We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
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
Rex Airlines flights from $81 return
Available on flights from April - July 2021 to Melbourne and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Gold Coast.
Last verified
Deal ends
Luxury Escapes
Up to 42% off 6-night Gold Coast escape with flights
Available for travel from 17 April 2021 - 16 September 2022. Includes return airfare, stay at Artique Surfers Paradise, room upgrade and more. Valid for 2 persons.
Last verified
Deal ends
Experience Oz
$10 off Dreamworld 1-day ticket
Available on select travel dates to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World on t he same day. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Experience Oz
Get $10 off Dreamworld 3-day ticket
Available on select travel dates to Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and SkyPoint. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Gift It Now
Gold Coast: $20 off Sea World whale watching cruise
Available on select travel dates. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Klook
Up to 10% off Gold Coast multi-day attraction pass
Available on 3,7 and 14-day passes until 17 October 2021. Attractions include Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet n' Wild. Valid for new Klook members. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Klook
Gold Coast: Sea World whale watching cruise from $82
Available from 29 May - 17 October 2021 for a 2.5-hour. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
HotelsCombined
The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast stays from $189/night
Available on midweek stays until 30 June 2021. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
HotelsCombined
Up to 30% off Gold Coast staycations + $50 dinner credit
Available on select stay dates until 30 June 2021 at The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast. Package includes breakfast and late check out. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
HotelsCombined
Extra 2% off Q1 Resort and Spa Gold Coast stays
Available on select stay dates. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Cudo
Up to 51% off Gold Coast hot air balloon flights
Available on select dates until 12 June 2021 for a 30 to 60-minute experience. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Cudo
Up to 54% off Gold Coast whale watching cruise with morning tea
Available on select dates until 17 October 2021 for a 2.5-hour cruise. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Cudo
Up to 43% off 2-hour sunset cruise in Gold Coast
Available on select dates until 10 August 2021 and includes nibbles and drinks. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Avis
Sixth day free + free upgrade on car hires
Available on 6+ day rentals from 15 July - 15 September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Avis
Third day free on Australia car rentals
Available on 3+ days rentals, including a Saturday night from 22 April - 21 June 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
JUCY
Campervans from $99/day or less
Pick up a campervan in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown before until 20 September 2021.
Last verified
Deal ends
Skyscanner
Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $32 each way
Available on flights from April - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Hobart, Adelaide, Whitsundays, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Darwin, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Kayak
Up to 50% off Australia flights
Available on Qantas flights from April - September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Launceston, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Virgin Australia
Up to 50% off: Flights from $55 each way
Available on flights from April - September 2021. Destinations include Hobart, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Launceston. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Australia experiences with code
Available on activities including hot air balloon flights, helicopter scenic flights and luxury car hire. Must purchase two or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Cairns, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Skyscanner Car Hire
Gold Coast car hires from $14
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.
Last verified
HotelsCombined
Up to 30% off Gold Coast stays with $50 dining credit
Available on stays until 30 June 2021 at The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast. Includes breakfast and 12 pm late check out. T&Cs and block out dates apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
HotelsCombined
The Star Grand at The Star Gold Coast stays from $189 per night
Available on stays until 30 June 2021. T&Cs and block out dates apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Up to $10 off Gold Coast helicopter flight experiences
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
HotelsCombined
Extra 2% off Q1 Resort and Spa Gold Coast stays
Available on select travel dates. T&Cs and block out dates apply.
Last verified
Adrenaline
Up to 50% off Australia helicopter scenic flights
Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Uluru, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Klook
Get $15 off Gold Coast 3-day attraction passes with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Attractions include Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and Skypoint Observation Deck. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Klook
$15 off all Australian activities with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives and attraction passes. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and more. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 15% off Australia activities
Sign up your email address and unlock Sneaky Saver deals. Activities includes day tours, attraction passes, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Get $5 off Gold Coast whale watching cruises
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
East Coast Car Rentals
Up to 10% off + free cancellation on Australia rentals
Available on select rental dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more. Prepayment is required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Groupon
Up to 60% off Australian staycations
Available on select dates in 2021. Destinations include Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
IHG AMEA
Up to 15% off stays + an extra 10% off for members
Available on stays until 30 December 2021 on select hotels across Australia including Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and more. Booking must be made 3 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Scoopon
Up to 67% off Gold Coast dining experiences
Available on select dates. Includes high teas, desserts, 3-course dining and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Extra 10% off Australia and New Zealand stays
Available on stays until 23 December 2021 when you join Oaks Discovery. Destinations include Gold Coast, Broome, Darwin, Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland, Wellington and more. Minimum night stays required on select hotels. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Get $5 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Get $10 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Wotif
Up to 53% off Australia-wide getaways
Available on select travel dates in 2021. Destinations include Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Viator
Free cancellations on bookings
Available on activities including sightseeing tours, lunch and dinner cruises, snorkeling experiences and more. Destinations include Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 20% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select travel dates in 2021 when you book your hotel and flights together. Destinations include Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane and more.
Last verified
Deal ends
Plan your Gold Coast getaway with this guide to finding the best flight and transport options for a smooth arrival and departure.
Discover hot accommodation picks and deals for those travelling to the Gold Coast.
Here's what you can do to keep the whole family entertained over the Easter long weekend and the stores that are staying open for essential shopping.
