You stand barefoot on the sand while live music plays softly nearby. The smell of fresh coffee blends with the quiet excitement of a festival morning. This is winter on the Gold Coast.
Here you can enjoy art by the beach, surfing events, and live shows under an open sky. These are the kinds of experiences that turn a good holiday into a great one. We’ve gathered the best things to do in Gold Coast this season to help you plan your visit.
Best Things to Do in Gold Coast This Winter
If you’re planning where to go on the Gold Coast this winter, start with the events that bring life to the coastline. There are plenty of activities to do in the Gold Coast during the cooler season. We’ve selected a mix of highlights to help you plan a trip that feels full and well spent.
Art, Atmosphere and Oceanfront Trails
The Swell Sculpture Festival returns to Currumbin on 12 September 2025, bringing the beachfront to life with creativity and colour. This free event invites you to explore a vibrant coastal trail filled with large-scale sculptures by both Australian and international artists.
Each piece has been carefully placed along the sand and grassy headlands. All are designed to spark curiosity and invite reflection. It’s an easygoing way to enjoy art outdoors, while feeling immersed in the laid-back rhythm of Currumbin.
If you’re looking for activities to do in Gold Coast, Australia, this winter, Swell Currumbin delivers something different.
Local tip: Plan your visit for sunset when the light softens and the artworks take on a whole new dimension.
Travel tip: Walk or cycle the Oceanway if you can. It’s a scenic, relaxed path that follows the coastline.
Packing tip: Bring a light jacket and a torch if you’re heading out in the evening.
Run, Cheer, Repeat – Coastline Events with a Pulse
The Gold Coast lights up with energy during winter and spring, especially as runners hit the pavement for two of the region’s most anticipated fitness festivals. These events attract athletes, locals, and holidaymakers who enjoy the buzz of a coastal crowd and the feel of an active holiday.
Wild Earth Border Bolt Running Festival
3 August 2025 – Currumbin
7–8 minutes from Princess Palm
Tickets: $35 to $60
This event features 5K, 10K and 15K races. Its flat course and ocean views offer a great experience for beginners and returning participants alike. The cool air and coastal setting provide ideal running conditions.
Tip: Register early. Entry spots are limited and often gone well before race week.
Travel advice: Leave with plenty of time. Morning traffic builds fast along the Gold Coast Highway.
Packing advice: Bring a light jacket or hoodie. You’ll warm up quickly during the run, but mornings can feel brisk near the beach.
fisiocrem GC50 Run Festival
11–12 October 2025 – Coolangatta
20 minutes from Princess Palm
Tickets: Starting from $50
The Gold Coast 50 offers distances ranging from 5K to ultra events, with the course hugging the coastline between Kirra and Coolangatta. It’s well known for its relaxed yet competitive spirit and welcoming crowd.
Spectators can enjoy the view from Greenmount Hill, where the ocean breeze pairs well with a hot coffee. The hillside vantage point lets you follow the race while still enjoying the comfort of your surroundings.
These coastal runs rank among the most rewarding activities to do in the Gold Coast during the cooler months. You can take part or simply enjoy the buzz that spreads along the foreshore on race weekend.
Live Music, Local Culture and Laidback Festival Vibes
The Gold Coast welcomes music lovers and arts enthusiasts with a season full of vibrant events. These festivals bring people together in relaxed settings where live performances, creative installations and community spirit fill the air.
Broadbeach and Currumbin each offer their own flavour, with programs that suit both spontaneous visits and well-planned outings.
Groundwater Country Music Festival
17 October 2025 – Broadbeach
20 minutes from Princess Palm
Tickets: Free
This nationally recognised festival brings country music to the streets of Broadbeach. Several stages are set up throughout the precinct, offering performances by headline acts, emerging artists and local talent. The mix of venues, cafés and beach views creates an easy-going atmosphere for music fans.
