The Gold Coast is easily one of Australia’s favourite playgrounds with natural appeal, active adventures and thrilling visitor attractions in spades. Between the iconic beaches and legendary theme parks lies a modern city with a world-class dining, arts, cultural, entertainment and shopping scene by the Pacific Ocean.
Known as the ‘green behind the gold’, this coastal city is bordered by lush hinterland, from ancient rainforest, national parks, waterfalls and mountain ranges to verdant vineyards, charming villages, boutique stays and glamping getaways.
For inspired ideas to add to your ideal itinerary, we’ve collated a list of the top 20 must-visit Gold Coast attractions and experiences, spanning indoor pursuits to outdoor exploration and everything in between. Let’s dive right in!
Table of contents
-
Top Gold Coast attractions
- Surfers Paradise Beach
- Dreamworld
- Warner Bros. Movie World
- Sea World
- Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Skypoint Observation Deck
- Burleigh Heads
- Broadbeach
- Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
- Miami Marketta
- Tamborine Mountain
- Lamington National Park
- Springbrook National Park
- Australian Outback Spectacular
- HOTA, Home of the Arts
- Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
- Infinity Attraction
- ArtVo Gold Coast
- Topgolf Gold Coast
-
Gold Coast attractions for different travellers
With rolling, consistent swell and pure shores, Surfers Paradise Beach is one of Gold Coast’s most famous beaches and is basically synonymous with sun-drenched coastal city. Justifiably world-famous as a surfing mecca and holiday hotspot, Surfers Paradise Beach is backlit by shiny skyscrapers against the blue sky and boasts plenty of white sand for visitors and locals alike to enjoy this top Gold Coast attraction.
Located in the suburb of Surfers Paradise, this popular, family-friendly sandy shoreline patrolled by lifeguards caters for all watersports, including surf schools for beginners. With plenty of cafes and shops nearby, just bring your beach essentials to enjoy a half or full day out. If you’re keen to plan your trip around the best time to visit Gold Coast for beginner surfing, aim for December to February, when the water conditions are gentler and more forgiving.
For those who prefer a panoramic view over an immersive experience, an array of waterfront dining venues, open-air markets and observation decks on the buzzing Esplanade share the million-dollar vista. Cyclists and walkers can also soak up the sights and sunsets on the Gold Coast Oceanway shared path along the foreshore.
Australia’s largest theme park, Dreamworld and the adjacent WhiteWater World have been attracting thrill-seekers and wildlife lovers alike for almost five decades with plenty of all-ages Australian-themed attractions for a fun day out.
Located in Coomera, around halfway between Gold Coast and Brisbane airports, the sprawling 85ha area offers more than 52 rides and shows daily across Dreamworld and WhiteWater World.
Adrenaline-pumping highlights include twisty rollercoasters and high-tech waterslides alongside iconic rides and attractions for the kids. Dreamworld also houses a conservation park with resident animals, such as native wildlife and birdlife, plus Tiger Island, home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers. Dreamworld hosts seasonal events and an array of entertainment throughout the year.
For those who want to maximise enjoyment without having to rush through, we recommend purchasing multi-day tickets or passes to make the most of everything over a few days.
Dubbed ‘Hollywood on the Gold Coast’, Warner Bros. Movie World brings all your favourite film franchises to life with a star-studded lineup of thrill rides, backlot experiences, themed entertainment and character encounters. Situated opposite Dreamworld on the Pacific Motorway, it’s also equidistant from Brisbane and Gold Coast airports for a full day of fun for families, couples and groups of friends to enjoy.
Highlights include high-octane thrill rides, family-friendly themed attractions and seasonal events alongside superhero encounters, character parades and Hollywood stunt driver displays. You can purchase a single-day ticket to Warner Bros. Movie World or an annual or multi-day Village Roadshow pass that offers unlimited access to four theme parks, including Sea World, Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country.
Sea World brings theme park attractions and animal adventures together in the heart of Surfers Paradise Main Beach. As one of the best Gold Coast attractions for families, it’s perfect for a full day of outdoor experiences – both in and out of the water. Sea World offers 28 rides, shows and attractions – geared for all ages and stages – across different areas, including The New Atlantis precinct. Animal exhibits and educational talks feature marine mammals, such as polar bears, seals and dolphins, as well as penguins, seabird rehabilitation, sharks and rays.
