As a Gold Coast accommodation provider, I have welcomed thousands of international tourists over the years to the Gold Coast who are looking to spend great holiday while exploring Gold Coast’s world-class beaches and other attractions. As the Gold Coast offers so many attractions and things to see and do, most international tourists spend an average of six days in the region as confirmed by statistics released by Travel Queensland. These people reported great experiences in exploring Gold Coast’s culture and heritage, natural attractions, and of course, our world-class food and wine.

When it comes to expenditure, the same report confirms that the 778,000 international visitors who visited the region in 2012-2103 have spent a total of $856 million for their Gold Coast holiday. These people spent a total of 7,631,000 nights here with average stay of 10 nights. Individually, these people spent an average of $112 per night and their average trip expenditure was $1,100.

If you’re coming from different parts of the globe and if you’re thinking of visiting the Gold Coast anytime soon, it pays to prepared ahead of time. Making an itinerary before you board that plane will help you maximize your time, save you great deal of money, and help you ensure to get the best possible experience.

Too busy to make your itinerary? Don’t have the time to check out dozens of websites to get the information you need? Well, don’t just hope that you can wing it once you arrive.

Let me give you an itinerary that you can easily print out to guide you in making the most of your adventure. And by the way, I would personally recommend spending at least 10 days on the Gold Coast for you to really experience what the region has to offer.

10 Day Gold Coast Itinerary

Day 1 – To maximize your day 1, I would suggest getting the earliest flight from your country to Australia. The earlier you get here, the more things you can see and do. After checking in at your chosen Gold Coast accommodation, which I am hoping you booked through Gold Coast Holiday Rentals, grab a quick bite at one of Gold Coast beachfront cafes where you’ll enjoy relaxing ocean view while sipping ice-cold fruit shakes. If you’re coming just in time for lunch, satisfy your craving right away for seafood by choosing from Surfers Paradise wide range of world-class restaurants and eateries. I would always recommend Bazaar, Citrique Restaurant, and Seaduction to my friends who are looking for the best food in Surfers Paradise. The rest of the day, you could spend walking on the beach, maybe reading your favourite book or sipping wine with your travel companions while watching the glorious sunset from the balcony of your luxury Gold Coast accommodation. If having beach views relaxes you, I would suggest booking our serviced apartment at Chevron Renaissance. Apartment 3343 is located on level 34. The three-bedroom apartment, which rates start at just $170 per night, offers unobstructed view of the ocean and the sparkling Surfers Paradise. This gives you that opportunity to wake up each morning for the next 10 days being greeted by stunning sunrise.

Day 2 – Depending on the Gold Coast accommodation you booked, there’s a good chance you’ve woken up to spectacular sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, what a way to start the day. If you’re travelling with kids or if you’re young-at-heart, you cannot afford to miss Gold Coast’s world-class theme parks, which include SeaWorld, DreamWorld, Warner Bros. Movie World, etc. Most of the international tourists we welcome here at HRSP actually spend one day for at least two of Gold Coast’s theme parks simply because they are spectacular. Click here for information on Gold Coast Theme Park Passes.

Day 3 – Beach day! The Gold Coast is home to some of Australia’s most stunning beaches. There are beaches that are recommended for swimming and there are also some that can give you amazing surf breaks. Your choices include Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads Beach, Coolangatta Beach, Currumbin Beach, Duranbah Beach, Kirra Beach, Main Beach, Nobby Beach, and Surfers Paradise Beach.

To give you an idea on what each beach can offer, let me give you a quick description:

  • Burleigh heads serve as a venue for major national and international surfboard riding tournaments. It is recommended for advanced surfers. However, families can also have great time having picnic as it offers magical views north to Surfers Paradise.
  • Broadbeach – Located on the northern end of Gold Coast, Broadbeach offers an excellent great beach experience and pleasant shopping as it features some of Gold Coast’s biggest shopping malls and upmarket restaurants.
  • Coolangatta Beach – Being Gold Coast only north-facing beach, it provides sheltered condition making it ideal for swimming. This is where you can also get the chance to see whales passing on during their annual migration throughout the year’s cooler months.
  • Currumbin Beach is perfect for families as it boasts shark-netted swimming areas and parks that are ideal for picnics.
  • Surfers Paradise is easily the most famous beach in the region and is crowded through the year because it is very close to nightlife and entertainment hub, theme parks, main attractions, and of course, Gold Coast accommodation.

