Things to do
on the Gold Coast

Fireflies in Burleigh Heads N.P.

Go Whale Watching

Visit Burleigh Head National Park at dusk from July to August. Park at or get the bus to George's Pizza Wine Bar just before sunset (around 5:15 PM to 5:30 PM), as the fireflies become active right at twilight. Walk along the lower path until you reach dense vegetation. The main display usually lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. Keep your torch off, as it's harmful to fireflies, and don't walk this path alone.

July and August are the busiest times on the Humpback Highway when the migration peaks. Large pods pass through, and the sight of their spray and splashing out to sea is a common sight from Gold Coast beaches.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Take the bus or drive to Currumbin to visit the not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary. See Australia's native species up close, as well as a few international critters. Don't miss the bird show!

Springbrook N.P.

Lamington N.P.

Formed by the erosion of the ancient Tweed Shield Volcano, it is famous for Natural Bridge, a picturesque rock arch with a waterfall cascading through the ceiling into a basalt cave. The Natural Bridge cave hosts a large, protected colony of native glow-worms visible after dark. The national park features dramatic drops like Purling Brook Falls (a 100-meter drop) and the Best of All Lookout, which looks out over New South Wales directly at the remnants of Mount Warning.

One of Australia's oldest and most famous national parks, boasting over 100 kilometres of walking tracks along the rugged McPherson Range. Home to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, it features a famous suspension-bridge canopy walk that runs 15 metres above the ground through the treetops.

Nightcap N.P.

Minyon Falls is a dramatic 104-meter waterfall where pristine water plunges over sheer rhyolite cliffs into a deep, lush gorge. See the waterfall from the lookout at the top, or hike through the rainforest to the bottom for a swim. The rainforest is home to the newly discovered nightcap oak and several threatened animal species, including Albert's lyrebird and Fleay's barred frog.

Springbrook, Lamington, and Nightcap National Parks are part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, which protect remnants of the ancient, primitive vegetation that covered the supercontinent of Gondwana over 180 million years ago.

Theme Parks

Visit a Bathhouse

As the theme park capital of Australia, the Gold Coast over-delivers on adrenaline-packed entertainment and thrills. Choose to visit as many Gold Coast theme parks as you can fit in with a pass to hop between Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild and Paradise Country or opt to double up at Dreamworld and WhiteWater World.

Treat yourself to a visit to one of the many Gold Coast bathhouses and communal wellness spaces. Popular options include Soak in Mermaid, Ground Currumbin and The Baccello Collective.

Rent a Boat - no license needed

A great way to get out and about and explore the Gold Coast Waterways is on a self-skippered electric boat. GoBoat offers an eco-friendly, easy-to-drive boat. There are a few companies to choose from.

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