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Before you go
Your trip to Gold Coast.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Gold Coast – Queensland Destination Gold Coast and the parks about 78 km from Brisbane
How to get there
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Gold Coast Airport (OOL) Bilinga · 22 km
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Brisbane Airport (BNE) Brisbane · 90 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Confirm before you buy. Gold Coast Airport (OOL) in Coolangatta is about 22 km from Surfers Paradise, with buses to the G:link light rail. From Brisbane Airport (BNE), about 90 km away, the Airtrain runs to Helensvale where you can catch the tram.
How many days
Four days: two for theme parks, one for the beach, Burleigh Heads and SkyPoint, and one for Sea World or Currumbin. With more days you can add the water parks and the mountains.
When to go
From April to October the days tend to be dry and pleasant, good for the parks. Summer is hot, humid and rainy in the afternoons, with parks crowded during Australian school holidays from mid-December to the end of January.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not for the coast and the parks: the G:link tram runs from Broadbeach to Helensvale, and buses connect the coast with Oxenford and Coomera. For the mountains, a car helps. In Australia you drive on the left.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Gold Coast
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Morning
Surfers Paradise Beach
Start at Surfers Paradise Beach and walk along the Esplanade boardwalk, between the buildings and the sea.
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Afternoon
Burleigh Heads
Take tram and bus to Burleigh Heads for the national park walk around the headland.
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Late afternoon
Sunset at Burleigh
Stay on the lawn facing Burleigh Beach to watch the late afternoon and the surfers.
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Evening
SkyPoint
Return to Surfers Paradise and go up SkyPoint to see the coast lit up.
3 days in Gold Coast
Day 1
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Morning
Theme park
Spend the day at Dreamworld or Warner Bros. Movie World; arrive at opening to beat the lines.
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Afternoon
Theme park
Continue at the chosen park; in summer, combine it with the neighboring water park, WhiteWater World or Wet'n'Wild.
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Late afternoon
Return to Surfers Paradise
Return by bus, train, or tram to Surfers Paradise.
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Evening
Outback Spectacular
If you have the energy, see the dinner show Australian Outback Spectacular in Oxenford.
Day 2
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Morning
Sea World
Spend the morning at Sea World in Main Beach with dolphins, polar bears, penguins and rides.
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Afternoon
Beach
Relax on Surfers Paradise Beach or Main Beach.
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Late afternoon
Burleigh Heads
Do the Burleigh Head walk and watch the sunset facing the beach.
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Evening
SkyPoint
Go up to SkyPoint to see the coastline lit up from above.
Day 3
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Morning
Springbrook or Lamington
Head to the mountains early and walk through the Gondwana rainforest in Springbrook or Lamington.
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Afternoon
Tamborine Mountain
Stop by Tamborine Mountain for the treetop walk and the small villages.
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Late afternoon
Currumbin
On the way back, stop at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, if it’s still open, or at Currumbin Beach.
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Evening
Broadbeach
Have dinner in Broadbeach, a few tram stops from Surfers Paradise.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How to get from Gold Coast Airport to Surfers Paradise?
By bus to Broadbeach and from there the G:link tram to Surfers Paradise. There are also taxis, ride‑share cars and transfers.
How to reach the theme parks without a car?
From Surfers Paradise the G:link tram goes to Helensvale, where buses depart for Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Dreamworld. Some companies run direct hotel transfers to the parks.
Which park to choose on the Gold Coast?
For roller coasters and wildlife, Dreamworld; for movie and comic characters, Movie World; for marine life and family, Sea World. In hot weather try the water parks WhiteWater World and Wet'n'Wild.
Where to surf on the Gold Coast?
Burleigh Heads, Currumbin and the beaches of Coolangatta to the south have the best known waves. Beginners can find surf schools in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
Where to swim safely on the Gold Coast?
Always swim between the red and yellow flags in the area patrolled by lifeguards, who are stationed along the coast.