Are you looking for new ways to spend a day on the Gold Coast? There are endless opportunities to hit the beach, indulge in some luxury, or find a new adventure. Brighten your day with superb dining options, and when the sun sets, the Gold Coast has thrilling night life options for you to party the night away. And all with the unbeatable backdrop of the white sand beaches, stunning city, and the incomparable hinterland forests.
Find a new adventure on the Gold Coast! Here are some of our favourite new ways to spend your day.
Getting Around
The Gold Coast scenery attracts visitors from all over the world, and the temperate climate allows you to make the most of the natural beauty. There are walking and bike tracks throughout the Gold Coast area, beside the beach and through the lush bushland.
The public transport system in the Gold Coast combines of trains, buses, and trams to get around the city. The Airtrain takes you from Brisbane Airport to Helensvale, where you can transfer to a G:link tram (link to Airtrain& tram) or bus to get into the heart of the city. There are many options for purchasing tickets and to plan your journey – see our blog for more information.
If you hire a car, you’ll find it relatively easy to drive around the Gold Coast. Parking can be tricky to find at certain times of the day, especially near popular beaches. Pay attention to parking signs, which may have hourly limits or parking meters that will need to be considered.
24 Hours on the Gold Coast
Breakfast
Start your day right with a delicious breakfast. Good food is not hard to find on the Gold Coast, but here are some of our favourite new breakfast spots for you to try.
Aperitivo Café and Panini Bar
Nestled away in the southern Gold Coast suburb of Currumbin, you’ll find the Aperitivo Café and Panini Bar offering world class paninis and some excellent breakfast options. With the shining view of the water, you can enjoy an excellent cup of coffee, and a loaded panini made on the home-made focaccia. There are plenty of other options as well, with lots of breakfast options to choose from.
Rise Bakery
If you’d rather take a culinary trip to Paris, Rise Bakery in Sanctuary Cove will take you there. Inspired by the tea houses of Southern France, dine in the pink, cream, and golden glory as you sip an exceptional cup of tea or coffee and nibble on some perfect pastries.
Hazel Espresso
Traditional Australian breakfasts or lunch with a South East Asian flair – Hazel Espresso offers the perfect place to start your day. You’ll find them in Southport, offering classics like French toast, and taste-bud tantalisers such as their chilli crab scramble served on a toasted croissant.
SERVED
A ground-breaking concept with the food to match, SERVED is Australia’s first not-for-profit café, owned by the charity Serving Our People. Head to Mermaid Beach and grab a delicious drink and a bite to eat that helps make a difference.
Pasture & Co
Eat well with eco-friendly, excellent food. Catering for different dietary requirements with vegan, gluten-free, and paleo options, the food at Pasture & Co is prepared with local, organic, sustainable ingredients in a beautiful location in the Currumbin Valley.
Morning Activities
For a beautiful morning on the Gold Coast – you’re spoiled for choice! Join in on an exhilarating adventure, or relax with some arts and culture. Here are some of our favourite new ways to start your day on the Gold Coast.
Join a Yoga Class
Welcome the sun and take the opportunity for a peaceful pause to start your day. There are lots of new yoga classes on offer, including free options! Find one here.
Ride in a hot air balloon
Start your day with your head in the clouds and the world at your feet. Gold Coast hot air balloon rides let you soar over the landscape as you see the sunrise like never before. There are a number of companies offering the experience, but try here for a booking.
Head to HOTA
When were you last at HOTA? With a 2021 rebrand and many new shows and exhibitions, keep your finger on the pulse of arts and culture in the Gold Coast and spend a morning wandering the Home of the Arts.
Wander amongst the flowers
A 20-minute trip from the south of the Gold Coast, Farm & Co have organic produce for sale, a fantastic restaurant, and a field full of flowers. Wander the sunflowers for that perfect photo op, and pay for the chance to pick some yourself!
Lunch
Pause your adventures and grab a bite! From well-loved institutions to brand new fare, the Gold Coast has plenty of options for you to refuel with the finest food.
Tropic Vice
Tropic Vice was a much-loved institution that closed to the grief of locals – but it’s back and better than ever! It’s sophisticated, fun, and offers a Caribbean-influenced menu that makes the perfect lunch. Located near the famous Nobby Beach.
Lenny Pizzeria & Bar
Mudgeeraba is home to a fantastic little pizzeria that’s perfect for a delicious lunch. Lenny Pizzeria & Bar takes Italian food to the next level, with an extensive menu providing authentic, fun, extravagant takes on modern Italian cuisine.
FISHBOWL
Healthy fast food? You can have both. Stop in to FISHBOWL’s Burleigh Heads or new Robina locations, and grab a Japanese-inspired healthy bowl with ingredients that will have you feeling energised and satisfied.
The Winey Cow
A highly regarded brunch restaurant in Victoria, The Winey Cowhas opened its long-awaited latest location on Main Beach. Brunch is served like you’ve never seen it – innovative, inspiring, and above all, delicious. If you’ve got a four-legged friend, choose from the doggy menu so you can both dine in style.
