Best beach on the Gold Coast for families: Tallebudgera Creek Beach

Forming a jade green divide between Burleigh Beach and Palm Beach, this salty lagoon-style beach is as gentle as it is striking. Park up on the Palmie side and give stand up paddleboarding a crack without the added challenges of waves. Want to rack up some steps, park instead at Burleigh take the 15 minute trail through the Burleigh Head National that will get you to the creek and feel like an adventure at the same time. Picture: Salty Wings / Tourism Australia.

Stay at Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park

Best chilled beach Gold Coast: Main Beach

Far less of a tourist mecca than Surfers Paradise Beach or Broadbeach, this is one of the Gold Coast beaches we rate highest. It's close to a bunch of resorts but protected by dune and continues all the way up to the dog-friendly Spit, so it never feels crowded. There are views to South Stradbroke Island and it feels like what the Gold Coast might have been like when your parents packed up the Volvo.

Stay at The Meriton on Main Beach

Best beach of the Gold Coast for activities: Surfers Paradise Beach

There is something for everyone at what is undoubtedly the most famous beach on the Gold Coast Highway. Sure, it's pretty much in shadow by mid-arvo thanks to the neighbouring high-rises and beachfront accommodation but that's just a sign to pack up the towels, have one more dip in the Pacific Ocean (between the flags please) then hit one of the nearby ice-cream parlours, game arcades, shopping malls and markets. Want to get a sweat on? The coastal path beckons bike riders, skate boarders, rollerskaters or you can just watch the influencers flexing by outdoor gym.

Stay at QT Gold Coast

Best all-round Gold Coast Beach: Broadbeach

Any list of the best Gold Coast beaches needs this stretch that blends the best of Surfer's (plenty of things to do and places to eat) with the more relaxed vibe of Main Beach. It also super close to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre but be warned: you will need to take a beach cabana or umbrella as there aren't many shady spots.

Stay at Dorsett Gold Coast

Most bougie beach on the Gold Coast: Mermaid Beach

Squeaky golden sand? Check. Unspoilt surrounds with Miami headland for photo opps? Check. Take a walk south to Nobby Beach and Miami Beach and you'll get a sneak peak into some of the Gold Coast's most exclusive homes.

Stay at Turtle Beach Resort

Most iconic beach on the Gold Coast: Coolangatta Beach

For the Boomers, no name conjured Gold Coast beach glam like Coolangatta. And it still stacks up with a hefty slice of old-school cool. Adjacent to Rainbow Bay Beach and close to Snapper Rocks (pictured) - one of Australia's most reliable surf breaks - it's also an easy walk to the Point Danger lookout Kirra Beach if you want to mix things up a bit.

Stay at The Pink Coolangatta

Best beach on the Gold Coast for surfing: Currumbin Beach

The home break of Aussie surfing legend Joel Parkinson, Currumbin Beach feels more like Byron Bay. If you're still finding your feet, check out Currumbin Alley and families will adore Currumbin Creek.

Stay at The Rocks Resort

Where is the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast is just north of the NSW–Queensland border and 65 kilometres south of Brisbane (about an hour and a quarter drive). 

Is the Gold Coast a city?

Yes, the Gold Coast is a city, with larger than life suburbs (like Surfers Paradise).

Where is Surfers Paradise?

“Surfers” is a beach suburb of the Gold Coast, just south of Main Beach and an hour south of Brisbane. Famous for its high rise meets the beach look, nightlife and entertainment; for many this strip of land is the Gold Coast.

Can you catch a train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast?

You can catch an AirTrain from both the Brisbane CBD and Brisbane Domestic and International Airport to the Gold Coast. 

Brisbane Domestic Airport to Surfers Paradise takes about one hour and 50 minutes and costs around $38.

Brisbane city to Surfers Paradise takes about one hour and 50 minutes and costs around $15.

If you are planning on using the Brisbane, Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast public transport systems during your visit to Queensland, a go card or go seeQ card will save you money. The go seeQ card is especially for visitors and includes travel for three or five consecutive calendar days and two Airtrain journeys.

What is the best time to visit the Gold Coast?

One of the sunniest spots in Australia (it averages over 300 days of sunshine a year), it’s hard to find a bad time of the year to go to the Gold Coast. There are some solid rules you should follow for optimum holiday times:

Avoid Schoolies week like the plague (around mid-November to December). If you want to take the risk, tipsy school leavers sinking Smirnoff Double Blacks like there’s no tomorrow, await.

If you can, avoid the school holidays. An array of theme parks and family-friendly activities make this a great spot to take the kids, so there’s a spike of activity when school is out.

Instead, the April-May shoulder period is an ideal time to capitalise on those relatively high temperatures (around a maximum of 25 degrees) and lack of summer crowds.

See also:

Best resorts on the Gold Coast

5 best hiking trails near the Gold Coast