Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Gold Coast?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 glamourous 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Gold Coast?
Gold Coast enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. So with three days, 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 glamourous 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 three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sirromet Cellar Door Wine Tasting Public Tour with Lunch ($43)
- Northern Rivers Wine Tour ($114)
- Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour ($161)
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Gold Coast is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Snorkel with Turtles Gold Coast ($93)
- Guided Snorkel with Fish Tour at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve ($80)
- 2.5hr Gold Coast Kayaking & snorkelling tour ($53)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Gold Coast.
Is 4 days enough time in Gold Coast?
Four days 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 glamourous 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 4 days in Gold Coast
With 4 days in Gold Coast, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastline has to offer.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Gold Coast, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Gold Coast?
As a popular and famous coastline, Gold Coast offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. So, five days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Gold Coast while also relaxing at the beach. Most visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Gold Coast is popular with families, couples, and backpackers which enjoy visiting because the city offers fun activities for them.
How to spend 5 days in Gold Coast
If you have more than 5 days in Gold Coast, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastline has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Gold Coast sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary General Entry Ticket ($43)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Gold Coast.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Gold Coast, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.