Top Gold Coast Day Trips

Start your day off right with a half-day kayak tour to South Stradbroke Island. Enjoy a great vantage point on the beaches and wildlife of the Gold Coast as you paddle at a leisurely pace, stopping to snorkel off Wavebreak Island, visit secluded beaches, and enjoy a picnic breakfast on the beach. Your expert guide shares informative commentary about the region's ecology and animals, and provides full instruction on kayaking and snorkeling — making this tour suitable for both experienced paddlers and first-timers.

Experience the nighttime enchantment of Mt Tamborine National Park on this unique 4WD rain forest walk and glowworm tour. At the mountain summit, stop for a light supper of cakes and hot chocolate, and soak up views of the twinkling Gold Coast from a lookout. Then, observe nocturnal wildlife by torchlight with a guided bushwalk through the rain forest, where you’ll come across an ethereal waterfall illuminated by glowworms.

Journey into the hinterlands on this 5-hour afternoon tour of the Springbrook National Park from the Gold Coast. Explore the UNESCO-listed Goondawanna rainforests by coach, stopping to walk through the jungle, peek into ancient caves and enjoy views of Mount Warning from the Best of All Lookout.  Visit natural wonders like Purling Brook Falls, Numinbah valley and Rainbow Falls, and soak up the scenery from the Canyon Lookout. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people for a personalised experience, and includes hotel pick-up and afternoon tea.

Enjoy a close encounter with Australia's native animals at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Gold Coast. Your ticket includes admission to the park plus daily keeper presentations and animal shows. Admire critters such as the kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, koala, wombat, echidna and reptiles that live in natural-style bush and rainforest habitats. Walk through the stunning 5-acre forest of the Lost Valley and see unique flora and wildlife such as lemurs, red pandas, capybaras and other exotic reptiles.

Exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland can be a challenge if you don’t have your own transport, but this full-day tour from the Gold Coast offers the perfect introduction. Discover the natural wonders of the Springbrook National Park, stopping to take in the views of Mt Warning and the Numinbah Valley, and admire landmarks including the Natural Arch, Rainbow Falls, and Goomalarah Falls.

Go sailing on the Gold Coast Broadwater at sunset aboard a luxury sailboat. Glide past landmarks such as the Southport Yacht Club, Marina Mirage, Wave Break Island and Surfers Paradise on this romantic and relaxing 2-hour sunset cruise. Travel in a small group with a maximum of 10 people, and enjoy complimentary sparkling wine and appetizers during your sunset cruise. Have the option to upgrade to include a gourmet dinner featuring fresh Australian seafood.

Short on time? Sample the natural beauty of the Gold Coast on this outdoor tour. Hop on a sea kayak and paddle your way over to Wave Break Island to swim and snorkel amid tropical fish and colorful coral. Spot dolphins, stingrays, and sea turtles along the coast, and enjoy a snack before heading back to shore.

Exploring the Gold Coast hinterland can be tricky for those unfamiliar with the area. See places you'd never find on your own on this guided tour to Tamborine Mountain. Embark on a rainforest walk to Curtis Falls, travel through Eucalyptus Forest, and explore the Tamborine Mountain Forest Skywalk, a network of forest floor trails, steel bridges through the highest points of the upper canopy, and a 131-foot (40-meter) cantilevered bridge that soars 98 feet (30 meters) above the creek and rainforest below.

Witness Humpback Whales on the Gold Coast. Cruise departs from Sea World in Main Beach and continues past South Stradbroke Island. Only 20 minutes to the nearby water of the Australian Whale Sanctuary. The Spirit of Migaloo II is Australia’s newest and most advanced whale watching vessel operating in the Gold Coast. With marine naturalists onboard, passengers can enjoy a front row seat to all the action from six external viewing platforms and tiered stadium seating from sea level to the sun deck. The spacious decks all around the vessel and smaller passenger numbers ensure that the experience is a personal one with the freedom to move around and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Humpback Whales wherever you are on the boat. Whale Watching Season is late May to early November.

Visit Tropical Fruit World, where you can learn about tropical fruit around the world and taste the fruit grown on the farm. Cruise down the farm's waterway and feed the wild birds as they swim and swoop alongside the boat, then transfer to a miniature train for a ride through the eucalyptus trees.

This comprehensive full-day tour allows you to sightsee, swim, hike, and bushwalk through The Royal National Park. Including transportation to the Figure 8 Pools, only about an hour's drive from Sydney, you'll discover coastal views and local wildlife. Pickup and drop-off at a central Sydney meeting location.

Visit three craft breweries on the Gold Coast during a half-day tour that includes lots of beer tastings and a delicious lunch. You'll sample the goods at Black Hops Brewing, Burleigh Brewing, and Balter Brewing, meet some of the brewers, and learn what goes on behind the scenes during the brewing process.

Enjoy deep sea fishing on a 5-hour charter tour from the Gold Coast. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure for this fishing tour with professional fishing guides who assist you to find and land your catch. A wide variety of pelagic and bottom-dwelling fish can be found in the waters off the Gold Coast. Includes the use of fishing equipment and a safe ride on a fully equipped boat.

