About Gold Coast

Australia’s holiday capital with the perfect blend of coastal splendour and urban swag – this is Gold Coast. This iconic Aussie destination is famous for its year-round perfect weather, golden sandy beaches, an incredible inland waterway and canal system, towering skyscrapers, and the world-renowned Surfers Paradise. A Gold Coast cruise presents the perfect opportunity to experience a slice of it all!
 
Beyond the beach and city-centre attractions, discover a laid-back ‘Miami’ energy with friendly neighbourhoods, a multi-cultural culinary scene and the famous theme parks, Dreamworld, SeaWorld etc. Away from the city noise, you can find peaceful escapes – sparkling golden sands that stretch for miles to the south of Surfers Paradise, and wildlife parks and rainforests top the list of popular family adventures.
 
Be sure to leave enough time to explore the subtropical side and native wildlife! For wildlife encounters or a green fix, head to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Springbrook National Park, or Sea World! The hinterland of Gold Coast is also perfect for those looking to relax amidst nature’s greatest treasures. The Scenic Rim, which circles dramatic mountain ranges and World-Heritage rainforests and farmland valleys, is an easy drive from Gold Coast.  
 
In short, with all the beaches, theme parks, shopping, and surfing, this is a destination that should not be missed on your trip Down Under. From whale watching to jet boat adventures, plenty of exciting experiences in Gold Coast await you. Not to mention the exquisite local seafood to be had!

Gold Coast Cruise Experiences

Jet Boat Adventures

4 Cruises

From $58

Surfers Paradise Cruises

13 Cruises

From $49

Dinner Cruises

1 Cruise

From $119

Lunch Cruises

6 Cruises

From $49

Whale Watching Cruises

3 Cruises

From $109

Featured Cruises

26 Cruises

3.5Hr Tweed River & Rainforest Lunch Cruise

Scenic rainforest cruise to the pristine Tweed Valley. Watch and feed the birds of Stott’s Island, relish a grand lunch & enjoy other river sights.

Duration 3hr

From $99

2.5hr Catch a Crab Day Tour

Hop on a fun-filled crabbing cruise down the Tweed River. Also feed pelicans, pump for yabbies, reel in fish, enjoy a delicious lunch and more.

Duration 3hr

From $80

1.5Hr Surfers Paradise Morning Tea Cruise

Experience the best value-for-money sightseeing on a short Gold Coast cruise with complimentary morning tea along the Surfers Paradise waterways.

Duration 1hr

From $49

2Hr Tweed Eco Bush Tucker Crab Catching Cruise

Try some bush food and catch crabs with your family on an action-packed cruise on Tweed River. Enjoy pelican feeding, an interactive show and more!

Duration 2hr

From $75

1.5Hr Gold Coast Sunset Cruise

Hop on a sunset cruise along Surfers Paradise canals, Marina Mirage & Gold Coast Broadwater. Enjoy free snacks and fun facts commentary.

Duration 1hr

From $55

1.5Hr Surfers Paradise Afternoon Cruise

See Gold Coast’s icons such as Marina Mirage, Sea World, etc on an afternoon tour with free snacks, fun commentary, and marine life encounters.

Duration 1hr

From $49

8Hr Gold Coast To Brisbane 300 Island Cruise

Join an adventure to explore 300 Whitsunday style Islands. See uninhabited islands, meet diverse marine life, learn about colonial Queensland, etc.

Duration 8hr

From $139

3.5Hr Whale Watching Cruise from Surfers Paradise

Gold Coast tour onboard the only whale watching cruise departing from Surfers Paradise offering amazing sights of the humpbacks from up close.

Duration 4hr

From $109

2Hr Gold Coast Whale Watching Tour

Enjoy a whale watching tour from Sea World offering you spectacular sights of the migrating whales of the Humpback Highway.

Duration 2hr

From $109

2.5 Hr Gold Coast Afternoon Whale Watching Cruise

Cruise to the Humpback Highway on a Whale Watching Tour with Sea World and witness the migratory whales, dolphins and more up-close!

