48 HOUR YOUTH ITINERARY

When it comes to pleasing the “me” generation, the Gold Coast serves it up savvy with a pop of places to hang with the gang without worrying yourself about splashing too much cash.

DAY ONE

Start out in the sunshine with a bask on the beach and a take-away from a rift of cafes like The Salt Mill at Currumbin – they know how to season your acai bowl just right (hello decent sprinkle of cacao chips), dose your chai with honey goodness and whisk up the perfect smoothie combo to hit da spot.

After a dip, which can be a swim, surf, SUP or why not make it a trifecta, hit the street on a motor powered skateboard or get your beep on and hire a scooter to do some cruisin’ along the beachside strip.

Push-bikes are also an option and some hotels even rent them out, but whichever way you choose to cruise, make your way along 57kms of coastline and pop into all the best beachside hangs.

Craving a coffee, what about a decaf soy? Paradox in Surfers serves it up good and is a fave with the locals who think they know a thing or two about their brew. Afterwards, meander along the beach for a pit stop at Mermaid, where you’ll find Alfred’s dishing up a decent all day brekky (perfect if you’ve had a big night), with plenty of spots in the sun to scroll through your feed or catch up with mates.

For an afternoon of spoils, head to Pac Fair for a retail splurge or if money is tight (we feel you)… time your visit with cheap Tuesday for a trip to the flicks. And while a large popcorn might get you through till dinner why not swing by Kmart to score a bag of lollies on the cheap before heading in (and no – you did not hear that sneaky little tip from us)…

Depending on how the crew’s feeling, cruise north to either get your sugar fix or keep the good vibes a-rolling with a few more bevvies. Make a quick whip into Tella Balls Desert Bar in Surfers Paradise for insta-worthy brags with the Tellamisu, the Tellabab desert kebab and even Tellafish and Chips – don’t worry the ‘fish’ is Panko crumbed vanilla gelato. For less floss and more froth, pop into chilled local haunt, Après Surf, in Mermad Beach for cheap stubbies and a sweet local hangout spot.

Wyndham Surfers Paradise is a good choice for digs, with a solid foothold in amongst the Surfers action, a gym to keep you pumped and some extra comfy beds when sleeping in til lunchtime is on your play list… you’re on holidays right?

Wyndham Surfers Paradise is a good choice for digs, with a solid foothold in amongst the Surfers action, a gym to keep you pumped and some extra comfy beds when sleeping in til lunchtime is on your play list… you’re on holidays right?

DAY TWO

Start off with an early brekky at Sandbar for the best breakfast bowls north of Burleigh and hit the surf for a wake up sesh either at Main Beach, Surfers or a bit further south at Broady. It actually really doesn’t matter which beach you pick, there’s always waves pumping.

The theme parks have three day passes that could have you feeling like you’re upside down for days, but if you’re keen for something with a little more chill, a stint in Coolie will have you dialling it right down with toes in the sand, sleeps on the beach and a refuel of all-you-can-eat pancakes cranking all day at Pancakes in Paradise – yes literally!

Trade lingo with the local groms, see if you can spot a few surfing pros, or buzz your feed with a snap of an insta-famous cat pulling some pretty rad moves on a skateboard. As the sun goes down, there’s no better spot to hang than at Snapper; sink a few cold ones while watching the surfers milk the last of the waves and the light trickle down behind the mountains.