·
4.7/5
Contact us
Contact us 24 hours, 7 days
AI TripPlanner
Luxury Escapes Guide to the Gold Coast
Luxury Escapes Guide to the Gold Coast
Glorious gold-sand beaches, spectacular skyrise stays, bustling ‘burbs and subtropical serenity. There’s nothing standard about the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast - Introduction

It’s little wonder this region has become Australia’s most iconic vacation destination. Once evoking an excess of tacky clichés (think bleached-blonde hair, leathery-tanned bodies, bikini-clad meter maids and swimmers as day wear), the Gold Coast of today has reinvented itself very much for the better.

Here, shimmering high-rises skirt 57km of ocean kissed coastline, big-budget theme parks sit side-by-side to maximize your fun, and hand-made boutique fashion is more popular than anything mass-produced.

Boasting year-round sunshine and a grown-up restaurant scene that belies its reputation, there’s much to enjoy for the foodies too. Ice cream shops serve you from just about every street corner, craft breweries dot the suburbs and Instagram worthy cafes and restaurants serve sumptuous cuisine well worth the extra calories.

Whether you stay in the glamorous coastal strip, away from the bustle of the tourist magnets, or even plan on crossing the border for a sun-soaked day trip, you just can’t help but fall in love with this vibrant slice of paradise.

Please note that due to current restrictions some operators may be temporarily closed. Check their websites for the most up-to-date information.

Featured escapes

Looking for something else?
View all

Things to see and do

Find a beach to suit you
You could be forgiven for thinking the Gold Coast is just one long stretch of sand, but once you get familiarized, you’ll realize each beach is different. For the swimmers and paddlers, there are the calmer waters of Surfers Paradise Beach, The Spit and Burleigh Beach, while surfers flock to the point breaks at Kirra Beach, Main Beach and Snapper Rocks. The Gold Coast is also home to year-round diving sites with the most diverse marine life in any Australian city. Head to Palm Beach Reef or Wave Break Island to explore the underwater ridges and channels.
Find your new favorite at The Village Markets
Find your new favorite at The Village Markets
Handcrafted wooden skateboards, sustainable knick-knacks, vintage mementos, one-of-a-kind collectibles, boutique clothing and live music by local artists — there is no denying The Village Markets are a special community worth supporting. A blossoming talent pool of artfully selected small businesses, stylists and creatives coming together since 2008, TVM has also helped pave the way for global brands such as [Peony Swimwear](https://www.peonyswimwear.com/), [Cleopatra’s Bling](https://www.cleopatrasbling.com/) and [Duke of London](https://www.dukeoflondon.co/). Those who diligently peruse this treasure trove of unique curiosities are typically rewarded with not just positive vibes, but authentic and affordable one-of-a-kind finds. Please note: trading is limited to the first and third Sunday of every month.
Find a beach to suit you
You could be forgiven for thinking the Gold Coast is just one long stretch of sand, but once you get familiarized, you’ll realize each beach is different. For the swimmers and paddlers, there are the calmer waters of Surfers Paradise Beach, The Spit and Burleigh Beach, while surfers flock to the point breaks at Kirra Beach, Main Beach and Snapper Rocks. The Gold Coast is also home to year-round diving sites with the most diverse marine life in any Australian city. Head to Palm Beach Reef or Wave Break Island to explore the underwater ridges and channels.
Find your new favorite at The Village Markets
Find your new favorite at The Village Markets
Handcrafted wooden skateboards, sustainable knick-knacks, vintage mementos, one-of-a-kind collectibles, boutique clothing and live music by local artists — there is no denying The Village Markets are a special community worth supporting. A blossoming talent pool of artfully selected small businesses, stylists and creatives coming together since 2008, TVM has also helped pave the way for global brands such as [Peony Swimwear](https://www.peonyswimwear.com/), [Cleopatra’s Bling](https://www.cleopatrasbling.com/) and [Duke of London](https://www.dukeoflondon.co/). Those who diligently peruse this treasure trove of unique curiosities are typically rewarded with not just positive vibes, but authentic and affordable one-of-a-kind finds. Please note: trading is limited to the first and third Sunday of every month.

Top places to eat and drink

Lux moments