Summer may almost be over, but there are still plenty more holidays throughout the year to look forward to. By taking a couple of days off either side of public holidays, you can optimise your annual leave and extend your well-earned vacay with more time to play. Make the most of your time off with these hand-picked holiday itineraries.
Easter Holidays
Public Holiday: Easter, Friday 2nd to Monday 5th April
Days to take annual leave: Take off Tuesday 6th until Friday 9th April to have yourself a ten day holiday for the price of four.
Where to go: Burleigh
Escape to the ever-popular beachside suburb of Burleigh for a week of fancy brekkies, beach days and long brunches. Start your day with a walk around the magical Burleigh Hill at first light (or after a sleep-in, we’re not here to judge). Follow your low-impact morning by satisfying your sweet tooth hankering with the Gold Coast’s first Cookie Cup at the Parisian-inspired Tarte. You’ll soon see why available chairs are limited at this popular eatery.
With a full tummy, it’s time to soak up those rays and chillax on one of Burleigh’s biggest assets, it’s pristine beaches. For some surfing action, set yourself up on the main beach next to the Burleigh Pavilion, or for calmer waters and kid-friendly swimming, pop over the south side of Burleigh Hill to local’s favourite, Tallebudgera Creek. Make sure you drop into the highly awarded Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the Gold Coast’s indigenous history. Stay right in the heart of Burleigh and feast your eyes on some of the most coveted views on the Gold Coast at the perfectly positioned Bujerum Apartments. Burleigh life complete.
Anzac Day
Public Holiday: Anzac Day, Sunday 25th April (Public holiday Monday 26th April)
Days to take annual leave: If you put in for just four annual leave days (Tuesday 27th until Friday 30th April) you’ll score a 9-day holiday. If you are located in Queensland, lucky you! With the Labour Day Public holiday tacked on the end (Monday 3rd May) you can make it ten days of bliss! See below for more details.
Where to go: Currumbin
Get up before the sun and head down to the War Memorial Park on Conner Street in Burleigh Heads for the moving annual ANZAC Day Dawn Parade to recognise the service and sacrifice of veterans (it happens around 4.30am). Visit Elephant Rock on Currumbin Beach (right next to Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club) to see it transformed with an art installation of white poppies crocheted by the community to symbolise peace.
Staying at Sandcastles on Currumbin with absolute beachfront (one of only 25 resorts on the Gold Coast with this claim to fame), you’ll be a short stroll from trendy eateries, attractions and one of the quietest beaches on the Gold Coast. Take advantage of the mild Autumn weather with exploring the lush rainforest and discovering cute creatures at the iconic Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. This is your opportunity to cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo but most importantly, get that Insta-snap with the colourful wild lorikeet feeding.
If you’d like an insight in to the Gold Coast’s surfing history, pop across the road to Surf World Gold Coast, Queensland’s only surfing museum. Continue your local surfing history tour with a visit to Balter Brewery for an icy cold beer in Currumbin Waters just a short Uber away (you can even throw in a brewery tour for good measure). This boutique brewery was started by Gold Coast surf rock stars Mick Fanning and Joel ‘Parko’ Parkinson. You’ll feel like a part of the Currumbin crew in no time.
Labour Day
Public Holiday: Labour Day, Monday 3rd May (Queensland)
Days to take annual leave: Including Anzac Day, again, take off Tuesday 27th until Friday 30th April to have yourself a 10-day holiday using only four annual leave days.
Where to go: Welcome to Surfers Paradise.
One of the Gold Coast’s original holiday spots famous for its spacious beach and home to a myriad of entertainment options for big and little kids in the bustling Cavill Mall. No need for a car – there are numerous attractions dotted throughout the mall and beyond including a recently renovated Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for the weird and wonderful, King Tutt’s Putt Putt for the ultimate family mini-golf challenge and SkyPoint Observation Deck offering sweeping views across the entire Gold Coast.
Paradise Resort Gold Coast is renowned as being an absolute haven for kids (and heaven sent for parents) with a giant waterpark and a permanent ice skating rink located within the resort. The kidlets will love dining at Pancakes on the Rocks with pancakes big enough to satisfy even the heartiest of eaters or sit high above the hustle and bustle and people watch at the iconic Hard Rock Café. After a long day spent at the beach or a thrilling attraction, make sure to grab an ice cream and stroll along the Surfers Paradise foreshore and peruse the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. You’ll surely never run out of things to do in Surfers Paradise!
