Guide
By Sarah Bristow
Spoil someone special with a getaway to Queensland’s southern coastline. The Gold Coast offers no shortage of activities for those eager to treat their sweetheart with an adventure heavy on the romance factor. From luscious hinterland glamping to sophisticated fine diners settled on the beachfront, here lie the must-do Gold Coast date ideas for couples.
Do as the locals do, and gather a basket of gourmet goods and icy cold beverages to watch the sunset from the idyllic Burleigh Hill. Pull out your blanket among the daily crowds gathered on the grassy knoll to toast to the arrival of dark, all the while enjoy the views of the iconic Burleigh surf break out front.
Indulge your beloved in a meal to remember with an evening spent at one of the Gold Coast’s beachfront fine diners. A must-do for any guide to the Gold Coast for couples, reserve yourself a table at one of the Burleigh favourites Rick Shores or The Tropic metres from the waves. Or take in the views from Seascape Restaurant & Bar nestled among the skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise.
Nightfall
Spend the night under the stars immersed in the luscious Gold Coast Hinterland with a visit to Nightfall Wilderness Camp. Snuggle up to your sweetheart in one of the custom-built luxury safari tents tucked off-the-beaten track in Queensland's Lamington National Park.
Join Gold Coast Jetski Safaris for a waterborne cruise of the region. The 60-minute spree will see you winding your way (at the speed of your choosing) through the sub-tropical shores of nearby South Stradbroke Island.
Clamber your way to the top tip of the Q1 building for unparalleled views onto the surrounding coastline. The building’s observation deck sits 230 metres off the ground, with the Skypoint climb available to those who want to partake in Australia’s highest external building climb to the 270 metre mark.
Get a taste of the region’s best producers with an edible adventure courtesy of Gold Coast Food & Wine Tours. A must-do on the Gold Coast for foodie couples, this date will see you eat and drink at local hot spots on a curated journey through Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.
Saunter your way between the grapes at O’Reilly’s Canungra Vineyard, nudging the Gold Coast Hinterland. Savour the wines grown on site at the cellar door, or pre-order a picnic to be enjoyed on the neighbouring lawns with the local population of alpacas.
Gather your sense of adventure and make way for neighbouring Springbrook National Park. Spend the day hiking the collection of bushwalking tracks that call this precinct home, taking in the delightful sights and sounds of the resident waterfalls, like Purlingbrook Falls and Twin Falls.
Get paddling with Australian Kayaking Tours, the only company operating on the Nerang River in Surfers Paradise. Partner up in a double kayak with your date, or keep your independence with a SUP instead, as you make your way out to the islands that surround the Gold Coast.
No guide to the Gold Coast for couples is complete without mentioning the need to spend time at the region’s beaches. This place is famous for its sandy stretches and a leisurely day is best enjoyed in the waters of quiet Coolangatta or Mermaid Beach.
Spoil your date with a morning greeted up high with Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast. Watch the sunrise together as you glide your way through the skies, taking in pristine views of the Gold Coast Hinterland, Champagne in hand.
Immerse yourself in nature with a getaway to Mount Tamborine. There’s plenty to do during your time in this luscious haven - spend an adrenaline-filled morning at the famed TreeTop Challenge, before relaxing afternoon at one of the many wineries and breweries that scatter the district.
Soak up the sights of the Gold Coast’s Broadwater with your beloved aboard a chartered boat. Sunset & City Lights Cruise offers a weekly sojourn along the waterways - witness the sunset from a custom-built catamaran with houses no more than 30 guests at a time.