The Top Things To See Do In Surfers Paradise Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise is known throughout Australia as the glitzy seaside party playground that’s put the Gold Coast on the Map. Though its reputation for beautiful beaches and wild nightlife is certainly earned, there’s much more to do than party all night and laze in the sand all day. Check out our list for exciting ways to explore this hotspot suburb.

View All Trips

Duck Tours

First-time visitors taking a stroll through any of Surfers Paradise’s three main streets might be surprised by the huge, duck-shaped vehicles rolling past. These amphibious-style military vehicles are the vessels used by Duck Tours to take groups of travellers through the heart of Surfers Paradise, and then out onto the Gold Coast Broadwater. This is a great way to take in the whole neighbourhood accompanied by commentary and surprising trivia, and elevated angle of the vehicles provides a unique view of the Broadwater. The various operators of Duck Tours (such as AquaDuck and Quack ‘r’ Duck) are family-friendly, and the staff is especially dedicated to keeping small kids entertained throughout the tour. The driver may even let your child briefly hold the wheel while on the water!

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

Infinity

Shop

Infinity is a spectacular exercise in visual trickery and optical illusions. Located in the Chevron Renaissance boutique shopping area, this installation offers guests a 30-minute journey through a futuristic funhouse, divided up into 20 surreal, maze-like and highly interactive ‘worlds of wonder’. Each zone is packed with incredible special effects, atmospheric sound fields, hands-on exhibits, and even ‘imaginary bridges’ that give the sensation of walking through space.

elsewhere Bar

Bar, Beer, Australian

elsewhere Bar is a cultural sanctuary on bustling Cavill Avenue, hewn from a disused storage room in 2003. An extraordinarily versatile venue, they host a regular line-up of live music covering an eclectic range of musical genres with both artists and DJs performing in tandem or collaborating on sets. The décor and interior design are constantly evolving and has expanded in recent years to include a ‘pennylane’ alfresco area, where guests can socialize under the stars. This bar’s mission is to tirelessly support local designers, artists, and universities, and this passion earned elsewhere the title of 2007 Best Music Offering in Australia. This creative streak is evident behind the bar as well: try one of the bar team’s original creations, such as the espresso martini and the refreshing apricot gin fizz.

Whale Watching Cruises

One of Surfers Paradise’s most unique activities is its whale watching cruises, which give travellers a chance to witness the majestic spectacle of a Humpback Whale breach. The humpback whale’s annual migratory period from the months of June to the beginning of November is the peak season for whale watching tours, and the numerous local tour operators take passengers out in specially-designed vessels that provide uninterrupted panoramic views on every deck. Group sizes are strictly controlled to prevent any overcrowding, so you’ll never have to jostle or crane your neck for a glimpse of these stunning creatures as they breach right alongside the boat. Most tour operators divide their trips into morning and afternoon sessions to suit families and late risers alike.

The tail of a Humpback Whale is a regular sight in Surfers Paradise

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Park

You’ll find the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in a large bushland park just 18 kilometers south of Surfers Paradise. This nature reserve spans 27 hectares of lush eucalyptus and rainforest and serves as a home to kangaroos, emus, Tasmanian devils, wombats, koalas, crocodiles, and many other native and international species. The Sanctuary puts on daily shows and demonstrations and offers several hands-on opportunities for guests to interact with the wildlife. The Sanctuary also boasts an onsite wildlife hospital, where visitors can see vets working, and experience the depth of care that Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has for the welfare of the Australia’s native animal population.

Hit the beach

Natural Feature

Swimmers on beach at Surfers Paradise, Queensland

It would be completely remiss to visit Surfers Paradise and not even attempt to visit this area’s namesake beach. In spite of Surfers’ many attractions and activities, its golden beaches remain the most popular destination for tourists and locals alike. To accommodate this constant foot traffic, the foreshore area has recently undergone a multi-million dollar facelift to offer visitors new public showers, toilets, seats, and more, making it much easier to rinse off and relax throughout your day here. The beach is within easy walking distance of most Surfers Paradise accommodations and high-end dining cafes and restaurants.

Go Ride A Wave

Natural Feature, Sports Center

While the term ‘Surfers Paradise’ is a bit of a misnomer for pro-level surfers seeking a massive wave, the surf conditions (which hover around 3-4’ breaks throughout the year) are ideally suited to beginners and visitors, with plenty of surf schools dotted along the beach to help you learn. The Surf Australia accredited surf school Go Ride A Wave is one of the strongest options for would-be surfers on account of its 25 years of experience and large range of beginners’ equipment. The 2-hour lessons provide all the relevant surf safety information, gear and instructions to suit all skill levels.

Beachfront Markets

Market

Trinket-hunters will find plenty of treasures at the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night, more than 120 market stalls are erected along the coastal stretch. While live entertainers provide a background soundtrack, after-dinner wanderers can take their pick from a variety of premium products, including clothing, jewelry, accessories, artwork, cosmetics, and homewares. The friendly stallholders are more than happy to chat about their artisan processes and crafting styles, lending a personal touch to every purchase you take home.

Skypoint Observation Deck

Building

Ride one of the world’s fastest elevators to the 77th floor of the Q1 Building, the World’s Tallest Residential Building, for a sleek and chic watering hole – the Skypoint Observation Deck. The sleek, refined venue is all glass and silver with state-of-the-art furnishings, and a smart dress code to match. The ticket entry cost of $20 is high compared to other Surfers Paradise drinking establishments, particularly when the venue closes at a respectable 12am, but the refined atmosphere, stunning views, and weekend DJ and live music entertainment make for a compelling package.

Urban Paradise Gallery

Art Gallery

Urban Paradise is a new not-for-profit gallery space founded by French artist Frederic Berjot, who wanted to give emerging Gold Coast artists the opportunity to not only display their work, but also ‘to begin to understand the business of art.’ This refreshing, constructive approach gives up-and-coming artists exposure, while also working to equip newcomers to the industry with practical business sense to match and support their creative skills. The gallery also displays excellent work from established artists throughout the area, making Urban Paradise a must-see for any supporter of the arts in Gold Coast, and particularly for art-lovers interested in discovering and fostering new artistic talent in the area.

Additional reporting was added by Alex MacKay

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.