Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Gold Coast?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Gold Coast?

A weekend is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Gold Coast. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the famous sights and museums. To genuinely appreciate the fun-filled coastline, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, after all. After all, Gold Coast holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Gold Coast?

Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Gold Coast during their visit. After all, the fun-filled coastline has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

The Gold Coast is a popular tourist destination along the east coast of Australia. The white sandy beaches are lined with glitzy high rise skyscrapers and vibrant resorts. The area has many world class amusement parks and there is no shortage of fine dining restaurants and adrenaline-filled activities.

Do you have one or two days to visit Gold Coast? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Gold Coast?

Gold Coast enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to relax at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, go scuba diving or snorkeling, and wander through the museums. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the fun-filled coastline has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.

How to spend a day in Gold Coast

The beautiful beaches await you in Gold Coast, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

A few tour suggestions include:

2.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure ($43)
1hr Jet Ski Safari ($147)
Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise ($59)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

The public transit in Gold Coast is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the coastline quite easily and affordably. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Gold Coast?

A weekend is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Gold Coast. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the famous sights and museums. To genuinely appreciate the fun-filled coastline, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, after all. After all, Gold Coast holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

Gold Coast, Queensland

How to spend 2 days in Gold Coast

With a weekend (two to three days) in Gold Coast, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastline has to offer.

Don't miss the long sandy beaches during your trip to Gold Coast, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.