Melbourne to Gold Coast road trip: Best stops, distance & time
Melbourne 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 accommodation is mainly apartments, but top Surfers Paradise hotels include the luxurious Q1 Resort and Spa and the budget-friendly Vibe Hotel.
More Victoria travel
Melbourne to Noosa road trip guide.
Where to stop on the Sale to Lakes Entrance drive.
What to see on the drive from Sale to Bairnsdale.
The best stops on a Melbourne to Brisbane road trip.
How frequently does Melbourne’s City Circle Tram run?