Visitors to the Gold Coast are often torn between soaking up the sunshine on our glorious beaches and exploring the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Hinterland. Fortunately you can quite literally have the best of both worlds, even with limited time. This two day itinerary takes you from the coast to the mountains, offering two completely different experiences within 48 hours.
Day 1
Soak up a day of sunshine, sea breezes and beachfront dining with a day exploring the stunning coastline.
Breakfast
Start the day like a Gold Coast local with a beach walk and swim or surf followed by an alfresco breakfast at a beachside cafe. The perfect pitstop for coffee, people and your morning meal, Sandbar Surfers Paradise, boasts a beachfront location just steps away from the shore. And tucked beneath the luxe Langham hotel, 26 & Sunny is a lively local hotspot serving up good coffee and good vibes and delicious breakfast fare.
Morning
Explore Gold Coast beaches with the sea breeze blowing in your hair as you cruise along coastal pathways on an electric Lime Bike.They’re easy to find and use- simply download the app to see where the nearest one is parked, then scan the QR code on the bike, saddle up and head off on an adventure. The Gold Coast Oceanway is a shared cycle and pedestrian pathway that stretches 36 kilometres along the iconic coastline, from The Spit in the north down to Coolangatta in the south.
Lunch
A meal at one of Gold Coast’s surf clubs is a quintessential Queensland experience – casual seaside dining so close to the beach you can hear the waves breaking from your table.There’s a surf club restaurant in almost every beachside suburb along the Gold Coast Oceanway so stop in for a delicious, budget friendly lunch and a cold drink. Northcliffe, Nobby Beach, Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach Surf Clubs are local favourites but you can take your pick from 16 scattered along the iconic coastline. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)
Afternoon
One of the best ways to admire the city is from above - far, far, above. Take in a jaw dropping 360° views of the Gold Coast from SkyPoint Observation Deck 230 metres up. You can see in every direction from the green mountains of the Hinterland in the east out to the horizon over the sea with the coastline curving away north and south and the waterways winding through the suburbs spread out below. If you’re up for an adventure embark on the SkyPoint Climb - Australia’s highest external building climb. If you’re afraid of heights, give it a miss. If you love adrenaline, give it a go!
Dinner
Located on Level 1 of Ocean by Meriton on The Esplanade, COAST Beach Bar & Kitchen serves up expansive ocean views alongside a mouthwatering menu that champions fresh seasonal produce. Their speciality is seafood and succulent steak cooked in a Spanish-style Josper charcoal oven for a unique and delicious smoky flavour. Book a table on the breezy terrace, order a signature cocktail and raise a toast to fine dining on the coast.
Stay
Check in for a stay that’s out of the ordinary at QT Gold Coast. Tap into the playful spirit of this cool, eclectic hotel in central Surfers Paradise, barely a block from the beach. Book an Ocen View room or suite and spend your time swanning around in Missoni robes, lounging beside the Palm Springs style pool and gazing out across the Indian Ocean.
Day 2
Take a scenic drive up to the mountains of the Gold Coast Hinterland for a tree change and experience World Heritage rainforest, waterfall walks, charming country villages and foodie finds.
Breakfast
Make a date with dawn to watch the sunrise from your private balcony, sipping on a fresh brew from your complimentary Nespresso machine. Onsite restaurant QT Bazaar is famous for its incredible buffet breakfast. Help yourself to the sumptuous spread and fuel up for a day of adventure in the Gold Coast Hinterland. You’ll need a car to explore this region - hit up Hertz Or Network Rentals Surfers Paradise if you need some wheels.
Morning
It takes just under an hour to drive from Surfers Paradise to Tamborine Mountain. The scenic journey takes you through semi-rural suburbs and farmland before you begin the ascent up winding roads with the landscape unfolding below.
Take the route up Henri Robert Drive and make a pitstop at Robert Sowter Park Lookout - a vantage point with breathtaking views of mountain escarpments, verdant valleys and the distant coastline. If you’re lucky you’ll see hang gliders taking off to soar above the spectacular vista.
The it’s time to (literally) take a hike! There are numerous walking tracks through the national parks and lush sub-tropical rainforest of Tamborine Mountain. Choose one that suits your level of fitness and ability. Witches Falls Circuit is 3.6km (approx 1 hour walking time) and zig zags down the mountainside to reach a lookout platform where you can view the stunning waterfalls.
Curtis Falls track is an enchanting walk through cool, wet eucalypt forest beneath towering flooded gums and leads you to a pretty waterfall spilling into a rock pool. Keep an eye out for native wildlife - you might see lizards, wallabies and turtles sunning themselves in the shallows. This is a short walk although there are stairs and sections of uneven ground.
Visitors with mobility impairments can still experience the magic of the rainforest with a visit the nearby Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, where an elevated steel bridge 30 metres above the forest floor allows you to explore the canopy of towering trees with the local birdlife. (Image: Curtis Falls -Tourism Events Queensland)
Lunch
There’s nothing better after a bushwalk than a good meal and a refreshing drink in a beautiful alfresco setting. Cauldron Distillery delivers on all fronts with their artisan gin distilled gin on site, casual dining and an 18-acre property with lush lawns and established vineyards. Take a seat at outside tables or bring a picnic rug and kick back on the grass for a relaxing lunch in the sunshine. Take home a bottle of their award-winning Five to Five Gin as a souvenir.
If you don’t drink alcohol, visit Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation for a brilliant brunch. The menu covers the classics and some creative dishes that will make your tastebuds sing. Follow it up with a first-class coffee made from biodynamic beans that are grown, roasted and blended on site.
Afternoon
Head to Gallery Walk in the central village of Tamborine Mountain, where you can spend a delightful hour or two browsing the region's best boutiques and retail shops. Wander your way through over 70 shops selling arts and crafts, fashion, vintage wares, artisan jewellery and more. Don’t miss Granny Mac’s Fudge Shop for a sweet treat.
Stay & Dinner
Hop in the car for another scenic drive (approx 40 minutes from Gallery Walk) through thick forest and rolling green hills to Beechmont Estate. This stunning country retreat offers peace and privacy in beautifully styled cabins that look out on acres of nature. With impeccable interiors and a private outdoor deck, each cabin is a secluded haven of comfort. Unwind in the natural beauty of Beechmont, and savour fine dining at the onsite Paddock Restaurants when you can taste the region’s finest and freshest ingredients, sip a drink on the sunset terrace and relax in 5-star luxury. (This image and main image: Tourism Events Queensland)
With a huge variety of experiences within our stunning city, there's so much more to explore on the Gold Coast.
THE LATEST
News
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.