Top Gold Coast Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Experience the nighttime enchantment of Mt Tamborine National Park on this unique 4WD 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.

Exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland can be a challenge if you don’t have your own transport, but this full-day tour from the Gold Coast offers the perfect introduction. Discover the natural wonders of the Springbrook National Park, stopping to take in the views of Mt Warning and the Numinbah Valley, and admire landmarks including the Natural Arch, Rainbow Falls, and Goomalarah Falls.

Start your day off right with a half-day 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.

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 hotel pick-up and afternoon tea.

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 tropical fish and colorful coral. Spot dolphins, stingrays, and sea turtles along the coast, and enjoy a snack before heading back to shore.

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.

Experience the thrills of parasailing while on the Gold Coast of Australia. First, you’ll receive a short safety training before being outfitted with a harness. Then, soar high above the Gold Coast, up to 400 feet (122 meters) high, and take in aerial views of the coastline. This is available for solo travelers or with one or two partners.

Wave Break Island is one of the best places for snorkeling on the Gold Coast, home to over 50 different fish species. Marvel at the island’s underwater wonders on this 4-hour snorkeling tour and dive in to swim and snorkel amid schools of exotic fish. Hotel pick-up and round-trip transfers are included.

Go sailing on the Gold Coast Broadwater at sunset aboard a luxury sailboat. Glide past landmarks such as the Southport Yacht Club, Marina Mirage, Wave Break Island and Surfers Paradise on this romantic and relaxing 2-hour sunset cruise. Travel in a small group with a maximum of 10 people, and enjoy complimentary sparkling wine and appetizers during your sunset cruise. Have the option to upgrade to include a gourmet dinner featuring fresh Australian seafood.

Enjoy a close encounter with Australia's native animals at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Gold Coast. Your ticket includes admission to the park plus daily keeper presentations and animal shows. Admire critters such as the kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, koala, wombat, echidna and reptiles that live in natural-style bush and rainforest habitats. Walk through the stunning 5-acre forest of the Lost Valley and see unique flora and wildlife such as lemurs, red pandas, capybaras and other exotic reptiles.

Zip through the scenic Gold Coast Broadwater on a high-octane jet boat ride that combines speed-driven fun with sightseeing. Hang on as your boat performs 360-degree spins, power slides and other tricks, then slow down to see Southport Yacht Club, Palazzo Versace Hotel and Marina Mirage. You'll also buzz past Seaworld, the mansions of Sovereign Island and Moreton Bay Marine Park, venturing further than other similar tours. Dolphins and other marine life often seen in these waterways — keep your eyes peeled!

Exploring the Gold Coast hinterland can be tricky for those unfamiliar with the area. See places you'd never find on your own on this guided tour to Tamborine Mountain. Embark on a rainforest walk to Curtis Falls, travel through Eucalyptus Forest, and explore the Tamborine Mountain Forest Skywalk, a network of forest floor trails, steel bridges through the highest points of the upper canopy, and a 131-foot (40-meter) cantilevered bridge that soars 98 feet (30 meters) above the creek and rainforest below.

Spotting whales in their natural habitat can be tricky if you don't know where to look. Skip the guesswork on this whale-watching cruise, which guarantees you will see humpback whales as they migrate past the Gold Coast from June to November or you receive a complimentary second cruise. The tour is led by a marine biologist guide who is passionate about conservation and offers insights into whale behavior that enrich the experience. Includes morning tea and a photo booklet souvenir.

Make your way through watery, winding, hightide passages that turn and bend during this half-day, guided, 49-mile (80-kilometer) Jet Ski adventure. Follow your guide through hairpin turns testing your speed as you lookout at the lush, tropical plant life that flanks your watery path. Glide over the water under mangrove trees before stopping at a South Stradbroke Island bar for lunch.

