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Gold Coast New Years Eve

New Years on the Gold Coast

New Years on the Gold Coast is always a big event - due to the city's inherent party nature and the large number of holidaymakers who travel to Queensland's tourist capital in order to have fun and let loose every year, and the various accommodation providers, entertainment venues and government entities do their best to provide numerous entertainment options for celebrating New Years Eve.

All of the standard staples that can be expected on New Years, such as fireworks, are of course included in the festivities, but a huge array of other options are also available to take part in, many of which cater not only to adults but also to kids as well. Some options for getting the most out of your time on December 31 and enjoying the countdown on the Gold Coast for New Years Eve 2012 include:

New to 2012 - Gold Coast New Years Eve Cruise

One of the best ways to experience New Years on the Gold Coast is with a great new New Years Eve Cruise - featuring 4 hours' worth of cruise time along the Gold Coast's waterways, TWO separate fireworks display viewings, and a range of assorted canapes as well as beer, wine and purchasable spirits from the licensed on-board bar. Tickets for this cruise are EXTREMELY limited and on sale now, so click the image below to grab a spot today!

Gold Coast New Years Eve Cruise

New Years Gold Coast Activities for Families and Children

Many of the Gold Coast New Years activities are family and child-friendly, with both paid and free options for ringing in the new year available.

  • Fireworks: A staple of New Years celebrations everywhere, fireworks on the Gold Coast are no exception. There are fireworks displays of varying degrees held in several major suburbs throughout the Gold Coast, including Surfers Paradise, Southport, Broadbeach, Robina Town Centre, Coolangatta, Coomera and Paradise point. The largest display can be found at Surfers Paradise Beach and separate shows at both 9:00pm as well as pre-midnight for the countdown are set to commence again for 2012 - 2013. The midnight display in particular is renowned for being the largest, although the area is often crowded so getting in early to secure a good vantage point is a must. Those lucky enough to be in apartment buildings facing towards the ocean with unabated views from their balcony will luck out and be able to get a clear experience of the display and festive atmosphere. Most of the other suburb's displays also have fireworks at 9pm and midnight.
  • Below is a map of the Gold Coast New Years Eve fireworks displays by suburb; click on the firework icon to view times and address details:
    View Gold Coast New Years Eve Fireworks Locations in a larger map
  • Wet 'n' Wild Water Park New Years: Wet n Wild have held family-oriented New Years Eve events for the past decade, and this year is once again no exception. Their "Splashtacular" New Years Eves feature numerous festivities around the park are geared towards children with plenty for them to see and do; the rides typically remain open until around 8:30pm, and a Dive-in Movie is screened in the Wave Pool. For more details on Wet 'n' Wild Water park, see our Gold Coast Theme Parks page.
  • Circle on Cavill: More suitable to those with older children, this newly redeveloped area of Surfers Paradise now has a more up-market feel and is filled with higher quality restaurants of a range of styles to choose from. Live entertainment will run from 8:00pm to 1:00am in the Circle itself, with the giant TV screen providing broadcasts of the various Gold Coast New Years Eve festivities as well as those around the rest of the country. Early bookings are a must for restaurants as they will soon fill up.

    • New Years Gold Coast Activities for Adults

  • Skypoint New Years Eve: Skypoint - situated on top of the world's tallest residential building, the Gold Coast's Q1 - provides the ultimate viewing platform for watching the fireworks displays put on not only in nearby Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, but also those extending to the suburbs in the further reaches of the Coast! Situated on the building's 77th floor, the Skypoint's height means that you'll have gorgeous views of the fireworks while enjoying fabulous live entertainment and delicious food. One of the most exclusive New Years Eve celebrations on the Gold Coast, from the chic lounge bar atop the Observation Deck you'll be able to watch the listening skyline come to life with colour.
  • Jupiters Casino: Jupiters Casino at Broadbeach typically has a range of Gold Coast New Years Eve activities; its various restaurants provide special dinner packages (bookings are obviously required, and the earlier in advance the better), with specials available at the likes of Andiamo, Charters Towers, Spinners, The Prince Albert Bar, Food Fantasy, Zen and the Atrium Bar which offers live entertainment well into the nights festivities - and, last but not least, the Casino itself. A balloon drop will also occur as the clock ticks over to midnight.
  • QT Gold Coast: A variety of world-renowned DJs will be gracing the QT on New Years Eve along with a variety of other entertainment both in the venue's Stingray Lounge and the illuminated poolside area. The cost of entry is $55.00 per person which includes canapés and drinks between 7 and 9pm, with the option to stay late to celebrate the New Year.
  • EAST Lounge Bar and Nightclub: One of the most popular venues on the Gold Coast for young adults, EAST will feature an entertainment and light-show themed New Years Eve party full of music, dancing and food all the way through to 5am. Suited to those who are full of energy and looking to get an entire night (and early morning's!) worth of entertainment, there are a variety of different packages available that aim to cater to different budgets.
  • RSL and Surf Clubs: Various RSL and Surf clubs dotted throughout the Gold Coast all have festivities of varying kinds on offer, including Southport RSL, Surfers Paradise RSL and Surfers Paradise Life Saving Club. These venues typically offer a reasonable and inexpensive place to celebrate the New Year while enjoying great value dinners.
  • Melbas on the Park: One of the staple nightclubs of Surfers Paradise, Melbas is having a "Black and White" themed cocktail party for 2012 that begins at 7:00pm and lasts until late. Included in the price is a cocktail food and premium drinks package
  • Other nightclubs and bars: Various other bars and nightclubs throughout Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are holding their own functions that last until the early hours of the morning, including Billy's Beach House, the Clock Hotel, Cocktails & Dreams, Elsewhere Bar, The Avenue, Titanium Bar and more.
Of course, many Gold Coast residents also choose the New Years period to travel to different destinations throughout Australia - for some great ideas over the holiday period, check out our destinations page, and regardless: HAPPY NEW YEAR!