The Gold Coast is a dedicated tourist town and there's enough things to do to keep you occupied for months. It's not just mini-golf and wax museums either; take a tour of the river and canals in an aqua-bus, see the Australian Outback without leaving the Gold Coast, learn about our native wildlife or learn to surf on one of our pristine beaches. Check out our list of the best Gold Coast tourist attractions!

One of the largest sand islands in the world, Straddie is one of Australia’s national treasures and the perfect place for an island getaway. The island is popular among locals who know of the kilometres of white, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters while only a one hour drive and a ferry away. It’s a subtropical area with sunshine almost all year round and temperatures ranging from 20C in winter and 28C in summer and is split into North and South Stradbroke.

The Spit is a 5km long, relatively undeveloped, sandy isthmus starting at Main Beach and finishing at the seaway, where the Broadwater meets the Pacific Ocean. The Spit is home to some popular destinations including Fisherman's Wharf, Marina Mirage, Peter's Fish Market (for the freshest fish, and best fish and chips on the Coast), Palazzo Versace and Sea World, as well as a large 3-4km open area with several dog exercise, picnic spots and places to anchor.

The Gold Coast has more than 70km of fantastic beaches and Surfers Paradise is one of the most iconic beaches along this huge stretch of sand. However, there are plenty of beaches that are much prettier, are more patrolled, and have better swells if you care to explore the area. Read our comprehensive guide to all the golden Gold Coast beaches, including information on beach safety, the best Gold Coast beaches, a history of shark attacks and surfing.

As one of Queensland's fastest growing wine regions, the Gold Coast hinterland is making its mark. With a range of wineries located at Mount Tamborine, Mount Nathan, Canungra, Scenic Rim and Lamington, you can fill a couple of days visiting them all. Go on a day trip to the major wineries so you can enjoy a few tasty drops and some delicious food and views at the cellar doors whilst being driven around in comfort.

Each year majestic Humpback Whales migrate from the Antarctic to the warmer waters off the coast of Queensland. Every year around 1200 whales make the 5000km journey - the first ones arriving on the Gold Coast in early June. There are plenty of options when it comes to seeing these majestic creatures on their migration, with tours ranging from a few hours to a whole day, with the typical season lasting from June to October. Make sure you don't miss it!

You're on holidays so sit back and let someone in the know take you to all the best places on the Gold Coast! There are heaps of options - half day tours, day tours and even quick little jaunts to a couple of destinations. Often the tour will combine a number of Gold Coast attractions in the one journey with time available at each to stop and experience. Stops are also provided for snacks and lunch with some tours including it in the price.

The Gold Coast has some of the best and most consistent waves in the nation; it's home to round one of the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour; there are 70km of beaches and four epic point breaks. It would be appropriate to call it a surfers' paradise; and they did. In fact, getting a wave on the Gold Coast is as easy as heading east. When the wind is right and the swell is from the east, surfers are almost guaranteed a wave.

With some of the biggest shopping centres in the Southern Hemisphere as well as boutique strip mall shopping, the Gold Coast is the retail therapy capital of Australia. While the major centres are mostly full of large retail chains and boutiques, there are also plenty of cool alternate stores on the edges of the main shopping districts.  If you need it, chances are you can buy it on the Gold Coast, you just have to know where to look.

Few cities in the world have better scuba diving (and snorkelling) conditions at such easily accessible locations than the Gold Coast. Couple this with spectacular weather and you'll see why the Gold Coast truly is a scuba divers paradise. From the natural diversity of the Gold Coast seaway, to the numerous wrecks and reefs sitting just off the coastline, there's great coral, marine life, and intrigue in the Gold Coast waterways. 

Up, up and away... if you have a hankering to be up with the birds in the clear blue sky, the Gold Coast is one of the best places in the world to do it. The view is amazing - with the deep blue Pacific Ocean in the east, the canals and highrises of the Gold Coast on land, stretching to the beautiful mountain scenery of the hinterland in the west and beyond, you'll be amazed. We've included some operators for you to check out. 

Driving through the winding mountain-side roads of the Hinterland can be an awe-inspiring and thrilling adventure as you make your way from one National Park to the next, stopping at all the country towns, lookouts and roadside stalls. If you like the view of the world from behind a windscreen or you appreciate the winding mountain roads then you simply must get out and do a scenic drive. Here's a few options!

