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Where to stay in the Gold Coast

BySamantha

I’m an Aussie, and I love nothing more than heading down to the Gold Coast for a bit of relaxation, partying and thrill-seeking in the theme parks. As someone who’s been living in Australia for years now, I’ve picked up a lot of knowledge about where to stay when I go south to the Gold Coast.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to party, or just want a relaxing break away from it all, there are plenty of great options available. From chic boutique beachside hotels to luxurious high-rise apartments with stunning views – whatever you’re after, you can find it in the Gold Coast.

I’m always happy to share my advice and experiences with travellers who are unsure where to stay in the Gold Coast, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need some pointers!

South of Brisbane on Australia’s East Coast is the Gold Coast, a popular vacation destination.

The Gold Coast is a watersports paradise, with long sandy beaches, inland canals and waterways, several theme parks and a National Park.

lifeguard hut on australian beach at sunrise with interesting clouds in background (gold coast, queensland, australia)

With so many things to do in the Gold Coast, it’s important to identify which Gold Coast attractions you will be visiting, and choose your Gold Coast accommodation accordingly.

With many Gold Coast hotels to choose from, we will help you narrow down where to stay in Gold Coast with family, or the best place to stay in Gold Coast for couples.

We will cover off all types of Gold Coast accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Gold Coast hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Gold Coast 2023.

This guide shows off the best Gold Coast hotels, best places in Gold Coast to visit, the best places to stay in Gold Coast, hotels near Gold Coast attractions and many more,

I hope you enjoy this guide that showcases the best places to stay on the Gold Coast!

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Main Beach – Where to stay in Gold Coast for luxury travellers

At the northern end of the Gold Coast is Main Beach. Only a few minutes north of Surfer’s Paradise, Main Beach offers easy access to the best Gold Coast attractions, including Sea World, and many Gold Coast hotels to choose from.

The quieter suburb and surrounding greenery make this a quiet escape from the hubbub of other Gold Coast locations.

Luxury travelers will find many high-end resorts in Main Beach, and the Australia Fair shopping centre is within walking distance when it’s time for shopping.

Best places to stay in Main Beach

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Main Beach:

Budget accommodation in Main Beach:

Mid range accommodation in Main Beach:

Family Friendly accommodation in Main Beach:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Main Beach:

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA : view of Main Beach in Gold Coast, the area features golden sand and high-rise buildings overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Surfers Paradise – Where to stay in Gold Coast for nightlife

One of the best places to stay in Gold Coast is Surfer’s Paradise. With many family resorts Surfer’s Paradise is a great place to stay in the Gold Coast with kids.

Surfers Paradise also has endless entertainment options, including nightclubs, a pedestrian mall, dozens of restaurants and Gold Coast hotels and plenty of places to stay at Surfers Paradise for every budget.

Many Gold Coast attractions are right here in Surfer’s Paradise: Ripley’s Believe it or Not, iFly indoor skydiving, Jetboat Extreme, the Vomatron and the Skypoint observation deck.

On Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, the beachfront markets have over 100 stalls selling every kind of goods imaginable.

Best places to stay in Surfers Paradise

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Surfers Paradise:

Budget accommodation in Surfers Paradise

Mid range accommodation in Surfers Paradise:

Family Friendly accommodation in Surfers Paradise:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Surfers Paradise:

An aerial view of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Australia

Broadbeach –Where to stay in Gold Coast for foodies

Just outside of Surfer’s Paradise is the area of Broadbeach, Gold Coast. A slightly quieter alternative to the Surfer’s Paradise area, Broadbeach has many beautiful beaches, public parks with weekend markets, and tons of amazing restaurants.

The Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has over 400 stores, a food court and upmarket restaurants.

Another shopping destination in Broadbeach is the Oasis, home to many specialty stores and restaurants.

For those who love to gamble, The Star Hotel and Casino offers 24-hour entertainment. The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre is also in Broadbeach, so there are many business hotels nearby. Below is a list of the best accommodation in Broadbeach

Best places to stay in Broadbeach

Budget accommodation in Broadbeach:

Mid range accommodation in Broadbeach:

Family Friendly accommodation in Broadbeach:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Broadbeach:

Broadbeach on a perfect blue water day from an aerial view on the Gold Coast

Mermaid Beach – Where to stay in Gold Coast with family

Next door to Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach is a popular surfing destination, thanks to uncrowded beaches and a good surf break.

There are hotel options for every budget, from Millionaires Row beachfront real estate to caravan parks.

Mermaid Beach has a relaxed atmosphere, local shopping centres and even rainforests nearby for a day away from the beach, it has some of the best Gold Coast hotels for families.

The abundance of apartment rentals and family resorts make this a great place to stay in with kids on the Gold Coast.