If you're choosing where to stay in Gold Coast and want to maximise your fun at the theme park, book your accommodation Sea World Resort for unlimited access to Sea World. Otherwise, for entry you can purchase a single-day ticket, or opt for an annual or multi-day Village Roadshow pass for entry to four theme parks, including Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country. Whale-watching cruises are also available in season. FYI, the best time to visit Gold Coast for whale watching experiences is from June to November.
When the sun is shining – and it usually is thanks to the Gold Coast climate – Wet’n’Wild water park is the perfect day out for families, couples and groups of friends to enjoy a splashtastic time on waterslides and the many inviting pools, including Dive’n’Movies events in summer. Standout attractions at Wet’n’Wild include high-thrill and family slides, a wave park, whirlpools and splash zones. Family and friend groups can also chill out in poolside cabanas and lounges.
You can purchase a single-day ticket to Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast or save with an annual or multi-day Village Roadshow pass that offers unlimited access to four theme parks, including Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Paradise Country. BYO swimmers and sunscreen, and get ready to get wet!
With a mixture of wildlife from around the world, active adventures and immersive nighttime experiences, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a Gold Coast attraction that has something for everyone. The cute and curious critters take centre stage, and alongside native animals and birdlife, you can also view the likes of capybaras, tamarins, binturongs, llamas, lemurs and red pandas, and enjoy encounters, shows and hospital tours to see conservation in action.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its twice-daily Lorikeet Feeding experiences, and has several other attractions, including an art trail, splash zone and miniature train rides. For an additional fee, visitors aged eight and over can tackle the Tree Top Challenge network of more than 100 activities, including 14 ziplines, as well as the all-ages Astra Lumina night bushwalk of light and sound installations. Set aside at least 3.5 hours for the Tree Top Challenge as part of a full day out.
Located on level 77 of the Q1 Gold Coast high-rise in Surfers Paradise, you’ll find the Gold Coast attraction with one of the most impressive views of the city – SkyPoint Observation Deck. Spend an hour or more at SkyPoint Observation Deck for an unrivalled 360-degree view over the city, stretching all the way to the New South Wales border and Gold Coast hinterland. It also features Australia’s highest external building climb – SkyPoint Climb – for a different perspective for the brave at heart. Level up your vantage point with the SkyPoint day or twilight climbs for those aged 12 years and above. Bring your enclosed shoes, don the supplied suit and strap in for the 90-minute experience on the 270m-high outdoor platform.
Ascend to the SkyPoint Observation Deck on Australia’s fastest elevator ride at just 38 seconds for views from 230m high. The SkyPoint Bistro + Bar is also on hand to enjoy all-day dining with sparkling views and sundowners at sunset, through to 9pm daily.
The stunning coastal suburb of Burleigh Heads has fast become a must-visit Gold Coast attraction, especially for beach lovers. Boasting sea, sand and community attractions, it appeals to all holidaymakers heading to the Gold Coast. Its main claim to fame is the surf beach – a local favourite for all skill levels. The sheltered beach offers consistent waves and is suitable for beginners, while the headland swell is a magnet for more experienced surfers and pros. Learn to stand up at surf schools, go swimming or enjoy the view from the point.
In addition, nature lovers will adore the native fauna and flora at David Fleay Wildlife Park and Burleigh Head National Park, which also has tracks leading down from the mangroves and rainforest to the shores below. Those interested in Indigenous arts and heritage can explore Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, one of the top 20 things to do in Gold Coast, and embark on guided walks. Cafes, restaurants and bars line James Street, so you could easily spend all day in Burleigh Heads.
Just 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach is another popular Gold Coast suburb and a holidaymaker hub with relaxed vibes alongside stylish accommodation and a vibrant shopping, dining and events scene. At the centre is Kurrawa Beach, where the Broadbeach foreshore shows off pristine white sands, lifeguard-patrolled beaches and watersports options on tap, making it suitable for a day trip or longer stay.
Away from the beach, the postcard-perfect area also hosts waterfront creative markets, yoga classes and surf lessons, the Broadbeach Strip of outdoor restaurants, cafes and bars and the major shopping centre, Pacific Fair. You can also cool off with the crew at the verdant Cascade Gardens with a refreshing rainforest wander on the Kokoda Memorial Walk and an all-ability playground and picnic facilities on the Nerang River.
Known as ‘Pac Fair’ to locals, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is one of the best places to go shopping in Gold Coast. The main retail hub has Myer and David Jones department stores, plus international and Australian designer labels and popular chain stores, so it’s easy to lose a few hours here. Situated in Broadbeach, Pacific Fair offers plenty for visitors to indulge in away from the water with more than 400 stores, eateries, kids’ spaces and the alfresco Resort area with sunbeds and water features for a tropical oasis within the centre.
Non-shoppers can enjoy movies at Event Cinemas and Queensland’s only IMAX theatre, the House Down Under experience and other pop-up events. Holidaymakers can also take advantage of the Visitor Privileges Pass with shopping and access to the Visitor Lounge on the ground floor.
Miamia Marketta is THE Gold Coast attraction for foodies and street food lovers to add to their Gold Coast itinerary. The family-friendly nighttime market is a faveourite outing for locals and visitors, offering a smorgasbord of global cuisines served in an atmospheric setting of live music and alfresco energy. With free entry from Wednesday to Saturday, treat your taste buds to a rotating lineup of up to 20 vendors on Street Food Alley.
Located in the Gold Coast beachside suburb of Miami, north of Burleigh Heads, the creative precinct also hosts a year-round calendar of free and ticketed events, including music concerts, art walks, dance parties and tasting experiences, alongside signature events and major festivals, such as the Surface street art festival.
Escape to the green behind the gold with a day trip or overnight or multi-day stay on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland. With nature, art and crafts, adventure, dining and wineries, this idyllic spot in South-East Queensland’s Scenic Rim region is just an hour’s drive from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast and studded with bountiful attractions, inviting all visitors to stay and play.
With its picturesque backdrop, wineries and boutique accommodation, Tamborine Mountain is naturally appealing for weddings, engagements and couples’ retreats, as well as hinterland escapes for families and friends. Nature lovers will find lookouts, walks and waterfalls aplenty and adventurous kids will enjoy glowworm tours and zipline courses. Gourmands will adore tastings at more than local wineries, distilleries and craft breweries on a guided tour as well as foodie finds and art and crafts on Gallery Walk.
Also situated in the Scenic Rim, Lamington National Park is 110km south of Brisbane or 50km southwest from the Gold Coast. It’s made up of two distinct sections: Green Mountains to the west and Binna Burra to the east, each with its own attractions and natural appeal. It’s ideal for road-trippers, adventurous families and foodies to spend a day out or stay longer at eco-friendly accommodation within the national park, such as O’Reilly’s and Binna Burra, plus several camping options at O’Reilly’s Campground.
Getting outdoors is the main drawcard here with Australia’s largest subtropical and prehistoric rainforest, waterfalls and biodiverse landscapes to explore on epic walking tracks, guided tours, hot-air balloons and glowworm caves. There’s lots to lure you away from the serene beauty as well, such as vineyards, picnic spots, pub meals and farm gate stalls in the national park’s gateway towns of Canungra and Beechmont.
Springbrook National Park offers a serene escape filled with cascading waterfalls, cool forests and creeks within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Located 100km south of Brisbane and 36km inland from Nerang in the Gold Coast hinterland, the 6,558ha Springbrook National Park comprises four main sections: Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal, Natural Bridge and Numinbah Valley.
Springbrook is well-known for its spectacular waterfalls, hikes and lookouts over volcanic cliffs by day and glowworm caves at night, which you can DIY or join a guided tour. It’s the ideal getaway for nature lovers, families and those looking to disconnect and reconnect with loved ones on a day trip or overnight. The Settlement camping area is the only available camping and accommodation option in the national park.
The Australian Outback Spectacular dinner and show experience offers a true-blue taste of the Aussie characters, stockmanship and pioneering spirit that shaped the nation. It’s perfectly suited for visitors with an interest in Australia’s colonial heritage with a 105-minute show weaving immersive storytelling, lighting, sound and projection effects and livestock arena action, together with a three-course meal and drinks.
Families will also enjoy pre-show entertainment, including dress-up photo opportunities, animal meet-and-greets and live music. Every attendee receives a straw Stockman’s Hat included in the ticket price to look the part, plus you can add on extras such as a Backstage Tour, program and photo package to take the memories home.
HOTA, Home of the Arts is a one-of-a-kind art, cultural and lifestyle precinct and must-visit Gold Coast attraction for culture lovers that’s conveniently located in Surfers Paradise. The eye-catching building and surroundings host a year-round event calendar, so there’s always something on, no matter when you visit. The visual, digital and physical arts offering alone spans circus, cinema and theatre to dance, comedy, gigs and exhibitions, including kid-friendly shows and events.
