11 Unmissable Things To Do In Gold Coast At Night
Gold Coast in Queensland is one of Australia's top vacation destinations. Around an hour south of the busy city of Brisbane, the Gold Coast region is famous for its breathtaking natural scenery, laid-back vibe, theme parks, and fun activities for the whole family. Whether you're into enjoying a spectacular meal with friends or enjoying the great outdoors in Australia's own Sunshine State, you'll find literally hundreds of things to do here.
In Gold Coast, a day isn't enough to experience everything this area has to offer. Lucky, then, that Gold Coast at night is just as lively and entertaining as it is in the day. The central neighborhood of Surfers Paradise is regarded as one of the nightlife capitals of Australia, and you'll find an endless selection of bars, restaurants, and clubs in the city. But there are also plenty of other fascinating nighttime attractions that call Gold Coast home. If you're looking for great things to do in Gold Coast at night, you've come to the right place.
And before you head out to explore, don't forget to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Gold Coast. Enjoying a great night out in the city will be much easier if you're not carrying more than you need to.
Main Beach
The beaches of Gold Coast are legendary places to spend some time, and that's as true at night as it is during the day. Located in Southport, Main Beach is only minutes from the notorious nightlife district of Surfers Paradise, but it offers its own unique vibe. Sea World is just minutes away from this beach, as is the resort of Marina Mirage, where you can enjoy some of the best shopping and dining in the city.
But the beach is large enough that you can also find tranquility if that's what you want. The crashing waves are especially atmospheric at night, and as busy as Main Beach can be, there's usually a quiet spot where you can have a moment to yourself. Grab a picnic blanket and some food plus a bottle of wine to enjoy a memorable meal as the sun sets, and you'll see why Gold Coast at night is just as unforgettable as it is during the day.
Miami Marketta
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights come alive in Burleigh Heads thanks to Miami Marketta. This is the original street food market in Gold Coast, and you'll not only find some of the best street food in Gold Coast here but some of the best in all of Australia.
The market boasts over 70 stalls selling every kind of cuisine imaginable, from Greek to Italian to Indian to Thai fusion. There are plenty of dessert stalls too, so you can easily treat yourself to three courses, but remember not to buy them all in the same place. You'll want to sample as many of the different stalls as you can. Live musicians keep the crowd entertained while they eat, making this one of the most fun activities you'll find in Gold Coast. If you're a fan of live music and great food - and who isn't? - Miami Marketta is the ideal place to visit in Gold Coast at night.
Natural Bridge
As well as being famous for the raucous nightlife of Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast is known for the incredible natural scenery that surrounds the city. Several of Australia's most celebrated national parks are located in the Gold Coast region, and it's partly this natural bounty that brings so many visitors to Gold Coast on vacation.
Springbrook National Park is well known for its stunning Natural Bridge, located near the border with New South Wales. Hidden in dense forest alive with a fascinating variety of animals, Natural Bridge is the result of a waterfall carving out the roof of a cave. It's a stunning place to visit at any time, but a guided hike through the park after night falls is an unforgettable experience. You'll hear the nocturnal animals of the rainforest and learn more about the incredible nature of Gold Coast on your walk. And once you reach Natural Bridge Cave, Australia's largest population of glow worms will put on a show unlike anything you've ever seen before.
Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most popular things to do in Gold Coast at night, especially in the summer. You may need to book ahead to take this popular tour, but it's absolutely worth the effort to see the glow worms and deserves its place on this Gold Coast list of spectacular things to do at night.
Australian Outback Spectacular
Speaking of the spectacular, the Australian Outback Spectacular is a popular nighttime show you should try to experience while you're in Gold Coast. This narrative show uses a combination of live actors and animals along with cutting-edge technology to tell a story of exploration, courage, resilience, and love. You'll learn more about the hardships of the Australian bush and get a deeper sense of the place this vast region has in the national psyche. At the same time, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious three-course meal based around classic Australian cuisine. One of the most popular nighttime attractions in Gold Coast, this show has to be seen to be believed.
Theme Parks
Gold Coast is famous for its theme parks, and it's the presence of these parks that brings many of the city's visitors every year. If you're traveling with kids, you'll no doubt be well aware of Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Brothers, and the rest. But you don't have to be a kid or have one to enjoy the fun of a great theme park. And at night, many of the theme parks in Gold Coast take on a whole different atmosphere that makes them well worth another visit.
