Luxury hotels in Gold Coast

Gold Coast guide

The Gold Coast: Surfers Paradise and the hinterland

Seventy kilometres of surf beaches, the SkyPoint view and ancient rainforest in the mountains behind.

The Gold Coast's beaches, around seventy kilometres of golden sand from Main Beach to Coolangatta, are its most cited attraction, and Surfers Paradise, with its high-rise skyline and the SkyPoint observation deck, is its heart. Burleigh Heads and Snapper Rocks are famous surf breaks.

The hinterland behind the coast holds the Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO site, in Lamington and Springbrook national parks, with waterfalls, glow worms and treetop walks. The coast is also known for its theme parks, and the climate is warm most of the year.

Springbrook and Lamington

The Gondwana Rainforests behind the Gold Coast, a UNESCO site, are the most cited excursion inland: in Springbrook National Park, the Natural Bridge, a waterfall plunging through a cave roof, glows at night with thousands of glow worms, and the Best of All Lookout faces Mount Warning.

In Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's has a treetop walk and bird feeding, and the Binna Burra trails lead through ancient forest. Tamborine Mountain, closer to the coast, has wineries, galleries and a skywalk.

Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers

Byron Bay, about an hour south of the Gold Coast, is one of the most cited destinations nearby: the Cape Byron walking track leads to the lighthouse at Australia's most easterly point, where dolphins and, from June to November, humpback whales are often seen.

The town is known for its relaxed surf culture, wellness retreats and restaurants, and the hinterland villages of Bangalow and the rainforest falls of Minyon are lovely. Sea kayaking with dolphins is a classic morning activity.