Outside of cultural programming, visitors can soak up the ambience at the onsite cafe, bar and restaurant and check out the open-air HOTA Markets every Sunday from 6am to 1pm. Around the grounds, enjoy the Adventure Trail on the Outdoor Stage roof, meander around the 13 striking pieces on the DIY Sculpture Walk and splash about in Evandale Lake for an alternative to ocean swimming with barbecue and picnic facilities on hand.
Explore the Gold Coast’s Aboriginal heritage and culture at the Indigenous-owned and -operated Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Head National Park. With a gallery featuring local Indigenous artists and artefacts on display plus guided walks, Jellurgal offers immersive storytelling, hands-on and active experiences that will ignite interest for culture seekers as well as families, couples, colleagues and groups.
See the connection to Country on a guided cultural exploration of the Burleigh Headland. Tours span from 1.5 hours for the Little Explorers Program for kids during school holidays to the 3.5-hour Jellurgal Journey, a cultural experience, guided walk and workshop. The Cruise with Culture option departs from Marina Mirage along the Gold Coast Broadwater for an immersive experience on the waterways.
The Infinity funhouse is the ideal indoor attraction for rainy days on the Gold Coast, or the perfect immersive diversion for tweens and teens or families with kids aged over eights. Featuring 20 multisensory playscapes and conveniently situated within the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre in Surfers Paradise, Infinity Attraction is a 30-minute walk-through maze experience is one of the most unique activities you can do in Gold Coast.
The first-of-its-kind, interactive experience encompasses special effects, trippy visual and spatial illusions and music soundscapes that will challenge your perception with clues to help you find your way through the spaces.
Dubbed Queensland’s first trick-art gallery, ArtVo Gold Coast is a Gold Coast attraction that’ll appeal to kids and adults alike. Located on the ground floor of the Robina Town Centre retail complex, ArtVo offers an immersive themed experience of optical illusions, appealing to all ages, particularly families with tweens and teens in tow.
Unlike other art museums, ArtVo Gold Coast is interactive, allowing you to touch and step inside an artwork. Across eight massive rooms with larger-than-life murals, you could be having a Harry Potter station moment, trapped in an hourglass or fighting a dragon. Highly Instagrammable sets have trick photography experts on hand to help you strike a pose for the best mementos.
Not just for serious golfers, Topgolf Gold Coast brings a social swing to a day or night out with family or friends in high-tech, private indoor-outdoor bays that mix playtime with food and drinks delivered directly to your table. The venue also has a rooftop terrace and indoor sports bar with DJs and regular events to hype up the game-time ambience – the perfect place for young adults or groups of friends looking for a good time and a unique experience in Gold Coast
Topgolf Gold Coast has 90 all-weather, climate-controlled bays that can accommodate up to eight people. Your hitting bay comes with complimentary club hire (including junior clubs) and a choice of more than 10 games, from friendly competition and traditional target practice to family-friendly themes and fast-paced challenges. With high-tech ball tracking doing the scoring, all you have to do is tee up and have fun.
The Gold Coast abounds with indoor and outdoor attractions with fun-filled, family-friendly options that will appeal to all kids from tots to teens, plus grownups.
- Dreamworld
- Sea World
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Warner Bros. Movie World
- Surfers Paradise
- Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast
- ArtVo
The best Gold Coast attractions for adults
Blessed with stunning surrounds, exhilarating attractions and a world-class cultural and culinary scene, adults will be spoiled for choice for attractions on a Gold Coast getaway.
- Tamborine Mountain
- SkyPoint Climb
- HOTA, Home of the Arts
- Miami Marketta
- Topgolf Gold Coast
The best Gold Coast attractions for couples
With picture-perfect beachfront and romantic, serene hinterland settings as your backdrop, the scene is set for a romantic escape for two on the Gold Coast.
- SkyPoint Observation Deck
- Tamborine Mountain
- Sanctuary Cove
- Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast
- Lamington National Park
The best outdoor attractions on the Gold Coast
Save your dollars for another day – these top five free Gold Coast attractions will cost you nothing but a good time.
- Surfers Paradise
- Tamborine Mountain
- HOTA, Home of the Arts
- O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk
- Currumbin Rock Pools
Flights to Gold Coast
Virgin Australia offers direct flights to the Gold Coast from major Australian cities, including:
