Gold Coast Weather in December

December heat and showers

December feels hot, humid and changeable on the Gold Coast. Daytime highs reach 30°C, with warm nights around 21°C. Rain falls on 16 days on average, so showers can interrupt beach time or a walk through Burleigh Head National Park. November is a little drier; January is wetter.

You can still enjoy the beaches, swim between showers, or take the G:link tram along the coast when the weather turns. Long, sunny spells aren't guaranteed, though, so don't build every day around the beach. For a cooler outing, browse the shops and cafes at Pacific Fair.

Christmas crowds

Christmas and New Year bring school holidays, festive events and busy beaches. Surfers Paradise is a focal point for New Year's Eve celebrations, while the holiday mood spreads across the coast. Expect more people on the sand and around popular attractions than in quieter months.

December is high season, so accommodation and other visitor costs are generally higher than in the cooler, less busy months. Families who want a quieter trip may prefer May or July to September, which are among the Gold Coast's best months overall.

A local December tip

For families, the long school break means extra company at places like Sea World and the Surfers Paradise foreshore. Go by tram between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise rather than relying on a car for that stretch; it helps you avoid some holiday traffic and parking pressure.

Keep a flexible plan for wet spells. If showers roll in, swap a beach afternoon for the indoor shops at Pacific Fair, then head back to the coast when the weather clears. December averages 137 mm of rain, so a change of plan is useful, not a sign the day is lost.