What are the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast?

The Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast are two large beach-and-resort regions on the south-east Queensland coast, both centred on long stretches of surf beach and subtropical climate. They are among the most popular domestic tourism destinations in Australia and two of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

The Gold Coast lies on the southern end of Queensland, just north of the New South Wales border, about 80 kilometres south of Brisbane. With a population of about 720,000 in 2024, it is the largest non-capital city in Australia. Surfers Paradise is its skyline-defining tourist strip, lined with high-rise apartments and hotels overlooking 70 kilometres of beach. Theme parks (Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, Wet'n'Wild) attract families from across Australia, and the Gold Coast hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Sunshine Coast lies about 100 kilometres north of Brisbane and stretches from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north. Its population is about 360,000 and its character is more low-rise, family, and ecotourism than the high-rise Gold Coast. Iconic places include Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum, the Glass House Mountains (volcanic plugs visible from afar), and Australia Zoo, founded by the Irwin family. Noosa National Park protects a headland of dry sclerophyll forest where koalas and dolphins are commonly seen.

Both regions have grown rapidly through interstate migration, drawing Australians from Sydney and Melbourne in search of warmer weather, beach lifestyle, and (until recently) lower housing costs. Climate, accessibility from major airports, and Queensland's broader appeal have made south-east Queensland the fastest-growing major region in the country, putting pressure on housing affordability, transport, and water supply, with major dams such as Wivenhoe, Hinze, and Baroon Pocket all serving the region.