Want to know how to spend five days on the Gold Coast? I’ve gathered my favourite things to see, do and experience in this dreamy coastal city into one epic, easy-to-follow five day Gold Coast itinerary.
Though the Gold Coast is perhaps best known as an easy weekend getaway from other Australian cities or nearby New Zealand, there is more than enough going on here to warrant a longer stay. Five days on the Gold Coast gives you enough time to hit the hot spots while also diving a bit deeper (literally), beyond what you see in travel brochures!
You will have heard about all the typical touristy things like the theme parks, massive shopping malls, and an infinite number of beaches, but did you know that the Gold Coast also boasts a creative culinary scene, world-class dive spots and rainforest adventures on your doorstep? Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, a serene escape or some foodie fun (or all the above), the GC is guaranteed to impress.
This detailed itinerary gives you a taste of the Gold Coast’s most epic adventures, as well as top travel tips to help you make the most of your time and money, and I’ve even left you some flexibility to choose your own path so you can tailor your trip to perfectly suit your travel style and preferences.
Disclosure: This blog post is in partnership with Destination Gold Coast, who kindly supported my most recent trip to the Gold Coast. As always all opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience.
Five day Gold Coast itinerary summary
Day 1: Surfers Paradise
Day 2: Southern Gold Coast
Day 3: Ocean time
Day 4: Hinterland exploring
Day 5: Choose your own adventure
What to know before your 5 days on the Gold Coast
Weather on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is the ultimate year-round destination, with typically pleasant weather throughout the seasons thanks to its sub-tropical climate.
Summer (December to February) is the hottest time of the year, with average temps ranging from 20-29°C. Humidity is high during these months and short afternoon storms are common.
Winter (June to August) offers mild weather, average daily temperatures sit between 9-22°C, and it’s the perfect spot to catch some sunshine without the mugginess of summer.
The shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) generally give you warm days and cooler nights, but still offer swimming-friendly ocean temperatures.
Gold Coast busy season
This place is practically paradise, so it’s no surprise it gets busy with both Australian travellers and tourists from further afield.
The peak busy times are during Australian and New Zealand school holidays, particularly the big summer holidays (December-January) and the mid-winter break (depends on country/state but generally early to mid-July). If you’re visiting during these times you’ll still have an incredible time, but you’ll want to book your accommodation early to avoid prices getting too crazy.
For smaller crowds and cheaper deals, consider visiting mid-week in spring or autumn.
How to get to the Gold Coast
If you’re flying, you’ve got two options:
- Fly into Gold Coast Airport (OOL) and then drive to where you’re staying (10-20 mins to the southern beaches, 30-40 mins to Surfers Paradise), or catch the 777 bus to Broadbeach tram station to connect to another tram or bus, book an airport transfer, or order an Uber
- Fly into Brisbane Airport (BNE) and drive to the Gold Coast (about an hour), or you could catch the Airtrain to a few different Gold Coast train stations that offer additional tram and bus connections
If you’re driving around Australia, you could follow this Sydney to Byron Bay road trip itinerary (and continue onwards to the Gold Coast) or follow my Brisbane to Cairns itinerary the other way round.
How to get around the Gold Coast
To make the most of your time during your Gold Coast five day adventure, I’d really recommend hiring a car. This gives you flexibility to go wherever the flow takes you, and reduces your reliance on pre-planning your timing and routes.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving in Australia though then don’t stress, you could still follow this Gold Coast itinerary by using a combo of public transport, organised tours and Uber.
What to budget for five days on the Gold Coast
Accommodation
- Budget: $25-60AUD for a bed in a hostel dorm, $75-125AUD for a private room in a hostel or a basic hotel/motel
- Mid-range: $150-250AUD for 3* or 4* accommodation
- Luxury: $250+AUD for higher end hotels or fancy apartments
Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on demand, so book in advance (especially if you’re visiting during busy periods) to get the best deals.
For more budget travel tips, read my detailed blog about how to find cheap accommodation around the world!
