Explore the Gold Coast in Three Days

Day 1

Morning

Start your Queensland adventure with a slow-paced morning spent at Coolangatta and Currumbin – some of the Gold Coast’s most highly regarded southern beaches.

Sink your toes into the powder-white sand as you look out over the iconic surf break, Snapper Rocks, where locals and global travellers traverse world-renowned waves. We highly recommend packing your bathers while exploring the southern beaches – It won’t be long before you feel like entering the crystal clear waters too.

An unmissable part of any visit to Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks is the ‘Oceanway’ headland walk. Start your morning stroll at Greenmount Beach and witness multiple picturesque spots to gaze out over the ocean. The walk ends at Point Danger, a scenic headland overlooking Duranbah Beach. This section of the ‘Ocean Way’ is approximately 1km.

Afternoon

After walking part of the Oceanway, you might be wanting to explore a bit further and faster. Consider hiring a bike from one of the cycle shops in Coolangatta – Kool Bike Hire and Coast Cyclery are our top choices.

Stretching a huge 36 kilometres from The Spit in Southport to Point Danger in Coolangatta, the Gold Coast’s shared cycle and pedestrian path is an unmissable attraction while exploring the area. Although parts of the path are currently being upgraded, you can still complete the entire trail by following some short detours. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants along the way.

An alternative afternoon activity is meeting the adorable koalas, rainbow lorikeets and more at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Perfect for both education and entertainment, the sanctuary has been open for 75 years and is home to one of the world’s busiest wildlife hospitals.

Evening

Think freshly caught seafood, laid-back ambience and a sensational view of the Gold Coast skyline – Rick Shores is our restaurant of choice for your first dinner in the sunshine state, boasting absolute beachfront views. Above this ground-level beach oasis is the hip and lively Burleigh Pavilion. Enjoy family-style comfort food and delicious cocktails while looking out over the world-famous surf.

Day 2

Morning

Today we’re situated slightly further north from the stunning Southern Beach area, in the bustling Burleigh Heads. Once a sleepy surf town, this suburb is now a thriving favourite for locals and visitors alike. It’s got a unique vibe at all hours of the day, offering an abundance of food, drink and shopping options.

A favourite of ours is the Burleigh Heads Rainforest Circuit Walk, a 2.5-3 km trail within the Burleigh Head National Park. Catch stunning views of the ever-reliable swell of Burleigh and the calmer swimming retreat of Tallebudgera creek. Along this trail you’ll most likely run into some scaly reptiles, namely the Eastern Water Dragon/Water Lizard (completely harmless).

End your rainforest encounter with a coffee and pastry at The Paddock Bakery, a staple cafe for the region set in a weatherboard cottage enveloped by a picket-fenced courtyard.

Afternoon

This afternoon you’ll have a tough choice to make – to head to the Gold Coast’s picturesque waterfalls that cascade down sunlight-hit cliff faces, or the rolling hills and awe-inspiring walking trails of Mount Tamborine. If you’re feeling ballsy, doing both is possible, but we recommend dedicating separate days to get the most out of each.

Behind the glitz and glamour of the high-rises and endless beaches is the ‘green behind the gold’, the Gold Coast Hinterland.

With ancient trees and some of Australia’s best waterfalls, Springbrook National Park is not to be missed. Our top waterfall recommendations for this area are Twin Falls (4 km trail) and Purling Brook Falls (6 km loop trail). There are also a few sensational lookouts to take advantage of while in the National Park, like the Best of All Lookout and Wunburra Lookout.

Alternatively, head further north to Mount Tamborine and experience the quaint mountain villages, local produce and stunning natural beauty. You could easily spend an entire day here, and for good reason since it was voted Queensland’s top tourism town in 2022. Don’t miss Curtis Falls – a waterfall and walking trail that will make you feel like you’re in another world. Other unmissable attractions while in the area include the local produce markets, rainforest skywalk and glow worm caves.

Evening

See the city lights and beautiful waterways of the Gold Coast with a sunset or dinner cruise. There are plenty of cruise companies operating on the Gold Coast all week-round with live entertainment, licensed bars, rooftop lounges, and buffet dinners.

Day 3

Morning

As you’ve probably discovered by this point – the Gold Coast is an active holiday destination. And this morning’s recommendation continues to live up to that realisation. Start the day right with a stroll along the Southport Spit – a beautiful and easy walk with stunning views (even better if you can make it there for sunrise). Spend a little extra time exploring the ‘green beside the gold’ by picking up coffee or breakfast at the Seaway Kiosk.

About mid-morning head across to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets – an iconic shopping and cultural experience situated on the Surfer’s Paradise esplanade since 1995. Alternatively, hit up the HOTA farmers and artisan markets – a vibrant community market on every Sunday morning from 6am to 11.30am. If you’re considering a market-hop, you’d better not miss the Gold Coast’s largest one – Carrara Markets. It’s open every weekend all year round, with over 300 market stalls, cafes and attractions.

Afternoon

Over 400 stores of shopping, entertainment and dining, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is a good place to spend your final afternoon in the Gold Coast. Pick up a souvenir, see a film, or feast on an array of food options.

Alternatively, head up, up, up by trotting over to the SkyPoint Observation Deck, a fantastic sunset activity. Witness panoramic views of the Gold Coast, as well as Australia’s largest external building climb, and the range of world-class events that take place here.

Evening

It could be the backstreets of Thailand, Barcelona or New York City – but it’s right here on the Gold Coast! Miami Marketta is a street food market on the Gold Coast offering a laneway dining experience with a wide variety of food vendors of all nationalities. Whether you’re alone, in a couple, with friends or family – this is a truly unique place, complete with live music from around the world.