The complete backpackers guide to the Gold Coast

There’s no shortage of places to stay on the Gold Coast – from beachside to the hinterland – with plenty of budget and backpacker-friendly options too.

Surfers Paradise is the energetic beating heart of the backpackers’ haven, with many hostels offering fun events and tours – and it’s the best way to meet fellow travellers. Here are some of the best backpacker hostels on the Gold Coast for your adventure.

Bunk

Stay right in the action at Bunk, one of the newest Gold Coast hostels. Located just a block from the bars of buzzing Cavill Avenue, this is the place to party with funky, modern rooms (including female-only dorms and private options), pumping sundeck with pool and hot tub, and daily activities and tours to get you out and exploring.  

Tequila Sunrise

Start your days with a pancake breakfast and end it tucking into your capsule-style bunk at Tequila Sunrise Hostel in central Surfers Paradise. The vibrant digs set the scene for days spent kicking back by the beach (just two blocks away) and soaking up the adventures all around you – and there’s beautifully designed communal areas throughout the hostel to socialise and settle down, including complimentary breakfast and free social dinners four nights a week.

Coolangatta YHA

Conveniently located just 500 metres from the Gold Coast Airport and a 2 minute saunter from the beach, the Coolangatta YHA is the perfect place to base yourself. Here, it’s all about the added bonuses that make this backpackers special. Think: free Wi-Fi, a large communal kitchen, games room, BBQ area and an outdoor pool to chill out at. Choose between a private or shared room, and when you want to hit the waves or explore the area, you can even rent a surfboard and bicycles from reception.

Rainbow Bay Backpackers

Craving a more laid-back Gold Coast experience? Base yourself at the southern Gold Coast’s Coolangatta. Nestled in the headland between Snapper Rocks and Coolangatta beaches, Rainbow Bay Backpackers will be especially enticing to surfers, with world-champion level breaks to drop in on. But its slower, more local pace appeals to all. When you’re not hitting the beach or hitting the town, relax at the hostel with a pool, waterslide, spa and sauna. Bunk prices start from $25 per night. 

Looking for something completely different? Escape the bustle of the city and pitch a tent deep in the bush or by the surf in one of the Gold Coast’s iconic camping spots.

Eat and drink

Cafes and restaurants 

Whether you’re after something fast, something nourishing, something budget-friendly or all three, Gold Coast cafes and restaurants have you covered. 

The Cardamom Pod, Broadbeach

Both vegetarians and omnivores will love the fare from local favourite, Cardamom Pod. The spice-filled, locally sourced and organic vegetarian menu is based on Hare Krishna-style cooking and truly ignites the sense. Think rich curries, fresh salads, and raw desserts.

Hakataya Ramen, Surfers Paradise

Look beyond the unassuming vibe of Hakataya Ramen and you’ll find one of the best bowls of ramen outside of Japan. The menu offers incredible value for money, but the line out the door is testament to the quality of the produce. Order the tonkotsu soup (pork bone broth), which is simmered for 39 hours. They have mind-blowing pork dumplings and musubi (rice balls), too.

Lord of the Fries, Surfers Paradise

A hard day in the surf is best finished with a perfect bowl of fries, and now vegans and vegetarians can get in on the action. 100% vegan fast food spot, Lord of the Fries is serving up perfect French fries made from Aussie potatoes, as well as vegetarian hot dogs and burgers, all ethically produced and made without animal products. They also do a moreish dairy-free milkshake.

Miami Marketta

Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm, Miami Marketta is a bustling indoor/outdoor market for global fare, live music and bustling bars - well worth checking out on your visit. 

For more great places to eat, discover these coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants to splash out on - if your travel budget permits.

Pubs and bars

From rooftop bars to beachside joints and nightclubs that thump late into the evening, there's no shortage of Gold Coast bars. 

Sandbar, Surfers Paradise

A Gold Coast favourite for over 20 years, Sandbar is a welcoming and cool bar and eatery located in the heart of Surfers Paradise. With a focus on craft beers – Sandbar boasts the largest range on the Coast – and a range of cocktail specials, there’s something for everyone here, along with great food.

Southport Surf Life Saving Club, Main Beach

Fancy settling into a meal with 70 kilometres of coastline for company? Surf clubs, which are found in almost every suburb on the Coast, are an iconic choice for a budget-friendly beer and meal by the beach - and its an essential way to soak up Aussie culture. The Southport Surf Life Saving Club is no exception. Located on Southport Esplanade, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Enjoy one of the 12 local beers on tap and soak up the stunning views of Main Beach.

Bine Craft Beer Bar, Nobby Beach

Make some new friends and experience the hospitable spirit of the Coast at local favourite, Bine Craft Beer Bar. Live music, trivia, and an inviting pub-style menu with nightly meal specials contribute to the cosy atmosphere.

Cali Beach Club, Surfers Paradise

Ready to party? Cali Beach is Australia's ultimate Day Club experience, featuring the biggest DJ residency line up. Come for the day or come for an hour – Cali Beach offers free admission to all guests (though you can splash out and book a private VIP area if you're in the mood), with pools, sun lounges, and plenty of cocktails and bites to keep you going. 

On the hunt for more nightlife? Check out this guide to things do with a friend at night in Surfers Paradise.

Craft Breweries

The Gold Coast's thriving craft beer scene is the perfect excuse to knock elbows with the locals and sample an ice-cold craft beer, all the while supporting a growing industry.

Balter Brewing Company, Currumbin

Gold Coast experiences don’t come more quintessential than a stop at Balter Brewing in Currumbin. Part laneway bar, part brewery warehouse, Balter was established by a group of pro surfers and local legends, including Mick Fanning, Bede Durbidge, Josh Kerr and Joel Parkinson. With brewery tours and food trucks on a Friday night, Balter offers guaranteed good vibes all year round.

Burleigh Brewing Co., Burleigh Heads

Credited with kicking off the Gold Coast’s craft beer movement, microbrewery Burleigh Brewing Co. embodies the soul of the Coast’s brewery scene. Find a seat in the bustling taphouse and sample one of their award winning brews, with plenty of live music and food trucks to keep you occupied, or fill up a Growler and take a perfect drop of the Coast away with you.

Play

Whether you’re hunting down a spot on the sand, chasing some thrills, or escaping into the rainforest, the Gold Coast has plenty for backpackers to do.

Beach time

With kilometres of golden sandy beaches stretching to the north and south, the Gold Coast really earns its name. While there’s no shortage of picturesque spots to while away an afternoon in the sun, finding the perfect spot to throw down a towel is easy with this local's guide to the best beaches. 

Haven’t been blessed with perfect weather? No worries. We’ve put together a guide to enjoying the Gold Coast in the rain.

Explore the rainforest

Beyond the surf and sand of the Gold Coast, there's ancient Gondwana Rainforests to explore. Spend a day or more hiking, climbing mountains, discovering waterfalls, or spotting incredible native species of birds and animals.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat has a free treetop walk made up of nine, 15-metre high suspension bridges in the Green Mountain section of Lamington National Park. It offers the perfect aspect to take in the natural wonder of the rainforest canopy around you. The Retreat is also home to the magical Lost World Day Spa, a completely indulgent way to end a day of hiking. Lamington National Park is World Heritage listed and considered Australia’s largest preserved subtropical rainforest. Choose from half-day or full-day walks to explore this ancient park - there's camping and glamping if you want to turn it into an overnight trip.

You could also visit Tamborine Mountain, which is at the centre of Tamborine National Park. Here you’ll find amazing walking tracks that lead to pristine waterfalls and breathtaking views. Tamborine Mountain is home to a magnificent glow-worm cave, which has one of the largest colonies of these awe-inspiring creatures in the world, along with farms, wineries and cafes to call into.

Help the wildlife to thrive

Looking for an experience you’ll take with you long after your trip has ended? Why not become a volunteer at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. With short-term volunteering opportunities available in both the sanctuary and wildlife hospital, you’ll be doing your bit to support Australia’s conservation efforts, and with some species greatly affected by the ongoing drought and bushfire crisis, your help is needed now more than ever.

Learn to surf

With miles of coastline in each direction and some of the best breaks in the world, why not learn to surf right here on the Gold Coast? From Main Beach and Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta, the experts will have you standing and feeling the magic of surfing in no time at all. 

Get on island time

Our tropical north isn't the island place to live the island life. In fact, join a kayaking tour with Australian Kayaking Adventures and you can paddle from the heart of the Gold Coast over to South Straddie. A half-day adventure will see you kayak to Wavebreak Island for breakfast on the beach and snorkelling among tropical fish, before paddling to South Stradbroke Island to enjoy one of the best surfing beaches and spot wildlife like wallabies. There's good chance you'll come across dolphins, turtles and stingrays while on the water. 

A little further afield, you'll find adventure on Mijerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Mulgulmpin (Moreton Island). Boasting water so clear you can see the starfish from the beach, Moreton Island is home to iconic shipwrecks which have become a snorkelling favourite.

Skydive

No backpackers guide to the Gold Coast would be complete without encouraging you to experience the thrill of seeing the region by jumping out of a plane. Change your perspective and see the beaches and hinterland from a whole new angle as you take to the sky and freefall - there's several skydive operators on the Gold Coast.

From jet ski safaris to jetboating and scuba diving, there's so many ways to seek adventure on the Gold Coast.

Chase thrills at the theme parks

With Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild and WhiteWater World all on your doorstep, adrenaline junkies will have no shortage of things to do on the Gold Coast.

If you’re thinking of taking on multiple parks, there are plenty of combination ticket deals available to get more bang for your buck. And if you’re keen to avoid the queues it’s best to steer clear of the theme parks during Australian school holidays, when the parks are particularly busy.

Go treasure hunting

Local markets are a great way to get a feel for the local wares and produce coming out of the Gold Coast region.

Watch the stars come out every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening on the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise where over 100 market stalls pop up, selling everything from jewellery to memorabilia and fresh produce.

And on the first and third Sunday of the month, The Village Markets are held at Burleigh Heads. Full of quirky stalls selling unique or vintage fashion and quality handcrafted products, these markets are a celebration of the Coast’s most creative entrepreneurs. With a friendly atmosphere, live music and great coffee, it makes for a relaxed Sunday morning out. 

Want more backpacker-approved things to do on the Coast? Check out this list of free things to do on the Gold Coast.