Culture & Tours

Seeing most of the Gold Coast is dependent upon how much time you have and what transport you have arranged. One of the easier and most flexible ways to explore the Gold Coast is to hire a car and set up the satellite navigation system to guide you to some of our most notable attractions. We recommend you call into a Visitor Information Centre for suggestions and directions before you depart, which will ensure you maximise the time you have to explore. But if you are considering joining a tour, consider focusing on a certain area of the Gold Coast - such as the Gold Coast Hinterland, and by exploring beside a local, you’re likely to learn so much more than if you head out on your own.

One of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets is that a one-of-a-kind day tour departs from the Gold Coast Airport to reach the southernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef at Lady Elliot Island. It’s an early start, but you may see first light illuminate the Surfers Paradise skyline before marvelling at spectacular views of Moreton and Fraser Islands as you track towards Lady Elliot Island. This tiny coral cay is on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, and with a day to explore, join a guided snorkel safari in clear waters to hover over vibrant corals and meet some of the curious creatures that call the Great Barrier Reef home. You’ll likely see sea turtles, myriad fish and perhaps even some majestic manta rays. A sumptuous buffet lunch is included also, and time to join a fish feeding tour and admire nesting sea birds (in season). Enjoy an equally scenic flight home and land on the Gold Coast in time for dinner.

There are several Gold Coast operators providing whale watching tours, which run seasonally (late May to October) departing from many locations including Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and Runaway Bay. Some consider the best time for whale watching to be August, which is the peak time for whale migration and when mating season is in full swing. All whale watching cruises follow the same route, and tours work with each other to advise when a whale is spotted so everyone has the best chance of seeing these magnificent creatures. Whales can also easily be spotted from the shore at some of the Gold Coast’s headlands including Burleigh, Currumbin and Point Danger and during whale season, if you are underwater, you may also hear them singing.

Connect deeply to the Gold Coast’s ancient Indigenous culture on a walking tour guided by traditional custodians of the Yugambeh language group at Dreaming Mountain (Jellurgal), located at the base of Burleigh Headland. Be welcomed onto country by traditional owners and listen to dreaming stories that share the creation of Jellurgal, while following a rainforest fringed walkway learning about traditional life, spotting bush tucker and native Australian animals and discovering the deep spiritual connection Yugambeh peoples have with country. Visit the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre’s Art Gallery to admire stunning Indigenous art and artefacts including boomerangs, null nullas and dilly bags and visit the gift shop after to take home a unique souvenir. Kids-specific Walkabout Tours are available on school holidays.

You’ll find some of our more unique tours located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, which is easily accessed on a day trip from the Gold Coast. From visiting caves filled with glowworms, having a picnic date with an alpaca and sampling liquors from the oldest craft Distillery in Queensland that holds the enviable record of the most awards achieved in Australia this century! If staying closer to the coast is your preference, there’s plenty to do. Hop aboard a scenic city tour that turns into an immersive aqua adventure on a purpose-built amphibious tour bus. Join a whale watching tour to see the Humpback Highway at close range or join a jet-ski tour to explore our beautiful waterways.

Accessibility is an integral part of the Gold Coast visitor experience and there's a wide range of tours that cater for all abilities. From whale watching, jet boating, theme park visits, wildlife encounters, cruises and skydiving - to name just a few. Planning is key, and online information is readily available on most tour operator websites, however, we would also suggest calling ahead to speak to the tour organiser to discuss the assistance you may need and ensure the tour you are interested in is suitable for you. You can find more information in the official Queensland Government Accessibility Guide to the Gold Coast to help with planning the perfect holiday to the Gold Coast.

Families are well catered for on the Gold Coast, with several exciting tours on offer that will thrill kids and adults alike. From unique animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours to the chance to become a ranger for a day at our animal sanctuaries to hosting an alpaca picnic. Complete thrilling tree top challenges, take a river cruise and whale watch or see glow worms light up a cave at night. There are also family surf lessons to try, escape rooms to conquer and private tours that can build your family the perfect itinerary with the time you have available to explore, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy quality time together.

A number of tours depart from the Gold Coast and take the scenic hour-long drive to the Gold Coast Hinterland which offers a completely different experience to the coast. Depending on your tour preferences, you can arrange a visit to the ancient Gondwana rainforest, watch waterfalls tumble, embark on a bush walk, step into caves illuminated by glowworms and feast on fabulous fresh local fare. The Gold Coast Hinterland is where most of our vineyards live, so a winery tour will take you on a pleasant day of cellar door tastings and gorging on gourmet goodies for lunch, or perhaps you’d like to take a hot air balloon flight that concludes with a champagne breakfast? All is possible on the GC.

Yes, you’ll find two Visitor Information Centres located on the Gold Coast. One at the Gold Coast Airport and another on Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise. Friendly assistants can help you find the perfect tours that will suit the length of time you are staying and also, suggest activities you might like to try. Bookings for tours can also be made at these Visitor Information Centres and a range of brochures, itineraries and options are available for you to peruse and take with you if you are not ready to decide.

Yes, JPT Tours provides tours to all the most popular Gold Coast attractions with English, Japanese, and Chinese-speaking guides, plus other languages on request. From arranging your airport transfers to your hotel, tours on the ground while you are visiting and helping you to make the most of your stay, the friendly team at JPT will be happy to assist you.