Brisbane is the capital city of the Queensland region of Australia and the region around the city is known for having incredible beaches, making it an ideal beach vacation destination. You can find isolated beaches, cities located directly on the coastline, amazing zoos, beautiful parks, and more that make this one of the most family friendly destinations in Australia. The two main beach regions are the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. So when looking at the Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast, which one should you prioritize? Read more to find out.
Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast: The Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is the beachland north of Brisbane. The communities here are artsy and bohemian and the ocean is perfect for surfers at any level and avid beach goers looking for a relaxing beach destination with a boutique flair. When looking at the Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast, this area tends to be a more expensive because it is not an urban center. However, it is frequented by local Australians who are looking for a beach vacation.
The best way to get around the Sunshine Coast is by driving. You can rent a car from Brisbane here.
Sunshine Coast Logistics
How to Get to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane
The best way to get to the Sunshine Coast and maximize your time and experience here is to rent a car from Brisbane and drive one hour north to the start of this portion of Australia’s coastline. You may want to explore different towns along the coast and visit the Australia Zoo and having a car will make these logistics easy. There is also a Greyhound bus that goes directly from Brisbane to Noosa, if driving is not available to you.
Where to Stay In the Sunshine Coast
There are many small towns along the Sunshine Coast that provide the quaint beach-town vibe that define this part of Australia. One of the most popular towns to stay in is Noosa. It has a beautiful beach, a promenade full of restaurants and bars, and Noosa National Park.
Looking for where to stay for in the Sunshine Coast? You can check out various hotels here.
The Best Things to Do in the Sunshine Coast
The Australia Zoo
The Australia Zoo is a zoo that was started by Steve Irwin, the famous “Crocodile Hunter” and TV personality that explored the behavior of so many unknown, feared, and varied animals around the world in his TV shows. He focused on environmentalism and conservation to protect animals from tourism, poaching, and human interference and educate people on the importance of saving wildlife. His zoo was part of his efforts.
Started by his parents as a reptile park, Steve Irwin expanded the park to help protect the greatly feared saltwater crocodiles. Eventually the zoo grew to include an Animal Hospital to help protect the varied and unique wildlife within Australia. Today, the zoo displays a huge number of different animals from a variety of climates and ecosystems, both within and outside of Australia. It is an amazing place to visit if you want to see the weirdly unique wildlife that is so famous on this continent. This zoo is one of the unique things to do within the Sunshine Coast, especially when comparing the Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast.
We recommend arriving at the zoo at the opening. You will be able to see the schedule of the different shows and talks that happen in the zoo throughout the day, all of which are free to attend. The Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Warriors Show is the most popular show and includes demonstrations of the abilities of a variety of animals, including different birds and crocodiles. You will not want to miss this one! Other shows occur throughout the day and should be attended based on your own interests.
For a luxury experience, you could look into staying at the zoo’s accommodation of the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a luxury property with one and two-bedroom lodges surrounded by Australian nature such as kangaroos, emus, and koalas.
Noosa National Park + Noosa
Noosa National Park is a coastal region of the Sunshine Coast that is full of coastal fauna and a beachline that is popular for surfing. To reach some of the more beautiful and isolated locations around the national park, you will need to hike along the coast, following the Hell’s Gate walk or continuing onto the Coastal Track where you will get amazing views of the water, beach, and infrastructure built along the beaches further down the coast. For both walks, bring a bathing suit and towel so you can take advantage of the quaint beaches along the way.
This national park is located within the popular town of Noosa along the Sunshine Coast. This town combines laid-back luxury with stunning natural beauty in its surfer beaches, quaint boutique accommodations and delicious dining scene along the Australian coast.
The Blueprint Travelers Beach Staples
Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast: The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is the beach area just south of Brisbane and is more popular with international tourists than the Sunshine Coast when looking at the Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast. It tends to be more affordable than the Sunshine Coast because it has a greater concentration and availability of large international hotels. Its skyscraper skyline along the beach is a beautiful juxtaposition that highlights the ease of visiting this area with all the amenities a city can provide with a long stretch of beach that is perfect for surfing and relaxing. (The bonus is that this area is accessible via public transportation and there is no need to rent a car to take advantage of this world-class beach destination.)
Gold Coast Logistics
How to Get to the Gold Coast from Brisbane
To get to the Gold Coast, you can take a train and a tram directly to some of the more significant and popular beach destinations in the Gold Coast, such as Surfer’s Paradise and Broadbeach, or a train and a bus further south along the coast to Burleigh Heads or Currumbin Beach. Otherwise, you could drive from Brisbane, but the public transportation access makes this part of town so appealing to travelers.
Where to Stay In the Gold Coast
There are a multitude of international hotel chains and boutique hotels within the Gold Coast. These hotels provide easy access to the beach and comfortable stays that can vary based on your budget or hotel allegiance. Try and find a hotel within the skyscrapers of this coast so you can have wonderful views of the skyline and the magnificent beach.
Looking for where to stay for in the Gold Coast? You can check out various hotels here.
The Best Things to Do in the Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular destinations along the Gold Coast. This part of the beach stretches for miles, lined by an extending skyline that makes this area so unique. You can spend time relaxing on the beach, take surf lessons, swim in the designated swimming areas, and just soak up the Australian sunshine.
Skypoint
If you want to see the skyline from a different vantage point, head to Skypoint, an observatory on the top floor of a building. It is incredibly popular for sunset (even though the sun does not set over the ocean here) but we think that it is best to visit first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. It is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance, especially since they cap the number of people who are in the observatory, no matter if you have tickets purchased ahead of time. Some other experiences that you can have at the Skypoint observation deck include climbing to the very top of the building for those looking for a thrill or reserve a buffet breakfast overlooking the beach, but make sure to get tickets in advance for either of these. This view of the coastline is unique to the Gold Coast, when comparing the Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast.
Burleigh Heads
Another destination within the Gold Coast that has both beautiful beaches and some nice walks is Burleigh Heads. Here, there is a national park you can walk around and beaches that are famous for their consistent surf potential. Finally, you can meander through the town center where there are plenty of little boutiques to check out.
The Head-to-Head Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast
The Gold Coast
The Sunshine Coast
Getting to the Region
Can take public transportation from Brisbane
Can take public transportation from Brisbane
Activities to Do
Shopping, surfing, lounging on the beach
Hiking, going to the zoo, lounging on the beach
Hotel Options
Urban international hotels
Boutique, relaxing hotel resorts
Vibe
Beach within an urban environment
Serene and higher-end coastal vibe