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Gold Coast

The subtropical Queensland climate means the sunshine is abundant and the weather is warm, even through winter. There are a variety of landscapes to explore, from the long stretches of beach and buzzing urban precincts on the gorgeous coastline to the steeply winding roads, lush rainforests and pretty villages of the Hinterland.

Gold Coast holiday parks, campgrounds and tourist parks are some of the best in Australia, and you can set up camp on a prime piece of beachside real estate for an affordable stay. Park your caravan on the banks of Tallebudgera Creek, in the heart of the action at Main Beach or Burleigh Heads, at a boaties paradise on the Broadwater or wake up to the sounds of waves at Ocean Beach or exotic bird calls echoing through the rainforest at Binna Burra. Jacobs Well Tourist Park on the northern Gold Coast has instant access to the waterways of Moreton Bay Marine Park, and is dog-friendly, as is Kirra Beach Tourist Park. If you’re planning to visit Gold Coast’s iconic theme parks, there are some nearby holiday parks where you can stay for easy access such as Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park. Plus they have their own waterparks and lagoon pools onsite, so parents can relax while the kids can enjoy non-stop fun. And if you’re planning to travel the Pacific Coast Way, the Gold Coast makes the perfect starting point or final destination on your journey down the Queensland coast from Cairns.

There’s such a diverse choice of destinations to visit from the Gold Coast on a day trip, all within a two-hour drive. From the buzzing capital city of Brisbane, to quaint coastal villages and bohemian lifestyle of northern NSW to the beauty of the Scenic Rim. With world-class art and architecture, exceptional eats, picturesque settings plus waterfalls, creeks and seaside adventures all on offer, there’s a lot of ground to cover.

Two people paddle on surfboards in the ocean, with a distant city skyline visible on the horizon under a clear blue sky.
Two people play in shallow ocean water at a beach on a sunny day. Skyscrapers and buildings line the shore in the background, while other people with surfboards enter the water.
Aerial view of a green valley and rolling hills at sunrise with scattered trees and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Two people stand on a wooden platform, looking at a waterfall surrounded by lush greenery in a tropical forest.
Aerial view of a coastal city with tall skyscrapers near the beach, waves breaking on the shore, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
Two people walk through a vineyard, talking and enjoying the sunny weather. Rows of grapevines surround them under a clear blue sky.
A group of people, including children and adults, ride bicycles on a seaside path under a clear blue sky.
Three people, one with a guide dog, stand near a railing inside a cave, looking at a waterfall. A guide appears to explain something to them.

Driving trips near Gold Coast

Attractions near Gold Coast

Accommodation near Gold Coast