Gold Coast Regional Information
Explore the best of Gold Coast.
"Famous for Fun", that's the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. A city that caters in every way for your enjoyment. Seventy Kilometers of sun and surf, 100,000 hectares of world heritage rainforest and national parks, over 500 cafes, restaurants and bars. World class theme parks, indulgent shopping, fun filled evenings of entertainment. Go Fishing, horse ride, parasail, jet ski, ballooning, even get married or - just sleep in !
Whatever your desire, be it a family holiday, romantic getaway, special event, or selfish indulgence, whether you visit from overseas, interstate, or just for the day, the Gold Coast spoils you in every way with its warmth, charm and passion for relaxation and fun.
The Gold Coast region lies to the south of the Queensland state capital of Brisbane and stretches along a coastal plain to the border of New South Wales at Coolangatta. It is serviced by two International airports. Other forms of transport to and from the region are the M1 motorway which is fed by the South East Queensland Toll Network (there is no actual toll n the M1) or regular train and coach services from Brisbane.
The Gold Coast is blessed with a sub tropical temperate climate which makes the region enjoyable all year round. The cooler months are May through to September and even during these months temperatures are in the mid twenties (Celsius) on average. October through to April are the warmer months with temperatures trending up into the high twenties with occasional spells in the low thirties. The cooler months are mainly dry with the warmer months being a bit more humid with scatterings of sub tropical rain and occasional short lived storms. Cyclones are very rare for the region. On most days sunscreen is a must, along with a hat and sunglasses for eye comfort. There is a local saying for this of "Slip, Slop, Slap" - Slip on a sun shirt, Slop on some sunscreen and Slap on a hat. Do not forget sun glasses and drink water. Lightweight clothing is comfortable most of the year with a light jacket or jumper for cooler nights.
The Gold Coast region is a water wonderland with six rivers (Logan, Albert, Pimpama, Coomera, Nerang and Tweed) as well as various lakes, canals and waterways. Many of the waterways and islands within the region are National Parks and are a boating and fishing paradise. The city is renowed for its waterways and waterfront residential and recreational areas and has the largest constructed canal network (over 400 kilometers) in the Southern Hemisphere.
The beaches of the Gold Coast are amongst the best in the world. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer there is no better place to enjoy surfing beaches. There are always many beach options whether you wish to board ride, body surf or just frolic in the surf. With more than 70 kilometres of beaches and forty patrolled areas to surf, finding that special spot on the beach is not hard for anyone. If you tire of the surf or surfing beaches are not for you then the Gold Coast has many calm water options.
The Northern Gold Coast area runs from Beenleigh in the north down to Southport. It is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest collection of theme parks. These parks are mainly located in the Coomera and Helensvale suburbs and are easily accessible from the M1 Motorway or by train. This region of the Gold Coast is also home to Hope Island, and the smart and exclusive Sanctuary Cove which offers many restaurants, a marina, shops, resorts and two of the Gold Coast’s premier golf courses. The Gold Coast Broadwater dominates this area as an outstanding protected natural waterway which attracts every kind of on water activity imaginable, from kayaking, tall ship cruising and jet boating, to snorkelling, parasailing and whale watching. Also in this region just off the coast, but a world away from the typical Gold Coast experience is South Stradbroke Island which offers more natural island retreats and resorts. This island is accessible by ferry services or boats.
The Central Gold Coast is the area from Southport down to Burleigh Heads and offers many of the great beaches the Gold Coast is world famous for with all forms of accommodation available on the beach front and close by. Here is found the heart of the Gold Coast with areas such as Main Beach with its boutique style shopping precinct, the legendary Surfers Paradise, cosmopolitan Broadbeach or the more laid back Mermaid and Miami beaches. Burleigh Heads is a favourite for surfing and attracts international surfers being the venue for the Quicksilver Pro Surf Tournament. The central Gold Coast is also where you will find the night time pulse of the city at the night clubs, casino, bars and hotels of area.
The Southern Gold Coast stretches from Burleigh heads to the border of New South Wales and embraces some of the areas most beautiful and protected beach environments. A vast selection of accommodation is positioned within an easy wander of local beaches and shops in precincts such as Currumbin and Tugun. Here you will also find Coolangatta and the Tweed River which in some ways are a separate destination in their own right. The Gold Coast Airport located at Coolangatta is the major domestic and international gateway to the region.
To the west of the Surfers Paradise city skyline lies a lush bush and hinterland region that offers visitors an alternative to the sand and surf in the form of a collection of uniquely Australian villages, rainforest walks, scenic lookouts, wineries and mountain retreats nestled into hectares of ancient forests and national parks. This is an area inhabited from pre historic times and was the summer home of the Aborigines. Its timbers were highly sort after for the making of boomerangs.
The Gold Coast is also a sporting paradise with many world class surfing, golf, football, motor racing and other sporting events featured throughout the year. It is home to the Rugby League "Titans" and the AFL Australian Rules Football ("Aussie Rules"). It has also been the home of many of Australia’s World and Olympic champion athletes. In 2018 the Gold Coast will proudly host the Commonwealth Games.
