Gold Coast

The Gold Coast, an hour's drive south of Brisbane (or fly direct into Coolangatta), stretches from Southport to Coolangatta and is Australia's best known beach holiday, and with good reason.

Basking in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, the Coast offers golden surf beaches, a rainforest-clad mountain hinterland and chic shopping and dining, making it a atop spot for gay and lesbian travellers.

There's a mind-boggling array of gay and lesbian friendly places to stay on the Coast. Beachfront high-rise hotels and apartments along the Coast's 42kms of surf beaches will allow the best view of the pumping waves.

If you'd rather stunning mountain views, walks and galleries, head to the cooler hinterland about 30 minutes from the Coast. Bush House, on the edge of he hinterland in Tallebudgera Valley, is a gay men's retreat while Tambaride Bed and Breakfast is a gay-run guesthouse at beautiful Mount Tamborine.

The Meeting Place in Surfers Paradise is the Coast's only gay and lesbian club. The Capitol Bar and Lounge attracts a groovy gay, lesbian and alternative crowd.

Gold Coast Breakers gay and lesbian social group welcomes visitors to their regular get-togethers. Feathers is a lesbian social group with runs regular events.