Vacation rentals in Gold Coast
Browse 2,732 vacation rentals, hotels, RVs, and more in Gold Coast.
Gold Coast is known for its cosmopolitan party-at-the-beach, surfing lifestyle, with high-rise buildings that line the beach, theme parks galore, and all manner of recreation including nightclubs, surfing, and mountain hikes. The year-round pleasant weather, canals that wind through the city, and clusters of students on holiday have drawn well-founded comparisons to Miami Beach. Ironically, there is a neighborhood called Miami in Gold Coast. The beach stretches nearly 20 unbroken miles from Main Beach to Coolangatta.
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Gold Coast travel guide
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Both a city and metropolitan region in Queensland’s southeast coast, Gold Coast City is located an hour south of Brisbane. The Gold Coast Airport is 30 minutes south of the city on the coast and the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Brisbane Airport is just over an hour north of the city. The area is spread out but areas are interconnected by trams, busses, taxis, and shared-motorbikes.
Popular surfing beaches include South Stradbroke Island, Burleigh Heads, and Coolangatta. The region is one of the top vacation destinations in Australia and one of the top surfing destinations in the world.
- Surfers Paradise Beach: The iconic Gold Coast beach across the street from high rises in the most boisterous neighborhood. The swimming and surfing beach is set on a narrow peninsula with the Nerang River behind it. There are many restaurants and some accommodations along the Esplanade right next to the beach. Much of the attractions are within walking distance of each other and the beach including the Slingshot Ride, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and SkyPoint. Like many of the Gold Coast beaches, there is a stretch of parkland between the Esplanade and the beach.
- SkyPoint Observation Deck: SkyPoint Observation Deck in Surfers Paradise is 700 feet from the ground in the landmark Q1 skyscraper and is the highest point on the beach, creating panoramic views across the city and coastline to the hinterlands. There are informative displays throughout to educate visitors about the sights around them. The space includes a cafe by day and turns into a chic cocktail lounge by night.
- Burleigh Head Beach: A beautifully clean and well-patrolled beach south of the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise is Burleigh Head Beach. The water is protected by Burleigh Head National Park and is thus known for its calm waters, perfect for swimming and relaxing. There are accommodations and dining throughout with the greatest concentration on the south end just inland of the Esplanade. Burleigh Head National Park is a lovely coastal park with walking trails, designated lookouts, and the hidden Echo Beach.
- Tamborine Mountain: Northwest of Southport is a hinterland community known for being passionate stewards of the land and cottage industries. There are mountain rainforest walks, a TreeTop Challenge Adrenaline Park, a botanic garden, and a glow worm cave for outdoor recreation. There is also a gallery walk and markets selling all kinds of local art, opals, pottery, clothing, food items, and cafes. Locals take great pride in their award-winning distillery in addition to the brewery and wineries. The famous “Witches Falls” section was the first national park declared in Australia in 1908.
- Brisbane: An hour north of northern Gold Coast, the third-largest city in Australia is chilled out, leafy with riverside greenery and known for its artsy culture and live music scene. There is a wide array of international cuisines for all budgets, outdoor adventures such as Mt. Coot-tha & the Botanic Gardens, national landmarks, and other urban activities.
- Mount Warning: An hour inland from Coolangatta is the world’s oldest extinct volcano set inside Wollumbin National Park. The base of the mount is surrounded by lush rainforest and walking trails, while the challenging hike to the peak rewards you with a volcano crater and endless views. Some choose to make an early start because sunrise is spectacular and receives some of the first dawn rays on the Australian continent. It also happens to be the setting for the animated movie Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest.
- Surfers Paradise: A little bit kitschy and a little bit loud, Surfers Paradise is the capital of Gold Coast nightlife. It is compact and walkable, but trams, taxis, and motorbikes are also available when needed. As the name implies, the area is popular with surfers and has been since the 1930s, but fishing, swimming, and boating are all options here. This neighborhood has the highest concentration of accommodations in the Gold Coast. Accommodations and dining are available for all budgets, from backpacker hostels to self-catering apartments to luxury resorts. Infinity Attraction, King Tutts Putt Putt, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and iFly Indoor Skydiving all offer non-beach fun.
- Broadbeach: Just south of Surfers Paradise is a quieter, but highly popular neighborhood along a long beach with a strip of green parkland between the beach and community. The beach is well-maintained, well-patrolled and popular with families. There is a wide selection of both accommodations and dining options as well as two popular shopping centers. Directly inland is the suburb of Broadbeach Waters, built on a network of canals and offers many accommodation options away from the beach, but fewer dining options — though known for its fish markets.
- Coolangatta: The furthest south beach community in Gold Coast shares a border with the state of New South Wales. It is nearest to the airport and furthest from the dense populations of the rest of the Gold Coast. The beaches are white sand and popular with both swimmers and surfers. There are accommodations, dining, and shops available, especially along Marine Parade and the neighboring town of Tweed Heads, NSW offers anything else one might need.
- Southport: The central business district of the Gold Coast metroplex is nearest to Main Beach. Within Southport is also a few theme parks including SeaWorld and GC Aqua Park. Warner Brothers Movie World, Wet ‘n Wild Gold Coast, Australian Outback Adventure are only a 20 minute drive north. Check out The Spit for a long, sandy beach great for walking with views of the city. The central urban area includes businesses and government offices of all types and sizes, shopping centers, and the main hospital.
There are 2,732 vacation rentals available in Gold Coast across several booking partners.
Vacation rentals in Gold Coast have a price range between $39-$6,753. The average price for rentals in Gold Coast is $161 per night.
Apartments are the top rental type in Gold Coast, with 2,732 rentals currently available.