Gold Coast Accommodation

Located on Australia’s east coast, the charming city of Gold Coast in Queensland is characterised by expansive sandy beaches, quality accommodation, and a bustling nightlife. Featuring scenic landscapes and ocean views, Gold Coast holidays make a popular holiday destination for both singles and families.

Getting to Your Gold Coast Accommodation

There are many ways to reach Gold Coast. Located between Queensland and New South Wales, the Gold Coast Airport receives flights from all major Australian cities, as well as some international destinations like New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. The flight time from Sydney is about 1 hour 25min, whilst the flight from Melbourne takes about 2 hours.

You can also reach Gold Coast by train. For example, the Queensland Rail connects Gold Coast to the nearest big city, Brisbane, with a travel time of about 1 hour 30min. Finally, Surfside Buslines provide bus services in and around the Gold Coast area.

Eating out on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is located in eastern Australia and is famed for its al fresco approach to life, with high-end restaurants, street side eateries and casual burger joints all embracing dining in the great outdoors. If you are travelling on a budget or just looking to soak up the authentic street food atmosphere then head to the arcades behind Surfers Paradise, which are packed with Asian lunch box restaurants where you can pick up fantastic food for a few dollars.

Tedder Avenue and Broadbeach have the highest concentration of eateries on the Gold Coast with choices to satisfy every taste and budget. Many of the restaurants operate on a bring your own booze basis, with a small corkage fee applied by the venue. If you are seeking something a little cheaper try Oskars, one of the top restaurants in the vicinity, which offers spectacular views of the beaches. It enjoys an equally impressive location with a much more affordable price tag than the nearby Kurrawa Surf Club.

Getting cultural on the Gold Coast

Despite primarily being known for its beaches and range of outdoor pursuits, the Gold Coast has a surprisingly large community of creatives, artists and musicians. The museum scene is busy and diverse, with a number of smaller specialist museums which focus on local art and local issues.

The Gallery at Hota is one of the city's most prominent museums and exhibits one of the largest collections of Aboriginal work in Australia. Boomerang Art is another highlight and showcases a range of Aboriginal fine art as well as a range of affordable artworks which are available for purchase.

The Gold Coast is also home to the country's only surfing museum, Surf World Gold Coast, which documents the history and technology of this national obsession. The Forest of Memories, situated on top of a hill in Logan Town, is an intriguing attraction which celebrates the lives of influential local figures and heroes.

Holidays with kids on the Gold Coast

Gold Coast holiday homes are a natural choice for a family holiday, with excellent weather and plenty of outdoor activities to keep everyone entertained. The abundant beach space and BBQ spots are perfect for keeping children occupied while you enjoy the delightful climate with a cocktail at the beach front bar.

For some natural exploration, Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park is just the ticket. Kids will be mesmerised by the glow worms you can see in the evening after an adventure through the verdant forests. The Cumbrian Rock Pools are another geological highlight and the perfect place to cool off on a hot day.

If you happened to catch one of the rare rainy afternoons, the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and the Odditorium Cinema are excellent family-friendly entertainment choices. For stunning views of the city check out the Skypoint Observation Deck - visitors over twelve years of age are permitted to take part in the thrilling Skypoint Climb.

Explore Gold Coast's Nightlife

Located on Surfers’ Paradise Beach, Melbas On The Park is a popular night club with a restaurant and cocktail lounge catering a variety of snacks and drinks. With its large dance floors and state-of-the-art lighting effects, this is undoubtedly one of the Gold Coast's best hot spots for a night out.

Another favourite is Elsewhere Bar in Surfers Paradise. Popular with both visitors and locals, this retro-chic night club is renowned for its special weekend parties featuring live music bands and international Djs. Alternatively, the Cocktails Nightclub makes for a great night out thanks to its chill out spaces, vast dance floors, pool tables, and elegant bar.

Excursions from the Gold Coast

An hour's drive north of the Gold Coast, you will find yourself in the state capital of Brisbane. Australia's third largest city is well worth visiting and packed with attractions for young and old alike. Highlights of Brisbane include the city's botanical gardens, the Museum of Brisbane and the glorious South Bank with its artificial beach.

In the opposite direction to Brisbane is the dreamy Byron Bay. The beaches have earned their place as one of the world's top surfing destinations, with good reason. As well as Byron, Watego's and Tallow's Beaches are situated nearby and are generally much less crowded than their more popular counterpart - perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the natural environment.

Gold Coast Holidays on a Budget

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations thanks to its pleasant climate, which allows for outdoor activities throughout the year. Gold Coast offers a wide range of centrally-located accommodation options. Typical accommodations include modern apartments, cosy beach houses, and town houses. Budget accommodation is easy to come by in this remote area of Australia.

Many of the affordable self-catering accommodation options provide stunning views over the ocean, so you can be sure to find your dream holiday home here. It's easy to live on a budget in Gold Coast as the main attraction are the gorgeous beaches where you can soak up the sun. Booking a whale watching tour, or visiting the local World Heritage rainforest are also affordable, fun activities.

To get started, climb to the top of the SkyPoint Observation Deck where you will be greeted with spectacular views over the whole city, a great way to get your bearings. And remember, if you're an outdoor adventurer on a budget, you can always just go for a jog or cycle around the Gold Coast Oceanway, an oasis for nature and ocean lovers.

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