About Australia

Australia is a vast country—both in land size and in how far apart its major cities and attractions are. While many delegates dream of seeing “all of Australia” in a single trip, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. Distances here are significant, and flying between states is often the only practical option. With this in mind, we encourage delegates to enjoy the region they are visiting rather than trying to cover the entire continent in a single stay.

The Gold Coast: Australia’s Playground

The Gold Coast is famous for its sunny weather, relaxed coastal lifestyle, and vibrant entertainment precincts.

It offers a huge variety of attractions suitable for all visitors, including:

Beaches & Nature

  • Surfers Paradise Beach
  • Broadbeach
  • Burleigh Heads National Park
  • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Family & Theme Parks

  • Warner Bros. Movie World
  • Sea World
  • Wet’n’Wild
  • Dreamworld

Dining & Nightlife

  • Broadbeach restaurant precinct
  • Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
  • The Star Gold Coast (dining, entertainment, casino)

Outdoor & Adventure Activities

  • Whale watching (seasonal in August)
  • Surf lessons
  • Standup paddleboarding
  • Hinterland tours to Mount Tamborine, Springbrook, and Lamington National Park

To help plan your visit, view our interactive attractions map:

Exploring Queensland

Australia is divided into eight different states or territories. The Gold Coast is located in the northeast state of Queensland. Queensland is known as the Sunshine State, offering a diverse range of landscapes—from rainforests and reefs to vibrant cities.

If you’d like to explore beyond the Gold Coast, here are some popular options:

Brisbane (1 hour by road or light rail + train)

Queensland’s capital city blends riverside living with arts, culture, and vibrant dining.

Highlights include:

  • South Bank Parklands
  • Queensland Museum & Science Centre
  • QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art)
  • Brisbane River cruises
  • Mount Coottha Lookout

Wider Queensland Attractions

(These usually require flights or longer road trips)

  • Great Barrier Reef – Fly to Cairns (~2.5 hrs)
  • Daintree Rainforest – From Cairns
  • Whitsunday Islands – Fly to Hamilton Island (~2 hrs)
  • Fraser Island (K’gari) – Fly to Hervey Bay (~2 hrs)

Exploring Australia: Major Cities & Travel Times

Australia’s major cities are not close together travelling between them generally requires a flight. Here are some popular destinations with approximate flight times from the Gold Coast or Brisbane:

New South Wales

  • Sydney – Famous for the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
    Flight time: ~1 hr 30 min 

Victoria

  • Melbourne – Known for its laneways, art scene, cafés, and sport
    Flight time: ~2 hrs 15 min

South Australia

  • Adelaide – Wine regions, coastline, wildlife sanctuaries
    Flight time: ~2 hrs 30 min

Western Australia

  • Perth – Beautiful beaches, parks, and gateway to Rottnest Island
    Flight time: ~4 hrs 30 min

Tasmania

  • Hobart – MONA museum, history, cool climate, rugged nature
    Flight time: ~3 hrs

Northern Territory

  • Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Iconic red desert landscapes
    Flight time: ~3 hrs 15 min (via Sydney or Brisbane)

Making the Most of Your Visit

Australia is full of extraordinary places, but its sheer size means it’s best explored one region at a time. We encourage delegates to enjoy the Gold Coast and greater Queensland during their stay and extend their journey to other states only if time permits.