Queensland’s Gold Coast is best known for its beaches, but there is plenty more natural beauty to discover here.
The Gold Coast has some stunning national parks, from the dramatic coastline hugging Burleigh National Park to the cool rainforest walks of Tamborine Mountain and thousands of glowworms at Springbrook. It’s also the ideal spot to immerse yourself in nature as you walk the Scenic Rim. Or to take the time to discover how the frenetic energy of Surfers Paradise is a far cry from the old-school vibes at Rainbow Bay. Or to stroll along the most famous stretch of sand in all of Queensland. So, sit back, relax and let us show you the different sides of this popular tourist destination.
There will surely be a beautiful beach close to wherever you’re staying and plenty of different spots to explore. Miami has cute retro beach shacks lining the beach and a headland offering 180-degree views. People watching at Surfers Paradise will keep you entertained for hours, and Coolangatta has some of the Gold Coast’s best surf breaks and two separate patrolled areas. If the swimming conditions aren’t good at one, the other is usually fine for swimming. Broadbeach has a thriving dining scene and a lively evening vibe.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been operating for over 60 years and has the world’s most extensive collection of Australian native wildlife. It’s considered so significant that the National Trust manages it. Feeding the lorikeets is as popular now as it was in the ‘50s. The raucous parrots land on the bowls of food, arms, heads and shoulders in a chaotic kaleidoscope of colour. Don’t miss a visit to the animal hospital, where you can watch the vets work. Learn about rehabilitating the injured native animals brought to the sanctuary for treatment.
Whale watching
Seeing whales on the Gold Coast between June and November is an amazing experience. It’s possible to book a whale watching tour but you can also spot whales from the shore as this part of the coastline is known as the 'Whale Highway' due to the number of sightings. It’s not unusual to see a pod of whales cruising so close to shore you can hear the blow as they squirt water into the air at Point Danger. The Burleigh headland is another top spot to look for whales. If you’re really lucky, you might see a mother and calf, a breaching humpback leaping high into the air, or whale tails slapping the top of the ocean.
Mount Tamborine is a pretty mountaintop community that is an easy 40 minute drive from the Gold Coast but feels like a world away. Galleries and restaurants line the picturesque main street and Queensland’s oldest national park, Tamborine Mountain National Park, offers stunning scenery and impressive views of the Pacific Ocean and Gold Coast’s distant high rise. Admire the gorge, waterfalls and rock pools on a walk to Cedar Creek Falls along the lookout track, a route that is suitable for strollers and assisted wheelchair access, or trace the footsteps of folklore on a walk at Witches Falls.
Lamington National Park has two sections—Green Mountains (O’Reilly) and Binna Burra — and two roads to choose from, both stunning in their own way. At Binna Burra, you can connect with the land’s traditional owners on the Caves Circuit, a 5km return walk which travels through the fire-blackened Kweebani Caves which were once used for shelter and cooking by the Yugambeh people. At the top of Green Mountain, watch for yellow-throated scrubwrens and logrunners and take a stroll along the 30 minute Rainforest Return walk at the start of the lengthy Border Track.
The Gold Coast’s markets are filled with bespoke, handmade finds and delicious produce. For ocean views and quirky souvenirs, head to the lively Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. Listen to talented local musicians and browse works by local artists and jewelry at the Coolangatta Art & Craft Market. At Carrara Markets you’ll see everything from bric-a-brac to one-off fashions and handmade arts and crafts. If you’re looking for a well-priced meal, you’ll find plenty of food trucks and affordable snack options at all of the markets on the Gold Coast.
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Sydney to Brisbane Adventure
Kim Ngan · Traveled April 2024
Lots of different activities and places covered in this trip which is a great opportunity for me to immerse myself in nature and enrich my cultural knowledge. I have made lovely friends and had a great time to relax and unwind! My highlights would be the 2-hour kayaking at beautiful Byron Bay and seeing adorable koalas and kangaroos in the wildlife. Understanding that this trip is run for the first time, so "hiccups" (issues) are unavoidable. However, I am very pleased with our tour guide, Jonny Weston who was doing 2 people's jobs (tour guide & driver). Throughout the whole trip, Jonny was always happy to assist whenever needed. For example, although during a challenging time, Jonny remained calm, polite and showed his caring towards all tour members which made me impressed! Thank you and keep up the good work, Jonny :)
Review submitted 21 Apr 2024
Walk Queensland's Scenic Rim
Linda · Traveled October 2023
The scenic rim trip was fantastic. The hikes were really good and generally not too challenging (except for my dodgy knee!). The Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony was great. We visited a couple of local wineries and had dinner at 3 different country pubs which was fun. Mt Barney Lodge was a beautiful old building full of history. The guide Jonny was well organised and very knowledgeable, and the group were all good company and supportive. I'd definitely recommend this trip.
Review submitted 13 Oct 2023
Walk Queensland's Scenic Rim
Emma · Traveled August 2023
This trip was incredible! The walks were so enjoyable and full of wildlife- we saw Cat birds, wallabies, Lyre Birds, and even a friendly Python! Beautiful trails that are easy to walk while taking it all in! This trip is the perfect opportunity to experience the Scenic Rim on a variety of trails and activities that teach you tons about the area and First Nations. Truly an iconic, beautiful experience that I would recommend to anyone!
Review submitted 14 Aug 2023
Walk Queensland's Scenic Rim
Hilary · Traveled August 2023
Enjoyed the scenic rim.loved learning about the geography , walking with rainforest and fabulous views , interesting cultural experiences and nice people .
Review submitted 13 Aug 2023
Walk Queensland's Scenic Rim
Bernadette · Traveled July 2023
The Scenic Rim was a great trip. Our leader Joel has an amazing knowledge and passion for the area and loved sharing it with us.
The walks are easily achieved by anyone with reasonable fitness . They are all on formed tracks apart from one very short Rick hop which is optional.
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring a new area and it has whet my appetite to go back and continue exploring.
Review submitted 14 Jul 2023
Gold Coast travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Gold Coast International Airport is located 20km south of Surfers Paradise.
Brisbane is the closest capital city to the Gold Coast.
Driving from here to the northern (and the closest) end of the Gold Coast takes around an hour.
Trains from Brisbane will take you to Helensvale station. From here, the G:link tram takes you as far south as Broadbeach.
Long-distance buses traveling up and down the east coast of Australia also stop at the Gold Coast.
Both the capital city of Brisbane and the glitzy Gold Coast are popular destinations for travellers looking for a nice, sunny holiday, and if you want to travel between the two, it's extremely easy. There are several transportation options to get you from Brisbane to the Gold Coast including self-driving, flying, and catching various modes of public transport.
It's possible to get around the Gold Coast by catching a public bus, shuttle bus, taxi, or an Uber or hiring a car. Driving is the easiest way to get around but it can take a while due to traffic and the number of traffic lights. The G:link tram travels from Helensvale as far south as Broadbeach. Surfside Buslines also travel throughout the Gold Coast and will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go along the coast. If you want to visit the Gold Coast hinterland, you'll need to hire a car or join a small group tour.
Late spring, summer, and early fall are perfect for hitting the beach. Winter offers clear blue days, crisp evenings, and accommodation bargains galore.
If you want to avoid sharing your holiday with recently finished high schoolers, avoid traveling to the Gold Coast from mid-November to early December. Accommodation prices skyrocket during this time, and the city becomes extremely busy.
The Gold Coast is a laid-back destination; smart casual is the most common dress style for a night out unless you plan on hitting the clubs at Surfers Paradise.
The Gold Coast is pleasantly warm throughout the year, although it can get cool in the evening, so bring a lightweight sweater just in case.
If you're heading to the Gold Coast hinterland, it's worth noting that temperatures are significantly cooler here compared to what you'll experience at the beach throughout the year.
Bring swimwear as you may like to go swimming, even in winter. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are necessary as the Gold Coast is famous for its sunny weather.
The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination which means the internet coverage tends to be excellent.
The only exception to this is the Gold Coast hinterland where it is not uncommon to experience a lack of signal now and again in some sections of the national parks.
The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination which means the mobile phone coverage tends to be excellent. The only exception to this is the Gold Coast hinterland where it is not uncommon to experience a lack of signal now and again in some sections of the national parks.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.