Gold Coast Events

Main Gold Coast Events

There are many different kinds of events held in the Gold Coast annually or every two years. Pan Pacific Masters games is a huge event that is held every two years in even years. Over 10,000 competitors come to the Gold Coast to compete from all parts of Australia and the Pacific Region.

What Are The Main Gold Coast Events?

Some events on the Gold Coast are held regularly, annually or bi-annually. Whilst others are one offs. Knowing when the events are can help with your trip planning.

You may be planning your trip to coincide with an event on the Gold Coast, or equally, you may want to avoid Surfers Paradise during Schoolies week!

These are the some of the larger events in and around the Gold Coast. There are many smaller events held each month in the Gold Coast which can be found in the monthly guides or in the annual events calendars.

• Magic Millions Horse Carnivals - January and June
• Gold Coast Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show - May
• Gold Coast Marathon - July
• Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - July/August
• Gold Coast 600 (replaces Gold Coast Indy and Super GP) - October
• Pacific Masters Games - November (bi annually in even years)
• Schoolies Week - November

Attend or avoid, either way, it’s best to know in advance!

For specific Gold Coast events check out the annual events calendars, they have more detailed information and dates.

Gold Coast Events Information Year to Year

* Events may be cancelled or rescheduled at anytime for any reason.
It is highly recommend you check dates with the event organizer before booking your trip.

Gold Coast Events - Magic Millions Horse Carnivals

Magic Millions Horse Carnivals are held in January and June each year. Yearling Sales, Race Days and lots of associated events are held during the Carnivials.

Yearling Sales are held at the Magic Millions Sales Complex which is next to the Gold Coast Turf Club Racecourse. Races held at the Gold Coast Turf Club in Bundall. Other venues host lunches, golf days etc.

The Horse Racing fraternity from all over Australia turn out with all the usual glitz and glamour.

Gold Coast Events - Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is held in May every year. The village at Sanctuary Cove comes alive.  

The marina is transformed into an amazing boat show. What an incredible venue.

Stay at Sanctuary Cove for the full experience.  Or if you just want to nip in for a day buses or helicopters transfer you quickly and efficiently.

This is a premier boating event. lots of atmosphere and the boats. They are just incredible! If you want to keep up to date with the latest in boating it is usually on show all in the one great location. Go on treat yourself!

Gold Coast Events - Gold Coast Marathon

Gold Coast Marathon is held in July each year. Usually the first sunday in July. Full marathon isn't the only option, you can do a half marathon, 10km run and various walks as well as junior events.

For those visiting in July it is important to note that there are road closures along the Coastal Highway from Coolangatta (near the airport) to Labrador (just north of Southport) from very early Sunday morning through to 4pm in the afternoon. The starts are staggered so the route is busy with different waves of competitors.

Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race is held in late July or early August each year. It is sometimes referred to as the Sydney Southport Yacht Race because the Gold Coast host club is the Southport Yacht Club.

SYC bustles with a great array of Australian Ocean racing yachts. This is the start of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 8 month blue water sailing program.

This race is considered as a preparation race for the world famous Sydney to Hobart Race so you will see many of the yachts that will go on to compete later in the year in the Sydney to Hobart.

The boats race from Sydney to Southport. They also take part in the SYC's Commodore's Cup Regatta. Overall, a great excuse to ogle top class ocean racing yachts or even get out on the water yourself!

Gold Coast Events - Gold Coast 600 (SuperGP, Indy)

Gold Coast 600 (SuperGP, Indy) is held in October each year.

In 2010 Gold Coast 600 was launched as the new motorsport event in Gold Coast. The new event is evolving but is based around 3 days racing around the Surfers Paradise track and an incredible line up of entertainment and supporting races.

In case you are confused here's a quick history lesson. In 2009 SuperGP (sponsored by Nitro to be the Nitro SuperGP) replaced the Gold Coast Indy 300. If you were looking for Gold Coast Indy, it is now Gold Coast 600 with the Australian V8 Supercars. SuperGP was supposed to have both V8 Supercars and A1 GP - an international racing event that is a feeder for Formula 1 racing.

The whole area is pretty much sealed off just before, during and straight after the motorsport carnival days.

Best Gold Coast 600 accommodation is either in Surfers Paradise or in Main Beach. You can choose to be within the track precinct or just outside it. Either way you’ll be right in the middle of all the action in these two suburbs.

If you want to spend a bit of time at this motorsport event but plan to see more of the coast as well it is best to stay outside Surfers Paradise and Main Beach.

You can find more information about Gold Coast 600 including ticket options, where to stay, latest news on entertainment, how to get there and other great tips.

I have a feeling that GoldCoast 600 will be just as much a BUZZ as Indy was! Our family lived in South Melbourne right next to where they staged the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the noise was just so enticing! We all loved the cars and the atmosphere. It’s just the same with the V8s.

Gold Coast Events - Schoolies Week In November

The Australian School Year wraps up in November for school leavers.

In 1997 we holidayed in Surfers Paradise in November. Our travel guide (aka our travel agent) didn't tell us that Schoolies Week started on the last night of our stay. Our apartment was right in the heart of Surfers Paradise where the main action was. As a family, I have to say, we were glad it was our last night. We didn’t get much sleep!

Unless you are a 16 to 18 year old Australian Schoolie, probably best to find accommodation outside Surfers Paradise during this week.

That said, Gold Coast Schoolies is very well organized and they have some great activities and entertainment for the young adults. All Schoolies must be registered to enter these Gold Coast events and the organizers and Police are understandably very strict about this.

If you are a schoolie looking for accommodation I highly recommend you go through and book your schoolie accommodation with Book Schoolies. On their website you can book schoolie accommodation in a variety of locations in and around Australia.

They are dedicated and know which accommodation will take schoolies, so you won't waste your time! If you click below you will go directly to the Gold Coast accommodation pages where you can check out the options and book really easily. Be quick, as spots fill up really fast and by October they are taking bookings for the next year! Good luck and have fun!

Have A Question About A Gold Coast Event?

Do you have a question about a Gold Coast event? Super GP (Indy), Magic Millions, Fashion Show, Basketball Matches, Gold Coast Titan Games?

This is the place to ask! I cannot always promise a perfect answer, but I will have a good go and include any resources or links that I think will help you out.

Click below to see questions from other visitors to this page...

More Holiday Planning Information

There are plenty of reasons to make the Gold Coast your next holiday destination and there is more than enough to keep you busy... or relaxed.

Here is where you will find more information to help plan your trip.

• Gold Coast Travel Planning Guide for a birds eye view of what to consider for your Gold Coast holiday including information on Gold Coast major events.
  
• Month by Month Guide with one page per month of the year, you can easily discover what is going on each month.
  
• Australian school holidays information about the school holidays in Australia which differ from State to State.
  
• Gold Coast family holidays has hints and tips for families travelling to the Gold Coast with children.
• Discover Gold Coast attractions to suit everyone! From man-made attractions to the totally natural attractions that this part of Queensland has to offer.
  
• Gold Coast car rentals and transport options for getting around south east Queensland.

Custom Search

Return to top Gold Coast Events