Things to See and Do in the Gold Coast, Queensland

The Gold Coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and there are plenty of things to see and do while on holiday in the area.   
 

Many people visit the Gold Coast in order to enjoy its spectacular beaches, particularly those at Main Beach and Surfers Paradise. Surfing, sailing or just relaxing on the beach are all popular vacation activities for visitors to the Gold Coast. The areas around the beaches are also filled with restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as clubs and bars that provide nighttime entertainment.   
 

The Gold Coast has a lot more to offer in addition to its beautiful beaches. There are opportunities to take part is outdoor activities and adventure sports, to explore some of the local art and culture, and to see some of the area's magnificent natural beauty and native wildlife.  
 

The Gold Coast is the ideal destination for anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle or who wants to keep an active family busy during their vacation. Sailing, surfing, diving and other water sports are very popular along the gold coast, but it is also possible to take part in a variety of other adventurous activities such as hang gliding, paragliding and horseback riding. One of the most popular destinations for adventure sports is the town of Canungra.   
 

The Gold Coast also has a selection of theme parks and attractions that are ideal for adrenalin junkies and family days out. The Dreamworld theme park, for example, is one of the oldest in Australia and is also one of the favorites. It is perfect for families, with something to offer people of all ages. The Sea World park on the Spit, near main beach is very popular with families. It offers a chance to meet some of the amazing creatures that live in the ocean. Other exciting days out can be had at WhiteWater World, the Australian Outback Spectacular and Warner Bros. Movie World.   
 

The Beaudesert Historical Museum provides an interesting insight into the history of the Gold Coast region. The old sawmill in Canungra is another interesting attraction for anyone who is interested in the local history.   
 

The Surf World Gold Coast is another museum in the area that exhibits surfboards and related items including films, graphic design and photographs. It provides an interesting insight into a sport that plays an important part in the local culture. One of the most interesting exhibits is the one that shows how surfboards have changed and developed over time.   
 

The Gold Coast City Art Gallery is one of the best regional galleries in Australia. It holds more than 400,000 items in its collections, with a mixture of historic and contemporary art that makes it a perfect day out for art lovers. Anyone who prefers to enjoy the sun while they are on vacation, but who would like to see some art at the same time, will find the gallery's Evandale Sculpture Walk along the river ideal. Art lovers will find that there are also many small galleries in the Gold Coast region, particularly in the town of Canungra, which is a favorite with artists.   
 

There are plenty of places to shop in the Gold Coast. Surfers Paradise and Main Beach have plenty of interesting boutiques, while there are some larger shops on the Spit. There are also some excellent local markets in Beaudesert and on the beach in Surfers Paradise.   
 

The Gold Coast offers endless opportunities for eating out. There are some excellent restaurants in Gold Coast City and in many of the smaller towns that are scattered throughout the Gold Coast Area. There are also plenty of cafes, coffee shops and sandwich shops, particularly around the main tourist areas such as Surfers Paradise. The Gold Coast also produces its own wines, and it is possible to taste some of these in the vineyards where they were produced, often along with a good lunch. The Beaudesert area has some of the best boutique vineyards.   
 

The Gold Coast National Parks are excellent places in which to spot some of the area's most beautiful and intriguing native species, and to see some of the most magnificent scenery in the area. The Natural Bridge, in the Springbrook National Park is a very popular attraction for walkers and nature lovers. As well as the interesting geology, there is a colony of glow-worms that can be seen in the caves after sunset. Lamington National Park is another popular destination. There are a variety of different paths through the park, with routes that are suitable for experienced walkers and for those who are less used to walking, or who are bringing small children along with them. The Python walk is one of the best routes through Lamington National Park for nature lovers, since sightings of interesting birds and animals are common along this trail. Another interesting route is O'Reilly's Treetop Walk, which takes the visitor up into the rainforest canopy, as does the Skywalk in the Tamborine rainforest.   
 

Travelers can also explore beautiful coastal pathways or join a whale watching tour in order to spot some of the largest and most beautiful creatures in the ocean. The Gold Coast is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales.