With a population of nearly 500,000 people the Gold Coast city (Australia's sixth largest city) can also boast the title of Australia's fastest growing city. A city for sun lovers with on average 278 cloud free days per year. You will find accommodation of all types for all budgets from backpackers to 5 star accommodations.

The original inhabitants the Kom-bumerris tribe knew the area as ‘Kurrungul’ and inhabited the Bundall area mainly for the collection of hardwood to make boomerangs from the extensive local cedar.

Today the city is made up of many smaller suburbs spread over an area of 1,400 sq km (540 sq miles), with some of the most famous areas including Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Nerang, Bundall, and Southport.

Southport Broadwater © K Smith
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From the late 70’s it was Australia’s favoured holiday location and became known as an ideal place to retire. Massive growth occurred with the opening of canal developments and residential sub-divisions. Hotel accommodation and fully serviced apartments grew to a point where the Gold Coast is now Australia's Number One tourist destination.

A major tourist drawcard is the Indy 300 car race which occurs each year drawing over 250,000 onlookers to watch Champ Cars travel at speeds over 300 km per hour with their massive 800 horsepower engines, while the V8 Supercar race will clock speeds in excess of 250 km per hour on the Gold Coast circuit.

Check out our listing of Gold Coast accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.