Is this your first visit to this sun-soaked corner of the world? You may be surprised to learn there’s more to the Gold Coast than Surfers Paradise attractions, beaches, theme parks and sightseeing tours.
Get a great car rental deal, check in to your hotel and let us help you explore your options. If you’re looking for a list of things to do, we’ve got a selection of tips to inspire you. Check out the top five things to see and do near the Gold Coast airport - just a short car ride away.
Connect with Nature
An hour’s drive west of the airport is Lamington National Park. Here, you can discover unique flora and fauna, picturesque lookouts and thundering waterfalls.
Wander through the canopy of towering trees, and listen for the call of the local birds and wildlife. Traverse the famous 180-metre O’Reilly’s Tree-Top Walk - consisting of 9 suspension bridges floating 16 metres above the ground. It is the first of its kind in Australia.
Meet Australia’s Wildlife
Get up close to our indigenous animals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Take in all the fascinating animal facts you can in a guided tour, or if you visit at either 8 am or 4 pm, you can feed the beautiful rainbow lorikeets - it’s a great photo op! Brace yourself for plenty of noisy new friends ready to perch on your head and arms as you provide them with the sweet honey nectar mix they crave.
Eat, Drink and Shop in Coolangatta
North of Tweed Heads and the New South Wales border is the beachside town of Coolangatta. One of our most popular Coolangatta day trips and Coolangatta points of interest is the Gold Coast Arts & Crafts Market. For Instagram-worthy Coolangatta sights, landmarks, food, drink and live entertainment, this site has it all. Browse over 150 stalls showcasing Coolangatta shopping at it’s finest.
Open on the second Sunday of every month; these markets have something for everyone. You’ll find them at one of the most picturesque Coolangatta nature parks, Queen Elizabeth Park on Marine Parade. They are also held at Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.
Beach time: Discover the namesake of the region
Snapper Rocks is one of the best surfing spots on the Gold Coast. The beaches that make up this famous surf break offer the perfect location to try your hand at windsurfing.
Families can spend a fun-filled day at one of Australia’s top attractions - Sea World Marine Park at Main Beach. Swim with the dolphins, take part in shows and daily activities or jump on the exhilarating rides. The kids will also love Wet'n'Wild - Australia’s biggest water park.
Explore the Sunshine State’s Capital
Brisbane is an eclectic mix of culture, gastronomy, fashion, nature, nightlife and more. Head an hour and a half north from Coolangatta, park the car and walk around the CBD area. One of the things we love about Brisbane is its proximity to an exceptional lifestyle and cultural destination - Southbank. Cross the Brisbane River and take in the sights from the other side.
Watch the City Cat ferry power down the river, wander through the bustling weekend markets, and grab a bite at one of the fine-dining restaurants. Why not take a dip in the famous human-made, Streets Beach? Jump on a bus to Chinatown to savour amazing Chinese food, or head to the Brunswick Street Mall to browse the shops.
Book with us and explore the Gold Coast
What are you waiting for? Snag a great rental deal for yourself, your business team, or the family today and see the wonders of the Gold Coast for yourself. We offer convenient, friendly pickups and dropoffs right at the Airport terminal doors - book today and meet us, we can’t wait to welcome you!
References
Lamington National Park:
https://lamingtonnationalpark.com/
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary:
https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/
Queen Elizabeth Park:
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/queen-elizabeth-park-27449.html
Gold Coast Markets Facebook Page for locations and times:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/artandcraftonthecoast/events/?ref=page_internal
SeaWorld:
https://seaworld.com.au/
Seaworld no. 1 tourist attraction:
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sea-world-voted-australias-top-tourists-attraction-of-all-time/news-story/ed4ca6ea803b4d6fafe9f0f61277288d
Wet’n’Wild:
https://wetnwild.com.au/
Brisbane info:
https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/things-to-do?sc_lang=en-au