Brisbane & Gold Coast itinerary

It’s no secret that Queensland is one of Australia’s most chio destinations. And if you’ve been planning to visit the country’s second largest state, 2 cities that will probably pop up are Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The good news is that doing both in one trip is actually very manageable. Fly into Brisbane first, then make your way down to the Gold Coast, which is less than an hour away by car.

You can fly direct from Singapore to Brisbane with Singapore Airlines, making the journey a pretty straightforward one for a Queensland getaway. We’ve plotted out a 6D5N Brisbane and Gold Coast itinerary that gives you all the best parts of a beach-heavy escape, food-filled road trip, and hinterland views to help you make the most of your time.

What are the timings of Singapore Airlines’ flights from SG to Brisbane?

Image credit: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines currently operates 4 direct flights a week from Singapore to Brisbane, with departure timings at 12.45am, 7.20am, 9.55am, and 9.35pm. That gives you a wide spread of options, whether you prefer arriving earlier in the day or taking a later flight and landing the next morning.

For the return leg from Brisbane to Singapore, flights depart at 9.20am, 2.45pm, 6.10pm, and 11.50pm. So whether you want to squeeze in a final meal before heading to the airport or just get on the plane and knock out, there’s enough flexibility to plan around your trip.

– Day 1 –

Fly into Brisbane & head towards the Gold Coast 

Image credit: Klook 

Once you land in Brisbane, it’s time to make your way down to the Gold Coast. The drive south from Brisbane takes around an hour. If you’re planning to cover both the coast and Gold Coast hinterland, we’d recommend picking up a rental car at Brisbane Airport, since it gives you a lot more flexibility for the days ahead.

That said, if you’d rather skip driving, you can also catch the AirTrain down to the Gold Coast straight from Brisbane Airport. It costs AUD24.80/pax (~S$22.70) and will take you straight to Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.

As for where to base yourself, you’ve got 2 options. Go for Surfers Paradise if you want to be closer to the action, with beachfront options like Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise or QT Gold Coast. While you’re there, head up to the nearby SkyPoint Observation Deck & Climb for panoramic views of the coast, whether by day or in the evening when the skyline starts to glow.

If you’d rather stay somewhere quieter with local vibes, consider basing yourself around the Southern Gold Coast instead. This stretch runs roughly from Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach down to Coolangatta near the New South Wales border, and makes a good pick for travellers who prefer a more laid-back, surf-driven vibe. It’s also home to iconic spots like Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta and Kirra, which helped this coastline earn its status as the world’s 8th World Surfing Reserve.

– Day 2 –

Slow down on the Southern Gold Coast

Tallebudgera Creek.
Image credit: Josh Withers via Unsplash

If you’ve chosen to base yourself on the Southern Gold Coast, this is where it really pays off. Compared to the busier parts of the coast, the pace here is slower and the beaches feel more scenic. The whole area has a more easygoing, local feel.

Start with a dip or a slow morning at Tallebudgera Creek, where calm, clear waters meet shaded sandy banks lined with rainforest and pandanus palms. This is a place locals love, but still somehow feels like a hidden find. Then make your way to Currumbin, where Currumbin Alley is known for its craggy rock landmark, lagoon-like estuary, and beginner-friendly surf break. If you’re there at the right time, it’s also a great place to catch the full moon rising out of the Pacific.

Image credit: Currumbin Sanctuary 

While you’re in the area, drop by Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to meet koalas and other native wildlife. Plan your trip on a Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for Astra Lumina, a light-and-sound experience that transforms the bushland trail into a cosmic night walk after dark. Tickets start from AUD45 (~S$41.19) for adults and AUD30 (~S$27.46) for youths.

Alternatively, pack a picnic basket and head up to Burleigh Heads for sunset by the hill. You’d often see locals gather with picnic blankets, drinks, and snacks to watch the sky change colour. From there, continue to Burleigh Pavilion for seaside drinks and dinner with a view, then round off the night at Burleigh Brewing for a taste of the local craft beer scene.

– Day 3 –

Plot a Gold Coast café, market & bar-hopping day

Image credit: Queensland Distillery Trail 

After the scenic stops of the Southern Gold Coast, make the third day your more lifestyle-led one. Gold Coast is known for being laidback – so were you really there if you didn’t spend it chilling and dining?

Image adapted from: @miamimarketta via Instagram 

For something a little different from the usual beach-and-brunch circuit, start with Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery. It’s a good afternoon stop if you’re in the mood for small-batch spirits and a more local side of the Gold Coast’s drinking scene.

Come dinner, make your way to Miami Marketta (open Wednesday to Saturday), the Gold Coast’s original street food night market. Expect a lively mix of bars, shopping, free live music, and food from all over the world – from Japanese bao and Italian pasta to Mexican tacos, Turkish gozleme, Spanish churros, and woodfired pizza.

If your trip falls on a Sunday, slot in HOTA Farmers Market as an optional stop. It’s a farmers’ market that runs every week from 6am to 11.30am. It’s a nice way to see a more local, community-led side of the Gold Coast, especially if you like markets, fresh produce, and a more relaxed start to the day.

