Things To Do

If there was ever a time to shop local on the Gold Coast, it's now.

Here are the best events you don't want to miss happening on the Gold Coast this weekend. 

 Next-gen artists lighting up the city, tropical islands, ancient rainforests and sun-soaked afternoons await.

Say goodbye to cries of “I’m booored” with our list of best Gold Coast activities for kids, from freebies to those special days out.

The beloved Crafted Beer Festival is returning to the Gold Coast on Saturday 13 September and we can't wait.

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.

Whether you’re looking for some laidback bowling fun time with the family or you’re ready to jump into the big leagues with the pros, we guarantee you’ll find the spot for your best bowling Gold Coast experience. 

In a region where the sunscreen industry is eternally booming, why not shake things up with a day on the ice?

We’ve rounded up 50 awesome things to do on the Gold Coast that are fun, sometimes tasty and maybe even free.

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.

A quick trip to Redland’s Coast is never a bad idea.

Mini golf, putt putt, whatever you want to call it—it's wholesome, affordable fun, and here's where to find the best of it on the Gold Coast in 2025.

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. 

We’re all for stretching a night out—especially when the cocktails are dialled up, the bites are bold, and buzzing entertainment induces napkin-swirling and tabletop boogies.

Find clues, decipher puzzles, decrypt codes and solve mysteries at the best Gold Coast escape rooms for you to unlock in 2025. 

Welcome to the most fabulous corner of the internet—Urban List's destination for the picks of the beauty crop. This month, our fave haircare has a glow up, there's new scents galore, indie brands are having a *moment* and a new immersive beauty space. 

Between some seriously breathtaking natural gems, uber-exciting eats, and a range of stays to satisfy all kinds, Townsville has quickly become one of the country's best places to explore this year. 

Seeing a family of whales frolic and splash in the ocean is an indescribable experience, so it's high time you make your way to one of these gorgeous whale-watching spots or hit up one of the many whale watching cruises that traverse the Humpback Highway.

Ballet Preljocaj is bringing a reimagined Swan Lake to Brisbane, transforming Tchaikovsky's musical masterpiece into a modern tragedy. 

Brisbane’s hottest food fest is back for its fifth year, serving up 100+ exclusive offers and one-off events from the city’s top bars and restaurants.

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. 

Sandy McIntyre is the actor, writer, producer and model making waves across Australia’s creative scene. We picked their brains on the best of what to do in Sydney this winter season. 

If there’s one person who knows how to make the most of a weekend in Sydney, it’s the powerhouse NRLW player, sharp-witted commentator, and podcast co-host Millie Elliott. 

From rainforests to art deco terrace homes, treat yourself to a retreat among picturesque surroundings this Easter. 

With this year marking the event’s 20th anniversary and its biggest program to date, Sydney Comedy Festival is set to roll into town for a month of cracking jokes. 

Queensland's leading food and drink festival, The Curated Plate is back for 2025—with a stacked lineup of over 60 events. 

This Mother’s Day, treat your mum like the queen she is and spoil her with an indulgent lunch at one of the Gold Coast’s best restaurants hosting special Mother’s Day events.

Get ready to earn fave child status with these 30 awesome things to do on the Gold Coast this Mother’s Day.

Taking place on Friday 30 May within the enchanting Grounds of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Fireside will take your tastebuds on a decadent journey with dishes and tipples from Brisbane’s most celebrated venues.

Here's your ultimate Eat, Play, Stay guide to the Barossa Valley with Andy Allen.

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

The Scenic Rim's Eat Local Month is back, hosting over 120 culinary events from late May to June. 

So you’re ready to take the leap and buy your first home? Here’s how to find the right place to fit your lifestyle, your future, and your community.

ANZAC Day is all about commemorating our diggers, past and present, but, it is also the crown jewel in a string of public holidays that simply can’t be wasted vegging out on the couch after the annual dawn service. 

Certain things in life just work together in perfect harmony, like a live symphony orchestra playing the soundtrack to your favourite film.

When the summer heat becomes a bit too much or the rain decides to make a surprise appearance, navigating the world of indoor play becomes essential for keeping the kids entertained

From epic eateries slinging farm-to-fork produce, to nature-filled adventures and glittering beaches, here’s where you need to visit around the Moreton Bay region this weekend. 

The Scenic Rim’s beloved sunflower farm is reopening their gates to welcome visitors back in May for a glimpse of their million sunflowers.

