Fast. Reliable. Free.
Made for travelers, by travelers
Australia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Gold Coast scores 91/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Gold Coast is a very safe destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong institutional support. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Australia · Assessed 13 October 2026
91
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:24:13Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Australia: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:34:08.6817882-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent robbery is uncommon, but opportunistic theft can occur in busy tourist areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded public spaces, beaches, and entertainment precincts.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
87/100
Travel advice consistently ranks Australia and the Gold Coast as safe, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. Recent news does not indicate widespread fear among visitors.
Yes. Gold Coast is a very safe destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong institutional support.
The Gold Coast benefits from Australia's generally low crime rates and robust rule of law. While petty crime exists, serious incidents targeting tourists are rare. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded areas.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
The Gold Coast is a very safe destination for travelers, with official advisories consistently recommending normal security precautions. The city benefits from Australia's low crime rates, with a homicide rate significantly below the world average. While violent crime is rare, visitors should be aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded tourist areas and entertainment precincts.
Recent reports highlight instances of petty crime, such as a woman snatching tip jars from cafes in May 2026, and a serious incident involving a fatal shooting in June 2026. Foreign governments have also issued warnings about romance scams and the potential dangers of wildlife, as noted in January 2026. It is advisable to be vigilant against these types of incidents and to secure personal belongings.
Travelers should also be mindful of health advisories, including potential risks of Dengue and Measles, and take appropriate precautions. While the Gold Coast is generally safe, exercising common sense, such as avoiding displaying large sums of cash and being cautious of unsolicited offers, will contribute to a secure and enjoyable trip.
Was this Gold Coast, Australia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Gold Coast districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Gold Coast safety map.
Surfers ParadisecautionHigh tourist traffic increases risk of petty crime like pickpocketing.
SouthportcautionMixed area; some parts are safe, but exercise awareness due to higher crime rates in certain pockets.
BroadbeachsaferGenerally safe with good infrastructure and lower reported crime.
CoolangattasaferRelaxed atmosphere, generally safe for visitors.
RobinasaferPrimarily residential and commercial, considered safe.
Main BeachsaferUpscale area, generally very safe.
07 · After Dark
Violent robbery is uncommon, but opportunistic theft can occur in busy tourist areas.
After dark, be most careful around Surfers Paradise, Southport. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Gold Coast is a very safe destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and strong institutional support. The Gold Coast benefits from Australia's generally low crime rates and robust rule of law. While petty crime exists, serious incidents targeting tourists are rare. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded areas. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Gold Coast report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Gold Coast ranks #6 of 9 Australia destinations we've assessed, scoring 91/100. See the Australia safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Keep exploring
Raw data: gold-coast.json (CC BY 4.0).
