Gold Coast

With a 70 kilometre stretch of wide golden beaches, World Heritage listed rainforests, theme parks, shopping, nightlife and a perfect sub-tropical year round climate of clear blue skies and warm sunny days, the Gold Coast is not only one of Australia's most popular holiday playgrounds.

Laze away the day on a warm stretch of sand, or surf the clear blue waves of the Pacific Ocean and experience true Aussie surf culture. Then party the night away with a vibrant nightlife of restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs. Or enjoy a fun-filled day of theme parks and water / land based adventures, then casually stroll through night markets or retreat away to a hinterland lodge by night.

Beaches and Surfing
The Gold Coast's 35 golden beaches are patrolled year round by professional lifeguards from the Surf Life Saving Clubs. The surf clubs are spread along the coast and are a communal hub for people to gather, participate in friendly surf competitions and enjoy a meal and a few drinks. They are a great way to truly experience the Aussie surf culture and relaxed outdoors way of life. Scattered at the northern and southern ends of the Gold Coast are popular dive sites. Professional dive operators can offer a guide to some of the region's best kept underwater secrets and provide dive training.

The Gold Coast Hinterland
Behind the buzz and excitement of the coast lies the world’s largest sub-tropical rainforest, where a dramatic landscape of sandstone cliffs, rock pools, waterfalls, mountain villages and bush walking trails all exist within World Heritage listed rainforest. Enjoy bush walking (hiking) and swim in crystal clear natural rock pools. Take a picnic atop a scenic peak and hand feed tropical birds. A visit to the magnificent Natural Arch, a spectacular waterfall which cascades through the roof of a cave into clear cooling waters beneath is a must for any visit to the region. The cave is also home to Australia's largest glow worm colony (best viewed at night). The Gold Coast Hinterland is also home to quaint mountain villages and rainforest retreats including Mount Tamborine, with its Gallery Walk art and craft precinct and Springbrook, with its natural environment of waterfalls and bush walking trails.

Surfers Paradise
The main central hub of activity along the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, where sun-bronzed Aussies parade along golden stretches of sand, enjoying the clear blue surfing waves and beachside cafes and restaurants. The Cavill Avenue precinct is where you can find shopping, dining, cafes and bars, but for something a little different why not visit the evening arts & crafts markets, held along The Esplanade every Friday night.

Main Beach
Just north of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach is where to be seen, with boutique shopping, gourmet delis and cafes. Main Beach is also where you are likely to find celebrities staying in luxurious world-class accommodation.

Broadbeach
South of Surfers Paradise is Broadbeach, a popular dining, shopping and entertainment precinct. Broadbeach is where you’ll find a cosmopolitan mix of restaurants and bars, shopping centres and a casino entertainment complex, as well as the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Coolangatta
At the southern end of the Gold Coast, Coolangatta has some of the region's most picturesque beaches, sheltered bays and scenic picnic areas.