Grafton to Gold Coast road trip: Distance, time & stops
Grafton to the Gold Coast by car: The Gold Coast
Coolangatta is the first town on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Things to do in Coolangatta include walking from Point Danger to Snapper Rocks and throwing yourself into surfing lessons. There are also several beaches here, including Coolangatta Beach, Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay Beach.
The Pacific Motorway, however, runs west of Coolangatta, Kirra Beach, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin and Palm Beach.
If continuing to Surfers Paradise, leave the motorway at Exit 87 and drive along the Southport-Burleigh Road. This runs parallel to the coast past Burleigh Heads, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach before you reach Surfers Paradise.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
Things to do on the Gold Coast include jet boat rides, sunset cruises, parasailing and amphibious vehicle tours. You can also go whale-watching during whale season or take in views of the coast from the Mick Schamburg Park Lookout by Miami Beach.
Gold Coast accommodation is mainly apartments, but top Surfers Paradise hotels include the luxurious Q1 Resort and Spa and the budget-friendly Vibe Hotel.
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.
More Queensland travel
What to see on a Townsville to Port Douglas road trip.
The best stops on a Melbourne to Port Douglas road trip.
Are there any crocodiles in Hervey Bay?
How long is the drive from Emerald to Cairns?
The best stops on the Childers to Brisbane drive.