The Gold Coast is a popular holiday destination for visitors from all over Australia as well as overseas, and if you are thinking of heading to the Gold Coast in 2020 you might be wondering when is the best time of the year for you to book your Queensland getaway?
The answer to that question depends on quite a lot of factors, including the type of holiday you would most enjoy, whether you are travelling with kids, as a couple, or solo, and what kind of activities you would most enjoy.
If crowds aren’t really your thing, trying to plan your getaway for months outside of peak times is a great strategy, and can often help you to manage a more affordable holiday on a budget, as stay rates can be lower outside of peak times. This isn’t always possible when you are fitting in with time off over school holidays, but booking ahead of time can often secure early bird stay rates, or choosing the cooler months can be another work around.
What do the different months on the Gold Coast look like?
Weather wise, the Gold Coast offers lots of sunshine and year round lovely weather, with average temperatures ranging from 11 to 28 degrees celsius, with mild and moderate winters where many locals and visitors are still seen enjoying the beach and many outdoor activities.
Gold Coast Summer
Summer is the warmest time of the year obviously, and humidity is higher in the summer months and so beachside holiday apartments are very popular for Gold Coast visitors. You may find that beachside holiday apartments may be booked out well ahead of time, especially those that have desirable onsite facilities such as pools, and outdoor guest barbecue facilities and the beach within walking distance.
If you plan to visit the Gold Coast during the summer months December through to February booking well ahead of time might make it more likely that you are able to secure accommodation in ideal locations close to the beach and other popular tourist attractions at early bird rates.
The average temperatures on the Gold Coast in summer range between 20 to 28 degrees but can jump up to over 40 degrees on extremely hot days, but the average during summer months is around 25 degrees Celsius. Humidity averages around 70%, and in January the sun rises just before 5 a.m. and sets just before 7 p.m.
School holidays run from mid December through to the end of January and is a peak time for family holidays on the Gold Coast, so if you're looking to get away with your partner or on your own, or organise a weekend away with friends, being aware of the dates that school holidays run can help you manage your holiday planning.
If you are looking to visit the Gold Coast water parks such as Wet n' Wild and WhiteWater World as well as the water feature attractions at SeaWorld, then summer is peak times for foot traffic at theme parks, and school holidays especially can be busier for Gold Coast water parks. If it's possible to book your stay during spring or autumn when the days are still warm but the nights are cooler, you may still be able to take full advantage of the best water parks on the Gold Coast minus the crowds.
The other Gold Coast theme parks, wildlife parks, and attractions such as Dreamworld, Movie World, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and David Fleay Wildlife Park are enjoyed most months of the year, but again will be busier during school holidays. Autumn and Winter on the Gold Coast In February the weather starts to cool down, and the crowds on the street and at major attractions are much smaller, however March and April tend to be the wetter months of the year, and you’ll see heat and humidity starts to fall progressively as winter approaches.
Beaches and water parks are still popular for locals and tourists in autumn, and there are many sporting events on at this time of the year including Surf Lifesaving carnivals, surf carnivals and competitions. Autumn is an ideal time of the year to explore the Gold Coast Hinterland regions which are often lush and green, and a little bit cooler for hikers. This time of the year brings tropical storms in the late afternoon and early evenings, and averages around 14 rainy days a month.
March and April are still great times to get to the beach, and there are often pro surfers spotted on the coast at this time of the year that you might run into on the streets or in the local eateries if you keep your eyes peeled thanks to the The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro running in April. It’s a great time of year to take part in the Gold Coast lifestyle yourself and learn how to surf, have a game of golf, enjoy early morning beach walks, or head out for a spot of deep sea fishing with black marlin found on the offshore reefs at this time of year.
April is a fantastic time of year to come and visit and celebrate Easter, Anzac Day, and so many local school holiday activities for maximum family fun. Seeing the Gold Coast from above with hot air ballooning or helicopter rides is particularly fantastic at this time of the year. Exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland from the ground is a delight for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, with the average temperature ranges from 16 to 25 degrees but far less rain so you're more likely to enjoy plenty of sunny days on your holiday. Make sure you pack some warmer clothes as it can begin to get a little chilly early mornings and in the evenings.
May is popular for activities on the water, with beautiful calm and sunny days offering the perfect opportunity for boating and fishing, with average temperatures ranging between 13 to 22 degrees. This time of year you can enjoy the popular Blues on Broadbeach music festival, and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and it’s a great of year to enjoy wine tasting at Mount Tamborine or visiting one of the microbreweries, as well as catching evening entertainment such as Dracula's Cabaret dinner and show, or Australian Outback Spectacular show.
June, July, and August are the coldest months however the Gold Coast winter is unlike winter anywhere else. The average water temperature in winter is 21 degrees and many locals and visitors still swim at the beach during winter.
Spring on the Gold Coast
With spring arriving daily temperatures start to warm up again and this is a popular time of the year for visitors to the Gold Coast wish the flowers blooming and windy days making it the perfect time for kiteboarding windsurfing or even just flying a kite at the beach, and you’ll be able to spot whales off the coastline for their annual migration.
The Gold Coast 600 is hugely popular and attracts thousands of people to the street to Surfers Paradise every year, and you can also enjoy fun events such as Melbourne Cup festivities and Christmas events start to kick off towards the end of the month of November. Just be aware that Surfers Paradise hosts Schoolies Week in November so you might want to choose to book your stay either before or after these celebrations.
December welcomes many visitors especially during the school holiday periods looking to celebrate Christmas festivities and New Years away from home, or visiting family who reside on the Gold Coast. Shopping centres in December are busy with everyone looking to finalize their Christmas shopping, but there’s also a huge lineup of local events promoting the holiday spirit including Christmas carols, fireworks, and visits from Santa.
Overall, the Gold Coast is a fantastic place to visit any time of year, and you can enjoy your stay with comfortable holiday apartments at Harbourside Resort. Check our stay rates and availability and book direct here.
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