2025 Gold Coast Guide: Hidden Gems, Local Faves + Zero Tourist Traps

Welcome to the sunny Gold Coast, famed for its long sandy beaches, thrilling theme parks, surf spots and incredible climate and lifestyle. I truly love this part of Australia!

After growing up in Germany and travelling full-time for four years post-university, I have now been living on the Gold Coast for 7 years!

In this guide, I want to share everything there is to know about visiting the Gold Coast, including all there is to see and do, where to stay and the best places to eat!

Best Time to Visit the Gold Coast

Autumn Time

Any time of the year is a great time to travel to the Gold Coast! However, some factors that may affect your decision. The best time I personally recommend you visit for the real Gold Coast experience is from March to May (autumn).

There are few school holidays during that period, it’s mostly dry and simply just the right weather, not too hot, not too cold. You definitely want to enjoy those long sandy beaches without burning under the sun and getting your wallets drained because of surging prices throughout the holiday season.

Spring & Summer Time

Alternatively, the Australian spring from September to November also offers pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and blooming flowers and festivals. I recommend avoiding the peak summer months and school holidays, including Christmas and New Year's as prices will be high and beaches are crowded.

Winter Time

Winter between June and August is also a beautiful time to visit. It's between 12.5 – 21.5 degrees Celsius with clear skies and dry air. While the nights are cool, in the daytime you mostly have crystal clear days with sun and blue skies! It's great to be outdoors, even though it might be too chilly to lay on the beach.

Best Things To Do on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is so much more than just beaches and surf (though those are pretty epic and I adore them!).

If you're ready to go beyond the sand and explore what makes this coastal city shine, this guide covers it all. From stylish shopping spots and wildlife encounters to hidden nature trails and gems, here are the best experiences the Gold Coast has to offer:

• Best Gold Coast beaches to visit: Palm Beach, Broadbeach, Nobby's Beach, Coolangatta Beach, Mermaid Beach, Kirra Beach, Currumbin Beach
• Learn to surf at any of the beaches
• Love to shop? Start at Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, it's the Gold Coast’s ultimate shopping destination with luxury brands, designer boutiques, and open-air vibes. Then head to Robina Town Centre for a great mix of fashion, homewares, and dining. You can also stroll the shops at Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise or hunt for deals at Harbour Town Outlet.
• Take a day trip to Kingscliff, a small seaside town across the NSW border
• Sky Dive over the beach
• Go up to Sky Point Observation Deck at Q1 Hotel for a birds-eye view, you can also climb up on the outside of the building
• Visit the Gold Coast Hinterland on a day trip to Springbrook National Park, Mount Tamborine, or Lamington National Park
• Snuggle a koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (I know you want it!)
• Have a picnic on Burleigh Hill while waiting for that perfect sunset
• Enjoy the nightlife and dance the night away at one of the many Surfers Paradise nightclubs
• Try O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk or Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk to cure your sense of adventure
• Spend a day at Warner Bros Movie World, Dreamworld or Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast
• Take a day trip to Byron Bay and ready those selfie sticks at Crystal Castle and Shambala Gardens
• Best hidden gem: Head to Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area where you can spot freely roaming kangaroos in the wild, no fences, just nature!

Best Areas to Stay on the Gold Coast

Broadbeach

Best for: Families with kids, couples, high-end nightlife & easy access to many Gold Coast highlights.

Broadbeach aka “Broadie” to the locals, has a beautiful stretch of beach, perfect for surfing, long walks or simply hanging out in the sun. Surrounded by weekend markets, parks, and yoga classes, it's absolutely family-friendly but also a great place to stay for couples. Get your beach fix, roam around The Oasis Mall and The Oracle Boulevard, you'll find plenty of awesome dining here.

Across the Gold Coast highway, you'll find The Star Casino, which also has a hotel, several lounges, bars, nightly shows and plenty of restaurants to choose from. If you love shopping, drop by Pacific Fair, Gold Coast's flashiest shopping mall with over 400+ stores it's the biggest shopping center on the Gold Coast.

Best Hotels in Broadbeach

Luxury Hotel: Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach – Situated opposite Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and only 50 meters from the beach, this luxury hotel represents an excellent choice for anyone who likes dining out, shopping and the beach lifestyle.

4-Star: The Wave Resort – Fully self-contained apartments with private balconies and fantastic views. Don't miss to check out the amazing rooftop infinity pool and spa.

Budget: South Pacific Plaza – Spacious apartments, free parking, free Wi-Fi and right opposite Kurrawa Surf Club. Ask for a higher floor oceanfacing!

Surfers Paradise

Best for: Backpackers, budget accommodation, nightlife and clubbing.

If you are after world-class nightlife, Surfers Paradise will keep your blood pumping crazy and fill you with that electric and energetic feeling, every day of the week. It is definitely a great place to party while getting your sun-kissed skin.

Surfers is also perfect to soak up the sun and learn to surf! The Gold Coast is called “gold” for a reason, right? Throughout the year, Surfers Paradise throws a series of events that includes supercar races, competitions, cultural and artistic community events, open-air concerts and the weekly beachfront markets.

