After being born and raised on the Gold Coast, Queensland and being lucky enough to spend 2020 and half of 2021 unexpectedly living back with family in the city I grew up, I felt that sharing theses local insights was something I needed to pass on. Andrew and I always knew our stint back in this stunning little beach town during the height pandemic days would be short lived, so we made the best effort to see and much as we possibly could while here and what a dream that life was! So as we say 'see you later', here's our Gold Coast highlights we pass on to you to enjoy.
If you find yourself ever visiting the Gold Coast, or if you're a local looking for something new to do, SAVE this post and work your way through our check list of ultimate Gold Coast experiences. Enjoy!
If you're visiting the Gold Coast we recommend to stay in Broadbeach for easy access to the beach, light rail, restaurants, cafes and bars. For a more local experience we'd recommend to stay in Burleigh Heads or Currumbin. For a more luxurious staycation, we'd recommend the QT hotel Surfers Paradise
Gold Coast Beaches, Swimming Holes and coastal walks you can’t miss:
Burleigh Heads: Include a picnic at Burleigh Hill and Walk Burleigh Heads National Park
Tallebudgera Creek: Swim at the creek, then follow the stunning coastal walk toward Palm Beach
Currumbin Creek & beach: There's a dog friendly beach here
Currumbin Rockpools
The Spit & Broadwater: There is a great dog beach by the jetty and don't miss the lighthouse too.
Currumbin Rock Pools
Walk the colourful Miami Staircase: Enjoy the views from the top of Miami North Burleigh Hill
Mermaid Beach (our local)
Snapper Rocks: Enjoy the walk from Duranbah, check out the Queensland and New South Wales Border here, follow the trail to Snapper Rocks then along Rainbow Beach headland then Kirra Beach
Terranora Creek, Tweed Heads
Surfers Paradise, we know it's a little more touristy, but if you haven't been it's worth a visit for a walk along the beach or visit to the area (we'd still say the other beaches listed above are much nicer).
(Images: from top left - Rainbow Beach, Snapper Rocks, Miami Hill, Tallebudgera Creek)
Gold Coast Cafes you can't miss:
Forreal Kitchen - Nobby Beach: Don't miss their chilli scramble
Milkman’s daughter - Nobby Beach: This place is all vegetarian, don't miss their Byron bay salad
Background Barista - Mermaid Beach: Don't miss their coffee
Koko Coffee - Mermaid Beach: They only fo coffee but it's our favourite on the Gold Coast
Paddock Bakery - Burleigh Heads: Don't miss their baked Goods
BSKT - Nobby Beach
Poke Poke - Mermaid Beach (Don't miss their peanut butter acai bowls)
Bam Bam Bakehouse - Mermaid Beach
Next Door Espresso - Burleigh Heads
Pasture & Co - Currumbin Valley
Cubby Bakehouse - Chinderah
Goji Granola Bar - Clear Island Waters
The Alkemist - Broadbeach Waters
Canvas Espresso - Nobby Beach
Blackboard - Varsity Lakes
Day Maker Espresso - Miami
Alfred's Diner - Mermaid Beach
Custard Canteen - Tallebudgera Creek
Greendays - Bundall (Don't miss pre-booking their High Cheese)
Cafe Dbah - Duranbah
Edgewater Dining - Clear Island Waters
Barefoot Barista - Mermaid Beach
Stable Coffee Kitchen - Tugan
Elk Espresso - Broadbeach
No Name Lane - Broadbeach
Little Mermaid - Mermaid Beach
Commune - Burleigh Heads
Wilderness - Palm Beach
The Elephant Rock Cafe - Currumbin
Bumbles Cafe - Budds Beach
Cheese Me Baby - Mermaid Beach
Baked at Ancora - Tweed Heads
Le Bon Choix - Pacific Fair, Mermaid Beach
ESPL Coffee - Surfers Paradise
The Backyard Cafe - Nobby Beach
Stonesthrow Cafe - Currumbin
Tarte Bakery and Cafe - Burleigh Heads
Morena Espresso - Mermaid Beach
Le Cafe Gourmand - Mermaid Beach