Popular theme park Wet 'n' Wild hosts movie nights where you can float in a wave pool while you catch up on the latest blockbusters and family movies. The waterslides are also open late so you can enjoy some aquatic fun under the stars. Dreamworld offers a Park After Dark experience, and the brightly lit rides and games become even more immersive under a dark sky. Sea World hosts a summer carnival, and Warner Brothers Movie World is known for its festive Christmas celebration - which, since this is Australia, takes place in the height of summer. These theme parks offer some of the most fun things to do either with friends or family in Gold Coast, so make sure you don't miss all the action at these memorable parks.
Surfers Paradise
For some people, Surfers Paradise is the whole reason they come to Gold Coast in the first place. One of the best neighborhoods in Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise is home to many of the city's top tourist attractions, including many of its best museums. But at night, Surfers Paradise really comes into its own. After all, this neighborhood is known as one of Australia's top nightlife destinations for a reason.
There are so many restaurants, pubs, bars, and nightclubs in Surfers Paradise that you can visit a different one every night for a month and still never run out of places to go. And since almost everybody is there to party, you'll find an unrivaled friendly atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new people. Legendary bars like BOBs Beer, Elsewhere, and Stingray Lounge are such an iconic part of Gold Coast that you can hardly say you've been to the city, and especially not Surfers Paradise, without visiting them.
If you don't know where to start, you can set out on a guided Surfers Paradise pub crawl or club crawl that will take you to the hottest spots along with other travelers. Or you can take your chances and show up wherever looks good to you. However you choose to approach the nightlife in Surfers Paradise, you won't be disappointed.
Rooftop Bars
They don't call Queensland the Sunshine State for nothing. This part of the country is blessed with excellent weather, and local businesses learn to take advantage of that fact by opening up their establishments to the sky. Gold Coast is famous for its rooftop bars, and you could design your own pub crawl based on visiting them. The Island is a mainstay of Surfers Paradise, but every neighborhood of the city seems to have its own classic rooftop bar. Depending on where you stay, you could also check out Frida Sol in Palm Beach or drop in at Nineteen at The Star in Broadbeach to enjoy incredible views of the glittering city skyline and the ocean in front of it. Wherever you go, you'll find spectacular places to enjoy a drink.
Play Golf
With great scenery and excellent weather, it's no surprise that golf is a major attraction on the Gold Coast. But just because the sun goes down doesn't mean you have to stop playing. Topgolf Gold Coast is open until midnight every day and allows you to perfect your swing under the stars. Smart golf balls will help you improve your stroke, and there's also great food and a rooftop terrace to enjoy once you've mastered the game.
Alternatively, if you don't take your golf quite as seriously, take the kids to Putt Putt mini golf at Mermaid Beach. This bright course is open every day until 10 PM, and the creative holes of the course look their best all lit up at night.
Live Music
With so many bars and pubs in the city, you never have to search hard in Gold Coast to find some live music going on somewhere. But during the summer, the city also hosts some great festivals where you can enjoy both local and international touring acts. For example, Surfers Paradise LIVE takes place over four days near the end of April and presents an eclectic mix of popular musicians. Blues on Broadbeach brings the blues to Gold Coast, and Groundwater is one of Australia's biggest country music festivals. Whatever type of music floats your boat, chances are good you can find it being played live in Gold Coast.
Night Kayaking
With so many beautiful waterways in the area, not least the Pacific Ocean itself, it's no surprise that Gold Coast is a haven for fans of water sports such as kayaking. But kayaking in Gold Coast by night is a whole different experience. Set out on a guided tour that will take you past the city lights to quiet coves and bays where you can enjoy the spectacular stars of the southern night sky. It's an unforgettable way to stay active when the sun goes down and a truly memorable experience for your Gold Coast trip.
Timezone
If the many amusement parks of the region don't provide enough fun things to do for your family, consider visiting Timezone with the kids. Open late, Timezone offers arcade games, air hockey, and laser tag all under one roof, making it a great place for the kids to burn off some energy while you take a much-deserved break from it all.
Conclusion
Gold Coast pulls off the difficult trick of being both a fantastic family destination and an excellent place for younger visitors to party. Therefore, what you do in Gold Coast at night is really up to you. One thing, however, is for sure. With so many fun things to do in the city, you won't be bored for a moment. So drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage, and you'll be ready to experience and enjoy everything the city has to offer when the sun goes down.
