13 Fantastic Things to Do in Coolangatta Australia
*Disclaimer* This post may contain affiliate links, if you purchase through one of these links I would receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Discover 13 fantastic things to do in Coolangatta in this guide to help you make the most of your trip to the Gold Coast.
Coolangatta is at the southernmost point of the Gold Coast just a hop and a skip away from the New South Wales border with Queensland. I have taken multiple trips to the Gold Coast and Coolangatta is one of my favourite areas. This popular travel destination has managed to keep the laid-back beach vibe without becoming too gimmicky and full of big resort hotels.
Having a day at the beach is a great way to spend your day in Coolangatta, but there is so much more to see and do. You could adventure into the rainforest, relax at a bathhouse or go whale watching. Keep reading to discover all the best Coolangatta attractions as well as spots to eat, how to get there and some general travel tips for visiting the Gold Coast.
Things to Do in Coolangatta Australia
A small disclaimer before we begin. I write this to inspire, it’s not a checklist of things you need to rush through. As a strong believer in travelling slower and more mindfully I encourage you to pick out the activities that suit you and will bring you joy.
Go to the beach
It may be an obvious thing to do but it is the Gold Coast after all. So grab your towel and a good book and relax along the vast stretches of golden sand. One of my favourite things about the beaches in Coolangatta was the view of the skyscrapers further up the Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise.
You’ll find plenty of beaches to choose from in and around Coolangatta. Greenmount Beach is right on Coolangatta’s waterfront and is ideal for those wanting to swim as it’s sheltered by a rocky headland and is patrolled by lifeguards. If you walk slightly north of Greenmount you’ll come across Kirra Beach, here you’ll find a longer stretch of sand that can be a little quieter and great for a beach walk. If you head south from Greenmount you’ll find Rainbow Bay where you can find some protection from any southerly winds. Last but not least there is Froggies Beach only a short 5-minute walk from Rainbow Bay, it’s not a spot for swimming, but this rocky cove would be lovely for a beach picnic.
Watch or Join the Surfers
Whether you are an experienced surfer or a novice there are plenty of spots to ride the waves in and around Coolangatta. Snappers Rock is the spot for experienced surfers and can produce iconic waves. But for beginners, Greenmount Beach is a better place to learn. Go Ride a Wave offers lessons on Greenmount Beach or you can choose to go it alone and rent a board from Coolangatta Board Store.
If you don’t want to hop on the surfboard I recommend heading to Snappers Rock to watch the surfers, I got completely transfixed watching them tear it up. Go at sunset time for that lovely end-of-the-day glow. If you head past Snappers Rock and along to Point Danger you can see some more surfing action. It’s also the border between Queensland and New South Wales so you can have one foot in one state and the other in another.
Chase waterfalls at Springbrook National Park
Fancing a change from the beaches of Coolangatta, then why not start chasing some waterfalls in Springbrook National Park? This national park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and is 1 or 2 hour’s drive away from Coolangatta (time depending on which part you visit).
A popular spot to visit in Springbrook would be Natural Bridge, you can reach this cave waterfall on a 1km circuit loop through the rainforest that only takes 30 minutes from this car park. You may want to stop by here in the evening when you can see the glow worms inside this cave.
For a longer hike, the Warrie Circuit may be what you are looking for and is considered one of Queensland’s best day hikes. It’s a 13.5km loop that goes past 8 different waterfalls and up and down the lush rainforest. Allow between 4 and 5 hours for this circuit. You can park up at Canyon Lookout and from there the circuit is well signposted.
Don’t have a car but still want to explore Springbrook National Park? Discover tour options here.
Hike the trails in Burleigh Head National Park
Burleigh Head National Park has some lovely short trails to explore, you can choose to hug the coastline on the oceanview track or be immersed in wildlife sounds on the rainforest track. Neither of the trails takes more than 30 minutes, so if you have the time why not do both?
During winter and spring at the lookouts or along the coastal track you could see humpback whales breaching. If you follow the rainforest track you could see some brush turkeys, bearded dragons and maybe even a carpet python (not venomous).
Also worth a mention is Burleigh Hill which is just by the north entrance to the national park and is a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset with a view over the skyline at Surfers Paradise.
From Coolangatta, it’s only a 20-minute drive to Burleigh or you can hop on the Translink 700 bus.
Relax at Tallebudgera Creek
Sick of being battered around by the waves and want a calmer spot for a dip? Then Tallebudgera Creek is for you. With Burleigh Head National Park on one side and Palm Beach on the other, it’s an ideal spot to cool off.
You could also hire stand-up paddle boards or kayaks to explore the creek heading either upstream to Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park or downstream to see where the sea meets the creek. You may even catch a glimpse of dolphins, just be sure to time your visit with high tide. Action Outdoor Hire offers SUP board and kayak rentals at Tallebudgera Creek.
Looking for a workout on your trip? Why not try some SUP yoga on Talleburdgera Creek with Pure Aloha.
From Coolangatta, it’s only a 15-minute drive to Tallebudgera Creek or you can hop on the Translink 700 bus.
Visit Norries Headland
Norries Headland has some gorgeous views over the sea and the surrounding beaches as well as a whale-watching platform and so be on the look out during the Winter and Spring months.
We saw people paragliding here and there are some lovely beaches to explore. You could walk from Cabarita Beach for miles and miles. Although not officially part of the Gold Coast the beaches are just as golden. I recommend walking from Cabrita up to Salt Beach and stopping at Saltbean Cafe before turning back.
It’s about a 25-minute drive from Coolangatta, and you will cross the Queensland—New South Wales border. So, while NSW is in daylight saving time, there will be an hour’s time difference. There is a small car park here, or if the car park is full, you could park in Cabarita and walk up.
