Explore Australia

Cost To Visit Gold Coast: Travel Budget Guide (2026)

Q: What currency is used in the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast uses the Australian dollar (AUD). In this guide, prices are shown only in $ (USD) for U.S. travelers.

Q: Do they accept US dollars in the Gold Coast?

Not usually. Prices are in Australian dollars and most businesses won’t accept U.S. cash. Paying by card or withdrawing AUD from an ATM is typically best.

Q: Will US credit and debit cards work in the Gold Coast?

Yes—most of the time. U.S. cards typically work at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and attractions. Carry some cash for small purchases, and if prompted, pay in AUD to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.

Q: What is the cheapest month to visit the Gold Coast?

July is often one of the cheapest months because it’s winter and demand is lower, which can reduce hotel prices. The tradeoff is cooler temperatures and cooler ocean water.

Q: What is the most expensive month to visit the Gold Coast?

January is often the most expensive month due to peak summer demand and school holiday travel. Beachfront hotels can sell out early, which pushes prices higher.

Q: How long can $2,000 last you in the Gold Coast on a budget?

$2,000 can last roughly 10 to 21 days in the Gold Coast on a budget, depending on lodging prices and how many paid attractions like theme parks you add. Budget daily costs are commonly around $95–$195 per day.

Q: Is $2,000 enough for a week in the Gold Coast?

Yes—often. $2,000 can cover a week in the Gold Coast for many travelers, especially with mid-range lodging and a mix of free attractions. Typical 7-day per-person totals range from about $885–$1,765 for budget travelers and $1,645–$3,200 for mid-range travelers, with higher totals for luxury stays and frequent tours.

Q: Do you need a rental car on the Gold Coast?

Not required if you stay near Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach and use the tram/light rail. A rental car is more useful if you plan multiple hinterland day trips or want flexibility for beaches outside the main core.

Planning to visit the Gold Coast? Learn how much money you will need for hotels, food, transportation, and attractions—plus seasonal price changes, day trip costs, and realistic daily and weekly budgets.

There are many things that can affect the cost of your trip to the Gold Coast—when you go and what type of traveler you are will also play a part. This guide breaks down the basics you can expect when visiting the Gold Coast, so you can plan your travel budget.

Is Gold Coast expensive to visit?

The Gold Coast is typically moderate to expensive compared to many U.S. destinations once you factor in hotels and dining—especially near the beach in high-demand weeks. Within Australia, it’s usually similar to other major leisure hubs: you can do it affordably with smart lodging and plenty of free beach time, or spend big fast with oceanfront hotels, theme parks, tours, and constant rideshares.

Australia uses the Australian dollar (AUD). Prices have been converted from AUD and are only shown in $ (USD) for ease of use for our U.S. audience.

Gold Coast Vacation Costs

Below is a detailed expense breakdown for accommodations, food, transportation, and attractions—followed by day trip costs and realistic daily/weekly budgets.

Avg. Accommodation Cost

Peak

Budget Travelers: $95–$170 per night
Mid-Range Travelers: $190–$340 per night
Luxury Travelers: $420–$950+ per night

Shoulder-Season

Budget Travelers: $85–$150
Mid-Range Travelers: $175–$310
Luxury Travelers: $380–$850+

Off-Season

Budget Travelers: $75–$135
Mid-Range Travelers: $160–$285
Luxury Travelers: $340–$750+

Gold Coast Tip: Ocean-view, beachfront, and Broadbeach/Surfers core locations command the biggest premiums.

Food Cost

Budget Travelers

Breakfast: $6–$12
Lunch: $10–$18
Dinner: $16–$32

Mid-Range Travelers

Breakfast: $12–$20
Lunch: $18–$32
Dinner: $35–$85

Luxury Travelers

Breakfast: $20–$35
Lunch: $30–$60
Dinner: $95–$240+

Easy Savings: Supermarket breakfasts + casual beach lunches, then a couple “nice dinners” in Broadbeach/Burleigh.

Transportation Cost

Gold Coast Airport (OOL) → Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach

Public transit (bus/tram combo): $6–$18
Rideshare/taxi: $35–$75
Private transfer: $100–$180+

Getting around the Gold Coast

Light rail (tram) + buses

Typical daily transit spend: $6–$16/day (route dependent)

Rideshare / taxis

Short ride: $10–$20
Longer ride: $20–$60+

Car rental (helpful for beaches + hinterland)

Compact car:
- Off-Season: $45–$75/day
- Shoulder: $55–$95/day
- Peak: $80–$140+/day
Fuel + parking (typical daily): $18–$45

Scooter/bike rentals (where available)

Short rides / day use: $5–$25 (varies)

Attractions

Beach days (Surfers, Burleigh, Coolangatta): free
SkyPoint Observation Deck (Q1): $20–$35
Theme parks (movie/water/theme park tickets): $80–$140+ per day (ticket type dependent)
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: $35–$55
Tallebudgera Creek / swimming spots: free
Burleigh Head National Park walks: free
Hinterland waterfalls/hikes: often free (transport/parking may apply)
Surf lesson: $60–$120+
Whale watching (seasonal): $70–$140+

