With sun, surf, bronzed bodies and a lively atmosphere, you can't beat the Gold Coast on Australia Day. You can pretty much guarantee that wherever you turn, the flag will be flying, eskies will be strewn about and the nation's pride will swell.
Searching for something to do on Australia Day? We've got some ideas.
Australia Day fireworks on the Gold Coast
The City of Gold Coast has confirmed its annual Australia Day fireworks at HOTA Outdoor stage.
While you're busy revelling, the little ones will remain amused all afternoon long with live music and kids' activities between the Outdoor Stage and Parklands. Food trucks will be available to purchase meals.
The event starts at 4pm and ends at 8pm with the Australia Day fireworks starting at 7:50pm.
Australia Day Gold Coast events for 2023
Events
Details
Where
When
Cost
More info
Australia Day @ Cove Tavern
Celebrate Australia Day at your local tavern. Includes free Zooper Doopers for kids when adults purchase a meal and live performance from Dave Ritter at 11am and Mono from 3pm.
Keep those little ones entertained with a free reptile show, kids face painting and kids disco. Big ones will be entertained by live entertainment and BBQ-themed raffles.
A buffet of Aussie favourites (think bangas, steak and lamingtons) will be available from 5:30-8:30pm.
Southport Sharks Corner Olsen and Musgrave Avenues, Southport
4pm–7:30pm
Event is free
Buffet costs $35.90 (adults) or from $10.90 (kids)
Synonymous with a trip to the Gold Coast is a trip to its large network of theme parks. Whether you're a SeaWorld lover or a Warner Bros. Movie World fan, each theme park transforms itself into an Australian paradise on 26 January.
Full events and activities for the date have yet to be released, but to give you an idea of what you can expect, in the past, SeaWorld has hosted roving entertainment and a barbeque in its plaza, while Dreamworld has hosted a shearing show and sausage sizzle and sold lamingtons and ANZAC biscuits in its cafe.
3-day Pass: Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild
Australia Day on the Gold Coast calls for one thing: a beach, a pool or an ocean adventure. Choose from scuba dives, jet boat rides, jet skiing, kayaking or even splash parks if you have little kids.
Not much of a beach bum? Prefer to stay away from the crowds this public holiday? Head west to the Gold Coast Hinterland and you'll discover relaxing walks, adventurous climbs and nature unparalleled.
Animal lovers and kids alike will adore the myriad of animal encounters to be had on the Gold Coast. To keep with the day's Australiana theme, our pick is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses koalas, crocodiles, emus and echidnas.
Want to start the new year off on the right foot? Tick off this bucket-list activity on Australia Day and marvel at the wonderful land we live in from your view from above.
Gold Coast Hinterland Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast
Top free things to do on Australia Day on the Gold Coast
Play beach cricket. Up your game on the beach this year and pack the cricket set for a match on the sand.
Host a barbeque. No room in your backyard? No worries! The Gold Coast is home to over 380 public barbecues in its parks and beaches.
Get to know your local pub or RSL. If your local pub or RSL isn’t doing something to commemorate the founding of our nation, we’ll eat our hats! Want to keep it local? Wander into your local to say "G'day".
Play barefoot bowls. Have a few laughs with mates new and old with a barefoot bowls session. Some Gold Coast faves include Burleigh Heads Bowls Club, Broadbeach Bowls Club, Southport Bowls Club and Tugun Bowls Club.
These are the major shopping centres that typically open for the Australia Day public holiday (26 January) and their public holiday trading hours.
Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre: Open 10am-5pm
Robina Town Centre: Open 10:30am-4pm
Paradise Centre: Open 9am-12am
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre: Open 10am-5pm
Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre: Open 6am - 10pm
Australia Fair Shopping Centre: Open 9am-9pm
Marina Mirage: Open 10am-6pm
Westfield Helensvale: Open 9am-9pm (TBC)
The Strand at Coolangatta: Open 10am-5:30pm
Southport Park Shopping Centre: Open 9am-9pm (TBC)
Runaway Bay Centre: Open 9am-9pm (major stores)
Soul Boardwalk: Times vary depending on the store (TBC)
Some opening hours of attractions and shops above are based on regular opening hours. Opening hours for Australia Day on 26 January are yet to be confirmed and may be subject to change. Updated as of 11 January 2023.
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Save on your next holiday and get up to $1,059 bonus value when you book your next trip on Flight Centre. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cook Islands, Bali, Fitzroy Island and more. Limited availability and for select dates only. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights and jet boat rides.
Available for travel on select dates and locations at TripAdvisor. Experience activities like land adventures, wine tours, water sports, and more T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates across Australia at Expedia. Destinations include Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and more. T&Cs apply.
Save $10 when you grab the 14-day Village Roadshow Mega Pass at Experience Oz. Enjoy 14 days unlimited entry to Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Paradise Country, and Wet'nWild at Gold Coast. T&Cs apply. Limited time offer.
Sea World Gold Coast Helicopter Scenic Flights: $159
Soar over Sea World, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and more when you book a 5, 10, 15 or 20 minute helicopter flight from Experience Oz. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
Book a sightseeing buffet lunch cruise in Gold Coast through the Sea World Cruises for $89 per person at Experience Oz. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
Book a sightseeing dinner cruise in Gold Coast through the Sea World Cruises for $199 per person at Experience Oz. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates until 2023, including Easter and school holidays. Activities include whale- and dolphin-watching and lunch and sunset cruises in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne.
Sign up with your email address and unlock Sneaky Saver deals. Activities include day tours, attraction passes and hop-on hop-off bus tours. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Book the best tours and activities and get huge discounts that will end soon. Travel destinations include Port Douglas, Cairns, Perth, Gold Coast, and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates on hot air balloon flights and scenic flights. Destinations include Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, Sydney, Whitsundays, Gold Coast and more.
Stephanie Yip was the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
Here's what you need to know about what's open during the Easter long weekend and a list of activities and events to keep you occupied over the 4-day weekend.
Here's our guide on what you can do in Sydney this Easter long weekend.
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