Below are accomodation options for Mermain beach, as it’s the best area to stay in Gold Coast for families.

Best places to stay in Mermaid Beach

Budget accommodation in Mermaid Beach:

Mid range accommodation in Mermaid Beach:

Family Friendly accommodation in Mermaid Beach:

Mermaid Beach Nobbys Beach and Miami on the Gold Coast Queensland

Miami – Where to stay in Gold Coast on a bugdet

Not dissimilar from Florida’s famous Miami Beach, the Gold Coast’s Miami is another stunning option for Gold Coast accommodation.

Miami Marketta is a street food market with food from around the globe, and seating for over 450 people. Miami has a huge cafe culture, and lots of nature on offer as well.

Mick Schamberg Park has amazing views from the headland, overlooking the beach.

Best places to stay in Miami Gold Coast

Budget accommodation in Miami:

Mid range accommodation in Miami:

Family Friendly accommodation in Miami:

Aerial view of Miami Headland lookout and beach as the sun hits the shoreline. Gold Coast, Australia

Burleigh Heads – Where to stay in Gold Coast with kids

A nice compromise between the serenity of Coolangatta and the frenetic pace of Surfer’s Paradise is Burleigh Heads, the halfway point of the Gold Coast.

Many surfing events take place in Burleigh Heads, as the break here provides strong surfing conditions.

There are many cafes and takeaway venues, and the Stockland shopping centre, with supermarkets and department stores.

The best part of staying in Burleigh Heads is the proximity to all the best areas of the Gold Coast. You can hop on a tram and be in Surfer’s Paradise in 15 minutes.

Best places to stay in Burleigh Heads

Budget accommodation in Burleigh Heads:

Mid range accommodation in Burleigh Heads:

Family Friendly accommodation in Burleigh Heads:

GOLD COAST, AUS - People watching Gold Coast skyline and surfing beach at Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia

Coolangatta – Where to stay in Gold Coast for relaxation

At the southern end of the Gold Coast, Coolangatta is named after a schooner that wrecked here in 1846. This is where the Gold Coast airport is located; making it a good place to find cheap accommodation on the Gold Coast.

If you are looking for a quiet Gold Coast vacation, with calmer waters, Coolangatta is a great option. In my personal opinion, this is best place to stay in the Gold Coast, it’s not too crowded and it has a very chilled out relaxed vibe.

You’ll have fewer restaurants and shops to choose from, but enough to satisfy your needs for the week. Coolangatta is considered the best place to live in Gold Coast, because it’s got such a chilled out vibe!

A day trip to Surfer’s Paradise is possible with public transportation options. If you plan to visit New South Wales on your trip, Coolangatta is along the border, making it easy to access.

Best places to stay in Coolangatta

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Coolangatta:

Budget accommodation in Coolangatta:

Mid range accommodation in Coolangatta:

Family Friendly accommodation in Coolangatta:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Coolangatta:

COOLANGATTA, AUS - Coolangatta beach and Rainbow Bay, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Hinterland – Where to stay in Gold Coast for nature lovers

Heading inland from the Gold Coast, Hinterland is a nature lovers paradise. The area is made up of rainforests and national parks. Tourism in this area is growing, with accommodation options growing as well.

Some of the best things to do in Hinterland include bushwalking, birding, eco-tourism and wine tasting. Serious hikers can tackle all or part of the 54 kilometres of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

Visitors to this area can spend days exploring the mountain ranges, waterfalls, scenic drives and wildlife.

Mount Tamborine national park is one of the best areas to stay in – below we have covered off 25km from Tamborine NP as it can take some time to get around the area, showing the best places to stay Gold Coast Hinterland.

Best places to stay in Hinterland

Budget accommodation in Hinterland:

Mid range accommodation in Hinterland:

Family Friendly accommodation in Hinterland:

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Hinterland:

Curtis Falls a popular waterfall in Tamborine National Park on Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland, Australia

Top 5 favorites accommodation options for the Gold Coast

❤️ Best Area first timersSurfer’s Paradise or Broadbeach
💸 Best Luxury HotelPalazzo Versace
👪 Best Hotel for For FamiliesMontego Sands Resort
🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotelvoco Gold Coast, an IHG Hotel
🛏️ Best Budget HotelThe Beach Castle
✨ Best HostelTequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise

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Where to stay in the Gold Coast
Where to stay in the Gold Coast

Hey I'm Sam! I've been travelling since I was a kid and have lived on 4 different continents - exploring over 49 countries in the process. I’m a full-time traveller but I try to head home to Adelaide to see my mum and dog Odin, as much as I can! I help thousands of people every day planning their trips around the world! Every day, I provide travel planning advice to thousands of people, who are organising getaways all over the world!

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