Best Hotels in Surfers Paradise

Luxury: QT Gold Coast – Located a 10-minute from Cavill Avenue, this hotel is perfect if you'd like to stay in Surfers Paradise without being right in the midst of it. Has a great pool & an amazing buffet I love called Bazaar Gold Coast.

Mid-Range: Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise – You get exceptional views from these serviced apartments right across from the beach.

Budget: Bunk Surfers Paradise – Located right in the buzzing center of Surfers Paradise, this hostel offers a range of rooms and is great value for money. You've also got a shared kitchen, lounge area and a really nice pool!

Miami Beach (Nobby Beach) & Mermaid Beach

Best for: Staying like a local, trendy cafes, less busy beaches.

I have lived in Mermaid Beach for many years and love it for so many reasons! The two neighbourhoods of Miami and Mermaid are next to each other and smack bang between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, so the action is never too far from here!

They are a great place for families with kids, groups of friends travelling together as well as couples who like it a little quieter yet have easy access to the best cafes, restaurants and markets. Nobby Beach is an area within Miami with a main street full of alfresco cafes, restaurants and little boutique shops.

Best Hotels in Mermaid Beach & Nobby's

Both neighbourhoods do not have hotels, they primarily offer holiday apartments, a handful or retro motels and holiday parks, perfect for families. Here are some of my picks:

Blue Heron Boutique Motel – Basic but modern, great for couples.

Spindrift on the Beach – Beachfront apartment

Turtle Beach Resort – Wonderful resort facilities for families with kids.

Burleigh Heads

Best for: Trendy cafes, surfers, a relaxed coastal atmosphere, scenic walks and viewpoints.

Burleigh Heads is an excellent choice for where to stay on the Gold Coast. This little neighbourhood offers trendy cafes and restaurants with stunning ocean views and the Gold Coast skyline.

Plus it's got a relaxed coastal atmosphere with world-class surf breaks and the Burleigh Head National Park at its backdrop. The main street James Street is wonderful for browsing through individual boutiques.

Best Hotels in Burleigh Heads

Ambience on Burleigh Beach – Most central location to all that Burleigh has to offer.

ULTIQA Burleigh Mediterranean Resort – 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, some with ocean views. North Burleigh location, so a bit away from the hustle and bustle.

Park Towers Holiday Units – Older style apartments but with some of the best views of the Gold Coast skyline and right on Burleigh Hill, location-wise it doesn't get better than this!

Palm Beach & Currumbin

Best for: Families with kids, beach lovers, watersports on the creek, trendy cafes.

Palm Beach is located between Currumbin Creek and Tallebudgera Creek. Both creeks have calm spots that can be enjoyed with kids as well as playgrounds right by the shores. Palm Beach has a long stretch of sandy, stunning beach, making it a surfers and beach lovers gather.

It's just 10 minutes from the Coolangatta Airport and boasts trendy cafes and relaxed eateries along the Gold Coast Highway with the main area around Palm Beach Avenue where you also find Coles. Conveniently located just 10 minutes from Coolangatta Airport, with an additional 30-minute drive to the bustling Surfers Paradise.

Currumbin is also home to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can cuddle koalas and say hello to friendly kangaroos, it's a great day out with the family.

Best Hotels in Palm Beach & Currumbin

The Cheshire Cat Motel – Beautifully refurbished motel within a quick walk to the beach.

Princess Palm on the Beach – Located close to Currumbin Creek, great for groups and families.

Coolangatta & Kirra

Best for: Families, avid surfers, it's busy during school holidays and otherwise slower pace.

Coolangatta and Kirra are on the southernmost end of the Gold Coast, so here you reached the end of Queensland’s Gold Coast. From here you'll be able to see the entire coastline and enjoy the surf breaks of Snapper Rocks, one of my favourite spots on the coast.

From here it's an easy jump to the neighbouring state of New South Wales. Speaking of NSW, you can trail up to Point Danger and be in two places at the same time. This is also a perfect spot to watch the whales migrating in season between July and November every year.

Best Hotels in Coolangatta

X Kirra Apartments – Modern apartments with large balconies and uninterrupted views of the ocean and over the Gold Coast skyline.

The Pink Hotel Coolangatta – Funky boutique hotel that's been perfectly refurbished. Love the beachfront rooftop!

YHA Coolangatta – Only a 10-minute walk from the airport and the hostel offers a free shuttle service to various locations nearby.

Where To Eat on the Gold Coast

There are always new cafes and restaurants popping up, so I'll keep this as updated as possible!

