When is the best time of year to fly to the Gold Coast?

With an average of 300 sunny days a year, the Gold Coast truly is the ultimate year-round destination, and unlike other Australian cities, not-so-traditional seasons.

During Summer (December to February) you’ll find an average temperature of 20-28 degrees, with a few rainy-day exceptions. A picture-perfect time to visit the Gold Coast for the glorious beaches and for exploring the nearby hinterland where it’s a little cooler. This is peak time on the Gold Coast, especially over the school holidays, so we recommend that you book your flight in advance for the best value ticket.

Autumn (March to May) is the ideal time to visit the Gold Coast to enjoy the many outdoor activities, with sunny days and warm nights between 16-26 degrees.

Winter (June to August) is yet another great time to visit the Gold Coast, with sunny dry days, lower humidity, less rain, and temperatures a comfortable average of 11-21 degrees. A great time to enjoy the theme parks, it’s also a popular time for the “southerners” to visit and escape their harsh winter.

Spring (September to November) is a great time to enjoy the many water sports on offer, September often being windy is ideal for windsurfing, kiteboarding and sailing. The temperature averages 15-25 degrees.

What are the Gold Coast's top attractions?

The Gold Coast offers travellers so much to see, experience and explore – brilliant beaches, theme parks, nature, culture, events and festivals. The below is just a small sample of the Gold Coast’s top attractions.

SkyPoint

Zip up to the 230-metre high observation deck at Surfers Paradise’s Q1, the world’s tallest residential building, for a birds-eye view of the Gold Coast and hinterland. For the daring tackle the SkyPoint Climb or visit on Friday and Saturday nights when it turns into a cocktail bar.

Theme Parks

One of the biggest attractions to the Gold Coast are by far the theme parks.

Village Roadshow offer great value mega-passes for 14-day entry to their range of theme parks – Sea World, Warner Bros Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, and the kid-friendly farm-park Paradise Country.

Dreamworld, which touts itself as the biggest theme park, offers over 40 rides and attractions. Attractions include Tiger Island, the ‘Big 9 Thrill Rides’, plus for the little ones - Wiggles World and the DreamWorks experience.

Also operated by Dreamworld is their water park, WhiteWater World, with its huge variety of slides including the new “Fully 6”.

Lamington National Park

Put on those hiking shoes and explore the 160km of walking trails on UNESCO World Heritage Site Lamington National Park.

Springbrook National Park

A world away from the glitzy beaches you’ll discover an ancient volcanic landscape in the 27 sq km Springbrook National Park. Enjoy the cooler temperature and this walking wonderland full of some of Australia’s oldest trees - and cool off in the rock pools.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

This heritage listed zoological garden includes Australia’s biggest rainforest aviary, kangaroo and crocodile feeding, ample Instagram photo opportunities, and so much more. A must on your visit to the Gold Coast.

Jellurgal Aboriginal Culture Centre

At the base of Burleigh Head, Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre will step you into the past and immerse you in the culture of the region’s first inhabitants at the magical mountain, Jellurgal. Fully owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community this is a must-do experience.

Want more? Make sure to check out our guide on the best things to do in Gold Coast.

Where to find the best beaches on the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast has more than 20 beautiful beaches for you to visit, so here are a few worth visiting. But for more beach-hopping fun, make sure to check out our guide to the best Gold Coast beaches and what makes them so great.

Surfers Paradise

Undoubtedly Queensland’s most iconic stretch of sand, Surfers Paradise Beach lives up to its name with three kilometres of big, barrelling waves. Backed by an undulating landscape of skyscrapers and palm trees to boot, this inner-city beach places all of the convenience of CBD living just steps from the sea.

Burleigh Heads

Hailed as one of the best breaks in the country, Burleigh Heads is the go-to beach for travellers hoping to catch a few waves while in the Gold Coast – but this sheltered cove isn’t exclusively for surfers. Afforded with a fringe of tall pine trees and spectacular skyline views, Burleigh Heads is just as suited to sunbathers looking to soak up the rays.

Main Beach

Looking for more than a lazy afternoon in the sand? Gold Coast’s Main Beach goes well beyond sun and sea to keep visitors entertained. Try your hand at parasailing, jet skiing or fly boarding with Gold Coast Watersports, or embrace your inner James Bond on a Jetpack Adventure, where you can propel yourself from the sea to the sky in a matter of seconds.

Palm Beach

If the Gold Coast’s city beaches have too much hustle and bustle for your liking, escape to the tranquil shores of Palm Beach and Tallebudgera Creek. Named the cleanest beach in the Gold Coast on three separate occasions, this pristine patch of sand is coveted for its laid-back atmosphere, friendly surf club and convenient location just 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise.

Where to eat on the Gold Coast?

You’ll find everything from cheap-eats to fine-dining signature restaurants sprawled across the Gold Coast, with some leading hot-spots in Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach.

Where to find the best Cafes?

Lovers of crafted coffees and creative breakfast menus, the Gold Coast is booming with funky cafes. Too many to note, so here is just a sample of the goodness you’ll discover.

