Whether it’s your first visit or your favourite holiday destination, we’re so glad you’re here.
As locals, we never take this incredible place for granted, and we’ve filled these pages with the experiences we think every visitor should enjoy. From world-famous theme parks and wildlife encounters to incredible restaurants, hidden gems, shopping, beaches and hinterland adventures, there’s something here for every age and every style of traveller.
If you’d like even more local recommendations, hidden gems and the latest events, be sure to visit insidegoldcoast.com.au, where our team shares the best of the Gold Coast every day.
Have an amazing stay, make plenty of memories and, most importantly, always swim between the flags!
Managing Editor: Carly King
Sales: Andy Whiteway Hannah Boycon 07 5576 3044 sales@infomaps.com.au
Chelsea Ipsen Mathilde Bouby Kirra Smith Liam McDonald
Website: insidegoldcoast.com.au Social
#insidegoldcoast
SCAN TO START MAKING MEMORIES:
NOW OPEN FROM 7:30AM-9PM*
FROM $33 FOR THE
Prepare your senses for overload at the Gold Coast’s ultimate buffet experience.
Where the GC does all you can eat
The
Gold Coast
10% DISCOUNT Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Conditions apply. Book online or phone using code TOURIST10 . Valid for A Reserve and B Reserve tickets Tues –Fri. Does not include New Yearʼs Eve. Present Voucher
PARADISE CENTRE, CAVILL AVE
COUPLE PASS $35, FAMILY $40 * Kids under 14 free when accompanied by a single adult. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Present Voucher
KIDS FREE
22 The Shooting Centre Gold Coast
23 Putt Putt Golf Mermaid Beach 24 Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre 25 Slideways Go Karting Centres 26 Tactical Gel Blasters Superstore Gold Coast Aqua Park 27 Tourist Saver
The activities on the Gold Coast bring smiles to people of all ages and stages. With exhilarating rides, exotic animals and endless waterslides to help you cool off on hot summer days, your Gold Coast holiday offers a full spectrum of interactive entertainment –from dazzling big budget Gold Coast theme parks to small, hilariously kitsch museums.
Discover something new from pure, adrenalin-packed fun to natural indulgence, the contrasts of the Gold Coast unite to deliver every holiday experience you could desire.
We all love theme parks and sunny beaches, but many people forget about all of the other activities that makes the Gold Coast such a well-rounded and varied holiday destination.
Today, underrated Gold Coast attractions such as winery tours, walking trails, island adventures and mountain drives are just as popular as the theme parks and beaches.
Not to be used with any other offer.
20% offer is redeemable when purchasing 20 minutes of karting per person.
The vast range of waterways makes the city a haven of fun-filled pursuits with good times assured among the numerous aquatic attractions. The Broadwater caters to every on-water activity imaginable, where thrill seekers can choose from jetboating, parasailing, kite surfing, diving or a jet-ski safari.
Enjoy snorkelling, cruising or stand up paddle boarding for a more relaxed pace. You will find boat ramps and fishing platforms in most suburbs, waterfront parks and barbeque areas to enjoy with the family. Do not miss the walking tracks along most beaches and waterways to take in the beautiful scenery of the Gold Coast.
2.5
*Not be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer. Direct bookings only. 1 voucher per booking. See our website for Ts&Cs and validity details. GOLD COAST
Valued at $25 for one activity or $35 for both activities. Voucher must be presented to staff at check in to be valid, cannot be used after the session has passed. Not valid with any other offer, and can only be used with the activities listed on this page. No packages.
to see deals & packages and use code GCTM62 for a FREE PHOTO PACKAGE!
MORNING CRUISE: 10.30am to 12noon
SUNSET CRUISE: Ring for time
MIDDAY CRUISE: 12:30pm to 1:30pm
• See homes of the rich and famous
• Fun facts commentary
• Casual river and canal cruising
• Dolphin spotting
• Selected cruises include complimentary nibbles
• Fully licenced bar on board
• Sundeck balcony seating
• Inside covered seating
• Spectacular sunsets & city lights cruises
AFTERNOON CRUISE: 2pm to 3.30pm
Direct bookings only. Not to be used with any other offer, maximum of four people per voucher. Not valid for private parties.
CITY LIGHTS CRUISE: Ring for time
“BEST VALUE RIVER CRUISE ON THE GOLD COAST”
whale watching
Coffee while whale spotting?
Black Dingo Cafe welcomes you to enjoy delicious food with a stunning view, spotting a whale or two. Located at Point Danger Lighthouse, it’s perfect for witnessing whales as they migrate on the Humpback Highway.
Try the creative breakfast & lunch dishes, made to wow your taste buds, paired with top-notch coffee, juices, smoothies and cocktails. With its wide ocean views, the cafe isn't just about eating – it's an experience.
Point Danger Lighthouse, Tweed Heads, New South Wales 2485 0422 723 935
Whale watching on the Gold Coast provides a fantastic opportunity for onlookers to get up close and personal with the largest living mammals on Earth.
The waters along the Gold Coast are commonly referred to as the Humpback Highway with approximately 25,000 viewing opportunities during the annual migration up and down the coasts of Queensland.
The advantage of having to travel just 10 minutes out to sea to witness these giants in their natural habitat, ensures a funfilled couple of hours whale watching with plenty of time left in your day to appreciate the many other attractions of the Gold Coast.
Running from June through to November, the Gold Coast boasts the longest whale watching season in the country. The whale watching season marks the migration of the Humpback Whale from Antarctica to warmer Queensland waters before they return with their newly born after covering a mammoth distance during their amazing journey.
During the Gold Coast whale watching season, visitors are given the rare opportunity to spot Humpback Whales, whale calves, dolphins, Killer Whales and ‘Migaloo’ the famous white Humpback, all in their natural habitat.
Goo-E purchase, not valid with any other offer. Available at our Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach locations.
Receive 10% off your next
dining & entertainment
8 The Star Gold Coast
Goo-e Dessert Bar
The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill
Shiraz Persian Restaurant + Bar
Hideaway Kitchen & Bar | Precinct Brewing Co.
The Oasis
The Gold Coast is a place where night bites, hatted restaurants, street-eats and breweries are all served with a side of alfresco.
A place where five-star feasting means dusting the sand from your feet; where surfers swap their boards for a latte at sun-up and little ones break from beachside frolics to feast on epic spreads of fish and chips.
Whether you find yourself among the cool crowd at Nobby Beach, or part of the social scene in Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise, consider yourself an acai aficionado, a sausage sizzler or a coffee connoisseur, nothing says you’ve had a cracker-of-a-holiday quite like gaining a little extra padding around the middle!
• Family Banquets • Vegan Friendly
Free underground parking
TOTAL BILL U pto a maximum of $30. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not
OFF
Hideaway Kitchen & Bar is a Gold Coast culinary sensation bringing Asian street food to the masses
An exciting venue for evening drinks & mouth-watering food
2657 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Open for Dinner 7 Nights from 5pm
Weekend Lunch & Dinner from 12pm
WE ARE A FULLY LICENSED RESTAURANT
hideawaykitchen com.au PH: (07) 5679 0369
We’ve transformed an old workshop into a space for catching up hosting community events or just having a quiet one. Our interiors blend polished concrete open-air ceilings and transient artworks to create a brewer y that is contemporar y, breez y and welcoming. A fully working brewer y onsite beers on tap, a restaurant, and large and make yourself at home!
shopping & beauty
44 Fragrance of Dubai 45 Australia Fair
IV Health
Q Super Centre
Australia Fair Metro 49 DeBra’s
Shopping on the Gold Coast reflects the city’s relaxed coastal lifestyle with eclectic boutiques, high end designers, dazzling shopping centres and lively markets dotting the coastline. The Gold Coast has become a world-class shopping and lifestyle destination.
Like vivid flocks of exotic birds, the Gold Coast fashion set have a look that is all their own. With bright, flowing maxi dresses, chic sandals, and hair done up in casual top knots, their perennial tans give them a sumptuous glow of health.
Shopping on the Gold Coast reflects this relaxed coastal lifestyle. Markets, outlet malls, boutiques and high end designers all cater to the local love of colour.
Your health and wellness destination for all things intravenous hydration, vitamin infusions and boosters. Led by our experienced team of doctors and nurses. Whether you need a pick-me-up or simply want to nourish your body from the inside out, our treatments are tailored to suit your individual needs. Our professional team is here to provide safe and effective hydration to help support your body’s natural balance.
Why Choose IV Health?
• Personalised treatments to help support hydration
• A range of options for your wellness needs
• Administered by trained professionals
• Unwind in a comfortable, relaxing environment
hinterland
50 Peddly Picnics
51 Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
52 Australian Outback Opals
53 Cedar Creek Glow Worms
55 Mountview Alpaca Farm
Whether it’s a romantic picnic for two, a family adventure or a dog-friendly day out, we’ve got you covered.
• E-Bike Hire
• Peddly Picnic Package
• Peddly Pooches Package
• Picnic Hamper Hire
Some say this is the green behind the gold, which makes the Gold Coast so seductive, and it’s easy to see why Tamborine Mountain is in tune with tourists. Let’s start with the rainforest, which celebrates the remnants of the former Wollumbin/Mount Warning volcano.
There are numerous walks and lookouts from which to enjoy Mother Nature at her most blindingly brilliant, including the mysteriously-named Witches Falls or charming Cedar Creek.
There’s 12 walking tracks in all and each one is no longer than around 3km, so if you like a stroll among the birds, bees, flowers and the trees, this is for you.
For a change of pace, enjoy several wineries, a brewery and even a distillery up on the mountain, which is perfectly punctuated with award-winning restaurants, art galleries, sweeping coastal views and that delicious mix of old and new-world charm.
Indulge in home-grown produce such as avocados, kiwifruits and macadamia nuts as well as award-winning cheeses and fabulous fudge, or dine in some seriously swish restaurants.
Cape Byron Lighthouse
northern nsw
57 Better By Bike
58 Tweed Eco Cruises
Potager Kitchen Garden
59 Kingscliff Shopping Village
61 Zephyr Horses
Directly across the state border from Australia’s most famous holiday destination, the Tweed region offers a tranquil, naturebased alternative.
Just 15 minutes drive south of the Gold Coast Airport, you’ll discover a unique combination of quintessentially Australian experiences – unspoilt beaches, World Heritage rainforests, rural villages, eclectic communities, lush farmland and more – all centred around the sweeping slopes of Wollumbin (Mt Warning).
Just past Wollumbin, you’ll find Byron Bay. It’s the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by. It has a strong artisan vibe, with artists inspired by the area’s wondrous natural beauty, and relaxed ambience.
Explore the funky, new-age markets and discover exquisite artwork and intricate glass-blown creations.
Byron Bay is a gourmet’s delight, offering everything from fish and chips overlooking the beach, to award-winning vegetarian cafes, right through to indulgent top-notch restaurants. Don’t miss Cape Byron, the Australian mainland’s most easterly point.
Use discount code: GCTM10 for 10% discount on all bookings. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availabiity.
ZEPHYR HORSES 10% DISCOUNT Use discount code: GOLDY10 for 10% discount on all group rides booked. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Subject to availability. Conditions apply. Present Voucher
62 Instyle Agency Buyers Advocates
63 Sherpa Group
Along the 72-kilometres of coastline and west to the mountains, the Gold Coast has some of the most diverse range of village-like locales in Australia. From laid-back beachside suburbs to rural acreage properties or boutique urban apartments, just take a wander and you’ll find a pleasant surprise awaits you around every corner. Few places in the world serve up cruisy coastal digs alongside swanky city establishments. On the Gold Coast, each neighbourhood knocks up a flavour entirely its own.
SOUTH Revel in the relaxing vibes akin to the retro beach culture of days gone by, sip a pale ale with surfing legends, make friends with laid-back locals at beachside burger bars (where going barefoot is encouraged), and meander along the crystalline shoreline that stretches from Palm Beach (‘Palmy’) down to Coolangatta (‘Cooly’).
CENTRAL For cosmopolitan coolness, cruise north along the sand from Burleigh to Main Beach to discover an urban hood turning on more swag than meets the eye. Expect night bites, hatted restaurants, hidden and not-so-secret bars, shopping destinations and perfect beaches.
NORTH Jam-packed with joie de vivre, the north is known for charming all in a matter of moments. Feast in sophisticated settings by yacht-filled marinas, settle in for a bit of deck-side wining and dining on the Broadwater, or dial up the pace and let the nostalgia kick-in at theme parks that rise from the sand.
transport & car hire
64 Surfers Rent A Car
65 Con-X-ion
A great way to explore the surrounding regions of the Gold Coast is to hire a car and discover it for yourself.
From rural Beenleigh in the north to picturesque Byron Bay in the south, west to the hinterland region and the famed Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach in between; the Gold Coast experience is much more than you expect.
Just 40 minutes drive from Gold Coast beaches is a hinterland of subtropical rainforest, interspersed with mountain villages, bushwalks, waterfalls and swimming holes, plus valleys of working produce farms and cattle stations.
The World Heritage-listed Springbrook and Lamington National Parks, plus the extended township of Tamborine Mountain offer access to unmatched landscapes, roaming wildlife and an array of flora and fauna represent nature at its finest.
Centre Soul Boardwalk Chevron Renaissance Circle on Cavill
