Path Well Travelled: A Gold Coast Travel Guide
G’day mates – Whether you’re looking to join us for the Georegional Judge Conference or if you want another holiday destination before or after Calling: Sydney and its judge conference, the Gold Coast is one of the best tourist spots in the entire country. Having the second most famous beach in the country second only to Bondi, from the big 4 theme parks to national zoos, the Gold Coast is a place where you’re sure to find a bit of Aussie hospitality around every corner. I’m here to highlight some of the things you can do, see and experience to make your trip down under one that you won’t soon forget!
I would like to welcome you to my hometown, to one of the most famous tourist destinations that Australia has to offer, and start by saying abso-bloody-lutely no one here drinks Fosters.
Zero to Fifty: How to Get Here and Around
There are two major Airports that flank the length of the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Airport itself on the southern end and Brisbane Airport to the north. A train directly connects Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast – so you can get on at the Airport and stay on the same train all the way through the Gold Coast if you want! It is generally a bit cheaper to fly into Brisbane internationally – and if you plan on coming from outside the ANZ, there aren’t many flights direct to the Gold Coast. Generally you would be flying into Sydney anyway and then catching a connecting flight to the Gold Coast. If you are coming from Brisbane, it’s best to get off at Helensvale station, as from there you can swap to the G:Link Tram which will cover pretty much the rest of the Gold Coast.
As for the Gold Coast airport, there isn’t a direct train that goes there (yet) however there is a metro rapid bus line (The 777) that will take you to Burleigh heads station, and from there you can catch the G:Link Tram to wherever you need to go, even back up to Helensvale. (For the Judges attending the Georegional conference, either the Coomera or Helensvale stations are the closest station to the host LGS for buslines. Helensvale or the new Hope Island station for Ubers).
One major thing to note is that all public state owned transport in the South East of Queensland, including buses, trams and trains cost 50 cents per ride so it’s best to make use of them wherever you can! (Unfortunately, the Brisbane Airport to Eagle Junction bit of train line is privately owned so that still costs about 25 dollars).
Helensvale Station is a major connection hub for the Tram, Train and Busways in the area so if you plan on exploring, especially the big 4 theme parks – this is a good spot!
There is a travel card available called the “Go Card” but all SEQ public transport now accepts most major credit cards as a tap on tap off service – Just don’t forget to tap off as you leave or you will be charged more than 50c! (Only like $2.50 but still) – Tourists can also buy the “Go Explore” card which is a flat rate of $1.50 per day and gives you unlimited trips on everything – so if you plan on taking more than 3 trips a day this is a good option!
The G:Link
The G:Link is the Gold Coast major transit system. It is a single main line through the entire city from north to south, and you’ll generally find a tram every 15 minutes or less during the day.
Ubers and Taxis
Ubers and Taxis are plentiful and safe around the Gold Coast and will get you to where you need to go if the bus and tram networks can’t. Ubers are generally going to be cheaper in the long run as Taxis still charge by 100m travelled as well as time charges (so the prices goes up while stuck in traffic). Taxis do have the convenience at big stations of having ready ranks so if you don’t want to wait and if your distance is short – taxis are pretty good. However, where possible I would be making use of busways (there are a lot of buses that will go directly to the tourist hot spots).
Other ride share apps such as Didi and Ola are around, but not as ubiquitous as Uber.
Transit Apps
Google Maps does a pretty okay job at predicting public transport lines as well as swaps to get you to where you need to go. The Translink app is also good to compare different public transport trips.
Energy Counters and Gold Tokens
Australia uses the Type I plug, which features two flat pins forming an inverted ‘V’ shape plus a vertical grounding pin. The electrical grid operates at 230–240 volts which is a lot higher than in the Americas. If you’re travelling from the Americas, please ensure you don’t buy just a small device that changes the socket without converting voltage or you might fry your device. (This is getting a bit better these days with USB charges offsetting this risk).
Currency is the Australian Dollar, and pretty much everywhere accepts all kinds of travel cards. Carrying Cash is generally not super required in Australia much anymore unless you are going to a market – but it never hurts to have some on hand. Australia is NOT a tipping culture outside of exemplary service and it’s generally looked on disfavourably as we have some of the strongest worker protections on the planet.
