If you’re Googling “gold coast vs sunshine coast”, you’re probably trying to answer one simple question: where will the kids be happiest… without you needing a holiday after the holiday?
Both are amazing, both are easy from Brisbane, and both deliver the classic Queensland combo of beach, sunshine and “Mum, can we get an ice cream?” vibes. But they’re not the same trip.
- Gold Coast = big-ticket attractions, theme parks, buzzy beach suburbs, more built-up, easier to do without a car in key areas.
- Sunshine Coast = slower pace, more nature-led days, calmer family beaches, beach towns and hinterland escapes.
Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast at a glance
| Category | Gold Coast | Sunshine Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Theme-park families, tweens/teens, action-packed itineraries | Beach + nature families, younger kids, relaxed pace |
| Overall vibe | High-energy, built-up, lots happening | Laid-back, spread-out, “let’s just go for a walk” |
| Beaches | Iconic surf beaches + creeks | More sheltered options + calmer family beaches |
| Attractions | Theme parks, shows, skyline, big entertainment | Australia Zoo, coastal walks, hinterland, smaller attractions |
| Getting around | Stronger public transport in tourist strip (tram + buses) | More car-friendly; buses exist but it’s more spread out |
| Airports | Gold Coast Airport has domestic + international services | Sunshine Coast Airport is domestic-only |
| Ideal trip length | 4–7 days (especially with theme parks) | 3–7 days (mix coast + hinterland) |
The real difference is holiday “speed”
If your family likes a schedule, big days, and constant entertainment, the Gold Coast makes it easy. You can stack your days with theme parks, wildlife encounters, indoor activities, and dinners that come with bright lights and dessert menus.
If your family prefers mornings that start with a beach walk, a bakery stop, and “let’s see where the day takes us”, the Sunshine Coast feels more natural.
Best for different ages
Toddlers and preschoolers: The Sunshine Coast wins for calmer beach days and a gentler overall pace. Plus, it’s easier to build nap-friendly days around nature stops and playgrounds.
Primary school kids: It’s a tie, depending on your kids’ personalities. For kids who love animals, easy beach swims and outdoor exploring – choose the Sunshine Coast. For kids who want rides, attractions and “best day ever” energy – choose the Gold Coast.
Tweens and teens: The Gold Coast wins for that “do something big every day” feeling, especially if theme parks are on the wish list.
Beaches: surf culture vs calmer family bays
Both coasts have stunning beaches, but your experience can feel different depending on where you base yourself.
- Gold Coast: more of a surf culture and iconic open beaches. The Gold Coast is great if your kids love waves.
- Sunshine Coast: still has great surf (and learn to swim schools), but there are also plenty of family-friendly options and beach towns where the beach day can be the whole plan.
If your kids aren’t confident swimmers, you’ll probably find easier beach sessions on the Sunshine Coast.
Things to do: theme parks vs nature days
Gold Coast family highlights
- Theme parks and water parks (the big reason many families choose the Gold Coast)
- Wildlife experiences (Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a classic)
- Beach and creek swims (great for younger kids who don’t love dumping waves)
- Easy evening entertainment options (restaurants, shows, bright lights)
Sunshine Coast family highlights
- Australia Zoo (the headline act for many families)
- Noosa National Park coastal walks and viewpoints
- Beach towns like Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra
- Hinterland day trips (rainforest walks, lookouts, waterfalls when conditions are right)
Getting around the Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast: do you need a car?
Gold Coast
If you stay around the main tourist strip, it’s one of the easiest places in Queensland to do with limited driving, thanks to the G:link tram and buses connecting key areas.
Sunshine Coast
You can use public transport, but the region is spread out, so most families find having a car makes life easier. Especially if you want to visit the Sunshine Coast Hinterland as well. Translink runs Sunshine Coast services, including airport connections and frequent coastal routes.
Airports: which is easier to fly into?
- Gold Coast Airport handles domestic and international flights.
- Sunshine Coast Airport (Marcoola) is domestic-only.
If you’re flying in from interstate and want the most flight options, the Gold Coast often has an edge. If you’re driving from Brisbane, it’s basically a non-issue.
Costs: Is the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast cheaper?
This one changes a lot depending on school holidays, weekend events, and how close you want to be to the beach. A practical way to think about it:
- The Gold Coast can be better value because there’s a huge range of accommodation and more competition.
- The Sunshine Coast can feel pricier in the hot spots (especially Noosa), but you can balance that by staying slightly back from the sand or choosing Caloundra/Maroochydore-style bases.
Either way, adding theme parks makes it fairly pricey. As the Gold Coast has more theme parks, this can make the total trip cost climb fast, so it’s worth deciding early whether you’re doing a theme-park holiday or a beach holiday.
Where to base yourself on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast bases families love
- Burleigh / Miami areas are great for the beach lifestyle without being right in the middle of the chaos
- Broadbeach has easy access and lots of dining
- Main Beach is close to family attractions and a bit calmer than Surfers
Sunshine Coast bases families love
- Caloundra is family-friendly, practical and has a great beach holiday feel
- Mooloolaba is an easy base, with lots nearby and “holiday” energy
- Noosa is beautiful, walkable in key areas, great for nature and food… but is often pricier
The verdict: Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast?
Choose the Gold Coast if:
- Theme parks are a core part of the trip
- You’ve got tweens/teens who get bored easily
- You want lots of entertainment options close together
- You like the idea of less driving once you arrive (tram life)
Choose the Sunshine Coast if:
- Your dream day is the beach and nature with an early dinner
- You’ve got younger kids and want calmer holiday energy
- You love coastal walks, national parks, and hinterland day trips
- You’re happy to drive a bit more to explore the region
Our take? If it’s your one big family holiday for the year and the kids want constant action, choose the Gold Coast. If you’ve already ticked the Gold Coast theme parks off your bucket list and want something a bit more chilled out, choose the Sunshine Coast.
FAQ: Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast
Both are family-friendly. Gold Coast suits families who want attractions and big entertainment. Sunshine Coast suits families who want relaxed beach and nature time.
The Gold Coast is generally a little closer to Brisbane, while the Sunshine Coast is further north. The exact time depends on where you stay on each coast and of course, the traffic exiting Brisbane on the day.
Not always. If you base yourself near the main tourist strip, the tram and buses can cover a lot.
Most families find a car helps because the region is more spread out, especially if you want to explore beyond one beach town.
Gold Coast is generally easier for tourists because of the tram corridor plus buses. Sunshine Coast buses exist, but distances between hotspots can make driving simpler.
Yes. The Gold Coast Airport has domestic and international flights, while Sunshine Coast Airport is domestic-only.
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