33 Best Things to do on the Gold Coast at Night
After a day of surfing or hanging out on the beach, when the sun goes down, what is there to do at night on the Gold Coast?
Luckily, there are plenty of fun things to do on the Gold Coast at night for all ages. If you have kids, check out this list of things to do with kids at night on the Gold Coast, or keep reading to find even more fun ideas.
Whether you are looking for a big night out or just something to do for a couple of hours, keep reading to find the best things to do on the Gold Coast at night.
#1 Home of the Arts (HOTA)
Known as HOTA, Home of the Arts is an entertainment center located in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Check HOTA’s calendar to see what is on during your trip to the Gold Coast. Options include theatre performances, films, comedy shows, cabaret, dance, festivals, workshops, and more.
HOTA also has a bar and multiple restaurants. At night, visitors can enjoy a drink at The Exhibitionist Bar, on the roof of HOTA. In addition to a large cocktail menu, there are food options at Exhibitionist Bar.
Palette Restaurant is a unique fine dining experience located at HOTA. On the weekends, HOTA Cafe is open late for a meal, coffee, or glass of wine.
#2 Heritage Bank Stadium
Watch an Aussie Rules Football game at Heritage Bank Stadium, also known as Metricon Stadium. located in Carrara on the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Suns play AFL at Heritage Bank Stadium and the stadium is also used for cricket matches as well as rugby and even baseball games.
Concerts are also held at the stadium.
#3 Skypoint Observation Deck and Climb
See the Gold Coast from above at Skypoint Observation Deck in Surfer’s Paradise.
Visitors are able to climb to the top of Skypoint Tower with the Skypoint Climb which has tours during the day and at night. Nighttime options include a twilight tour at sunset and a night tour where participants can see the Gold Coast lit up in the dark.
#4 Springbrook National Park Glow Worm Tour
Visit a rainforest at night and see the glow worms on a night tour that leaves from the Gold Coast.
Pick-up is available at central Gold Coast hotels. The tour includes a guided walk to Curtis Falls in Springbrook National Park, a chance to see glow worms at Natural Bridge, and dessert with tea or coffee.
The night tour of Springbrook National Park lasts approximately 3.5 hours and is a unique thing to do at night on the Gold Coast.
Find out what’s on at night at Heritage Bank Stadium during your visit to the Gold Coast.
#5 Sunset Boat Ride
Watch the sun go down from the water on a 1.5-hour long Sunset Boat Cruise that leaves from Surfer’s Paradise.
While dinner is not served on board, there are complimentary snacks as well as a full bar where you can purchase a beer or a glass of champagne.
The Ultimate Gold Coast Attractions Pass allows you to choose from 3, 5, or 7 popular Gold Coast attractions to visit in a 90 day period.
#6 Dinner Cruise
Enjoy live music, gold coast city views, a beautiful sunset, and a delicious buffet dinner on The Spirit of Elston dinner cruise leaving out of Sea World Cruises Terminal.
The 2.5-hour-long dinner cruise offers many vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. Drinks are available to purchase.
The boat has both an airconditioned lower level and an upper level with 360-degree views.
#7 Gold Coast Gondolas
Enjoy a romantic sunset cruise in a gondola from Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Gold Coast Gondolas are family-friendly and have multiple options for both the length of the gondola ride and what is included on board.
You can choose from a 1-hour, 1.5-hour, or 2-hour gondola ride. If you want, dinner can be provided as can champagne, roses, chocolates, a “will you marry me” sign, and a limo transfer.
#8 Holey Moley
An indoor miniature golf venue with fun holes that are individually themed, Holey Moley is a fun indoor place to play on the Gold Coast at night.
Located in the Galaxy Center in Surfer’s Paradise, Holey Moley has 18 unique putt-putt holes.
Under-18s are welcome into Holey Moley Surfer’s Paradise until 9 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
#9 Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Located next to Holey Moley at Galaxy Center in Surfer’s Paradise is Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, an arcade that is open late.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq has a fun cocktail bar inside and a restaurant as well as bowling, dodgem cars, and ticket-earning games. At the end of the night, you can trade your tickets for prizes.
#10 Hijinx Hotel
Another fun place to go at night on the Gold Coast is located right next to Holey Moley and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq at the Galaxy Center.
Hijinx Hotel is a new immersive game that involves solving challenges and playing games quickly in 5 different rooms in a 30-minute time period.
You don’t get to choose the rooms, but each group can choose to purchase another round to see additional rooms.
The recommended age for Hijinx Hotel is 5+.