Transport
- Public transport: $5-10AUD per day, consider the go explore card for unlimited travel for just $10 a day
- Rental car: Price is entirely based on demand but rates start from about $40AUD per day for a basic car
Food & drink
- Budget: $15-20AUD per day if you’re happy to stick with supermarket food
- Mid-range: $40-70AUD per day for a mix of casual cafe meals, food markets and supermarket top ups
- High-end: $100+AUD per day if you want to eat out for each meal
Activities
- Free: Beaches, hiking, natural rock pools, most exhibitions at HOTA (Home of the Arts), botanic gardens, window shopping!
- Cheap: Sunset fish & chips, beach picnics, bike rental, street food & music at Miami Marketta, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, INFINITY Attraction, SkyPoint observation deck, wine tasting in the Hinterland
- Worth a splurge: Guided activities like snorkelling, kayaking, jetskiing etc., theme parks, SkyPoint Climb, helicopter rides
Where to stay on the Gold Coast
Budget
- Surf Inn Boutique Backpackers (8.8/10 on booking.com, Surfers Paradise social hostel)
- Capsuleaccom Hostel (9.3/10 on booking.com, comfy capsule hostel in Southport)
- Red Star Palm Beach (8.3/10 on booking.com, cheap and cheerful hotel in trendy Palm Beach)
Mid-range
- The Cheshire Cat Motel (9.6/10 on booking.com, my favourite spot! Super retro, basically made for Instagram)
- The Island Gold Coast (8.5/10 on booking.com, 4* boutique hotel in Surfers Paradise)
- Meriton Suites Southport, Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach (stylish and affordable apartments throughout the Gols Coast)
- Costa D’Ora Holiday Apartments (9/10 on booking.com, simple Surfers Paradise apartments for a decent price)
Luxury
- Dorsett Gold Coast (8.5/10 on booking.com, stunning 4.5* design hotel in Broadbeach)
- The Darling (9.1/10 on booking.com, a splurge-worthy upmarket accommodation experience)
The ultimate 5 day Gold Coast itinerary
Who is this five day Gold Coast itinerary for?
This itinerary is best suited to travellers who want to maximise their five days on the Gold Coast, and who don’t mind long days of adventure, fun times and good food.
If you’re looking for more of a relaxing getaway then that’s absolutely no problem, you can use this itinerary to get ideas for the activities and experiences that really pique your interest, and then mix-and-match some slower-paced chill time with busier days.
Day one: Surfers Paradise
Arrive into the Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport and make your way to your accommodation to drop off your bags before hitting the ground running in Surfers Paradise.
About Surfers Paradise
This is the Gold Coast you’ve probably heard about before, with countless family-friendly attractions, legendary nightlife and skyscrapers that make up one of Australia’s most iconic skylines.
With places like SkyPoint, HOTA and Pacific Fair on its doorstep, easy transport connections to the theme parks, and a gigantic golden stretch of sand within walking distance of all the fun, it’s no wonder Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Queensland.
if you’re like me and want a taste of the touristy stuff as well as enjoying some lesser known/more local spots then I’d recommend spending a day taking in all that Surfers has to offer, before spending the rest of your Gold Coast itinerary in more chilled out places.
Things to do in Surfers Paradise
- Sunbathe, swim or surf at Surfers Paradise Beach
- Get out of your comfort zone by climbing the outside of Australia’s tallest building with the SkyPoint Climb, letting you soak up the views from 270m above sea level
- If that sounds a bit too terrifying for you then you can enjoy the panoramic landscapes from the safety of an actual building instead with the SkyPoint Observation Deck
- See the city at night with this top-rated sightseeing cruise (4.6/5 from 90+ reviews, complete with a buffet dinner!)
- Visit HOTA (Home of the Arts) for local art, live entertainment, a cinema and more. Right now they’ve got the Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition running, an incredible immersive art experience showcasing the creative masterminds of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries
- After enjoying the galleries, visit HOTA’s rooftop bar, the Exhibitionist, for one of the city’s best (and lesser known) viewpoints
- Hunt through the stalls of homewares, fashion, art and street food at Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets (4-9pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays)
- People watch down Cavill Avenue, a pedestrianised street with non-stop entertainment from street performers
- Dip a toe into skydiving without the ‘sky’, with an indoor skydive experience at iFly (and save 10% when using the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK on Klook). SO MUCH FUN, I was laughing the entire time!
