Ace Rental Cars Blog

The Gold Coast/Kurrungul is a coastal city located just south of Brisbane/Meanjin, brimming with beaches, adventures and natural wonderlands. There are plenty of types of fun to explore for all kinds of travelers, whether you’re after time in the sun or the thrill of a theme park ride.

Journeying around the Gold Coast is easy in your Ace rental car. This ultimate adventure loop will take you to all the best places that have made the Gold Coast famous to travelers around the world, from theme parks to surfing, from swimming to bushwalking.

Where the City Meets the Coast

Beginning in the heart of the city, the best way to start your Gold Coast adventures is with a trip to the iconic Surfers Paradise. This surfside suburb is where the skyscrapers of the city sit alongside the golden sands of the beaches. To get a good view of all of the Gold Coast, pay a visit to the SkyPoint Observation Deck just nearby. Nestled atop the Q1 building, this activity delivers panoramic views of the whole city. Surfers Paradise Beach is one of the most famous spots in this area, popular with locals and visitors alike. Many surfers try their hand at the waves at this beach, but it’s also a great one for swimming in or relaxing on the sand. The neighboring Broadbeach is another slice of paradise to check out. The lifeguards that patrol this beach make it a safe one to swim in, including for little ones and families.

Experience Gold Coast’s Theme Parks

As you leave the centre of the city, head north toward Gold Coast’s iconic theme parks, about half an hour’s drive from Surfers Paradise. While there are plenty of parks to explore, if you want a taste of everything on offer the best three to pick are Wet’n’Wild, Warner Bros. Movie World and Dreamworld. This selection will give you a mix of water-based activities, performance-based adventures and adrenaline-pumping rides. The most affordable way to experience the theme parks is through a park pass. The Village Roadshow Super Pass won’t only grant you access to Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild, but also SeaWorld and Paradise Country. The Dreamworld Park pass will also allow you access into WhiteWater World in addition to Dreamworld, as well as the SkyPoint Observation Deck in Surfers Paradise, so make sure to book these passes before you embark on your Gold Coast adventure loop.

Step into the Gold Coast Hinterland

Gold Coast’s proximity to a natural wonderland allows you an incredible opportunity to explore the bush of the Gold Coast Hinterland. The best place to begin your journey into the Hinterlands is at Tamborine Mountain. Only half an hour from the theme parks, Tamborine Mountain isn’t just a scenic spot to explore, but also has a bustling town of interesting shops. A famous former volcano, the town of Tamborine Mountain is best explored on foot. Park your rental car and then get out and about on the Gallery Walk. You’ll no doubt discover some quirky places to window shop or sit down for a snack. From Tamborine Mountain, head further south to Springbrook National Park, about a 50 minute drive. Springbrook National Park is home to a collection of Gondwana Rainforests. These lush environments of unruly greenery are thought to be one of the wettest places in Southeast Queensland. Embark on a bush walk through these vibrant landscapes of subtropical rainforests and keep an eye out for native wildlife milling about.

Relax at Burleigh Heads

As you loop back around and into the city again, the final stop on this ultimate adventure is Gold Coast’s Burleigh Heads. About a 50 minute drive from where you left the Hinterlands, Burleigh Heads makes for the perfect cherry on top of this journey, as it combines the sparkling blue of the beach with the hustle and bustle of the seaside suburbs. The Burleigh Markets are a great way to get amongst local life, and are on every Saturday from 7am until 12pm. Discover fresh local produce and the growers and sellers who call this corner of the country home. If you’re still in the mood for some sunshine and ocean, Burleigh Heads Beach is another hotspot for swimmers and surfers. As one of the most popular beaches on the Gold Coast, many flock here to experience the soothing effect of the ocean and the sun on the sand.

From the city to the theme parks to the Hinterlands and back, this ultimate Gold Coast loop makes for the perfect adventure in your Ace rental car.