The Gold Coast, Australia has of late become few of the best scenic drives in the whole country. It starts with the Great Ocean Road and leads onto Snowy Mountain Highway then Tasmanian West Coast and Adelaide hills.
You can enjoy this terrific view from behind a wind screen or you can simply appreciate the wavy mountain roads through this drive through the Gold Coast. If you are keen to spend a whole day behind the wheel, while witnessing fantastic site scenes then you would be definitely rewarded with amazing views, flowing wineries and hidden treasures such as secret mountain top cafes.
In case you have limited time then also there are plenty of small scenic routes that will keep you occupied for half an hour or half a day. We have carefully planned the best route for your drive.
Head north and you'll go through the glamorous Main Beach & along the edge of the amazing Broadwater via Southport, Labrador & Runaway Bay. You can check out the yachts cruise where the seagulls glide. Then you'll reach Sanctuary Cove - go there and watch around the prestige Golf Course development and the boutique shopping Village.
After that, when you're on the Pacific Highway, you'll find Mount Tamborine, when you get past Dreamworld, leading you to an area of acreage properties and then up the mountain to Tamborine Village. Going further, you'll see North Tamborine where there will be signs pointing to multiple bushwalks and National Parks. There are many short strolls around the mountain into the breathtaking rainforests. Grab some morning tea at a mesmerizing coffee house and eat at quaint eateries and head back down the Mountain to Nerang.
Once here, you'll find the Pacific Highway and then reach Mudgeeraba. Head through Mudgeeraba & then see the signs to Springbrook. The road to the mountain through Springbrook is safe, yet not for the faint-hearted.
Once you reach the top head into Springbrook Village, you'll find plenty of interesting lookouts as well as little shops to keep you interested. After looking out to your heart's content, you can head back to Numinbah Valley and Natural Arch, where you can grab something to eat.
After refueling yourself and your partners, keep heading south through the valley, taking the right hand turn to Natural Arch. The short bushwalk here to the arch is worth a look.
After that follow the signs to Murwillumbah. You will cross the NSW/Qld border at a mountain pass that has a great view in itself. Keeping on the same road to Murwillumbah,a beautiful country town placed on the banks of the Tweed River, you will witness some soothing changing scenery that begins in temperate rainforest, heading down through farmland, cute towns, quaint valleys, ending up in the sugar cane fields. If you reach the centre of Murwillumbah then you will find a pub to quench your thirst.
Refreshed, now you can go get back to the Gold Coast, along a new and fairly scenic motorway. If you still have plenty of time then head back the same way you came into Murwillumbah, following the signs to Currumbin. The road continues through cane fields then heads back up into the mountains, bordering through banana plantations and rainforest, along with some worthy views across the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning. Drive until you get to Currumbin Creek road, to reach Coolangatta.
Coolangatta, sharing the state border with Tweed Heads is a great place. Following the road along the coastline will take you to the most famous surf breaks in the world, in just the space of about 15mins including Snapper Rocks, Kirra Beach, Duranbah and Greenmount. You can witness gorgeous blue NSW coastline stretch, Rainbow bay, Byron Bay and then jump back into the car and return.