Australia

Myself and the Urban List team have rounded up the best retro motels Gold Coast is home to.

If you thought you had to leave our state to find an impressive natural sight, think again—the best national parks in Queensland are worth using your annual leave for.

If you’re craving a winter escape but all the good winter cabins have booked out, then we’ve got the next best thing: fire pits by the lakeside at Robina Pavilion.

Round up the crew, get the playlist sorted, and pick a designated driver because these are best things to do in Tamborine Mountain. 

We’ve done the hard work for you and sipped our way around to find the best hot chocolates on the Gold Coast.

We’re here to get you out and about among the Gold Coast’s other natural wonder, with the best Mount Tamborine accomodation.

Forget muddy tents and damp sleeping bags, we’ve compiled the perfect list of glamping spots in Queensland for your next nature getaway without the fuss.

Dust off your suitcase and live it up in style by snapping up accommodation at one of the best luxury Queensland resorts. 

The world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand finally makes its River City debut on Elizabeth Street. 

If seas of puffer jackets have already got you Googling flights north, consider this your sign to swap scarves for swimsuits in the Sunshine State.

When you have a backyard as stunning as we do, it would be a crime not to take advantage of its wonder and natural beauty by camping under the stars on the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast is the ultimate weekender destination, so whether you're travelling from near or far, here are the perfect hotels for you kick back at.

If there's one thing Gold Coast has no shortage of, it's endless stretches of white sandy shores. Let us guide you to the best beaches on the Gold Coast.

From convertibles and family wagons to vans and little zip-arounds, we’ve rounded up the best car hire Gold Coast has buffed and polished for you to scoot around in. 

Here's your insider intel on the best go karting Gold Coast has to offer. Grab the fam and get your zoom on for a thrilling day on the track. 

Byron Bay’s lesser known litte sister, Brunswick Heads is the sleepy coastal town we are utterly obsessed with. It's laidback, it's stunning and it's becoming a burgeoning culinary hub.

A tiny house is exactly what you need to escape from big city life. Everything is in one (small) space, so you can kick back, relax, and enjoy some me-time. 

Whether you're planning a Byron trip for festival season or you're keen for a cute coastal escape, here we've rounded up the region's best Airbnbs. 

There’s no doubt about it—the Gold Coast in 2025 is a full-blown culinary paradise. But when it comes to choosing the perfect spot for a special night out, it can still feel a little overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

From raging rooftops to craft beer bars and intimate tequila joints, here's our ultimate round up to the very best bars on the Gold Coast. 

Pull up your calendar and block out a weekend (or seven) and tune into some unmissable festivals coming to our corner of the world. 

Get those tabs open—it’s time to do some serious bookmarking. These are our top picks for the best Scenic Rim accommodation.

From luxury stays to budget escapes and everything in between, here is our guide to the best accommodation in Byron Bay. 

Spicers Peak Lodge, two hours out of Brisbane up in the hills on the edge of the Scenic Rim, is the kind of luxe hotel that you book into for that very special occasion.

Start booking dinner reservations, here are the best Townsville restaurants and bars to hit up on your trip.

Imagine laying back in a plus queen-sized bed and being able to look up and see an uninterrupted view of the Milky Way above you—which is exactly what you can do in these bubble tents.

Is a city break in Melbourne calling your name? Whether it’s the arts and culture scene, the world-class dining or a sporting event that’s caught your interest, there’s plenty of reasons to head to the city—and we know just how to make the most of your time.

It’s time for a round or three of cafe-hopping in Currumbin and Tugun.  

Babe, wake up—a new luxury eco-resort is set to drop in 2027. After a ten-year hiatus, Hook Island is making its return thanks to Epochal Hotels’ CEO Glenn Piper. 

Breezy, sun-lit, and dotted with clusters of red chairs, Sunnyboy feels like a breath of fresh air in Mermaid Beach. 

We’re spilling the beans on five Queensland beach towns that haven’t lost their quaint, quiet charm. Book yourself a beachfront cabin and hit the road. 

If you thought the spectacular scenery of K’gari (Fraser Island) couldn’t get any better, you’re in for a pleasant surprise, because paradise has just leveled up. 

Bookworms, these are the top eight bookstores on the Gold Coast in 2024.

The Gold Coast's signature arts and culture festival, BLEACH* Festival is back for 2024, boasting the largest program in BLEACH* history to celebrate its massive 13th anniversary. 