Click here for my Gold Coast Beach Guide

Day 4 – Experience the Hinterland. They say you’ve never been to the Gold Coast unless you explore the amazing Hinterland. Discover and experience the its beauty and history by taking the Hinterland Great Walk that links the species-rich Springbrook plateaus and Gondwana Rainforests. Walk through lush rainforests and ancient volcanic landscape of the Tweed Volcano. Be amazed with plummeting waterfalls and rushing streams along the way. This journey is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you wouldn’t want to miss… trust me.

Click here for more details about a day trip to the Gold Coast Hinterland

Day 5 – Check out the wineries and pubs that Gold Coast is known for. Bring your friends and your family to the famous Songbirds of the Forest where you’ll be served sumptuous lunch. While there, be sure to check out hang-gliders taking off. If you’re adventurous, you can try this one yourself. If you’re going during the summer, I would also recommended bushwalking and checking out O’Reillly’s Rainforest Guest House.

Day 6 – Visit zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and wildlife parks. Experience amazing Australian wildlife by visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, David Fleay Wildlife Park, and others. Experience cuddling a koala, feeding friendly kangaroos, and see wild Lorikeet. While there, don’t miss Australiana Sheep Shearing and free-flight bird show at Currumbin Sanctuary. If you’re travelling with kids, they’re going to love the park’s Wild Island, the interactive science activity zone, and the outdoor adventure playground.

Day 7 – If you’re feeling a bit exhausted from the previous days’ activities, make your day 7 a little low key. Check out Gold Coast’s spectacular galleries and museum. These include Ripley’s Believe it Or not! Odditorium, the Wax Museum, Gold Coast City Gallery, Yugambeh Museum language and Heritage Research Centre and a lot more. Ripley’s is an interactive museum where you’ll find unbelievable exhibits, unusual stories, incredible illusions, and amazing movies. Meanwhile, the Wax Museum found on Surfers Paradise is the largest museum of its kind not just on the Gold Coast but also throughout Australia. It features 110 life-size was effigies of entertainers, Prime Ministers, Dictators, members of the Royal Family, and many more.

Day 8 – Most international tourists who we welcomed to our Gold Coast accommodation to are looking forward to spending more days on the beach where they can swim, surf, and try other water activities. If you’re like them, then go ahead and spend another day enjoying Gold Coast’s pristine beaches. Remember, you have a lot of choices depending on your preferred activities.

Day 9 – Get surfing lessons. Gold Coast’s beaches are known worldwide for their amazing surf breaks. If you haven’t tried surfing before, then sign up for surfing lesson, which could last a whole day depending on your stamina. Surf the waves at Surfers Paradise or if you are an experienced Surfer, take on the Kirra beach. This is a surfing hotspot that challenges even the best surfers in the world.

Day 10 – For your last day on the beautiful Gold Coast, I would recommend treating yourself with Gold Coast’s best breakfast. Choose from several international restaurants that you can find in Surfers Paradise. If you still have time, spend an hour or two on the beach while sipping cold drinks. Then, check out from your Gold Coast accommodation and head to the airport with great memories of your spectacular Coast holiday.

Where to Eat on your stay

During your 10-day stay on the Gold Coast, it pays to know the best places where you can eat the best food that the region has to offer. Below are my personal recommendations:

  • The Fish House in Burleigh Heads Australia – This is one of the most popular restaurants on the Gold Coast and for me, it simply changed the culinary landscape in the region. The owner succeeded in creating impressive atmosphere and menu that can get you to come back several times during your 10-day visit. It offers a wide range of raw and cooked varieties of salads, entrees, and of course, fish.
  • Seaductioin Restaurant Bar – This is one of the newest, freshest restaurants in Surfers Paradise. The menu showcase Australian and contemporary cuisine that were cooked using seasonal, local produce. The menu also features delectable Pacific Rim and Asian flavours.
  • Deja View Restaurant – Also located in Surfers Paradise, this restaurant offers mouth-watering range of modern cuisine, wide selection of wine, and tempting cocktail menu. It is perfect for couples and friends as it offers formal and al-fresco dining areas and features impressive sunset as perfect backdrop.

International Tourist, book your Gold Coast accommodation at HRSP

When it comes to Gold Coast accommodation, you can count on us here at HRSP to be your perfect partner. We manage some of the best, most luxurious and most spacious Gold Coast accommodation options available. We offer two and three bedroom self-contained apartments in the heart of Surfers Paradise from Chevron Renaissance, Orchid Residences, Circle on Cavill, Crown Towers Resort, Sun City Resort and the Moroccan Resort. Accommodation rates start at just $115 per night. For more information about our impressive apartments, please head to our main page where you can find actual photos and even videos. For booking, call us at 07 5539 8553 and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.

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