5 Must-Do Activities On The Gold Coast For First-Time Visitors

Must-Do Activities On The Gold Coast

Ah yes, finally you’ve picked Gold Coast as your travel destination… great choice! You’ve probably done your share of googling, scrolled through dreamy photos and heard people rave about it. And yes, the hype is real! Everything thrilling and charming you’ve heard about Gold Coast is absolutely spot on!

This famous coastline has been luring holidaymakers since the 1920s, and it’s easy to see why. With over 70 kilometres of beaches, you have enough laid-back and big-ticket activities in Gold Coast to remember for a lifetime—from sun, sand, surf and skyscrapers to theme parks and nature adventures.

So, whether you’ve got three days or three weeks, these five experiences embody the true essence of Gold Coast…

Surfers Paradise Beach

Surfers Paradise Beach isn’t just any beach that you come across on a random stroll, it’s THE BEACH—the one plastered across postcards worldwide. And whoever named the beach, deserves an award for the ‘best marketing strategist’, because it is indeed a paradise for surfers. The waves are excellent for amateurs and professionals alike.

Lifeguards patrol the swimming and surfing areas, and surf schools run parallely on the shore. Book a lesson if you’ve never surfed before—beacuse if you don’t surf on a beach that is named after surfing, where else are you gonna do it?

However, the beach caters not only to the adrenaline junkies, but also to the lazy “I’m gonna rest off my vacation” people. Grab an ocean-view bench and watch the beach activities unfold. On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, the Beachfront Markets are set up along the esplanade, selling everything from handmade jewellery to souvenirs. So, sun + surf + sand + souvenirs = your ideal vacation!

Jet Boating

If you think beach days and surfing are a bit too calm, jet boating in Gold Coast is the antidote. Departing from Surfers Paradise or Main Beach, these Jet Boat rides are basically spinning and full-throttle assaults on the Broadwater. The 360° spins, the sudden power brakes and turns almost defy the laws of physics. Between these terror-inducing manoeuvres, you can spot luxury waterfront homes, the sunlit skyline and other famous attractions in Gold Coast. And yes, getting wet is obviously part of the fun.

There are a wide range of Jet Boat rides in Gold Coast, from short 30-min rides to full-day combo tours. You can combine your jet boat ride with a visit to Natural Bridge & Springbrook Waterfalls, or even go on a fully-guided Mt. Tamborine tour.

SkyPoint Observation Deck

Now enough with the water activities right? Let’s now head to the clouds, to the SkyPoint Observation Deck in Surfers Paradise. The structure is 230 metres high and is on Level 77 of the Q1 Building. The elevator gets you there in under 43 seconds.

Then the doors open and… WOW! The 360° views of Gold Coast, the pristine beaches and the urban landscapes are so beautiful, it’s gonna make you cry! And if you want more than just views, enjoy a luxury meal at the SkyPoint Bistro + Bar. At least, you can brag about sipping coffee (or drinks) 77 floors up—nearly touching paradise on Surfers Paradise.

Pro tip: For bucket list enthusiasts, SkyPoint also offers an external climb experience, which is Australia’s highest external building climb.

Theme Parks

Gold Coast is often called Australia’s theme park capital; and no, it’s not an exaggeration. If you are ready to bring out your inner child, these are some of the famous theme parks in Gold Coast:

• Dreamworld: Holding the title, ‘Australia’s largest theme park’, Dreamworld has over 40 rides and attractions. The Steel Taipan rollercoaster reaches a top speed of around 105 km/h with multiple turns and twists. The Giant Drop sends riders plummeting 39 storeys at speeds of up to 135 km/h. You get panoramic views during the fall, but your mind will not be in a state to process the views.
• Warner Bros. Movie World brings Hollywood to Queensland. Ride the DC Rivals HyperCoaster (“longest, fastest and tallest in the Southern Hemisphere”) or get on the ‘SCOOBY-DOO! Spooky Coaster’. Other experiences include the Spy Chase Stunt Show, Batwing Spaceshot, the Wizard of Oz experience and more.
• Sea World combines marine education with thrilling rides. Enjoy the Leviathan coaster ride or interact with marine animals. Penguin encounters, dolphin and seal shows—you name it, they’ve got it.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

After all those thrilling and adventurous activities, maybe it is now time for a nature retreat? Just a 30-minute drive from Surfers Paradise, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a more serene and off-beat experience. Established in 1947, the sanctuary is known for its daily lorikeet feeding, where hundreds of brightly coloured birds gather in a lively display.

Visitors can see native Australian wildlife up close, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats and crocodiles. There are also conservation-focused presentations that highlight the sanctuary’s wildlife hospital and rehabilitation work. After a series of high-energy activities, wandering through leafy pathways and watching a koala sleeping near a eucalyptus tree can definitely be a change of scenery and emotions.

So, Gold Coast has been doing this dance for more than a century now. Drawing people in, showing them something they didn’t expect and sending them home with stories that sound exaggerated, but aren’t. Now it is your turn to see if the skeptics had it wrong all along!

Author Bio – Amanda Clark

A Sydney-based travel writer who loves chasing experiences that defy expectations – especially when great food and entertainment are part of the mix. From unforgettable hits to unexpected flops, I share real stories to keep the adventure honest and fun for everyone!