The Gold Coast is located in south east Queensland, 1 hour drive south of Brisbane and is renowned for its golden beaches, sunny sub-tropical climate, nightlife, tourist activities and theme parks and the Hinterland to the west. In fifty years, Gold Coast City has grown from a small beachside holiday destination to Australia's sixth largest city and is the second most populated city in Queensland after Brisbane.

The Gold Coast stretches from the southernmost part of Coolangatta, north to Hope Island and then further on to Stradbroke Island. Surfers Paradise forms the hub and commercial district of the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast consists of 57 km of coastline with some of the most popular surf breaks in Australia and the world. Famous beaches include: South Stradbroke Island, The Spit, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach, Miami, Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Froggies Beach. Gold Coast's largest professional surf lifesaving service in Australia is actively protecting people on the beaches and to promote surf safety throughout the community.

Waterfront canal living is a feature of the Gold Coast with most canal frontage homes having pontoons. The Gold Coast seaway, between The Spit and South Stradbroke Island, allows boats direct access to the Pacific Ocean from The Broadwater.