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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.
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What's there to do on the Gold Coast?
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.
Getting around the Gold Coast
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.
Does the Gold Coast have Uber?
Yes! Ride share services Uber and Ola are both available on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast travel deals
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Jetstar sale: Australia flights from $41 each way
Available on flights from 1 August 2022 – 31 March 2023 to destinations including Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and more. Sample fare is Ballina-Sydney.
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Gold Coast: Plant-based cooking class from $157
Available on select dates from 2 July 2022 and 23 July 2022 for a 3-hour class.
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Gold Coast: Barista class for beginners from $269
Available on select dates from 3 July – 25 December 2022 for a half-day class.
Deal
SkyPoint Observation Deck tickets in Gold Coast from $29
Vouchers valid for up to 12 months from date of purchase.
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Gold Coast: SkyPoint Observation Deck tickets from $29
Vouchers valid up to 1 year from date of purchase.
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Up to 10% off Dreamworld tickets in Gold Coast
Available for new Klook users. Vouchers valid up to 12 months from date of purchase. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 10% off Dreamworld tickets in Gold Coast
Available for new Klook users. Vouchers valid up to 12 months from date of purchase. T&Cs apply.
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Get 5% off Apollo Motorhomes rentals
Expires 31 Aug 2022
Available until March 2023 when you book 180 days in advance. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 26% off Gold Coast hotels
Available on stays until December 2022. Destinations include Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and more. T&Cs apply.
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Novotel Surfers Paradise stays from $204 per night
Expires 5 Jul 2022
Available on select dates in 2022.
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Gold Coast stays from $53/night
Available on select stay dates until 2022. Sample accommodation is at Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise.
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Free bottle of wine on Gold Coast stays
Expires 31 Dec 2022
Available until 31 December 2022 and includes breakfast for 2, 2 cocktails in Driftwood Social and more. T&Cs apply.
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Get the 3rd night free on getaways
Available on stays from 1 July – 31 December 2022. Destinations include Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and more. Minimum of 3 nights stays. T&Cs apply.
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Free breakfast for 2 + $100 dining credit on stays
Expires 31 Jul 2022
Available until 15 December 2022 when you book a minimum of 3 nights. Destinations include Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney, Fiji, Bora Bora and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 30% off Australia tours
Available on select dates from 2022 – 2023. Destinations include Whitsunday, Uluru, Blue Mountains, Eyre Peninsula, Cairns and more.
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3-night stay in Gold Coast RACV Resort from $549
Expires 5 Jul 2022
Available for travel until 28 February 2023. Stay in a Superior King Room good for two guests for 3 nights. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 20% off 5-night Gold Coast getaways
Expires 3 Jul 2022
Available on stays for up to 13 months from booking date. Plus members get an extra 10% off. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 15% off 3-night Gold Coast stays
Expires 3 Jul 2022
Available on stays for up to 13 months from booking date. Plus members get an extra 10% off. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 10% off long-term car hires
Available until 31 May 2023 when you book a minimum of 21 days' rental. Destinations include Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 61% off Australia getaways
Available for travel on select dates to Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Newcastle, Noosa Heads, Cairns, NSW and more.
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14-day combo pass for Gold Coast attractions from $199
Expires 31 Jul 2022
Available until June 2023 on access to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and Paradise Country.
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$159: 3-day Gold Coast attraction pass combo
Expires 31 Jul 2022
Available from 23 May 2022 – 22 May 2023 on passes to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild.
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Domestic flights from $69 each way
Expires 16 Aug 2022
Available for travel from July 2022 – May 2023 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Coffs Harbour, Alice Springs, Townsville and more. Sample fare is Ballina-Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 50% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until March 2023 on destinations including Gold Coast, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. T&CS apply.
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Up to 25% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until 30 September 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, Perth, Newcastle and more. T&Cs apply.
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Flights within Australia from $33 each way
Expires 15 Jul 2022
Available on flights until December 2022 to destinations including Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle and more. Sample fare is Ballina-Sydney with Jetstar.
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Up to 15% off getaways
Expires 30 Sep 2022
Available on stays from 4 April – 30 September 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and more.
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Get $40 off midweek tandem skydives
Expires 28 Oct 2022
Available on jumps until 28 October 2022 on select locations including Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Melbourne, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 15% off Australia adventures
Available on select travel dates until 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Rottnest Island, Cairns, Darwin, Sydney, Byron Bay, Uluru, Canberra, Jindabyne, Great Ocean Road and more.
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Extra 10% off stays for members
Sign up Expedia Rewards to become a member and get exclusive discounts on hotel stays. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Sunshine Coast, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 48% off Gold Coast experiences
Available on select travel dates in 2022. Includes hot air balloon flights, sightseeing cruises, tours, skydives, attraction passes and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 30% off local family getaways
Expires 31 Jul 2022
Available on select dates in 2022 and on select properties across Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 55% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until August 2022. Destinations include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Townsville, Tasmania, Sydney, Broome and more.
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Up to 25% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2022 when you book your hotel and flights together. Destinations include Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and more.
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exclusive
Get $5 off activities with code
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, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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exclusive
Get $10 off activities with code
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives, high teas and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Australia sightseeing cruises from $35
Available on select travel dates until 2022, including Easter and School Holidays. Activities include whale watching, dolphin watching, lunch cruises, sunset cruises in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne and more.
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exclusive
Get 5% off Australia-wide experiences with code
Expires 31 Jul 2022
Available on activities including V8 racing, hot air balloon rides, kayak tours, skydives and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. T&Cs apply.
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exclusive
Extra 10% off Australia activities and experiences
Expires 31 Jul 2022
Available on select dates and activities such as V8 racing, tandem skydives, scenic helicopter flights and jet boat rides. Destinations include Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $350 required. T&Cs apply.
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Get 5% off Australia activities
Available on activities including skydives, jet ski rides, whale watching cruises, day tours, rally driving, scenic helicopter flights and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Destinations include Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
