Picturesque, diverse, sunny and oh-so-beautiful, Gold Coast is the ultimate place for a fun-filled vacation with families or friends. You can lap up the very best of the city - sun-kissed beaches, thrilling rides, unique wildlife experiences and more - without breaking the bank.
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Get to your 2023/24 vacation faster and easier with AirAsiaX, the ONLY international airline that flies direct to the Gold Coast from RM699*. Say goodbye to transfers and stopovers; head straight into the fun!
*Booking period: Now until 3rd September. Travel period: now until 18th Feb 2024.
1.Get multi-attraction travel passes
It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or nth time; it can be overwhelming to decide which attractions to visit in Gold Coast because there are so many! Multi-attraction passes can help you save on admission tickets and reduce the stress of trip planning.
Ride through the fastest hypercoaster in the Southern Hemisphere UNLIMITED TIMES!
We booked our entry ticket to Dreamworld and the Seaworld Whale Watching Cruise (seasonal; only between June to October every year) using the Klook Gold Coast Pass. The pass covers more than 11 of your favourite attractions - SkyPoint Climb, SeaWorld Whale Watching Cruise, Jet Boat Ride, Lamington National Park, and more!
The jetboating experience is a must-try! Be prepared for 360 spins at breakneck speeds! Try to spot us! P.S. There are also other types of passes on Klook you can check out, such as their Multi-Day Pass for Movie World, Sea World & Wet n' Wild, with unlimited entry - perfect for those who love Gold Coast’s theme parks!
2. Use their convenient public transport
Many say it’s much easier to drive on the Gold Coast than in Singapore, but if you don’t have a driving licence like me, you might immediately think - “Wait, do I have to keep spending on cabs?” Not at all! The Gold Coast has a great public transport system called TransLink that makes travelling around the city without a car simple and convenient.
P.S. Get aGo Card, as it lets you explore the entire South Queensland area, including Brisbane! The minimum top-up for a card is $20; you can top it up online or at any retailer, such as convenience stores.
Bus
Credit: Gold Coast Australia
There are three ways to navigate around Gold Coast: by bus, train or the G-Link tram. Gold Coast buses run all over the city. While the tram is a great option for central parts of the city, buses can take you further and to more outer suburbs than trams or trains. For instance, you can board the Theme Park Express TX7 bus if you’re heading to Warner Bros. Movie World. The usual cost of a private hire to Warner Bros. Movie World is about AUD38, compared to taking the bus, which only costs about AUD4. Check the TransLink website for a full list of bus timetables and routes.
Trains
Credit: Gold Coast Australia
If you’re heading to Brisbane, the train offers a direct line that runs between Varsity Lakes Station and Brisbane Airport and can get you to Brisbane’s Central Station in around an hour. We went to Brisbane for 2 days after our Gold Coast trip, check out our experiences here!
G-Link
Credit: Gold Coast Australia
The G-Link tram stops at Surfers Paradise, amongst other stations. It brings you right to the heart of the popular tourist attraction that’s home to endless activities - you’ll be within walking distance to halal food nearby (there are plenty of Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern options for you!), the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, and even Skypoint where you can climb to a height of 270 metres above sea level and be in awe of the unparalleled views of the stunning Gold Coast region.
We went to the Twilight Climb and saw the sunset.
Interestingly, you don’t have to use a GO Card for the tram - you can pay for the adult fare by using a Visa, Mastercard or American Express contactless debit or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch. Do note, though, that if you’re planning to continue your journey on the bus or train, you still need a GO Card. The public transportation system connects you to top Gold Coast attractions with ease and affordability. The only area in the Gold Coast it doesn't connect you to is the Gold Coast Hinterland - you can choose to book a private charter for your Hinterland day or rent a car for a day too!
P.S. UseTransLink’s journey planner to find out the cost of your trip between the stations!
3. Board their Hop-On-Hop-Off ferry service to check out Gold Coast’s top attractions
Credit: Hopo Gold Coast Ferry on Instagram
The Hop On Hop Off Ferry (HOPO) has two ferries operating between 5 major stops across the GC, including Surfers Paradise, Home of The Arts (HOTA), Marina Mirage, Broadwater Parklands, Seaworld and the Spit. With a one-way ticket starting at about $4, and an adult all-day pass at about $27 (children under 5 travel FREE!), HOPO is an affordable and relaxing way to get around. Compare this to an $18 private hire fare one way from Surfers Paradise to Sea World. The whole ride takes about an hour to and fro, and you can hop off to whichever station you’d like.