Head into the Gold Coast hinterland for an evening of luminescent glow worms, a torch-lit rain forest walk, and stargazing in the clear night sky. Deep inside the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, marvel at the natural phenomenon of thousands of tiny glow worms lighting up an ancient cave before trekking among the nocturnal creatures of Queensland on a guided night safari. Cap off the evening with stargazing at the Springbrook Research Observatory and a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Leaving the urban jungle of the Goldie, we’ll cruise up through the verdant green hills of the Gold Coast hinterland to Tamborine Mountain. A rainforest-covered escarpment formed by a 23 million-year-old lava flow, Tamborine Mountain is the gateway to the Scenic Rim – one of Australia’s most underrated wine regions. And you’ll be enjoying a tasting at three of its finest wineries on this gourmet day trip, topped off with a two-course lunch at Hampton Wines (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) or Mason Wines (Wednesday and Thursday). A visit to Witches Falls Winery – often ranked among Queensland’s best – is included on every tour. You’ll also get a chance to sample a selection of the artisanal spirits and liqueurs produced by Tamborine Mountain Distillery, a local icon which has won more than 300 awards for its quirky tipples – eucalyptus gum leaf vodka, anyone? If you’re a sucker for a great view, you’ll love the spectacular Scenic Rim lookout we stop at before heading back to the city.

Mt Tamborine is renowned for its boutique wineries and artisan producers, and lies just an hour south of Brisbane. On this private tour, enjoy a customizable itinerary, stopping at up to four wineries, along with a distillery, craft brewery, and cheese factory (optional). Sample a variety of wines and tasters along the way, then indulge in a scrumptious 2-course lunch at a winery restaurant.

Sail to picturesque Moreton Island, a renowned location for spotting dolphins, turtles, and dugong that’s situated a little over an hour away from Brisbane. This all-day eco-cruise features a buffet lunch, along with beach time and a guided snorkel tour (equipment provided) at the Tangalooma Wrecks, a cluster of ships that are surrounded by coral.

Many wine tours focus only on the great wine but on this tour you’ll also visit some of the most beautiful heritage buildings in the area, which happen to be wineries. On this private tour you’ll be taken to four different estates, including a home that three previous Queensland premiers lived in. Learn about wine-making and local history while indulging in a tasty drop or two.

Experience the beautiful Gold Coast on this small-group guided cruise. Enjoy a flexible itinerary—cruises last from one to five hours—and a quiet ride on this custom built boat with an electric motor. Check out amazing views of sites like Main Beach, Southport, Cronin’s Island, and Isle of Capri. Marvel at the million dollar homes and gorgeous canals, elegant bridges and marine life that could include dolphins, turtles, and sea eagles.

Consult with your dedicated personal tour guide to develop a hiking itinerary best suited to your group. With two national parks to explore, we offer trails with distance and difficulty ranging from 1km strolls to 20+km epics. Want to focus on waterfalls, ancient Antarctic Beech forests or a spectacular sunrise? Book a Private Tour and create your own unforgettable rainforest experience!

The forested valleys and vine-clad hills of Brisbane’s Scenic Rim area are even more magnificent when viewed from above. With this tour, make an early start to catch the sunrise and float over the picturesque landscapes in a hot air balloon. After admiring the views, celebrate your flight with a glass of Champagne and a scrumptious hot buffet breakfast at a local vineyard.

Soak up the views from Australia’s most easterly point before visiting Byron Bay’s hottest food and drink spots. After taking in the sweeping views from Cape Byron Lighthouse you can opt to take a refreshing dip at Wategos Beach. Next up we’ll visit hip hilltop cafe Top Shop for a caffeine hit before we head to The Farm. This lush, working farm on the fringe of Byron is anchored by the lauded Three Blue Ducks restaurant, where we’ll tuck into an incredible lunch showcasing produce harvested just metres from our table. There’ll be plenty of time to take a stroll around the property to meet the Highland cows and crack some Macadamias before we head to Stone & Wood to sample the famed Byron Bay brewery’s multi-award-winning beers. Before heading back to Goldie, we’ll enjoy a tasting at one of Byron’s boutique distilleries. Set in a lush rainforest, Cape Byron Distillery specialises in gin (with whisky on the way), while Lord Byron Distillery produces rum, vodka, gin and more.

Daily Service, Helensvale Station to and from Tamborine Mountain. Servicing, Eagle Heights, Mount Tamborine, North Tamborine, The Skywalk, Thunderbird Park and Treetop Challenge. See amazing wildlife in a geological rich oasis that is Tamborine Mountain, visit waterfalls, translucent rock pools, inspiring landscapes, towering rainforest, majestic views and star-studded skies all add to the magic that is Tamborine Mountain. Enjoy an affordable mountain adventure, a romantic escape, or a family holiday. Stay a day or a week.

Whether you want to see the sights from the channels and coastlines or you just want to have dinner and drinks on the water, this private canal cruise can be tailored to your needs. Take this water-limo, custom-built for small groups, out for one hour or for half the day, cruising in the shadow of the grand Gold Coast skyline. With a skipper on hand to point out all the highlights, from Surfer’s Paradise to the homes of the rich and famous, this is a unique and discreet way to experience the Gold Coast.