Beach or hinterland? Here's the best way to see the Gold Coast

How to have two very different holiday experiences on the Gold Coast. 

Got a trip to the Gold Coast on the horizon? Here's what to consider before you book.

Beach

The Gold Coast has come a long way and nowadays you’ll find world-class hotels and resorts, a calendar that’s filled with cultural and sporting events, boutique breweries, fine dining and the largest concentration of theme parks in the southern hemisphere. But the pièce de résistance? Fifty-seven kilometres of dazzling beaches. “Easily accessible for holiday-makers year-round, via Gold Coast Airport or a road trip, you would be hard pressed to find better value for money when it comes to accommodation, fun experiences and activities that the whole family can enjoy,” says Andrew Stark, Flight Centre Global managing director.

The Gold Coast city skyline and ocean.

“Broadbeach is a great beach spot for families, while keen surfers might prefer Kirra, Snapper and Currumbin. In the late afternoon, I like to watch the sunset from Q1’s SkyPoint Observation Deck for 360-degree views of the coastline and observing the bustling energy of the Gold Coast below.” Visitors looking for different experiences from Surfers Paradise can branch out to Coolangatta, Burleigh or Broadbeach. Cyclists can ride the length of the Gold Coast. Campers can stay in caravan parks in Tallebudgera or Miami. Racegoers can attend the Magic Millions Carnival. Golfers are spoilt for choice, with world-class courses at Royal Pines and Sanctuary Cove.

Surfing on the gold coast.

Hinterland

Less than an hour’s drive from southern Queensland’s glorious coastline, you’ll find World Heritage-protected rainforests containing endless hikes and walking trails, with many waterfalls and rockpools to explore. And being so close, visitors can easily enjoy the best of both, starting the day with a walk along the beach then ending it by watching the sunset over the mountains. “The Gold Coast is so much more than beaches and shopping,” says Rachel Kingswell, Travel Associates general manager Australia and New Zealand. “The hinterland is home to a treasure trove of quaint towns where you’ll feel worlds away from the glitter strip of Surfers Paradise, yet you’re only 15 to 20 minutes inland. “There’s an abundance of beautiful walks through national parks and artisan stores scattered through the towns, from visiting the glow worms at Natural Bridge to tasting local gin at Husk Farm Distillery (in nearby northern NSW) or lunch at Mt Tamborine’s cafes or wineries.”

Early morning mist over Tamborine National Park.

Of course, the weather is cooler up here, where the mountains top 1000m in places. This is where you’ll find longtime favourites like Binna Burra Lodge or O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, which have been accommodating guests looking to immerse themselves in nature for years. Both are in Lamington National Park – home to the Albert’s lyrebird. Further north are boutique wineries and unique accommodations. And you can drift through the clouds in a hot-air balloon or tear down a trail on a mountain bike. So close to the coast, yet so far away.

Originally published as Beach or hinterland? Here's the best way to see the Gold Coast