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Duration
5 Days
Region
Gold Coast
Distance
From creekside cabins and wildlife encounters to golden beaches, theme park thrills and sunset fish and chips, the Gold Coast is made for family holidays. With plenty of sunshine, fresh air and room to play, this five-day itinerary brings together a little bit of everything - exciting adventures, laidback beach days, family-friendly dining and time to simply slow down and enjoy being together. Pack the swimmers, slap on the sunscreen and get ready to make some memories!
itinerary
Highlights
Tallebudgera Creek
Burleigh Heads
Surfers Paradise
Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise
your
itinerary
Day 1
A Cabin by the Creek and Wildlife Encounters
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10am
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Get up close with some locals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Hundreds of different species call this place home, from native animals like koalas and wombats to more exotic creatures like capybaras and red pandas. With wildlife shows, a water playground and a big paddock of friendly kangaroos, it’s been a family fave for decades.
3pm
Tally Creek
After a morning of wildlife encounters, it's time to slow things down with an afternoon by the water. Tallebudgera Creek is perfect for little ones with shallow sandy banks and calm, clear waters. Settle in for a few hours of sunshine while the little ones splash, paddle and play.
6pm
Dinner at a Local Surf Club
Finish the day with an easy family dinner at one of the nearby surf clubs. With ocean views, casual dining and kid-friendly menus, they are very popular options for family dining. Tallebudgera Life Saving Club is a short, creek-side stroll from your cabin, while Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club and Burleigh Heads are within a 5km radius.
8am
Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park
‘Tally Creek’ as the locals know it, has been voted one of the best swimming spots in Australia, and you can stay right on the banks of the stunning, calm waterway in comfortable self-contained cabins. Spend your stay swimming, fishing, snorkelling, boating, paddling and kayaking. With three pools (including a kid free one) a playground and tennis courts, there’s plenty to do in the park but you have access to cafes, restaurants, a nearby surf club and Burleigh Heads National Park all within a couple of kilometres.
Day 2
Live Like a Local in Burleigh
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10am
Beach time
From the markets, it's just a short walk to the beach. Roll out the towels, dive into the surf, build a sandcastle, or simply soak up the sunshine. Burleigh's golden stretch of sand and laidback coastal atmosphere makes it an easy place to spend a few hours mucking around in the surf and sand.
2pm
Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Swap beach time for a little discovery with a Walkabout Tour at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. On a walk through Burleigh Heads National Park and along the shore, learn about the rich Indigenous history of the area, hearing stories of how local Aboriginal people hunted, fished and lived around Tallebudgera Creek and the surrounding coastline. It's a great way for the whole family to connect more deeply with the place they're exploring.
5.30pm
Fish and chips on Burleigh Hill at sunset
There's no better way to finish a day in Burleigh than with fish and chips on the hill as the sun dips towards the ocean. Grab takeaway from Fishmongers on James Street, find a patch of grass overlooking the beach and enjoy a classic coastal dinner with a million-dollar view. Keep an eye out for the local lorikeets and enjoy the show as the sky turns golden.
8am
Burleigh Heads Farmers Markets
Start the morning like a local at the Burleigh Heads Farmers Markets. Held every Saturday from 7am to midday, the markets are packed with fresh fruit and in-season veggies, gourmet food trucks, bakery treats and plenty of delicious goodies. Take a wander through the stalls, pick up some morning tea and grab a few snacks for a beach picnic.
Day 3
5-Star Stays and Sky-High Views
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10am
Check into the JW Marriot Resort & Spa
It's time to swap your creekside cabin for a little resort-style fun. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is a family holiday favourite in Surfers Paradise, with spacious, comfortable accommodation and an incredible saltwater lagoon pool complete with sandy beach, waterfalls and its own marine life. Kids will love spending hours splashing about, exploring the lagoon and spotting fish, while parents can find a sunny spot to relax and enjoy a little holiday downtime.
1pm
SKyPoint
See the Gold Coast from a whole new perspective at SkyPoint, perched high above Surfers Paradise. Take in the sweeping views across the coastline, hinterland and city skyline from the observation deck. Got teenagers who love a challenge? Book the SkyPoint Climb and scale the outside of the building for an extra dose of adrenaline and some seriously impressive views.
