Get Up and Gold Coast – why a one-day trip down south isn’t enough
World-class surf breaks, picturesque beaches, towering high-rises – you might think you already know the Gold Coast, but Australia’s sixth-largest city offers more than meets the eye. Just more than an hour down the M1 – or a straightforward train-and-tram trip via Helensvale – it’s an easy escape that barely feels like a trip. Beyond the beach, you’ll find hinterland escapes, adventure, and long lunches that roll into sunset drinks.
City sophistication
The Gold Coast’s culinary offering extends well beyond casual eateries, with top restaurants and bars dotted along the coastline and surrounds. For an elevated night out, head to The Star’s modern Japanese-inspired Kiyomi, iconic pan-Asian establishment Rick Shores or Restaurant Labart in Burleigh Heads for a rotating a la carte menu with a contemporary European bistro feel. Walk straight from the beach to a relaxed long lunch at Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, or dive into one (or two) Detroit-style pizzas at Franc Jrs in Palm Beach or Nobby Beach.
When cocktail hour rolls around, visit HOTA Gallery’s rooftop bar The Exhibitionist, or take a leaf out of the locals’ book with a visit to speakeasy nook Roosevelt Lounge or Rosella’s Bar, where native Australian ingredients like eucalyptus, emu apple and Davidson plum find their way on the cocktail list.
Relaxation beyond the beach
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Everyone knows the high-energy surf and skyline views of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the laidback shores of Burleigh Beach and Tallebudgera Creek – but there’s plenty more to discover close by. Settle in at five-star luxury hotels QT Gold Coast or Mondrian Gold Coast, or head further south to Kirra Point Holiday Apartments for a relaxed setting with panoramic views of Kirra Beach.
Trade the surfboard for a sauna, soak and wind-down at Native State, or treat yourself to a dip at Soak Bathhouse in Mermaid Beach, complete with open-air mineral pools, hot spas and cold plunges. For relaxation without the kids, make tracks for Tamborine Mountain’s SOL Elements Bathhouse & Spa – an adults-only, device-free retreat inspired by Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy.
Adventure and events
When the adrenaline bug strikes, the Gold Coast has plenty to keep it fed. Launching daily from the Nerang River is Jetboat Extreme, Australia’s largest jetboat tour operator, offering world-class sightseeing with a pedal-to-the-metal rush, often joined by a dolphin or sea eagle. For a family-friendly option, head to Gold Coast Aqua Park, where beginners and pros alike can enjoy wakeboarding and water sports with slides and obstacles galore.
Subscribe for updatesIf you time your trip right, you’ll land in the middle of two of the region’s biggest events. Australia’s biggest country music beach party, Groundwater Country Music Festival, takes over Broadbeach from Friday October 16 to Sunday October 18, with a free, stacked lineup including Kasey Chambers, Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers, Beccy Cole and James Blundell.
If supercars are more your speed, a week later, the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 races through the streets of Surfers Paradise from Friday October 23 to Sunday October 25 – thrills and spills guaranteed, whether you’re a seasoned fan or a track first-timer.
Hinterland and nature
No visit to the Gold Coast is complete without a trip to the hinterland. Ditch the M1 and travel 45-minutes inland to the world heritage–listed Gondwana rainforests of Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. Here, accommodation options like O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Binna Burra Lodge offer cosy rooms and access to walking trails that melt the stresses of city life away.
For wildlife encounters the whole family will enjoy, get up close with the fluffiest in the game at Mountview Alpaca Farm, or meet the newly introduced quokkas on a day trip to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Whether you’re looking to go beyond the beach for a luxe hinterland stay, check out a new restaurant, or catch a music event – if it’s been a while, maybe it’s time to Get Up and Gold Coast.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Experience Gold Coast.
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