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Queensland’s Gold Coast is Australia’s playground, with sun, surf, adventure and entertainment within a stone’s throw of each other. Its most famous beach, Surfers Paradise, is a destination in its own right and is the kind of attractive vista that beach holiday postcards are made of.Located along the state’s southeast coast, the Gold Coast covers a 57 kilometre strip of over 30 golden beaches and boasts an average of 245 days of sunshine every year. As its name suggests, its enviable waters attract the eye of surfers who travel across the world to ride its waves.
Travel away from the buzz of Surfer's Paradise and its hub of restaurants, bars and entertainment and you’ll soon discover theme parks where families can be entertained day-long and the Gold Coast Hinterland, where you can embark on walks through lush subtropical rainforest and capture views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Ready to play?
While best known for its beaches and theme parks, there's loads to do on the Gold Coast to suit any taste and traveller.
The area has some of Queensland's most luxurious resorts (hello, Palazzo Versace) to unwind at, snorkelling just offshore at Wave Break Island and plenty of waterways to explore by boat.
Travel inland from the stretches of sand and you'll hit the lush Gold Coast hinterland, where you can tour waterfalls, rainforests and natural rock pools. If you've got plenty of time to spare, consider heading down the coast to laid back Byron Bay or north toward bustling Brisbane.
If you want to see more of the 57-kilometre stretch of the Gold Coast than what's around your hotel, you'll need to hop on public transport, in a ride share or hire a car.
TransLink services the Gold Coast with trains, trams and buses. Areas that are included are Helensvale, Nerang, Robina, Varsity Lakes, Ormeau and Coomera.
Paying for transport. You need to use the electronic go card to travel on TransLink transport. Simply tap on and off and the card will automatically deduct the correct amount. You can purchase go cards at select local retailers, Queensland Rail station ticket offices or fare machines at bus stations. The minimum cost is $10. This price includes $5 for the card, which you get back when you return the card, and $5 of travel credit. You can also pay cash for transport.
Best apps for getting around. MyTransLink app can plan your journey, give you real-time It'sinformation for when transport is departing from your stop, and will find the closest stops to you. The trip announcer feature allows you to follow your journey while on-board with an audio or visual option to alert you when to get off.
Yes! Ride share services Uber and Ola are both available on the Gold Coast.
Hertz
Get up to 20% off 3+ day rentals
Available on rentals from 1 February - 15 December 2021 across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Australia flights from $35 each way with Jetstar
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
Up to 51% off Gold Coast hot air balloon flight
Available until 21 March 2021 for a 30-60 minutes experience. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Australia flights from $79 each way
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina and Launceston-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Extra $50 off Queensland getaways
Plus get up to 19% off stays from 6 January - 30 June 2021 when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Townsville and more. Exclusive for Trip.com members. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 15% off Australia tours
Available for travel until 15 April 2021 to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin, Uluru, Cairns, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 50% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Qantas flights from $111 each way
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Adelaide, Hobart, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Virgin Australia flights from $78 each way
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Cairns, Hamilton Island and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Looking4Parking
Up to 15% off with code
Available on select rental dates across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $35 each way
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Homestay
Gold Coast homestays from $23 per night
Available on select stay dates. T&Cs apply.
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Homestay
Australia-wide homestays from $4 per night
Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Agoda
Up to 70% off Gold Coast stays + an extra 5% off with code
Available on select travel dates. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
$20 off $200 car hires
Available on rentals until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Free flight change fees and cancellation fees
Available on flights until 30 June 2021 to Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Broome, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Extra $50 off Queensland getaways
Plus get up to 19% off stays from 6 January - 30 June 2021 when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays, Townsville and more. Exclusive for Trip.com members. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
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Viator
Up to 31% off Gold Coast jet boat ride
Available for travel until 31 January 2021 for a 55-minute experience. T&Cs apply.
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Priceline.com
Up to 30% off Budget car hires
Available on select rental dates across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 28% off Australia-wide staycations
Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Australia flights from $81 each way
Available on flights in January 2021 to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra, Perth and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina with FlyPelican. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $96, Qantas from $133 and more. T&Cs apply.
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Motorhome Republic
Up to 10% off Autosleepers rental
Available on rentals until 31 March 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
Up to 30% off site-wide
Available on select purchases including getaways, spas, dining experiences, skydiving, linens, online courses, electronics, accessories and more. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Free upgrade on car hires
Sign up your email and receive the best car rental offers across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Up to 50% off Australia getaways
Available on stay until February 2021 in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Motorhome Republic
8% off daily rental rate
Available on rentals until 31 March 2022 with Mighty Campers in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and more. Minimum of 21 rental days. T&Cs apply.
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Motorhome Republic
5% off Britz campervan rentals
Available on rentals until 31 March 2021 when you book a minimum of 21 days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 28% off Coffs Harbour escape with wine + flights
Available for travel from 27 January - 15 December 2021. Includes return airfare, stay at The Richmond Beach Villa with private pool and late check out. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 32% off luxurious Gold Coast getaway + flights
Available for travel from 27 January - 17 December 2021. Includes return airfare, stay at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast, breakfast, $100 resort credit and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 17% off 5-night Gold Coast getaway with flights
Available for travel from 27 January - 16 December 2021. Package includes return airfare, stay at Q1 Resort & Spa, room upgrade, one-time SkyPoint Observation Deck access and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 30% off Gold Coast stays
Available on select stays until December 2021. Sample stay is at QT Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 15% off prestige car rentals
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner Car Hire
Gold Coast car hire from $30
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations from Gold Coast include Brisbane, Toowoomba, Lamington National Park and more. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off 2+ days rentals
Available on select rental dates until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand. Must book 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to USD$30 off flight booking fees
Available on select travel dates to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin and more. Applies to bookings up to 6 persons. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to USD$20 off flight fees
Available on all dates on flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to USD$10 off flight fees
Available on select travel dates to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin and more. Maximum of 2 travelers. T&Cs apply.
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Destination International
5-day Gold Coast escape with flights from $699
Available on select dates from January - October 2021 departing from Sydney and Melbourne. Include return airfare and stay at The Shore Apartments. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 85% off land adventures
Valid on select dates and adventures like quad biking, sandboarding, bridge climbing, canyoning, horse riding, abseiling, soccer training and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 2021 | Get up to 20% off 3+ day rentals | 210**** |
| 20 Jan 2021 | Extra $50 off Queensland getaways | QLD**** |
| 21 Jan 2021 | Up to 15% off with code | PAP**** |
| 20 Jan 2021 | Up to 70% off Gold Coast stays + an extra 5% off with code | GOL**** |
| 18 Jan 2021 | $20 off $200 car hires | FIN**** |
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