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Gold Coast: Things To Do

Updated: 2024

OVERVIEW

The Gold Coast is Australia's entertainment capital. It's full of fun things to do and especially notable for it's theme parks.

Spread along a glorious long beach and having fantastic year round sunny weather, the Gold Coast is a perfect spot to take a break if you want to relax, have fun with your partner or family, or try out new and exciting adventurous activities.

There is easily enough here to keep you entertained for a couple of weeks, but if you just want a quick break, you could squeeze in a day at the beach or beside the pool with another day at a theme park or on an adrenaline filled tour over a the course of a long weekend.

Take a look at the list below and see what on the Gold Coast stands out for you.

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All Things To Do In The Gold Coast

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Check Hotel rates or availability

Booking.com is one of the most popular hotel booking websites, they have a wide range of accommodation types and they often have free cancellation, so you can always book and lock in your room with the option to cancel it later. Click the image to see what amazing hotel you could be staying at soon.

We also like Hotels.com who offer an excellent user friendly website, good service, and a good loyalty program where you get a free night for every 10 nights you book through them.

Check Flight rates or availability

Virgin Australia are up there with Qantas in terms of quality of service and they have an extensive number of routes across Australia. Click the image to see what options they have for you to experience an exemplary start to your trip.

If you want to check up on Jetstar, it is best to book through their site directly at jetstar.com as this gives you the best price and full availability. Just remember that checked luggage costs extra.

For flights with Qantas, try looking at auntbetty.com which is operated by Flight Centre. It's an easy to use flight search website that gives you the true price (unlike others, that show dodgy prices) and back-up support from your local Flight Centre store.

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"These links are recommended because I use them myself. They are easy to use sites, offer excellent service, and are sites that I would suggest to my friends and family if they asked."

Christopher Jubb, Travel Unpacked Founder

Need info on 'How to get to the Gold Coast?' or 'Where to stay?'

Go to the second page of our travel guide for the full run down.

Get There & Stay Where?

Or, go to the third page for all the 'Essential info' like getting around, food, shopping, and much more.

Essential Info

Visiting The Daintree and Cape Tribulation

The Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Crocodile cruise, Daintree tours and Mossman gorge - all detailed above - can all be done in a single day trip from Port Douglas. You can do this by taking a tour but it can also be done by yourself. With little public transport options however, hiring a car would really be the only option. Links: - - Daintree Discovery Centre - Cape Trib Cruises - Aboriginal Dreamtime Walk - Kuku Yalanji crab hunting tours - River drift snorkelling Note that the ferry to cross the Daintree river is $30 per car return and long queues can form due to the limited space on board.
Day tours / activities available in Port Douglas

Links to Day Tours / Activities mentioned above: - - Cape Trib Cruises - Lady Douglas river cruises - Horse riding - Hot Air Balloon ride - Helicopter flight - Microlight flight - Fly to a deserted island - Swim with Minke Whales - Stand up paddle board or surfing - Bike 'n' hike - Rainforest mountain bike tour - Devil thumb hike - Fishing - Ride a dirt bike - Ride a motortrike - Ride a segway - Coconut tour - Bush tour with 'Man and a dog' - Brett's outback tasting adventure
Sunset cruises and Sailing

Links to sunset cruises: - - Sailaway - Lady Douglas - Shaolin Sailing: - - Wavedancer - Escape
Safety Tip - Swimming in Port Douglas

Four Mile beach is the only beach you can swim at in Port Douglas - the inlet on the opposite side of town (around the marina) has a high risk of crocodiles being present. Crocs can be found at Four Mile beach too, but it is rare and lifeguards are watching out for them. Stinger (jellyfish) season comes with a stinger net that protects an area of the beach near to the town centre, so be sure to use this when advised (usually November to May). Always follow the advice on the warning signs and only swim between the flags where the lifeguards are present. More info here and here. Other swimming options include your hotel swimming pool (most have them) or freshwater swimming holes that are too cold for crocs (see above).

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AUTHORED BY

Christopher Jubb, Founder of Travel Unpacked

More information available on our About page

Some images generously supplied by Tourism and Events Queensland

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