Campervan Hire Gold Coast — Surfers Paradise, Hinterland, Byron Bay and Tips for 2027

Surfers Paradise is the centre of the Gold Coast: high-rises along 57 km of beaches, theme parks and a rainforest hinterland less than an hour inland. For a campervan trip it is a good base because everything is close together, from the surf beaches at Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta to the waterfalls of Springbrook. It is also a natural stop on the coast road between Brisbane and Sydney. This guide covers routes, overnight stops and the rules that visitors most often run into.

Along the coast

• Burleigh Heads (about 15 km south): a headland national park with a short walking track and a view back to the Surfers Paradise skyline.
• Currumbin and Coolangatta (about 30 km): quieter beaches and the famous surf point at Snapper Rocks; at Point Danger you stand on the Queensland–New South Wales border.
• Byron Bay (about 100 km south): Cape Byron lighthouse, the easternmost point of mainland Australia, and a relaxed beach town. From there the Pacific Highway continues to Sydney, about 830 km from the Gold Coast; see our guide to campervan hire in Sydney.
• Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast (Brisbane about 80 km north): see our guide to campervan hire in Brisbane for Noosa, K'gari and the long road north.

The hinterland

• Tamborine Mountain (about 40 km): a plateau with rainforest walks, a treetop skywalk and the Gallery Walk with cafés and shops. The roads up are steep and winding, so take them slowly.
• Springbrook National Park (about 40 km): the Natural Bridge, where a waterfall drops through the roof of a cave and glow-worms shine after dark, Purling Brook Falls and the Best of All Lookout.
• Lamington National Park (Binna Burra about 70 km, O'Reilly's about 110 km): ancient rainforest, long walking tracks and a treetop walk. The road to O'Reilly's is narrow and very winding; it suits a small campervan driven slowly, not a large motorhome.

Where to stay overnight

• Holiday parks. The City of Gold Coast runs several tourist parks directly on the beach or on the Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks, and there are many private parks. In the school holidays, especially in December and January, book well ahead.
• National park campgrounds. In Queensland's national parks you need a camping permit booked online in advance; in Lamington there are campgrounds in the Green Mountains section and at Binna Burra.
• No sleeping on the street. Camping or sleeping in a vehicle in public places on the Gold Coast is not allowed, including beachfront car parks, and fines apply. Read the signs and do not rely on old advice from apps.

Driving tips

• Left-hand traffic. Take the first day easy, especially on roundabouts.
• Height limits. Many car parks in Surfers Paradise are in buildings with a clearance of around 2.1 m. Use open-air parking or leave the campervan at your holiday park and take the G:link tram, which runs along the coast.
• Traffic. The M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is often congested in the morning and afternoon peaks and on holiday weekends. There are toll roads in Brisbane, but not on the Gold Coast itself.
• Time difference. From early October to early April, New South Wales is one hour ahead of Queensland, which has no daylight saving. It matters for campsite check-in and tours across the border.
• Weather. Summer storms can be violent, with hail and flash flooding. Never drive through flooded roads.

For general rules on overnight stops, distances and tolls across the country, see our guide to campervan travel in Australia.

When to go

The Gold Coast is a year-round destination. Winter, from June to August, brings dry, sunny days around 20 °C and the start of the whale season, which runs until November. Spring and autumn are warm and calmer. Summer, from December to February, is hot and humid, with afternoon storms and the busiest school holidays. In late November Surfers Paradise also fills with school leavers celebrating Schoolies.

A campervan on the Gold Coast through Crystalium Booker

We are still building our campervan offer on the Gold Coast. Send us your dates and group size through the contact page and we will look for a vehicle for you, and keep an eye on the campervans in Surfers Paradise page for new listings. Do you rent out a campervan on the Gold Coast? List it with us.