Palm Springs - Burleigh Heads
No Name Lane - Broadbeach
Wild Cherry - Christine Corner
Gold Coast Restaurants you can't miss:
Lightyears Asian Fusion, Burleigh Heads
NorthRoom (our favourite), Mermaid Beach
Goccia (Our favourite for local pizza), Mermaid Beach
Kiyomi fine dining Japanese, The Star, Broadbeach
Eddy + Wolff, Japanese bar and restaurant, Robina
Belvedere Stonemill for the cheese wheel Pasta, Burleigh Heads
Hail Mary for tacos, Burleigh Heads
Nineteen at the Star for steak, Broadbeach
Pink Monkey Bar and Grill, for their Ladies Free flow Brunch, Burleigh Heads (we also prefer their takeaway pizza to Justin Lane - which is overrated so not on this list)
Mexicali, Nobby Beach for tacos
Bonita Bonita, Mermaid Beach for tacos
The Collective, Palm Beach
Frida Sol, Palm Beach
The Scottish Prince, Palm Beach
Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach
Fig and Frankies, Broadbeach
Bondi Grill'e for Ribs, Coolangatta
Mikes Kitchen for Ribs, Robina
Edgewater Dining, Isle of Capri
Hideaway Kitchen and Bar, Broadbeach
RaRa Ramen, Burleigh Heads
Pepe Italian, Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach (visit on Wednesday Night for the Cheese Wheel)
Restaurant Labart for Lebanese Food, Burleigh Heads
Maggie Choo, Broadbeach
Bistro Lamp (a Japanese fusion favourite of ours), Nobby Beach
Etsu Japanese, Miami
The Henchman, Miami (for Burgers)
The Italian Kitchen Company, Mermaid Beach
Jimmy Wah's, Burleigh Heads
Maman, Burleigh Heads
Double Zero, Broadbeach
Mr, Nobby Beach
Cocotte Dining, Robina
Taboon Middle Eastern, Robina
I Like Ramen, Nobby Beach (for Vegan Ramen)
Palette, Fine dining restaurant at HOTA, Bundall (Don't miss the Exhibitionist rooftop bar after)
Top things to see and do on the Gold Coast - Don't miss these Gold Coast activities
Pelican feeding at Charis Seafood
Hike at Tamborine Mountain and visit the hinterland
Sunset sailing in the Broadwater
Visit the Kangaroos at Coombabah wetlands
Visit Currumbin Sanctury to feed the rainbow lorikeets
Visit the HOTA galleries and Parklands
Ride the HOPO ferry along the Gold Coast canals
Take a hike in Lammington National Park
Take a hike in Springbrook National Park
Day trip to Natural Bridge
Day trip to Hinze Dam
Visit O'Rileys Rainforest Retreat and the Lost World Spa
Visit the historic River Mill in Nerang
Spend a day exploring the Currumbin Valley
Visit the glow worms in Numbinbah Valley
See the city skyline from the top of the Q1
Enjoy a night out at the Star Casino: We recommend rooftop drinks and Nineteen and drinks at the hidden bar Veladora
Hit up the theme Parks: Movie World, Wet n Wild, Seaworld and Dreamworld
Hike Mt Bally
Have a swing at Top Golf
Picnic at Burleigh Headland
Visit the Palm Beach weekend farmers markets
Visit the HOTA weekend Markets
Visit the Burleigh Heads weekend markets
Visit the Racecourse weekend markets
Take a walk through Pizzy Park
Visit the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens
Visit ArtVo, the interactive art museum at Robina Town Centre
Go outlet shopping at Harbour town
Visit the Sanctury Cove Marina
Go shopping at Pacific Fair
Enjoy a hotel staycation: We recommend the QT hotel
Enjoy a beer tasting at Burleigh Brewing Co
Enjoy a beer tasting at the Precinct Brewery in Miami
Enjoy a day of drinks on the water on board the Yot Club
Have a champagne breakfast onboard Seaworld Cruises
Go Jet-boating in the Broadwater
Book a Tweed River eco cruise
We hope you enjoyed our ultimate guide to the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. You can To see more of our other Australian destination guides click here.
Your,
LITTLE SHERPAs
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