How to spend 48 hours on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast theme parks draw a big crowd given their heart pumping rides, action-packed shows, animal encounters and water parks. However, stop by in March and you can breeze through the lines of all your favourite rides without the long queues. There’s always something new to discover at the Gold Coast theme parks and if you are on a budget then great value theme park tickets guarantee an entire day’s worth of entertainment.

Dreamworld: Visitors will enjoy the huge variety of thrill rides, Tiger Island exhibit and native Australian animals here.

WhiteWater World: A water park for all ages that includes relaxing wave pools and thrilling water slides.

Wet'n' Wild: Enjoy the final moments of summer lounging in the giant wave pools or racing down some hair raising solo and multi-rider water slides.

Warner Bros. Movie World: Thrill seekers and movie fans will equally enjoy a day at Movie World. The DC HyperCoaster and the Hollywood Stunt Driver 2 Show should not be missed.

Sea World: This marine park is best suited to the curious animal lover with a bounty of animal exhibits, interactive shows and aquatic-themed thrill rides.

Queenslanders are a lucky bunch with moderate temperatures all year round and water sports are a great way to discover a different side of the Gold Coast. Hidden behind the beaches and rising skyline are a series of canals and beautiful waterfront homes. In fact, you may be surprised to learn the Gold Coast has nine times more waterways than Venice, Italy.

A 90 minute Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayaking Tour is a wonderful way to witness a magical sunset during a gentle paddle along the calm waterways. For those who desire a more thrilling experience, it’s hard to look past a turbocharged Gold Coast Jet Boating experience. The exhilarating jet boat ride will have passengers racing past stunning scenery with 360-degree spins along the way.

Above the water’s surface, you can soar high in the sky on a solo or tandem parasail or join a guided jet ski safari touring secluded islands and waterways where the speed limits don't apply. Dive below the surface though, and you’ll uncover a magical marine reserve where a variety of Green Sea Turtles, stingrays and tropical fish play during a Cook Island Scuba Diving Tour.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is a bushwalker’s dream full of natural trails, cascading waterfalls and native wildlife. Strap on the walking boots and join a guided Lamington National Park and O’Reilly’s Winery day tour. With a personal guide behind the wheel, you can sit back and enjoy being driven to a variety of secret locations. Pack some comfortable walking shoes and enjoy a quiet moment walking under the treetop canopy of the world’s largest sub-tropical rainforest.

Mt Tamborine is one of the charming villages located in the mountainside with a breathtaking Skywalk and a number of boutique wineries and distilleries. If you’d prefer to spend a day treating the tastebuds rather than hitting the trails, a Gold Coast Winery Tour with a gourmet lunch will leave you with a full belly and plenty of fresh wine samples to taste throughout the day.

Visit Australia’s tallest building located in the heart of Surfers Paradise for impressive views 270 metres above sea level. SkyPoint Observation Deck sits on Level 77 of the iconic Q1 building and provides a breathtaking vantage point of the city skyline beaches and mountain scenery. Open 7 days a week, stop by for a bite to eat at the Bistro + Bar, take in some whale watching from land during the winter months or watch the sun set over the Gold Coast.

For an open-air adventure like no other, book yourself onto the SkyPoint Climb for an external climb to tallest point of the building. Connected to the internal handrail for your safety, experienced climb leaders will lead you up a series of stairs to a platform near the spire of the building. Don’t worry, there are regular stops so you can catch your breath and admire the scenery. The 90-minute experience includes a free photo, hat and entry to the SkyPoint Observation Deck after your climb.

Set upon 27 hectares of rainforest, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organisation and wildlife hospital located in the Gold Coast. Guests to the wildlife sanctuary can easily spend a day here watching all the interactive shows, participate in lorikeet feeding, watch Aboriginal performances and take a stroll through the Lost Valley to see exotic animals of the rainforest including Lemurs, Red Pandas and Capybaras. You can also cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and watch the must see free-flight bird show. Entry to Wildlife Hospital is included in all Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary tickets and we highly recommend that you pop in and say hello to all the incredible vets taking care of injured wildlife.

If relaxation is a top priority during your weekend away then a Gold Coast Sightseeing Lunch or Afternoon Cruise is the perfect way to unwind. Departing from Surfers Paradise, the calm water cruise travels past the homes of the rich and famous before entering the Gold Coast Broadwater where spectacular super yachts are moored at Marina Mirage. As you return to Surfers Paradise, head up to the sundeck and enjoy a refreshing drink as the Surfers Paradise Skyline comes into view.

The Gold Coast sure knows how to put on a show with a series of after-dark experiences to choose from. Guests staying in Broadbeach have the pick of two fantastic evening shows. The Pink Flamingo is the newest show to hit town offering an evening of burlesque, singing, dancing and jaw-dropping aerial feats you won't believe. With a hint of Las Vegas on the Gold Coast, do make sure you dress up to nines and find a spot on the plush pink velvet seats before the show starts.

Across the Gold Coast Highway, the cast of Draculas Cabaret Show are ready to welcome you into the afterlife. This quirky evening show includes three hours of entertainment and a three-course dinner. Drinks may be purchased from your table throughout the night. Expect fun and mayhem as the cast pay tribute to the Mexican Day of the Dead filling the room with naughty jokes, dancing, magic, burlesque and aerial performances.

Finally, the arena sensation Australia Outback Spectacular will take audiences on a journey to the heartland of Australia. Featuring singing, dancing, performers on horseback and much more, saddle up for an evening of entertainment. A hearty 3-course Australiana themed meal and beer, wine and soft drink are included in all Australian Outback Spectacular tickets. Embrace the stories of the outback in an immersive show that cleverly uses technology to transform the arena into the Australian bush. It’s an emotional ride that shares the heartwarming stories of life in the outback.

Make the most of your short break on the Gold Coast with extraordinary experiences. Travel in Queensland is good to go and with discounted deals, flexible booking and payment options plus superb weather in Autumn - there has never been a better time to pack the bags and enjoy a short break on the Gold Coast.