Gold Coast

Australia's top pick for families and surfing: Surfers Paradise, Warner Bros. Movie World and Sea World, plus the riverside city of Brisbane and Australia Zoo.

The Gold Coast and Brisbane lie in southeast Queensland, Australia, about 80 km (1 hour by car) apart, and together they make Australia's core combination for family and beach holidays. Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia's third-largest city (population about 2.6 million). It is built along the winding Brisbane River and is the host city of the 2032 Summer Olympics. The Gold Coast is a seaside city with 57 km of golden beaches, known for the high-rise skyline of Surfers Paradise, three major theme parks and surf culture.

Where to go: in central Brisbane, South Bank Parklands with its artificial beach, the Queensland Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Story Bridge, the Queen Street Mall shopping district and CityCat ferries on the river; to the west, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and the Mount Coot-tha lookout. On the Gold Coast, the theme park belt in the north (Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World); Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach in the middle; Burleigh Heads and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in the south; and the hinterland, with Springbrook, the rainforest of Lamington National Park and glow-worm caves. An hour and a half to the north, the Sunshine Coast has Australia Zoo and Noosa.

The climate is subtropical. September–November (spring) and March–May (autumn) are the most comfortable, at 22–27°C. In winter (June–August), days are still around 20°C, sunny and dry, and it is whale-watching season (humpback whales migrate June–October). Summer (December–February) is hot and rainy with thunderstorms, but it is also peak season for beaches and water parks (book ahead for Christmas, New Year and Australian school holidays).

Getting there: Brisbane Airport (BNE) has direct flights from several Chinese cities, and the Airtrain reaches the city in 20 minutes. Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is at the far southern end in Coolangatta, with flights from New Zealand and Asia. A train (Brisbane–Varsity Lakes, about 1.5 hours) connects with the Gold Coast light rail, G:link. For public transport, use a go card or tap a credit card; since 2024, Queensland public transport single fares have been a flat 50 cents. For the theme parks and the hinterland, driving or taking a park shuttle is recommended. Chinese citizens must apply online for an Australian visitor visa (subclass 600).

Recommended stay: 2 days in Brisbane + 3–4 days on the Gold Coast.

Notes: UV levels in Australia are extremely high, so always use sun protection. Swim only between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty, and watch out for rip currents. Stay out of the water when box jellyfish and bluebottle warnings are posted in summer. Buying theme park tickets online comes with multi-park discounts. Tipping is not required. Food and animal or plant products must not be brought through immigration.

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