- Enter another reality at INFINITY Attraction, a multi-sensory maze of lasers, mirror rooms and more
Where to eat and drink in Surfers Paradise
- COAST for creative cocktails
- Mirror Bar to see a mind-bending bar decked out entirely in mirrors, including the bar, benches and seats!
- House of Brews or Beergarden to dive into Queensland’s growing craft beer scene
- Alfresco or Costa D’oro for pizza and pasta
- The Yankee’s Restaurant & Bar for ribs and other hearty dishes
- Curry Express for casual but delicious Indian food
- Cocohut for Thai
- KooKoo for a fancy teppanyaki experience
- Squires or La Playa for brunch
Day two: Southern Gold Coast
Yesterday was all about embracing the tourist life, but today you’re going to get an authentic, local Gold Coast experience.
About Southern Gold Coast
With a more laidback, local vibe than its northern half, the Southern Gold Coast is my favourite part of the city. It stretches from the brilliantly blue waters of Tallebudgera Creek all the way to the NSW border, and encompasses foodie heavens, spectacular beaches and wildlife experiences.
It’s fantastic as a base for exploring too, on my most recent trip I stayed at the ultra-aesthetic Cheshire Cat Motel in Palm Beach and had epic eateries, beautiful beaches and loads of activities within an easy drive.
Things to do on the Southern Gold Coast
- Learn from a local with a surfing lesson at Surf Easy, they run group and private lessons at the beginner-friendly Currumbin Alley. After a 90 minute private lesson I was standing up every single time!
- Combine two thrills at TreeTop Challenge Currumbin (save 10% using the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK), where you can literally zipline over the crocodile enclosure!
- Sunbathe and swim at Tallebudgera Creek, a family-friendly calm, sheltered beach
- Meet furry friends at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, an incredible organisation dedicated to caring for Australian wildlife, with a big focus on research projects and conservation programmes as well as running one of the world’s busiest wildlife hospitals
- Marvel at the surfers who are out on the waves from dawn until dusk, enjoying the internationally-renowned surf breaks all along this part of the coast (it’s a designated World Surfing Reserve)
- Do as the locals do and watch sunset with an ice cold beer at Rainbow Bay Surf Club
- Head to Snapper Rocks during whale season (May to October) to spot humpbacks on their annual migration, they can be spotted as close as 50m from shore!
- Skydive from 12,000ft in the air for the most insane views you’ll ever have outside of a plane
Where to eat and drink on the Southern Gold Coast
- The Salt Mill in Currumbin, Stones Throw in Currumbin Waters or Rockleigh Cafe in Coolangatta for brunch
- Niche & Co in Tugun for vegetarian and vegan food
- The Collective in Palm Beach for an upmarket food hall that lets you pick and choose small bites and meals from five different kitchens
- Chef House in Palm Beach, Sticky Rice in Tugun or Mirrors in Palm Beach for Thai
- Siblings in Kirra for fancy seafood or Palm Beach Seafood for casual fish & chips
- Tommy’s in Currumbin, Gallura in Tweed Heads or Toro’s in Palm Beach for Italian
- Not the Southern Gold Coast as such, but if you’re staying further north and need some food/drink on your way back to your hotel, stop in Miami to refuel. Head to Granddad Jack’s for a distillery tour, gin tasting or just some damn good drinks (you can BYO food or even order UberEats while you’re there), or visit Miami Marketta to grab delicious bites from street food stalls with live music to entertain you while you eat (open Wednesdays to Sundays)
Day three: Ocean time
A Gold Coast itinerary wouldn’t be complete without some dedicated time in or on the ocean, so day three is all about watersports!
You’ve got a bunch of options here depending on what level of adventure and physical challenge you’re looking for, so pick your path from the options below.
Snorkelling
Explore the underwater world and spot creatures like turtles, eagle rays, cuttlefish and octopus while snorkelling.