Queens Birthday
Public Holiday: Queens Birthday, Monday 14th June (Victoria and New South Wales), Monday 27th September (Queensland) and Monday 4th October (Western Australia).
Days to take annual leave: It doesn’t matter which state you call home, all of these holidays fall on a Monday, so drop in your annual leave for the Thursday and Friday to make the most of an extra long weekend for five days.
Where to go: Broachbeach
Once Surfers Paradise’s southern little sister, Broadbeach has now come into its own, boasting the hottest dining venues in town. Breakfast has never tasted so good at local’s favourite café Elk Espresso situated at the beach end of the Broadbeach Mall. The Mango Weis Bar Waffles have cult status and your tastebuds will know why. A short wander across the Gold Coast Highway will see you shopping till you drop at mega mall Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. The Centre has over 400 luxury and iconic global brands set amongst tropical landscapes making the most of the spectacular Queensland weather.
Don’t use up too much of your energy putting your best fashion foot forward though, as night time is when Broadbeach truly comes to life. Dracula’s Cabaret and The Pink Flamingo stage shows both offer enthralling evening entertainment that rivals anything you may have experienced in Paris or Vegas. Broadbeach is also home to the Gold Coast’s only casino, The Star Gold Coast. Offering both five star (The Star Grand) and six star (The Darling) luxury accommodation, The Star Gold Coast also provides guests with a multitude of restaurants, lively bars and entertainment. Broadbeach has you covered.
Brisbane Ekka Holiday
Public Holiday: Show Holiday, Wednesday 11th August (Brisbane)
Days to take annual leave: So this holiday is in the middle of the week and it’s only one day, but we can work with that! If you take the Thursday and Friday off, you’ll have a five-day weekend.
Where to go: Tamborine Mountain
Alright Brissy friends it’s time to head for the hills… the Gold Coast Hinterland that is! The luscious green behind the gold is the perfect little getaway destination in winter for those mountain vibes. Start at Mount Tamborine and head down Gallery Walk perusing all the boutique galleries and local wares, many home made by the crafty crew who are lucky enough to call the mountain their home.
After working up a thirst, head to Fortitude Brewing for a taster paddle of beer or the award-winning Tamborine Mountain Distillery which has won over 300 awards! If you’re more into an active scene, there are numerous walks leading to waterfalls and the like in the Tamborine National Park.
For a short one and a half kilometre easy walk, drop into the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk featuring a Skywalk Bridge, Skywalk Cantilever and viewing platform. And no trip to Tamborine is complete without a visit to the sensational Polish Place. Experience sensational views to the Great Dividing Range, indulge in the traditional soul-warming Polish cuisine (their duck with cherries and apples is next level) at the onsite restaurant and then retreat to your boutique chalet to light your wood log fireplace for a comfortable night in. Tamborine Mountain is just bliss.
Christmas & New Year Holiday
Public Holiday: Christmas period, Saturday 25th December (Christmas Day), Sunday 26th December (Boxing Day) and Saturday 1st January (New Years Day).
Days to take annual leave: With Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day landing on a weekend this year, it’s certainly the best time of year to turn five days of annual leave into a 12-day holiday. (Friday 24th December through to Tuesday 4th January).
Where to go: Northern Gold Coast
The Northern end of the Gold Coast has long been known as home to Australia’s most famous theme parks Dreamworld, Movie World, White Water World and Wet ‘n Wild. And while you might think Christmas is a busy time to go, it’s also when all the new rides open! There are many multi-day/combo passes available too, so you can make the most of visiting several theme parks for your thrill and adrenaline fix across your extended Gold Coast stay.
A relatively new live theatre experience added to the Northern Gold Coast is the Spirits of the Red Sand showcasing the history, beauty and vibrancy of the Aboriginal people through indigenous song and dance. Transfers to and from the theme parks are easily accessible from the main accommodation hubs of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, meaning everyone can get the best of both worlds – beaches in the morning, theme parks during the day (no parking worries!) and a multitude of dining options in the evenings.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination 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.