From modern beachside villas to luxe hinterland glamping to sweet Airbnb cottages, here's the ultimate list of the Gold Coast’s best accommodation in 2022.

From quiet, suburban family retreats to exciting beachside entertainment precincts, this diverse range of Gold Coast group Airbnbs  is sure to feature something that’s just right for you and your crew.

Hiking, wine-tasting, and panoramic views await you just a few hours in any direction from our city.

Get ready for some proper relaxation with our roundup of 10 weekend getaways near Brisbane you need to book right now. 

Check out these five scenic drives within an hour of Brisbane that will fulfill those desires for a road trip, without having to pack a bag.

A sprawling retreat nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Scenic Rim, Beechmont Estate is the stuff of fairytales. 

Check into any one of these cute-as-a-button Gold Coast cabins and cottages, perfect for your winter escape.

Our favourite sunflower farm will soon be re-opening its gates to celebrate its third season of blooming goodness and we could not be more excited to visit Kalbar Sunflower Festival.

The legends at Virgin have kicked off a truly amazing sale, slinging airfares to Queensland destinations starting from as low as $69. 

Coming to southern Queensland soon is the Cunnamulla Hot Springs, a stunning new hot springs destination where ultimate relaxation is guaranteed. 

There are plenty of amazing eco-friendly accommodation options around South East Queensland, so there’s no need to slum it while you’re saving the planet. 

Check out our top picks for the ultimate homes among the gumtrees, and make those childhood dreams a reality in these Queensland treehouses. 

The ultimate Gold Coast foodie’s paradise is here and this is one night you do not want to miss!

Treat yourself to a natural spa day with our top picks for the most incredible hot springs in Queensland.

Boasting some of the best beaches and waves in the world, it’s no wonder that surfing is heavily ingrained into Australian culture. So whether you’re an experienced surfer, you’re just starting out or you’re simply after some picturesque locations to work on your base tan, here are Australia’s best surf beaches.

Prepare to sip your way through a DIY wine tour at our top Mount Tamborine winery  picks. 

This month, the mega lifestyle and entertainment precinct, Cali Beach Club is transforming into one of the biggest winter activations ever seen in Australia. 

The last year has robbed us of many things, including dreamy European vacations and it’s time to put a stop to this vacation-less madness—just because we live on the Gold Coast doesn’t mean we can’t fake it ‘til we make it and create our own dream vacation right here in our own backyard.

Plans are afoot to build a five-star resort on K'gari (Fraser Island) one developed in close conjunction with the Butchella people. 

Here's all the latest Queensland travel news you need to know. Warning: major wanderlust incoming.

It’s probably the most exclusive picnic in town, nay, the world. Le Dîner en Blanc, Paris’ cult ‘White Dinner’, is back this April on the Gold Coast so cue the mass squeals.

We've hunted down some of the best margaritas on the Gold Coast, perfectly sweet and salty to kick-start your weekend.

Contemporary cultural precinct HOTA, Home of the Arts, will soon present a world premiere exhibition, Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York, which will showcase more than 50 never-before-seen artworks by legendary Pop Art artists throughout the ages. 

Itching for a digital disconnect? Throw everything you own in the boot and hit the road—we’ve done the hard yards for you and tracked down all the free camping spots in Queensland.

Start packing the nylon and get ready to cast a line, we’ve stumbled across the best beach camping spots in Queensland, complete with uninterrupted views of good old fashioned Mother Nature. 

From the rustic charm of the outback to the dream-like landscape of the Whitsundays, Queensland has more than most on offer when it comes to unique places to visit.

Make your next staycay or vacay an easy-breezy one at these stunning Gold Coast Airbnb beach houses in 2022.

Airbnb never ceases to amaze us with its slew of niche getaways and hyper luxury cabins, but this one’s gotta take the cake. The Belafonte II is a boat-turned-cosy-sanctuary and it’s the coolest-looking getaway we’ve seen in a while.

You may have heard of Sal Salis, the exclusive seaside safari camp tucked away up north, wedged in between the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Marine Park—a World Heritage Listed site (not unlike the Amalfi Coast).

If you're keen to live your best island life, you’re going to want somewhere equally as stunning to rest your head. Unwind, rejuvenate and soak up island luxury at Hamilton Island's best Airbnbs.

We bet spending the night inside a giant wine barrel isn’t on your bucket list, but thanks to the Granite Belt’s quirkiest accommodation option, it can be.

Just up on the Sunshine Coast is Oasis, a luxury eco villa floating on the Noosa River and only accessible by rowboat. 

