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Gold Coast
With its casinos, Jet Skis, yachts and luxury hotels, the Gold Coast looks like it’s straight out of a James Bond movie. Australia’s major theme parks are all here, and the quieter hinterland offers rock climbing, scenic flights and skydiving for thrill seekers. It’s easy to see why millions of visitors flock to the Gold Coast every year: There are more than 30 beaches, including Burleigh Beach, where professional surfers come to compete in February, as well as great shopping and dining.
The Gold Coast encompasses several seaside towns inhabited by over half a million people, making this Australia’s sixth-largest city. The area covers 1,400 square kilometers (541 square miles) from Beenleigh, south of the Queensland capital Brisbane, to Coolangatta Beach at the New South Wales border.
The first Australians, the Aborigines, called this beautiful land of the sun Kurrungul. Europeans settled here, growing and commercialising the area, from the mid-1800s onwards. Tourism boomed in the 1950s, and the golden opportunity to invest in real estate gave the city its name and its skyline.
Some of Australia’s most famous beaches are on the Gold Coast. Two surfing hot spots are Burleigh Beach and Surfers Paradise Beach, an area that’s also popular for shopping and dining. Families looking for a good swimming area will enjoy the calmer waters of Coolangatta Beach.
More family fun awaits at the Gold Coast’s wide range of amusement parks. Interact with marine creatures at Sea World, slide through Wet‘n’Wild Water World, or board the superhero rides at Movie World. You can do all this and more at the biggest Australian theme park, Dreamworld.
The Gold Coast offers year-round entertainment, but you may want to avoid the rowdy “Schoolies” period (when high school graduates celebrate) in November. The weather is hot and humid from December to February (summer), and dry and sunny from June to August (winter). Rain or shine, pack your bathers to enjoy one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations.
Guide to Exploring Gold Coast
Top Hotel Deals
Meriton Suites Broadbeach, Gold Coast
2669 Gold Coast Highway, BroadbeachSituated near the beach, this luxury aparthotel is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Oracle Boulevard and within 3 mi (5 km) of Surfers Paradise Beach and Cavill Avenue. Oasis Shopping Centre and Broadbeach Mall are also within 10 minutes.
Watermark Hotel & Spa
3032 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers ParadiseThis family-friendly Surfers Paradise hotel is located on the Strip, within a 10-minute walk of SkyPoint Observation Deck, Surfers Paradise Beach, and Cavill Avenue. Timezone and Centro Surfers Paradise are also within 10 minutes.
The Castle On Tamborine
280 Main Western Road, North TamborineSituated in North Tamborine, this luxury guesthouse is within 1 mi (2 km) of Tamborine National Park Witches Falls Section, Mount Tamborine Winery, and Witches Falls Winery. Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery and Glow Worm Caves are also within 2 mi (3 km).
Broadbeach Savannah Hotel & Resort
46 Surf Parade, BroadbeachThis family-friendly Broadbeach apartment is located by the ocean, within a 10-minute walk of Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach Mall, and Oasis Shopping Centre. Surfers Paradise Beach and Cavill Avenue are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Mantra on View Hotel
22 View Avenue, Surfers ParadiseMantra on View Hotel is located a block from the beachfront Esplanade, one of Surfers Paradise's entertainment hotspots. A daily shuttle connects guests to Warner Bros. Movie World, SeaWorld, and Dreamworld within a half-hour. Jupiters Casino is a 15-minute drive south.
Chateau Beachside
Corner The Esplanade & Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers ParadiseLocated in Surfers Paradise, this beachfront apartment is in the city center and within a 10-minute walk of Infinity Gold Coast, Cavill Avenue, and Surfers Paradise Beach. Sea World is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) away.
The Star Gold Coast
Casino Drive, BroadbeachSituated by the ocean, this luxury hotel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from The Star Gold Coast and within 3 mi (5 km) of Surfers Paradise Beach and Cavill Avenue. Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and Oasis Shopping Centre are also within 10 minutes.
Mantra Twin Towns
Corner of Griffith St & Wharf St, CoolangattaThis family-friendly Coolangatta hotel is located near the airport, within a 10-minute walk of The Strand, Centro Tweed, and Twin Towns Uniting Church. Greenmount Beach and Coolangatta Beach are also within 15 minutes.
Top Flight + Hotel Deals
Mango Tree Cottage
4.0 out of 5.0Mon, 30 Oct - Sat, 4 Nov
Kingsford Smith Intl. - Coolangatta
AU$340
per person
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
5.0 out of 5.0Wed, 15 Nov - Mon, 20 Nov
Canberra Intl. - Coolangatta
AU$1,132
per person
Paradiso Resort Kingscliff
4.0 out of 5.0Sun, 5 Nov - Sun, 12 Nov
Tullamarine - Coolangatta
AU$707
per person
Mt Tamborine Stonehaven Guest House
4.0 out of 5.0Sun, 29 Oct - Sun, 5 Nov
Adelaide - Coolangatta
AU$871
per person
The Beach Cabarita
4.0 out of 5.0Mon, 30 Oct - Sat, 4 Nov
Kingsford Smith Intl. - Coolangatta
AU$570
per person
Santai Retreat at Casuarina Beach
4.5 out of 5.0Thu, 2 Nov - Tue, 7 Nov
Tullamarine - Coolangatta
AU$657
per person
Pearl of Contentment Retreat
3.5 out of 5.0Wed, 8 Nov - Wed, 15 Nov
Adelaide - Coolangatta
AU$683
per person
Oceanside Resort
4.0 out of 5.0Wed, 8 Nov - Wed, 15 Nov
Adelaide - Coolangatta
AU$689
per person
Ocean Plaza Resort
4.5 out of 5.0Sun, 29 Oct - Sun, 5 Nov
Adelaide - Coolangatta
AU$823
per person
Active Holidays Kingscliff
3.5 out of 5.0Sun, 29 Oct - Sun, 5 Nov
Adelaide - Coolangatta
AU$520
per person
Bungunyah Manor Resort
3.5 out of 5.0Sun, 29 Oct - Sun, 5 Nov
Adelaide - Coolangatta
AU$790
per person
Top Deals on Flights
These prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices quoted are per person, return, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.
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