Things to do in Gold Coast

Activities, attractions and tours

Gold Coast
Gold Coast
Coolangatta featuring general coastal views, a city and a high-rise building
Gold Coast
Gold Coast
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Top places to visit

1. Warner Bros. Movie World

Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park full of thrilling rides, stunts and encounters with movie and comic-book stars. This fantasyland is next door to the Village Roadshow Studios and includes a super-sized water tank for film shoots. Kids will be thrilled to walk among the costumed superheroes and cartoon characters who roam the park and give performances throughout the day.
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Movie World which includes rides

2. Dreamworld

Dreamworld features a wide selection of fantastical and diverse Australian attractions all in one place. Exploring this huge theme park takes a whole day and incorporates wildlife observation, movie-themed attractions, and thrilling rides.
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Dreamworld which includes rides

3. Surfers Paradise Beach

Take a swim, surf the waves, get your kicks on a jet-boat ride, spot whales, browse the market and shops, and then join the crowds for a drink at one of the night clubs or pubs. Compact Surfers Paradise has accommodation, shopping, nightlife and the beach all within walking distance.
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Surfers Paradise Beach featuring skyline, cbd and general coastal views

4. Cavill Avenue

find fun and entertainment along the way.
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Cavill Avenue showing night scenes, railway items and signage

5. Sea World

Sea World Resort & Water Park is a hotel and water park with a theme park right next door. Enjoy a room with a harbour or ocean views, a SpongeBob-themed water playground, boat and Jet Ski rides, children’s activities and animal encounters. Dolphins and polar bears in the theme park delight mass audiences, but you can also interact individually with the sea animals. The park has a rescue program for injured and orphaned coastal creatures.
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Sea World featuring rides, marine life and a water park

6. Coolangatta Beach

The beaches at Coolangatta include Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Kirra. The first two are the Gold Coast’s only north-facing beaches, making them more sheltered with calmer water ideal for swimming. Walk or jog along the paths of the oceanfront park or visit the mall along the coast on a sunny winter’s day. Pods of dolphins and migrating whales can sometimes be seen; head to Snapper Rocks at the New South Wales border for the best views.
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Coolangatta Beach showing a coastal town, a sunset and general coastal views

What to do in Gold Coast

Popular places to visit

Movie World which includes rides

Warner Bros. Movie World

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Watch stunt shows, get on superhero rides, enter the Ice Age 4D Experience and take a splash in the Wild West at Australia’s theme park version of Hollywood.

Warner Bros. Movie World
Snapper Rocks, iconic surf spot and the most southerly beach of the Gold Coast, Australia

Kirra Beach

5/5(18 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Kirra Beach during your travels in Gold Coast? Stroll along the seaside in this romantic area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

Kirra Beach
Dreamworld which includes rides

Dreamworld

5/5(3 reviews)

Australia’s biggest amusement park features exciting themed areas with everything from tigers and thrilling rides to vintage V8 super-cars and TV characters.

Dreamworld
Stars at Surfer Paradise Gold Coast Australia

The Star Gold Coast

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Why not try your luck with a visit to The Star Gold Coast during your visit to Gold Coast? Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this family-friendly area.

The Star Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise Beach featuring skyline, cbd and general coastal views

Surfers Paradise Beach

4.5/5(66 reviews)

This stretch of beach is known for its regular sets of rolling waves, with high-rise hotels and bustling nightlife along the sandy shore.

Surfers Paradise Beach
Cavill Avenue showing a city, night scenes and shopping

Cavill Avenue

4/5(31 reviews)

Bustling nightlife, great shopping and a legendary surfing beach make this avenue the exciting centre of Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast.

Cavill Avenue
Aerial view of Broadbeach with the convention centre and casino on the Gold Coast

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

5/5(1 review)

Learn about the events happening in Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre during your trip to Gold Coast. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this family-friendly area.

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Sea World featuring marine life and dangerous animals

Sea World

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Who doesn’t dream of staying overnight in a water park where you can see Jet Ski stunts, life-sized Nickelodeon stars, plus dolphins, sea lions and polar bears?

Sea World
Coolangatta Beach showing a coastal town, a sunset and general coastal views

Coolangatta Beach

4.5/5(38 reviews)

This city at the southern tip of the Gold Coast has some of the most pristine beaches, and clear water for swimming, fishing and diving.

Coolangatta Beach

Areas of Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise featuring a city, a sunset and a beach

Surfers Paradise

Visit one of Australia’s most popular vacation spots and dive in the waves, spot humpback whales, go shopping or enjoy the fun family attractions and nightlife.

Surfers Paradise
Broadbeach showing a high-rise building, a beach and skyline

Broadbeach

Visit one of Queensland’s most popular holiday spots with sparkling beaches, scenic canals, high-rise hotels, nightclubs, festivals and modern malls.

Broadbeach
Coolangatta featuring general coastal views, a city and a high-rise building

Coolangatta

Enjoy the beaches, sip a coffee at a groovy café and enjoy the simple pleasures of an ocean-front vacation.

Coolangatta
Burleigh Beach showing tropical scenes, a beach and central business district

Burleigh Heads

Enjoy this perfect weekend getaway destination with world-class surf breaks, white sands, restaurants, bars and nature walks to suit every type of traveller.

Burleigh Heads
Main Beach showing a sandy beach, general coastal views and a city

Southport

This stretch of coast in the heart of the Gold Coast offers the perfect mix of sun-soaked beaches, wildlife encounters and leisurely shopping.

Southport
Sunny view of Palm Beach and Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast

Palm Beach

Palm Beach is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Tallebudgera Creek and Palm Beach while in the area.

Palm Beach

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Roma Street Parkland featuring a garden, a river or creek and a city

Brisbane

Panorama photos around Brisbane coastal suburbs

Redland Bay

Tweed Heads which includes a sandy beach

Tweed Heads

Mount Tamborine featuring tropical scenes, hiking or walking and forests

Tamborine Mountain

Frequently asked questions

Is Gold Coast worth visiting?
Known for its surfing and cafes, discovering awesome things to do in Gold Coast is simple. Don't forget to add Surfers Paradise Beach to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Gold Coast?
After you've visited leading attractions like Surfers Paradise Beach and Slingshot, spend the rest of your day discovering the food and retail options in Gold Coast.
What is the top tourist attraction in Gold Coast?
Surfers Paradise Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Gold Coast and should be high on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Gold Coast?
Three days in Gold Coast is enough to visit the city's major highlights. Many travellers spend three days on average. Surfers Paradise Beach, Broadbeach Beach and Dracula's Cabaret are among the most popular sights. Want to experience more? Stick around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots like Tweed Heads.
Is Gold Coast a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Gold Coast is a good destination to experience on foot. Wander between Surfers Paradise Beach and Broadbeach Beach. Then take a stroll around Surfers Paradise, located 2 kilometres from downtown, and Broadbeach, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Gold Coast with kids?
If you are after sights and activities for all the family, we've got some terrific ideas for what to do in Gold Coast with kids.

What to do in Gold Coast for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or fan of nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Gold Coast for adults including Burleigh Brewing Company and Balter Brewing Company.
Are there free things to do in Gold Coast?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Gold Coast is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on hip neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without opening your wallet. Surfers Paradise Beach is one place that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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