Hijinx Hotel is open late every night of the week offering something fun to do at night on the Gold Coast.
Find fun things to do in Surfers Paradise at night.
#11 Strike Bowling
Strike, a bowling alley in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast is open late each night of the week.
In addition to the 10 lanes of bowling, Strike has a karaoke room, two escape rooms, pool tables, a cocktail bar, and a restaurant.
#12 Putt Putt Mermaid Beach
Open until 10 each night, Putt Putt Mermaid Beach has 3 different themed 18-hole miniature golf courses as well as a video game arcade.
One of the courses is called Fun Run, another is Jungle Trail, and the 3rd course is Waterways. At night, a light display appears on the Waterways putt-putt course.
Twilight miniature golf at Putt Putt Mermaid Beach includes glow-in-the-dark golf balls.
#13 Timezone Surfers Paradise
Another fun option for arcade games is Timezone Surfer’s Paradise. In addition to arcade games, Time Zone offers bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, miniature bowling, and bumper cars. There is also a bar and cafe at Timezone.
Timezone is located in the Paradise Centre at Cavill Mall in Surfer’s Paradise and is open until midnight each night.
#14 Level Up Arcade
An arcade open late in Broadbeach, Level Up Arcade has classic arcade games for all ages and games where you can earn tickets that can be exchanged for prizes.
Located at the Oasis Shopping Centre in Broadbeach, Level Up Arcade is open until 10 pm nightly and visitors can get 3 hours of free parking in the underground lot.
#15 Fox in a Box
An escape room open late, Fox in a Box offers 8 different escape room options.
Each room at Fox and Box fits 2-6/7 people. Large groups of up to 48 people can book the entire location at once.
While only kids 10+ are recommended, anyone can play. Everyone under 7 plays for free.
Fox in a Box is located in Surfer’s Paradise.
#16 Padlockd Escape Room and Bar
Located in The Forum Arcade in Surfer’s Paradise, Padlockd Escape Room and Bar is the largest escape room venue in Australia.
Players can choose from 11 different escape room experiences that vary in difficulty level.
The size of the rooms varies and while most fit between 2-6 people, some of the rooms have a max of 8 players.
Players are recommended to be at least 10, though all ages are welcome to join in unless it is a particularly scary room in which all players must be at least 12 years old.
#17 Escape Hunt Gold Coast
Choose between 4 escape rooms at Escape Hunt located in Southport on the Gold Coast.
Between 2 and 5 players can participate in each room. All of the escape room options at Escape Hunt are family-friendly and recommended for anyone 7+. None of the themes are scary.
#18 Axe Throwing
Learn how to throw an axe or practice your axe-throwing skills at Lumber Punks, which is open until 8:30 pm.
Lumber Punks is located in Miami on the Gold Coast and is a fun thing to do for 90 minutes at night (or during the day).
#19 Top Golf
You can hit golf balls until late every night of the week at Top Golf on the Gold Coast. Top Golf has a few different kinds of games you can play at their driving range.
Top Golf is family-friendly and kids are welcome.
Food and drinks can be purchased at the golf bay or in the restaurant at Top Golf.
#20 Core Climbing
Try indoor rock climbing at Core Climbing in Carrara. Open late, this rock climbing gym offers something different to do at night on the Gold Coast.
Evening exercise class options at Core Climbing include yoga, pilates, and corefit.
#21 Australian Outback Spectacular
Learn about Australian culture with stories of the Outback while enjoying a 3-course dinner at Australian Outback Spectacular.
A beer, wine, or soda is included with your meal, and additional drinks can be purchased. Everyone receives a Stockman’s hat as a souvenir.
It is possible to book a hotel transfer to the show if you do not have your own transportation. Parking is available at the venue.
#22 Illusions Magic Show
Anyone 3+ is able to attend the family-friendly Illusions Magic Show that takes place on Friday and Saturday nights at Sanctuary Cove’s Theatre of Magic.
VIP tickets are available and include early entry, VIP seating, a complimentary welcome drink, a snack, chocolate, and a souvenir.
Those who want dinner included with the show can sign up for a VIP dinner and show experience that includes a 5-course dinner either before or after the show as well as everything listed with the VIP tickets and a magic kit with each kid’s ticket purchase.
#23 Spirits of the Red Sand
An immersive dinner theatre experience that depicts an Aboriginal village in the 1800s, Spirits of the Red Sand uses storytelling to depict Aboriginal culture while serving a 3-course dinner.
The show includes singing and dancing and runs from 6:30 pm to 9 pm in Beenleigh on the Gold Coast.
