Gold Coast: Essential Experiences
What if we presented a 42-kilometer stretch of pristine white sandy beaches, an inviting climate, along with numerous shopping and dining options? Welcome to the City of Gold Coast, Australia!
This city has enhanced its hospitality offerings with establishments utilizing farm-fresh, locally sourced Queensland produce, elevating dining experiences from casual cafés to upscale restaurants along the glittering strip. Following recent airport expansions, travel has become more affordable as the city prepares to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Consider adding these 10 ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES on the Gold Coast to your itinerary when visiting this sunlit destination!
1. Sky Point Climb
Remarkably, the Gold Coast features more canals than Venice. The best vantage point to appreciate this intricate network of waterways is from the top of Australia’s tallest building climb, the iconic Q1 Resort Broadbeach. With 360-degree panoramic views, you can absorb the landscape stretching from the coastal expanse of Stradbroke Island to Coolangatta, along with the adjacent mountains and hinterland. This 90-minute open-air experience is truly inspiring, and the Q1 Observation Deck serves as a fantastic location to unwind with a drink after your ascent.
2. The Super Bank
This location is arguably home to one of the most renowned waves globally. On any given day, you may witness world champion surfers such as Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, and Stephanie Gilmore riding the Super Bank, which extends from Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay at the southern end of the Gold Coast. A nearly flawless wave breaks just meters from the beach, providing an excellent opportunity to capture close-up photographs of the surfers.
3. Elk Café Broadbeach
In a similar vein to Urth Café in Hollywood, Elk Café stands as a Gold Coast equivalent. Given that blockbusters such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Thor, King Kong, and The Shallows were filmed nearby at Movie World, a wide array of celebrities—including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Tom Hiddleston, Taylor Swift, and even Orlando Bloom with his son Flynn—have been spotted dining here. Renowned for premium freshly roasted coffee and gourmet breakfasts, this establishment is a quintessential choice. Recommended dishes include Coconut, Lime & Beetroot Panna Cotta with puffed grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and yogurt, as well as The Very Green Salad comprising sautéed kale, silverbeet, peas, asparagus, broccolini, roasted pumpkin, beetroot labneh, toasted hazelnuts, and free-range poached eggs.
4. The Theme Parks
The Gold Coast is synonymous with amusement, featuring renowned attractions such as Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, SeaWorld, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Families will find endless activities, from kangaroo feeding to thrilling roller coasters, refreshing water slides, swimming with dolphins, and watching world-class stunt shows. It is indeed an essential experience for families on the Gold Coast.
5. Day trip to Lady Elliot Island
Imagine starting your day with breakfast on the Gold Coast, followed by snorkeling and a buffet lunch on the Great Barrier Reef, then returning to the city for dinner. With the new Gold Coast Airport, it is indeed possible to experience the Great Barrier Reef within a day! Flights to Lady Elliot Island, known for Manta Ray sightings and turtle encounters, depart from Coolangatta Airport.
6. Hot Air Ballooning
The exhilaration of ballooning is challenging to articulate, making this ancient mode of flight a requisite addition to any traveler’s checklist. Begin your day observing the sunrise as you gently glide over the lush hills of the Gold Coast hinterland. Bringing your own camera is advisable to capture stunning images of the sun illuminating the canals and reflecting off the high-rises as you drift toward the east. Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast offers an unforgettable experience. Post-flight, savor a delightful country-style hot breakfast at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards & Grand Homestead.
7. Nightfall Wilderness Camping
Offering a blend of rustic charm and luxury, this concept—known as ‘glamping’—is set among the rapids and mountains of Lamington National Park. Nightfall allows you to slumber under the stars in a king-size bed, with kangaroos greeting you in the morning. Experience vintage tin bathtubs, organic amenities, gourmet hampers, secluded picnics, rainforest massages, and campfires that merge timelessness with contemporary comforts.
8. The Gold Coast Hinterland, Purling Brook Falls
During the wet season in Queensland (December to March), the breathtaking rush of waterfalls in the Gold Coast Hinterland can be a truly mesmerizing sight. Although the falls at Currumbin Rock-Pools and Mt Tamborine attract many visitors, venturing into Springbrook National Park can reveal stunning photo opportunities without the crowds. A picturesque walk leads to Purling Brook Falls, located in the heart of the rainforest. While it is possible to view this waterfall from the base, one must exercise caution following heavy rain due to the risk of falling rocks, showcasing nature in its unspoiled brilliance.
9. Burleigh Headland National Park
This central Gold Coast headland features a national park trail offering picturesque views from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta. Experience the long white beaches and transparent waters while meandering through a rainforest rich in indigenous history. This location also serves as an excellent vantage point for observing whales migrating along the coastline from June to September.
10. Humpback Whale Watching
During the period from June to November, visitors can engage in an intimate encounter with the largest mammals on Earth while on the Gold Coast. With a promise of 100% sightings or your money back, there is ample confidence to allocate a day for this remarkable boating adventure. Witnessing these magnificent creatures up close allows for a true appreciation of their size and unique characteristics.
This article was co-written by Gold Coast weather and lifestyle presenter @lizcantor for GoTravelDaily!
