Scroll fatigue creeps in fast when you’re bouncing between travel blogs and second opinions. This guide trims the clutter and gets straight to the best places to go on the Gold Coast.
You’ll find thermal spa sessions, tucked-away galleries, scenic dining spots, and crisp brews poured with ocean views. It’s your cue to stop overthinking and start enjoying the coast on your terms.
Best Places to Go on the Gold Coast
When you’re choosing where to go on the Gold Coast, skip the crowds and fast-paced attractions. These stops are all about unwinding, tasting the local scene, and finding the kind of moments you’ll talk about long after your tan fades.
Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club
Type: Oceanfront surf club dining
Audience: Couples, sunset chasers, casual diners
Local Tip: Best just before sunset for panoramic coastal views
This casual dining spot sits right above the sand and serves fresh seafood with an unbeatable view. It’s one of the best places to go Gold Coast-wide when you want coastal calm with a cold drink in hand.
Las Palmas, Palm Beach Dining Strip
Type: Modern coastal with South American flair
Audience: Couples, social groups, wellness-minded foodies
Local Tip: Arrive early for a seat on the balcony during golden hour
Las Palmas pairs bold flavours with breezy views. The cocktails and wellness bowls are local favourites and make this one of the standout Palm Beach attractions.
Balboa Italian, Palm Beach Dining Strip
Type: Upscale industrial-chic Italian
Audience: Couples, families, food lovers
Local Tip: Book in advance for Friday or Saturday night
Balboa Italian offers handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza in a stylish setting. It’s a go-to for relaxed dinners and one of the best places to go on the Gold Coast for a slow, elevated evening.
Frida Sol, Palm Beach Dining Strip
Type: Rooftop Mexican with coastal flair
Audience: Groups, cocktail lovers, festive diners
Local Tip: Try the tacos with house margaritas midweek for fewer crowds
Frida Sol brings colourful rooftop energy to Palm Beach. With ocean views and modern Mexican plates, it’s high on the list for Gold Coast things to do with friends.
Currumbin’s Best Kept Secrets
This part of the Gold Coast is ideal for travellers who prefer a slower pace. Beyond the beaches, Currumbin offers art, culture, and local charm. These lesser-known spots are among the most genuine things to do in Currumbin.
Dust Temple
Type: Café-gallery hybrid
Audience: Art lovers, locals, curious travellers
Local Tip: Check the schedule for music or poetry nights
Dust Temple combines strong coffee with creative energy. It’s part café, part gallery, and often hosts small events. It’s a great option if you’re looking for activities to do in the Gold Coast that feel more local.
Balter Brewing Company
Type: Casual craft brewery
Audience: Beer fans, social groups
Local Tip: Head in on weekends for food trucks
Balter Brewing is a relaxed spot tucked into Currumbin Waters. Known for its clean design and laid-back vibe, it’s a great stop for those easing into their Gold Coast afternoon.
Gold Coast Wellness Spots
Wellness brings a new rhythm to the Gold Coast, slower and more intentional.
This part of the coast makes it easy to pause. These spa experiences are among the best places to visit on the Gold Coast for calm mornings, warm water, and light, nourishing meals.
THE BATHHOUSE – Ground Currumbin
Type: Boutique mineral soak retreat
Audience: Wellness seekers, couples, solo travellers
Local Tip: Visit midweek for quieter sessions
This currumbin spa sits quietly near the creek and blends gentle design with mineral-rich pools. It’s a space to stretch time, relax the body, and soften into the day. Nearby cafés and bush paths make it a great stop between activities.
Greenhouse The Bathhouse (Tallebudgera)
Type: Soak house with vegan café
Audience: Friends, couples, solo guests
Local Tip: Morning bookings offer the calmest setting
This bath house, a Gold Coast favourite, creates a smooth experience with infrared saunas, warm soaking pools, and cooling plunges. It draws plenty of wellness-focused guests, including those interested in meditation Gold Coast sessions. The on-site café serves simple, nourishing dishes in a garden courtyard.
More Reasons to Stay
A few extra hours on the coast can lead to your favourite moments. Weekend plans often turn into something longer. These small additions make it worth staying a little longer. They bring relaxed energy and round out the best places to visit in Gold Coast, Australia.
Sunset Cocktails at Las Palmas
Evenings settle in nicely with an ocean breeze and a crisp drink. Las Palmas in Palm Beach serves bright cocktails and wellness bowls, perfectly timed for golden hour. The rooftop views and coastal vibe make it one of the more stylish Palm Beach attractions.
Morning Walk to Currumbin Alley
Currumbin Alley greets the day with soft light, calm water, and a gentle pace. Walk from your stay toward the point where surfers stretch and locals sip coffee by the sand. It’s a relaxed addition to your list of Gold Coast things to do.
Browse Local Shops After Your Spa Session
Between Tallebudgera and Currumbin, you’ll find boutiques, wellness shops, and cafés. After your soak or massage, slow things down with a juice, a browse, and a quiet wander before lunch.
What You’ll Remember
Some holidays stay with you, long after the bags are unpacked.
The best places on the Gold Coast offer calm, comfort and something more lasting than a souvenir. A quiet soak, a morning walk, or a long lunch by the sea are the kinds of Gold Coast things to do that tend to linger.
In time, the best places to visit on the Gold Coast start to feel familiar. That’s when a trip turns into a tradition.
A Coastal Base Worth Settling Into
Location matters when the goal is to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Currumbin Sands gives you a front-row seat to it all without the hustle. You’ll wake to ocean sounds, wander beach paths and head to the Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club for lunch or sunset views.
Nearby cafés and local spots offer some of the best places to go, Gold Coast travellers keep returning to. Everything sits close by, making it easy to tick through your personal list of laid-back things to do in Currumbin.
Where to go on the Gold Coast? Right here, where the pace matches your plans.
Stay with us at Currumbin Sands and settle into the coast.
Image Credit: Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Club