Located in the far east of Southport, the Gold Coast CBD is a vibrant commercial hub on the sun-drenched Queensland coast. It encompasses sprawling waterfront parklands and the Australia Fair Shopping Centre, as well as the Asian-inspired restaurants and cultural institutions of Chinatown.

Things to do

Explore the architectural landmarks of the Gold Coast CBD along the Heritage Walk, a 30-minute loop that passes the Art Deco-style Town Hall and the 19th-century Guardian Angels Catholic Church. Take note of the Confucius statue that marks the entrance to Chinatown, which comes to life on the first Saturday of each month when the Chinatown Street Markets take place.

The recreational heartland of the Gold Coast CBD is the Broadwater Parklands, a three-kilometre stretch of walking trails, open spaces and children’s playgrounds. If you’re visiting in the hot, summer months, you can cool off at the coastal-themed Rockpools water park or head to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre to swim laps in its Olympic-size pool.

Need a shopping fix? The Australia Fair Shopping Centre is home to big-name department stores and supermarkets, as well as fashion, electronics and beauty retail shops. You can catch the latest Hollywood blockbusters at the Event Cinemas before grabbing a bite to eat at one of the shopping centre’s food court eateries or international restaurants.

Getting around

The Gold Coast CBD is around 40 minutes’ drive from Gold Coast Airport or an hour from Brisbane Airport, which has a greater choice of international flight connections. Buses connect to the Nerang railway station from where train services travel north to Brisbane and south as far as Varsity Lakes. The Gold Coast Central Business District is compact enough to explore on foot, although taxis and ride-share services are available.