Gold Coast in 3 days

Surf beaches, theme parks, and a hinterland of rainforest waterfalls. Best time to visit: September-November and March-May. Average daily budget: $110 to $180 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Surfers Paradise, The high-rise heart - beach, nightlife, the tourist core.

Morning: Theme park day. Warner Bros Movie World, Dreamworld or Sea World - pick one, go at opening.

Afternoon: Explore Surfers Paradise, The high-rise heart - beach, nightlife, the tourist core.

Evening: Hinterland waterfalls. Springbrook and Lamington national parks - rainforest walks, waterfalls, glow worms at night.

Eat: Burleigh café brunch (Rick Shores for beachfront dining)

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Burleigh Heads, Cooler, calmer, a national-park headland and the best café scene.

Morning: Surf or learn at Burleigh. One of the best right-hand point breaks in the country. Lessons for beginners on the beach break.

Afternoon: Explore Burleigh Heads, Cooler, calmer, a national-park headland and the best café scene.

Evening: Walk the Burleigh headland. A short coastal track through national park with whale-watching in winter.

Eat: Fish and chips on the beach at Coolangatta

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Broadbeach, Upmarket dining, the casino, a quieter beach than Surfers.

Morning: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Hand-feed lorikeets, see koalas and kangaroos up close.

Afternoon: Explore Broadbeach, Upmarket dining, the casino, a quieter beach than Surfers.

Evening: Tallebudgera Creek - calm, clear water for families, away from the surf.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Asian eats and night markets at Surfers Paradise

Hidden gems

Tallebudgera Creek - calm, clear water for families, away from the surf.
Natural Bridge in Springbrook - a waterfall into a cave lit by glow worms at night.
Burleigh's Saturday farmers market for local produce and coffee.
Point Danger lookout at Coolangatta, straddling the Queensland-NSW border.

Getting around

The G:link light rail runs the coastal strip from Helensvale through Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach - use a go card. Beyond that you'll want a car for the hinterland and southern beaches. Surfers to Burleigh is a 20-minute drive.

Safety

Very safe. Swim between the flags - the surf beaches have strong rips. Surfers Paradise nightlife gets rowdy late on weekends. Sun protection is essential; the UV is intense even on cloudy days.

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