The perfect 2-day Gold Coast itinerary

From delicious bites to stunning sights, this whirlwind weekend itinerary is your ticket to the Gold Coast’s best-kept family secrets, writes Eleanor Edstrom.

The Gold Coast has long been a well-loved playground for those travelling with the tribe in tow – but there’s more to discover beyond the theme parks and Surfers strip. Whether you’re into chasing waterfalls, mind-bending light displays or cute-as-a-button brunch spots, our guide is packed with memory-making moments every family will love.

Day 1

Morning Every parent knows the secret to a smooth day: well-fed tummies in the morning. Drop in for a bite at Custard Canteen kiosk at Tallebudgera Creek, which serves mouthwatering pastries made daily onsite, great coffee and all-day brunch you can enjoy beside the creek’s crystal-clear waters. Make sure to snag some of their famous Portuguese tarts to snack on later in the day, too. After brekkie, make mermaids in the sand, take a refreshing dip or test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard, which you can rent from All Coast Paddle Board Hire.

Mid-morning Just 10 minutes’ drive inland is Schuster Park, a jungle-themed playground featuring interactive musical flowers, balance beams and climbing structures connected by a series of nature paths. When you’re all swinged out, head to nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, the kids can learn about Aussie wildlife conservation, snap selfies with wallabies or admire the beautiful shell patterns of radiated tortoises. To see the park in a different light, come back at night for Astra Lumina, an enchanting night walk that opened in March 2025. Expect wondrous projections of light and mesmerising soundscapes as you embark on an unforgettable celestial journey.

Lunch Azure ocean views and a delectable Mediterranean-inspired grazing menu make the Kirra Beach House a standout lunch spot on the Gold Coast’s southern beaches. The venue boasts Insta-worthy indoor and outdoor spaces that are at once approachable, family-friendly and uber-stylish. When you’ve had your fill of salsa verde-topped lamb shoulder or prawn pizza (a classic kids’ menu is available as well), consider exploring the beautiful Kirra Beach or wind your way around to nearby Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay, connected by an easy-grade coastal path with gorgeous lookout points.

Mid-afternoon If your crew is keen on a little adrenaline, Slideways Go Karting is your next stop. Race through tunnels and around thrilling outdoor tracks at the three-storey complex, just 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise.

Evening Come dinnertime, make a beeline for Miami Marketta, otherwise known as the cultural heart of the Gold Coast. Open to the public Wednesday to Saturday nights from 5pm, this buzzy street food market lights up with live music, local artisans and dishes from around the world.

Day 2

Morning An old Queenslander home turned trendy cafe with cosy cottage vibes, Paddock Bakery in Burleigh Heads is a must-hit family brekkie spot. Tuck into their famous dippy eggs, matcha strawberry doughnut French toast or halloumi bagel. Note that it is a walk-in-only venue, so it’s best to either get there early, or opt for takeaway to eat in the car or take to Burleigh Beach.

Mid-morning Nature-loving families happy to venture a little further afield should make the trip to Lamington National Park, just under an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast’s centre. This World Heritage Area harbours a remarkable array of sub-tropical birdlife, reptiles and lush rainforest species, and is renowned for its beautiful walking tracks suitable for all ages. The Morans Falls track, a relatively flat out-and-back trail with picture-perfect Scenic Rim views, is a great option that leads to a striking 80m cascade. It takes around 90 minutes to complete.

Lunch Pack some sandwiches and enjoy a picnic lunch at Kamarun Lookout. The sweeping 200-degree vistas of rolling hills and patchwork valleys are simply spectacular. Alternatively, O’Reilly’s Mountain Cafe, about 10km up the road, offers light delights (think toasties, wraps and scones) in a unique treetop atmosphere. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the incredible O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk. Here, you’ll stroll across nine 15m-high suspension bridges surrounded by bird life and vine covered trees, before climbing up to two observation decks tucked in a strangler fig tree to soak up the amazing views.

Mid-afternoon Back in Surfers Paradise, Infinity Gold Coast is a 30-minute indoor walkthrough experience (best suited for kids aged eight and up) that may just blow your mind. Open from 10am to 10pm daily, the centre offers 20 immersive play environments where kids can explore their senses through unique aromas, gripping sound fields and maze-like visual displays. If the kids, and you, still have some leftover energy, the Gold Coast is teeming with terrific shopping opportunities, and you can hit Harbour Town for outlet shopping or Pacific Fair for high-end stores.

Stay The ultimate family holiday destination on the Gold Coast, Turtle Beach Resort offers everything you need for a fun and stress-free escape. Families love the self-contained one- to three-bedroom apartments, complete with full kitchens and laundry facilities. There’s a cinema, mini-golf, playground, onsite dining, a water park and pools, plus Club Turtle Kids Club for the little ones, while parents unwind in the adults-only pool and spa.