Taste award-winning liqueurs, spirits, and wine on this tour of the Mt. Tamborine area, which also includes a gourmet lunch. Taste the bounty of the Great Brisbane region, including locally produced cheese from Witches Chase Cheese Factory, spirits from Tamborine Mountain Distillery, and vintages from multiple wineries. All tastings, snacks, and beverages provided means a seamless, belly-filling experience.

Learn to dive during this three-day PADI course on the scenic Gold Coast. After a convenient hotel pickup, begin with academic and pool training before moving to open-water diving with a professional instructor-guide. Receive intensive instruction during three days of multi-hour training sessions and finish with a PADI certification, valid anywhere in up to 59 feet (18 meters) of water.

This comprehensive full-day tour allows you to sightsee, swim, hike, and bushwalk through The Royal National Park. Including transportation to the Figure 8 Pools, only about an hour's drive from Sydney, you'll discover coastal views and local wildlife. Pickup and drop-off at a central Sydney meeting location.

Witness Humpback Whales on the Gold Coast. Cruise departs from Sea World in Main Beach and continues past South Stradbroke Island. Only 20 minutes to the nearby water of the Australian Whale Sanctuary. The Spirit of Migaloo II is Australia’s newest and most advanced whale watching vessel operating in the Gold Coast. With marine naturalists onboard, passengers can enjoy a front row seat to all the action from six external viewing platforms and tiered stadium seating from sea level to the sun deck. The spacious decks all around the vessel and smaller passenger numbers ensure that the experience is a personal one with the freedom to move around and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Humpback Whales wherever you are on the boat. Whale Watching Season is late May to early November.

Visit three craft breweries on the Gold Coast during a half-day tour that includes lots of beer tastings and a delicious lunch. You'll sample the goods at Black Hops Brewing, Burleigh Brewing, and Balter Brewing, meet some of the brewers, and learn what goes on behind the scenes during the brewing process.

Enjoy deep sea fishing on a 5-hour charter tour from the Gold Coast. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure for this fishing tour with professional fishing guides who assist you to find and land your catch. A wide variety of pelagic and bottom-dwelling fish can be found in the waters off the Gold Coast. Includes the use of fishing equipment and a safe ride on a fully equipped boat.

Zip through the Gold Coast’s sparkling waters and sunny skies with a package that offers an action-packed jet boat ride and a scenic helicopter tour.  See landmarks including Palazzo Versace Hotel, Marina Mirage, SeaWorld, Runaway Bay, Paradise Point, Sovereign Islands and Moreton Bay Marine Park. Your jet boat captain takes the vessel on a 55-minute ride with high-speed tricks that spin the boat around in thrilling circles and turns. The 5-minute helicopter tour provides an aerial perspective on the region’s landmarks and beautiful beaches.

Discover the glittering waters and sandy beaches of the Gold Coast on this 2-hour luxury sailboat cruise. Sip a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and tuck into appetizers as you set sail along the Gold Coast Broadwater, passing waterfront landmarks like the Marina Mirage, Wave Break Island and Surfers Paradise. Alternatively, upgrade to include a delicious 2-course lunch on-board and indulge in a lavish seafood platter. This small-group tour is limited to 10 participants, ensuring an intimate experience.

On this family-friendly tour of a 200-acre commercial fruit plantation you’ll learn how tropical fruits grow, how they’re harvested and planted, and, most importantly, how they taste. Enjoy a fully guided plantation safari, tasting show, wildlife-spotting cruise, fauna park, and Aussie bush tucker experience. Shop for more frit, juices, ice-creams, and other snacks at the on-site cafe.

Head into the Gold Coast hinterland for an evening of luminescent glow worms, a torch-lit rain forest walk, and stargazing in the clear night sky. Deep inside the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, marvel at the natural phenomenon of thousands of tiny glow worms lighting up an ancient cave before trekking among the nocturnal creatures of Queensland on a guided night safari. Cap off the evening with stargazing at the Springbrook Research Observatory and a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate.