Gold Coast, QLD

About the Gold Coast region

This Queensland metropolitan region is located approximately 60 km south of Brisbane, on the state's east coast. It is bordered in the north by the Logan and Redlands region, to the west by the Ipswich and Moreton region, and to the south by the NSW state border.

The Gold Coast region is made up of a rich patchwork of landscapes, including vibrant urban areas, sandy beaches with famed surfing spots, mountain ranges and rainforest. 

The Yugambeh language group are the traditional custodians of the land on which the Gold Coast region is now located. 

Climate information

The Gold Coast enjoys a humid subtropical climate. The region's weather is mostly fine and sunny, with the few rainy-day exceptions occurring primarily during the summer period (December-February).

The mean maximum temperature for the Gold Coast is 25.4 °C, while the mean minimum is 17.3 °C. The region receives a mean annual rainfall of 1259.2 mm. 

Population

The estimated population of the Gold Coast region is reported as 606,774 as of 2018.

Education

The Gold Coast is home to a host of kindergartens, pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools, giving parents a range of choice when selecting their children's educational institutions.

For those aiming to undertake tertiary studies, the region is home to a number of universities, including campuses of Griffith University, Southern Cross University, and Bond University. The Gold Coast also features 5 TAFE campuses, located in Ashmore, Coolangatta, Coomera, and Southport. 

Employment and local businesses

The Gold Coast region has a Gross Regional Product of $37 billion, and is home to approximately 304,441 local jobs. The region's top five industries by number of people employed are retail, healthcare & social assistance, construction, accommodation & food services, and education & training, all in line with its reputation as a tourism hotspot. 

The economic foundations of the Gold Coast region are built on the historically-strong sectors of construction and tourism. However, the region's economy is growing and evolving into a more knowledge-based one, with emerging strengths in healthcare, ICT, education, sport, marine, and film production.

Housing

The median house price for the Gold Coast region was $648,340 as of 2018, well above Queensland's median of $458,360 for the same period. 

The region had a median weekly house rental (for a 3-bedroom home) of $520, $125 below the Queensland median. 

Events

• Bleach* Festival

Where: Gold Coast, QLD

When: Annually, in November

What: The Bleach* Festival celebrates everything that's best about the Gold Coast city, providing residents and visitors alike with an unforgettable artistic and cultural experience. The city comes alive with performances and installations from artists from across Australia and the world, who use its most iconic landmarks and natural landscapes as canvases and venues for their pieces. 

• Gold Coast Film Festival

Where: Gold Coast, QLD

When: Annually, in April 

What: One of the Gold Coast's most iconic events, this festival brings films, panels, parties, pop-up cinemas and Q&As to more than 10 locations across the city. Visitors can enjoy the glamour of the red carpet on opening night, take part in intimate workshops with some of the nation's most renowned actors, writers and directors, and be captivated by some of the year's finest films across all genres. The city also comes alive with unique outdoor pop-up cinemas, located on rooftops, in parks and breweries, and even floating on a boat!

• SWELL Sculpture Festival

Where: Currumbin, QLD

When: Annually, in September

What: This festival turns the picturesque Currumbin Beach into an outdoor gallery, with over 50 large-scale contemporary sculptures displayed by the seaside. Visitors can enjoy a number of intimate experiences bringing them into contact with the artists, including guided twilight walks, artist talks and artist-led workshops. The festival is open at all hours and is free to visit, with the sculptures lit up at night to offer viewers a totally new perspective.