You don’t need to drive to Brisbane to go international. From the Gold Coast Airport, you can fly direct to Bali, Fiji and six New Zealand cities, with easy one-stop connections to North America. Here are the ones to know about…
Gold Coast to Bali
Take off in one surf town, land in another. Virgin Australia and Jetstar both fly direct to Denpasar, so there’s room to shop around on fares. Whether you’re after Canggu beach clubs or a quiet villa in Ubud, it’s a very easy trip to fit in.
Gold Coast to Fiji
Fiji Airways flies direct to Nadi in just over three hours, which is faster than flying to Perth. Pack for a week of snorkelling, island hopping and doing very little, with no need to plan for a long-haul recovery day.
Gold Coast to Hamilton
Did you know you can fly direct from the Gold Coast to Hobbit country? Hamilton is your shortcut to the Hobbiton set in nearby Matamata. The wider Waikato region adds hot pools, the Waitomo glowworm caves and green hills that look exactly like the films.
Gold Coast to Honolulu
With one stop, you can be walking along Waikiki with Diamond Head in view. Come for the surf, the shopping and the shave ice, then stay for the North Shore.
Gold Coast to Los Angeles
LA is one connection away, and it makes an easy gateway to the rest of the States. You could do Venice Beach one day and Joshua Tree the next, or pick up a hire car and head up the Pacific Coast Highway.
Gold Coast to San Francisco
San Francisco is also one stop from the Gold Coast. Think cable cars, sourdough and Golden Gate views, with Napa and Sonoma an easy drive north for the wine lovers.
Gold Coast to Houston
This is the one nobody expects. Houston is one stop away and is your way into Texas: barbecue, space centre tours and a food scene much better than its reputation suggests.
Gold Coast to Vancouver
Board in the heat and step off, one stop later, into snow season. You can connect via Auckland, or via Nadi on Fiji Airways if you’d like a few days of island time on the way. From there, Whistler is under two hours up the Sea to Sky Highway.
Check out the full list of national and international destinations right here.
