Relax on golden sands at Rainbow Bay
Gold Coast, Australia • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan, Apr, Dec
21°C – 28°C, warm temperatures with high humidity and frequent rainfall, high crowds, peak season
21°C – 28°C, warm temperatures with high humidity and frequent rainfall, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
No
Wheelchair-accessible ramps to soft sand; no beach wheelchairs available.
Wheelchair-accessible ramps to soft sand; no beach wheelchairs available.
Value for money
High
Beach access is free, offering great value.
Beach access is free, offering great value.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Sunsets
Couples loved the stunning sunsets and the serene beach walks at Rainbow Bay.
Perfect Location
Visitors found the location perfect, with easy access to the beach and nearby amenities.
Beautiful Beach
Travelers raved about the clean, safe, and beautiful Rainbow Bay for couples.
Parking Problems
Finding parking can be challenging, especially on weekends and during peak seasons.
Overcrowded Beach
The beach can get crowded, particularly during school holidays and good surf days.
Limited Privacy
With the crowds, couples may find it difficult to enjoy private moments.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
open - open
Tuesday
open - open
Wednesday
open - open
Thursday
open - open
Friday
open - open
Saturday
open - open
Sunday
open - open
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Embark on a stroll around Rainbow Bay.
Immerse into a walking tour along Rainbow Bay.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
20-28°C
December marks the beginning of summer in Rainbow Bay, bringing warm and humid conditions. Daytime temperatures average around 27.7°C, with nighttime lows of 20.4°C. The sea temperature is warm at 24.9°C, ideal for swimming. Rainfall increases to approximately 151 mm over about 11.5 days, making it a wetter month, but there are still plenty of sunny periods.
December marks the beginning of summer in Rainbow Bay, bringing warm and humid conditions. Daytime temperatures average around 27.7°C, with nighttime lows of 20.4°C. The sea temperature is warm at 24.9°C, ideal for swimming. Rainfall increases to approximately 151 mm over about 11.5 days, making it a wetter month, but there are still plenty of sunny periods.
Open
High demand during the holiday season; early booking is essential to secure accommodations and activities.
High demand during the holiday season; early booking is essential to secure accommodations and activities.
Recommended
December offers warm temperatures and excellent sea conditions for swimming. However, it's also the start of the peak tourist season, resulting in higher prices and larger crowds. Early planning and booking are recommended to ensure a smooth visit.
December offers warm temperatures and excellent sea conditions for swimming. However, it's also the start of the peak tourist season, resulting in higher prices and larger crowds. Early planning and booking are recommended to ensure a smooth visit.
January
HIGH
21-28°C
Warm temperatures with high humidity and frequent rainfall.
Warm temperatures with high humidity and frequent rainfall.
Open
Limited availability; early booking recommended.
Limited availability; early booking recommended.
Recommended
January offers warm weather ideal for beach activities, but expect high humidity, frequent rain, and large crowds. Early booking is advised due to limited availability.
January offers warm weather ideal for beach activities, but expect high humidity, frequent rain, and large crowds. Early booking is advised due to limited availability.
February
MEDIUM
22-28°C
Warm and humid with frequent rainfall.
Warm and humid with frequent rainfall.
Open
More availability as peak season ends.
More availability as peak season ends.
Recommended
February continues with warm and humid conditions, with moderate crowds as school holidays conclude. Availability improves, and prices may be more favorable.
February continues with warm and humid conditions, with moderate crowds as school holidays conclude. Availability improves, and prices may be more favorable.
March
LOW
21-27°C
Warm temperatures with decreasing humidity and rainfall.
Warm temperatures with decreasing humidity and rainfall.
Open
Good availability with fewer restrictions.
Good availability with fewer restrictions.
Recommended
March offers warm weather with reduced humidity and rainfall. Lower crowd levels provide a more relaxed beach experience, and availability is generally good.
March offers warm weather with reduced humidity and rainfall. Lower crowd levels provide a more relaxed beach experience, and availability is generally good.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Translink operates bus services (routes 700, 760) to Rainbow Bay. Closest stops are at Twin Towns Services Club and Griffith Street in Coolangatta.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-sharing services provide direct access to Rainbow Bay, with drop-off at the beach.
Walking
Recommended
Walking is feasible within the area, with access to the Gold Coast Oceanway.
Bike
The Gold Coast Oceanway runs through Rainbow Bay, allowing cyclists to explore the coastal routes.
Car
Driving via the Gold Coast Highway, with parking available near Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club and on-street parking.
Shuttle
Shuttle services from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) provide transfers to Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required