These two coastal neighborhoods to the south of the city centre lure surfers to the long stretches of golden sands and good breaks, but you can come here without your board. Feet back on soil, explore the trails around Tamborine Mountain, spotting lyrebirds, possums, and wallabies along the way. Enjoy its 900 plant species on the 45-minute Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, which takes you from ground level to the tree canopy on high-tech steel bridges.

The Gold Coast hinterland is home to some of Australia’s most species-rich Gondwana rainforest. Views north toward Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are particularly pretty, especially if you glimpse dolphins and humpback whales.

This is a spiritual place for the Jellurgal Aboriginal community, and you’ll learn why on a tour highlighting bush tucker (edible native plants) and sharing Dreamtime stories of Aboriginal lore. The national parkland covering Burleigh Heads may be small but it’s home to rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, mangrove trees, creeks, and beaches.

Accommodation near casino gold coast