Brisbane & Gold Coast 6-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Brisbane – Arrival & Exploration

Morning: Arrive in Brisbane, check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a nearby café. Take a stroll along the South Bank Parklands to stretch your legs and admire the riverside gardens.

Afternoon: Visit the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and the Queensland Museum for a cultural immersion. Grab lunch at the bustling Queens Plaza precinct.

Evening: Dine at a riverside restaurant in South Bank and catch the nightly Story Bridge light show or simply walk across the iconic Story Bridge for city views.

Day 2: Brisbane – Highlights

Morning: Head to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to cuddle a koala and feed kangaroos. A guided tour will introduce you to native wildlife.

Afternoon: Explore the historic Queensland Parliament House and take a river cruise on the Brisbane River for a different perspective of the skyline.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at the vibrant Eat Street Northshore food market, sampling a variety of cuisines before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Gold Coast – Arrival & Beach

Morning: Travel to the Gold Coast (≈1‑hour drive). Check into your coastal accommodation and freshen up.

Afternoon: Relax on the famous Surfers Paradise Beach, swim, sunbathe, and try a short surf lesson.

Evening: Stroll along the lively Cavill Avenue promenade, enjoy street performances, and dine at a beachfront restaurant.

Day 4: Gold Coast – Theme Parks

Morning: Spend the morning at Warner Bros. Movie World, riding thrill attractions and meeting movie characters.

Afternoon: Continue the excitement at Sea World, exploring marine exhibits and enjoying shows.

Evening: Return to your hotel to unwind; consider a nightcap at a rooftop bar overlooking the ocean.

Day 5: Gold Coast – Nature & Shopping

Morning: Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for a walk among koalas, lorikeets, and a treetop canopy walkway.

Afternoon: Head to Burleigh Heads National Park for a coastal hike with stunning ocean vistas, then browse boutiques in the Burleigh Heads Village.

Evening: Dine at a trendy restaurant in Broadbeach and perhaps catch a show at the Gold Coast Arts Centre.

Day 6: Gold Coast – Relax & Departure

Morning: Take a leisurely walk along Coolangatta Beach and enjoy a beachfront breakfast.

Afternoon: Spend your final hours shopping for souvenirs at the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre or relaxing at your resort pool.

Evening: Transfer back to Brisbane (or the Gold Coast Airport) for your departure flight.

Time and Cost Estimates

• South Bank Parklands – 2 hrs – $0 (free entry)
• Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) – 2 hrs – $20
• Queensland Museum – 1.5 hrs – $15
• Story Bridge (walk & light show) – 1 hr – $10
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – 4 hrs – $45
• Brisbane River Cruise – 1 hr – $30
• Eat Street Northshore – 2 hrs – $25 (food & drink)
• Surfers Paradise Beach – 3 hrs – $0
• Cavill Avenue (dinner) – 2 hrs – $40
• Warner Bros. Movie World – 6 hrs – $110
• Sea World – 5 hrs – $95
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – 4 hrs – $45
• Burleigh Heads National Park – 2 hrs – $0
• Burleigh Heads Village (shopping & coffee) – 2 hrs – $30
• Broadbeach restaurant – 2 hrs – $45
• Gold Coast Arts Centre show – 2 hrs – $35
• Coolangatta Beach – 2 hrs – $0
• Pacific Fair Shopping Centre – 3 hrs – $0 (shopping cost varies)
• Transportation (Brisbane‑Gold Coast transfers, local transit) – 6 hrs total – $80
• Accommodation (6 nights) – – $900

Total Estimated Cost: $1,627

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day trip to the hinterland town of Tamborine Mountain for rainforest walks and wineries, or extend your stay on the Gold Coast to explore the laid‑back vibe of Byron Bay. To shorten the itinerary, skip one of the theme parks and replace it with a relaxed beach day; this will cut both time and expenses while still delivering a memorable coastal experience.