All activities in Gold Coast

More about Gold Coast

There’s a reason Aussies keep coming back to the Gold Coast. It’s where surf meets skyscrapers, and rainforest walks are a hop and a skip from rollercoasters. One minute you’re plunging down a waterslide. The next, spotting glow worms in an ancient forest. Families line up for the theme parks, couples sink into spas, and locals still find new corners to explore. Whether you’re here for thrills, stillness or a bit of both, there are plenty of ways to fill your days.

Unique Gold Coast things you can’t do anywhere else

• Ride all the rides: Where else can you ride rollercoasters, see polar bears, and get drenched? Movie World, Sea World, and Wet’n’Wild can all be found here and tickets to all three can be bought as the ultimate Gold Coast theme park package.
• Dive the Wonder Reef: Slip beneath the surface at the world’s first floating reef, built for divers just off Main Beach. It’s vertical, colourful, and 100% Gold Coast.
• Take in the views from SkyPoint at Q1: Start inside the world’s tallest residential tower, then head 77 floors up for views from Australia’s only beachside observation deck.
• Jetboat along the skyline: Hit 80 km/h past high-rises on a jetboat ride with spins, sprays and skyline views you won’t get anywhere else.
• Dine bush-style, beachside: The Outback Spectacular’s got stock horses, campfire tales and a full Aussie dinner, served just ten minutes from the surf.

Best Gold Coast attractions to see

There’s no shortage of incredible things to do on the Gold Coast, but if we needed to narrow it down to a handful, here’s our top picks:

• Warner Bros. Movie World: Superhero rides, stunt shows and Hollywood-style parades bring the big screen to Helensvale. Come for the coasters, stay for the cape sightings.
• Sea World Gold Coast: Polar bears, penguins, and splashy rides mix with marine exhibits and conservation zones. It’s half aquarium, half thrill park, and all about the sea.
• Dreamworld Australia: Big rides, big cats and a full kids' zone make this a family-fave all-rounder. Give it a full day, because there’s a lot to cover.
• Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast: Steamy summer? Sorted. This water park lines up slides, lazy rivers and splash zones for every age and adrenalin level.
• Whale Watching with Sea World Cruises: From June to October, humpbacks pass close to shore. These boat tours bring you front-row for the breaches and tail flicks.

Best Gold Coast day trips and tours

• Natural Bridge and Springbrook Waterfalls Half-Day Tour: Swap the city for ancient rainforest, glow worm caves and waterfall trails. This eco-certified tour covers the hits with just half a day out.
• Tamborine Mountain wine and walk day trip: Treetop walks, rainforest paths and a few food tastings thrown in. It’s scenic, slow-paced and less than an hour from the coast.
• Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Cruise with Sea World Cruises: Board a catamaran and cruise the Broadwater at sunset. Think seafood, skyline views and live music under the stars.
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Hand-feed lorikeets, meet a koala and wander the elevated walkways. This bushland sanctuary brings you up close to classic Aussie wildlife.

Free things to do in Gold Coast

If your budget doesn’t allow for quite all of the Gold Coast theme parks, then throw in a few of the brilliantly free things to do in the area, too. From national parks to beaches, galleries to coastal walks, there’s plenty to do in the area that won’t cost you a dime.

• Swim and snorkel at Burleigh Heads: Turtles, surfers and reefy shallows meet just off the headland. It’s a national park and beach day rolled into one.
• Relax at Surfers Paradise Beach: This golden strip is as famous for its waves as it is for the skyline behind it. Bring a sun umbrella and stay for sunset.
• Explore Springbrook National Park: Waterfalls, glow worms and rainforest tracks set the scene for an easy day trip. Bonus points if you spot a pademelon.
• Visit HOTA’s free galleries: Art, events and riverside hangs all come together at the Home of the Arts. It’s local, eclectic and often free to wander through.
• Walk the trail from Burleigh to Currumbin: A cliff-hugging path with ocean views, rest stops and breezy lookouts. Pack snacks and take it slow.

Budgeting for things to do in Gold Coast

From AU$30 trick-art galleries to AU$400 hot air balloon flights, the Gold Coast does budget to blowout. Most activities cost around AU$100 to AU$130, such as theme parks, cruises, and wildlife encounters. 

Bargain-friendly picks like SkyPoint (AU$34) and ArtVo (AU$30) pack a punch for less. And you won’t pay a cent for some of the top-notch stuff: Burleigh reef snorkels, Springbrook glow worms, and sunrises from Surfers all come free with the view.