Top Things to do in Gold Coast
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Gold Coast, Queensland
Discover the best top things to do in Gold Coast, Australia including Burleigh Heads Beach, Rainbow Bay, Tamborine Mountain, Surfers Paradise Beach, Kurrawa Beach, Kirra Beach, Springbrook National Park, Natural Bridge, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Coolangatta Beach.
Restaurants in Gold Coast
1. Burleigh Heads Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,730 reviews
Reviewed By ozwidephotography - Burleigh Heads, Australia
Popular with the locals it's an iconic place to visit, beautiful beach, surfing, swimming or walk through the National Park at Burleigh Heads hill or go shopping, it's got the lot and a superb relaxed atmosphere.
2. Rainbow Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By LeighC604 - Brisbane, Australia
A Gold Coast beach that has changed little in the last 10 years, still offering a quiet, family-friendly beautiful beach close to the surf action at Duranbah and Snapper Rocks. Great views from Danger Point and the little art cafe at the top serves great food.
3. Tamborine Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 reviews
Reviewed By TaniaB12345 - Cape Town, South Africa
What a beautiful day trip this is. Beautiful views looking across the gold coast from the top of Tambourine Mountain where hang gliders take off from, plenty of sights for all the family to see as well as wineries and liqueur tastings.
4. Surfers Paradise Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,921 reviews
The iconic skyline and golden beaches of Surfers Paradise is the Gold Coast’s postcard image to Australia and the world. Each year, millions of visitors discover an energetic foreshore precinct boasting an incredible diversity of restaurant, cafe, shopping and fashion and nightlife experiences. Restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine have made Surfers Paradise a serious dining hub, while shopping centres and arcades display top labels and the best in lifestyle and beauty. Surfers Paradise contains 50% of the Gold Coast’s accommodation – everything from five-star beachfront resorts to cheerful backpacker digs – making it the perfect base from which to explore the region. Locals and visitors are kept busy with a year-round calendar of events, highlighted by free family entertainment. And fronting it all – Surfers Paradise Beach, Australia’s iconic beach and a locale that conjures up ‘paradise’ to millions. It's "Always On" in Surfers Paradise!
Reviewed By williamsN3015EP - Surfers Paradise, Australia
I have traveled extensively and this stretch of beach beats plenty others I have seen, including Santa Monica, Hoi An, and others. If you are escaping the colder climates of Australia and beyond, this beach will be all you need to feel fantastic. Beautiful clean sand, gorgeous rolling surf, superb sunrises and moonrises, all patrolled by Australia’s famous surf life savers. Ideal for romantic strolls along the beach. Don’t forget to swim between the red and yellow flags, and bring your sunscreen and hat. Who says there is nothing to do? Just enjoy the world class beach and stunning vistas.
5. Kurrawa Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 816 reviews
Reviewed By ribsy56 - Brisbane, Australia
What a beautiful beach! With the surf club on the doorstep and kids' play area not too far away, a walk on the beach was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Life savers were on duty and the water was a beautiful blue, with gentle waves. Loved it!
6. Kirra Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 667 reviews
Reviewed By Miike2000 - Brisbane, Australia
Plenty of sand, clean, toilets close by, ride your bike in the park, green grass available if you don’t like the sand, bring your dog is ok, plenty of parking and cafes close by.