World Science Festival Brisbane is back again with an insane lineup of events, workshops, and activations. 

It's the perfect excuse to jump in the car, directly support the primary producers that feed us, and take in some fresh countryside air.

Home to urban art galleries, craft beers bars, and an eclectic mix of Kiwis, Dunedin's far more than New Zealand's 'student city'. 

As the action revs up on the track, we'll show you how to ace the off-track scene

To ensure you and your pooch have a ball sampling the Coast's finest fare, we've put together a list of the best dog-friendly cafes on the Gold Coast.

Whether you’re a full-blown bibliophile or someone who simply enjoys a good page-turner, chances are you’ve come across The Dictionary of Lost Words.

FISHER's Out 2 Lunch Festival with Vodafone is back, and we have the insider scoop on how to grab up presale tickets. 

This northside institution has always been a go-to, but after a stunning revamp, it’s next-level.

Summer might be coming to a close, but there’s no need to go thirsty.

Here's our favourite unique date ideas on the Gold Coast that will make your date think you're oh-so creative and clever.

In a first for the Southern Hemisphere, a world-class celestial light installation is launching at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in March 2025.

Want to take your hot date to one of the best restaurants on the Gold Coast for Valentine's Day? Here's a helpful list of some of the most romantic restaurants on the Gold Coast.

Love languages were conceived over 30 years ago to help couples better show up for each other, but the internet’s fascination with relationship optimisation has thrust these five acts back into the cultural zeitgeist.

Whether you're a total newbie looking to dip a toe in, or have already well and truly caught the pickleball fever, here is Urban List’s ultimate guide to getting your pickleball game on.

Mullumbimby is big on charm, slow living and character in equal measure. Here's your 2025 Mullum guide.

Make tracks to Victoria Park to try their brand newly refreshed Toptracer Driving Range, where you can swing a golf club and then sip a cocktail or three. 

Expect a true feast for the senses.

Here’s your front-row look at what’s ahead for the best gigs to attend on the Gold Coast.

When it comes to ringing in 2025, you don’t want to be stuck just anywhere.

Bust out the Mariah and pause your cheesy Christmas movie binge-fest courtesy of Netflix, because it's time to head out for some Christmas lights.

Many sips and nibbles later, we’ve identified the top ten wineries on the Gold Coast and surrounds.

Get your gifts, eat a mince pie and listen to some carols at these Gold Coast Christmas markets. 

With so many days of sunshine and just a tiny window of winter, the Gold Coast is an outdoor sanctuary. 

 And the best Gold Coast waterfalls you can swim under are only a car ride singalong away.

Want to see the likes of Billie Eilish performing in our backyard?

Find out how to score a trip to Italy, valued at $8K.

Bridgerton fans, you're going to want to hear about this. 

Discover the top summer festivals in Queensland, from music and food festivals to cultural celebrations. Find out where to go, what to do, and how to experience the best of Queensland’s summer festivals.

It’s that magical time of year again, and if you’re looking to capture the perfect festive moment, we’ve got you covered with the best Santa photo locations on the Gold Coast/Yugambeh language region.

Plus, win an adventurous Aussie holiday worth up to $3.5K.

A New Balance concept store has finally landed in Queensland, and we spoke to running expert Dan Walton to get the lowdown. 

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

This month, more than 250 works from the visionary Czech artist will take over the Art Gallery of New South Wales for Alphonse Mucha: Spirit Of Nouveau, the biggest solo exhibition of the legendary artist's work in the Southern Hemisphere.

Thought 2024 couldn’t get any more culture-infused? This month, Logan Art Gallery and Art Gallery of New South Wales have come together to fill our schedules with a Queensland-exclusive exhibition of Brett Whiteley: Inside the Studio—and entry is totally free. 

We’ve broken down the best bush walks on the Gold Coast, from a quick stroll to a full day in the wilderness, that’ll even make Tarzan jealous. 

While we could probably list 100 worthy spots, we’ve honed this down to six of the very best picnic spots on the Gold Coast to get you dining outdoors.

Aahh, camping trips. It’s a dog’s life. Except for when you drop your pooch off at the kennel, and they give you those eyes right before you leave

Experience Brisbane’s ultimate bottomless feasts this winter with stunning alfresco dining options. 

The SWELL Sculpture Festival will make history this year when it hosts a record number of over 350 artists, from Friday 6 September to Sunday 15 September.

As wedding season approaches, the search for the perfect venue heats up. On the Gold Coast, two venues are making waves: The Bower Estate and the newly launched Kwila Lodge.

