Top Surfers Paradise How to Get Around

Wind your way along the scenic canals and waterways of Australia’s Gold Coast on this cruise from Surfers Paradise. Glide along the waterways of Broadwater; enjoy views of Chevron Island and Paradise Waters; and marvel over the glittering Palazzo Versace hotel and the famous SeaWorld resort. Listen to the onboard commentary as you pass historic sites and modern landmarks.

Built around a complicated system of winding canals and waterways, the Gold Coast can be difficult to navigate alone. This short sightseeing tour around the region focuses on the city’s attractions and landmarks in the unique Quack’rDuck duck bus. Drive around Surfers Paradise, Southport and Main Beach, then plunge into the waterways and tour them too in this amphibian bus.

Journey into the hinterlands on this 5-hour afternoon tour of the Springbrook National Park from the Gold Coast. Explore the UNESCO-listed Goondawanna rainforests by coach, stopping to walk through the jungle, peek into ancient caves and enjoy views of Mount Warning from the Best of All Lookout.  Visit natural wonders like Purling Brook Falls, Numinbah valley and Rainbow Falls, and soak up the scenery from the Canyon Lookout. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people for a personalised experience, and includes light refreshments and hotel pick-up from selected locations.

Simplify your visit to Australia Zoo from the Gold Coast with this easy day tour. You'll be picked up from your accommodation (select hotels only) and taken to the impressive zoo, saving you the hassle of self driving or catching public transport. Spend the day exploring the various habitats, watching shows, and learning more about native Australian wildlife, before being transported back to your hotel.

Start your day off right with a 3-hour kayak tour to South Stradbroke Island. Enjoy a great vantage point on the beaches and wildlife of the Gold Coast as you paddle at a leisurely pace, stopping to snorkel off Wavebreak Island, visit secluded beaches, and enjoy a picnic breakfast on the beach. Your expert guide shares informative commentary about the region's ecology and animals, and provides full instruction on kayaking and snorkeling — making this tour suitable for both experienced paddlers and first-timers.

Enjoy the thrills, splashes, and spins of a jet boat ride on the Gold Coast Broadwater from Surfers Paradise. Zip through the scenic waterway, passing landmarks such as Southport Yacht Club, the Versace Hotel, and SeaWorld. Hang on as your expert captain takes your high-speed vessel through a series of high-octane tricks that are tons of fun.

Feel the thrill of catching a wave at one Australia’s most famous surf hotspots and sign up for this 2-hour beginner surf lesson in Surfer’s Paradise. Master the basics under the guidance of an expert instructor with a small group, ensuring plenty of one-to-one instruction.

Challenge your perceptions and awaken your senses as you step inside INFINITY, one of the Gold Coast’s most unique attractions. This experience whisks you on a multisensory journey, complete with interactive displays, bizarre soundfields and mind-bending illusions. Prepare to be blown away by the thrilling special effects and thoroughly entertained with unexpected twists.

Go in search of humpback whales on a whale-watching cruise off the shores of the Gold Coast. Onboard a custom-built boat with three viewing decks, enjoy uninterrupted views of the Pacific and listen to commentary about the whales and their ocean environment from a marine naturalist guide. Plus, float along the Spit to admire waterside homes. Small group sizes, guaranteeing rail side position. Select a departure time when booking.

Short on time? Sample the natural beauty of the Gold Coast on this outdoor tour. Hop on a sea kayak and paddle your way over to Wave Break Island to swim and snorkel amid sub-tropical fish and marine wildlife. Look out for dolphins and stingrays and enjoy a snack before heading back to shore

Witness a mesmerizing natural light show in the Gold Coast hinterland with an evening tour to the Natural Bridge glow worm cave. Trek through the ancient coastal rain forest of Springbrook National Park with a guide to see the cave illuminated by the light of millions of tiny worms, and then turn your eyes upward for some stargazing in the pristine night sky.

Zoom along the scenic waterways of the Gold Coast on a white-knuckle Jet Ski tour. Hop on-board for a guided 1-hour experience, passing South Stradbroke island, Couran Cove and the Sovereign Islands, and pick up speed as you zip through mangrove forests and along the coast. Best of all, with full instruction provided, it’s suitable for all abilities.