As you'd expect with any tourist town, the Gold Coast has a restaurant on every corner - except that unlike a lot of other tourist towns, most Gold Coast restaurants are really quite good. If you're after a cheap meal by the ocean pretty much all of the surf clubs (found in every oceanside suburb of the Coast) have a bistro where no matter what you choose. Read our guide to where to go for a meal on the Gold Coast.

If you're after nightlife then the Gold Coast won't disappoint! The lights shine brighter at night and the cocktails flow until the early hours of the morning here. Check out the bars, pubs and clubs scattered throughout Surfers Paradise, the restaurants and wine bars of Broadbeach, the southern dining (and drinking) precincts, The Star Gold Coast casino, dozens of live music venues and more. Find out where you should head out tonight!

Once upon a time the Gold Coast was home to one market place and that was the Carrara Markets. While they're still a favourite, now there are dozens of markets that line the coast. Some follow the rules that one man's trash is another man's treasure and others nurture the local arts, crafts and fashion scene. Get out into the sunshine (or moonlight, depending on which markets you choose to visit) and check out one of these markets!

With magnificent beaches, a fantastic climate, a huge range of accommodation and a strong business infrastructure the Gold Coast is a helluva place to hold an event. That's why there's so much happening in this town. Whether you like car races, golfing tournaments, tennis, musicals or surfing, there's guaranteed to be something on the calendar to suit you. Read our  brief guide to some of the major events held on the Coast each year.

Even if you've never been on a horse before, trail riding through the Australian bush is something you will never forget. The gentle motion of the horse, the steady clip clop of their sure feet on the land and the sense of comradeship with your fellow riders are all things you will remember long after the experience is over. The Hinterland offers some excellent scenic horse riding experiences through spectacular rainforest & mountain trails.

The Gold Coast is a golfers paradise with more golf clubs and courses per square kilometre than just about any other region in the world! Whether you are looking for a world class championship course designed by one of the world's best players, or a driving range to whack a few balls, you'll find exactly what you're after - nine are ranked in the top 100 in Australia! View our list of courses around the Coast. 

Undoubtedly the best way to catch fish on the Gold Coast is from a boat but there is something to say for the romance of throwing in a line off a jetty or from the beach. While there are plenty of fish which hang around the shoreline, unless you are prepared to do some serious secret spot hunting you're only going to end up with smallish bream, whiting and flathead - see our guide on where to fish and book a charter online.

Experience the excitement of jumping from a plane, speeding over the water in a jet boat or doing loop-the-loops high in the sky over Surfers Paradise. What a rush! Along with all the more sedate activities, the Gold Coast also has heaps to offer those looking for an adrenalin rush. Here are some suggestions that will get your heart racing - book extreme activities such as sky diving, jet boating and bungy jumping online. 

Driving probably isn't the first thing you think of when going on a holiday to the Gold Coast. Driving around to see the sights or visit destinations, yes, but for some, the act of driving is an experience in itself - it's all about the journey! Thanks to the mix of terrain, types of driving adventures range from off road ATV adventures to screaming around go karts, to obtaining maximum traction on the smooth tarmac.

While the Gold Coast's history as a tourist destination is steeped in flashing lights and iconic high rise skyline, the last couple of decades have seen a boom in luxury amenities for discerning travellers who want to be pampered. Plenty of uber-rich travellers pass through the Gold Coast each month and while you may not be Paris Hilton, or an Arabian oil sheik, if you're staying on the Coast you have the chance to be treated like one.

Rainy day or public holiday? You can always catch a movie! The Gold Coast has quite a few cinemas with one bound to be near you, so you can make sure to catch the latest films from Hollywood and home grown ones on the big screen. See something at VMax Robina, or get the full service at Gold Class (with recliners, drinks and food brought to you by your waiter). You can even still catch a flick at the drive-in!

Enjoy this beautiful region on foot and trek through the rainforest, under waterfalls and the ancient rock formations which wildlife, such as the mysterious glow worm, call home. With hundreds of square kilometres of bushland, stretching from Mt Tamborine in the north, down south to the NSW border, the number of treks you can do is really only limited to the amount of time you have and the thickness of the tread on your boots.

Many of the Gold Coast breweries have been winning both Australian and international awards for their beers and if you visit them you’ll see why; Queenslanders love beer! To these local brewers what they do is not just a job, it’s their lifestyle. Drop in for a delicious tasting and hear them talk with passion about the brewing process, what beers go with which dishes and what their favourite brews are at the moment - you won't regret it! 

