Gold Coast Experiences

Live life on the edge when you visit Gold Coast’s impressive SkyPoint. Soaring 270 metres into the salty coastal air is Australia’s highest external building climb, atop the iconic Q1 skyscraper in Surfers Paradise. Take a high-speed elevator and a 50-metre stairway to the summit, and marvel at uninterrupted views of this beach city. Follow the ocean vistas to the Nerang River and the hinterland, spotting hidden gems you’d never be privy to from below.

Create lasting memories for a lifetime at Dreamworld with more than 40 rides and rollercoasters, meet and greets with your favourite ABC Kids or Wiggles characters, and more! Glide across the ice in skating boots during Winterfest, cuddle up to lambs at the petting zoo and finish your day with a lick of your favourite ice cream.

Cool off at Wet ‘n Wild with the whole family. Splash your way through Australia’s biggest and best water park with world-class pools and waterslides. Experience endless hours of fun-filled thrills and book a family cabana for a memorable day with your tribe.

For a dose of nostalgia, get lost in fantasy, superheros and cartoons, and meet your movie icons up close and personal at Warner Bros Movie World. Say hello to Bugs Bunny or give Scooby Doo a snuggle, snap a photo with Wonder Woman or ride one of 20 thrilling rollercoasters and attractions.  

Observe the majestic sea animals when you visit Sea World and catch the popular dolphin show. Watch seals splash about in the seal show or come face to face with penguins in their snowy habitat. Feed stingrays as they glide through the water, then marvel at underwater sensations in Shark Bay Discovery, and don’t forget the illuminated sea jellies exhibition for a whole lot of glowing fun.

Be dazzled by countless shopping destinations on the Gold Coast. Famous for its iconic shopping locations, visit Robina Town Centre, Australia Fair and Pacific Fair for high-end, high-street and local labels. Check out Harbour Town, the popular outlet mall and nab yourself an epic bargain. For artisan wares and handmade crafts, venture to The Village Markets and Desert Digs Vintage Markets in Burleigh, Beachfront Markets in Surfers Paradise, HOTA farmers markets in Bundall and Twilight Markets in Miami. For special, boutique shopping, head to Marina Mirage in Main Beach or stroll along James Street in Burleigh.

Experience ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation with a well-deserved pamper session. With a lush, green backdrop of the hinterland and an endless stretch of golden sand, nature sets the tone for health, wellness and vitality. The shimmering coastline hosts beautiful retreats, including Eforea Spa at Hilton Surfers Paradise where they take you through their ‘journeys’ of essentials, escape and enhancement to help melt your stress away. Slow down, digitally detox and get mindful at Eden Health Retreat in Currumbin or Nirvana Wellness sanctuary for yoga, sustainability and soul-cleansing.

Perfect your swing on the golf course from Surfers Paradise to golfers’ paradise. With over 30 golf courses coastwide, the region has become a mecca for golf enthusiasts. The Gold Coast has one of the largest collections of golf courses in the whole of Australia, each one different from the next, sporting unique layouts designed by golfing champions like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman. For the ultimate golfing holiday on the Gold Coast, stay at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, home to the Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club. Spread across 101 hectares of pine forest, the tree-lined fairway is made up of 18 holes, surrounding by lakes. 

Famous for its wildlife, the Gold Coast is home to wild koalas, kangaroos, parrakeets, cockatiels and more. Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and observe the largest collection of native Australian animals in the world. From wombats to snakes, koalas, kangaroos and giant crocodiles, Currumbin is the perfect place to meet the fury, scaly and feathery locals. David Fleay Wildlife Park is also a great option to witness the Gold Coast’s natural inhabitants in a more intimate setting. Not your average zoo, you’ll find animals simply existing in nature in their complementary setting. A highlight is meeting Queensland Park Rangers who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of flora and fauna. 

Head to the rainforest in Springbrook to witness some of the most awe-inspiring waterfalls. Natural Bridge boasts a waterfall cascading down through a glow worm cave with many little streams and falls throughout the easy hike. Lamington, Mount Barney and Main Range National Parks provide a home for a range of rare plant and animal species. Ground-dwelling birds, such as the Albert’s Lyrebird and the endangered Eastern Bristlebird, found their haven in the sub-tropical rainforests in Lamington and Main Range National Parks. The environment of the wet sclerophyll forests of Mount Barney National Park is critical for the survival of the Plumed Frogmouth. Hike up mountains, swim under waterfalls, trek along walking tracks and discover unique wildlife in the Gondwana Rainforests.

Drive 45 minutes from the bustle of the Gold Coast and find yourself amongst the dense greenery of Mount Tambourine. There are nine walking tracks through the mountain’s national parks and each one leads to picture-perfect destinations. For a rainforest walking experience beyond compare, head to the treetops for the Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk. The steel-structured Skywalk Bridge stretches for 1.5 kilometres through the lush rainforest of Mount Tambourine. Walk above the rainforest and peer down at the diverse fauna and flora before descending to the lower canopy to the rock pools and the butterfly lookout point. For our adrenaline seekers, challenge yourself to the ultimate treetop adventure and visit Australia’s largest Tree Adventure Park, TreeTop Challenge at Mount Tambourine. There are more than 120 challenges and obstacles hanging from the trees of the Tambourine Rainforest, spread over six courses across nine acres. Kids, adults, adventurers, hikers, climbers and nature lovers will love this experience!