Where Do I Stay?
Surprisingly, there’s not a huge amount of hotels on the north side of the Gold Coast. There are a few but for the north side you’ll have a better chance with an airbnb or a sharehouse. The couple I do know of are:
The Coomera Motor Inn is walking distance to Dreamworld, one of the big 4 theme parks and the one that we will be visiting as part of the Georegional Conference optional social schedule on Monday. It’s a short uber from Coomera station, and is also relatively close to Westfield Helensvale.
The closest one to the actual Georegional LGS Venue would probably be the GC holiday park. They have a few options including a motel, villas, cabins etc and also have a small few attractions on site. It’s pretty expensive for what it is, but is very close to everything on the north side. This is probably the only accommodation I can think of that would be walking distance to the Georegional – but I’m sure there would be sharehouses that are around
http://goldcoastholidaypark.com.au/
For Holidaying, you will find a plethora of accommodation in Surfers Paradise or in Broadbeach – and both are linked via the G:Link tram to the rest of the Gold Coast.
Between Surfers and Broadbeach there are literally hundreds of hotels and motels keeping prices relatively affordable – and no matter where you stay – you’re only a small short walk from the famous beaches, huge shopping complexes, restaurants, clubs, pubs and all manner of night life! To make the most of your Gold Coast holiday, I’d probably recommend staying somewhere in Surfers Paradise.
Google is your friend here to see all the options and there are plenty of nice and relatively affordable hotels like The Phoenician and Legends Mantra. If you really want to stay on a budget, look for backpackers lodges, inn’s and hostels. I sometimes look up Surfers Paradise on amalgamation websites like Booking or Trivago, find a decent price and then google the actual website of the place in question – you’ll generally get a better rate this way.
My only recommendation here is just check your distance to the nearest G:Link stop.
I’m only going to highlight a few of the higher tier pricier ones that you can pick if you want something a bit more special for your stay.
The Q1 Resort and Spa
The Q1 is the tallest building in Australia. At a monstrous 322 meters it houses a reputation due to its height, as well as just looking like something out of a megacorp cyberpunk thriller. They have great hotel options, and they also have a skybridge and restaurant which will give you some of the best views of the entire coastline. Even if you’re not staying at the Q1, a trip up to the skybridge is a cool thing to do! (I’ll touch on this again in the things to do section)
Seaworld Resort
For anyone who is a fan of sealife, seafood or the sea as a whole, you can get the best ocean experience at the Seaworld Resort. Attached to one of the big 4 theme parks (can you guess which one? Yeah its Sea World) – this hotel gives you unrestricted access to “The Spit” which is effectively the Gold Coast’s harbour – with many amazing restaurants, ocean tours, ferry rides and of course the ability to get up close and personal with marine life at Sea World – Most room packages will come with admission to Sea World included, with the ability to upgrade your room to ALSO include entry into some of the other theme parks within their umbrella (Namely Movie World and Wet n’ Wild)
https://seaworldresort.com.au/
The Star, Gold Coast
We’re card gamers. We might like a bit of the gamba – so if you want a bit of a thrill in excess of opening packs, The Star is the Gold Coast’s mini Vegas. Expensive high class restaurants, shows and the main casino floor are all inside the one building – while also being directly across the road from both the Pacific Fair shopping centre, the mecca for high class fashion as well as across from the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre.
Action Phase: What Is There To Do?
Experience Oz is a good place to get some generic ideas for what to do anywhere in Australia. The Gold Coast Page is specifically for the region. The Gold Coast is a tourist hot spot for a reason. Tourism is one of the biggest industries and you would be able to find in any hotel lobby hundreds of brochures of things to do. I’m just going to highlight the things I know, and have done that I enjoy – as well as some of the biggest things that the city is known for. Additionally, Australia is probably most well known for our unique wildlife – the ones that will kill you and the ones that wont; so I’ll highlight some places you can get up close and personal with them as well! I am not sponsored by any of the businesses I call out specifically, but man I wish I was. I’ll start with the couple of things which are on the Georegional schedule (which you can opt in using the form on the Judge Hub page before December 17th 2026 and the bookings will be taken care of for you).