7. Springbrook National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Reviewed By LeanneP188 - Cardiff, Australia
I spent a single day exploring this park and have set out what I was able to see in a single day and have suggested a timeline for anyone who is planning a similar day trip. The park is approx 1 hour from the Gold Coast. I was visiting at the end of October and set out about 8 am in a southwards direction towards Neranwood. The temperature in the park when I arrived about 9am was between 3 and 5 degrees cooler than the coast, so it was no hotter than 25 even though it was 28 on the coast. My first stop was the 'best of all' look out at the far end of the eastern ‘branch’ of the park. There is a 300m easy walk on a paved surface to the lookout which is spectacular. You can see Byron Bay from here on a clear day. Drive back along Repeater Station Road and turn right onto Springbrook Road and drive to the end which brings you to a picnic area and Goomoolahra falls. There is a 100 m walk to the falls, which are quite small, and the lookout, which gives you a view back towards the coast. From there drive back towards the Tallanbana picnic area. From here you can take the 90 min walk to the base of the twin falls. There is no view of these falls from anywhere except the base. You need to be quite sure footed as the path is largely unsealed and contains a number of sections of uneven steps. At the base of the falls is a pool which is swimmable but the base of the pool is quite rocky and entry and exit are not easy. Small children would need to be assisted in and out of the water. I’m in my 50s and while I walk regularly on level surfaces, the walk back up is challenging and I had to stop 3 or 4 times to have a few minutes rest. Even with the rests, I still made the return trip in the 90 minute time estimated. I then drove back along Springbrook Road and turned right onto Boy Ull Road which takes you directly to the Canyon lookout. From here you can view Purlingbrook falls from the top. You can walk to the base which would be a similar walk to the twin falls. If you are doing one or the other I think the twin falls walk is more worthwhile because you can't see those falls from anywhere but the base, and you can also swim at the base if you like. By this time it was approx 12.30. I had a packed lunch with me but there enough eateries around that you will be able to find something to suit you. I then drove to the Natural Bridge which is on the western arm of the park. This takes you through a steep descent into the Nunimbah valley which is green and lovely with the mountains behind it. There is a very nice park and picnic area running alongside the Nerang River which would be a good place for a late lunch. A little way past the park turn left onto Bakers Road which takes you to the Natural Bridge. I spent about half an hour here walking around the track that takes you to the bridge, which can be viewed from two sides. Note that despite the beautiful pictures of the water here, swimming is prohibited due to effects on the glowworm habitat. I drove back to the coast via the Nerang Murwillambah road which takes you past Advancetown Lake and the Hinze Dam, which is on the northern end of the lake. Turn right onto Advancetown Road to access the dam. This is worth having a look at if only (when the water levels are low) to snap a few photos of the whitened dead trees against the blue of the lake. This route brings you back to the coast from the northern end and I arrived about 4.30 pm.
8. Natural Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 865 reviews
Reviewed By bobjanh - Brisbane, Australia
Natural Bridge is well worth a visit: sealed road access all the way with a well made 2km circuit track from the car park down to the rock formation and back. A bit steep in places but easily doable if slow and steady: I would recommend doing clockwise to get the easier uphill direction on return. Be sure to look for the bat colony when you get to the bottom.
9. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,377 reviews
Voted one of the Gold Coast's most popular tourist destinations, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the crown jewel of the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) [NTAQ] properties. As one of Queensland's earliest nature-based tourist destinations, the Sanctuary is a physical embodiment of everything the NTAQ represents: dedication to conserving our nation's Indigenous, natural and historic heritage and culture. With Blinky Bill now present for daily shows, the amazing viewing experiences available at the Wildlife Hospital and hundreds of native Australian animals on display in natural bushland and rainforest settings, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the ultimate holiday adventure for the entire family.
Reviewed By AsISeeIt37 - Los Angeles, United States
We told the travel agent that we wanted to hold a koala and they arranged a visit to this sanctuary. I believe this is a special experience one has to book beyond the general admission ticket, but well worth it as it's the opportunity to hold a cute critter. The people who work here are so informative and kind. We learned so much about koalas during our visit and got a private visit into the female sanctuary to snap photos and peek at them sleeping. During the remainder of the visit we went into the kangaroo pen and could feed and pet the kangaroos. Also had a trip to the animal hospital where they are doing incredible work on all types of critters especially now that the fires are effecting animals in the wild. 120 volunteers work with the animals which is impressive in it's own right. All in all, a highly enjoyable experience.
10. Coolangatta Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,371 reviews
Reviewed By toniw911 - Northampton, United Kingdom
Great autumn visit, clean safe and warm wter for families to swim in with life guards on hand if needed and plenty of surfers to watch as the day goes by. Head around the corner to watch the sun rise and set.