From authentic Italian wood-fired delights to quirky new-age toppings, there’s a slice for every taste bud. 

When the New York Times names a city in their 2024 places to go, you pay attention—there’s something bold going down.

The Gold Coast is packed with awesome indoor activities that sparkle just as brightly as the coastline itself.

Forget mineral plunge pools in Budapest and steamy saunas in Switzerland, Brisbane’s latest luxury bathhouse is where you’ll find the ultimate sanctuary for R&R this winter.

Get ready for a stacked night of good tunes, drinks and terrible sweaters.

If you decided that 2024 is the year you prioritise study or have been thinking about making a career change–it isn’t too late to turn those aspirations into a reality.

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.

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.

It's been a big week for train catchers and bus riders everywhere. Here's everything going on with Queensland’s public transport right now. 

With one of the biggest days on Sydney’s event calendar just around the corner, join Urban List's City2Surf Run Club as we train to look and feel our best—from the start line all the way through to the inevitable kick ons.

Australia’s largest and longest running Oktoberfest event is returning to the Gold Coast and Brisbane in 2024 and we could not be more ready.

Nuzzled amongst the sunniest Australian coast, just over an hour's roady from Brisbane, it is not hard to see why Maroochydore is Queensland’s current lifestyle hotspot.

From culinary adventures to incredible live music gigs under the stars, these are the best Sunshine Coast events and festivals to check out. 

There's no better way to spend a sun-soaked arvo in Brissy than with your favorite drop and a smorgasbord of treats—so don’t sleep on this year’s return of Providore Park to Roma Street Parkland.

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

From walks and hikes to tasty eats and the Sunshine Coast’s most scenic mountain view, here are all the best things to do in Maleny and Montville. 

IMAGINATOR is a multi-sensory installation that combines light, sound, sculpture and gaming to feed your imagination and make you question your reality. 

This year's Sony Alpha Awards just landed, so we’ve sussed out some truly incredible places across Australia and New Zealand—to inspire you to pick up your camera and snag the winning shot. 

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.

From lush rainforest landscapes to windswept coastlines, hinterlands and beyond, there’s no doubt that a road trip is one of the greatest ways to explore the Sunshine Coast.

With some of Brisbane City's best restaurants, bars, and eateries joining forces for the entire month of June, we’ve rounded up the events that are topping our 2024 Dine BNE City hit list.

A melting pot of cultures, epic entertainment, endless adventures, and breathtaking nature, there’s so much to discover in Logan.

The temp might be dropping but your social calendar needn’t take a hit, with HOTA serving up some truly epic events well worth braving the cold for. 

From melt-in-your-mouth pastries to international eats that will take your tastebuds around the world, here’s our non-negotiable hit list next time you plan a day trip to Logan. 

Whether it’s a long lunch with family or an intimate evening degustation, Scenic Rim Eat Local Month has over 40 experiences with next-level dishes to tuck into. 

This year, Dine BNE City is kicking off their month-long food festival with Fireside, a culinary exploration under the stars at St Stephen’s Cathedral. 

Our perennially green city and lush native rainforests don’t see a whole lot of change come the cooler months, but for Gold Coasters wishing to stroll amongst the autumn leaves, there are a bunch of destinations just a short road trip away. 

Whether you’re looking for an eventful vacation or a leisurely cruise along the shore, there’s a road trip across this spectacular country to suit your style.

Indoor rock climbing is exploding in popularity on the Gold Coast and honestly, we think the hype is justified. 

Summer may have come to an end but there’s still plenty of fun, thrills and adventures to be had here in Australia’s unofficial theme park capital. 

There’s no better way to experience the city than from above.

Ah Caloundra, you beautiful southern end of the Sunshine Coast, you.

Whether you’re the kind of couple to enjoy the finer things in life or looking to make it a double date, we’ve curated a few date ideas guaranteed to impress—with some help from The Star.

Fire up the group chat, here’s your action-packed hit list of everything you need to do at The Star.

Driving with the petrol light blinking in your face could be last year’s problem.

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.

We teamed up with our mates at Webjet and Zip to uncover some of 2024’s coolest travel destinations that will make all your mates jealous.

 Here’s four fun things that’ll convince you to Come Alay Around at Topgolf this Easter. 

We asked our crew to share their top sun safe things to do this summer, from outdoor films to art galleries.

Fred again.. is coming to the Gold Coast this week—here's what we know.