The Outback Spectacular <Friday Night Georegional Social Event>
The Outback Spectacular is truly deserving of its name. A full 3 course meal and show that explores Australian history. Horses, cattle and daring stunts bring the bush to life in true reenactments of what life was like out in the outback stations of the early 1900s. Every couple of years they update and change the show keeping it fresh for locals and return travellers alike, and everyone who visits gets to keep the true blue aussie straw hat you walk in with.
https://outbackspectacular.com.au/
The Beach
Gold Coast beaches are legendary for a reason. Walking up and down the coast, especially early in the morning, is a serenity you seldom find in many places in the world. The beaches during the day are also patrolled by lifeguards which are almost like the Australian scouts – with junior lifeguards starting in youth groups and training to be part of one of the most iconic parts of Australian beach life. Always swim between the flags!!
Cavill Avenue
Cavill Avenue and the Cavill Mall is the night life of the Gold Coast. One street away from the main Surfers Paradise beach entrance, it’s a strip of nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and more. Over the weekend and in holiday periods you’ll also see street performers and buskers. Cavill Mall is also home to the biggest timezone in the country if you’re into Arcades! Right across from that timezone is a very good Bowling alley and downstairs along the strip is Copenhagen Ice Cream, which our current JCR rates very highly. His official review was “I love that joint”. Very high praise from an Australian I can assure you. Across from Cavill and the Esplanade you might also see the Beachfront Market every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4pm-9pm.
Q1 Skypoint Observation Deck / Climbing Experience
If you want to feel the sky high experience and see an incredible 360 degree view of the coastline the skypoint will have you covered. Featuring an observation deck, a restaurant and for those a little bit more adventurous – a true skybox that you have to climb up to get to. No elevators can take you the rest of the way. A truly magnificent sight awaits those who aren’t afraid of heights and can climb the stairway to the top!
The Big 4 Theme Parks 1 (Dreamworld) <Monday Georegional Social Event>
Dreamworld is a massive theme park with everything from high adrenaline rollercoasters, a high speed drop from 50 stories high all the way to a mini water park and an animal wildlife habitat up the far end where you can get up close and personal with Kangaroos, Kookaburras, Koalas and a myriad of other animals. There’s tigers too, but I don’t think they let you get up close to those. Dreamworld also has a full water park alongside it called White Water World (which was built fairly recently and is attached to Dreamworld so isn’t considered it’s own park to make the “big 4” a “big 5”. Built mainly to compete with the water park down the road owned by the competitors – they do sell combined park passes and the water parks are extremely good to visit during the summer months. Dreamworld also has one of the biggest Lego stores in the state just attached to it for some reason. Really cool if you’re a collector of rare Lego sets!
https://www.dreamworld.com.au/
The Big 4 Theme Parks 2 (Movie World)
Definitely the best of the theme parks for movie buffs and for families – Warner Bros Movie World leverages all of the WB intellectual properties for shows, rides, and small mini worlds. The tagline Hollywood on the Gold Coast is not a lie – as Movie World houses some of the biggest sound stages for real movie recordings in the southern hemisphere. There are sound stage tours available where you can go behind the scenes of real big budget WB films and see how the magic is made. Actors and cosplayers line the mini streets for photo opportunities with your favourite characters as well as having huge department stores with official merchandise from every WB property you can think of. A lot of people will combine this one with the next one on the list because they’re very close together and owned by the same people.
The Big 4 Theme Parks 3 (Wet and Wild)
Calling Sydney and the Georegional are both in the hotter months of the calendar, and if you want to cool off then Wet n’ Wild is the place. There are SO many water slides and water related rides that you will be drenched in more ways than you think was even possible. If you aren’t about that high speed life, there are also some relaxation pools and the Calypso beach where you can drift around a small river in an inflatable ring just basking in that nice (hopefully) sunny atmosphere. Wet n’ Wild is right up the road from Movie World, and if you wanted to do both parks – you can get a 2 day pass that will allow you to do one park a day for cheaper than 2 individual tickets!
