{"id":5153,"date":"2024-05-21T22:16:29","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T22:16:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5153"},"modified":"2024-09-25T01:05:39","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T01:05:39","slug":"3-spectacular-scenic-drives-on-the-gold-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/3-spectacular-scenic-drives-on-the-gold-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Spectacular Scenic Drives on the Gold Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Gold Coast<\/a> might be famous for its towering skyscrapers and busy coastline, but there\u2019s so much more to it. Jump in the car, and it won\u2019t be long before you\u2019re discovering ancient rainforests, magical waterfalls, hidden valleys and secluded beaches. Here are three spectacular Gold Coast scenic drives to add to your itinerary.

Hire one of SIXT\u2019s electric vehicles<\/a> (EVs) to drive in comfort and style, without doing any harm to the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR IDYLLIC VALLEYS: LOST WORLD SCENIC DRIVE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 90 minutes\u2019 drive southwest of the Gold Coast is the Lost World. This rugged, unspoilt wilderness is a series of valleys backdropped by stunning Razorback Mountain and Lamington Plateau. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lost World Scenic Drive is a circuit from the friendly country town of Beaudesert that transports you to gorgeous woodlands, rushing rivers and lush pastures. Highlights include Tommerup\u2019s Dairy, where you can meet farm animals and buy fresh produce; the swimming holes along Christmas Creek; and the impossibly green fields of Kerry Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can drive the Lost World Scenic Drive in a day; but, if you\u2019d like to stay overnight, so you can kick back and relax, there are plenty of options \u2013 from camping in idyllic Kerry Valley to glamping at Christmas Creek to pretty farmstays surrounded by rural views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Byron
Image credit: Destination NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR JAW-DROPPING COASTLINE: GOLD COAST TO BYRON BAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see some of Australia\u2019s most magnificent coastal scenery, take the scenic drive from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay, crossing the border into NSW<\/a> on the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stops to make in Queensland<\/a> include Burleigh Head National Park, where you can take an incredible coastal walk; Currumbin Beach, where you can relax on white sand and swim in crystal clear water; and Coolangatta, where you can stop for a lunch in a great restaurant overlooking the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In NSW, don\u2019t miss the laidback village of Fingal Head; the stunning views from Norries Head at the southern end of Cabarita Beach; and, of course, Byron Bay, where you can visit Australia\u2019s easternmost point. Travelling with kids? Here\u2019s where to go and what to do<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Natural
Image credit: Do japan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR ANCIENT RAINFOREST AND WATERFALLS: NATURAL BRIDGE CIRCUIT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This drive takes you deep into Springbrook National Park, which is just 50 minutes southwest of the Gold Coast. It\u2019s also part of the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests. Leave from Mudgeeraba, following the 99, which winds upwards to Springbrook Mountain plateau. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights include Purling Brook Falls, which lie along a four-kilometre trail, including a suspension bridge over a dramatic gorge overlooking the falls; Twin Falls Circuit, a four-kilometre loop that takes you to rock pools where you swim looking up at the cascades; and Best of All Lookout, which takes in views of Murwillumbah, Mt Warning and Brunswick Heads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reach Natural Bridge, follow Pine Creek Road down Springbrook Mountain, then turn left down Nerang-Murwillumbah Road, which will take you through beautiful Numinbah Valley. The bridge lies at the end of a one-kilometre walk through rainforest. There\u2019s a glow worm cave \u2013 come back at night on a guided tour to explore it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO THE GOLD COAST<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gold Coast is an hour\u2019s drive north of Brisbane, nine hours\u2019 drive north of Sydney and 18 hours\u2019 drive north of Melbourne. If you\u2019re hitting the road, then don\u2019t leave home before reading our road trip guides, which cover Sydney to the Gold Coast<\/a>, Brisbane to the Gold Coast<\/a> and swimming spots on the road from Coffs Harbour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flying instead? Land at the Gold Coast Airport<\/a> (aka Coolangatta Airport), then pick up a SIXT car hire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelling with kids? Here\u2019s how to keep them happy and entertained on the Gold Coast<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Gold Coast might be famous for its towering skyscrapers and busy coastline, but there\u2019s so much more to it. Jump in the car, and it won\u2019t be long before you\u2019re discovering ancient rainforests, magical waterfalls, hidden valleys and secluded beaches. Here are three spectacular Gold Coast scenic drives to add to your itinerary. Hire…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[64,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-5153","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-gold-coast","8":"tag-queensland","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n3 Spectacular Scenic Drives on the Gold Coast - SIXT Magazine Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Jump in the car, and it won\u2019t be long before you\u2019re discovering ancient rainforests, magical waterfalls, hidden valleys and secluded beaches.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/3-spectacular-scenic-drives-on-the-gold-coast\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"3 Spectacular Scenic Drives on the Gold Coast - 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