TAKE A TOUR

Hinterland Adventures

Guided tours are a great way to get about the Gold Coast’s many attractions. All aboard as expert guides help you unearth hidden gems and explore new horizons, accompanied by engaging audio commentary and intriguing local insights. From helicopters to Harleys, amphibious vehicles to prestige private tours, there’s a transport option to suit almost any budget and occasion. Here’s a few highlights to help you on your way.

Southern Cross Tours are a family-run business who’ve been offering immersive, educational tours to the magnificent forests and foodie finds of the Gold Coast hinterland for almost 30 years. They offer family-friendly experiences that cater for passengers of all ages. With a maximum capacity of just 16 guests, you’re sure to enjoy the personal touch of small group travel, create meaningful connections to nature and make many happy memories. Group tours last from three and a half to ten hours in duration, with complimentary pick-up and drop-off available from a range of Gold Coast accommodation or local train stations.

Explore ancient Gondwana rainforest dating back to Jurassic times on an epic adventure to the splendours of Springbrook National Park, including the iconic Natural Bridge, cascading waterfalls and towering tree giants of the Numinbah Valley. Savour a sampling of local vino at Canungra Valley Vineyards and then take a tranquil treetop walk, feed the birds and continue the tour through the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Lamington National Park. Inhale the fresh mountain air, sample locally-made tipples and taste the freshest local produce and best crafted coffees on a tasting tour of Tamborine Mountain. Return in the evening for a unique nocturnal tour by torchlight to captivating Curtis Falls, where colonies of glow worms light up the night in spectacular fashion. They also offer private tours tailored to your group’s individual interests.

Brewery and Winery Tours

Get behind-the-scenes insights and sip your way through the Gold Coast’s exciting line-up of local breweries, craft distilleries and sun-soaked vineyards with an intoxicating selection of tipple-tasting tours.

Take your tastebuds on a tour of Tamborine Mountain with Pineapple Tours. Their full day tasting tour is a sure to stimulate your senses and please your palate. Visit a curated selection of boutique wineries, enjoy guided tasting of local varieties, and indulge in a two-course lunch prepared by an award-winning chef. You will also have the option of sampling other gourmet goodies including cheeses, hand-made fudge and chocolates and a range of liquors, gins and rums crafted at a local distillery. In addition to these public tours, they also offer over 30 tours for private group bookings to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain and Byron Bay including craft breweries, distilleries and other food and drink experiences.

Explore the local brewing and distilling scene with Queensland’s original craft beer tour company, Hop On Brewery Tours. Join their team of dedicated beer enthusiasts for a half or full day of sublime sipping. Gain VIP access behind the scenes of some of the Gold Coast’s most exciting and innovative enterprises, where you have the opportunity to meet the makers, learn some secret tricks of the trade, and of course enjoy plenty of frothy flavours and spirited samples along the way.

Join them for a full-day Coldie on the Goldie Tour, a half-day Quickie on the Coast, a spirited Distillery Tour or sign up for the complete package with tours including axe-throwing, virtual reality gaming or go-kart-racing combos.

For groups looking to explore the finest craft breweries and distilleries of the Coast aboard their very own beer bus, the fun folk at Smooth Hoperator offer private tasting tours with an authentic party atmosphere.

Gather a Group To Find Foodie Treasures

Gather a group together and explore the epicurean delights of this fertile region and its evolving foodie scene, aboard one of these luxury, private group tours.

Gain exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to some of the most sought-after foodie finds with Kiff & Culture. Their suite of small, luxury private group tours showcase homegrown artisan food and drink from across the region, with a strong focus on sustainability and a passion for supporting local community. Expert guides with intimate local knowledge take your senses on a curated journey featuring the very best vineyards, breweries, Indigenous bush tucker and award-winning culinary haunts, for a truly unforgettable encounter with the region’s finest and freshest flavours.

Kiff & Culture offer bespoke single-day and multi-day tours across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. While flavours are a key focus, several of their tours include a fusion of foodie finds and adventure in nature, such as kayaking or a sunset sail, for the ultimate indulgent escape. Tours cater for groups of up to 60 guests and are fully customisable to suit your individual taste and pace.

Delivering something a little different from the typical tasting excursion, Flamingo Tours offers the perfect cocktail of fun, food and wine served with plenty of Gold Coast sunshine. There’s something for everyone and almost any group size, From hen’s or birthday parties to corporate events, Flamingo Tours can serve up something special to suit your needs. Visit the boutique vineyards and meet the winemakers of the beautiful Canungra Valley, and perhaps cuddle with a few furry friends along the way. Sip, sail, wine and dine your way along the golden coastline at sunset aboard a luxury catamaran. Or infuse your visit to the best local wineries with the subtle sophistication of high tea to round out your outing. Cheers to that!