The Big 4 Theme Parks 4 (Sea World)
You don’t have to stay at the resort to visit sea world! An aquatic lover’s dream. It definitely doesn’t have as many high impact thrill rides of Movie World or Dreamworld but it is the place to be if you want to visit the aquariums, watch the killer whale or dolphin shows and high five a seal. There are also packages where you can swim with the dolphins, and go chill with some penguins. They also have POLAR BEARS!
Dracula’s Cabaret & Burlesque Show
I don’t think I can really show anything from this attraction – but to summarise it is a combination of a horror house with a burlesque dinner entertainment show that needs to be seen to be believed. Not for the prude or the religious, this place takes freedom of expression to the far. A 4 hour experience featuring a ghost train ride, a three‑course meal and a live variety show full of comedy, aerial acrobatics and rock music. Ages 15+ only.
Infinity
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be inside a stick of RAM? No? Well now you have! Infinity is a small attraction in surfers paradise that is build to mess with your 5 senses. A dimension warping maze – think of a mirror room but taken to the next level – this sensory overload is a maze of wonder. They describe it as a chemical-free trip into other dimensions of the imagination. Definitely give this one a miss if you’re epileptic though, there is a LOT going on.
Escape Rooms
Are you a fiend for puzzles? Well the Gold Coast has got some of the best on the planet! Spread across a bunch of different sites, there’s difficulty levels and themes to match any imagination! I haven’t done them all – but I really liked the Flaming Pearl at the Eclipse Escape rooms!
- https://www.eclipseescape.com.au/
- https://padlockd.com.au/
- https://foxinaboxgoldcoast.com/
- https://escapehunt.com/au/goldcoast/
- https://lostlocks.com.au/
The Aquaduck
Look, I’m going to put this one in out of obligation because this has been a Gold Coast staple since I was a kid. A city tour and a river cruise all in one, you will see these guys cruising all over the Coast. The now famous & iconic Aquaduck remains Australia’s first and finest amphibious adventure, if you believe the words on their website. Look – I won’t deny they are famous and well known, and its probably the best way to get a tour of the coast real fast… But this one is probably the only tourist trap I’m putting on the list. It’s great for families though, because once you’re on the water they let kids “drive” and it’s pretty funny.
Whale Watching
Whales are pretty common off the coast of the Gold Coast during the summer seasons. Sea World, Spirit and Kokomo offer cruises that launch from The Spit that go along common migration tracts. You generally have a pretty decent chance of seeing a few of them in the wild. Compare the different offerings, timeslots and prices because they change pretty rapidly and commonly based on the whale migration patterns!
- https://seaworldcruises.com.au/whale-watching/whale-watching-tickets/
- https://spiritwhalewatching.com.au/
- https://kokomocruises.com.au/
Australia Zoo/Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Everyone has heard of the Crocodile Hunter. The Irwins are international conservation superstars. The trouble is that Australia Zoo is not super close to the Gold Coast. It’s on the far side of Brisbane which is going to be about a 2 hour car ride to get there – which is why I’m bundling this one with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Sure, it doesn’t have Irwin’s likeness on the front – but pretty much everything you can do at Australia Zoo you can do at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and its probably cheaper too. You can take the G:Link to Burleigh Heads and then a bus goes straight to the sanctuary. So unless you’re really dead set on getting a photo with Steve Irwin’s cutout, currumbin wildlife sanctuary is a great way to get up close and personal with the Australian wildlife.
HOTA – Home of the Arts
If you’re looking for something a little more cultural – the Gold Coasts Arts Centre, or HOTA as its known now has a lot of theatre troupes and local shows that rotate every other month. You kinda never know what’s going to be on at HOTA – from performances, to art exhibitions to comedy shows, to art workshops, to festivals, to masterclasses in how to make the perfect dumpling. It’s always a bit of a wildcard worth checking out the website what’s going to be on offer when you’re travelling through!
Shopping Centres & Markets
There are four major shopping centres/districts on the Gold Coast each with their own kind of speciality aside from the beachfront markets near Cavill Avenue spoken about before
- Pacific Fair: Pacific Fair has two distinct sides. The new side which has every high brand fashion store you can possibly think of and the old side which has all the regular brands. Its an interesting dichotomy of affluent versus regular shopping. Really close to broadbeach so very accessible if you’re staying in Surfers or Broadbeach.