#24 Dracula’s Cabaret
A 3.5-hour-long dinner and live variety show, Dracula’s Cabaret is Australia’s longest-running dinner theatre event.
Located on Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, Dracula’s Cabaret is something for those 15+ to do at night.
The live entertainment at Dracula’s Cabaret includes aerial circus acts, music, comedy, puppetry, and illusions.
A 3-course meal is served during the show, and a vegetarian option is available.
#25 Dreamworld Night Market
Held at Dreamworld each Friday and Saturday night, the Dreamworld Night Market includes food trucks, live entertainment, and family-friendly movies.
Workshops and special events also take place at the Dreamworld Night Market including Paint and Sip and comedy shows.
#26 Miami Marketta
Another night market on the Gold Coast is Miami Marketta.
Miami Marketta is both an indoor and outdoor market with food stalls and live entertainment each Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night.
Ticketed events at Miami Marketta include concerts, drag queen bingo, and art workshops.
#27 Make Your Own Gin
Did you know that you can make your own gin on the Gold Coast? You can take a 4-hour master class including a tour of a gin distillery, gin tasting, and the opportunity to make your own gin.
This experience begins at 6 pm in Miami on the Gold Coast.
Dinner and drinks are served during the night. This experience is only for those 18+ and there is a maximum of 6 people per group.
#28 Infinity
Explore a futuristic maze at Infinity, a 30-minute-long journey through 20 different environments with sounds, lights, aromas, illusions, and special effects.
Infinity is located in Surfer’s Paradise and is open until 10 pm each night making it something fun to do on the Gold Coast at night.
Kids 8+ can participate in the experience at Infinity.
#29 Ripley’s Believe it or Not
Open until 10 pm each night, Ripley’s Believe it or Not has oddities and unique items on display.
In addition to the Odditorium at Ripley’s, there is a moving theatre experience and a mirror maze coming soon.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not is located at Cavill Mall in Surfer’s Paradise.
#30 Sling Shot Park
Get launched into the air at 160 kilometers an hour at Sling Shot Park, an amusement park ride located in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Open late each night, a ride at Sling Shot Park takes just 5 minutes, but there are plenty of other fun attractions open up late nearby. Even with a prepurchased ticket, riders must still wait in line for their turn on the ride.
#31 Cheeky Waffles
Are you looking for a dessert shop that is open late each night on the Gold Coast? Cheeky Waffles is open late in Surfer’s Paradise.
As the name suggests, Cheeky Waffles sells waffles, and the cheeky part about them is their shape.
Vegan options are available.
Up late but don’t feel like going out? Cheeky Waffles is available for delivery with Uber Eats.
#32 Gold Coast Night Clubs
Yes, Gold Coast also has plenty of nightclubs for those who want to go out late at night. Some of the best nightclubs on the Gold Coast include:
#33 Rooftop Bars
If you want to enjoy a drink at night on the Gold Coast, but nightclubs aren’t your thing, there are a few options for a more chill night by visiting a rooftop bar.
Some of the best rooftop bars on the Gold Coast include:
- Nineteen at the Star
- Skyline Rooftop Bar
- Aviary Rooftop Bar
- The Exhibitionist Bar
- The Island Rooftop
- Surfer’s Paradise Beer Garden
Gold Coast at Night Wrap-Up
The Gold Coast has a lot more to offer than its beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and parks. There are so many fun things to do when the sun goes down on the Gold Coast.
Known as both a party area and a family-friendly place to be, the Gold Coast has both nightclubs and bars as well as kid-friendly activities and a whole bunch of entertainment for all ages.
With a wide variety of shows, sunset boat rides, games, and even a night hike, there are plenty of options for things to do on the Gold Coast at night.
Gold Coast at Night FAQ
Whether you want a big night out at a nightclub, a fun night out playing games, or an entertaining night out at a show, there are plenty of options of fun things to do at night on the Gold Coast.
Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo travelers can all find something to do at night on the Gold Coast. Scroll up for specific things to do on the Gold Coast at night.
The Gold Coast has lots of accommodations at various price points. Here is a list of family-friendly accommodations on the Gold Coast.
Yes, the Gold Coast is known for its nightlife! The Gold Coast is relaxed during the day, but a place to party late at night.
Bars on the Gold Coast have to stop serving alcohol at 2 am and can not allow new guests inside after 3 am.
Trams run every 30 minutes between midnight and 5 am on the weekends on the Gold Coast.
You are not able to drink in public, unless in a designated area, in Queensland.