Tip: Take the G: link tram to Broadbeach South and skip the parking hassle. It’s a simple way to stay mobile without dealing with road closures.
Packing advice: Bring a jumper or light jacket. The sea breeze cools things down after dark, especially once the music keeps going into the night.
Groundwater continues to grow in popularity and is now one of the key Gold Coast country music festivals on the calendar. It’s a great choice for travellers who want to hear live music while exploring one of the Gold Coast’s most popular beachside areas.
BLEACH Festival
Mid to late June – Currumbin and Burleigh
10 to 15 minutes from Princess Palm
Tickets: Many events are free. Premium shows start at $20
BLEACH presents an evolving mix of theatre, music, movement and art across various public spaces. The program includes sunrise shows on the beach, dance performances in open parks and site-specific art installations. The festival blends culture with environment and encourages you to engage with the coast in a different way.
Tip: Catch a sunrise performance at Currumbin Beach for a quiet and moving start to the day.
Packing advice: Bring something warm, and if you’re planning to stay for a while, pack a picnic mat or a small chair.
As a highlight in the calendar of live shows Gold Coast hosts each year, Bleach continues to surprise. You might walk into a poetry reading on the dunes or pause to watch a string ensemble performing under the trees. Each moment offers something new.
Motorsport Roars Through the City
The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 returns to Surfers Paradise between 24 and 26 October 2025. For three days, the city streets turn into a motorsport circuit, packed with roaring engines, race-day energy and a crowd that fills every grandstand.
Surfers Paradise
20 minutes from Princess Palm
Tickets: From $55 AUD
This event brings more than speed. Live music, food trucks, merchandise stalls and pop-up activities spread across the precinct. The festive atmosphere builds early and continues well after the last lap of the day. Visitors come for the cars, but stay for the energy that moves through the city.
Tip: Bring sunscreen, a hat and earplugs. The track noise builds quickly, and the sun is often strong by late morning.
Travel advice: The G: link tram is the easiest way to reach the event precinct without getting caught in traffic or searching for parking.
Surfing Rivalries Heat Up the Coastline
The Surfing State of Origin returns to Burleigh on 15 November 2025, turning the beach into a battleground for state pride. Queensland and New South Wales send their best surfers to compete, with every wave watched closely by fans lined along the shore.
Burleigh
10 minutes from Princess Palm
Tickets: Free
This is one of the most anticipated surfing competitions the Gold Coast will host during the season. The match-ups are intense, with points riding on every set and locals cheering on their favourites. The vibe is competitive but relaxed, and the backdrop adds to the experience.
Tip: Arrive early and head to Snapper Rocks lookout for the clearest view of the break.
Packing advice: Bring a hoodie or windbreaker. The early breeze off the headland can feel sharp before the sun warms the day.
Plan Around What Moves You
The best things to do in Gold Coast shift with the seasons, and winter brings a distinct atmosphere. Warm days, clear skies and a full calendar of events make it an ideal time to explore.
This time of year blends creative festivals, community gatherings and open-air performances. Each event adds something different to your stay while keeping the relaxed pace that defines the region during the cooler months.
When you plan your trip, look at what’s happening nearby. Let your holiday take shape around what draws your attention.
Stay Close to the Action at Princess Palm Beach
During event season, location makes a real difference. Princess Palm Beach offers a peaceful base that keeps you close to the action without sacrificing comfort. The self-contained apartments feature direct beach access and panoramic ocean views, creating the perfect space to recharge between outings.
Currumbin, Burleigh, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise are all within easy reach. After a day out at a festival or along the coast, you can return for a swim in the heated outdoor pool, cook dinner in the beachside barbecue area, or relax on your balcony while the light fades across the water.
With so many winter events nearby, staying here lets you focus on your plans without long drives or busy traffic. You get more time to enjoy each moment, and the flexibility to make the most of your holiday at your own pace.
Image Credit: Inside Gold Coast
Recent Comments