Blessed with a few hundred kilometres of canals and rivers (446km to be precise), the Gold Coast's waterways are more than ten times longer than those of Venice. The Nerang River is the main aquatic artery and if you've ever had the chance to follow its course past Surfers Paradise and into the Broadwater with the sun setting behind the Mountain tops, it's an experience you won't forget. Book a cruise today!

With beautiful weather pretty much all year round, visiting Natural Attractions and Farms on the Gold Coast are popular with both tourists and locals. You can book a tour which will take you to one of the beautiful wonders up in the Hinterland or visit a 'working' farm to get a feel for the Aussie lifestyle. To experience some of this beauty first, we recommend trying out some of these great farm tours and natural attractions! 

Experience a fun-filled day with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood at Warner Bros. Movie World. Meet your favourite stars, superheroes and Looney Tunes, see action-packed stunt shows or experience one of the tallest, longest and fastest HyperCoasters in the Southern Hemisphere plus awesome movie-themed rides (think DC Comics, Superman, Batman and more). Get a discount combo pass for unlimited entry to 3 theme parks!

Address: Pacific Motorway, Oxenford QLD 4210

Sea World has a fantastic range of animal exhibits featuring sharks, penguins, polar bears and other marine life in realistic, natural environments. Be entertained with spectacular stunt/water shows; giggle at the seals and marvel at the playful dolphins. Throw in some roller coasters, get wet at Castaway Bay and see the Ninja Turtles in 3D. You'll see that Sea World is perhaps the best all-round theme park. Grab a combo pass and save.

Address: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach QLD 4217

Wet'n'Wild is a fantastic day out, summer or winter, rain or shine. Have fun in the sun and cool off in the water. With nothing but amazing water slides, kids' pools, a whirlpool and a giant wave pool, Wet 'n' Wild is one of the greatest water parks in Australia. In winter everything is heated so you won't get cold and on a hot summer day, you'll have a hard time finding a better place to be. Wanna relax instead? Book your own Chill Cabana.

Address: Pacific Motorway, Oxenford QLD 4210

As the biggest theme park in Australia, Dreamworld has it all. With their exciting thrill rides, plenty of family rides and kid's precincts like the ABC Kids World, animal shows and attractions, Dreamworld is really your one-stop-shop for all things FUN! Don't miss the daily Tiger Presentation or Koala talk. Get the 1, 3 or 7 day pass for unlimited entry to Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and Skypoint and save stacks off admission prices!

Address: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera QLD 4209

Take a walk on the wild side and get close to some native Australian and exotic wildlife at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. View stacks of interactive displays, and wide-open enclosures while walking through the lush rainforest and see all of your favourite animals - cuddle cute koalas, get up close to crocodiles, hand feed the kangaroos or exotic birds like the Rainbow Lorikeets. Or, for the adrenaline junkies, go through the Adventure Park High Ropes Course and experience breathtaking views from the tree tops. 

Location: 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin

Paradise Country is one of Gold Coast's most popular attractions for kids and is an authentic Aussie homestead where visitors can experience true blue farm life. Enjoy a meal at the Farm House or roll out the picnic rug on the hill. You can wake up to the call of the kookaburra and the bleating of sheep when you choose to stay on the farm in one of the onsite offerings. This experience is perfect for young and old as you immerse yourself in the Aussie farm lifestyle. Although pony rides cost extra on top of the entry fee, it's totally worth it

Location: Production Drive, Oxenford

Located next door to Dreamworld, WhiteWater World is one of the largest, and most fun-filled, water parks in the country! Experience the eight-lane 'BRO' waterslide, the 20m high Green Room, The Rip, The Wedgie, The Triple Vortex and Wiggle Bay for kids, and many, many more. It's the perfect way to escape the Queensland heat and have some fun in the water. Visit Dreamworld and WhiteWater World with a special 'World Pass' for discounted entry over 1, 3 or 7 days.

Address: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera QLD 4209

Experience a Gold Coast tour with a fun difference aboard the Quack'R'Duck! Set off from the heart of Surfers Paradise on this Gold Coast duck bus tour for a journey both along the roads and continuing to the Gold Coast Broadwater. Then enter the water aboard the same vehicle as it's amphibious! Kids love the excitement and watery fun as we splash into the water, transitioning seamlessly into a relaxing and informative and entertaining cruise around the Marina Mirage and its surroundings.

Location: 7 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise