The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason! With its stunning beaches, world-class theme parks, and abundance of activities for all ages, it's the perfect place to enjoy a staycation during the school holidays or for a romantic getaway. 

Why Drive mate Rocks for Your Road Trip

When planning your Gold Coast staycation, one of the first things you'll need to consider is how you're going to get around. Gold Coast is a relatively spread-out city, so having your own car is the best way to get around and see all the sights.

Drive mate is a great option for car rental, especially if you're traveling with a family or group. We offer a wide range of vehicles to choose from, including sedans, SUVs, and vans, so you can find the perfect car for your needs. Once you have your car, it's time to start planning your Gold Coast staycation itinerary. 

Things to do on the Gold Coast for all ages

For families with young children:

Theme parks: The Gold Coast is home to some of the world's best theme parks, including Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Dreamworld. These parks offer rides, shows, and attractions for all ages, making them the perfect place to spend a day with the family.

Beaches: The Gold Coast has over 70 kilometers of stunning beaches, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. Some of the most popular beaches for families include Surfers Paradise Beach, Broadbeach Beach, and Burleigh Heads Beach.

Water parks: If your kids love water, they'll love the Gold Coast's many water parks. Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast is Australia's largest water park, with over 40 rides and attractions. WhiteWater World is another great option, with slides, pools, and a wave pool.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to see Australian animals up close. You can feed kangaroos, cuddle koalas, and watch the crocodile feeding show.

Tamborine Mountain: Tamborine Mountain is a beautiful mountain range located just a short drive from the Gold Coast. There are plenty of things to do on Tamborine Mountain, including visiting the Rainforest Skywalk, the Glow Worm Caves, and the Curtis Falls. 

For older children and teenagers:

Surfing lessons: The Gold Coast is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf. There are many surf schools that offer lessons for all ages and abilities.

Go Karting: Go-karting is a fun and exciting activity for all ages. There are several go-karting tracks on the Gold Coast, including Go Kart World and Paradise Palms.

Laser tag: Laser tag is another great activity for older children and teenagers. There are several laser tag arenas on the Gold Coast, including Timezone and Laser Strike.

Timezone: Timezone is a popular entertainment center with a variety of activities, including arcade games, bowling, and laser tag.

Mini golf: There are several mini golf courses on the Gold Coast, including Glow in the Dark Mini Golf and Putt Putt Mermaid Beach.

Also Read: Exploring Australia's Breathtaking Natural Wonders

For adults:

Casinos: The Gold Coast is home to several casinos, including Jupiter Casino and The Star Grand at The Star Grand at The Star Grand. Try your luck at the tables or slots, or simply enjoy a drink and a show.

Nightlife: The Gold Coast has a vibrant nightlife scene, with something to offer everyone. Enjoy a night out in Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, or Cavill Avenue, or head to one of the many nightclubs in the area.

Shopping: The Gold Coast has some of the best shopping in Australia. Pacific Fair is one of the largest shopping centers in the country, and Robina Town Centre is another great option.

Dining: The Gold Coast has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, including everything from casual eateries to fine dining establishments. Some of the most popular restaurants include Rick Shores, Kiyomi, and Nineteen at The Star Grand.

Wineries: The Gold Coast is home to several award-winning wineries. Take a tour and tasting at some of the region's best wineries, such as Tamborine Mountain Winery, Witches Falls Winery, and O'Reilly's 

Planning the perfect Gold Coast staycation itinerary​

Once you have a general idea of what you want to do on your Gold Coast staycation, it's time to start planning your itinerary.
Here are a few tips:

Choose the right accommodation: There are a variety of accommodation options available on the Gold Coast, from budget-friendly motels to luxury hotels. When choosing your accommodation, consider your budget, needs, and wants. For example, if you're traveling with a family, you'll want to choose a hotel or resort with family-friendly amenities, such as swimming pools, kids' clubs, and playgrounds.

Book your activities in advance: The Gold Coast is a popular tourist destination, so it's important to book your activities in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak season. This will help you avoid disappointment and ensure that you get the tickets you want for the dates you want.

Make a reservation at restaurants: If you're planning on dining at any of the Gold Coast's many popular restaurants, it's a good idea to make a reservation in advance. This will help you avoid waiting for a table and ensure that you have a great dining experience.

Here is a sample Gold Coast staycation itinerary for a family of four:

Day 1:

• Arrive at your hotel or resort and check-in.

• Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Surfers Paradise.

• Visit Warner Bros. Movie World and enjoy the rides, shows, and attractions.

• Have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Broadbeach.

Day 2:

• Have breakfast at your hotel or resort.

• Visit SeaWorld and see the dolphins, seals, penguins, and other marine life.

• Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Main Beach.

• Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and feed the kangaroos, cuddle the koalas, and watch the crocodile feeding show.

• Have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Burleigh Heads.

Day 3:

• Have breakfast at your hotel or resort.

• Visit Dreamworld and enjoy the rides, shows, and attractions.

• Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Coomera.

• Visit Tamborine Mountain and visit the Rainforest Skywalk, the Glow Worm Caves, and the Curtis Falls.

• Have dinner at one of the many restaurants on Tamborine Mountain.

Day 4:

• Have breakfast at your hotel or resort.

• Visit one of the Gold Coast's many beaches and enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles.

• Have lunch at one of the many restaurants on the beachfront.

• Visit the Pacific Fair shopping center and do some shopping.

• Have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Surfers Paradise.

Day 5:

• Have breakfast at your hotel or resort.

• Check out of your hotel or resort and head home.

This is just a sample itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your family's interests and budget. For example, if you have younger children, you might want to spend more time at the beach or at the water parks. If you have older children, you might want to add more activities, such as surfing lessons, go-karting, or laser tag.

Also read - The Ultimate Playlist for Your Australia Road Trip​


Conclusion

No matter what you choose to do on your Gold Coast staycation, Drive mate is there to ensure you have a great time with the best cars. With our wide range of vehicles to choose from, you can find the perfect car for your needs, whether you're traveling with a family, a group of friends, or as a couple so book your Drive mate car today and start planning your dream Gold Coast adventure!