6pm
Dinner at QT Bazaar
Bring your appetite for a fun family feast at Bazaar, QT Gold Coast's lively marketplace-style buffet restaurant. With an incredible spread of international dishes, fresh seafood, colourful desserts and plenty of choice for fussy little eaters and hungry teenagers, everyone can fill their plate with something they love.
Day 4
Theme Park Thrills
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10.30am
Pick Your Park
Today is all about big smiles, big rides and making memories together. Pick your park and spend the day exploring the Gold Coast's famous theme park scene. Race around rollercoasters, cool off on water slides, meet your favourite superheroes or get up close to marine life. From the movie magic of Warner Bros. Movie World and the animal encounters at Sea World to the rides at Dreamworld and splash-filled fun at Wet'n'Wild, there's an adventure for every age and energy level. Our tip? Pick one park and give yourself the whole day to enjoy it.
5.30pm
Room service dinner
Head to the pool for a late afternoon swim and chill. Once you're back in your room, get everyone showered and in their PJs and indulge in a room service dinner. The extensive room service menu at JW Marriott has plenty of kids meals including pizzas, club sandwiches and burgers. After such an action-packed day everyone (especially the grown ups!) will need an early night.
Day 5
Cruising, Culture and Cavill Ave
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10am
HOPO Ferry to HOTA
Gold Coast’s hop-on-hop-off ferry is a scenic way to explore the city and very convenient too. Embark at Appel Park and cruise across the waterways to HOTA (Home of the Arts). Explore the amazing multi-level gallery, including the dedicated Children's Gallery, and head to Level 5 for panoramic views across Surfers Paradise and beyond. Stop for lunch at HOTA Café before stretching your legs with a wander around the surrounding lakeside parklands.
4pm
Afternoon in Cavill Ave
Head into the heart of Surfers Paradise for an afternoon of beachside fun, street performers and holiday buzz. Take a wander along Cavill Avenue, browse the shops, check out the beachfront night markets (4 – 9pm Fridays and Saturdays) or spend some time on the beach before the evening gets underway. If the kids still have energy to burn, there's plenty to keep them entertained, from the themed challenge rooms of Prison Island and the crazy fun of TRICK'D to the quirky exhibits at Ripley's Believe It or Not!
6pm
Beachfront dinner
At the beach end of Cavill Ave the Paradise Centre presents a tempting selection of food options for hungry families. Dine at kid friendly restaurants like TGI Fridays, El Camino Cantina or Hero Sushi. For dessert, it’s ice cream cones all round with both Ben & Jerry’s and Gelato Messina serving up scrumptious scoops of creamy confection.
FIND AN
itinerary
Holiday planning is half the fun… These multi-day itineraries showcase the best of our destination. Create your perfect trip to the Gold Coast with ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to do and how to make the most of your time here.
3 Days
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Sometimes self-care looks like luxury! Treat yourself to some leisure, pleasure and relaxation on the Gold Coast.
Region
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Relax and Recharge
Escape the chaos on a tranquil Gold Coast getaway that hits the sweet spot between wellness and leisure. With the soothing embrace of our beaches, the serenity of the Hinterland, and blissful wellness experiences, we've crafted the perfect recipe for a truly relaxing getaway that will nourish your nervous system. Spend time in nature on beach walks and bushwalks, indulge in sensory pleasures with fine dining, rejuvenate at tranquil day spas and soak up the serenity.
Region
Central Gold Coast
2 Days
Ultimate Tweed Heads & Northern Rivers Hopping Guide (2025 Edition)
The perfect Tweed adventure for solo travellers, friends or families is waiting just a short drive from the Gold Coast.
Region
Southern Gold Coast
2 Days
It Feels Like a Movie… But You Just Get Up and Gold Coast
Here just for the weekend? Or sneaking in a mid-week, much-needed escape? Either way, the Gold Coast rolls out the kind of weather, light and landscapes movie directors dream of. Golden beaches, lush hinterland, pastel sunsets — it’s a destination that looks like a film set.
Region
Central & Southern Gold Coast
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.