Duration 2hr

From $109

1Hr Jet Boat Adventure Ride

Join this leading jet boat specialist on a 35km jet boat adventure – fast boat, more thrills; access to Moreton Bay Marine Park & Sovereign Island.

Duration 1hr

From $79

30Min Jet Boat ‘Express’ Blast Ride

See if you have what it takes to survive this 20km express jet boat ride as you twist, turn, and slide your way along the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Duration 30 Min

From $63

55 Min Jet Boat Extreme Ultimate Ride

Buckle-up for ‘maximum fun in minimum time’ on the Gold Coast waterways! Enjoy this ultimate ride at 80 km/h – 360° spins, slides & twists.

From $75

30 Min Rapid Jet Boat Ride

Speed down the Gold Coast waterways with 360° spins, high-speed slides and fish-tailing on this thrilling jet boat ride - heart-stopping fun assured.

Duration 30 Min

From $58

3.5Hr Catch a Crab Tour With Fish & Chip Lunch

Catch crabs and fish, feed pelicans, pump for yabbies, and relish a fish & chip lunch made with fresh catch on an adventurous tour on Tweed River.

Duration 3hr

From $110

3.5Hr Catch a Crab Tour & Seafood Plate Lunch

Join Gold Coast’s original crabbing tour to enjoy crab trapping, pelican feeding, yabbies pumping, and a yummy seafood platter for lunch.

Duration 3hr

From $135

2.5Hr Sightseeing Dinner Cruise from Sea World

Welcome to a delightful dinner cruise with live music on board ‘Spirit of Elston’, set against the glittering Surfer’s Paradise skyline. Bar onboard.

Duration 2hr

From $119

2Hr Sightseeing Lunch Cruise From Surfers Paradise

Enjoy a selection of seafood, carvery, salads & desserts on this scenic lunch cruise along the Gold Coast waterways. See Sea World, Palazzo Versace etc.

Duration 2hr

From $89

2.5Hr Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise

Whale watching cruise to the Humpback Highway, led by a marine biologist. Get your dose of whale breaches, flukes & lots of fins! Only from May-Oct.

Duration 2hr

From $99

1.5Hr Tweed River Fisherman's Friend Cruise

Cruise past Terranora Lakes and Tweed Fishing Fleet, see skilled fishermen at work and enjoy bird-watching with morning tea & treats. Commentary incl.

Duration 1hr

From $49

2.5Hr Spirit DJ Party Cruise On The Broadwater

Come aboard for the best DJ party in town! Get ready to groove to the tunes of a talented DJ as you cruise along the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Duration 2hr

From $49

2.5Hr Christmas & Staff Party Cruise On The Broadwater

Unwind with a welcome drink, groove to live music & enjoy a delicious grazing board on this Christmas party cruise. Ideal for family, friends or colleagues.

Duration 2hr

From $129

2.5Hr Sunset Cruise On The Broadwater

A relaxing and fun Broadwater cruise offering the perfect blend of live acoustic music, glorious sunset views & tasty nibbles. Only on Saturdays.

Duration 2hr

From $79

2.5Hr Sunday Sesh On The Broadwater

Who’s up for a ‘Sunday Sesh’ on the Spirit Gold Coast Broadwater cruise? Unwind with live acoustic music, a free drink, and serene coastal views.

Duration 2hr

From $69

2.5Hr Gold Coast Broadwater New Year’s Eve Cruise

It’s festive, fun & family-friendly! Join this NYE cruise to watch the Broadwater Fireworks. Cocktail-style dining, live music and bar to buy drinks.

Duration 2hr

From $159

3Hr Broadwater New Year’s Eve Cruise - Adults Only

Sail into 2024 with an exclusive adults-only crowd on this NYE cruise with live music, welcome drink, fireworks views & cocktail dining. Filling fast!

Duration 3hr

From $159

See All Cruises

Know Before You Go

Best Time To Visit

With over 300 days of sun, Gold Coast can be visited any time of the year. It is advisable to avoid school holidays as these are the busiest times with increased crowds.

