Due to its location halfway up Australia's east coast, travellers get to enjoy the Gold Coast's consistently good weather at any time of year. Summers (Dec-Mar) here are hot and tropical, reaching the low 30s along the coast, and a bit cooler inland in the Hinterland. Winters (Jun-Sep) are still really pleasant, with balmy low 20s seen across the region.

Did you know the Gold Coast is actually a city? Spread over 40 miles from north to south, it encompasses famous suburbs including Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Southport, Burleigh - and more, each offering its own distinctive vibe.

If you're looking for a lively holiday, then the GC comes into its own during the summer holidays in December and January. Think bustling promenades, buzzing panoramic rooftop bars and plenty of nightlife. This may be a busy time of year but it makes for a worthy time to visit, and I recommend copying the locals and enjoying a beachfront Christmas 'shrimp on the barbie'.

However, if you aren't one for crowds or if you fancy yourself a bit of a nature buff, then arriving in the spring months of September to November would be an ideal time, as the weather is in the mid-twenties and the Hinterland trails have flowering and fruit-bearing trees, plus the birdlife is most active then too.

Did you know there are more waterways in the Gold Coast than in Venice and Amsterdam combined? Now I'm not suggesting you'll find a Bridge of Sighs in Surfers Paradise but water does permeate every part of the city and whether you are catching a wave, sailing on tranquil waterways or just drinking a flat white watching the sun reflect off the canal, it will play an integral part in your time here. The testy local marine life doesn't make swimming in the canals advisable but why not hire a boat to take you out onto the water instead for some great fishing opportunities or just relax with a glass of wine whilst cruising around the waters? Venture out even further to explore the quieter islands north of the city and maybe some dolphin feeding at the famous Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island or if you visiting between June and October you could try a whale watching trip to spot the migrating humpbacks. If you like the sound of a waterside holiday, some resorts are based along one of the five rivers that feed the waterways such as the Palazzo Versace at Main Beach, or Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort near Coomera (and the theme parks).

Away from the waterside, the glitz and glamour of the city centre awaits so try and spot a celeb or two in one of the city's spectacular restaurants. Head to the Chinatown markets in Southport for some street food or if you fancy more classy dining, head to one of the many high-rise hotel rooftop bars and eateries which have amazing views of the bright lights of the city.

From iconic Surfers Paradise in the north through trendy central Broadbeach and on to Coolangatta in the south, the Gold Coast is probably most famous for its beaches and with over 50 kilometres of white sand to choose from - it is easy to understand why! The city became famous as a stop-off for surfers travelling up and down the coast and has remained so ever since. If you find yourself taking a stroll along the beach at dawn or dusk, then you'll find many a local changing into or out of their work clothes, for a pre/post workday surf. It is ingrained into the local life here and i's highly recommended to try it out yourself. There are so many surf schools dotted along the sands that cater for all experience levels, so give it a go!

If snorkelling is more your thing, then why not travel down to Kirra Reef near Coolangatta beach or the artificial Narrowneck Reef, just offshore at Main Beach? Whilst it's no Great Barrier Reef, the proximity to the city and the beautiful mini ecosystems surrounding the offshore shipwrecks make a morning or afternoon diving trip easy and worthwhile.

Local life is centred around the beaches so whether you are staying in the city centre or one of the southern suburbs, get down to the nearest beach and get in the water yourself, or watch the surfers from one of the excellent selection of beachfront bars and restaurants.

Set inland from the city are the World Heritage listed rainforests of Lamington, Tamborine and Springbrook national parks, each a little different from the other. Tamborine Mountain is the closest to the city and probably the most popular to visit. With its many waterfalls dotted along the walking trails and a rock pool for swimming located at Cedar Creek Falls, you can happily explore a different trail every day. Maybe even venture out under the cover of darkness for a night time tour of the Mountain and keep your eyes peeled for the glowworms! Just to the south west of the city is Springbrook. There are a number of lovely walking trails along the plateau here but I recommend heading straight for the Canyon Lookout, as it offers stunning vistas of the valley below. The park is a great destination in its own right or can easily be combined with Lamington National Park, which is full of hiking trails and wildlife.

Don't have a car but want to spot some wild koalas? Then take a 4WD day trip into the wilderness which includes lunch, or maybe stay for a few days at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. Set within a beautiful lush forest with mountain views, the retreat offer rainforest walks and activities with or without a guide, so well worth taking advantage of! Fancy something special? Then how about rising early for a hot air balloon ride followed by a champagne breakfast? With amazing aerial views of the surrounding landscape, made ever more beautiful as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean in the distance, this trip is a must for those after something uniquely rewarding!

The Gold Coast has some of Australia's biggest and most famous theme parks and a few lesser known gems too. The main five are Warner Bros Movie World, DreamWorld, Wet'N'Wild and WhiteWater World - all situated in or around the suburb of Oxenford which is a 20-30 minute car journey from the beaches - and SeaWorld, which is in Main Beach. 

All are rated very highly for the range of attractions and activities on offer, so something here for everyone. Each of the parks are either water-orientated or offer a good supply of water rides, which are all a fantastic way to cool down in the Queensland sunshine.

Whilst many travellers might automatically fly into Brisbane airport which is just over an hour away from the Gold Coast, a number of international airlines now offer direct flights straight into Gold Coast airport (in Coolangatta), making it an enticing alternative gateway into Australia. Routing out or back via Singapore, Japan or New Zealand are possible combinations and make for interesting stopovers.

The region is also well connected by air to the rest of Australia - and its location at the very centre of the east coast means it is on almost every journey which spans the popular north to south coastline. With many motorhome or fly drive holidays passing through the region - why not opt to stay a little longer and explore!

For inspiration on how to enjoy this region for yourself, take a look at our Gold Coast Holidays pages.