people on beach near high rise buildings during daytime

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a Queensland city with almost 42 km of unbroken beachfront, surf breaks, theme parks and high-rise resorts, backed by Lamington National Park's rainforest.

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The Gold Coast is a coastal city in Queensland, Australia, about 66 km south-southeast of Brisbane's centre. It is the state's second-largest city and the most populous non-capital city in the country. Visitors come for almost 42 km of unbroken beachfront, with surf breaks at Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, Palm Beach, Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks. Theme parks include Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World.

The hinterland is a separate trip for walks and day trips, and Lamington National Park is a World Heritage area of about 206 km2. Brisbane Airport is less than an hour from the Gold Coast's centre, with direct trains, and the G:link light rail runs about 20 km between Helensvale and Broadbeach. Winters are mild and dry, with sea temperatures near 21.5 °C in July and August. Summers are hot and humid, with thunderstorms and heavy showers. Patrolled beaches have lifeguards who clear swimmers from the water if there is a safety risk.

Gold Coast in five

Ride the G:link tram with a go cardTranslink lists the G:link light rail between Helensvale and Broadbeach South, calling at Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. The go card also works on buses and trains in the region.Translink go card
Swim between the red-and-yellow flagsQueensland advises swimming at patrolled beaches that have shark control equipment, and says marine stingers are present in tropical waters with higher risk from November to May. Follow lifesaver instructions and flags.Queensland beach safety
Pick one or two theme parks, not all of themGold Coast tourism calls the region Australia's theme park capital. Compare each park's current hours and tickets on its official site, and match park days to weather and school holidays.
Spend a day in the hinterlandLamington National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, with the accessible Centenary Track and the longer Border Track. It is a cooler contrast to the beaches.Lamington National Park
Choose a base by the tram or by the surfSurfers Paradise and Broadbeach sit on the G:link line. Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta are quieter surf bases that need buses, hire cars or ride-shares.Brisbane or the Gold Coast

Things to do in Gold Coast

See all attractions in Gold Coast

Restaurant · Gold CoastThe Loose MooseBook ahead if you need a particular table size.

Park · Gold CoastSpringbrook National ParkStart early for a quieter visit to the park.

Cafe · Gold CoastSunnyboy EspressoFor bottomless mimosas, arrive between 10am and 1pm; no booking is needed for that offer.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Gold CoastPut the places you like in Gold Coast on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta); Brisbane Airport is the other gateway
Getting there: Road and rail south from Brisbane; flights to the Gold Coast Airport
Getting around: G:link tram Helensvale to Broadbeach South, buses and hire cars Read more
Best base: Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach or Burleigh Heads
Time needed: 3 to 4 nights; more with theme parks

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Hot, humid
FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Storms, humid
MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm, humid
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Mild, clear
MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Mild, quieter
JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Cool, dry
JulyClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Coolest, dry
AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Dry, sunny
SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Warm, dry
OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low18°Warm, spring
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm, storms
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Hot, busy

Average daily high and low in Gold Coast, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Gold Coast

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 21°
Humidity: 96%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Gold Coast

06:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+10

Today28°18°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°19°32%Wednesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 32%.
Thu33°18°0%Thursday: Clear. High 33°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri25°19°53%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 53%.
Sat29°19°37%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 37%.
Sun23°16°39%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 39%.

Updated 06:15 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD

Amount

Converted to

AUD · Australian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Brisbaneabout 1 hour by train or carRiver ferries, free galleries and city dining to the north.Read the guide
Byron Bayabout 1 hour south by carCape Byron lighthouse walk and beach towns over the border.Read the guide
Lamington National Parka day in the hinterlandWorld Heritage rainforest tracks, with the Centenary Track open to most abilities.

Before you go to Gold Coast

Hotels on the tram lineSurfers Paradise and BroadbeachCheck availability

Theme park and hinterland ticketsTimed entry skips the gate queueBook timed entry

eSIM for the Gold CoastTram apps and beach flag reportsRead the guide

Insurance for the Gold CoastStorm days and theme park changesRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Gold Coast, checked

The G:link tram runs between Helensvale and Broadbeach South; the go card is accepted on Translink services across South East Queensland.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Gold Coast

Brisbane or the Gold Coast?

Which base suits your trip and when to split

Read the guide Brisbane

River city, free galleries and ferries to the north

Read the guide Byron Bay

Lighthouse walk and beaches to the south

Read the guide Queensland

Where the coast fits in a longer trip

Read the guide All of Australia

ETA, regions, flights and money basics

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for activities and park cancellations

Read the guide

Gold Coast FAQ

How many days do you need on the Gold Coast?

Three or four nights cover beaches, one theme park and a hinterland day. Add days for a second theme park or a Byron Bay trip.

Is the Gold Coast worth visiting?

Yes for beaches, surf and family attractions; less so if you want historic streets or museums. It pairs well with a few nights in Brisbane.

Is it safe to swim on the Gold Coast?

Yes at patrolled beaches between the red-and-yellow flags. Queensland says marine stingers are present in tropical waters, with higher risk from November to May.

Does the tram go to the airport?

No. The G:link runs between Helensvale and Broadbeach South. Airport transfers use buses, shuttles or taxis, so plan the transfer before you book.

Should I stay in Surfers Paradise or Burleigh Heads?

Surfers Paradise for the tram, nightlife and big resorts; Burleigh Heads for a surf village feel with cafes and fewer high-rises.