Australia’s Miami twin, the Gold Coast The Gold Coast is – like Miami – a pretty good place to hang out so long as you’re not a die-hard nature fan. The sun shines a lot more than down south in Sydney, the water’s warmer, the beaches are bigger, the sand is finer, the surf is steady and prices are reasonable. Apart from Surfer’s Paradise there are also some excellent beaches along hundreds of kilometres of the Gold Coast’s inland tidal waterways including Southport, Budds Beach, Marine Stadium, Currumbin Alley, Jacobs Well, Jabiru Island, Paradise Point, Harley Park Labrador and Santa Barbara. If you can ignore the lack of culture and cute Victorian architecture found in other Australian cities, the Gold Coast rocks and the waves roll, as many backpackers will attest, though it’s certainly true that this is more of a retiree and family destination than, for example, Cairns or Airlie Beach. Gold Coast beaches The Gold Coast is home to Australia’s largest organisation of lifesavers, not only looking after swimmers and surfers in trouble due to waves and rips but also protecting swimmers from sharks by catching them using nets and/or bait, or clearing waters if there is a safety risk. Families and people looking for ditzy, glitzy thrills are also attracted by the Gold Coast’s collection of theme parks that are second only to north Florida’sOrlando cluster. The Gold Coast stars Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Warner Bros Movie World and Dreamworld. When the mercury is high these parks are a kid magnet. Gold Coast seasons Winter is our choice of best time to be in Surfer’s Paradise, July to September, for low rainfall and pleasant temperatures. Average highs at this time are about 22C (71F) with nights falling to around 13C (55F), a low mosquito count and more breeze.
Summertime temperatures are frequently in the 30C+ range rising to an occasional 40C+ while rain appears every other day, albeit a short, brutal tropical storm rather than a north European drizzle without end. Clouds are also more common of course and may spoil the beach ambience.
The Gold Coast generally is not a bad year-round destination though Surfer’s Paradise becomes very noisy, pricey and overcrowded during the Christmas summer holiday December – January, and IndyCar race days in October when Surfer’s is turned into a road-race-track. Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening there’s a night market – The Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets – with a mass of interesting and varied market stalls and live entertainment to keep the punters moving. And if shopping is your idea of a good time then Carrara Markets offer over 400 stalls of oddities (they say) and family entertainment possibilities along with a free bus service operating at weekends along the length of Surfers Paradise. They operate pony rides, merry-go-rounds, bungy trampolines, a repulsive Reptile Kingdom and much more that I don’t want to see. But then I am no longer a family guy. As for backpackers, the Gold Coast is much, much bigger than most cities in Australia and ‘packers won’t just stumble onto a budget hotel scene, they’ll need to search for it as the coastal strip is lined with dozens of massive all-inclusive Gold Coast hotels that are well located for surfing, sun-lounging and shopping but provide nothing in the way of budget...
Read moreThe gold-coast simply .
There’s something truly magical about watching a sunset blend into the rise of city lights.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas of colors — soft oranges, pinks, and deep purples — creating a breathtaking backdrop that feels almost otherworldly. 🌇 The transition doesn’t just mark the end of the day, but the beginning of a completely different atmosphere.
Evenings are usually the most crowded time to experience this, and it’s easy to see why. People gather to catch that fleeting moment when nature and the city meet in perfect harmony. The excitement builds as the last traces of daylight fade, and the glow of urban life begins to shine. Skyscrapers illuminate, streets sparkle, and the entire city takes on a vibrant energy, contrasting beautifully with the fading light of dusk.
While the crowds may seem overwhelming at first, the experience itself makes it worthwhile. Finding the right spot and taking a moment to pause allows you to really soak in the scene. The merging of warm, natural hues with the cool shimmer of city lights is something that can’t be captured fully in photos — it’s a feeling best lived in the moment.
Simply put, sunsets paired with city lights are an experience everyone should witness at...
Read moreGold Coast Beach, Australia
Gold Coast Beach in Australia is a 70-kilometer long stretch of shoreline with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beaches are known for their pristine white sand, clear blue waters, and perfect surfing conditions.
Weather
The Gold Coast has a subtropical climate with warm, sunny weather all year round. The average temperature ranges from 20-25 degrees Celsius, making it a great place to visit any time of year.
Food
The Gold Coast has a diverse culinary scene, with restaurants serving everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine. There are also a number of cafes and bars where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
Activities
There are plenty of things to do on the Gold Coast, both on and off the beach. Some of the most popular activities...
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