Gold Coast Day Trip Costs

Day Trip and Attractions Costs

Day Trip	Transportation Cost (Round Trip)	Top Attraction	Attraction Cost
Theme parks day (Coomera area)	$12–$30 (tram/train/bus) • $40–$110 (rideshare) • $25–$65 (car fuel/parking)	Major theme park entry	$80–$140+
Springbrook National Park	$25–$70 (car fuel) • $140–$260 (tour)	Waterfalls + rainforest walks	Free
Tamborine Mountain	$25–$70 (car fuel) • $140–$260 (tour)	Gallery Walk + lookouts	Free–$25
Byron Bay (long day trip)	$60–$140 (car fuel) • $160–$320 (tour)	Cape Byron Lighthouse walk	Free
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary	$6–$18 (transit) • $25–$70 (rideshare) • $15–$45 (car fuel/parking)	Wildlife sanctuary entry	$35–$55
SkyPoint (Surfers Paradise)	$0–$16 (local transit) • $10–$30 (rideshare)	SkyPoint Observation Deck	$20–$35
Burleigh Head National Park	$6–$18 (transit) • $20–$55 (rideshare) • $10–$35 (car fuel/parking)	Oceanfront headland walk	Free

30-Day Australian Travel Itinerary

Gold Coast Daily Budget

Budget Travelers

Season	Daily Total (Per Person)
Peak	$115–$195
Shoulder	$105–$180
Off-Season	$95–$165

Mid-Range Travelers

Season	Daily Total (Per Person)
Peak	$215–$370
Shoulder	$200–$340
Off-Season	$185–$315

Luxury Travelers

Season	Daily Total (Per Person)
Peak	$420–$950+
Shoulder	$380–$850+
Off-Season	$340–$750+

Gold Coast Weekly Budget (7 Days)

Budget Travelers

Season	Lodging (7 nights)	Food (7 days)	Transport	Attractions	Total
Peak	$665–$1,190	$175–$300	$110–$280	$140–$380	$1,090–$2,150
Shoulder	$595–$1,050	$160–$280	$100–$260	$130–$350	$985–$1,940
Off-Season	$525–$945	$150–$260	$90–$240	$120–$320	$885–$1,765

Mid-Range Travelers

Season	Lodging (7 nights)	Food (7 days)	Transport	Attractions	Total
Peak	$1,330–$2,380	$280–$525	$140–$350	$180–$520	$1,930–$3,775
Shoulder	$1,225–$2,170	$260–$490	$130–$320	$170–$480	$1,785–$3,460
Off-Season	$1,120–$1,995	$245–$455	$120–$300	$160–$450	$1,645–$3,200

Luxury Travelers

Season	Lodging (7 nights)	Food (7 days)	Transport	Attractions	Total
Peak	$2,940–$6,650+	$490–$1,540+	$200–$700+	$220–$950+	$3,850–$9,840+
Shoulder	$2,660–$5,950+	$455–$1,330+	$190–$630+	$210–$850+	$3,515–$8,760+
Off-Season	$2,380–$5,250+	$420–$1,120+	$180–$560+	$200–$780+	$3,180–$7,710+

Gold Cost Flight Cost

Flight cost depends on where you’re departing from, the season and the airline. Major international airports will have cheaper flights than smaller airports. Most U.S. travelers connect via major Australian hubs (often Sydney/Melbourne) before flying into Gold Coast Airport (OOL) or sometimes Brisbane (BNE).

Average round-trip flight ranges from the U.S. (to OOL/BNE via Australia):

Peak: $1,300–$2,200
Shoulder: $1,150–$2,000
Off-Season: $1,000–$1,750

You can save money on flights by signing up for cheap flight alerts from Jetsetter Alerts.

Gold Coast Travel Seasons

Peak (December–February)

Highest demand and pricing, especially around summer holidays. Beachfront hotels can book out early, and theme park tickets/tours can be in higher demand.

Shoulder-Season (March–May, September–November)

Often the best balance of weather and value: warm days, fewer crowds, and better hotel pricing than peak.

Off-Season (June–August)

Cooler and often less humid, with lower hotel demand and more deals. Great for hikes, markets, and a calmer beach trip (water temps are cooler).

What currency is used in the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast uses the Australian dollar (AUD). In this guide, prices are shown only in $ (USD) for U.S. travelers.

Do they accept US dollars in the Gold Coast?

Not usually. Prices are in Australian dollars and most businesses won’t accept U.S. cash. For the best value, pay by card or withdraw AUD from an ATM as needed.

Will US credit and debit cards work in the Gold Coast?

Yes—most of the time. U.S. cards typically work at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and attractions. Carry a little cash for small purchases and occasional card-terminal issues. If you’re offered currency conversion at checkout, choose to pay in AUD to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.

What is the cheapest month to visit the Gold Coast?

July is often one of the cheapest months for on-the-ground costs because it’s winter and demand is lower.

Why it’s cheaper: better hotel availability and fewer crowds.
Tradeoff: cooler temperatures and cooler ocean water.

What is the most expensive month to visit the Gold Coast?

January is often the most expensive month due to peak summer demand and school holiday travel. Beachfront hotels can sell out early, which pushes prices higher.

How long can $2,000 last you in the Gold Coast on a budget?

Because accommodation drives costs here, how far $2,000 goes depends on your hotel choice and how many theme park days you do.

Budget daily range (typical): $95–$195/day
Estimated duration with $2,000: ~10 to 21 days

To stretch your budget, stay near the tram line, focus on free beach/hikes, and limit paid attractions like theme parks to 1–2 days.

Is $2,000 enough for a week in the Gold Coast?

Yes—often. A $2,000 weekly budget can work for many travelers, especially if you keep lodging mid-range (or share costs) and don’t stack multiple theme park days.

Budget Travelers (7-day total): $885–$1,765
Mid-Range Travelers (7-day total): $1,645–$3,200
Luxury Travelers (7-day total): $3,180–$7,710+

The biggest variables are beachfront hotel pricing and how many paid experiences (theme parks, tours) you add.

Do you need a rental car on the Gold Coast?

Not required if you’re staying near Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach and using the tram/light rail. A rental car is helpful if you plan multiple hinterland day trips (Springbrook, Tamborine) or want maximum flexibility for beaches outside the core.