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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.
Skyscanner
Virgin Australia sale: Australia-wide flights from $69 each way
Available for flights on select dates from November 2020 - December 2021. Sample fare is Gold Coast-Sydney. Destinations include Launceston, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballina Byron, Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
Up to 20% off Gold Coast rentals
Available on select dates until 31 December 2020 when you book for 7+ days. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Australia high tea experience from $75 + Extra $10 off off with code
Available on select dates across Melbourne, Broome, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Domestic flights from $145 return
Available on select travel dates until February 2021. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Hamilton Island and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Byron Bay with Jetstar.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 35% off last minute deals
Available on select stay dates across Sydney, Gold Coast, Canberra, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
Australia-wide flights from $41 + one free date change
Available on Jetstar flights until January 2021 to Sydney, Ballina, Uluru, Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns, Hobart, Townsville and more. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne.
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Gift It Now
Up to 44% off Gold Coast experiences
Available on select travel dates for activities including tandem skydive, hot air balloon flights, zoo and wildlife interactions, sightseeing cruises and more. T&Cs apply.
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I Want That Flight
Australia flights from $109 return
Available on flights until January 2021 to Hobart, Perth, Darwin, Gold Coast, Uluru, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina with Jetstar.
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Wotif
Up to 43% off last minute getaways
Available on stays within the next 14 days in Canberra, Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle and more. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
Australia flights from $87 return
Available on select dates until March 2021 to Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Launceston and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide with Jetstar.
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Kayak
Gold Coast flights from $52 each way
Available on select dates until April 2021. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Jetstar.
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Kayak
Australia-wide flights from $52 each way
Available on select dates until March 2021 to Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Broome, Melbourne and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina with Jetstar.
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Trip.com
Up to 38% off Australia attractions and experiences
Available on select travel dates in Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra, Melbourne and more. Attractions include SEA LIFE Aquarium Sydney, Sydney Featherdale Wildlife Park, Madame Tussauds and Eureka Skydeck. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Domestic flights from $123 each way
Available on select dates until December 2020 to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Cairns and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Brisbane with Qantas Airways. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 46% off Australia-wide hotels
Available on select dates until December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
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Accor Hotels
Australia stays from $95/night + Extra 10% off members
Available on stays up until 13 months from the booking date. Destinations include Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Uluru and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
Virgin Australia sale: Domestic flights from $89 each way
Available on flights from November 2020 - September 2021 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Hobart, Newcastle, Darwin, Broome and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina.
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Get Your Guide
Australia activities from $10
Available on select dates for activities like sightseeing tours, attraction passes, river cruises, hop-on hop-off tours and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne, Cairns, Hunter Valley, Perth and more.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off Australia stays
Available on select stays until 30 June 2021. Destinations include Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville, Adelaide, Glenelg and more. T&Cs apply.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off Gold Coast stays
Available on stay dates until 30 June 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Experience Oz
Up to 50% off Australia activities
Available on select travel dates until 2021 on activities like skydiving, hot air ballooning, whale watching, sightseeing tour, wildlife interactions and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Gold Coast: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary ticket from $39
Available on select dates until January 2021. T&Cs apply.
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TourRadar
Up to 25% off Australia Christmas and New Year's Eve tours
Available on tours from December 2020 - December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Uluru, Cairns, Melbourne, Blue Mountains, Great Ocean Road, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
$35 off SUV rentals
Available on Intermediate SUVs rentals until 18 December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. Minimum of 2+ days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Up to 15% off Australia rentals
Available until 20 December 2020 on prepay bookings. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Gold Coast: Up to 48% off 5-night stay with flights
Available for travel from 9 October 2020 - 16 December 2021. Package include return airfare, stay at Qube Broadbeach, Wi-Fi and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Get $200 hotel voucher on car hires
Receive an exclusive $200 accommodation credit voucher when you book an intermediate class or higher vehicles for 3+ nights. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Up to 17% off hot air balloon with jet boat experience + Extra 10% off
Available on select travel dates in Gold Coast. Package includes glass of sparkling wine, breakfast, return transfers and more. Minimum spend of $100 required. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
4th day free car hire
Available on rentals until 18 December 2020 when you book for 4 consecutive days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Free car hire upgrade
Available on rentals until 18 December 2020 when you book for 2 consecutive days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Up to 15% off prepay bookings
Available on rentals until 20 December 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, GOld Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
Up to 93% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates and activities like classes, spas, getaways, dining experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Melbourne Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Avani
Up to 10% off Gold Coats stays
Available on select stay dates when you book 30 days in advance. Minimum of 7+ nights stay. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 61% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
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Lastminute.com.au
Up to 56% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Lastminute.com.au
Up to 30% off last minute Australia stays
Available stays until October 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, Rockhampton and more.
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Kiwi.com
Up to 15% off Australia hotels
Available on stays until 4 January 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and more.
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Klook
Gold Coast: Up to 17% off TreeTop Challenge experience
Available on select dates from October 2020 - May 2021 at Tamborine Mountain. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Free double upgrade on rentals
Available on rentals until 18 December 2020. Destinations include Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and more. Minimum of 2 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Third day free on Australia rentals
Available on rental until 18 December 2020 when you use the code. Destinations include Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and more. Minimum of 3 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 2020 | Up to 20% off Gold Coast rentals | 205**** |
| 20 Oct 2020 | Australia high tea experience from $75 + Extra $10 off off with code | FDR**** |
| 5 Oct 2020 | $35 off SUV rentals | MPP**** |
| 16 Oct 2020 | Up to 17% off hot air balloon with jet boat experience + Extra 10% off | RBF**** |
| 29 Sep 2020 | 4th day free car hire | TPN**** |
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