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Let’s be honest – there are somethings in life that don’t live up to their name. Gold Coast, in Australia is not one of them. Close your eyes and listen to those two words – do they evoke golden beaches, a glitzy skyline and day after day of warm, liquid sunshine? Well, if so, then you’ve hit the jackpot. Gold Coast Tourism offers you all of that and so much more. So, today, we’re going to cross the ocean to one of Australia’s most beautiful cities. Ready? Let’s go!
| Gold Coast: A Quick View of the state | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Official Language | English |
| Dial Code | 00-61+ area code |
| Population | 569,997 (2016) |
| Currency | Australian Dollar |
| Time Zone | (GMT+10) |
| Area | 414.3 square kilometres |
For a city with coast, as the second half of its name and gold as its first, you’ve got to assume that it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – and you won’t be wrong. Shops and cafes litter the beachfronts, deserted lighthouse walks invite you to take a stroll, dolphins twist, leap and slice through the clear blue water…it is entirely possible to be besotted with the beaches of Gold Coast. You’ll have plenty to choose from – walk, cycle and swim at the Main Beach – a mellow and marvellous stretch of sand and water. If you’re looking for a busier beach, it can’t get better than Surfers Paradise. Surrounded by high-rises, malls, arcade halls, Pandanus palms and Tamarisk pines, this wide beach offers all kinds of activities, including biking, skateboarding, walking and yes, surfing. Next, there’s Mermaid Beach – surrounded by the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. If you’ve got one eye on the waves, then let your feet guide you to Burleigh Heads beach. Fringed with stately Norfolk pines, brightened by a busy shopping strip and well patrolled with lifeguards, this is the perfect beach to break out that new surfboard. You can also explore Gold Coast treasures like Tallebudgera Creek, Nobby Beach, Currumbin, South Stadbroke and more.
If the fringes of this city are soaked in Gold and Blue, then its heart is a lush green. Head, through the towns of Canungra or Springbrook, to the cool hills of Gold Coast hinterland. However, before you do, spend a day tracking the glide of deep blue giants on a whale watching tour - You never know when you might spot a magnificent Humpback whale breaching the water. Next, drive to Currumbin Valley, where you’ll see lush green pastures transform into mighty rainforests. Swim at the Currumbin rock pools and spend the day at the National Park. If you’re looking for a relaxing day at the park, well Gold Coast has over 3,800 parks to explore – perfect for barbeques and picnics with family and friends. It doesn’t end there…Lamington National Park, Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park, Burliegh Head National Park, Curtis Fall at the Tamborine National Park are just some of Gold Coast’s famous places to visit.
A stir-fry of different cuisines, Gold Coast offers everything from hatted restaurants, street-eats, cafes, breweries and more. For the best of Asian Food, head to Melba’s Asian Seafood, Taiwan Dami and Hideway Kitchen and Bar. After a hot day at the beach, dust the sand from your hands and take advantage of Gold Coast’s best breweries like the Black Hops Brewery, Tamborine Mountain Distillery (Australia’s most awarded distillery) and Granddad Jacks Craft Distillery. For the classic Australian experience, Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, offers authentic Australian delights, paired with a view of the waves and the beach. Sample more local produce, home grown ingredients and Australian favourites at Rainforest Restaurant or Alleys Restaurant and Bar.
Designer malls, entertainment centres, wildlife sanctuaries, zoos… tourism in Gold Coast will leave you dizzy with delight. Climb up to the top of SkyPoint (Australia’s tallest residential tower) for stunning views of the city. Feel the enchantment and excitement after a day at Sea World – the largest marine park in Australia, with its fan-favourite performances by sea lions, dolphins and penguins. The park also offers rollercoaster rides, which are sea themed. If you can’t get enough of theme parks, a trip to Dreamworld is a must. Live shows, rollercoasters, sunset safaris and a zoo which includes kangaroos, crocodiles and dingos – the park will keep you busy all day. You also have the Warner Bros Movie World, Cavil’s avenue (a shopping and entertainment centre), Island Kayaking, bushwalking and river cruises to fill up your time in the city.
Perched on the edge of Australia, this city is a Golden slice of sand, sun and surf, located approximately 66 kilometres, south east of the Queensland state capital – Brisbane. For those in New South Wales, Gold Coast can be found in the north, where it shares a border with the state.
Click here to view Gold Coast on Google Map
Queensland, where Gold Coast is located, is often referred to as the Sunshine State. This is, in large part, due to the weather of Gold Coast. The city experiences over 300 days of sunshine, however the best time to visit is between May and October. The warm weather makes the sand and the water the place to be in Gold Coast. Temperatures hover between 11 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius, with a nice warm golden sunshine drizzled on top.
By Air: Gold Coast’s airport – Coolangatta Airport – is small but well situated. It connects to both domestic areas in Australia, as well as the bigger cities worldwide. Although flights directly to Gold Coast are rather rare, you can always catch a flight to Sydney, Melbourne or any other big city in Australia, before making your way to Gold Coast.
From Australia (Bus/Rail): If you’re travelling to another city and then making your way to Gold Coast, here are some tips. If you land in Brisbane, you can take the Logan Motorway to Gold Coast. If you prefer rail over road, the Airtrain is a good option. You can catch a train every half an hour, seven days a week for a comfortable and easy trip.
Gold Coast is the home of the indigenous Yugambeh people, which includes the Kombumerri, Bullongin and Tulgi-gi-gin clans. Lieutenant James Cook was the first European, though, to identify this slice of the coast, when he sailed close in 1770. However, the region remained uninhabited by outsiders until 1823, when an explorer by the name of John Oxley landed on Mermaid Beach. In less than 50 years, though, the region experienced a lot of change, including the building of towns and settlements, and Southport (a business district near Gold Coast) was considered a retreat for wealthy Brisbane residents.
Interestingly, Gold Coast was initially referred to as the South Coast. Inflated real estate and goods led to the (rather derogatory) moniker Gold Coast. Over time, though, with tourism on the rise, locals began to see the name in a kinder more glorious light, and in 1958, Gold Coast officially became the name of the region. A year later, the area was proclaimed as a city.
If you’re interested in Gold Coast Tourism, or Australia in general, check out our curated Australia packages! Safe travelling to you, mate.
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