Experience the nighttime enchantment of Mt Tamborine National Park on this unique rain forest walk and glowworm tour. At the mountain summit, stop for a light supper of cakes and hot chocolate, and soak up views of the twinkling Gold Coast from a lookout. Then, observe nocturnal wildlife by torchlight with a guided bushwalk through the rain forest, where you’ll come across an ethereal waterfall illuminated by glowworms.

Soak up the sights of the Gold Coast on this lunch cruise that departs from Surfers Paradise and travels up the Nerang River to the Broadwater. Hear live commentary about landmarks that you pass such as the Southport Yacht Club, Marina Mirage, Palazzo Versace hotel, Wave Break Island and South Stradbroke Island. Enjoy a buffet lunch with seafood and chicken main dishes, and have the option to purchase drinks at the bar.

Experience the beauty of the Hinterland on this full-day discovery tour of Lamington National Park and the Scenic Rim from Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast. You’ll start your adventure with a drive into the subtropical rainforest, where you’ll take a walk through the tree tops and see colorful birds, before swinging by the Scenic Rim to visit a winery and alpaca farm for a glass of bubbles with a view.

Experience the Gold Coast’s beautiful Surfers Paradise on a tour aboard an amphibious Aquaduck. Bring the kids and hop aboard this unusual dual-purpose vessel for a jaunt along the area’s picturesque beaches and past local landmarks like Palazzo Versace and Marina Mirage. Then, enjoy a thrilling river cruise past the glitz of millionaire’s row as the Aquaduck transforms from a bus into a boat.

Explore the wild beauty of the Gold Coast hinterland on this full-day tour to Mt Tamborine. Encounter koalas, kangaroos and cascading mountain waterfalls on a guided bushwalk through the eucalypt rain forest of Mt Tamborine National Park. Indulge in some mountainside produce tasting.

Take a private tour around the Gondwana Rainforests and the World Heritage site of Springbrook National Park. With your expert guide, explore the deep and wild subtropical rainforest without straying too far. Spot wildlife enjoying their natural habitats, and enjoy learning about the flora and fauna you encounter on your walk. Visit at least 5 different rainforest locations including waterfalls and lookout points on this tour.

Save time and hassle when visiting the Gold Coast Wax Museum with this skip-the-line priority access ticket. Have fun “meeting” a wide range of realistic-looking personalities and historical figures. Then embark on a half-hour guided tour of the Chamber of Horrors–not for the faint of heart! See instruments of punishment from around the world, and learn the history around them.

Spend a day exploring the vibrant culture and beautiful beaches of Byron Bay on this full-day tour from the Gold Coast. Take in grand coastal views from the historic Byron Bay Lighthouse, browse local boutiques and dip your toes in the calm bay waters. Get a taste of New South Wales with a seasonal and locally sourced lunch at a unique cafe, and sink your teeth into a fantastic array of exotic fruit at the Tropical Fruit World farm.

Our family has dedicated our time to creating a whale watch experience that allows you to Join The Pod and be welcomed by the whales into their wild environment. Our experience, passion and knowledge of the cetaceans we work with is unrivalled as we bring world class cetacean education and viewing to our guests. Whale Watch 1 is Australia’s newest, state of the art vessel and our family has included in the design learnings from our many years of whale watching to create a world class Whale Watch vessel. Whale Watch Queensland is part of the Whale Watch Family Pod, a sixth generation Australian family who has grown up on the oceans around Australia. Our family whale watch all year, every year in the waters of Australia including our summer spent with the Orca (Killer Whales) and early Autumn with the worlds largest creature, the Blue Whale. Winter and Spring is then spent with the migration of Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales on both the east and west coast of Australia.

Take to the skies for an unforgettable hot air balloon flight over the Gold Coast hinterland. Departing from your Gold Coast accommodation, soar over beautiful vineyards, pastures, and forests as the landscape is bathed in the golden morning light. Choose from two flight lengths, and cap off your thrilling morning with a savory sparkling wine breakfast and cellar door visit at O'Reilly's homestead and boutique vineyard.

Enjoy the freedom of independent travel and the structure of a guided tour with this hop-on hop-off day pass for the Hopo Gold Coast Ferry. You can get on and off the boat at the five stops as many times as you like throughout the day, so you can tailor your itinerary to suit your needs. Take in the views of the Gold Coast’s waterways along the way.