The May long weekend on the Gold Coast tends to be quieter than summer, better weather for walking, easier to get a table, and the beaches are actually enjoyable. This guide covers the best spots to eat, walk, and unwind, including a stop at Soak Bathhouse in Mermaid Beach if you want to make the most of the extra day.
Here’s your guide to fun things to do on the Gold Coast this long weekend.
Start Your Day at the Beach
You’re on the Gold Coast — you may as well use it.
Head down early to Mermaid Beach for a walk, a swim, or just a coffee by the ocean. It’s simple, but it sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Brunch (or Coffee) in Nobby Beach
For coffee, Short Stop on Lavarack Avenue is a local favourite, small, no-frills, consistently good. If you’re after a proper brunch, Paddock Bakery on Park Avenue is worth the short wait; the egg dishes are the move. Both are within walking distance of the beach and tend to fill up by 9 am on long weekends, so get in early or expect to queue.
Visit a Gold Coast Bathhouse (Soak Bathhouse, Mermaid Beach)
If you’re looking for something that actually feels like a long weekend, make time for a Gold Coast bathhouse experience.
At Soak Bathhouse Mermaid Beach, you can move between magnesium pools, hot spas, steam rooms, and saunas, or settle into your favourite and stay there.
Want to level it up? Add a cold plunge for contrast, or book a Gold Coast massage to make it a full experience.
Whether you’re planning a solo visit, a catch-up, or something different to do with friends, it’s one of the easiest ways to break up your day.
Take a Coastal Walk
If you’re up for something active, the Burleigh Head National Park coastal walk is always a good idea.
Ocean views, fresh air, and plenty of spots to stop along the way — it’s a classic for a reason.
Stay Out in Mermaid & Burleigh
Once you’re in the area, stay a while.
From casual dinners to drinks, Mermaid Beach and Burleigh are packed with options. It’s easy to turn a day out into a full plan without trying too hard.
Pair it with a visit to a Gold Coast bathhouse, and you’ve got your long weekend sorted.
Celebrate Mother’s Day on the Gold Coast
If you’re visiting over the May long weekend, there’s a good chance it lines up with Mother’s Day. That makes it the perfect excuse to slow things down and plan something a little more thoughtful.
Start with a relaxed morning by the beach, coffee in hand, then book in a proper brunch at one of the local favourites in Nobby Beach or Burleigh. It’s one of the busiest dining days of the year, so locking in a table ahead of time is worth it.
For something that feels a bit more special than the usual lunch or flowers, a visit to a Gold Coast bathhouse is an easy win. Time spent moving between warm mineral pools, spas, and steam rooms, or adding a massage, turns the day into an experience rather than just another booking.
If you want to keep things simple, go with a beach walk, a long brunch, then an afternoon unwind. No rushing, no overplanning, just a good way to spend time together.
Because if there’s a weekend that suits it, this one does.
Make the Most of the Long Weekend
The May long weekend is long enough to actually do it properly: beach in the morning, a walk through Burleigh, lunch somewhere decent, and an afternoon at Soak Bathhouse to finish. Book the Soak Bathhouse in Mermaid Beach in advance if you’re going on the Saturday; it fills up fast on long weekends
With magnesium pools, cold plunge options, and massage experiences available, it’s one of the most popular ways to spend a long weekend on the coast.
Because if you’ve got the extra day, you may as well use it properly.
