There are many people and Queenslanders in particular who will tell you the best time to visit the Gold Coast is any time. The weather is always perfect – well perhaps not perfect but sunshine is in abundance in the Sunshine State. So yes you will always find heaps of activities on the Gold Coast even if the rain should fall. Theme parks and shopping complexes are as busy in the sun as in the rain.
But if you do wish to do something in particular, here are a few pointers.
School holidays usually mean that families descend on the Gold Coast in large numbers. And then in the winter months, many ‘foreigners’ from the southern states head north for the winter sunshine. Public holidays too can mean an influx of tourists. So if a slightly less hectic season is for you, avoid the school and public holidays.
Then there are special events such as the whale watching. You can always take a trip out into the wonderful Pacific ocean but if you wish to get up close and personal with the whales, then the June to October months are the best times to be there.
Music festivals, especially for the blues and any sporting events have specific times. If you have a passion for racing cars or the different football codes, then you have to visit at particular times in order to catch your ‘show’. If it’s a really popular show, you may need to book early.
Horse racing and the horse sales are big events on the Gold Coast. So too are golf and tennis tournaments.
Probably some of the best times to visit the Gold Coast are when the best deals are on offer. Airlines have their quieter times and will often offer a package of return flights plus accommodation for a greatly reduced price. If you’re keen on a break – even for two or three days, these specials can be the incentive to get you into the surf and the shops at Surfers Paradise.
Schoolies Week is a time when teenagers who have finished their schooling arrive on the Gold Coast for a spot of rest and recreation. Media coverage tends to focus on the few who drink too much and misbehave. If you don’t want to share the beaches and streets with thousands of young people then Schoolies Week might be a good time not to visit.