Culture and Heritage Tours

Experience a deeper connection with people and place with tours that offer intriguing insights into the rich culture and heritage of this magical, ancient landscape.

QLD Tours are a cultural heritage tour specialist on the Gold Coast, with a mission to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries to experience what makes this place truly special. QLD Tours have a strong focus on protecting, preserving and sharing local culture, land, heritage and history, paying tribute to the region’s traditional custodians and encompassing recommendations from local people. Tours are suitable for solo travellers, couples, families and friends who want to explore and connect on a deeper level. Their suite of immersive, small group tours cater for 10-12 guests, and provide an authentic, exciting and educational experience, with enough time allowed to truly soak your senses in the magnificent surroundings.

Take a journey through time from ‘Barefoot to Black Tie’ as you travel through time from ancient Dreamtime to contemporary culture. Undertake an enlightening cultural tour of North Stradbroke Island, or unlock the little-known mystical secrets of Tamborine Mountain, as you visit exclusive artist studios and mix your own gin elixir. Pick-up and drop-off is available from most Surfers Paradise hotels and accommodation.

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre also offers an interpretive Walkabout Tour of the renowned Burleigh Headland. Gain valuable insights as you learn about the Aboriginal history and culture of the Gold Coast, on a walking tour of the culturally significant sites of this area known as ‘Dreaming Mountain’. Hear the creation stories, learn about traditional life, and gain a deeper understanding of the Yugambeh speaking people’s deep connection with the land. Tours take place on selected weekdays and run for approximately two hours.

From Sea to Sky

Whether you like to explore by land, sea or sky, there’s a Gold Coast tour to suit everyone.

Explore the calm waterways, pristine islands, and sparkling sea on a raft of aquatic adventures. Powered by paddle, blown by the breeze or fuelled by high-octane horsepower, there’s so many ways to get out on the water. Cruise the calm canals, take a leisurely sail at sunset, or marvel at the magnificent sound of whale song on a cool, clear winter’s day. Catch a ferry or water taxi to sedate South Stradbroke Island, or strap yourself in for thrills and spills on an exhilarating jetboat adventure. If you can’t decide between land and water, enjoy the best of both worlds aboard a unique amphibious vehicle, with live audio commentary to keep you informed and entertained.

Land lubbers are just as spoilt for choice. Heat things up and delight in being the centre of attention aboard your personal fire truck transfer with Fire4Hire. Or feel the undeniable power and purr of a Harley Davidson as you cruise the coast riding shotgun with Wildfire Tours.

Helicopter and hot air balloon tours take it to the next level, allowing you to experience the Gold Coast from new heights. Soar over ancient lush green forests, the coastal city skyline and a golden shoreline caressed by the Pacific Ocean. From land, sea or sky, the Gold Coast is a magical place to make memories!

Accessibility

Guided tours are a great option for anyone, including people who are unable to self-drive. Commentary helps to provide audio description of surroundings, and offers valuable local insights into the stories, history and significance of local landmarks. Please contact your preferred tour operator directly to discuss any access requirements prior to booking.

Southern Cross Tours are conducted in a fleet of 16-seat Mercedes Benz minibuses, with reclining seats, fold-down access step and grab bars to assist with vehicle entry. Each tour includes a leisurely walk at an easy pace, with small inclines and a few steps. If you are able to walk 250 metres, you should enjoy these tours. Guide dogs are welcome onboard. Please contact the operator directly to advise, so appropriate arrangements can be made. Tour guides can provide additional assistance if requested, such as sighted guiding on walks or additional audio descriptions of scenery. For full details on this tour operators accessibility offerings, please visit southerncrosstours.com.au/accessibility.

Hop On Brewery Tours have had the pleasure of hosting many participants who are blind or have low vision over the years. Dog guides are welcome onboard. If you plan to travel with your dog guide on these tours, please advise the operator so they can ensure sufficient space is provided. While wheelchair lifts are not available, there is plenty of room for fold-up wheelchairs if the passenger is able to stand for a short period while boarding the bus. All venues visited on these tours are wheelchair-friendly, and mostly on one level.

The Jellurgal Walkabout Tour traverses the Oceanview Track from Tallebudgera Creek to Burleigh Point – a distance of 1.2 kilometres one-way. It’s classified as a Grade 2 track, with a hardened surface, gentle hill sections and occasional steps. Limited access is possible for wheelchair users with assistance.