Here are my top favourite places to eat at on the Gold Coast:

• Rick Shores – One of Gold Coast’s most iconic places that deliver on Pan-Asian flavours and will just make you want to share the whole menu.
• Le Cafe Gourmand (Mermaid Beach) – One of my go-to's! Authentic French baguettes, pastries and coffee, it's really well priced also!
• BSKT Café (Nobby Beach) – Pronounced as “biscuit”, this health food restaurant turned café will make you turn vegan as they serve healthy foods most spectacularly.
• Elk Espresso (Broadbeach) – Located opposite the beach, Elk Espresso has innovative breakfast dishes on the menu, plus great coffee!
• Little Mermaid (Mermaid Beach) – Little Mermaid is just a few meters away from the ocean and offers great food all day plus it's got a super cute boho interior.
• Poke Poke (Mermaid Beach) – You won't find fresher Hawaiian poke bowls on the Gold Coast! Poke Poke has the tastiest to be enjoyed in a laid-back beachside vibe.
• Paddock Bakery (Miami) – This place has some rustic charm and delicious pastries! Paddock Bakery is set in a converted weatherboard house, grab a spot in the leafy outdoor seating area.
• Justin Lane (Burleigh Heads) – If you are craving carbs, head to Justin Lane to have a bite of their extensive pizza and pasta menu.
• Social Brew (Burleigh Heads) – Located in Burleigh, Social Brew is just a combination of everything you could ask for in a café, great drinks, good food and a lovely atmosphere with greenery dangling over your heads while you eat.
• Tarte Beach House (Currumbin) – Tarte Beach House in Currumbin is cherished for its coastal ambiance and delicious range of tarts, pastries, and breakfast dishes, all served with ocean views.
• The Loose Moose (Broadbeach) – Simply an awesome place if you ask me. Their menu will fill your stomach!
• The Cardamom Pot (Southport) – Exquisite vegetarian dishes and desserts. Creative and tasty made on the day.

What to Do on the Gold Coast at Night

Here are a couple of nighttime things I like on the Gold Coast:

• The Star Gold Coast offers a world-class casino experience alongside upscale restaurants and regular live performances. Try your luck at the tables or enjoy a cocktail while taking in the glamorous atmosphere.
• Dinner at Etsu Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant in Mermaid Beach that has an unmarked wooden door entrance that leads to an incredible dining experience. Their fresh sashimi and unusual cocktails make for a perfect evening out!
• Miami Marketta hosts night markets several evenings a week, featuring international street food, craft beverages, and live music in a cool kinda laneway setting. It does attract some really awesome acts too, which you can check out here.
• Dracula's Cabaret Show is something completely different, this horror-themed 3-course dinner and show combines comedy, cabaret, and spooky fun in a uniquely Gold Coast experience. Pro Tip: Check Groupon, they often have offers on there + ShopBack which makes it much better value!

Nightlife & Entertainment

Surfers Paradise comes alive after dark with a lively strip of nightlife venues along Cavill Avenue, the center of evening entertainment featuring numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs.

While it's not my personal preference for a night out due to the young, party-hungry crowd that tends to dominate the scene, there are some worthwhile exceptions. The rooftop at The Island Gold Coast offers a more sophisticated atmosphere, and the recently renovated Paradise Centre provides better options than the typical Surfers fare.

Family-Friendly Night Activities

We visited Astra Lumina at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary as a couple, but it's an awesome place for families (we saw plenty with kids of all ages + it's stroller friendly!). The enchanting night walk experience transforms the rainforest into a luminous wonderland with stunning light installations, interactive projections, and soundscapes.

It's a self-guided walkthrough brilliantly illuminated worlds, reimagining the sanctuary as a magical nocturnal landscape where art and nature blend seamlessly. Advanced booking is recommended for this popular evening attraction that offers a completely different perspective of the beloved wildlife sanctuary!

Gold Coast Travel Guide – Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast is located in the state of Queensland, around 80 km south of the state’s capital Brisbane. Hence the name, Gold Coast is a coastal area that has gained great popularity and became a hotspot for local and international visitors since the 1920s when the Surfers Paradise Hotel was first established. Due to its significant growth over the years, it is now the second-biggest city in the state after Brisbane.

What's the best way to get to the Gold Coast?

To get to the Gold Coast, you can fly into Gold Coast Airport (OOL) from major cities and some international destinations. Alternatively, it's a 1-1.5 hour drive from Brisbane or 10 hours from Sydney 10 hours. There's also a train from Brisbane or you can book an airport shuttle that goes door-to-door and I have taken it multiple times, very convenient.

Can I see the Gold Coast without a car?

Yes, you can see the Gold Coast without a car. Public transport is relatively good in the main areas and the tram and buses are a good way to get around. I also use rideshare like Uber a lot, especially in the evening and nighttime when public transport doesn't run as frequently. A rental car is useful if you're planning to explore the hinterland or go off the beaten path.

Is the Gold Coast a walkable city?

Yes and no. The Gold Coast is walkable in certain areas like Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Burleigh, so those areas where you find attractions, shops, and dining are concentrated. For travelling in between it's not really walkable, but there is electric bike sharing as well as public transport that connects the main parts well.

Final Words

Whether you're seeking a day at the beach, discovering surf breaks or family-friendly fun by Tallebudgera Creek, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone!

I absolutely adore the relaxed coastal lifestyle, amazing cafes and restaurants and proximity to the lush hinterland. No matter if you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller to the Gold Coast, this iconic Australian destination won't disappoint.