GOLD COAST

The icon of Australian vacation destinations, the Gold Coast is emerging as a creative beacon with a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism flourishing hand in hand with a taste for luxury

Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Deane Anderton

Queensland’s Gold Coast has long been heralded as the nation’s holiday capital – a playground of stunning beaches, piercing skyrise hotels and adrenaline-fuelled theme parks that line the city’s northern coast.

While these star attractions remain a key part of the city’s appeal, the Gold Coast is transforming into a destination that caters to wellness, luxury, and sustainable tourism – and perhaps most appealingly, the symbiosis of all three.

The jewel in the coastline’s crown, the allure behind Surfers Paradise needs little explanation. This lively beach is the epicentre of the Gold Coast and a retail mecca, with world-class malls and bustling boutique markets showcasing an eclectic selection of Australian artisans and creators. Here you will encounter a thriving arts and culture scene best explored at HOTA, Home of the Arts, as a location that embodies the explosive cultural collision of art, entertainment, and lifestyle.

Step back from the Gold Coast’s cosmopolitan city centre, and you will encounter the verdant, rolling hills of the hinterland, where mist-shrouded rainforests are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Hike amongst national parks, hide away in rainforest retreats and savour fresh produce from local farms and vineyards. Whilst here, immerse yourself in the Indigenous history of these lands and the First Nations people of the Yugambeh with a visit to The Dreaming Mountain at Burleigh Heads. For wave-chasers in search of quieter beaches, cruise along to the Southern Gold Coast and revel in Australia’s finest surf breaks at Currumbin, Kirra and Snapper Rocks.

Behind the Gold Coast’s undeniable magnetism –whether for those with more metropolitan tastes or adventurers looking to explore the great outdoors – is a mouth-watering culinary scene catering to all manner of tastes, from laidback eateries to chef-hatted restaurants. Still equipped with the family-friendly staples that earned its recognition as Australia’s vacation capital, there are countless reasons to come and explore the diverse and rewarding holiday haven of the Gold Coast.