The Gold Coast’s at a glance

Gold Coast’s best beaches and creeks

While Surfers Paradise may grab the headlines, Burleigh Heads Beach is the real MVP for families. Beyond rolling waves perfect for beginner surfers and a foreshore park with picnic spots and a playground, the Burleigh strip offers some of the best dining on the Gold Coast. Whether you’re after a relaxed meal or a quick coffee, the food scene here ensures that both kids and adults leave happy and satisfied.

Further south, the beaches from Kirra to Greenmount and Rainbow Bay are stunning. Kirra’s wide, sandy stretches are perfect for sandcastle-building and paddling, while Greenmount offers calm waters ideal for young swimmers. Rainbow Bay, with its sheltered conditions, fun playgrounds and jaw-dropping views, is my favourite for a relaxed family day by the ocean.

The Gold Coast’s creeks provide shallow spots to splash and plenty of shade. At Tallebudgera Creek, you can leave the crowds on the southern side and walk the forest-fringed path on the north to Echo Beach. Echo Beach is a natural cove tucked in behind Burleigh headland that’s protected from the wind and almost always calm and clear. Tallebudgera is also a great location to spot the resident koalas snoozing in the treetops on the southern side of Jellurgal (Burleigh headland).

Currumbin Creek is another fantastic creek worth visiting. There is a surf spot where the creek meets the sea known as the ‘Alley’ that has great baby waves. For a workout with the kids, hire a SUP for a few hours from Currumbin Boatshed.

Secret swimming spots

Greenmount, Kirra and North Burleigh have plenty of natural pools to discover at low tide. Overhanging rocks conceal towels and belongings and provide plenty of shade for some seriously competitive sandcastle-making sessions, too. For a freshwater fix, head for the hills past Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to a sublime swimming spot called Cougal Cascades. Rain fills the pools after it has trickled all the way down from the mountains in Springbrook National Park.

Keep reading:

• 72 things to do on the Gold Coast with kids
• The ultimate Sunshine Coast holiday

Theme parks

No trip to the Gold Coast is ever complete without tackling its theme parks. Dreamworld is a favourite for its adrenaline-pumping rides. Arrive early to beat the crowds and pack a poncho for the water rides. Warner Bros. Movie World will whizz visitors to the Emerald City at its Wizard of Oz precinct. The centrepiece, Flight of the Wicked Witch, is a suspended family coaster that soars along a 453-metre track, reaching heights of 19 metres and speeds of up to 67 km/h. And thrill-seekers will flock to the Kansas Twister, a family boomerang racer featuring dual racing tracks. Wicked!

Over at Sea World, the Thunder Lake Stunt Show is a surefire hit, but the Leviathan rollercoaster stole the show for thrill-seekers in our family. For little ones, Nickelodeon Land is the place to meet Nickelodeon characters and enjoy character-themed rides. Insider tip? Book tickets online to skip the queues and check for deals that include entry to Movie World, Wet’n’Wild or Paradise Country.

Gold Coast attractions

There’s more to the Gold Coast than theme parks and beaches. A short drive inland is the hinterland, where the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk awaits. Suspended bridges and views kept our kids captivated while we soaked up the serenity. For animal lovers, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. Feeding a kangaroo or spotting a koala is a rite of passage, and the new Wild Island Adventure Splash Zone offers a full day of fun. Don’t miss the lorikeet feeding – it’s messy but magical.

Mountview Alpaca Farm at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards is another Gold Coast treasure. Kids delight in walking alpacas around the lush grounds before splashing about in the creek while you enjoy a local vino alongside a pre-ordered cheese plate.

The Gold Coast is also a biking nirvana with more than 36 kilometres of mostly flat, ocean-fronting paths to spin the family wheels. Join the path anywhere from the Spit to Point Danger and plan your cafe stops and ocean lookouts along the way. For something to please the whole tribe, stop in at Custard Canteen on Tallebudgera Creek for great coffee, freshly-squeezed juice and piping-hot Portuguese custard tarts fresh out of the oven. If you don’t have your own bikes, Cheap As Bike Rentals in Miami hires them out.

Kid-friendly dining

• The Collective Palm Beach has five kitchens that serve up everything from tacos to pizza. The kids’ menu is a winner, and communal dining keeps the vibe relaxed.
• For breakfast, Paddock Bakery is a no-brainer. Housed in a charming weatherboard cottage, it serves up flaky pastries and avo toast that’s practically a work of art. The kids can roam the garden while you sip your cappuccino at leisure.
• Make a pit stop at Coolangatta’s Ottimo Gelato to grab a delectable gelato. The kids love the free mini scoop of a different flavour placed on top of each – a bonus that makes it even sweeter.
• Miami Marketta is a feast for the senses with live music, street food, and a vibrant nighttime atmosphere.

Read: 17 best Gold Coast restaurants and pubs with playgrounds