If you’re confident in the water and have your own gear (or can rent some) then you can snorkel independently at Southport Seaway, Narrowneck Beach or Kirra Reef, but make sure you’re always snorkelling with a travel buddy and know your limits (the ocean is no joke!).
If you’re travelling solo in the Gold Coast, prefer an organised snorkelling trip, or want to head to snorkelling spots that are only accessible by boat, some top-rated tours are:
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island (4.7/5 from 530+ reviews)
- Kayaking and snorkelling at Wave Break Island (4.7/5 from 210+ reviews)
- Day trip to Moreton Island with snorkelling at Tangalooma Shipwrecks (4.4/5 from 1000+ reviews)
Scuba diving
If you’re a certified diver or if you’re keen to give it a go, there are some super unique dive opportunities on the Gold Coast too.
One absolute bucket list experience is diving Wonder Reef, the world’s first floating artificial reef! It’s made up of nine manmade structures that float above the sea floor with coral transplanted onto them, creating a brand new marine playground for local fishies and other ocean-dwellers.
Other dive sites worth visiting are the Scottish Prince shipwreck, Cook Island marine reserve for turtles, Nine Mile Reef for nurse sharks and some further afield, and you can see them with the local legends at Gold Coast Dive Adventures.
Kayaking/paddle boarding
Stay above water and paddle around the coastline with a kayak or paddle board trip.
You can rent a kayak or paddle board in some calmer areas like Tallebudgera Creek, or join a guided kayak tour to explore with a group.
Whale watching
If you’re visiting between May and October, you’ll have a decent chance at getting up close and personal with one of 37,000 humpback whales that swim along the coast to warmer waters each year. They call it the Humpback Highway!
This whale watching tour is rated 4.9/5 and has a whale spotting guarantee, so in the unlikely event that you don’t see a whale, you can redo the tour for free.
Jet skiing
Prefer your water adventures with a dose of adrenaline? The Gold Coast’s expansive coastline is the perfect place to jump on a jet ski and see how fast you can go.
If you just want a taste of the thrill you can book a quick 30 minute hoon from Surfers Paradise, or for a more extensive adventure you can join a jet ski safari which includes a stop at South Stradbroke Island for a refreshing drink before hitting the water to get home.
Day four: Hinterland exploring
After a few days seeing the city and the coast, it’s time to head inland to experience a totally different side of the Gold Coast.
About the Gold Coast Hinterland
Ancient rainforests, eclectic villages and a thriving food and wine scene make the lush Hinterland well worth a portion of your five day Gold Coast itinerary. Encompassing Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park as well as other untouched rural areas, it’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the city and coast while being less than an hour away by car.
It’s doable as a day trip but I’d recommend spending a night here if you can, that way you’ll be able to experience sunset and sunrise which are the best times of the day for bird-spotting, and it’ll give you enough time to explore the hiking trails and waterfall walks.
Things to do in the Hinterland
- Chase waterfalls, there are plenty to choose from! Some popular ones are Cedar Creek Falls and Curtis Falls at Tamborine Mountain, Morans Falls and Mirror Falls in Lamington National Park, and Twin Falls and Purling Brook Falls in Springbrook National Park
- Walk the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk to see thick tropical forest on an easy 1.5km loop trail
- If you’re a keen hiker and don’t mind a physical challenge, some of the best trails are the Warrie Circuit, Border Track and Box Forest Circuit, and O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra
- Zipline through the trees with the Canyon Flyer zipline tour at Thunderbird Park
- Pick up wacky souvenirs in the gift shops down Tamborine Mountain’s Gallery Walk
- Explore the Cougal Cascades and swim in the Currumbin Rock Pools
- Pick up fresh produce from local suppliers at the Tamborine Mountain Country Market (2nd Sunday of the month) or the Local Producers’ Market (every Sunday)
- Join a wine tour to taste test the creations of one of Australia’s up and coming wine regions
Where to eat and drink in the Hinterland
- Witches Falls Winery for delicious wild ferment wines, interesting ciders and DIY grazing platters with local treats (their ginger cider is diviiiine)
- Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation, Flying Bean Cafe or Franquette Bakery for brunch
- Tamborine Mountain Distillery for weird and wonderful flavoured liqueurs, including chai, hibiscus, lavender, guava and more
- Rainforest Restaurant, Leaf, and Pippin Took² for lunch/dinner in Tamborine Mountain
- Paddock Restaurant and Binna Burra Tea House in Lamington National Park
Where to stay in the Hinterland
I have one word for you: glamping!