Now, not everyone’s cut out for café-hopping and taking it slow. And if you’re part of this camp, swap the day for something more adrenaline-filled and make this your theme park day instead. Dreamworld, Australia’s biggest theme park, is a solid pick if you want a full day of rides rather than just a quick stop – there are big thrill rides for the brave, family-friendly attractions for those easing in, and even gentler options for younger kids.

For non-drivers, the G:Link tram is a handy way to get around the central stretch of the Gold Coast, with fares from just AUD 50 cents per trip. You can also download the My G:App to check station locations and real-time tram timings. From September 2026, the G:Link will also connect to the Southern Gold Coast, including Burleigh Heads, which makes getting around even easier.

– Day 4 –

See “The Green Behind The Gold”

Image credit: Queensland

By Day 4, it’s time to swap beaches for bushland and see a very different side of the Gold Coast. Head west into the Gold Coast Hinterland, also known as “The Green Behind The Gold”, where mountain roads, rainforest air, and wide valley views start replacing surf breaks and beachfront buzz.

Start with Mount Tamborine, which makes for a gentle introduction to the hinterland. The mountain is known for its winding drives, lookouts, walking trails, and that slightly old-world, country-town charm that makes you want to stay longer than planned. If you’ve got time, there are waterfalls, easy nature walks, and even attractions like the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and Glow Worm Caves nearby.

Image credit: Sightseeing Tours Australia 

Once you’re up there, spend some time along Gallery Walk, where the pace slows right down. This stretch is lined with antique stores, artisan galleries, boutiques, cafés, and all sorts of snack-worthy stops, so it’s ideal if you want to browse without overcommitting to anything too structured. You can dabao home some fudge, cheeses, and local produce while you’re there too.

Image credit: Tamborine Mountain Distillery

From there, pass through Canungra, a small scenic town that works well as a pit stop before the next leg of the drive. To break things up with a drink, swing by Tamborine Mountain Distillery. Set in a Tudor-style property near Gallery Walk, it’s a good place to slow down with a tasting and try some of their liqueurs, gins, vodkas, and schnapps.

After that, check into your overnight stay in the hinterland – tomorrow is when you’ll properly get to explore the wilder side of it.

– Day 5 –

Stay overnight in the Hinterland for nature & adventure

The view from the tiny wild houses.
Image credit: Experience Gold Coast.

After a slower scenic day easing into the hinterland, Day 5 is where you get to experience its more rugged side. Base yourself around Binna Burra for that proper rainforest escape feeling. Binna Burra Lodge has different accommodation options, from tiny wild houses overlooking the rainforest to safari tents, so you can wake up to birdsong instead of traffic for once.

Image credit: @sergioveramatuss via Instagram 

Then spend the day exploring Lamington National Park, a World Heritage-listed rainforest park filled with bushwalking trails, waterfalls, creeks, caves, and mountain scenery that feels worlds away from the coast.

There’s no general entry fee, though permits or fees may apply for bush camping. One useful thing to note: Lamington is usually around 5 degrees cooler than Brisbane, and can even dip below 0 degrees in winter, so pack an extra layer to stay comfy.

Image credit: Visit Brisbane 

If you’re after something a little more adventurous, add Happitat Adventure Park to the mix.

This isn’t just a side quest, though – it’s best to set aside a full day for it. Billed as the world’s first purpose‑built cliff‑side adventure park, it sits on a 200-400m cliff above the ancient rainforest canopy. Daredevils will love the Via Ferrata routes, where you cross cliff faces using steel rungs. You can also challenge yourself on the suspension bridges, climbing nets, and tightropes.

– Day 6 –

Wrap up your trip back in Brisbane

On your final day, make your way back to Brisbane in time for your flight home. Keep the morning easy – maybe squeeze in one last coffee or a proper breakfast before hitting the road.

The Paddock Bakery.
Image credit: @bookatini_ via Instagram 

We’d recommend The Paddock Bakery in Burleigh, which has become an institution amongst locals. They’ve got avocado toasts, salmon bagels, and colourful pastries that taste just as good as they’d look in photos. Alternatively, Bam Bam Bakehouse at Mermaid Beach is also a happening spot, said to be home to “Gold Coast’s best croissants and pastries.”

Don’t worry if you’re short on time, simply get them to-go for your drive back. It’s a pretty satisfying way to end a Brisbane and Gold Coast itinerary, especially when the route back to the airport is that straightforward.

Fly to Brisbane & the Gold Coast with Singapore Airlines

If your impression of the Gold Coast is that it was all theme parks and Surfers Paradise, hopefully this itinerary has shown you there’s a lot more to it than that. Between the scenic beaches of the Southern Gold Coast, the food and bar-hopping stops, and the greener side of the region out in the hinterland, there are so many different versions of Queensland you get to experience in one go.

And with Singapore Airlines’ 4 weekly direct flights to Brisbane, getting started is pretty fuss-free. Since the Gold Coast is less than an hour away by car, Brisbane makes a convenient gateway for the trip. All that’s left to do is book your flight.

Find out more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Brisbane

This article is brought to you by Singapore Airlines.
Cover image adapted from: Currumbin Sanctuary, Queensland & Sightseeing Tours Australia