The famous beaches of the Gold Coast attract visitors from all parts of the world. From amazing cafes to nightclubs and theme parks, Gold Coast has endless adventures to offer. But if you live on Gold Coast or have visited it several times, then you should explore the experiences that are located near Gold Coast. 

Here in this blog, we have enlisted nine must-see places you can explore on a day trip from Gold Coast – let’s dive in!

DREAMWORLD

Distance from Gold Coast: About 26 km

Travel time: 35 minutes 

Dreamworld is one of the most famous theme parks in Australia that packs endless fun activities for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a day trip spot to have fun with your friends or family members, Dreamworld will have you covered with activities aimed at all age groups. 

It’s better to arrive at Dreamworld fifteen minutes before its opening to get discounts on your tickets and save your time. A coach hire service will enable you to reach Dreamworld on time. 

You can plan your time in Dreamworld once you’re inside the theme park. For example, you can plan to see the Tiger Show and spend the rest of your time exploring Dreamworld. Or you can enjoy different thrilling rides that can make your stay at Dreamworld memorable for years to come.

MOUNT WARNING

Distance from Gold Coast: About 73.8 km

Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes 

If you are a morning person and love to experience the sunrise, then you must choose Mount Warning as your day trip destination. The sunrise at Mount Warning is truly spectacular and makes you wonder about the beauty of nature. 

It would take you around 3 hours to reach the top and see the sunrise. However, if you’re fit and love hiking, you can reach the top within one hour. 

Planning your day trip to Mount Warning is a challenging task. Remember that you’ll have to leave your home early with proper clothes, head torches, and food. It’s better to avoid driving your car to Mount Warning at night. You should rely on a coach charter service to arrive safely at Mount Warning. 

The best time to visit Mount Warning lies between May to September, when the weather is cooler and the skies are clearer.

TWEED HEADS

Distance from Gold Coast: About 31 km

Travel Time: 32 minutes 

Tweed Heads is famous for its coastal town, mesmerizing beaches, and fresh seafood. Choosing Tweed Heads is the best option for you if you want to enjoy a great beach trip outside Gold Coast. You can take a cruise to explore Tweed Heads and all its magnificence in true holiday fashion!

Tweed Heads is famous for its water activities. In Tweed Heads, you can enjoy:

• Swimming 
• Boating
• Kayaking
• Fishing
• Surfing

The good thing about Tweed Heads is that you don’t need a boating license to enjoy boating in this area. 

Aquatic adventures are not the only specialty of Tweed Heads. If you don’t want to spot dolphins or go kayaking, then you can spend your time at any of the amazing restaurants. The fresh seafood of Tweed Heads is famous all over Australia. You can satisfy your palette in Tweed Heads by visiting any of its famous restaurants.

NATURAL BRIDGE, SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARK

Distance from Gold Coast: About 47.4 km

Travel Time: 51 minutes 

If you have had enough of the city’s hustle and bustle and want to explore nature, then Natural Bridge is the best day trip destination for you. This amazing wild rainforest is home to a waterfall and amazing biodiversity that make it an ideal choice for lovers of nature. 

The photogenic waterfall of Natural Bridge is easier to reach. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the waterfall and witness its magnificence. 

Reaching the Natural Bridge is easier through your car. However, if you want to save up energy to explore the rainforest, you can rely on a minibus hire to make your journey fun and exciting.

CURRUMBIN ROCK POOLS

Distance from Gold Coast: About 26 km

Travel Time: 50 minutes 

If you’re itching for a cool dip and want to get back home by the end of the day, you must visit the Currumbin Rock Pools. It’s a freshwater swimming spot that allows you to freshen yourself and get ready to face the challenges of life. 

You’ll have to drive through the Currumbin Valley to reach the Currumbin Rock Pools. The scenic beauty of the mountains in Currumbin Valley allows you to spend one of the most memorable moments of your life. 

Swimming in the Currumbin Rock Pools is a full-on experience. There are so many huge rocks where you can jump into the cold water, and it’s safe to do so thanks to the deep water.