Experience your first Nutella ‘cruffin’ at part café, part bakehouse Bam Bam Bakehouse located in Broadbeach.

At BSKT Café in Mermaid Beach you’ll discover an industrial-styled café metres from the beach with organic produce and a menu that includes a great range for vegans and gluten-free patrons. Another must-visit in Mermaid Beach is The Milkman’s Daughter, specialising in vegan and vegetarian meals - try their lemon ricotta pancakes.

In Miami enjoy the grunge factor of Daymaker Expresso, formerly a workshop; and iconic bucket-list cafe Paddock Bakery set in a relaxed garden setting.

Don’t miss one of Burleigh Heads original cafes, Commune, where you can sink into the retro lounge chairs and devour their signature corn fritters.

Where to find the best dining?

The Gold Coast is well and truly leading the culinary pack with incredible dining experiences on offer, below is just a smattering of what you’ll find.

For lust-worthy ocean view dining don’t miss acclaimed modern Asian restaurant Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads, hands-down one of the best restaurants on the Gold Coast.

If you’re super serious about steaks head to the very stylish Harry’s Steak Bistro and Bar in Burleigh Heads.

For modern Australian fare make tracks to Social Eating House and Bar in Broadbeach, the menu sporting everything from soft shell crab to lamb.

Italian for ‘pocket’, Tasca, located in Coolangatta, is an intimate wine bar with modern Italian dishes to match.

Whilst in Surfers Paradise visit QT Gold Coast’s signature restaurant Yamagen, for innovative Japanese cuisine and one of Queensland’s largest Japanese whisky collections.

Want to impress your date? Make a booking at The North Room in Mermaid Beach, an intimate bistro offering a refined European-style dining experience.

Where to find the best food markets?

Weekend’s unveil the very best food markets on the Gold Coast.

On Saturday’s explore Burleigh Market, Helensvale Farmers Market, Marina Mirage Farmers Market and Palm Beach Currumbin Farmers Market.

Venture on Sunday’s to Miami’s Gold Coast Organic Market, Bundall Farmers Market, Markets in the Meadow in Bundall, Mudgeeraba Country Markets, and Nerang Fresh Produce and Craft Market.

Where to find the best cheap eats?

You won’t be pressed to find a tasty low-cost meal on the Gold Coast.

For $10 you can tuck into a cheeseburger on Cheesy Tuesday at Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar in Surfers Paradise. If you want to do the burger challenge, venture to Pretty Handsome in Miami, where they do a towering burger and fries for $10 on selected nights.

Make a trip (or two) to Miami Marketta for everything from Mexican to Italian, Hungarian, Greek, Japanese and more. Don’t just take our word – it took out the Best Place for Tasty Cheap Eats category in the 2019 Eat/Drink Awards!

For Mexican washed down with salty margaritas dine at La Diosa Mexicana in Surfers Paradise. It’s $3 “Taco Tuesday”, so an affordable lunch on the run.

For tasty vegetarian nosh for a tenner make your way to Govindas on James Street in Burleigh Heads.

And at That’s Amore in Miami your mid-week lunches are sorted, with a pizza or pasta with garlic bread and a can of soft drink for an unbelievable $10.

Where to shop on the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast is a shopping mecca with everything from weekend bohemian-style art and craft markets, 10 major shopping centres, premium outlets, and boardwalk shopping.

For bargain hunters

For the biggest discounts make your way to Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre in Biggera Waters. You’ll discover over 240 stores, everything from Adidas outlet to Armani, City Beach to Calvin Klein.

For fashionistas

Fashionistas beware, plan a full day for your visit to Pacific Fair – with over 400 stores you’ll find the latest in fashion and street wear here.

The Gold Coast is also home to unique boutiques. Some of the Coast’s coolest are Emte in Burleigh Heads, About a Girl in Nobby’s Beach, White Bohemian in swanky Palm Beach, Substance Boutique in Robina Quays, Love St in Miami and Bird on a Wire in Burleigh.

For beach luxe, boho, and up-and-coming designer threads, jewellery and accessories, don’t miss a visit to The Village Markets in Burleigh Heads.

For the lovers of vintage!

The GC is full to the brim with cool vintage stores, you’ll find everything from pre-loved clothing to collectable items. It’s also home to an array of epic markets – a must-do is The Village Markets Rack Sale for second-hand threads.

Walk into Found – a Gold Coast institution in Tugun and fall in love with the mid-century-modern furniture, Miss Brown Vintage in Burleigh for their huge range of 70s boho chic, and Thryft GC in Burleigh where all vintage and pre-loved clothing is under $5.

You’ll also find a minefield of great vintage clothes and trinkets in op-shops too (if not already snapped up by the locals).

For everything in between

You won’t be stuck for places to shop on the Gold Coast. Once you’ve visited Pacific Fair, take a visit to Australia Fair, Marina Mirage, Robina Town Centre, The Oasis Shopping Centre, and more.