Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Gold Coast?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 one or two weeks 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 week enough time in Gold Coast?
One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Gold Coast, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Relax at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, go scuba diving or snorkeling, and wander through the museums on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Gold Coast as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend a week 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.
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.
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.
Shopping in Gold Coast is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.
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.
Gold Coast is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. This metropolitan region runs along the white sandy beaches which are line with high rise resorts. There are amusement parks and nightclubs throughout.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise ($59)
- Gold Coast Sunset Cruise with sparkling wine & nibbles platter ($80)
- Arro Jet Boating Experience, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast ($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 2 weeks enough time in Gold Coast?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Gold Coast. Many visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Gold Coast, Queensland
How to spend 2 weeks in Gold Coast
With 2 weeks in Gold Coast, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastline has to offer.
After you've explored most of Gold Coast, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Gold Coast, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
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.
Gold Coast is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Gold Coast. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Gold Coast, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
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.
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.