After our whale-watching session in the morning, we took the HOPO from the Sea World Cruises Terminal and stopped at Home of The Arts (HOTA), Gold Coast’s largest multi-cultural complex. We also stopped by Surfers Paradise to admire the beach - it’s still gorgeous during winter. We bought an all-day pass from Klook, but you can also purchase it via their website, on the ferries or in-person at the HOPO Information Kiosk in Surfers Paradise and Sea World Cruises Terminal in Main Beach.
Psst: AirAsiaX offers one-way direct, non-stop flights into the Gold Coast from RM699*
*Booking period: Now until 3rd September. Travel period: now until 18th Feb 2024.
4. Check out the free activities!
Burleigh Heads National Park.
Enjoy some fun under the sun, swimming in crystal clear water or learning how to surf at any of Gold Coast's gorgeous beaches! You can even make it a full day at the beach - pack some lunches and lay out a picnic mat. There are also a couple of hiking trails for you to check out, such as Burleigh Heads National Park, which boasts amazing views of Surfers Paradise in the distance. We went here on our first day, and it was raining heavily, but the tracks were still safe for us to do an easy hike. The trails are perfect for beginners (I’m not the fittest, trust me) and can be completed within 30-45 minutes!
Credit: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Instagram
In Currumbin, you can feed lorikeets for FREE outside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at 9am or 4 pm. They have no qualms about landing on your head; your kids will have loads of fun! Don’t worry, you’ll just feel light scratches due to their claws, but it’s otherwise pain-free.
From Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, take a 10-min walk to the nearby Currumbin Beach and enjoy an afternoon by the waters. There’s a FREE lookout point at Currumbin Beach, called Elephant Rock, where you might be lucky enough to spot whales in seasonal migration between June and October.
Credit: @sputniklee for Instagram
If you’re still around the area, how about having a dip in the Currumbin Rock Pools, a natural spa set in the lush Currumbin Valley?
For museum fans, you’ll love to soak up some of Gold Coast’s culture through their original artworks at Home of the Arts (HOTA), which has free entry! We spent more than an hour checking out artworks made by local artists, snapping IG-worthy photos and simply sitting by the HOTA lake to chill and enjoy Gold Coast’s winter weather! ❄️
Credit: HOTA Gold Coast on Instagram
One of the most interesting artworks to look out for is the perspective of Gold Coast by locals through contemporary photography in their Gold Coast City Collection on the 2nd floor.
Here’s a tip: Head to Level 5 to catch perfect views of Surfers Paradise and the inlets around the Nerang! There’s also a sofa for you to sit down and enjoy the picturesque views - just don’t fall asleep on it because it is comfortable.
Credit: HOTA Gold Coast on Instagram
Beyond the gallery, the HOTA grounds have dedicated spaces to set up a picnic and listen to live music during the warmer months. Here’s a picture of the HOTA lake we mentioned earlier - we saw families taking a refreshing dip with their kids even during the winter.
5. Choose accommodation with kitchen facilities
Why not cook to save on dining costs instead? Book accommodation that comes with kitchen facilities, it comes in handy when you’re travelling with a large group - imagine how much you can save from cooking!
Credit: Continental Halal Meats Gold Coast on Facebook
There are a few halal butchers around the CBD, namely Continental Halal Meats and Gold Coast Halal Meats. You can find almost anything from beef to mutton and chicken at the butchers. Look out for imported sodas from the Arabian Peninsula too! For breads, spreads and others, check the ingredients list before purchasing. Don’t go big on spending; go big on experiences instead. We’ve shown you how Gold Coast provides an endless supply of them without having to burn a hole through your wallet!
P/S: Save more by booking your flight to Gold Coast with AirAsiaX, the ONLY direct flight from Kuala Lumpur! And they are now offering amazing prices, from RM699*
*Booking period: Now until 3rd September. Travel period: now until 18th Feb 2024.
This article is brought to you by Tourism & Events Queensland, Destination Gold Coast and AirAsiaX .