Things to do on the Gold Coast, Queensland

The best things to do on the Gold Coast include the Dreamworld and Movie World theme parks, jetboat and jetski tours, whale-watching cruises and the Skypoint Climb.

“I’m bored,” is a cry you’re unlikely to hear on Queensland’s Gold Coast. It is arguably Australia’s most famous holiday strip, lined with sensational beaches. It’s also where Australia is at its most Florida-esque. It even has its own artificial reef.

The Gold Coast squeezes between Brisbane and the New South Wales border. Some love it, some hate it, although in truth it’s a collection of Queensland towns with different vibes. Surfers Paradise is brash, Coolangatta is surf-obsessed, the Currumbin Surf Club in Currumbin is all about having a chilled beer overlooking the beach. And, if it’s shopping you’re after, the Carrara Markets have over 400 stalls.

Things to do on the Gold Coast: Theme parks

Whichever camp you fall in, it’s impossible to deny that there are plenty of things to do on the Gold Coast. It is the theme park capital of Australia, with each park having its own niche. Dreamworld is the one with all the big thrill rides while Warner Bros Movie World is stronger on storytelling and shows. If it’s roasting hot, the giant slides and pools of the Wet N Wild waterpark should prove irresistible. To the north of the theme parks, you’ll find the Yatala Drive In cinema.

Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay

The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.

Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.

Gold Coast tours

Water is a major feature of the Gold Coast – and not just the crashing surf. Meandering rivers create scores of islets, which are explored on Jetboat Extreme’s stunt-pulling jetboat.

Gold Coast waterways, Queensland — The waterways and green hinterland offer plenty of things to do on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Jetski Safaris offers the chance to chug along the coast of South Stradbroke Island for 40km on a jetski tour. The company makes sure there are enough trained guides to allow everyone to go at their favoured pace.

If you want to get around on the water at a more sedate pace, then the Gold Coast Hop-On, Hop-Off Ferry should do the trick.

Things to do on the Gold Coast: Whale-watching tours

Between May and November, humpback whales pass along the coast. They’re on their way to or back from their breeding grounds further north around Hervey Bay. Whales In Paradise runs 3h15m cruises that offer guaranteed sightings.

If the daredevilry bug hasn’t quite been shaken off, then there’s the opportunity to do the Skypoint Climb. This goes to the top of the Q1 Tower – Australia’s highest residential building. Participants clip onto the building exterior via a harness, a little like the Bridgeclimb on Sydney Harbour or the Adelaide Oval Roofclimb in Adelaide. Vertigo-battling climbers can look out over the beaches from 270m up.

Gold Coast hinterland activities

After a few days on the Gold Coast, you’ll want a change of pace. That’s where the gorgeously green hinterland of the Scenic Rim around Beaudesert comes in. Tamborine Mountain is dotted with galleries, fudge shops and wineries such as Witches Falls, while the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk takes you through the thick rainforest canopy. Thunderbird Park offers a high, fast zipline course, while the pools at Cedar Creek Falls are fab for wild swimming. The same applies to the Currumbin Rock Pools. There’s no swimming at Curtis Falls, but it’s worth the short walk from the car park, nonetheless.

Hot air balloon tours over the Gold Coast hinterland are also available. These scenic flights finish with breakfast at the O’Reilly’s winery in the Canungra Valley.

The Gold Coast hinterland also has several national parks – Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park have fabulous rainforest walks. In Springbrook National Park, the Purling Brook Falls Circuit leads to the spectacular 100 metre Purling Brook Falls.