- Robina Town Centre: A more standard” shopping centre” but sprawled over a massive campus. A bit far from the coast, but has access to all the major tech brands as well as other major international brands like Apple and Lego. Has a wing called “The Kitchens” with a large array of indie restaurants and specialty food stores.
- Harbour Town Shopping Centre: Harbour Town is the Outlet shopping centre of the Coast. If you want to snag a deal, it’ll be at Harbour Town. Most of the big clothing brands have outlet or factory second stores here where they send all of their last season stuff to clear at a discount. If you’re a bargain hunter and don’t need the latest and greatest off the shop floor – you might be able to find something nice!
- Carrara Markets: Every weekend the huge Carrara Markets open and it really is a flea market. This is one of the only places I would advise carrying cash as there are not too many ATMS on site and not everywhere will take cards. If you go early on Sunday (7-10am), you can also see the Car Boot sale – where random Aussies can pay 50 bucks to just rock up for a few hours and sell whatever the hell they want out of the back of their car. This is also where I would recommend getting that “Aussie souvenir” – you know the plush koalas or the boomerangs and the like. You’ll find it all here at half the price of the souvenir stores in Surfers. This is where I buy the clip Koalas that I make the jackets for when I take them to international callings!
Chris’ Secret Pick if you need to get back some significant other brownie points after they let you go to an international Flesh and Blood event:
Look, even as a single guy I get it – sometimes when we galavant all over the world to play with cardboard, some significant others may not fully embrace the card life. But they came with you down under to at least try to spend some time with you, so let me give you my secret place to really make them feel special:
The Gold Coast Gondolas.
A Private Cruise along the Gold Coast riverbank at any time of day (but I recommend their 4-6pm dusk service to get the amazing golden sundown as you’re on the water). Complete with a fancy dinner provided on the water and extras such as bouquets, champagnes and all manner of marvelous things to make them feel like they are the most important person in the world (and they are).
It’s also not a bad group / family activity as the gondolas can carry up to 5 people.
What Should I Try Food-Wise?
Australia is a very multicultural society so you will be able to find all kinds of cuisines from across the globe here. Aussie outback food and ‘bush tucker’ are generally not really seen in too many places around outside of RSLs or The Outback Spectacular (That one is really worth it!). A lot of my favourite places have shut down since COVID – But there are a couple of places I can still recommend. (And it won’t be a bloody Outback Steakhouse).
Mikes Kitchen <Sunday Night Georegional Social Event>
I’ve been to a lot of steakhouses and rib places. Granted, I haven’t yet been to Texas – but everywhere else I go on the planet is compared to Mike’s Kitchen. Every time someone says to me they have a better rib house, they concede and I’m on a 7-0 undefeated win streak. Using the best of Aussie ingredients, this family owned grill house has been a staple of the Gold Coast for more than 2 decades and always books out months in advance. If you’re going to the Gold Coast (and you are not a vegetarian) – I can’t recommend this place enough.
https://www.mikeskitchen.com.au/
The Misono
Previously the Benihana, tucked away inside the JW Marriott in Surfers, this Japanese culinary experience is something you should absolutely try especially if you have never been to a Teppanyaki restaurant before. These chefs combine martial excellence with perfect chef work to provide food prepared with style, flair and a bit of FIRE.
The End Step
I hope this has given you some ideas about how to make your trip down under a special one, whether that’s adding an extra little bit to your adventure to Calling Sydney, or has tempted you to make more of a holiday out of your trip for the Georegional.
I hope to see you across the pond soon! Arsenal, Pitch, Untap, Draw.
Just be mindful of the Drop Bears…
Featured image by DroneImageNation. Images in article from Phillip Mallis, Imms_xd, Clipsal, Dean Johnson, Q1 Resort & Spa, Dreamworld Gold Coast, Wet n’ Wild Gold Coast, Australian Outback Spectacular, Infinity Gold Coast, Sea World Cruises, Gold Coast Gondolas, Mike’s Kitchen, The Misono.
