Best Day Trips and Holiday Destinations for Gold Coast Residents

Residents of this coastal town are lucky from the off – living here is like winning the jackpot at the best new online casino Australia. The resort is literally on their doorstep, with long sandy beaches perfect for surfing, theme parks set against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers, all combined with a mild subtropical climate. Whilst the whole world is keen to come here on holiday, where do the locals go to relax? We’ve picked out the best spots to visit on a day trip to add some variety to life in this resort destination.

A Familiar Holiday With a New Backdrop

Beaches, parks, tourist hotspots – the Gold Coast has all of these anyway. No doubt every local can name their favourite spot to unwind after a tough working week. But sometimes, the same old things can seem more interesting simply in a neighbouring town. We’ve put together the top three most similar places within a couple of hours’ drive of the city for those who are already happy here but would like a change of scenery.

Byron Bay (New South Wales)

At first glance, it’s almost a carbon copy of the Gold Coast – the ocean, wide beaches, surfers and lovely weather almost all year round. But Byron Bay could be described as a quieter place. There are more cafés, art galleries, local farmers’ markets and a bit more freedom from the hustle and bustle of modern city life. It’s the perfect option for anyone looking for a more laid-back version of the usual resort, and it’s quite affordable too. It takes no more than 1.5 hours to get here by car, or no more than 2 hours by bus. The budget for a perfect day out is around A$80, including travel and lunch at one of the best cafés.

Lamington National Park

Although the Gold Coast has its own theme parks, this location can take the experience of the wilderness to a whole new level. After all, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Area that is home to one of the largest rainforests on the planet. There is virtually no tourist infrastructure here, but there are dozens of kilometres of walking trails, suspension bridges amongst the trees, waterfalls and a much greater variety of native bird species. The journey takes just two hours by car or on an organised tour, and the budget for the day doesn’t exceed A$150 – perfect for an active and action-packed weekend.

Mount Tamborine 

Just an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast lies another unusual spot for a day trip. Here, taking a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets, visitors can literally feel as though they’re in an old European town. The area is famous for its wineries, craft cheeses, art galleries, cosy cafés and botanical gardens. The biggest difference is the number of tourists; very few foreigners make it to Mount Tamborine, so it’s much quieter here. The daily budget ranges from A$80 to A$130. This includes travel, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, tastings and lunch.

What Residents Definitely Won’t Find on the Gold Coast

When, whilst on holiday, people want completely new experiences and places. But not everyone has the chance to pop abroad for a day just for that sort of vibe. No worries – there are places within Australia that are completely different from the usual city with its resort-like atmosphere. And we’ve picked out two options, each of which can be visited in just a single day.

Australia Zoo (Beerwah)

Without exaggeration, this is one of the largest wildlife parks on the continent. And what’s more, it’s not just a collection of interesting animals, but a true legacy of Steve Irwin, the legendary crocodile hunter. It’s not just about seeing the animals; there are large-scale shows, huge open-air enclosures, and all this for just A$75 for an entry ticket. Yes, it’s not as close as the previous locations – it might take around 3 hours by car, or about 4 hours by train with a change. The budget for the day will also increase slightly – to A$180. However, the experience is definitely worth the time and money spent.

K’gari (Fraser Island)

This is the largest sand island on the planet. And although, by and large, there’s plenty of sand on the Gold Coast itself, this place is truly special. There are no roads here at all – just sandy tracks, crystal-clear lakes and tropical forests. Visitors can encounter wild dingoes whilst simply marveling at the incredible combination of natural textures, and the site itself, like Lamington National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s certainly nothing quite like it in any other city in Australia, or indeed anywhere else in the world. It takes about 5 hours to get there – by car and ferry. The daily budget can run to A$340. But this is exactly the kind of trip that many people put off for years, only to regret not having gone sooner.

A Couple More Locations Worth a Whole Weekend

Gold Coast residents who are prepared to spend not just a day, but the whole weekend, can visit two more interesting places:

• Carnarvon Gorge – a 9-hour drive away. Budget: up to A$300, excluding accommodation. This is a unique place featuring deep gorges, vertical cliffs, natural amphitheatres, Aboriginal rock art and eucalyptus forests.
• Capricorn Caves – an 8-hour drive, or up to 3 hours by plane. Budget: from A$240, excluding accommodation. This is a journey into a true underground world, a chance to explore real limestone caves and discover Australia from a completely new perspective.

Well, we hope our readers will choose the best option for their weekend and leave their usual beaches behind to recharge and experience new thrills, whether in a more familiar setting or something completely different.