Afternoon Activities
As the day winds down, head out in search of adventure. You could spend your time swimming, relaxing, or walking through rainforest tracks – or you could check out these new ways to spend a day on the Gold Coast.
Spend time at the Spa
The Gold Coast is a well-known destination for luxury treatments, and what better way to spend an afternoon? Earth + Skin in Mudgeeraba are a great place to start, with their range of organic and cruelty free products and indulgent treatments.
Try the Theme Parks
The theme parks aren’t new, but the rides are! Head to Dreamworld and catch the latest adrenaline-inducing addition – the Steel Taipan is the first triple launch coaster in the Southern Hemisphere. Or discover The New Atlantis at Seaworld, with the latest additions of the Vortex, the Leviathan, and the Trident providing guests with thrills and excitement. Don’t forget to check out the other theme parks – find out more on our website, and ask our friendly Airtrain staff for help pre-purchasing tickets to your favourite attractions.
Indulge in a tipple
Get to know your drinks! Granddad Jacky’s Craft Distillery introduced the first distillery on the Gold Coast. Get to know their unique flavours and award-winning spirits, with a new flavour produced every month!
Treetop Challenge
Climb high and see the trees from a new perspective as you tackle the Treetop Challenge at Thunderbird Park. Zipline across canopies, walk across the boardwalk, and immerse yourself in a natural adventure.
Whale Watching
Whale watching is a bucket-list event, so why not cross it off the list at the Gold Coast? Get up close with a group, such as the Whales in Paradise tour, or simply find a good vantage point and watch from afar! The whales generally swim along the coast from late May until November, so keep your eyes open.
Dinner
Dining out for dinner? You’ll find eating options dotted around the Gold Coast, including some hotspots like Broadbeach where you can wander and choose from a wide variety of establishments. Here are some of the newest, exciting restaurant options.
Suzy BBQ
Get some friends together and head to Suzy BBQ, where you can experience dinner with a difference! A Korean BBQ house that lets you grill your own meats, enjoy dumplings and pancakes, and choose from a selection of Asian beers and spirits.
T’ang Court
The Langham Gold Coast has newly opened, and it features an unmissable, Michelin-starred, Cantonese-inspired restaurant! The first T’ang Court in Australia, you’ll experience fine dining and an exquisite menu in an authentic, intimate setting.
Happy Endings
We love a good secret! A Japanese-inspired speakeasy, Happy Endings is a secret you’ll want to find out about. Located above Broadbeach’s Fig + Frankie’s, you can grab a drink and a delicious bite to eat, with a ten-piece cocktail menu that speaks for itself.
Vanitas
One of Australia’s most notable openings, award winning Vanitas has re-opened its doors. The restaurant showcases Italian classics, native Australian ingredients, and inventive cuisine that is located in the opulent Palazzo Versace.
Night time Activities
The Gold Coat is famous for its nightlife. Dance the night away, stroll by the water, or check out some of these unforgettable experiences.
Spirits of the Red Sand
It’s just out of the Gold Coast, but it’s well worth the travel. As a multi-award-winning cultural experience, Spirits of the Red Sand offers an immersive view into the Indigenous experience. With dinner and ‘roving theatre’, you will be transported to the 1800s when the British and Aboriginal ways of life first collide.
Glow Worms
When the lights go out, experience the glow worms! Join a tour at any time of the day to see these incredible creatures in their natural environment. Located in the Tamborine Mountain National Park, walk through lush rainforest and keep your eyes open for other wild life before the light fades.
Cali Beach
It’s new, it’s fun, and it’s well worth a visit! Cali Beach is Australia’s largest day and night luxury beachside precinct. You’ll find swimming pools, sporting areas, drinking and dining options, and plenty of performances to have you dancing the night away.
Getting to the Gold Coast with Airtrain
As you arrive at the Brisbane Airport, Airtrain will be there to transport you to your destination. Airtrain gets you quickly and comfortably from the airport to the Gold Coast and connects you with the G:link tram.
You can disembark or transfer at your chosen Gold Coast station – Airtrain runs express from the Brisbane Airport, and stops at Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes stations.
Stop off at Helensvale for a simple change onto the G:link tram, which arrives every 7.5 minutes in peak times, or a short bus ride away. Before you travel, plan your trip on Translink’s Journey Planner.
New Ways to Spend a Day on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has everything you need to spend a truly unforgettable 24 hours. Relax on the beach, indulge in some pampering, or get your heart racing with an adrenaline-fueled experience! No matter how you like to spend your time, you’ll find adventure waiting for you on the Gold Coast.
Airtain offers a reliable, comfortable service that bypasses those unexpected delays and helps make your travel easier. Whether you’re coming, going, or staying here on the Gold Coast – Airtrain is your connection between the Brisbane Airport and the rest of the world!
