Restrictions in the Gold Coast have eased from 8 October 2021.
People on the Gold Coast can dine in at restaurants or cafes, have visitors over, gather outdoors and attend public venues.
If you're curious where you can and can't go, here's what's open and what's still closed in your city. Plus, see our top recommendations for things to do on the Gold Coast.
What can I now do on the Gold Coast?
You must wear a mask at all times when on public transport, in a rideshare or at a stadium. Masks should be worn outdoors where social distancing isn't possible. You must wear a mask indoors but can remove it to eat and drink.
Have up to a maximum of 100 people in your home. There is no limit on gatherings in public.
Visit a restaurant, cafe, bar or nightclub (dancing is allowed). Food and drink can only be consumed while you're seated. The 1 person per 2 square metres density limit applies.
Visit hairdressers and gyms subject to a 1 person per 2 square metre rule.
Visit libraries, historical sites, galleries and museums following the 1 person per 2 square metres limit.
Visit hiking trails, camping grounds, parks, playgrounds and skate parks.
Attend a wedding (dancing is allowed) or funeral with 200 people limited by the 1 person per 2 square metres rule.
Visit aged care, disability facilities and hospitals so long as you haven't been in a declared hotspot or a close contact of a COVID-19 case.
Attend an indoor event or outdoor event with allocated seating at 100% capacity.
Attend stadium events at 100% capacity for stadiums with over 20,000 people.
Travel and book overnight accommodation. However, travel to regional Queensland is not recommended.
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 on activities like hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, passes to attractions including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
Available on hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, jet boat rides and attraction passes on Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $350 is required. T&Cs apply.
Up to 15% off hotel stays in Australia and New Zealand
Plus 10% off if you sign up for Oaks DISCOVERY loyalty program on select dates for a stay duration of 7 nights or more. Destinations include Broome, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Queenstown and more.
Available on select rental dates in 2023 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations include Brisbane, Toowoomba, Lamington National Park and more.
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.
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 select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Sign up for Expedia Rewards to become a member and get exclusive discounts on hotel stays. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Sunshine Coast and Hobart. 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.
Available on purchases such as getaways, dining experiences, attraction passes, sightseeing cruise, cinema tickets and day tours. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane.
Available on select stay dates with Express Deals. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Byron Bay, Thredbo Village, Sunshine Coast, Jindabyne, Perth, the Gold Coast and more.
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.
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.
Available on select stay dates across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Cairns, Adelaide and more. Sample fare is for a stay at The Hive Hostel. T&Cs apply.
Check out our deals and promo codes for Gold Coast attractions
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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.
With so many stunning beachside walks and city parks, you'll never fall short of open space on the Gold Coast. Just remember, you must continue to keep a 1.5-metre distance from other people when you're out and about.
Here are popular parks and gardens that are still open:
Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
Broadwater Parklands
Cascade Gardens
Currumbin Rock Pools
Harley Park
John Laws Park
Home of the Arts Parklands
Kurrawa
Macintosh Island
Mick Schamburg Park
Palm Beach Parklands
Paradise Point Parklands
Shopping centres, supermarkets and grocery stores
Things to keep in mind when you go shopping are the need to maintain good hygiene by washing your hands or sanitising regularly, maintaining social distance between other shoppers (1.5 metres or more) and opting for contactless payments.
Here are some of the larger stores and shopping centres open for you on the Gold Coast:
Gold Coast hotels are taking bookings for visits. This includes Australia's only theme park resort, Sea World Resort. Additional hygiene measures have been put in place and some amenities may be unavailable in response to COVID-19 restrictions. The 1 person per 2 square metre rule applies when you are in public spaces.
Looking to stay in the Sunshine State? Book Gold Coast accommodation now.
Can I travel from the Gold Coast to other areas in Queensland?
Yes. However, the need for travel outside of any affected Local Government Area should be strongly reconsidered.
Do I need to pre-book to visit dining venues and attractions?
It's best to make a reservation in advance for busy dining spots. Some eateries are requesting diners make a reservation online by providing their contact details in case they need to get in touch with you.
It's best to check directly with an attraction as to whether you need to book in advance. This ensures you secure your booking and don't get turned away if the venue has exceeded capacity.
What restaurants and cafes are open on the Gold Coast?
See which of your favourite local restaurants and cafes are open for dining, delivery and takeaway on the Gold Coast. Customers are being asked not to bring keep cups for takeaway orders as a hygiene and safety precaution.
Here are some of our top picks for dining in Gold Coast:
Available on purchases such as getaways, dining experiences, attraction passes, sightseeing cruise, cinema tickets and day tours. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane.
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.
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