Gold Coast Open House

Saturday 27 September 2025 | 08:00 AM

A celebration of architecture, design, and storytelling, offering a rare opportunity to step inside the Gold Coast’s most intriguing buildings and spaces.

Gold Coast Open House (GCOH) returns with a vibrant weekend of free events, tours, and talks. Now in its 11th year, the much-loved festival once again invites the public to step inside the Gold Coast’s most intriguing buildings and spaces, revealing the stories, history, and innovation behind the city’s built environment.

Over one weekend, GCOH offers rare, behind-the-scenes access to a diverse range of buildings across the city, including 10 new additions. From award-winning homes and heritage gems to cutting-edge infrastructure and cultural landmarks, the program celebrates the ways architecture shapes the identity and lifestyle of the Gold Coast.

Celebrating a city that adapts, endures, and thrives, Gold Coast Open House 2025 explores the theme of resilience—showcasing how the Coast’s built environment responds to its unique coastal conditions.

Program

This year’s program spans the coast from Coolangatta to Southport and beyond, showcasing a broad mix of architecture.

Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University – A striking, open-plan academic building designed by CRAB Studio (Sir Peter Cook and Gavin Robotham), inspiring the next generation of Australian architects.
Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse– Reopened in 2024 after a $6.5 million revitalisation, this iconic landmark now integrates maritime history, Indigenous heritage, and stunning coastal views.
The Pink Hotel, Coolangatta – A retro icon reborn as a cultural hotspot, celebrating bold Gold Coast style.
Ceramic House & Preece House, Nerang – Two beautifully restored Queenslander homes that reveal the domestic heritage of the city’s rural past.
Gold Coast Airport – International Terminal – A behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s busiest regional airports and its approach to sustainability.
Gold Coast Desalination Plant & Disaster & Emergency Management Centre – Rare insight into the infrastructure that keeps the city safe and supplied with clean drinking water.
Flor Wine & Grocer & The Cheshire Cat Motel – Community favourites that demonstrate how design can shape atmosphere and neighbourhood character.
Kanooka House – Winner of House of the Year at the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Coast and Northern Rivers Awards, recognised for its sensitive and sustainable coastal design.

Speaker Series at Griffith University – Sunday 28 September

Alongside the open buildings program, GCOH will present a full-day Speaker Series at Griffith University, bringing together leading architects, designers, researchers, and cultural voices. This year’s theme explores how design and sustainability can respond to the challenges of the future.

Urban Sketchers Talks – Celebrating the global urban sketching movement with local and international perspectives.
Renewable Energy Retrofits – Practical strategies for bringing clean energy to apartment living.
Reimagining Waste – Circular design solutions for transforming construction waste into opportunity.
Designing for Multi-Generational Living – New approaches to flexible, inclusive homes that support families across generations.

Walking Tours and Special Experiences

For those who prefer to explore on foot, GCOH 2025 offers architect-led walking tours and site visits that connect history, design, and community stories.

Coolangatta Heritage Walk – A two-hour guided journey from Point Danger to Greenmount, uncovering stories of lighthouses, WWII sites, surf lifesaving and coastal culture.
Envi Micro Urban Village & Garden Terraces, Southport – A tour led by architect and developer Amy Degenhart exploring Australia’s first micro-lot housing project and its role in sustainable urban density.
Greenheart Robina Parklands – An insider’s look at the first stage of the city’s 257-hectare “great heart", designed for sport, recreation, and connection with nature.
Griffith University Biodiversity Gardens Walk – A guided tour of exhibition gardens featuring over 230 native plant species, highlighting sustainable landscaping and Indigenous cultural connections.
The Spit Redevelopment – A walk through one of the Gold Coast’s most-loved destinations, showcasing how inclusive design has revitalised a coastal public asset.

Getting there

Consider using public transport or active travel. Plan your trip with Translink's journey planner.

Parking may be limited. For metered parking, use the EasyPark app to start, end, and extend your parking direct from your phone to avoid fines. For more information visit City of Gold Coast's Parking page.