North Gold Coast accommodation from AU$162

Jump aboard the Tower of Terror and the Giant Drop at Dreamworld, or ride the rapids at WhiteWater World next door if you dare. If you're not much of a thrill-seeker, but still want to enjoy your time in Coomera, you can hire a boat and try your hand at fishing on the Coomera River. Oxenford is just a short drive down the road from Coomera, and home to some famous theme parks of its own. There's Warner Bros. Movie World, where you can have your photo taken with iconic Looney Tunes characters, and there's also Wet 'n' Wild Water World, where you can take a splash in the deep end. Another popular attraction is the Australian Outback Spectacular, where you'll enjoy dinner and an extravagant show. If you're on a family holiday, make sure to bring the kids to Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour, where they can feed kangaroos, have their photos taken with koalas, and even pat the furry creatures at the farmyard petting zoo.

If you don't particularly want to hit the beaten tourist trail, you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Jacobs Well, a sleepy little fishing village. You could also walk along the trails of the Coombabah Lakes Conservation Area, and admire the native bushland. However, if you'd rather hit the shops than the nature trails, there's Opal World in Helensvale, where you can purchase some rare gems and walk around the opal cutting workshop. There are also a few shopping centres scattered around the place, but Harbour Town, Australia Fair and Pacific Fair are only a five, 12 and 20km drive away, respectively. Getting around Gold Coast’s northern suburbs is also easily done by bus or train, and the airport is only about 40km away. If you'd like to visit some of the surrounding suburbs, you can go fishing or have lunch at the Runaway Bay Marina, which is about nine kilometres away. You can also have a fancy meal at one of the prestigious Hope Island/Sanctuary Cove restaurants, which are about eight kilometres away.

For a relaxing holiday with easy access to beaches, nightlife and iconic landmarks, check out our cheap flights to the Gold Coast and book your Gold Coast North accommodation today.

Image credit Gaudoine