Check out Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has a range of animals some native to Australia and others not. With kangaroos, koalas, saltwater crocodiles, capybaras and red pandas just to name a few.
They have a range of talks and shows about the animals throughout the day, a steam train and a treetop challenge. It’s not the cheapest activity with a general admission adult ticket costing $70 and a child at $50.
It’s only a 10-minute drive from Coolangatta or you can hop on the Translink 700 bus.
Responsible Travel Tip- It’s illegal to hold a koala in 4 states of Australia; New South Wales, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Victoria as it’s not in the best interest of the koala. Although Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland does allow you to hold them, I would advise against this. Discover more on this matter in this article by World Animal Protection.
Go Whale Watching
The whale watching season in Coolangatta is between May and November. Although you can occasionally see them from the coastline, going out on a boat trip is a way to learn more about this wonderful species. Each year between May and November the subtropical waters of Australia’s east coast host 30,000 humpback whales on migration from Antarctica.
Cooly Eco Adventures offers 2.5-hour whale-watching boat tours between June and November. If you miss out on whale season they offer a swim with turtles boat tour.
Explore the free treetop walk in Lamington National Park
Lamington National Park is within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gondwana Rainforests of Australia the same as Springbrook. Green Mountains and Binna Burra are the two different sections of Lamington National Park. There is a 22 km trail called the Border Track that connects the two sections for the more adventurous hiker.
But for those looking for something easier, the free treetop walk is located in O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat on the Green Mountain side of Lamington National Park. It’s only a short walk and consists of 9 suspension bridges up to 16 metres above ground, with an extra climb if you wish to get a birds-eye view of the rainforest.
It’s about a 2-hour drive from Coolangatta and the last section of the road is fairly steep and very windy so take care.
Don’t have a car but still want to explore Lamington National Park, discover tour options here.
Take a day trip to Byron Bay
The infamous Byron Bay is only a 45-minute drive from Coolangatta. So get a good playlist going and drive down to Byron Bay to see what all the fuss is about. The number one thing to do would be the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk a 3.7km loop hiking through beaches, rainforest and up to the clifftop. We saw dolphins here so be sure to keep your eye on the sea.
I also recommend stopping off at Bangalow a town about 20 minutes outside of Byron Bay. Stop by Abracadabra and the other independent shops before having a bite to eat at Bang Burger Bar. If you happen to time your visit well stop by the Bangalow Markets, held of the 4th Sunday of every month.
Things to Do in Coolangatta When it’s Raining
During my most recent visit to Coolangatta, it rained almost every day. I hope you get better weather for your visit, but just in case you suffer the same fate as me, here are a few ideas:
Relax and unwind at Native State Bathhouse
Take a scenic drive through the Tweed Valley, be sure to stop off at MooMoo Roadhouse in Mooball
Feed an alpaca and go for a wine tasting at O’Reilys Canungra Valley Vineyards
Both Springbrook and Lamington National Park were lovely spots to visit when it was raining, the waterfalls are fuller and the green of the rainforest is brighter. Just check ahead of time if there’s any flooding on the roads.
Where to Eat and Drink in Coolangatta Australia?
Baskk Italian for cocktails and nibbles
Agave Rosa for tacos and nachos
Radici Pasta for fresh pasta dishes
Love Street for coffee and brunch
The Collective for a little bit of everything
How to Get to Coolangatta from Brisbane Airport?
If you are flying into the Gold Coast airport then getting to Coolangatta couldn’t be easier, you could quite literally walk. Though with your bags it’s not ideal so you could either hop in an Uber/DiDi or take the Translink 760 bus.
But as I could not find any direct flights from Perth to the Gold Coast I ended up flying into Brisbane Airport which is around a 1h30 drive. You will find shuttle buses running between Brisbane Airport and Coolangatta, like this one here. Although this is the quickest way it can be an expensive option. I do recommend hiring a car for your stay in Coolangatta so another option would be to pick up the rental from the airport and drive yourself.
Or you can take public transport, hop on the Gold Coast train from the airport and go all the way to Varsity Lakes train station and then take the Translink 760 bus to Coolangatta. It will take just under 3 hours but it only costs $11.95 (as of December 2024).
Coolangatta Australia Travel Tips
Rainbow Bay
I highly recommend getting some wheels for your trip to Coolangatta, unless you wish to just relax at the beach. But if you are planning on taking trips into the rainforest or around the area it makes it a lot easier. You can rent a car from the Gold Coast or Brisbane airport. Shop your car rental options here.
However, if renting a car isn’t within your budget or wheelhouse you’ll find Translink buses in Coolangatta. For these, you need to get yourself a GoCard which allows you to tap on and tap off the buses in Queensland. It’s currently only 50 cents to travel around the Gold Coast with a GoCard so it’s worth the $10 deposit to get the card if you will use the buses. Find a retailer where you can purchase it here.
Coolangatta is located very near the border of Queensland and New South Wales. So during the summer months (the first Sunday of October to the first Sunday of April), there will be an hour time difference between the two states as Queensland doesn’t have daylight saving time. So if you are taking any trips south of Coolangatta be aware of this time change. Also if you are taking public transport in this direction (from Tweed Heads) it will be through NSW public transport and you won’t be able to use the GoCard I mentioned above.
I highly recommend visiting the surf club restaurants for food and drink. They are well priced, often have some gorgeous views over the beaches and you are essentially giving back to the local community as the profits go back into the surf club. There are quite a few around, but the ones near Coolangatta are; Kirra Beach SLSC, Coolangatta SLSC, and Rainbow Bay SLSC.
I will mention this in most of my Australia blog posts so sorry if you have already heard me ramble about this, but wear suncream, have a hat and a cover up when on the beach. UV rays are strong in Australia and can do some serious damage if you aren’t protected properly.
Travelling more of Queensland? Read these travel guides:
