A local's guide to the best of the Gold Coast in spring

Guide

Friends running into the ocean with surf boards

By Katie Stow

With arguably one of the best climates you’ll find anywhere in the world, choosing the best season to visit the Gold Coast is like picking your favourite child. But if you insist? Spring might just have it by a nose.

The weather is perfect: warm enough for beach days but not too hot, with crisp mornings and evenings that make you want to spend every moment outside. The jacaranda trees burst into vibrant purple blooms, the water sparkles and the whole coast seems to come alive. It's a magical time to explore the natural beauty, vibrant events, and under-the-radar gems that make the Gold Coast so special.

Here’s a local’s guide to enjoying the best of the Gold Coast in spring.

1. Unmissable events

Friends walking along the beach enjoying the sculpture festival — SWELL Sculpture Festival, Gold Coast

Spring brings a flurry of fantastic events to the Gold Coast. The SWELL Sculpture Festival turns Currumbin Beach into an artistic wonderland where photogenic, thought-provoking sculptures dot the coastline. Beer lovers can head to the Crafted Beer Festival to sample the best local brews. Sports enthusiasts will love the Cooly Gold, a surf lifesaving competition, and the adrenaline-pumping Supercars Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, where race cars roar through the streets of Surfers Paradise.

2. Gold Coast beaches

Our beaches are legendary, but there are some lesser-known spots that locals adore. While Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are always popular, try the tranquil Tallebudgera Creek with its crystalline water or Snapper Rocks or Greenmount for epic surfing. Burleigh Heads is a local favourite with cafes, restaurants, and trinket-filled boutiques just a short walk away, or head over to Rainbow Bay for the best shelter from the wind.

3. Drink and dine

A woman dining, pointing her fork into a bowl of salad — The Collective Palm Beach, Gold Coast. Photo by @thecollectivepalmbeach

The Gold Coast food scene is buzzing as the weather warms up, with no shortage of restaurants and cafes to try. Locals love Moo Moo in Broadbeach for an incredible steak, Palm Beach’s The Collective for a medley of street food, or Etsu Izakaya in Mermaid Beach for an authentic Japanese dining experience. New on the scene are Kirra Beach House and Billy Chow, both on the southern end of the Gold Coast; as well as the recently expanded and gorgeously styled Tarte Beach House (get the lobster roll) perched on the serene blue shores of Currumbin Creek.

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4. The getaway within a getaway

Sometimes, even locals need a quick escape – and when they do, the Gold Coast Hinterland is where they go for a getaway from the beachside bustle. Stay at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat for a refreshing, peaceful haven among the trees, with activities like guided walks and treetop canopy tours.

Or, treat yourself to a stint at The Langham, the luxe beachfront hotel residing in one of the Coast’s unmistakable Jewel residences that glistens like an enormous crystal on the skyline.

5. Take a road trip

Family enjoying sunset picnic at John Laws Park — Burleigh Hill, Gold Coast

A road trip along the coast is a must in spring. Drive from Southport to Coolangatta, enjoying stops at beaches, cafes, and surf clubs along the way. Stop at Burleigh Hill for breathtaking views, and continue to Siblings in Kirra for an epic lunch overlooking the waves.

Prefer to venture to the green behind the gold? Point your bonnet westward and chase waterfalls in Lamington or Springbrook National Park, or explore the quaint charms of Tamborine Mountain – where else can you find glowworm caves, a winery, hiking trails, a coffee plantation, and a cuckoo clock shop all in the same village?

6. Embrace spring camping

The Gold Coast isn’t just about theme parks and bustling beaches – it's also a haven for nature lovers with incredible camping spots. Close to the coast, Burleigh Beach Tourist Park is nestled between Burleigh Beach and Tallebudgera Creek, for tranquil beachside bliss with plenty of amenities and access to cafes and markets (just make sure you book well in advance). Just up the road, for those who love camping but want modern conveniences, Nobby Beach Holiday Village has a playground, pool, and a laid-back vibe, making it a hit for families.

Meanwhile, Binna Burra Lodge, located in Lamington National Park, is a lush rainforest escape with multiple camping options. Enjoy hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and the fresh mountain air, topped off with starry nights around a campfire. Even more secluded is Bigriggen Park – an off-grid paradise in Mount Barney National Park surrounded by mountains and wildlife. Find some more secret spots here.

7. Instagrammable spring spots

Couple enjoying a drink at a bar within the Miami Marketta — Miami Marketta, Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is packed with photogenic spots perfect for your Instagram feed. Head to Currumbin Rock Pools with their serene, crystal-clear waters and lush greenery, or the spellbinding scene at The Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park with its waterfall and cave (even more magical at night with glow worms!). For ocean photography, Tallebudgera Creek, with its turquoise waters, and Snapper Rocks with its dramatic rocky outcrops and colourful sunsets, are ideal while Miami Beach is dotted with scenic boardwalks and pastel-coloured lifeguard towers.

The colourful murals at Miami Marketta and eclectic street art on Chevron Island make for unique photo backdrops, or food photographers will love Paddock Bakery in Miami for a cute rustic setting and beautifully presented dishes.

8. Local Gold Coast markets

Spring is market season on the Gold Coast, with plenty of local offerings to explore. Palm Beach Farmers Market is perfect for fresh spring produce and local treats, while Burleigh Market offers a mix of food stalls, handmade goods, and live music. The HOTA Farmers and Artisan Market at the Home of the Arts precinct is brimming with unique handmade fashion and gourmet street food, with the bonus of an incredible gallery to visit afterwards.

Queensland’s largest permanent market, Carrara Markets, is packed with more than 400 indoor and outdoor stalls across hectares to shop everything from second-hand goods to fashion, food, pots, plants, homewares, art, books, toys, collectables, a cult sneaker store and fresh local produce. By night, explore the seaside Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets every Friday and Saturday evening.

9. Walking and hiking trails

Group of friends walking along the oceanfront pathway through the National Park — Burleigh Head National Park, Gold Coast

Spring is ideal for hitting the trails, and the Gold Coast has plenty to choose from. The trail up and over the hill at Burleigh Heads National Park feels a world away from the nearby beach, and the top rewards you with jaw-dropping, sweeping ocean views. For a more challenging hike, head to Lamington National Park, Springbrook, Tamborine, Main Range, or Mount Barney National Parks in the hinterland to immerse yourself in lush rainforests, mountain views and spectacular waterfalls.

10. Adrenaline and adventure

Spring is the perfect time to feel alive and get your heart racing. From Australia’s highest external building climb at Skypoint to skydiving onto the beach, squealing on a rollercoaster at the Gold Coast’s theme parks, or whizzing, spinning and drifting with jet boating expedition, thrillseekers have plenty to choose from.

If you’re looking for something less death-defying but no less adventurous, try ziplining at the TreeTop Challenge in Tamborine Mountain; kayaking, paddleboarding, or jet skiing in the Broadwater; or for a unique perspective of the coast, a hot air balloon ride over the hinterland or a scenic helicopter flight along the coastline.

Looking for more ways to experience the Gold Coast like a local? Check out our local's guide.