The rainforest is best when you embrace nature, and what better way to do that than to fall asleep to the sounds of pure nature from a luxurious safari tent?
I stayed at Cedar Creek Lodges in one of their glamping tents and it exceeded my expectations, I’ve done A LOT of glamping but this is one of the best-equipped set ups I’ve ever seen. I’m talking a huge, comfy bed, TV with Chromecast and streaming apps, a fan and dehumidifier, a microwave and kettle, a BBQ, an outdoor fire and a rain shower and flushing toilet.
Swim in the Cedar Creek rock pools (only accessible to guests), sip a glass of local wine around the fire, and wake up to the sound of birds singing right next to your deck. How good!
If they’re all booked up then some other top-rated accommodation options are:
- Camelot Boutique Accommodation in Tamborine Mountain
- Shambala Eco Retreat in Tamborine Mountain
- Nightfall in Lamington National Park
- Binna Burra Sky Lodges in Binna Burra
- O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park
Day five: Choose your own adventure
With your final day of this Gold Coast itinerary you’ve got a range of options to choose from, ranging from further outdoor exploration to discovering new neighbourhoods to channelling your inner child. What are you going to choose?
Burleigh
Smack bang in the middle of the Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads is a vibey suburb with a tonne going on, from locally-loved eateries and craft breweries to quirky markets and some of the best views in the city (which is saying something in a city this photogenic!).
It’s also home to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the only Aboriginal cultural centre in the Gold Coast, where you can learn about the historical significance of the Burleigh Headland to the First Nations community.
Brunch at Commune, Paddock or Palm Springs, walk the Burleigh Headland Oceanview and Rainforest Circuit, visit Jellurgal to hear about Dreamtime stories from centuries past, enjoy a late lunch at The Tropic or Rick Shores, and wrap up the day with some wardrobe updates down James Street.
Do a day trip
The Gold Coast is perfectly located to explore nearby areas, so if you’re keen to explore beyond the boundaries, here are a few options:
- Brisbane for big city vibes and a brilliant food scene
- Byron Bay for luxe boutiques and hipster cafes
- The Scenic Rim (past the Hinterland) for rustic farmyard restaurants and rural relaxation
Shopping
The Gold Coast’s shopping scene is seriously impressive, from mega malls to outlet complexes to boutique markets. Some to add to your hit list if you’re in need of retail therapy:
- Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre are both huge shopping malls with a range of shops from department stores to luxury designer labels
- Harbour Town Premium Outlets serves up bargain after bargain with up to 70% off big brands like Nike, Seafolly, Seed and Macpac
- James Street in Burleigh for independent boutiques and art galleries
- The Village Markets is a legendary shopping spot for small designers and artisan crafts, they used to run every second weekend in Burleigh Heads but now operate pop-ups and rack sales, check their upcoming events here
Theme parks
Take your five days on the Gold Coast to the next level, literally, with a visit to the iconic theme parks that helped put the GC on the family travel map all those years ago.
From thrill rides and character parades to sugar overload and refreshing waterslides, a day of thrilling fun in the sun is an ideal way to wrap up your five day Gold Coast adventure.
I hope this itinerary has helped you plan out five epic days exploring the Gold Coast! If you have any questions please let me know in the comments, and check out my Gold Coast highlights on Instagram for more photos and videos from my time there.
MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL INSPIRATION:
- The ultimate Gold Coast bucket list: 30+ epic things to do
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- The ultimate Australia travel guide (read this first!)
- The ultimate Australia bucket list
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- Or see all Australia blog posts
MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.
Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.
Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.
Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off
Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.
Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).
Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.
Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.
Thank you so much! this is such great to-do / to-go lists!!