AU · Queensland · 28.00°S 153.33°E

gold coast

Surf beaches, theme parks and rainforest walks beyond the towers.

Best time
April–May and September–October are warm and dry enough for beach days. December–February is hot, humid and stormy, and busy with school holidays; June–August is mild and sunny, though the sea feels cold.
How long
4–5 days
Getting there
AirAsia X's Gold Coast flights are suspended for now, so fly direct to Brisbane (about 8 hours) and drive about 1.5 hours south. Queensland is 2 hours ahead of KL all year, with no daylight saving.
Save postcard
AU · Queenslandgold coast28.00°S 153.33°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Surf beaches, theme parks and rainforest walks beyond the towers.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGold CoastAU, Queensland
KLgold coast
≈ 6,513 km from KL, as the crow flies
Gold Coast, Australia

Photo: Jordan Gellie jordan_gellie · CC0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The Gold Coast is a long strip of surf beaches backed by high-rises, with theme parks just inland and rainforest in the hills behind. It's an easy family trip: the beach in the morning, a park in the afternoon.

Makan

  1. Fish and chipsEaten on the grass above the beach at Burleigh.Map ↗
  2. Queensland prawnsBig, sweet local prawns, often sold cooked and chilled to eat by the water.Map ↗
  3. Café brunchBurleigh and Palm Beach have the best café strips.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Surfers ParadiseThe high-rise heart of the coast, with a long patrolled beach right in front.Map ↗
  2. Burleigh HeadsA rocky headland with a short rainforest walk around it and surfers on the point break below.Map ↗
  3. Springbrook National ParkRainforest and waterfalls in the hinterland, including the glow-worm cave at Natural Bridge.Map ↗
  4. Theme parksSea World, Movie World and Dreamworld each take a full day; most families pick one or two.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal choice is best around Surfers Paradise, mostly Turkish, Indian and Middle Eastern.
  • Swim between the red and yellow flags; rips are strong on the open beaches.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.