Adorning the first floor of the jaw-dropping 76-storey Ocean by Meriton in Surfers Paradise, COAST Beach Bar & Kitchen houses multiple dining areas including a 110-seat restaurant, 160-seat bar, an expansive rooftop terrace, private booths and a lounge area.

We’ve found a yurt hidden away next to the Gold Coast’s Springbrook National Park.

A cosy, hidden rainforest retreat that’s nestled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and is just two hours from the Gold Coast, has been named the most romantic hotel in the world by Tripadvisor.

If your idea of a heavenly vacay is laying on the beach, slurping oysters, knocking back a schooey, and heading for a stroll along the coast, then book in that annual leave, hit the highway and spend a few days in Yamba.

Let us introduce you to the Talaroo Hot Springs, a 65-million-year-old site which is now open to visitors in Far North Queensland thanks to the hospitality and work of its Ewamian Traditional Owners.

Stay the night in style at a picturesque, waterfront vineyard.

While you could opt for the likes of a day spa, why not kick the relaxation vibes into high gear with a weekend getaway where the bath is actually the main attraction? From clawfoot iron baths to wine barrel plunge pools to open-air spa baths, there's plenty of soak-worthy outdoor baths on and around the Gold Coast. 

To give you a little nudge in the right direction, we’re sharing our list of the very best Airbnbs in Queensland. 

Tucked away in the Gold Coast hinterland just outside Springbrook National Park, Palmer & Gunn is a one-of-a-kind, sustainable tiny house where you can spend a blissful, slow weekend.

In the not too distant past, the idea of a bottled cocktail would nary raise an eyebrow, though since the event of lockdowns and a few quick thinkers moving at pace, the previously overlooked booze category was given new life. 

A holiday in its truest sense should feature at least a few things. Beaches are a must-have; a little sunshine also doesn’t go astray, an ice-cold bev here and there is basically a necessity, and if you’re being honest with yourself, some sort of water-based activity would tie the package up nicely, right? It’s that bucket list energy you see in postcards, and all of the above—and then some much more—comes standard at the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s sublime Lady Musgrave Island. 

The Queensland government has announced that NSW will remain a declared hotspot for four weeks, with a possible earlier review depending on how the outbreak is developing. 

Interstate travel might be off the cards right now, but we’re big on silver linings, and we reckon the biggest one right now is the chance to explore our stunning backyard. Read: long weekends in Brisbane. That’s right, just a short road trip down the highway and you’ll be immersed in a bustling cultural hub with a thriving foodie scene, adventures aplenty and epic dayscapes.

Not much beats reclining under a twinkling night sky, peacefully soaking up all the glittery splendour of the Milky Way. What about a gourmet dining experience discovering the cosmos under the breathtaking southern sky? Yeah, that might just do it. This is what awaits you at A Long Table Beneath The Southern Sky.

Artesian Hospitality's mega lifestyle and entertainment rooftop precinct is opening on the Gold Coast this September.

Local Miami businesses are banding together this week to support an epic charity trivia night by the Pyjama Foundation, raising money for Australian kids in foster care.

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of freedom calling as you book your next trip away. And you’re heading to the NSW North Coast. Stock up on snacks and load up your Google Maps with lots of stars, because even though Byron is our girl, there’s so much more to do and see in this beautiful part of the world. 

Rosella’s nostalgic menu has gained a cult-like following (after all, who wouldn’t want a Vegemite jaffle with their bevvie?) and now they’re switching things up this winter. 

Meet: Kiff & Culture. This epic new travel company is blending the best of local food and drink experiences with culture and outdoor fun to deliver awesome experiences that are sure to spice up your weekends. 

Acclaimed chef-owner Jessi Singh just opened his “unauthentic Indian” restaurant Daughter in Law on Fletcher Street in Byron this June and it’s about to take you on a very flavourful ride.

Just an hour's drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, hidden in the rainforests of the Tamborine Mountains, are Cedar Creek Lodges’ new lotus tents.

The Milkman’s Cookies is a sweet-as-can-be small business that first started out as two Gold Coast locals with a desire to join the market community and quickly turned into a mission to create the best cookies in town. And after tasting a few of these bad boys, we reckon they might have just completed this mission. 

Palette is the sophisticated restaurant gracing the ground floor of the new HOTA Gallery and offers a unique blend of art and food. 

Springtime Music Festival will take over the beaches and streets of Surfers Paradise from 3-5 September with an impressive lineup of live music that'll guarantee some serious head bopping.