Spend this upcoming long weekend on the Gold Coast! With three epic days to relax and enjoy, the city and the beach are waiting for you to explore. Take part in some exciting indoor experiences, get outside for an adventure, spend time on the beach – there’s enough time to spend a day on each.
The Gold Coast is an inviting and exhilarating place to relax or play. Here are our top suggestions for how to spend your long weekend on the Gold Coast.
Enjoy Indoors
iFly
Skydiving, without the sky! iFly offer indoor sky diving so you can float, fly, and show off your moves in an indoor environment. Unforgettable iFly experiences are available for ages 3 and up.
Art Gallery
The HOTA Art Gallery is the home of Gold Coast art and artists, and the perfect place to indulge in some of the finer things. Catch the current world exclusive exhibition, “Pop Masters” on this long weekend in the Gold Coast. For more arts and culture in Queensland coming up this year, have a look at our blog.
Shopping Malls
The Gold Coast is the place to shop! Head to Harbour Town, Australia’s largest outlet shopping centre, with more than 240 different retail options. You’ll find high end brands and incredible deals with up to 70% off many items. Or spend some time shopping at Pacific Fair. Home to more than 400 retailers, it offers the perfect place to browse in a luxurious setting. Don’t forget to visit the concierge for special deals and tourist offers.
Top Golf
It’s not exactly indoors, but at Top Golf you can hit microchipped golf balls into massive targets from the comfort of your very own bay. Taking the driving range concept to a new level, enjoy delicious drinks and dinner and listen to music for a night out with a difference.
Escape Hunt
Escape to the Gold Coast – and then plan another escape! At Escape Hunt you’ll travel back in time to become a detective, finding clues and solving mysteries to escape the room and win the challenge.
Zero Latency VR
At Zero Latency, put yourself inside a video game. State-of-the-art virtual reality technology puts you right in the middle of the action, with unbelievable visual effects. Or take your escape room fun to the next level with VR Escape Rooms, combining realistic graphics and exciting mysteries for an unforgettable day of adventure.
Level Up Arcade
Get out and have some retro fun at the Level Up Arcade! Based on the 80s arcade experience, everyone from young to old will have the time of their lives with the range of games and rooms catering to all ages.
Flotsam Film Festival
This Labour Day long weekend marks the start of the Flotsam Festival, celebrating surf film and photography. See the ocean like never before with the spectacular footage from talented artists.
Adventure Outdoors
Theme Parks
The ultimate outdoor adventure, the Gold Coast is well known for its amazing theme parks. DreamWorld, Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n Wild, and more are within a short distance of each other, and within easy travel from the city centre. For an animal-based experience, head to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or the David Fleay Wildlife Park which are also located on the Gold Coast. Airtrain staff at the Brisbane Airport station can assist you with pre-booking these amazing experiences.
Hiking
There are walking tracks all around the Gold Coast. From beachside paths to Hinterland hiking trails, you can get out and immerse yourself in nature in many different locations. For a guided tour on the Labour Day long weekend, join a group here.
Winery
With excellent food and wine, and truly beautiful surroundings – lazing the day away on a winery experience is the perfect way to spend some time on the long weekend. The Gold Coast is home to a number of renowned wineries, where you can book lunch and sip wine at a stunning location.
Markets
Shopping, but make it outdoors! Browse the artisanal goods and enjoy the live entertainment at any one of the Gold Coast’s many markets. The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets are a great place to consider – with the ocean backdrop, over 100 stalls, and a festive atmosphere. Or you could head to the Marina Mirage Farmers Markets, the Palm Beach Farmers Markets, or the Helensvale Farmers Markets for fresh local produce, hand crafted goods, and plenty of ways to spend your day.
Join a Day Trip
There are tours aplenty for your long weekend on the Gold Coast. Decide on kayaking, cruises, the iconic Aquaduck, winery experiences, sky diving, jet skiing – it’s a real life “Choose Your Own Adventure”!
