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Best things to do in Gold Coast

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Where in the world: South Pacific  /  Australia  /  Queensland  /  Gold Coast
Things to do in Gold Coast range from exploring its laidback neighborhoods and thriving culinary scene, to visits to famous theme parks. Spend a relaxing day on Surfer's Paradise Beach, practicing windsurfing or enjoying a game of beach volleyball with your friends and family. Featuring a mixture of marine wildlife exhibits and action-packed thrill rides, Sea World Theme Park on Main Beach attracts various kinds of travelers, while Warner Bros. Movie World in Oxenford allows you to experience the magical world of your favorite blockbusters. Nature lovers shouldn't miss a chance to traverse the subtropical hinterland filled with rainforest walks, such as Natural Bridge in Springbrook.


Gold Coast is best known for its Theme Parks, Beaches, and Shopping Malls.

Top 15 things to do in Gold Coast

1. Sea World Theme Park, Main Beach

Not to be confused with the SeaWorld chain in the United States, Australia's Sea World Theme Park offers a mix of massive marine animal exhibits, dazzling shows, and thrilling rides. See how dolphins care for their young at the Dolphin Nursery Pool, observe penguins on land and underwater at Penguin Encounter, and get up close with sharks at Shark Bay. Polar Bear Shores serves as Australia's only polar-bear exhibit, and Ray Reef contains over 100 rays for you to feed. The seal show has an engaging storyline with both seals and humans acting it out. The rides area includes both thrilling roller coasters such as Sea Viper and children's adventure areas like Beach Break Bay.
Suggested duration: 8 hours
Tours from $20 › Learn more about Sea World Theme Park

2. Warner Bros. Movie World, Oxenford

Hollywood's gotten a few silver-screen stars, such as Russell Crowe, from the Land Down Under. It makes sense then that the world's movie capital would have an Australian outpost. Standing as the country's only movie-related theme park, Warner Bros. Movie World provides movie-themed roller coasters, motion simulators, and river cruises. You can snap photos with celluloid heroes who roam the park, including Batman, Austin Powers, and Marilyn Monroe. The park even houses movie studios responsible for bringing Scooby Doo, Peter Pan, and other films to the big screen.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Learn more about Warner Bros. Movie World

3. South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

Sitting along the Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands sits in the heart of Brisbane. Towering over the park at 60 m (197 ft), the Wheel of Brisbane Ferris wheel offers you a panorama of the city and its surrounding. When your ride finishes, head to Streets Beach, a manmade beach spreading out over 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) and containing a base of 4,000 cubic meters (5,200 cubic yards) of sand with another 70 tons brought in every summer. Here you can swim in chlorinated fresh water and relax under the shade of a palm tree. Other attractions include the traditionally designed Nepal Peace Pagoda and flowering bougainvillea on the 443 curling steel columns of The Arbour. Numerous restaurants and cafes offer dining options.
Suggested duration: 5 hours
Tours from $35 › Learn more about South Bank Parklands

4. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Admission with Brisbane River Cruise

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See Australia’s amazing animals on a day trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary from Brisbane. Your river cruise takes you from the bustling waterfront of Southbank to the lush parklands of Lone Pine, with the chance to see iconic sights as you glide along the water. At the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, you can get up close to koalas, kangaroos and watch platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action. Animal lovers will not want to miss this experience!Photo experiences need to be booked directly through Lone Pine Sanctuary website that can bee seen on your voucher. Check-in is required by 9.45 am sharp.
Suggested duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $61 › More about this tour at viator.com ›
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Best tours in Gold Coast

5. Surfers Paradise Beach, Surfers Paradise

With a name like Surfers Paradise Beach, you know the waves here have to be pretty good. The town beach for the Gold Coast City suburb of Surfer's Paradise offers 3 km (1.85 mi) of golden sand. Give surfing a shot on the gentle breaks here or ride bigger waves if you're more experienced. This is also one of the most popular places for beach volleyball in Australia--join a social game if you're up for making some local friends. If you're here at night on Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday, shop for crafts and vintage items from more than 100 stalls at the free Beachfront Markets.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Tours from $37 › Learn more about Surfers Paradise Beach

6. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary and is home to over 100 koalas and 70 species of other Australian native animals. Established in 1927, the sanctuary offers guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with the wildlife in a natural, intimate setting. From koala holds to kangaroo feeding, free-flight raptor shows and sheepdog demonstrations, there is something for everyone.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association for positive animal welfare. The health and wellbeing of the sanctuary’s animals are at the forefront of everything we do, along with our extensive research and conservation efforts.

Lone Pine is open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm (1:30pm to 5:00pm on ANZAC Day) and is just 12kms from the Brisbane CBD.

Buy tickets online, simply visit www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/tickets

For daily schedules simply visit www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/whats-on/

For COVID-19 information visit www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/covid-19-information/

If you have any questions or need anything of us, please email us at service@koala.net
Suggested duration: 3h 30 min
Tours from $61 › Learn more about Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

7. Dreamworld, Coomera

As Australia's largest theme park, Dreamworld offers over 40 rides--including five roller coasters--a mix of activities, and wildlife exhibits. Check out the Ocean Parade, DreamWorks Experience, and Gold Rush Country attractions. Take a giant plunge from the Tower of Terror II and scream aboard Buzzsaw, the highest inversion ride in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy Dreamworks' animations and surf aboard a stationary wave in the FlowRider pool. Wildlife areas contain more than 500 native animals plus Bengal and Sumatran tigers.
Suggested duration: 8 hours
Tours from $45 › Learn more about Dreamworld

8. Brisbane Segway Sightseeing Tour

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Glide effortlessly through Brisbane breathtaking sites and see the city’s best known landmarks on a fun Segway tour. Aboard your own personal two-wheel transportation device our 2 hour 15 minute tours visit the sights of the city including the Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands, Goodwill Bridge, City Botanical Gardens, Eagle Street Pier, The Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point Cliffs. We will also usually visit and interact with some wildlife along the way including Possums on our night tours and Water Dragon Lizards in some of our day tours. There are three options on tour lengths to choose from: 45 minutes, 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 hour 15 minute tours, which include stops at points of interest where your friendly guide will provide information about beautiful Brisbane. Have a blast on these tours, soaring through stunning Brisbane sites. This tour is limited to small groups, ensuring a personalized experience that you'll remember.
Suggested duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Tours from $35 › More about this tour at viator.com ›

9. Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout, Brisbane

The Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout provides panoramic views of Brisbane and its environs. Bus tours often stop here, and you can easily reach the Lookout with Bus 471 from the city. Signs point out key landmarks to give you a lay of the land, and you can eat at either the cafe or restaurant should hunger strike.
Suggested duration: 2h 30 min
Tours from $67 › Learn more about Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout

10. SkyPoint Observation Deck, Surfers Paradise

For a bird's-eye view of the coast, go up to SkyPoint Observation Deck, located 230 m (750 ft) above ground. If you want to try something more daring, go for the SkyPoint Climb, which involves an open-air walk on the top of the iconic Q1 building and lasts 90 minutes.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Tours from $61 › Learn more about SkyPoint Observation Deck

11. Burleigh Heads Beach, Burleigh Heads

Sheltered from strong winds, the northeast-facing Burleigh Heads Beach is considered the Gold Coast's premier spot for swimming, body boarding, and surfing. The beach is home to hundreds of native birds and is lined by Norfolk Island Pines, which are reputably the oldest planted trees on this coast. The beach offers a wide strip of white sand where you can spend the day relaxing in the sun as well as several green areas often used by locals for weekend games of cricket. This area is rarely crowded and has lifeguards on duty every day. Nearby is a small village, which includes several cafes and shops.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Tours from $94 › Learn more about Burleigh Heads Beach

12. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary General Entry Ticket

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With over 27 hectares of wide-open spaces featuring lush Eucalyptus trees & rainforest, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a great day out for the young, & young at heart. You will get to see many of Australia’s iconic species displayed in their natural habitat.We are a for purpose charity that invests all proceeds back in to caring for wildlife, assisting with running our wildlife hospital, & taking part in 15 conservation projects to ensure wildlife for future generations.Take in a show or two, get up close to some iconic Australian wildlife, cool off at Wild Island Adventure Splash Zone, ride the miniature train, explore the Extinction Trail and visit Lost Valley.Download the app prior to arrival to plan your day.A must do is our wild lorikeet feeding. This occurs at 8am and 4pm daily.Don't forget to meet Blinky Bill, and get a bird’s-eye-view of our vets in action at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. There is so much more to explore!
Suggested duration: 2 to 6 hours
Tours from $37 › More about this tour at viator.com ›

13. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin

Come to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to feed Rainbow Lorikeets, a wildly colorful type of Australia parrot. Alex Griffiths originally founded the sanctuary in 1947 to prevent these birds from eating his flower plantation. Today, visitors provide twice-daily feeding to giant flocks of the free-flying parrots. Navigate on a Segway the rest of the 27 hectares (67 acres), where you can cuddle with koalas, hang out with kangaroos, and observe crocodiles and Tasmanian Devils.
Suggested duration: 4 hours
Tours from $37 › Learn more about Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

14. Qld Luxury Car Rentals

Suggested duration: 4 hours
Learn more about Qld Luxury Car Rentals

15. Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise

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Set sail on the stunning waters of the Gold Coast on this exclusive, two-hour lunch and sightseeing cruise, departing from a convenient spot in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Step aboard our luxurious vessel Spirit of Elston, and enjoy one of the best sightseeing and dining experiences on the Gold Coast. Panoramic views from the spacious upper deck showcase some of the city's most famous landmarks - such as the glittering waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater, Sea World, HOTA (Home of the Arts) and the glamorous Palazzo Versace. Satisfy your appetite with an irresistible buffet lunch, including locally sourced king prawns, succulent roast chicken, freshly baked ham off the bone and delicious salads. Pair lunch with wine, craft beer or treat yourself to a tasty cocktail. Head upstairs to the open-air top-deck and soak in the sunshine with a drink in hand, while listening to entertaining commentary from our expert crew about the iconic Gold Coast.
Suggested duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Tours from $60 › More about this tour at viator.com ›

Best tours in Gold Coast