite by chef Matt Preston. It only takes one bite to see why!
Skydive in Coolangatta
Not for the faint hearted, skydiving is a great way to see the city from above if you’ve got the guts to jump out of a plane! The departure point is a little out of town, but Coolangatta is also one of the most underrated neighbourhoods on the coast so be sure to check it out after your jump.
Springbrook National Park
Nature lovers will find plenty to do on the Gold Coast, especially if you get out of town. Springbrook National Park is full of great day hikes, waterfalls and campsites. This is one of the popular choices for locals, so expect it to be busy in summer.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
If you’re an animal lover or first time visitor to Australia and are looking to meet some of the locals, Currumbin wildlife sanctuary is the best place to do so. Here you can encounter some of the Aussie wildlife, interact and visit the wildlife hospital.
Hit the Beach
Last but certainly not least, the Gold Coast is renowned for its incredible beaches and with so many to discover, you’ll have endless options to explore! Check out Burleigh Heads, Mermaid Beach and Coolangatta for some local vibes or make your way to Surfer’s Paradise to see what all the fuss is about.
This article was produced in partnership with Hotels.com
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