RIM TRAIL

Distance from Gold Coast: About 130 km

Travel Time: 1 hour 35 minutes 

Rim Trail can be the perfect destination for your day trip if you love hiking and exploring the beauty of the world. The rugged landscape of Rim Trail ensures that you get into your “adventure mode” to enjoy the amazing experiences Rim Trail has to offer. 

Gondwana Rainforest and mountains near Rim Trail enhance your hiking experience. Covering around 50 km in length, Rim Trail attracts hikers from across Australia. But if you choose Rim Trail as your day trip destination, you don’t have to take the long route. You can cover the short hiking trail to enjoy your time hiking and get back home before the end of the day. 

After hiking, you’d want to fill your tummy, and you can turn to any of the local breweries or restaurants to have amazing food. Food shops near Rim Trail use local ingredients which boost the taste of food items. If you plan your day trip to Rim Trail between June and July, you can also participate in the “Eat Local Week” for food and other joyous activities.

BYRON BAY

Distance from Gold Coast: About 90 km

Travel Time: 1 hour 18 minutes 

The chilled atmosphere and scenic beaches of Byron Bay make it one of the best day trip destinations for Gold Coast residents. Here are some of the fun activities you can enjoy in Byron Bay on your day trip: 

• Visiting the Byron Bay Lighthouse
• Exploring the surf beaches
• Shopping at local markets
• Surfing with your buddies 
• Eating great foods

There is no shortage of fun activities you can enjoy at Byron Bay. For example, if you are not a foodie and don’t want to go shopping either, you can explore the beauty of Byron Bay by exploring the Cumbebin Wetland Sanctuary. Or you can visit the Tea Tree Lakes, which are famous for their calmness. 

The best thing about Byron Bay is that you can visit it at any time of the year. If you enjoy surfing or want your kids to experience surfing for the first time, then Byron Bay is the best day trip destination for you.

BRISBANE CITY

Distance from Gold Coast: About 79 km

Travel Time: 1 hour 21 minutes 

Brisbane is one of the most vibrant cities in Australia. If you don’t like to spend time in nature and want to explore the hustle and bustle of urban life, then visiting Brisbane is the best option for you. There are countless fun activities that you can enjoy in Brisbane, whether you’re visiting the city with your friends or family. 

After arriving in Brisbane, you can start your day by having breakfast at one of the local restaurants. You can then head to the parklands and gardens to interact with locals. If you feel hot after exploring the parks, you can take a dive in Street Beach to beat the heat. 

The City Botanic Gardens of Brisbane make it easier for you to explore flora and fauna. You can sit in the gardens to forget about your problems and rejuvenate. Or you can roll your rug in the Roma Street Parklands to enjoy a great picnic experience. 

But what if you don’t want to spend your time in parklands or gardens? If you’re into arts and want to explore the artistic heritage of Brisbane, then you should head towards the Queensland Cultural Centre. 

Shopping in Brisbane can be one of the best shopping experiences of your life. Make sure you explore the huge shopping centers but don’t forget about the local shops run by natives to find exciting items.

Photo By: Daniel R Thompson

BANGALOW MARKET

Distance from Gold Coast: About 94.5 km

Travel Time: 1 hour 19 minutes 

The Bangalow Market takes place on the 4th Sunday of every month in the historic village of Bangalow. In this market, you can explore diverse stalls and tasty food. The picturesque grounds of Bangalow enhance the vibe of the market and provide a great shopping experience. 

Even if you don’t love shopping, you can spend your time in little cafés that are present throughout Bangalow village. Make sure you explore the area so you can find exciting activities!

If you are looking for great value bus hire in Gold Coast with a driver

then coachhire.com.au is definitely one of the buses for hire companies that you have to talk to. We offer tailor-made solutions for all your transport needs, in order to book your bus rental Gold Coast transportation. Read more at Bus Hire Gold Coast

If you are not traveling as a group
It makes more sense to rent a car to drive yourself in Gold Coast
Check out the Low-Cost Self Drive Quote here.