Destination overview

Australia's Gold Coast, with its sparkling beaches, lush rainforest hinterland, world-class entertainment facilities and huge array of attractions and activities, has regularly been dubbed 'the Coast with the Most'.

Take time out to sample the Gold Coast's laid-back beach culture with golden sands stretching for 70 kilometres. Alternatively, the rugged headland of Point Danger gives way to delightful Rainbow Bay where gentle surf offers a safe haven for families and small children.

Further north the tree-studded Greenmount headland is the perfect vantage point to watch the sun rise over crystal clear waters.

You can explore the small rockpools of Currumbin or try your hand at a spot of fishing along the picturesque Currumbin Creek. Along the busiest stretch of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise - a great spot for families with its perfect swimming beach and beach activities, with easy access to nearby cafes and shopping areas.

The Hinterland
The region's vast rainforest hinterland is home to World Heritage wilderness areas, national parks and quaint rural villages. It provides the chance to experience impressive views, bushwalks, a diverse range of adventure activities, subtropical rainforests, mountain villages, art galleries, craft shops and wineries, all within a 30 minute drive of the Gold Coast.

The densely forested valleys and mountains of Tamborine, Lamington and Springbrook National Parks are part of the Scenic Rim, a remnant of an ancient volcano active some 22 million years ago and regarded as the largest caldera in the southern hemisphere.

The Numinbah Valley on the southern Queensland border features the Natural Bridge - a spectacular waterfall that plummets through a stone archway into a rockpool below. Home to one of Australia's largest glow-worm colonies, it lights up at night like a starry sky.

A visit to Mount Tamborine will keep you busy as you browse the art and craft shops, antique stores and eating spots of the sensational Gallery Walk. The popular wine trail in the Gold Coast Hinterland is growing in size, picking up medals and awards along the way. There’s a great selection of boutique wineries and cellar door outlets for the most discerning of wine aficionados to enjoy.

An adventure playground
The Gold Coast offers all the thrills, spills and excitement you can pack into a holiday. Taste freedom and have the time of your life. Riding a horse, skydiving, fishing, wind surfing, ocean rafting, a gentle boat cruise, a leisurely 4WD safari or abseiling down a cliff face - the pace and possibilities are endless.

If you'd prefer an off-road 4WD trek you can explore nearby national parks, by day or night. You'll experience ancient rainforests, Australian animals in their native habitat, picturesque waterfalls and stunning gorges. If you'd prefer to feel the wind on your face, you can explore the hinterland on a Harley Davidson motorbike. It is pure freedom and excitement.

Experience sailing under canvas aboard a two-masted, square-rigged brigantine, or see two faces of the Gold Coast - on land, plus the wonderful waterways in a specifically designed amphibious craft which starts on dry land before plunging into the Southport Broadwater. When you feel the need for speed, opt for a hair-raising jet boat ride across the waves, skimming the surface, thundering through the air and making 180-degree turns in a second.

Australia’s theme park capital
Apart from its natural attractions, the Gold Coast is justifiably regarded as the theme park capital of Australia.

Dreamworld has been established for over 30 years and boasts a gold mining town, three-dimensional Imax theatre, the wild Wipeout ride, billed as 'riding a tidal wave strapped to an armchair', the enchanting Tiger Island and Creature Cruise attractions. If you’re game, you can also experience the Tower of Terror – one of the fastest, tallest rides in the world.

Movie Magic comes alive every day at Warner Bros Movie World - Hollywood on the Gold Coast. The park features some of the scariest, spookiest, most spine-tingling rollercoasters ever created.

Make contact with an amazing world of marine life and a host of exciting rides and shows at Sea World. Marvel at the awesome Polar Bear Shores - a near-natural Arctic Summer environment where people are able to learn more about these incredible marine animals.

Wet'n'Wild, a water-based theme park, offers truly unique, adrenaline pumping rides including the Super 8 Aqua Racer, Twister, Terror Canyon II and Mammoth Falls - one of Australia’s biggest water slides.

Set on a 20-hectare wildlife reserve, visitors to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary can hand-feed thousands of colourful wild lorikeets that flock in daily, as well as taking a close look at koalas, wombats, dingoes, crocodiles and other native fauna.

For those who want to take it easy, window shop or spend up big, the Gold Coast offers shopping resorts, centres, boutiques and villages, with Australia's best variety of high-end retailers, resort wear, souvenirs and arts and crafts. There are dozens of centres along the coastal strip including the upmarket Marina Mirage at Main Beach, the popular Harbour Town factory outlets centre and two of Australia's largest retail complexes, Pacific Fair, and Robina Town Centre. Sanctuary Cove, at the northern end of the Coast, includes the enchanting waterfront marine village.

The Gold Coast is home to a huge array of places to eat, from relaxed beach cafes and elegant restaurants to quaint teahouses in the beautiful hinterland. Famous for its nightclubs and theatre restaurants, there is something for everyone, from elegant wine bars, saloon bars, comedy clubs and dance venues to sunset and dinner cruises featuring live music and entertainment. When the sun goes down, it's time to party.

You also won’t be missing out on any sporting opportunities, as the Gold Coast's passion for golf goes back decades. The region offers visitors more than 40 resort and championship courses designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. Golfers come to the Gold Coast to play on international standard courses with the best facilities, service and golfing experience to be found anywhere in the world.

A visit to Australia's Gold Coast, where the weather is fabulous and the choices are endless, will delight any visitor to this vibrant city. There really is something here for everyone.