Things to Do in Gold Coast

Situated at the southern end of Australia’s famous Gold Coast, Coolangatta has accommodations and attractions that are affordable for virtually every traveler, from the budget conscious backpackers to high rollers. This prosperous suburb has a shared economy with nearby Tweed Heads, and in some ways, with the rest of the coastal region as well. It repeatedly appears in popular culture worldwide, most recently as the setting for fictitious town in 1994’s Muriel's Wedding.

Until recently, Coolangatta played host to the annual Wintersun Festival, a two-week extravaganza celebrating the 1950s and 1960s with free entertainment and attractions each June. The festival included hot rods, restored and remodeled cars, and throwback, revival bands performing era-appropriate music.

Along with Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta, the suburb of Broadbeach is one of the premier destinations on Australia’s Gold Coast. Like the aforementioned spots (Surfers Paradise being the exception), Broadbeach has a relatively small native population of less than 4,000 people. What sets the suburb apart is the system of canal waterways and Lake Intrepid that are linked to the Nerang River. The Venice of the Gold Coast is serviced by water-going vessels, obviously, and regular bus service and taxis; but it also boasts a privately operated monorail system that connects the Oasis Shopping Centre with Conrad Jupiters Casino. It is also a cut above much of the region when it comes to bicycle and pedestrian access.

Beginning in 2002, the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival has been a major tourist draw for the musically inclined and often features a wide array of locally and internationally recognized performers and groups.

One of Queensland, Australia’s absolute gems, Lamington National Park exemplifies what it means to explore Australia’s markedly majestic natural life. Full of waterfalls, hiking tracks, rainforests and expansive plant- animal-life, it is no wonder that Lamington is considered one of this continent’s premiere destinations.

Covering over 20,500 hectares, Lamington has a diverse flora life, housing majestic plants that are not found anywhere else in the world and has tree-roots that have been in existence for more than 5,000 years. You can also find a similarly significant and overwhelming bird-life--it's full of king parrots, cockatoos, pale-headed rosella’s, sooty owls, red-browed treecreepers, just to list a few. Also be on the lookout for exotic reptiles, frogs and mammals.

Rainforests are some of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems, yet humans usually only experience them from the ground. O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk provides a new point of view, allowing visitors to experience the world of the rainforest from inside the canopy.

O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk is a 590-foot (180-meter) walkway through the rainforest of the Gold Coast hinterland that consists of nine suspension bridges and two observation decks. Sitting right next to the incredible landscape of Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest with its walkway that sits 50 feet (15 meters) off the ground. The highest sections soar an even higher 110 feet above the forest floor. Visitors to the walkway stroll among trees entwined with vines and covered in flowers and fruit. Ferns and orchids cling to the upper reaches of the trees, and the bird life is plentiful.

A prosperous suburb on Australia’s famous Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads boasts a population just shy of 8,000 people, making it a cozy destination for travelers seeking rest and relaxation in the region.

The main commercial center in Burleigh Heads is James Street, a village of sorts that is packed with cafes, delis, hairdressers, retailers, chemists, restaurants and charity stores.

The main attraction for many visitors is the main surf break, a welcome opportunity compared to other quality spots that have become overrun with flocks of tourists and adventure-seekers. The Quicksilver Pro and the Breaka Burleigh Pro are two popular local surfing events.

The area known as “The Point” is a favorite of locals and foreigners alike who seek a pleasant place to have picnics, barbecues, recreational cricket matches and to surf.

A bi-monthly event known as “The Village Markets” promotes local emerging designers and artists.

You won’t have to sign a lease to experience the incredible 360-degree views from atop one of the world’s tallest residential towers. Visitors to the SkyPoint Observation Deck, a glass-encased wonder located on the 77th and 78th floors of the iconic Q1 building, can look out some 230 feet above sea level at the scenic Surfers Paradise. These epics views are some of the most memorable in the city, but travelers agree, a trip to this architectural destination is not for the faint of heart—or anyone afraid of heights.

A high-speed elevator zips visitors to the top of the SkyPoint Observation Deck, where clear glass walls make for perfect viewing on cloudless days. Whether it’s catching the bright pink sun dipping down to the horizon or witnessing the twinkling city lights flickering on after dark, views from the deck prove picture perfect any time of day.

The Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk offers a whole new perspective on the forest - from within and above, as if you were a bird or a sugar glider. You'll walk on a delicate steel structure (vertigo sufferers need not apply - this thing sways!) through 12 hectares (30 acres) of the divine Mount Tamborine Rainforest.

What will you see on the way? The walk, which takes about an hour (you can pace yourself), starts off in the middle and upper canopies and descends, via a cantilever lookout, to rock pools and butterfly hotspots and then the rainforest floor.

There's a snug visitors center (the walk starts off here) in the Rainforest Eco Gallery, which will fill you in on the flora and fauna you're about to see. There's also an aquarium with freshwater fish, and the Birdwing Café.

It's truly wet and awesomely wild at this Gold Coast water theme park! The star attraction is the Kamikaze jet spray water slide, with its sheer drop and over-the-top speeds. The Tornado slide blasts you from a tunnel into a wet and wild storm. Or enter the Blackhole's dark, enclosed tunnels to go spiraling through the heart of darkness until the final splashdown.

For the longest slides, wind your way around Mach 5's five high-energy open-air flumes. To ride waves, get the adrenaline ride of your life aboard Surfrider's giant surfboard. For more sedate watery activities, the water park also has Calypso Beach, a giant wave pool, hot springs, river rapids and fun for little ones at Buccaneer Bay.

Hollywood comes to the Gold Coast at Warner Bros. Movie World!

Catch your favorite characters at the Star Parade down Main Street with the Looney Tunes Gang, Scooby-Doo and Shrek. Watch cars collide with the Hollywood Stunt Driver show on a real-life movie set. If you dare, try the thrilling new Batwing Spaceshot ride – the breathtaking drop goes way beyond freefall!

Thrillseekers will also love the Superman Escape, Roadrunner roller-coaster, the huge Wild West Falls adventure and Lethal Weapon: the Ride.