There are a few possible Gold Coast excursions that you can do from any of the resorts on the coast.
The Gold Coast Hinterland is a wonderful place to spend a day or two especially if you enjoy bush walking. The scenery is breathtaking with lots of waterfalls and gorges and there are walks to suit people of all levels of fitness. There are also some wineries with cellar door tasting and plenty of opportunity to just relax and soak up the peace and quiet.
Going whale watching off the east coast of Australia is an experience not to be missed if you are there are the right time. Whales can be seen in this area between May and November and there are a few companies offering whale watching trips. From Surfers Paradise you could try one of the following companies. Whales in Paradise have two trips daily with a maximum of 40 passengers. Sea World Whale Watching also operate two trips daily and they have a larger boat that takes a maximum of 25 passengers. They leave from just outside Sea World. From Coolangatta one company you may want to contact is Aquatic Blue Charters who offer both whale watching trips and fishing charters.
There are five main Gold Coast theme parks that are all within easy reach. WhiteWater World and Wet n Wild are water parks, Dreamworld is an amusement park and wildlife park all in one, Sea World is an oceanarium and aquarium and Warner Bros Movie World is a piece of Hollywood on the Gold Coast.
A trip to the Sovereign Islands just off of Paradise Point about 20km north of Surfers Paradise is worth it just to see some of the huge and quite ostentatious houses there. One is like a miniature White House, others resemble French Chateaux and Mexican Haciendas and others are very modern style houses but one thing they all have in common is that they are almost all enormous.
Alternatively take a trip to one of the towns on the Gold Coast such as Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta or Burleigh Heads.
Check out our Gold Coast Attractions and Gold Coast Activities for other things to do on or near the Gold Coast Australia.