The Smashing Pumpkins
This Labour Day long weekend, the world-renowned band Smashing Pumpkins will be performing at the Broadwater Parklands. Relive some 90s nostalgia and rock along with the headliners and their special guests, including alt-rock legends Jane’s Addiction and killer Aussie rock from Amyl & The Sniffers, RedHook, Battlesnake and local acts opening the show. Plus, you’ll get the chance to see professional wrestling matches between Billy Corgan’s NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) and the WAOA (Wrestling Alliance of Australia).
Surf and Sand
Best Beach Spots
A long weekend on the Gold Coast wouldn’t be complete without some time on the beach. If you don’t have a photo under the iconic Surfers Paradise arch then that’s the place to start, before making your way down to the pristine white sand and blue water. There are equally perfect beaches all the way along the shore – Main Beach, Broadbeach, and Miami Beach are also stunning options. Drive along the shoreline until you find a place to park, and then hit the sand. Many beaches offer showers and toilet facilities to make a longer stay more comfortable. If you plan to swim, don’t forget to swim between the flags – lifeguards are present on all main beaches during the day to help make your long weekend safe.
Quiet Swimming Areas
If you’re not a fan of the crashing surf, there are still lots of places to enjoy the water. The Broadwater has areas with calm water that’s perfect for younger swimmers. Located right by the Broadwater Parklands, you have the advantage of an awesome park for the kids and a partitioned area for swimming. Tallebudgera Creek is a short distance from Palm Beach, and also has a fantastic park with quiet waters and a sandy beach. Have a look at these secret swimming spots for a fresh water dip, or head to our blog for some more ideas for spending a fun family long weekend on the Gold Coast.
The Spit
A favourite with locals, The Spit is a rocky promontory with the seaway on one side and the crashing surf on the other. A paved, easy walk out gives you excellent views of the Gold Coast and the beautiful ocean. The beach is dog-friendly, and it’s the perfect place to fish, or join a diving tour to get up close to incredible wildlife.
Eat and Drink
Food and drink are a highlight of any holiday, and this long weekend on the Gold Coast you will be absolutely spoiled for choice. Two of the main centres for dining venues are around the Surfers Paradise area, or the collection of superb options at Broadbeach. If you can’t decide on a single restaurant, some notable favourites are the Miami Marketta, where you can choose from one (or more!) of the diverse dining options, or The Star which is home to a wide range of refined dining, casual dining, and bar areas.
Getting Around
When you arrive at the Brisbane Airport, board your Airtrain to travel to the Gold Coast. Before you set off, don’t forget to visit our help desk to find out about tourist attractions and experiences, and even pre-book!
Trains depart every 15 minutes on-peak, and every 30 minutes in off-peak times. Your train will take you to Helensvale Station, where you can then board a tram to take you into the heart of the Gold Coast, using the same Airtrain ticket.
Once you have arrived, it’s easy to get around. The Gold Coast is covered by an extensive network of trains, buses, and G:link trams. All public transport uses a smart card for travel, or you can purchase a paper ticket. And now, for selected travel you can use a card or smart device to pay – visit our page for more information on Queensland’s Smart Ticketing options.
Short term visitors should check out the go seeQ card, which allows you unlimited travel for 3 or 5 consecutive days on buses, trains, ferries and G:link trams. It also includes 2 Airtrain journeys to/from the Brisbane Airport.
For longer stays, travel like the locals with a go card – just touch on at your station of departure and touch off when you arrive at your destination.
Your Long Weekend on the Gold Coast
So many places to go, things to do, and wonderful experiences await you at the Gold Coast this long weekend! Find your new favourite places to be, and create some new memories over 3 days of relaxation and fun.
Airtrain is your link between the Brisbane Airport and the rest of the world. Committed to getting you to your destination on time and in comfort, travel with Airtrain and get started on your long weekend on the Gold Coast.
