Welcome to the Gold Coast
As the youngest of Australia’s major cities, the Gold Coast boasts an open-minded, can-do attitude; entrepreneurial and laid back in equal measure. It’s long been Australia’s favorite place to holiday, a surf capital and health mecca with some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and international coastal cuisine.
Explore the guide
The guide
Start here
Eat
Ocean views to omakase.
Coffee
Flat whites worth waking for.
Relax
Spas, saunas and slow mornings.
Wellness
Train, stretch, look sharp.
Play
Surf by day, out by night.
Shopping
Malls, markets and fresh flowers.
Day trips
An hour away, a world apart.
Listen
Press play on the coast.
Health
Your health, looked after.
Essentials
The basics, sorted.
First things first
Know before you go
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Swim between the flags
The red and yellow flags mark the stretch of beach patrolled by lifeguards. Always swim between them.
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Sun protection, all year
The UV index here hits 3 or above every day of the year. SPF 50+, a hat and sunnies, even when it's cloudy.
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Drive on the left
Keep left, and at roundabouts give way to traffic already on them. Speeds and distances are in kilometres.
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Tipping is optional
Tipping isn't expected in Australia. Leave a little extra only if the service was great.
Transport
Getting around
The coastal strip is easy on public transport. For the hinterland and day trips, you'll want a car.
Full transport guide-
Tram and buses
The G:link tram runs along the coast from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads, with buses filling the gaps. Every trip is a flat 50c: tap on and off with a contactless card or your phone.
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Train to Brisbane
Trains run from Varsity Lakes, Robina, Nerang and Helensvale to central Brisbane. The trip takes about 80 minutes from Varsity Lakes.
Day trips
An hour or so away
Got a full day off? Swap the beach for a city, a border town or the rainforest.
All eight day trips
About an hour north · Queensland
Brisbane
Queensland's capital: riverside dining, the galleries of South Bank and a lively small-bar scene. The train runs straight there.
About an hour south · New South Wales
Byron Bay
Lighthouse walks, famous surf breaks and laid-back cafés, just over the border. NSW clocks run an hour ahead from October to April.
Medical & emergency
In an emergency, call 000.
Police, fire or ambulance, free from any phone, 24 hours a day. On a mobile, 112 works too.
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13 43 25 84
13 HEALTH
Talk to a registered nurse, 24/7
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Directions
Gold Coast University Hospital
24-hour emergency department · Southport
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Directions
Robina Hospital
24-hour emergency department · Robina
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[Mobile number]
[Medic name]
Your team medic