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Local Tips

  • The Gold Coast’s central beaches are all about action, in the lively quarters of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Broadbeach, and Burleigh locals and visitors are attracted by the popular ‘see and be seen’ beaches. The further south you go on the Gold Coast, the more space you find. Southern precincts such as Currumbin, Kirra and Coolangatta are idyllic coastal communities defined by their own individual stretches of sub-tropical coastline.
  • The Gold Coast enjoys Australia’s longest whale watching season and the advantage of having to travel just 10 minutes out to sea to visit these giants in their natural habitat. From June until November each year the waters along the Gold Coast become known as 'The Humpback Highway' with around 25,000 sightings.
  • Visiting the Gold Coast during winter is a savvy way to save money and still enjoy all the Gold Coast has to offer. Water temperature remains a very swimmable 21 degrees while attractions and accommodation can be 40 per cent less than peak season prices.
  • Sunday afternoon socialising is a big part of the Gold Coast lifestyle. The restaurants, pubs, parks, and surf clubs buzz with friends and families sharing an easy end to the week. Many venues offer special Sunday deals such as two-for-one meals and other enticing invitations.
  • Be sure to enjoy a 'pub meal' at one of the many Surf Clubs dotted along the coastline (sometimes they have raffles too!)
  • Some of the major shopping malls on the Gold Coast have a Tourism Lounge. Enjoy free wifi, discount vouchers and refreshments before a big day of shopping!
  • Gold Coast visitor accommodation can be up to half the cost of comparable capital city accommodation, particularly mid-week when Gold Coast hotel and resort rates are around 30 per cent less than weekend prices. Weekday short breaks are an increasingly popular holiday trend.
  • Shop like a local. Be sure to check out some of the farmers markets, craft markets and food/fashion markets on the coast – they are off the beaten tourist track and well worth a visit!
  • Each year the events calendar on the Gold Coast just keeps expanding. See a live concert, a cultural festival or one of the many free events on the coast during your visit.
  • If you don't wish to hire a car to get around, public transport will get you to most places on the Gold Coast. The Go Explore card gives you unlimited travel to the most popular destinations for only $10 per day
  • Get yourself out of the main tourist hubs. Many tourists associate the Gold Coast as just being Surfers Paradise. As much as there is to see and do here - you still have plenty of other coastal towns north and south and rain forests inland waiting to be explored! check out places to see to see the other towns on the Gold Coast
  • There's more to the Gold Coast than meets the eye, dig a little deeper by reading through some of our insider stories
  • There are so many new cafes and restaurants opening every month on the Gold Coast, if wining and dining is your thing check out our restaurants page or read one of our many 'eat & drink' themed Inside Stories
  • Go see a live band and immerse yourself in local culture. Places like Miami Marketta, Night Quarter Markets and the Arts Centre Gold Coast are a great starting point

Check out our Gold Coast blog for more local tips!