Whether you arrive during the summer months to bask in the tropical sun or prefer the pleasant coolness of winter with refreshing mornings and evenings, the region offers a climate that caters to different preferences. While the Gold Coast generally enjoys a temperate climate, it is important to note that the hinterland areas might be slightly cooler compared to the coastal beaches.

Public Holidays

Sunday, 1 January: New Year's Day
Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year's Day
Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day
 

Events & Festivals

Cooly Rocks On Festival
Probably the most anticipated event on the Gold Coast calendar every year. It’s one of the biggest festivals that celebrates the bangers from the 50s and 60s, leaving everyone nostalgic. The beaches are your venues and the locals are your company!

SeaFire
The well-acclaimed international fireworks competition will light up the shores of Surfers Paradise this year, in what will be a battle between various nations for the coveted title. There will be beachfront markets, DJs, and of course, plenty of fireworks!

Gold Coast Film Festival
Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier filming locations, but did you also know that there is a film festival held every year in the city. The festival brings the most awe-inspiring movies from various cultures and categories – another reason to visit this gem of a destination!
 

School Holidays

TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Queensland: 1 April to 16 April

TERM 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Queensland: 24 June to 9 July

TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Queensland: 16 September to 2 October

TERM 4 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023 - 2024
Queensland: 9 December 2023 to 21 January 2024

Accommodation

You can find convenient hotel accommodation all around Gold Coast, but Surfers Paradise has the most apartment buildings and accommodation than any other city. Broadbeach is home to numerous beachfront accommodations, cheaper low-rise apartments, and brand new high-rise buildings. There are also incredible villas, tree houses and castles nestled within the rainforests just an hour away from the beaches, if you’re looking to escape the city.

Dining

Much like its beaches and landmark attractions, Gold Coast has all kinds of restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels to offer its vacation-goers. From over-the-top fine dining in Michelin-star restaurants to classic laid-back beachside cafes, Gold Coast serves up an incredible selection of culinary delights. Don’t forget to try the native special kangaroo, the thrilling Aussie take on European classics or a mix of both!

Transport

Once you've landed at the Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane International Airport, you can easily hail taxis, rideshares and shuttle services to the city centre. A range of reliable transportation options, including trains, buses, taxis, and ferries, serve the Gold Coast. To make the most of public transport, it is recommended to acquire a Go Card, an electronic ticket that grants access to transportation services across South East Queensland.

Gold Coast Tourist Information

Shopping & Market Hours

Gold Coast’s shopping culture has caught up with its beach and surf culture. The vintage Village Market in Burleigh is where you can find an impressive mix of fashion, art, ceramics, homeware, and accessories from emerging and established entrepreneurs. You can check out the famous beachfront markets at Surfers Paradise for locally made jewellery, clothing, food, maybe even a weird souvenir to take home.

Medical Services

Gold Coast Health offers an extensive range of secondary and tertiary healthcare services  in the form of community facilities, allied health precincts, and hospitals. These include the Gold Coast University Hospital, known for its bustling emergency department that holds the distinction of being the busiest in Australia, Robina Hospital & Varsity Lakes Day Hospital.

Blogs & Articles

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Cheers To A Crabby Kinda Day On Tweed River

As the title suggests, this blog is all about enjoying a crabby kinda day on Tweed River. Take that frown off your face, you are going to love this ‘crab’by day.

Surfing & Family Fun: A Guide To Surfers Paradise With Kids

It’s no secret that Gold Coast exudes the glitz and glamour in Surfers Paradise, but it also ensures a delightful kid-friendly vacation. In fact, enjoying a fun-filled family getaway here is child’s play.

Fun Beyond The Board In Surfers Paradise

It's hard to believe that Surfer’s Paradise was named after a hotel because this Gold Coast city is indeed a paradise for surfers. Surfers Paradise lives up to its name with its summer vibes all year round, waves that just keep rollin', and a surf scene that's as welcoming to newbies as it is to seasoned pros.